Award-winning speaker and former BBC broadcaster to address sustainability, collaboration and culture at April programme launches ahead of flagship week in June

The Humber Business Week community is preparing to welcome award-winning BBC radio presenter, producer and author Dr Alan Raw as a programme launch speaker. The former broadcaster and co-founder of BBC Introducing will serve as keynote speaker at the 2026 Biz Week north bank programme launch on Wednesday, April 22, where he will invite his audience to reflect on what kind of future they envision for the Humber region, and what part they can play in shaping it.

The following week, on Tuesday, April 28, the south bank programme launch will utilise the spectacular backdrop of Helios – an installation by renowned artist Luke Jerram – to cast a spotlight on culture’s role in driving growth, identity and ambition for organisations. Alan, who received an honorary doctorate last year from the University of Hull for Sustainability and Creative Practice, will return to the university for the north bank event.

A published author, cultural catalyst and entrepreneur, he will draw upon the key Biz Week themes of sustainability, collaboration, and culture by presenting the Humber as a real-world illustration of industrial transformation and environmental change. Rather than treating climate and environmental change as abstract challenges, he will encourage the audience to recognise them as opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and long-term strategic thinking.

Alan said: “Humber Business Week is one of those rare moments when people from very different sectors come together in the same room. Those conversations matter because collaboration is how regions like ours turn challenges into opportunities.

“The Humber is a place that has always lived with change. This region is learning in real time how to adapt.

“My talk will be about sustainability, creative practice, and leadership, how the futures we build always begin as ideas, and how businesses and communities can work together to write a future they want to live in.”

The event is scheduled to take place at the University of Hull Business School from 5pm until 7pm on Wednesday, April 22. Separately, titled ‘The Business of Culture: Under the Sun’, the programme launch on the south bank will bring together business insight, cultural perspective and live performance to showcase the vital role arts and culture play in stimulating economic growth, reinforcing identity and fostering community connections, reports Hull Live.

Delivered as a joint venture between Future Humber, The Culture House and Humber Business Week, the event will carry the message that culture is a powerful contributor to how places grow, compete and tell their story. It will take place on April 28 between 5pm and 7pm.

Pat Coyle, chair of Humber Business Week, said: “The purpose of the programme launches is to reveal details of the events which are planned on both sides of the Humber and this year we’re fortunate to have speakers who can help us do that from the combined perspective of sustainability, collaboration and culture.

“The programme launch is also a key point in the countdown to Biz Week itself, which kicks off on Monday, June 1 with a packed schedule of events at the MKM Stadium in Hull and continues with an array of speaker events, advice sessions, panel discussions and plenty of opportunities to interact and engage before the curtain comes down with The Business Day on June 5.

“The launch events are also an opportunity for people to set their Biz Week priorities, plan ahead to avoid clashes, and meet some of the people who will be organising, hosting and attending the sessions. New events are being added to the Humber Business Week website all the time and we’re urging anyone planning to host something to get it up online as soon as possible and join the programme launch line-up.”

To stay informed of the most recent additions to the Humber Business Week schedule, register your own events and secure your places, visit Humber Business Week.

Calderdale Energy Park is planning to build 34 giant turbines on moorland at Walshaw Moor above Hebden Bridge, but opponents accuse the developer of rushing the consultation process

Developers behind controversial plans to construct what would rank amongst the nation’s largest windfarms on a stretch of Yorkshire moorland have launched statutory public consultation on the scheme. A series of in-person consultation events regarding Calderdale Energy Park’s proposals to position 34 giant turbines on moorland at Walshaw Moor above Hebden Bridge are taking place ahead of the June 10, deadline.

However, opponents of the scheme accuse developers of rushing the process and disregarding requests from Calderdale and Bradford councils to postpone the start until after May’s elections. The face-to-face sessions will take place at three locations in Bradford, one in Calderdale itself and two across the border in Lancashire at Colne.

Should the scheme ultimately receive approval, the turbines will be visible for miles around, including across Bronte Country moorland, and have triggered widespread concern and opposition over potential damage to protected peat bogs, impact on wildlife, heightened flood risk and the release of stored carbon. Critics contend the turbines would damage landscape, heritage and tourism, disrupt access routes, generate construction traffic, and deliver minimal local benefit despite assertions about green energy provision.

Calderdale Energy Park states that turbine numbers have been cut from 41 to 34 and maintains the 240 megawatt (MW) scheme represents a significant opportunity to generate sufficient clean energy to power more than twice the number of households in Calderdale. Calderdale Energy Park would be capable of generating sufficient electricity to power approximately 198,000 homes and reduce national CO2 emissions by around 2.9m tonnes over the windfarm’s lifetime, according to the firm.

The company’s plans also include a dedicated Community Benefit Fund worth £1.2m per year, which would provide financial backing for local groups and initiatives. The company says it is now seeking public opinion and offering the opportunity to submit further feedback.

Responses gathered during a previous non-statutory consultation have already helped shape the proposals, says Calderdale Energy Park, including a reduction in the number of turbines. The company has also revealed a new connection point at Bradford West substation — in addition to the four connection points previously announced.

Christian Egal, project director said: “We believe this is a unique opportunity for the people of Calderdale, Bradford and Pendle to secure millions of pounds of investment into the local economy, develop specialist green skills and unlock up to £36m over the next 30 years to invest in local projects and initiatives. We understand that people will have differing views on the project.

“The statutory consultation is an important part of the process, and it gives anyone interested the opportunity to view the revised plans and provide feedback. At a time when the cost of energy is once again at the top of everyone’s minds, we encourage people to take part so all perspectives can be fully considered.”

However, those opposing the proposals are troubled that the process is commencing at this time.

The Peatland Alliance, one such opponent, claims that Calderdale Council’s request to delay the process until after May’s elections has been disregarded.

It said: “The wind farm developer’s decision will put the efficacy and transparency of the consultation process at risk, according to strongly-worded advice from Calderdale Council. Calderdale Council advised Calderdale Energy Park that the timing of the consultation should avoid the sensitive pre-election period, so as to ‘ensure that newly elected councillors and new council administrations are properly consulted.’

“Bradford Council made the same request. Calderdale Energy Park appears to have brushed the councils’ views aside,” they say. A Peatland Alliance campaigner said: “It could be a case of more haste, less speed.”

Calderdale Energy Park’s six face-to-face consultation sessions are scheduled at: Denholme Community Centre, Denholme, Bradford on Friday, 17 April, from 2pm to 7pm; at Oxenhope Community Centre, Oxenhope, Bradford, on Saturday, 18 April, from 1pm to 5pm; at Hebden Bridge Town Hall on Tuesday, 21 April, from 1pm to 7pm; at Trawden Forest Community Centre, Colne, on Saturday, 9 May, from 11am to 3pm; at Haworth Village Hall on Tuesday, 19 May, from 1pm to 7pm; and at Primet Community Centre, Colne, on Thursday, 21 May, from 2pm to 7pm.

Additional information about the scheme and statutory consultation can be accessed at www.calderdalenergypark.co.uk – members of the public can submit feedback via the online feedback form. Members of the public can also reach the project team with enquiries or submit feedback by emailing info@calderdaleenergypark.co.uk or by calling 01422 702506 between 9am and 5.30pm, Mondays to Fridays, during this timeframe.

An ex-senior executive at S4C has settled her court claim against the Welsh-language public broadcaster and its former chairman. Llinos Griffin-Williams has received an undisclosed payout – which she described as a reminder that women “do not have to endure mistreatment and abuse of power, and should not be intimidated into silence”.

In 2023 Ms Griffin-Williams was dismissed from her role as chief content officer for “gross misconduct”. It came after allegations she had been drunk and verbally abused former rugby player Mike Phillips while attending the Rugby World Cup in France in a work capacity.

Ms Griffin-Williams “categorically denied” she made the comments to Mr Phillips that have been attributed to her, and claimed the star “did not make a complaint” about her.

She brought a £565,000 claim to the High Court against S4C and its former chairman, Rhodri Williams, who had sacked her. The parties have now reached a settlement. Make sure you never miss Wales’ biggest updates by getting our daily newsletter

A spokeswoman for Ms Griffin-Williams said: “The settlement includes compensation with which she is satisfied. S4C and Rhodri Williams have requested that the terms be kept confidential.”

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Ms Griffin-Williams is the second former S4C executive to reach a settlement with the broadcaster and Mr Williams in recent months.

Ex-chief executive Sian Doyle, who was dismissed the month after Ms Griffin-Williams, received an undisclosed payout last October after a claim involving a “truly extraordinary and inappropriate period of mistreatment”, according to Mrs Doyle’s lawyers.

And a third woman who was part of the same senior management team, ex-director of platforms Amanda Rees, filed a High Court claim against the broadcaster in February.

Ms Griffin-Williams sought damages from S4C and Mr Williams for “the egregious way in which she was treated and for the harm caused by repeated leaks of private information to the press”, said her spokeswoman.

“Several months before her dismissal, Griffin-Williams made a formal complaint about Rhodri Williams’ conduct,” the spokeswoman added.

“An independent HR investigation upheld her complaint, acknowledging that Rhodri Williams had ‘acted inappropriately towards her’, and had shown a serious ‘disregard for her known health condition’, a life-threatening heart disorder resulting from treatment for stage four cancer in her twenties.

“On the day of her sacking in October 2023, Llinos Griffin-Williams was removed from a high-profile presentation she was giving to around 100 stakeholders in the Welsh media sector, and dismissed on the spot by Rhodri Williams. This was done despite his role as a non-operational, also known as a non-executive, chair.”

She accused the broadcaster of carrying out “a biased, unlawful and unfair investigation” into claims about her conduct at an S4C function during the Rugby World Cup in Nantes.

The spokeswoman continued: “Her dismissal and the allegations against her were reported in the media before the full S4C board had been consulted.

“In her claim, Llinos Griffin-Williams highlighted a series of procedural failings including her immediate dismissal rather than suspension, and reliance on hearsay evidence from individuals not present at the Nantes event.”

According to Ms Griffin-Williams’ court claim, she was given no prior notice of the allegations or right to respond.

She also claimed she was denied any right to appeal and was refused repeated requests to see evidence of the investigation ahead of the High Court claim.

Her spokeswoman said: “In the summer of 2023, Griffin-Williams was signed off work for six weeks due to the stress she was experiencing at S4C, including stress-induced cardiac issues. An occupational health assessment sent to S4C’s head of HR noted that Griffin-Williams’ cardiac condition was such that she would be ‘advised to avoid significant psychological or physical stress’.

“Despite this warning, once Griffin-Williams was dismissed press briefings continued. This prompted a second health professional to write to the broadcaster, stating that Griffin-Williams was ‘suffering from tremendous physical and mental health problems as a result of continued publicity despite her having departed S4C over three months ago’. Again, the briefings continued.

“Griffin-Williams’ condition deteriorated and she required open-heart surgery, followed by a period in intensive care.”

In April 2023, the Bectu broadcasting union made allegations of bullying and a toxic workplace at S4C, prompting Mr Williams to commission an investigation by Cardiff-based Capital Law, costing £564,000.

The spokeswoman for Ms Griffin-Williams claimed the full version of the Capital Law report was not provided to the wider board, adding: “The report was said to contain alleged ‘evidence’, yet allegations were never put to any individual for their response as the inquiry made no formal recommendations.

“Llinos Griffin-Williams claimed that the Capital Law investigation breached S4C’s legal, HR and communications processes and the report’s own terms of reference. Despite this, the ‘findings’ in the report were used retrospectively to justify decisions about dismissals.

“A summarised version of the Capital Law report was provided to the board and was leaked to the press, breaching an embargo.”

The day after the leak, Sian Doyle took an overdose. Mrs Doyle’s husband described the report as the “last straw” and “an assassination of her character”, adding that she had been “torn apart in the media after an exceptional 30-year international career because of a one-sided report”.

Ms Griffin-Williams claims that S4C and Mr Williams agreed to settle her claim as her lawyers were filing an application seeking the release of the Capital Law report in full.

S4C, which will receive £97.6m from the TV licence fee this year, has faced criticism over its culture dating back to a 2011 University of Wales report which described elements of the organisation as “secret, arrogant and politically naïve” and “the worst example of how to behave as a public service broadcaster”.

Ms Griffin-Williams said: “I am pleased that this terrible chapter has finally come to an end after two and a half years. A publicly funded broadcaster should operate with integrity and transparency. What I experienced fell far short of those standards.

“We live in a world where powerful men can feel they have the right to humiliate and destroy women. Here, a public service broadcaster allowed that to happen. I am profoundly saddened that a channel of such cultural importance to Wales proved so devastatingly incapable of protecting the values it was meant to uphold.

“This has been an extremely difficult period for my family and me. No amount of financial compensation can take away the pain and trauma my children and I have suffered. I tried hard to resolve this matter privately, but was forced to pursue justice through the courts. Reaching this settlement now allows me to focus on my recovery and rebuild my life.

“If there is one thing I hope comes from this, it is that women are reminded they do not have to endure mistreatment and abuse of power, and should not be intimidated into silence.”

Her lawyer Emma Linch, of Simons Muirhead Burton, added: “Despite her serious ongoing health problems and the quite appalling way she was treated, Llinos has displayed true strength and resilience.”

And S4C said in a statement: “S4C and Rhodri Williams have, through their respective insurers, reached an agreement with Llinos Griffin-Williams. This brings all proceedings by Ms Griffin-Williams against S4C and Rhodri Williams to an end.

“The terms of the agreement are confidential, and the settlement has been reached without any admission of liability. The parties have concluded that it is in everyone’s interests to resolve the dispute to avoid protracted litigation. They are pleased to have reached a resolution which enables everyone to move forward. S4C will be making no further comment on this matter.”

If you have information about a story we should be investigating, you can contact us at conor.gogarty@walesonline.co.uk

China’s growing involvement in Middle East tensions is offering Beijing an opportunity to position itself as a strategic player as President Donald Trump weighs his next diplomatic moves with Iran.

Gatestone Institute senior fellow Gordon Chang joined FOX Business’ Stuart Varney on “Varney & Co.” to discuss how China is leveraging its relationship with Iran to project influence while signaling goodwill ahead of a potential high-stakes meeting with President Donald Trump.

Recent developments in the Strait of Hormuz highlight the depth of coordination between Beijing and Tehran, particularly as Iran pushes for transactions in Chinese currency, a shift that could challenge the dominance of the U.S. dollar in global energy markets.

CHINA-RUSSIA’S COOPERATION HANDS THE US A ‘GRIEVOUS LOSS’ AS IRAN CONFLICT ESCALATES, EXPERT WARNS

Chang pointed to China’s broader role in sustaining Iran’s position, noting that Beijing has provided extensive support short of direct military involvement.

Chinese President Xi Jinping applause during the plenary session of China’s National People’s Congress. (Lintao Zhang / Getty Images)

“Of course, they’ve been supporting Iran across the board, except for soldiers, sailors and pilots, but everything else,” Chang said.

CONGRESSIONAL REPORT DETAILS HOW CHINA BUYS SANCTIONED OIL FROM IRAN, RUSSIA AND VENEZUELA

At the same time, China is attempting to cast itself as a diplomatic intermediary. Chang said Beijing played a limited role in recent ceasefire efforts, but emphasized the strategic intent behind that involvement.

“It did play a small mediating role in the ceasefire… But the point is, China wanted to show that it was a mediator, show power, because President Trump is scheduled to go to the Chinese capital May 14th… So they want goodwill,” Chang said.

The maneuvering underscores how China is balancing influence and optics, using diplomacy to strengthen its position as tensions in the region continue to evolve.

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Joe Lister
CEO & Member of Board

Good morning, everybody, and thank you all for joining the call. Since we last spoke, we’ve taken action across a number of areas and encouraged to see signs of early progress. And today, we will be updating on current trading, taking you through progress with disposals and flagging the appointment of an adviser to accelerate the repositioning of our portfolio and updating on our Q1 valuations for USAF and LSAV. So starting with trading. Overall, we are trading in line with the guidance we shared in February. We’re currently 74% reserved for ’26, ’27 academic year against 76% at the same time last year. And these reservations are supportive of our rental growth guidance of the 2% to 3% range.

Direct-let sales are responding to our productivity. We’re currently tracking about 1 to 2 points above the direct-let market at this stage. And the market is competitive, but we are benefiting from our mid-market price points and our productivity on pricing. We’re keeping our powder dry on incentives at the moment, but we could see some more promotional activity later in the year, and we are having success at selling beds that have been handed back to us by universities.

Nominations are currently at 54%. We’ve continued to see lower-tier universities be more cautious in their approach and managing their financial exposure. It is fairly normal that we see ups and downs in nominations agreements at this stage, and we could see norms move further by plus or minus 1 to 2 points by the end of the cycle. On the positive side, high-tariff universities are

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Intel Corp. shares climbed to a new 52-week high Friday, trading at $62.34, up $0.62 or 1.00% midday on April 10, 2026, as investors bet on the chipmaker’s deepening role in artificial intelligence infrastructure and progress in its ambitious foundry turnaround.

The stock has surged more than 30% year-to-date and nearly 200% over the past 12 months, recovering from multi-year lows as new CEO Lip-Bu Tan’s strategy gains traction. Recent high-volume sessions, including an 11.4% jump on April 8 following analyst upgrades and partnership news, underscore growing Wall Street confidence in Intel’s ability to compete in the AI era.

Intel’s rally accelerated this week after the company expanded its collaboration with Google to advance AI infrastructure using Xeon CPUs and custom Infrastructure Processing Units. The deepened partnership aims to meet surging demand for efficient data center performance and energy savings in cloud and AI workloads.

Earlier in the week, Intel confirmed it would join Elon Musk’s Terafab project — a massive joint venture involving Tesla, SpaceX and xAI — to help design and manufacture advanced chips at scale. The move provides critical validation for Intel’s foundry business and its advanced packaging capabilities, sending shares up nearly 3% in one session.

Analysts have taken notice. Wells Fargo raised its price target on Intel from $45 to $55 while maintaining an equal-weight rating, contributing to the stock’s push toward five-year highs. Other firms, including KeyBanc, have issued bullish commentary, with some targets reaching $70 or higher. Consensus remains mixed, however, with an average around $42 to $61 depending on the source, reflecting ongoing debate about execution risks.

Intel is scheduled to report first-quarter 2026 financial results after the market closes on April 23, with a conference call to follow. Investors will scrutinize progress on margins, foundry customer wins and AI-related revenue. The company has already shown improvement in its balance sheet, including a $14.2 billion repurchase of a 49% stake in its Ireland Fab 34 facility from Apollo Global Management, restoring full ownership of the advanced manufacturing site.

The foundry business remains central to Intel’s long-term strategy. Under Tan’s leadership, the company is aggressively ramping its 18A process technology and pursuing external customers to challenge industry leader TSMC. Recent wins and partnerships signal that Intel’s manufacturing credibility is improving, though it still faces intense competition and high capital demands.

Intel’s client computing segment, long its core, is also evolving with the push toward AI PCs. New Core Ultra processors and collaborations such as the expanded tie-up with CrowdStrike for AI-optimized security are designed to drive an upgrade cycle in personal computers and laptops. The company continues to highlight its role in supplying host CPUs for NVIDIA’s DGX systems, maintaining relevance in the data center despite losing some ground to AMD.

Shares have shown remarkable resilience. After trading as low as the high teens in recent years, Intel hit intraday highs near $63 on April 10 amid heavy volume. The 52-week range now spans roughly $18 to more than $62, illustrating both the depth of the prior slump and the speed of the recovery.

Market observers point to several tailwinds. Global AI spending continues to climb, creating opportunities for Intel’s Xeon processors and custom silicon. U.S. government support for domestic semiconductor manufacturing, including potential CHIPS Act funding, adds another layer of optimism. Intel’s decision to buy back the Fab 34 stake demonstrates improved financial flexibility and confidence in its internal production roadmap.

Still, challenges persist. Intel has posted mixed results in recent quarters, with some periods showing revenue beats offset by cautious guidance. Gross margins have been under pressure amid heavy investment in new fabs and process technologies. The upcoming earnings report will be closely watched for signs that cost controls and foundry utilization are heading in the right direction.

Wall Street sentiment has shifted noticeably. Several analysts now see more upside than downside at current levels, citing Intel’s undervaluation relative to peers when factoring in its manufacturing assets and AI potential. However, bears warn that delays in process node execution or slower-than-expected customer adoption could stall the momentum.

Intel’s stock performance stands in contrast to broader semiconductor trends. While Nvidia continues to dominate headlines with its GPU leadership, Intel is carving out a niche in CPUs, custom AI accelerators and advanced packaging. Its ability to serve as both a designer and manufacturer gives it a differentiated position that some investors view as undervalued.

Looking ahead, Intel faces a pivotal year. Success in landing major foundry contracts, scaling 18A production and delivering on AI PC promises could sustain the rally. Failure to meet milestones might test investor patience, especially given the capital-intensive nature of the business.

For now, the market is rewarding signs of progress. Friday’s modest gain extended a multi-day winning streak, with the stock up more than 25% in the past week alone. Trading volume has been elevated, reflecting heightened interest from both institutional and retail investors.

Intel executives have emphasized a disciplined approach: invest in leading-edge technology, secure external foundry customers and improve operational efficiency. Recent appointments, including Aparna Bawa as executive vice president and chief legal and people officer, signal efforts to strengthen leadership as the company navigates its transformation.

As Intel prepares for its April 23 earnings, the narrative has shifted from survival to potential resurgence. The stock’s climb to $62.34 territory marks a psychological milestone, bringing it closer to levels not seen in years and reigniting optimism among long-suffering shareholders.

Whether this momentum can carry through earnings and into the second half of 2026 will depend on tangible results in the data center, foundry and client segments. For a company once synonymous with American semiconductor dominance, the current chapter represents a high-stakes bid to reclaim relevance in the AI-driven future.

Analysts and investors alike will continue parsing every partnership announcement, process node update and financial metric. In a sector where technological leadership can shift rapidly, Intel’s recent moves suggest it is no longer content to cede ground — and the market is taking notice.