Latest news-in-brief from the county and region...
Aston Martin announces significant job losses
Aston Martin has confirmed it will be axing 20% of its workforce, with the firm's net losses jumping 52% last year to £493.2m. The luxury car firm, synonymous with James
Bond, has struggled for several years and blamed US president Donald Trump's tariffs in a statement made last month.
Aston Martin, which has its headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, employs about 3,000 people, meaning job losses will total around 600. The firm said the job cuts should deliver annual savings of around £40m and did not specify when the job cuts would be implemented, but said most of the savings would be made this year. A spokesperson for Aston Martin said US tariffs had been "extremely disruptive" and demand had also been "extremely subdued" in China, the world's biggest auto market.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp9m8n2vx0mo
Quarterly losses top £300m at JLR in wake of cyber attack
JLR has reported pre-tax losses of more than £300m for the third quarter of its financial year as the automotive giant feels the impact of its cyber attack. Revenues in three months to 31 December 2025 reached £4.5bn, down 39 per cent year-on-year, and £16bn in the year-to-date (YTD), a drop of 24 per cent.
Chief executive P.B. Balaji described it as a "challenging quarter" for JLR with performance impacted by the "production shutdown we initiated in response to the cyber incident, the planned wind down of legacy Jaguar and US tariffs". However, he noted that the company returned vehicle production to normal levels by mid-November "thanks to the commitment of our dedicated teams".
"2026 is set to be an exciting year for JLR as we develop our next generation vehicles, including the launch of the Range Rover Electric and the unveiling of the first new Jaguar."
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/quarterly-losses-top-300m-at-jlr-in-wake-of-cyber-attack
Liquidation confirmed at electric truck maker
A Leamington-headquartered e-mobility company which builds electric trucks for countries in the Global South has entered liquidation. OX Delivers, designs and manufactures purpose-built electric trucks and has developed a digital platform to support its 'Truck-as-a-Service' model, primarily for logistics operators in emerging markets.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/liquidation-confirmed-at-electric-truck-maker-unsuccessful-attempts-to-secure-funding
Zoopla buys Stratford online homes portal
Zoopla has bought a nationwide online homes portal as it continues to expand further into the new build market. Zoopla said the deal – for an undisclosed amount – will see it buy 100 per cent of newhomesforsale.co.uk, which has over 200 developer customers, supports 2,500 active property developments and connects over one million buyers with properties each year.
After the deal, Stratford-upon-Avon-based NHFS will continue as a standalone brand and website, with its existing leadership team, led by founder and managing director Vernon Pethard. All ten staff – including Pethard – are transferring to Zoopla following the deal.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/zoopla-buys-online-business-newhomesforsale.co.uk
Bars group closes 21 sites with the loss of 591 jobs after appointing administrators
The owner of the Revolution bar chain has shut 21 venues with the loss of 591 jobs after the company fell into administration. The Revel Collective, which also owns Revolucion de Cuba and Peach Pubs, had put itself up for sale in October after facing what it called "a continued period of external challenges". Of its 62 pubs and bars across the UK, 14 Revolution bars, six Revolucion de Cuba bars and one Peach Pub, the Almanack in Kenilworth.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly10jjmg92o
Warwickshire golf course announced as latest UK Corporate Games venue
A Warwickshire golf course has been added to the range of venues hosting a major sporting event coming to the region this August. The Stratford Park Hotel & Golf Club will host day two of the golf tournament at the 2026 UK Corporate Games, which features 20 different sports taking place from August 20 to August 23. It will see local, national and international businesses going head-to-head in everything from padel to dragon boat racing and from netball to running.
Coventry is the official host for the 2026 UK Corporate Games, with the University of Warwick acting as a base for the event, but several Warwickshire venues have been added to stage different sports across the event.
https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/news/stratford-park-hotel-golf-club-120226/
Stratford hotel lands gold for green successes
One of Stratford-upon-Avon’s leading boutique hotels has landed gold recognition for its sustainability successes. The Arden Hotel, on Waterside, has been recognised by Green Tourism – a certification that has been assessing travel, tourism and hospitality businesses’ approaches to sustainability for more than 27 years.
https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/news/the-arden-hotel-120226/
Angel investment network eyes £500k equity raises with hands-on investors
A Midlands angel investment network is targeting £500,000 equity raises with a refocus on hands-on investors. Minerva Business Angels – part of the University of Warwick Science Park – is positioning itself as a more targeted connector between high-growth firms in the region and a community of angel investors. The not-for-profit network is now concentrating on matching companies raising up to £500,000 in equity with investors who are keen to play an active role in the next phase of their growth.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/angel-investment-network-eyes-500k-equity-raises-with-hands-on-investors
Royal Leamington Spa enters UK Town of Culture 2028
Royal Leamington Spa Town Council has confirmed that the town will be entering a bid into the UK Town of Culture competition announced by the government.
The 2028 competition is the first of its kind across the UK and has been created to celebrate the cultural life and identity of towns. The title will be awarded along with central government funding to enable the delivery of a major cultural programme in the successful town.
https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/news/regional-050226/
Coventry University graduate recognised by Chinese Car Maker Design Challenge
A Coventry University graduate has landed a dream job in the car industry after scooping two global awards.
Hanil Kim, who graduated from the Automotive and Transport Design Course in July, won the SAIC Design Challenge competition before being presented with the Undiscovered Talent Award at the recent Car Design News People Awards in London.
SAIC, one of China’s largest car companies, with UK sites in London and at the former Longbridge factory in Birmingham, challenged designers to come up with a concept for two MG models, one of the brands which falls under the firm’s umbrella.
https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/news/coventry-university-040226/
Launch of new leadership forum in Warwickshire brings together dozens of Midlands business leaders
A new high-level leadership network designed to give Midlands business leaders access to expert insight, trusted peer connections and meaningful strategic discussion has been launched by a growing conference and office space in the heart of Warwickshire.
The first Stockton House Leadership Forum, organised by Stockton House, brought together senior decision-makers together in an exclusive setting, combining thought-provoking speakers with high-value networking opportunities aimed at creating lasting impact beyond the room.
It featured a keynote talk from Liam Matthews-Dibbins, IT Manager at BOLD IT, who spoke about the growing cyber risks facing small and medium-sized businesses.
https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/news/wigley-120226/
West Midlands records one of the highest increases in insolvency activity - R3
The West Midlands recorded one of the highest percentage increases of insolvency-related activity in the UK during 2025, according to the latest figures from R3. The figures for the West Midlands show an 11.7 per cent rise compared to 2024 – only Northern Ireland ranked higher at 20.2 per cent - and include administrations and creditors' meetings as well as voluntary and compulsory liquidations.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/west-midlands-records-one-of-the-highest-increases-in-insolvency-activity-r3
Business confidence rises in the West Midlands but falls in the East
Business confidence rose in the West Midlands during January, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds, but declined in the East. Companies in the West Midlands reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up 20 points at 80 per cent. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, down 16 points to 50 per cent, this gives a headline confidence reading of 65 per cent, up from 63 per cent in December 2025.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/business-confidence-rises-in-the-west-midlands-but-falls-in-the-east
West Midlands leads trade mission to India - aims to turn “last year’s trade deal into something that delivers here at home”
The West Midlands is leading a trade mission to Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Bengaluru, building on the UK-India Free Trade Agreement signed in July 2025. It aims to strengthen economic and cultural ties between the two markets and forge partnerships for the benefit of the regions universities, businesses and communities.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/west-midlands-leads-trade-mission-to-india-aims-to-turn-last-years-trade-deal-into-something-that-delivers-here-at-home
Warwick accountancy firm acquired by Nuvo
In a seven-figure buy-out, Pentlands Accountants and Advisors, in Warwick, has become the 34th acquisition in 21 years by Derby-based firm Nuvo which was last year ranked #73 in the UK Top 100 accountancy firms.
Local accountancy firm specialising in SMEs acquired by Nuvo Accountancy | Chalmers News PR