‘When you talk to business leaders what stands out isn’t panic – it’s how deliberately they’re responding to uncertainty’

North East business confidence has grown in the first half of the year as firms work around uncertainty and challenges, a new survey has revealed. Companies across the region are showing considerable resilience, despite a challenging economic backdrop, the latest Lloyds’ Business Barometer has shown.

Confidence in the North East started the year at 40% in January before climbing to a six-month high of 69% in May and settling at 54% in June. The region ended the first half of 2026 in a stronger position than it started, with an average year-to-date confidence figure of 53%.

During the first half of the year, the North East has consistently performed at or above the UK average. That national rates stood at 44% in both January and June.

Across the UK’s regions and nations, it recorded one of the strongest improvements in confidence over the period, alongside Yorkshire, the South West, South East and East Midlands.

The Business Barometer findings come from a survey of 1,200 UK firms across all regions and sectors, which help to explain what’s driving that confidence.

The research found 85% of North East businesses believe they are resilient enough to withstand economic shocks, while 72% expect to grow this year despite continued uncertainty. Meanwhile, 56% of firms have been impacted by recent global volatility, with supply chain disruption cited by 60% and rising costs affecting 37%.

Almost two thirds, 64%, have adjusted their business strategy in response, with 42% introducing cost-saving measures, 44% increasing inventory levels and 47% locking in commodity, raw material or input prices where possible.

Martyn Kendrick, regional director for the North East at Lloyds, said: “The first half of 2026 has shown the resilience and adaptability that continues to define the North East business community. Confidence has climbed 14 points since January, and firms across the region have consistently outperformed the UK average throughout the half.

“When you talk to business leaders across the North East right now, what stands out isn’t panic – it’s how deliberately they’re responding to uncertainty.

“They’re locking in costs where they can, building inventory strategically, and taking the kind of decisive action that protects their operations because they recognise that uncertainty in global supply chains and energy markets is likely to persist, even as conditions evolve.

“In sectors central to the North East economy such as manufacturing, logistics, food production and the region’s growing offshore energy and renewables base, business leaders are making fundamental decisions about how to build resilience into their models for the long term.

“They recognise that global supply chain challenges and energy market volatility are structural issues, not temporary blips, and they’re acting accordingly. This isn’t a defensive crouch – it’s a foundation for growth.”

The proactive approach is mirrored by the way regional businesses are managing their finances. Around 86% of firms say they have the right financial tools and support to navigate volatility, with digital banking tools such as automated payments and real-time cash visibility (49%), cashflow forecasting (33%) and interest rate hedging (27%) among the most widely used.

Mr Kendrick added: “Financial clarity matters enormously in an environment like this. When businesses can see their cashflow clearly, they can make decisions about locking in costs from a position of strength rather than fear. When they have working capital flexibility, they can build inventory strategically rather than desperately.

“That’s why we’ve committed £35bn in new finance this year for companies operating and investing in the UK, with £9.5bn of that dedicated to SMEs. Resilience isn’t just about protecting what you have – it’s about positioning yourself to grow when opportunities arise, and that’s exactly what North East businesses are doing.”

Fandango, the company best known for movie ticket sales, has announced a significant rebrand consolidating its streaming operations under a single, unified brand name, while simultaneously expanding its free, ad-supported streaming service to include live coverage of Germany’s top professional soccer league.

The company is dropping the “at Home” designation from its previously separate paid streaming service, Fandango at Home, folding that offering into the broader Fandango brand as it shifts its primary focus toward growing its free, advertising-supported streaming platform. The move positions Fandango to compete more directly with established free streaming services such as Tubi, Pluto TV and The Roku Channel.

A streamlined, barrier-free viewing experience

As part of the rebrand, Fandango’s streaming service will now grant viewers direct access to its free content library without requiring users to create an account or log in beforehand. The platform has also updated its “Watch Now” feature, allowing users to instantly begin playing free programming with a single click rather than navigating through additional setup steps.

The relaunched service will take effect consistently across all of Fandango’s platforms, whether accessed through a web browser, mobile devices, or smart TVs, ensuring a unified experience regardless of how viewers choose to engage with the brand.

Expanded content library and exclusive sports rights

According to the company’s press release, the rebrand is designed to deliver what Fandango described as improved content discovery, richer title presentation and enhanced overall viewing experiences for users. The relaunched free streaming offering will feature a curated selection of movies, franchises and television series, drawing from more than 3,500 hours of free programming sourced from the library of parent company Versant Media.

Among the most notable additions to the platform is exclusive English-language coverage of the Bundesliga, Germany’s top professional soccer league, made possible through a long-term media rights agreement held by USA Sports. That agreement represents a shift in the league’s U.S. broadcasting arrangement, with those rights previously having been held by ESPN. The addition brings one of Europe’s most prominent soccer leagues to American streaming audiences in the immediate aftermath of this year’s World Cup, a period during which American interest in international soccer has been running especially high.

Company leadership frames the move as a strategic step

Will McIntosh, president of digital platforms and ventures at Versant, described the significance of unifying Fandango’s various streaming offerings under one brand identity. “This expansion of our AVOD streaming offering, and bringing it together under the Fandango brand, is an important step in building a more connected entertainment experience for fans,” McIntosh said, using the industry term for advertising-supported video-on-demand services.

A uniquely positioned entertainment ecosystem

The rebrand effectively places Fandango in a category of its own within the broader entertainment and streaming landscape. Following the consolidation, Fandango now functions simultaneously as a free, ad-supported streaming service, a movie ticket retailer, and a premium streaming option for at-home movie rentals and purchases, all operating under a single unified brand and ecosystem.

That combination distinguishes Fandango from most of its direct competitors in the free streaming space, none of which currently combine movie ticketing functionality with both free and premium at-home viewing options in quite the same integrated manner. The approach reflects a broader strategy among entertainment companies to consolidate consumer touchpoints, from initial theatrical ticket purchases through eventual home viewing, within a single branded experience.

Timing tied to a major sports moment

The addition of Bundesliga coverage arrives at a particularly opportune moment for Fandango, given the sustained wave of American interest in soccer generated by this year’s expanded World Cup, which concluded with Spain’s extra-time victory over Argentina in the tournament’s championship match. Streaming and broadcast companies across the industry have increasingly sought to capitalize on that heightened attention to international soccer by securing rights to prominent overseas leagues, positioning services like Fandango’s newly expanded platform to capture viewers looking to continue following top-tier soccer beyond the World Cup’s conclusion.

A broader trend toward free, ad-supported streaming

Fandango’s expansion into free streaming reflects a broader industry-wide shift toward ad-supported viewing models, as major media companies increasingly recognize the value of reaching audiences who may be unwilling or unable to pay for multiple subscription services. The free, ad-supported streaming category has grown substantially in recent years, with established players like Tubi, Pluto TV and The Roku Channel building large audiences by offering extensive content libraries without subscription fees.

By entering that space more aggressively while retaining its existing movie ticketing and premium rental businesses, Fandango appears to be betting that its established brand recognition, built over years as a trusted destination for movie tickets, can help it stand out within an increasingly crowded free streaming marketplace.

With the rebrand now underway across web, mobile and smart TV platforms, Fandango is expected to continue expanding its content offerings in the coming months, potentially including additional sports rights or expanded programming partnerships tied to its parent company Versant Media’s broader content library. For now, the addition of Bundesliga coverage stands as the most significant new feature accompanying the rebrand, giving Fandango a distinctive selling point as it seeks to establish itself as a serious contender in the competitive free streaming space heading into the second half of 2026.

A yearlong campaign reframes what it means to do social impact through narrative.

Suggested placements: Thrive Global, Psychreg, Millennial Magazine, Parle Magazine  •  Editorial / contributed

Most social impact campaigns choose one of two registers. They go big and abstract, asking readers to care about a system, or they go small and personal, asking readers to care about one person inside it. Incomplete Sentences, a yearlong initiative launched in March 2026 by The Millbrook Companies in partnership with the Lone Star Justice Alliance, tries to do both at once. It does so by treating narrative itself as the system.

The campaign launched with a simple framing. When a person is sentenced, the language of that sentence enters the public record and starts doing work the person can no longer control. It travels into search results, news clips, family conversations, future job applications. Over time, the sentence becomes a stand-in for the person. Incomplete Sentences asks what is lost when that substitution happens, and what changes when the rest of the story is allowed back in.

A campaign built around four voices

The campaign is structured around four LSJA clients who were sentenced to prison as minors in Texas. Each will be featured throughout 2026 through a combination of long-form profiles, first-person essays, original poetry, and educational content. The first to be introduced was Delicia Carmichael, a survivor of sex trafficking sentenced at fifteen, whose own writing now anchors part of the campaign’s editorial canon.

What the campaign refuses to do is treat these voices as case studies. There are no thumbnail biographies. There is no rush to a moral. The structure is closer to literary nonfiction than to advocacy communications, and the editorial choice is intentional. Readers who arrive expecting a brief get something else, which is room to actually meet the person they are reading about.

That patience is unusual in cause-based content, and it is one of the things that makes the campaign worth paying attention to as a piece of communications craft.

Why a reputation collective and a legal nonprofit

The pairing of partners is also unusual. The Millbrook Companies is a collective of agencies whose specialties run from digital reputation management to performance marketing to strategic advisory. Lone Star Justice Alliance is a Texas-based legal nonprofit that has been advocating for youth and emerging adults inside the criminal legal system since 2017.

On paper, those are different worlds. In practice, they share a working language. Both organizations spend their days thinking about how information moves, what gets emphasized, what gets buried, and how a single framing can determine outcomes for a real human being. Incomplete Sentences is what happens when those two practices are pointed at the same problem.

The campaign’s launch announcement put it directly. Access to accurate, balanced information is essential to personal empowerment and functional systems. That is a sentence equally at home in a courtroom brief and a brand strategy document.

Storytelling as infrastructure

There is a quieter craft layer running beneath the campaign that bears noticing. The work of reaching readers in 2026 is not the same as the work of reaching readers a decade ago. Audiences live inside an information environment shaped by social platforms, search algorithms, and increasingly by AI-generated summaries that compress source material into a few sentences before a human reader ever sees it.

In that environment, storytelling is no longer the soft tissue around the campaign. It is the infrastructure. If the story is not built carefully enough to survive compression, it will not survive at all. Incomplete Sentences appears to have been designed with that pressure in mind. The campaign produces multiple formats around each featured voice, including long-form articles, first-person pieces, poetry, and explainer content, so that whichever surface a reader encounters first, the picture they receive is closer to whole.

That is communications work in the most literal sense: the work of making something communicable. It is also why a campaign that looks at a glance like a justice reform initiative reads, on closer inspection, like a meditation on attention itself.

What good looks like

It is too early to measure Incomplete Sentences by traditional impact metrics. The campaign is a few months old. Stories are still being released. Volunteer cohorts are still being seated for later quarters. By the end of 2026, there will be data, including reach numbers, fundraising totals, and policy moments where the campaign’s editorial work shows up in advocacy contexts.

The early signal worth tracking is something quieter. It is whether readers who arrive through one entry point, an Instagram post, a syndicated article, a Substack essay, leave with a more complete sense of a person they had previously known only through a charge sheet. That is the campaign’s working definition of success, and it is the one most worth taking seriously.

For now, the invitation is simple. Visit incompletesentences.org. Read one full story instead of one summary. Sit with what shifts. Then decide what to do with that shift.

That is what whole stories ask of the people who read them, and it is what this campaign is built to make possible.

A recruitment campaign built inside an upcycled Airbus fuselage has landed at the Farnborough International Airshow, carrying an awkward message for one of Britain’s flagship industries: the average job pays £52,600, and there are still 10,000 of them going unfilled every year.

The There’s Aerospace For You pod, created from the fuselage of an Airbus A318, arrived at the show on Monday as part of a nationwide tour. Visitors can step inside a real aircraft structure, explore aerospace stories and browse the careers, apprenticeships and training routes on offer across the sector.

Its timing is pointed. The campaign has pitched up at the biggest Farnborough in the show’s history, where a record 1,636 exhibitors are chasing orders that the industry may struggle to deliver without more people to build them.

The numbers behind the campaign make uncomfortable reading. Two thirds of aerospace employers, 66 per cent, report persistent workforce shortages that actively hold back growth. Of the 10,000 technical vacancies left unfilled each year, 43 per cent are classed as chronically hard to fill for the simple reason that nobody applies.

For the SMEs that make up the bulk of the aerospace supply chain, that scarcity is felt twice over. Smaller firms compete for the same engineers, machinists and technicians as the primes, usually without the salary budgets or brand recognition to win. MPs warned earlier this year that manufacturers across aerospace, automotive, rail and maritime cannot access the skilled workforce they need, and that outdated training pathways are pushing young people away.

The prize for those who do apply is considerable. Aerospace roles pay an average of £52,600, some 33 per cent above the national figure. For comparison, median full-time earnings across the UK stood at £39,039 in April 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Industry Minister Chris McDonald said: “To keep our world-class aerospace sector at the forefront of innovation we need to secure its next generation of talent, and There’s Aerospace For You sends a strong message that there’s a career for everyone in this exciting industry.

“Through our Modern Industrial Strategy we’re backing high-growth industries like aerospace with the investment in skills they need for the future, and whether your background is in manufacturing, construction, sustainability or digital technologies, this sector has a position ready for you in locations right across the UK.”

The Modern Industrial Strategy names advanced manufacturing among its priority growth sectors, and skills funding is following. The government’s £725 million apprenticeship reform package will fully fund training for under-25s at small and medium-sized firms, a change that could help smaller aerospace suppliers grow their own talent rather than lose out in the bidding war for experienced staff.

Kevin Craven, CEO of trade body ADS, was blunt about the scale of the problem. “Securing the future workforce of the UK aerospace industry is not a challenge that any single manufacturer can solve in isolation. It requires immediate, collective industrial action. We currently employ 113,000 people in world-class, high-wage roles outside of London, yet we are holding back our own growth potential by leaving 10,000 vacancies unfilled each year. The UK’s economic advantage and our advanced engineering capabilities are underpinned by this critical sector.”

For business owners struggling to recruit, the campaign’s premise will sound familiar. The difference is that aerospace has decided the answer is to put its shop window inside an aircraft and take it to the public. Job seekers, career switchers and graduates can explore vacancies and local training routes at aerospaceforyou.org.uk.

Jamie Young

Jamie Young is Senior Reporter at Business Matters, covering SME finance, employment law and Westminster policy since 2016. He has reported on every Budget and Autumn Statement since 2018, helped make sense of the ‘covid era’ and the bounce-back loan scheme from launch through the fraud investigations, and broke the magazine’s coverage of the 2024 late-payment reforms. He joined Business Matters straight from completing his BA in Administration from Exeter University and is NCTJ-qualified. Reach him at jyoung@cbmeg.co.uk

With the Iran war escalating, the conflict is again getting harder to ignore, which strengthens the case for maintaining a globally diversified portfolio. The reasoning isn’t based on assuming that a broad approach to asset allocation will

After having been in the investing world for more than 25 years from private banking and investment management to private and venture capital; I have pretty much “been there and done that” at one point or another. I am currently a partner at RIA Advisors in Houston, Texas. The majority of my time is spent analyzing, researching and writing commentary about investing, investor psychology and macro-views of the markets and the economy. My thoughts are not generally mainstream and are often contrarian in nature but I try an use a common sense approach, clear explanations and my “real world” experience in the process. I am a managing partner of RIA Pro, a weekly subscriber based-newsletter that is distributed to individual and professional investors nationwide. The newsletter covers economic, political and market topics as they relate to your money and life. I also write a daily blog which is read by thousands nationwide from individuals to professionals at www.realinvestmentadvice.com.

As dog parents, our furry companions are much more than just pets, they are cherished members of our families. We know their favorite scratching spots, their funny little sleeping positions, and exactly how they tilt their heads when they hear the word “treat.” So, when it comes to planning a vacation, a business trip, or even a busy weekend getaway, one big question always looms over our heads: What is the best option for my dog while I am away?

While asking a neighbor to pop in or hiring a casual pet sitter might seem like an easy fix, it often leaves both you and your pup feeling a bit anxious. That is where professional pet resorts and high-quality boarding facilities step in. Far from the old-school, sterile kennels of the past, modern pet resorts offer a vibrant, safe, and incredibly fun environment where your dog can thrive. Let’s dive into the wonderful benefits of choosing a professional resort for your dog’s next staycation!

1. Round-the-Clock Safety and Professional Supervision

The number one priority for any pet owner is safety. Professional pet resorts are designed from the ground up with your dog’s well-being in mind. Unlike a standard home environment where a curious pup might find a loose wire or slip through an open gate, professional facilities feature secure, double-gated entryways, climate-controlled indoor suites, and resilient outdoor play yards.

More importantly, these resorts are staffed by trained animal care professionals. These dedicated team members understand canine behavior, can spot the subtle signs of stress or discomfort, and are fully prepared to handle any medical needs or emergencies. Knowing that there are expert eyes on your dog 24/7 provides an unmatched level of peace of mind while you are traveling.

2. Structured Socialization and Healthy Exercise

Dogs are naturally social creatures, but they need the right environment to express that energy. At a professional pet resort, your dog isn’t just waiting around for you to return; they are embarking on their own daily adventure. Most resorts offer structured playgroups tailored specifically to your dog’s size, temperament, and energy level.

Whether your pup is a high-energy social butterfly who loves chasing tennis balls or a gentle soul who prefers lounging in the sun with a few select friends, they will get the perfect amount of physical exercise and mental stimulation. This structured activity prevents the boredom and separation anxiety that often lead to destructive behaviors at home.

3. A Consistent, Stress-Free Routine

Dogs thrive on routine. They like knowing exactly when they are going to eat, play, and rest. When you leave your dog at home with a pet sitter who has other commitments, that routine can easily get disrupted.

Professional resorts maintain a highly consistent daily schedule. Meals are served precisely on time, play sessions are carefully clocked, and designated quiet hours ensure your dog gets plenty of restorative sleep. If you are looking for premier dog boarding Glendale pet parents trust, you will find that maintaining this sense of normalcy is at the heart of a premium resort experience. It keeps stress levels low and helps your dog settle in quickly.

4. Luxury Amenities and Extra Pampering

Why should humans have all the fun on vacation? Modern pet resorts offer a level of luxury that turns a standard boarding stay into a true spa getaway. From orthopedic bedding and private, quiet suites to personalized one-on-one cuddle sessions, your dog will feel thoroughly pampered.

Many facilities also offer integrated grooming and spa services. You can schedule a relaxing bath, a nail trim, or a full blowout right before you pick them up. There is nothing quite like returning from a trip and being greeted by a clean, fresh-smelling, and blissfully happy dog!

Conclusion: The Ultimate Gift for You and Your Pup

Choosing a professional pet resort is about more than just finding a place for your dog to sleep, it is about investing in their happiness, safety, and social well-being. Instead of worrying about whether a pet sitter showed up or if your dog is feeling lonely at home, you can fully enjoy your time away, knowing your best friend is having the time of their life.

The next time you plan a trip, treat your canine companion to a vacation of their own. They deserve the very best, and a professional pet resort delivers exactly that!