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She’s In Business appoints Deidre Beacham in women’s business university expansion

The London based female-centric business university “She’s In Business” has announced the appointment of Deidre Beacham as a Strategic Partner

She’s In Business described the 90-day collaboration as being intended to scale impact, strengthen operational delivery and reinforce its global position in female entrepreneurship.

When looking at business results statistics, despite being 50% of the population, fewer than 2% of female founders reach £1m in revenue. She’s In Business says the barrier is not motivation but access to high-level mentorship, strategic education and practical business building. Their model combines accredited learning with real-time execution to address that gap.

“Most women build businesses around passion but passion alone doesn’t create profit,” said Dr. Stephanie Anne Wilson, Founder of She’s In Business. “We created this university to change that, and Deidre’s appointment is the next powerful step forward in that mission.”

Beacham joins at a point of growth for the organisation. She is described as a thought leader in AI-powered strategy, operational design and visibility leadership, and her appointment is intended to support innovation and evolving approaches to education and mentorship.

“Deidre’s insight, integrity, and innovation are exactly what this next phase of She’s In Business calls for,” said Dr. Wilson. “Her lived experience and strategic brilliance make her an extraordinary asset to our global mission.”

As Strategic Partner, Beacham will audit and restructure current and future education programmes, including “Expert to CEO™” and “Embodied CEO™”. She will also design accountability and student success systems, develop frameworks for operational excellence and community cohesion, and prepare for the onboarding of the next cohort of global female founders.

The initiative responds to what the organisation describes as a need for stronger strategic infrastructure behind women’s ambition. She’s In Business delivers an intensive, accredited MBA-style curriculum alongside business development, expert mentorship and peer-based learning as part of its women’s business university expansion.

Alongside her operational role, Beacham is the founder of The Medusa Effect, a methodology that challenges what she describes as the historic conditioning of women to suppress their strength.

“You weren’t cursed. You were conditioned,” said Beacham. “Power isn’t gained through punishment, perfection, or hiding. It’s always been yours… you just need to reclaim it.”

She is credited with guiding women beyond performance and perfectionism, encouraging presence and visibility within their industries. Her work draws on social healing, mythological reframing and psychological insight, which the organisation says aligns with its wider mission.

“We’re not just rebuilding systems, we’re rebuilding belief in what’s possible for women-led business. It’s about legacy,” said Beacham.

She’s In Business describes its approach as applied rather than passive, with participants building and refining their businesses during the programme through structured milestones and expert-led implementation. The platform combines triple-accredited academic programmes, real-world execution and a peer-driven community.

The appointment is positioned as a signal of intent for further expansion, focused on both scale and outcomes, underpinned by values of inclusivity, feminine leadership and practical transformation.

Craven Cottage clash comes with both sides level on 20 games and separated by three points

A short journey across London brings a familiar edge on Wednesday 7 January (7.30pm GMT) as Fulham welcome Chelsea to Craven Cottage for a Premier League meeting that has quietly become a genuine contest for top-half momentum. The table after 20 matches shows why it matters: Chelsea begin the night fifth on 31 points, with Fulham 11th on 28, and the margins in that mid-to-upper pack mean a strong week can quickly reshape ambitions.

The hosts come into the derby on the back of a dramatic 2–2 draw with Liverpool on 4 January, a game that swung wildly late on and ended with a stoppage-time equaliser from Harrison Reed to extend Fulham’s unbeaten run in the league. That result followed the 1–1 draw at Crystal Palace on 1 January, and the recent pattern has been one of resilience and late-game belief, even when the flow of a match hasn’t always been perfect.

Chelsea’s most recent outing offered its own shot of confidence, drawing 1–1 at Manchester City on 4 January thanks to a last-gasp equaliser from Enzo Fernández. It was a performance that mixed defensive concentration with the capacity to seize a decisive moment under pressure, and it sets up an interesting challenge at the Cottage: turning that spirit into control and points against a side that has made a habit of staying alive deep into games.

Selection could be a major subplot. Fulham remain without Kenny Tete, Josh King and Rodrigo Muniz, while Ryan Sessegnon has been pushing to make the squad. The Africa Cup of Nations also impacts Marco Silva’s options, with Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze away on international duty. Chelsea, meanwhile, have been monitoring several key names, with Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana and Robert Sánchez among those who have been working back toward availability, meaning late fitness checks and training outcomes will shape how strong the visitors can go from the start.

Form players are not in short supply, and both sides have clear attacking reference points. Fulham’s league output has been led by Harry Wilson, whose goals have repeatedly shifted games, while Raúl Jiménez remains central to the way chances are linked and finished when service arrives. On the Chelsea side, the goals have been shared, with João Pedroand Enzo Fernández leading the scoring charts in league play, and Pedro Neto providing a steady supply of threat from wide areas. Fernández’s late impact at the Etihad also underlines a wider theme: even when Chelsea aren’t at their most fluent, they can still produce a defining moment.

Tactically, this sets up as a clash between a Fulham side comfortable playing with intensity at home and a Chelsea team that often looks to impose structure through possession and pressure after turnovers. The absences on the home side may place extra emphasis on how well the midfield screens transitions and how efficiently chances are taken when they arrive; for the visitors, the key question is whether they can create enough high-quality openings to avoid the match drifting into the kind of late chaos that Fulham have recently thrived in.

With only three points separating the clubs, the night has the feel of more than a local derby. A Fulham win would pull them level with a direct rival in the top-half race, while Chelsea know a strong result keeps them anchored in the European places and builds momentum at a time when January quickly becomes relentless. Under the lights at Craven Cottage, it may come down to who manages the fine details best—set-pieces, defensive concentration, and the ruthlessness to turn one big chance into three points.

Thiago’s Hat-trick Has The Bees Flying As Sunderland’s Unbeaten Run Rolls On

Brentford and Sunderland go head-to-head at the Gtech Community Stadium on Wednesday 7 January (7.30pm GMT)with the league table giving this fixture an unusually punchy edge for early January. Both clubs begin the night locked on 30 points, and with the chasing pack so tight, one clean result can quickly turn “good season” into something more ambitious.

Momentum belongs to the hosts after a statement away performance at the weekend. A 4–2 win at Everton on 4 Januarywas powered by a devastating Igor Thiago hat-trick, a timely reminder of how quickly Brentford can punish errors when the game becomes open. That victory also extended their unbeaten league run to five matches, pushing them deeper into the top-half conversation at a point in the season when form starts to harden into identity.

Sunderland’s latest result carried a different kind of message but was no less impressive. A 1–1 draw away at Tottenham on 4 January extended their unbeaten stretch again, with Brian Brobbey producing a late equaliser to frustrate a restless home crowd. The draw followed an even bigger defensive effort on New Year’s Day, when Manchester City were held to a 0–0 stalemate at the Stadium of Light, reinforcing the idea that Régis Le Bris’ side can compete with anyone when intensity and concentration are right.

Availability is likely to be a major subplot. Brentford’s own squad picture remains shaped by long-term issues, with Fábio Carvalho and Antoni Milambo both out for the season, while Frank Onyeka and Dango Ouattara are away at the Africa Cup of Nations. Josh Dasilva has also been sidelined, leaving the Bees to balance their midfield and wide options carefully during a demanding schedule. For Sunderland, the AFCON list has been significant too, with multiple players away on international duty, and there are also key fitness calls closer to kick-off. Dan Ballard has been a doubt recently, while Wilson Isidor has been monitored after a minor issue, with optimism that he could be involved.

The match-up itself feels like a clash of confidence and discipline. Brentford’s best football in recent weeks has blended patient build-up with sharp vertical bursts, and Thiago’s return to ruthless finishing has given them a cutting edge that can turn half-chances into goals. Sunderland’s strength has often been collective, staying compact without losing the ability to spring forward, and their late goal at Spurs underlined a growing belief that they can find defining moments even when territory is limited.

With two well-drilled sides level on points, the outcome may hinge on which team handles the margins better: second balls around the box, concentration at set-pieces, and the quality of the first pass after turnovers. If the game opens up, Brentford’s penalty-box presence could be decisive; if it stays tight, Sunderland’s organisation and growing resilience gives them a platform to frustrate and strike late. Either way, this looks less like a midweek filler and more like a proper test of who can keep climbing as the season turns.

Relegation Battle Intensifies as West Ham host Nottingham Forrest

West Ham United and Nottingham Forest meet at the London Stadium tomorrow with far more than three points at stake. Separated by a single place in the Premier League table, this is a contest shaped by anxiety, pressure, and the growing fear of being cut adrift at the foot of the division. Forest begin the weekend 18th, West Ham 17th, and both clubs know the outcome could define the direction of their season.

For Nottingham Forest, the challenge is clear. Under Sean Dyche, survival remains the priority, but recent weeks have offered little momentum. The Reds are without a win in their last four matches, their last success coming in emphatic fashion with a 3–0 clean-sheet victory over Tottenham Hotspur — a performance that briefly showcased Dyche’s blueprint of organisation, aggression, and discipline. Since then, however, inconsistency has crept back in, leaving Forest stuck in the relegation zone and searching for another performance to reignite belief.

West Ham enter the contest under intense scrutiny of their own. Nuno Espírito Santo’s side are winless in nine matches and sit on just 14 points, their confidence visibly drained by a damaging run of results. A heavy 3–0 defeat to Wolves on January 3rd was followed by a narrow loss to Fulham and a draw against Brighton — outcomes that have done little to ease the growing pressure on both players and manager. For Nuno, this fixture represents an opportunity to steady the ship, but another setback at home would only intensify questions about West Ham’s trajectory.

Team selection may prove decisive. Both sides have been weakened by the Africa Cup of Nations, with Ibrahim Sangaré unavailable for Forest, while West Ham must cope without Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diouf. Forest also has concerns between the posts, as goalkeeper John Victor remains sidelined through injury, potentially forcing Dyche into adjustments at the back on a night where defensive resolve will be tested.

The London Stadium is expected to provide a tense and charged backdrop, with nervous energy outweighing optimism as supporters fully grasp the importance of the occasion. This is unlikely to be a game defined by patience or control; desperation, urgency, and emotion are set to shape the contest.

For both Sean Dyche and Nuno Espírito Santo, this fixture goes beyond tactics or recent form. It is about belief, composure, and survival. One side may emerge with renewed hope, while the other risks being dragged deeper into trouble and as the season tightens, margins like these are becoming painfully thin.

Vitality Stadium hosts midweek showdown with both sides needing momentum

A lively midweek meeting on the south coast sees Bournemouth welcome Tottenham Hotspur to the Vitality Stadium on Wednesday, January 7, with kick-off set for 7.30pm. The table suggests a fixture of fine margins rather than fanfare: after 20 league games, Spurs sit on 27 points (7-6-7), while the Cherries are on 23 points (5-8-7), leaving little room for drift as the season turns toward its decisive stretch.

The hosts arrive bruised but not broken after a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday, January 3. An early breakthrough and a late rally showed the spirit Andoni Iraola demands, but the visitors’ quality ultimately told. That pattern has become a familiar frustration in recent weeks — performances that contain promise, yet too often end without the reward — and it places extra importance on turning encouraging spells into points against another side searching for rhythm.

For the visitors, the build-up has been dominated by frustration in front of goal and a sense of missed opportunity. A 1-1 home draw with Sunderland on Sunday, January 4 followed a 0-0 draw at Brentford on Thursday, January 1, continuing a sequence in which fluency has been harder to find than control. With the away record offering a more reliable base than recent home outings, this trip represents a chance to reset the mood — but it comes with selection concerns that could shape the approach.

Team news will be closely watched, particularly given the number of established names currently on the injury list. Bournemouth have several absentees, including Tyler Adams (knee) and Ryan Christie (knee), along with Ben Gannon-Doak (hamstring), Veljko Milosavljevic (knee), Matai Akinmboni (muscle) and Will Dennis (ankle). Tottenham’s list is similarly disruptive, with James Maddison (knee) and Dejan Kulusevski (knee) among those missing, while Dominic Solanke (ankle), Destiny Udogie (hamstring) and Mohammed Kudus (thigh) are also sidelined. With creativity and final-third threat so dependent on availability, the balance between patience and ambition may be dictated by who is fit enough to start.

In terms of individuals carrying form into the contest, Bournemouth can lean on Antoine Semenyo, the club’s leading league scorer with nine goals, and the lively Eli Junior Kroupi, who has also made a significant scoring contribution this season. Their ability to stretch defences and turn quick transitions into shots has been central to most of the best moments, especially when the press wins possession high and the tempo rises. Tottenham’s most consistent source of goals in the league has been Richarlison, who leads their scoring charts with seven. The Brazilian’s movement and willingness to attack the box becomes even more important when service is less predictable and chances arrive in smaller numbers.

Tactically, the mood points toward a contest decided by pressure resistance and decision-making in transition. Iraola’s side will want the crowd engaged early, pushing the game into a high-tempo pattern where counter-pressing and direct running can force mistakes. Spurs, meanwhile, may look to quieten the first wave, move the ball with more care through midfield, and pick moments to accelerate rather than forcing the play — particularly with creative options reduced. Set-pieces could also loom large, as games between bottom-half sides often swing on one clean delivery or a single lapse in concentration.

All of that sets up a match that feels bigger than its league position suggests. There is enough quality on the pitch for sharp moments, but the wider story is about momentum, confidence, and how each side copes when the game becomes uncomfortable. With both clubs hovering in the lower half and injuries shaping the margins, Wednesday night could come down to which team turns its best spell into a lead — and which keeps its nerve when the inevitable pressure arrives.

UK small business growth plans 2026 reach five-year high

UK small business growth plans 2026 have reached their highest level in five years, according to new research released in January.

Data from Novuna Business Finance shows that 84 percent of small business owners are starting 2026 with plans to invest in new growth initiatives. The aim is to make their enterprises stronger in the year ahead.

The figure marks a steady rise over time. In 2022, 77 percent of small businesses prioritised growth. This increased to 79 percent in 2023, 81 percent in 2024 and remained at that level in 2025 before rising again this year.

The findings follow a difficult trading period. During 2025, the proportion of small business owners predicting growth fell for four consecutive quarters, reaching 25 percent.

Despite that backdrop, the data suggests a more resilient mood as the New Year begins. UK small business growth plans 2026 appear to reflect a renewed focus on strengthening operations rather than short-term forecasts.

The research is based on a nationally representative survey of 1,000 small business owners. Regional differences are clear.

London leads the way, with 90 percent of small businesses planning to invest in new growth initiatives for 2026. The East Midlands follows closely at 89 percent. The North West stands at 84 percent.

Sector trends show a similar pattern. Manufacturing is the industry most likely to be working on UK small business growth plans 2026, with 94 percent of firms prioritising new initiatives. This is up from 90 percent last year.

Across the ten sectors surveyed, most recorded year-on-year increases. Retail and finance remained unchanged at 79 percent and 84 percent respectively.

Media was the only sector to record a decline, falling from 92 percent to 84 percent.

Other sectors showed notable rises. Property and real estate, transport and distribution, legal services and medical services all reported increased focus on growth. Education also rose to 77 percent.

Looking at priorities within UK small business growth plans 2026, increasing new business income remains the most common focus. This was cited by 46 percent of respondents, up from 43 percent a year earlier.

Cost control is also rising sharply. The proportion prioritising the reduction of fixed costs increased from 24 percent to 40 percent.

More businesses are focusing on resilience. Building financial reserves rose from 23 percent to 31 percent. Diversification into new products and services increased from 20 percent to 25 percent.

Operational efficiency is gaining attention. Reviewing back-office operations rose from 12 percent to 20 percent.

Contingency planning is also more prominent. Seventeen percent of businesses are prioritising plans for prolonged market uncertainty, up from 12 percent last year.

Jo Morris, Head of Insight at Novuna Business Finance, said: “As we all prepare to start a New Year, our data paints a picture of determination and resilience from UK small business owners. Last year was, for many, a low-point – with small business growth forecasts hitting a record low and many concerned about external factors, such as US tariffs and fears of tax rises in the Autumn Budget. Despite all this, more than eight in 10 small business owners are going into 2026 determined to find new ways to make their enterprises stronger and more resilient. We last saw this during the pandemic era and the determination of small business owners then to flex and adapt played out in a bounce-back of sector confidence in 2022. After an economically challenging 2025, the sheer scale of businesses prioritising plans to build strength into their enterprises for the year ahead will hopefully result in a much-needed upturn in positive growth outlook from the small business community in the early months of 2026.”

Overall, the data highlights the scale of UK small business growth plans 2026. Across regions and sectors, firms are entering the year focused on rebuilding strength and stability.

Brent Council announces Holocaust Memorial Events

Brent Council has confirmed details of its Holocaust Memorial Day programme, inviting residents to take part in a series of commemorative activities later this month.

The main event will take place on Wednesday 28 January and will focus on remembering the millions of people murdered in the Holocaust, as well as victims of other genocides, including those in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Rwanda and Darfur.

The Brent Council Holocaust Memorial Events will centre on the theme of “bridging generations”.

The evening is intended to recognise the link between survivors, those who have inherited their stories, and younger generations who continue the work of remembrance. The programme will feature accounts of survival and reflection, creating space for learning from the past and considering how those lessons can inform a more peaceful future.

A key part of the event will be a testimony from John Hajdu MBE, a Hungarian-born Holocaust survivor. His contribution forms part of a wider programme that reflects long-standing elements of the borough’s Holocaust Memorial Day commemorations.

As in previous years, the London Cantorial Singers and JFS will perform. This will be followed by memorial candle lighting led by young people from across the borough, reinforcing the intergenerational focus of the Brent Council Holocaust Memorial Events.

Speaking about the importance of marking the day, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources, Councillor Mili Patel, highlighted the borough’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

“Holocaust Memorial Day calls on all of us to reflect on history and commit to a better future.

“It is our collective duty to stand against hatred and discrimination. By standing shoulder to shoulder, we can pledge to create a society where diversity is celebrated, and every individual is valued. United by our common humanity, we reject hate in all its forms.”

The Brent Council Holocaust Memorial Events are open to all members of the public. The main commemorative event will be held at Brent Civic Centre on Wednesday 28 January, starting at 6pm. Attendance is free, but registration is required.

In addition to the civic event, Brent Council is also marking Holocaust Memorial Day in collaboration with the Lexi Cinema. A screening of Nuremburg will take place on Tuesday 27 January at 7pm, with tickets available to purchase.

Secret rapper killer recommended to be moved to open prison

A killer who secretly produced rap music about murdering a teenager should be transferred to open prison, according to the Parole Board.

Jake Fahri was 19 when he was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2009 for the murder of schoolboy Jimmy Mizen. He received a minimum term of 14 years.

The killing took place on 10 May 2008 inside Three Cooks Bakery in Lee, south London. Fahri threw an oven dish at 16 year old Jimmy Mizen. The dish shattered and severed blood vessels in Jimmy’s neck, causing his death.

Fahri was released on licence in June 2023. He was recalled to custody in January 2025 after the Ministry of Justice said the Sun newspaper was preparing to publish claims that he was producing drill music containing references to the murder.

It was alleged by a major tabloid newspaper that Fahri was performing as the masked drill artist TEN, who had been featured on BBC 1Xtra. It reported that one of the tracks, available on Spotify and YouTube, appeared to refer to Jimmy Mizen’s death.

A Parole Board decision summary recorded that Fahri told the panel the music “was all about his own life”. The document noted that after his recall he accepted that he was the artist known as TEN in the videos.

The panel stated: “The panel was not persuaded that he had provided an open and honest account of his music and that his failure to disclose the music work to his probation officer had been a breach of his licence.”

Fahri argued that he was unaware of the licence restrictions and said the breach occurred because he had not been informed of them. The panel rejected this explanation, citing evidence provided by his probation officer.

At a hearing on 16 December, Fahri and professional witnesses supported his re-release from prison. The proposal was opposed by the Justice Secretary, and the Parole Board was not satisfied that immediate release would be safe for the protection of the public.

In its assessment of the Jake Fahri Parole Board decision, the panel concluded that further work was required. It said: “The panel determined that Mr Fahri needed to reflect on his attitude, thinking and behaviour, so that he could better understand himself, including why he failed to be open and honest with the professionals managing his case.

“It considered that this could be achieved in an open prison and recommended that Mr Fahri should be progressed in this way.”

Open prisons operate with minimal security and allow eligible prisoners to spend much of their day outside custody on licence, including for work or education.

The final outcome of the Jake Fahri Parole Board decision will be determined by Justice Secretary David Lammy, who will decide whether to accept the recommendation.

Poems on the Underground 40th anniversary marked with events and new publications

Transport for London has announced a programme of activity to mark the Poems on the Underground 40th anniversary, recognising four decades of poetry displayed across the London Underground network.

Since its launch in 1986, the scheme has brought poetry into everyday journeys, reaching millions of travelling customers all across London each year.

A commemorative event will take place at Bank Tube station on Friday 30 January.

London poets whose work has appeared as part of the programme are being invited to attend, alongside staff poets and members of the public with an interest in poetry. The event is intended to formally mark the Poems on the Underground 40th anniversary.

To coincide with this anniversary milestone, a revised edition of 100 Poems on the Underground has been released, featuring poets ranging from Sappho and Shakespeare to Kamau Brathwaite and Wendy Cope. There will also be additions by poets like Jean Binta Breeze to reflect poems shown during the project’s first five years.

A new winter collection of Poems on the Underground will launch on 9 February. This set includes works by contemporary British poets, including “Syzygy” by Rachel Boast, “A Short Piece of Choral Music” by Jonathan Davidson, and “Narcissus” by Blake Morrison. It also features a haiku by Kobayahsi Issa with original calligraphy by Yukki Yaura, alongside poems by Romanian poet Mircea Dinescu and American poet Jane Hirshfield.

As part of the Poems on the Underground 40th anniversary activity, poems will also be displayed at selected stations, extending the programme beyond train carriages. These locations include Aldgate East, Heathrow, Seven Sisters, St. John’s Wood, and Westminster.

Later in the year, TfL will publish a free leaflet titled 40 poems for 40 years of Poems on the Underground. The leaflet will be available at London Underground stations and is intended to highlight well known poems from the scheme’s history, alongside the summer edition of Poems of the Underground.

Justine Simons OBE, London’s Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said: “For the past 40 years, ‘Poems on the Underground’ have given us moments of reflection, joy, solace and so much more as we make our way through the hustle and bustle of the Tube. Much loved by Londoners as part of the familiar furniture of our city, they are incredibly popular with visitors too. Art and culture are for everyone and ‘Poems on the Underground’ bring creative inspiration to millions every day, helping us build a better London for everyone.”

Mark Evers, Chief Customer Officer at TfL, said: “For four decades, ‘Poems on the Underground’ has been a vital part of London’s cultural fabric, turning millions of minutes spent travelling into moments of reflection and joy. As we celebrate this 40th anniversary, we honour the poetry that connects us, and we look forward to sharing more fantastic poems for many years to come.”

Judith Chernaik, Founder, Poems on the Underground, said: “We start the new year – our 40th – with poems of widely different times and places, all offering hope for better times as Winter gives way to Spring.”

All poems displayed across the Tube network since the founding of Poems on the Underground in 1986 are available in their original poster format on the Poems on the Underground website at https://poemsontheunderground.org/.