FRESNO, CALIF. — California Natural Color broke ground on the expansion of its headquarters and manufacturing facility in Fresno, Calif.

California Natural Color said the facility will increase capacity by approximately 300%, which is expected to help scale the production of grape seed extract and natural color ingredients.

“Currently, natural color is a major topic of conversation with regulatory tightening, retailer mandates and growing awareness of ingredient sourcing, driving a strong shift away from artificial food colorings,” said Bill McMorran, vice president and general manager at California Natural Color. “With this upcoming expansion, we are well positioned to continue to meet rising market demand by increasing the production capabilities of our broad portfolio of naturally derived color and our innovative crystal technology.”

Businesses have less than 100 days to enter the Business Champion Awards, with entries closing at 5pm on 31 December 2026 ahead of a black-tie grand final in London on 23 March 2027.

The programme, which describes itself as Britain’s largest dedicated business awards for small and medium-sized businesses, opened for entries on 1 September. Business Matters is the awards’ headline media partner. Finalists will be announced on 1 February 2027.

The organisers, said the awards are open to small and medium-sized businesses, entrepreneurs and fast-growth companies in every UK sector. Gold, silver and bronze awards will be presented in each category.

The 14 categories include SME of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Growth Business of the Year, New Business of the Year, Exporter of the Year and Young Entrepreneur of the Year, which is limited to founders under 30. Business Innovation, Sustainable Business, Business Transformation, Community Business and Diversity and Inclusion Programme awards are also open. The Lifetime Achievement and Outstanding Achievement awards are by invitation only.

Entries are made online through the awards’ entry portal, where applicants create an account, can save and return, and complete three sections covering themselves, their entry and their financials. The organisers describe the entry process as carbon neutral.

Winners and finalists receive 12 months of coverage, according to the organisers, and finalists are offered a presentation skills masterclass along with PR and marketing support.

Richard Alvin, director of the Business Champion Awards, said: “We set up the Business Champion Awards to shine a light on the small and medium-sized businesses that do the heavy lifting in the British economy, in every county and every sector, not just the ones that already make the headlines. Reaching the final gives a business something it can’t buy: independent recognition that customers, staff and investors notice.”

He added: “The entries that stand out are the ones that tell a clear story and back it up with evidence. Judges want to see what you set out to do, what you actually achieved and the numbers that prove it. Don’t leave it until the week before Christmas. The strongest entries are the ones that have been drafted, reviewed and polished.”

The awards, first held in March 2022 at East Wintergarden in Canary Wharf, where the inaugural winners included Double Dutch Drinks founders Raissa and Joyce De Haas as Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Seeblue Marketing as New Business of the Year and Killing Kittens as Growth Business of the Year. Daniel Priestley of Dent Global was named Entrepreneur of the Year.

Paul Jones, editor of Business Matters, said: “Our readers are the owners and directors running Britain’s small and mid-sized companies, so backing the Business Champion Awards as headline media partner is a natural fit. These are businesses dealing with higher costs, tax changes and fragile confidence, and still finding ways to grow, hire and export. They deserve to be recognised.”

He added: “The awards have introduced us to founders we have gone on to follow as their businesses have grown. Every finalist gets 12 months of coverage, and for a growing company that kind of sustained exposure in front of other owners, investors and potential customers can open doors.”

Business Matters has published profiles of previous finalists and winners since the awards launched.

Entries close at 5pm on 31 December 2026. Category details, judging information and the entry form are available on the Business Champion Awards website.

About the author

Paul Jones

Harvard alumni and former New York Times journalist. Editor of Business Matters for over 15 years, the UKs largest business magazine. I am also head of Capital Business Media’s automotive division working for clients such as Red Bull Racing, Honda, Aston Martin and Infiniti.

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Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister announced the completion of negotiations for the ASEAN–Hong Kong Investment Agreement, enhancing market access and opportunities for investment in key industries and promoting stronger business ties.

Key Points

• Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun announced the conclusion of negotiations for expanded investment market access under the ASEAN–Hong Kong, China Investment Agreement (AHKIA), with the First Protocol signed on September 20 in Manila.
• The protocol aims to enhance market-access commitments, increasing investment opportunities, particularly in industries like automobiles, while fostering stronger supply-chain connections between Hong Kong investors and Thai companies.
• Thai businesses will gain wider opportunities to invest in Hong Kong, potentially accessing the Chinese market via the Belt and Road Initiative, while maintaining compliance with domestic laws and government regulatory authority.

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun has announced the conclusion of negotiations on expanded investment market access under the ASEAN–Hong Kong, China Investment Agreement (AHKIA). Thailand coordinated the negotiations, leading to the signing of the agreement’s First Protocol during the 10th ASEAN Economic Ministers–Hong Kong, China Consultation in Manila on September 20.

The protocol adds market-access commitments intended to create more investment opportunities and provide clearer conditions for businesses. Thailand expects greater investment in industries such as automobiles, automotive components, and printed circuit boards, while developing closer supply-chain connections between Hong Kong investors and Thai companies.

Thai businesses will also gain broader opportunities to invest in Hong Kong, with potential access to the Chinese market through the Belt and Road Initiative. Thailand’s commitments are consistent with existing domestic laws and preserve the government’s authority to regulate and determine public policy.

AHKIA originally covered investment protection, promotion, and facilitation, while negotiations on market access began in 2021. Following legal review and verification completed in March 2026, the protocol expands the framework to provide greater transparency and predictability for investors while supporting technology, advanced industries, and regional supply chains.

Source : Thailand Leads Talks to Expand ASEAN-Hong Kong Investment

On hot afternoons, when demand for power peaks, solar is now regularly supplying around a third of the electricity used across Texas, says Mark Stover, executive director of the Texas Solar and Storage Association.

He says that the solar boom is being driven by two main things. Firstly, it is cheap and quick to connect solar farms to Texas’ power grid, which is separate to the rest of the US. Secondly, Texas has a huge and growing appetite for electricity, driven by a burgeoning population.

Between 2015 and 2025, Texas’s population increased by 15.8%,, external making it one of the fastest-growing states in the nation.

“We need a whole lot of power in Texas, and we need it quickly,” Stover says.

Solar has also become inexpensive. James Scott, vice president of project development at OCI, says the technology has had years of small manufacturing gains that brought the price down to the point where it is now the cheapest way to generate power in the state.

“No one would have believed that 20 years ago,” Scott says.

Once a project is built, he says, the price of the electricity it produces can be fixed for decades, since the fuel, sunlight, is free.

“We’ll charge you $40 a megawatt hour for the next 25 years,” Scott says, adding that large buyers such as Amazon and Apple value being able to lock in a price for that long.

By contrast, new coal plants in the US produce power at nearly $90 megawatts per hour, says the Energy Information Administration.

Farmers have become central to that growth because solar developers need large stretches of flat land.

Stover says the industry is now paying out multigenerational income to families through leases that typically run 25 to 30 years and rise in value each year, letting some retire, set up family trusts, or simply keep a farm solvent.

Stover argues solar’s footprint is smaller than critics assume. “The industry is utilizing less than 0.15% of Texas land,” he says.

As the Unrivaled women’s basketball league continues to grow, Adidas is jumping on board with a multiyear partnership to become its official uniform and performance apparel partner. 

The fast-growing women’s 3-on-3 league, founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, will now be outfitted with Adidas’ gear, while introducing a broader assortment of officially licensed merchandise, including authentic jerseys and lifestyle collections, to fans. 

Adidas will also become the apparel provider for Unrivaled’s youth camps, clinics and related community basketball programming. 

The partnership will debut on the Unrivaled court at the start of the 2027 season. 

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Breanna Stewart of the Mist celebrates after defeating the Phantom during the Unrivaled 2026 Championship game at Sephora Arena March 4, 2026, in Medley, Fla. (Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images / Getty Images)

“We continue our journey to be the next generation brand of basketball,” Max Staiger, global general manager of Adidas Basketball, said in an official statement. “Unrivaled shares our belief for what’s possible in women’s basketball, and investing in athletes is the best way to grow the game. We’re excited to partner with the league to advance that vision through innovation, athlete empowerment and new opportunities that grow the game at every level.”

This partnership aims to strengthen women’s basketball by enhancing the athlete and fan experience, while opening new doors for the next generation of young players. 

BREANNA STEWART REFLECTS ON UNRIVALED BREAKING WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ATTENDANCE RECORD: ‘MORE THAN JUST HYPE’

“Our partnership with Adidas represents an important next step in Unrivaled’s growth and evolution,” Alex Bazzell, Unrivaled co-founder and CEO said. 

“Adidas shares in our vision and commitment to investing in the future of women’s basketball, and together we’ll elevate the athlete experience, create new opportunities for our players and service our fans even better.”

Since the league’s debut in 2025, Unrivaled has quickly emerged as one of the fastest-growing properties in sports, putting together some of the world’s best women’s basketball players across eight different clubs, and most players have equity in the league. 

A Unrivaled Wilson basketball during the first half of an Unrivaled 2026 game between the Hive and the Phantom at Sephora Arena Jan. 18, 2026, in Medley, Fla. (Tomas Diniz Santos/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Because Unrivaled is so focused on athlete empowerment and expanding the sport, it was only natural to bring in Adidas, a global leader with a similar mission. 

“Adidas has a long history of investing in the athletes and moments that define this game,” women’s basketball legend Candace Parker, who serves as president of Adidas Women’s Basketball, said in a statement. 

“Through this partnership, Adidas will bring elite performance innovation to Unrivaled athletes while continuing to invest in the future of women’s basketball at every level.”

Allisha Gray, Li Yueru, Arike Ogunbowale, Alanna Smith and Veronica Burton of the Mist celebrate after defeating the Phantom during the Unrivaled 2026 Championship game at Sephora Arena March 4, 2026, in Medley, Fla. (Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images / Getty Images)

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In August, Unrivaled announced that its Series C fundraiser, led by Ten Pillars Sports Fund, surpassed an initial $100 million target and was oversubscribed at a league valuation of $650 million. 

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MELBOURNE — Accounting and advisory firm Moore Australia (VIC/TAS) has appointed former Big Four tax leader Dmitri Filippov as Director of Tax Advisory in its Melbourne office, strengthening the firm’s international and corporate tax capabilities amid heightening global cross-border regulatory demands.

Commencing in his new role, Filippov brings over two decades of professional experience advising multinational enterprises, publicly listed corporations, and privately held middle-market businesses across Australia and New Zealand. The executive appointment comes as middle-market accounting networks face increasing client demand for specialized technical guidance navigating complex international tax governance, global minimum tax mandates, and trans-Tasman structural requirements.

Deep Big Four Expertise and Trans-Tasman Market Focus

Prior to joining Moore Australia, Filippov built an extensive career spanning senior leadership roles within major global professional services networks. He served over eight years at Deloitte as Director of Corporate Tax in Melbourne and previously held multiple advisory posts at Ernst & Young (EY), including Senior Tax Manager in Brisbane.

Throughout his career in Big Four practice, Filippov has managed complex corporate restructuring engagements, cross-border merger and acquisition (M&A) tax structuring, and global tax compliance programs for domestic and international corporate groups. His industry background spans key economic sectors including infrastructure, technology, agriculture, financial services, consumer goods, and industrial manufacturing.

“I have spent my career helping businesses make sense of tax across borders, and that work is only becoming more important,” stated Filippov regarding his appointment. “Moore Australia gives me the platform to work closely with clients while drawing on a genuinely global network. I am looking forward to helping the team build something that clients value for years to come.”

Navigating Global Minimum Tax and Evolving Regulatory Regimes

Filippov’s arrival reinforces Moore Australia’s advisory infrastructure at a time when mid-tier and multinational enterprises face unprecedented regulatory headwinds. Corporate tax departments across the Asia-Pacific region are managing sweeping international compliance changes, including Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Pillar Two implementation, tightened transfer pricing enforcement, and changing state and federal tax frameworks.

A Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser, Filippov began his career as an investigations officer with the Inland Revenue Department of New Zealand. He holds postgraduate qualifications in corporate law and taxation alongside foundational degrees in accounting and applied mathematics. This combined background in public enforcement and private corporate consulting equips the firm to deliver commercial, risk-managed tax strategies for mid-market clients expanding across international borders.

“Dmitri’s appointment is a deliberate investment in the depth and breadth of our Tax Advisory practice,” said Steven Sakkas, Chief Executive Officer of Moore Australia (VIC/TAS). “Our clients are ambitious, innovation-driven and growth-oriented, yet they operate in an increasingly complex economic, regulatory and political environment. Dmitri gives clients access to expertise that matters more than ever: over 20 years of corporate and international tax experience across multinational and listed organisations as well as privately owned businesses in Australia and New Zealand, spanning complex tax matters, restructures, and mergers and acquisitions.”

Strategic Priorities for Moore Australia’s Tax Advisory Practice

• Expanding dedicated international tax advisory and trans-Tasman structuring capabilities for mid-market and listed corporate clients.
• Structuring tax-effective merger, acquisition, and divestment frameworks across domestic and cross-border commercial transactions.
• Navigating multi-jurisdictional compliance programs, global minimum tax regulations, and transfer pricing audit defenses.

Professional Services Talent Competition and Market Outlook

The high-profile hire underscores a broader strategic push among mid-tier accounting networks to capture market share from major global firms. As large corporate clients seek agile advisory models paired with senior-level technical access, firms like Moore Australia are aggressively recruiting proven Big Four leadership to lead key practice areas.

Operating as part of the broader national Moore Australia network—which encompasses 13 offices and over 600 professionals across the country—the Victoria and Tasmania operation continues to scale its core multidisciplinary units. By pairing senior talent acquisition with the firm’s global network footprint, Moore Australia aims to position itself as a primary corporate advisor for growth-stage and multinational companies navigating regulatory disruption across the Trans-Tasman economy.

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Kingfisher’s broader DIY markets are hardly booming, but Screwfix is doing enough heavy lifting to make the group look considerably healthier. Strong trade demand, better margins and tighter cost control pushed first-half profits higher and gave management the confidence to raise guidance despite a still-mixed consumer backdrop.

WHAT HAPPENED

Kingfisher shares jumped around 9% after the home-improvement retailer upgraded its full-year outlook following a stronger-than-expected first half.

Adjusted pretax profit rose 9.9% to £404 million (about $539 million) in the six months to July, while statutory sales increased 0.8% to £6.86 billion and underlying like-for-like sales edged 0.3% higher.

The standout performer was Screwfix, where like-for-like sales climbed 5.6% as stronger volumes, higher spending from trade customers and continued market-share gains offset softer consumer demand elsewhere in the group.

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Trade customers now account for 74% of Screwfix sales, giving the chain greater exposure to professional builders, plumbers and electricians whose purchasing tends to be more frequent and less discretionary than that of ordinary DIY shoppers.

Digital engagement is also becoming increasingly important. E-commerce penetration at Screwfix reached 60%, while app sales increased 18%, helped by stronger loyalty-program usage and a broader range of branded products.

Kingfisher’s wider digital strategy continued gaining ground too. Group e-commerce sales excluding Screwfix rose 16%, while marketplace gross merchandise value jumped 42% to £372 million and contributed £13.4 million of profit.

Profitability improved faster than sales, with gross margin expanding 70 basis points due to sourcing gains, marketplace growth and disciplined cost management. A £14 million UK business-rates refund also helped the first-half result.

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Management now expects adjusted pretax profit of £595 million to £635 million for the full year, up from its previous £565 million to £625 million range. Free-cash-flow guidance was also increased to £480 million to £520 million from £450 million to £510 million.

The stronger outlook comes even though trading remains uneven across the portfolio, particularly in France, where weak consumer confidence and softer demand for larger renovation projects continue to weigh on performance.

WHY IT MATTERS

Kingfisher’s results show why exposure to professional tradespeople can be particularly useful when ordinary consumers are nervous about spending.

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