Latest news with #Acre
Business News Wales
23-05-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Better Systems Can Help Build Stronger Client Relationships
I've always believed that being a good mortgage adviser starts with getting to know your client properly. Understanding what they want to achieve, asking the right questions, and showing you genuinely care about the journey they're on is at the heart of the job. But in a world where time is short and complexity is growing, having the right technology behind you makes all the difference. At Amber Shield Finance, based in Newport, we support a wide range of customers across the UK, including many blue light workers through our specialist brand, Blue Light Mortgages. Whether we're helping first-time buyers, home movers or landlords, the aim is always the same: to give sound advice and guide clients through the process in a way that feels reassuring, not overwhelming. That's where being part of the Cornerstone Network really comes into its own. The technology available to advisers through Cornerstone has genuinely changed the way I work. It doesn't replace the human element – far from it – but it does allow us to focus more of our energy on conversations that add value. Take the Acre platform, for example. I can send out an invitation to new clients who book appointments through our website and, before we've even picked up the phone, I've already got a good picture of their circumstances. I've got access to their credit report, I can see their loan-to-value position, and I can start thinking about which lenders or products might suit them. That means when we do speak, we can skip the paperwork and get straight to what really matters. In my experience, this helps build better relationships. Some might think that quicker conversations mean you lose that personal rapport, but it's quite the opposite. Because the system pulls through so much information in advance, I can spend more time talking to clients about their lives – their hopes, their plans, what they're trying to achieve. That's where trust is built. And that's what makes people come back. Of course, life isn't always straightforward. I've had many clients over the years who've come to me with impaired credit or other barriers to borrowing. Some of those journeys have taken months, even years, to reach a point where we're able to secure a mortgage. That's why I always try to offer advice and support – even if someone isn't mortgage-ready now. It's about taking the long view and knowing that the investment you make in those early conversations will pay off when the time is right. Having systems that streamline and protect our work is critical to making this model sustainable. The live compliance checks that Cornerstone offers take a huge burden off our shoulders. It gives peace of mind that we're doing things properly, while also reducing the risk of delays or missed steps. It's particularly helpful in today's market, where regulation is only moving in one direction. Knowing that we're always working within the latest legal frameworks means we can focus on doing what's right for the client, not worrying about red tape. Ultimately, the technology is there to support us – not to replace us. The real value of advice is still the relationship between adviser and client. As we head into a period where record numbers of fixed-rate deals are coming to an end, clients will be looking for reassurance and clarity more than ever. Great systems allow us to offer that in a way that's both efficient and personal. My advice to other advisers is simple. Embrace the tech, but don't lose the human connection. Be yourself. Take an interest in your clients. Make the experience enjoyable – especially for first-time buyers who may be feeling nervous. It's that mix of efficiency and empathy that really sets great advisers apart.
Reuters
09-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Brazil, China discuss railway from Peruvian port to Brazil territory
BRASILIA, May 9 (Reuters) - Brazil is in talks with China to build a railway connecting the Chinese-built mega Chancay port in Peru to Brazilian regions, Planning Minister Simone Tebet said on Friday. "They are very interested in helping Brazil, in crisscrossing the country with railways," Tebet told local outlet Carta Capital in an interview. Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the inauguration of the deepwater port in November. The $1.3 billion Chancay project is Beijing's largest investment in South America and part of its push to expand trade and influence across the continent. Tebet said her team met just over a month ago with a Chinese group representing the country's state-owned railway company to discuss a potential route linking the port to Brazil, based on the view that Chancay lies on the shortest path to China, cutting maritime trade distance by at least 10,000 kilometers (6,210 miles). Initially, the Chinese side had considered a route through the Amazon region, but the Brazilian government firmly rejected the idea due to the presence of the rainforest and indigenous peoples, Tebet said. "They ended up understanding, after a full analysis, and the idea now is to chart a southern route," she said, noting that the railway would pass through the states of Acre and Tocantins, eventually reaching Bahia and connecting to the West-East Integration Railway (FIOL). The FIOL railway, which remains under construction, will stretch about 1,527 kilometers from Figueiropolis in Tocantins to the Atlantic port of Ilheus in Bahia. Tebet acknowledged that the project would take time to materialize but said it would be transformative for economic development in Brazil's poorer interior regions. "You could be talking about five years, maybe eight, to see a project like this completed," she added.
Forbes
23-04-2025
- Forbes
Why Acre Resort Is One Of Cabo's Most Exciting Culinary Destinations
Acre Dishes © Gina & Ryan Photography | Acre Resort doesn't look like much until it suddenly does. One minute you're bumping down a dirt road outside San José del Cabo, the next you're in the middle of a modern jungle—part restaurant, part working farm, part design flex. It's easy to get distracted by the treehouse rooms, striking architecture, and the weddings happening on property, but the exciting story is what's coming out of the kitchen. Acre's food and drink program earned a Green Michelin Star last year—a rare nod to sustainability in the region that speaks to the depth of its commitment. Acre Garden © Gina & Ryan Photography | Nearly everything on the menu starts on-site. Acre's 25-acre farm grows everything from guava and figs to heirloom tomatoes, chiles, and herbs—ingredients that shape the menu across the main restaurant, the bar, and even Fausto's, the resort's casual ramen-meets-breakfast spot near the entrance. Guests staying in the villas or haciendas can forage for their own use, but the real magic happens in the kitchen, where what's ripe and ready guides the day's offerings. Walking around Acre © Gina & Ryan Photography | 'We're proud to source directly from the land we care for,' says restaurant manager Luis Murillo. 'That connection informs every decision, from the soil to the table.' That connection also helped earn Acre its Green Star—the only one of its kind in the area—thanks to regenerative farming techniques, crop rotation, and a serious commitment to sustainability that goes well beyond buzzwords. Mixed Beet Salad Acre Resort Acre's menu shifts with the season, but the focus stays the same: clean flavors, local ingredients, and dishes that look as good as they taste. The crispy rice bites set the tone—crackly, warm, and topped with cool slices of tuna and a pop of caviar. They're elegant but approachable, like much of the menu. The soft shell crab taco follows with a hit of texture and brightness, the fried crab paired with just enough heat and citrus to keep things lively. Grilled octopus from the charcoal oven is deeply savory, smoky at the edges, and balanced with a splash of acidity. Every dish is carefully plated without feeling precious—bold, fresh, and built to let the ingredients lead. Grilled Octopus Acre Resort The drinks don't play second fiddle—they're just as considered as what's coming out of the kitchen. The garden-to-glass philosophy runs deep, with everything from zebra lemon leaves to Buddha's hand and lemongrass pulled from just steps away. The Key Lime is a standout: made with Espadín mezcal, lemongrass cordial, and a cloud of coconut foam, it hits like dessert without the sugar—airy, bright, and cut through with citrus and smoke. Seasonal specials round out the list, like the Velocita, a savory mix of Patrón Cristalino, red fruits, and tomato water, and the Buddha Drop, which keeps things crisp with vodka, lemon leaf cordial, and dry vermouth. Key Lime Cocktail Acre Resort There's also a tasting room for La Tierra de Acre Mezcal, the resort's own label, showcasing the earthy depth of small-batch agave. Earlier this spring, World Class Competition winner Francisco Vaccalluzzo led a bar takeover, but even without guest bartenders, the list stays sharp—balanced, refreshing, and always rooted in the landscape. Acre Cheddar Biscuits with honey butter Acre Resort This season marks the return of brunch, featuring raw seafood stations and plenty of local sparkle. The wine list focuses on bottles from Valle de Guadalupe and California's Central Coast—crisp whites, sparkling rosés, and light reds that play well with Baja's sun and salt air. Acre Restaurant - Night Acre Resort Acre Resort doesn't scream luxury, and that's the point. It's laid back but locked in—focused on flavor, sustainability, and the kind of thoughtful hospitality that doesn't need a spotlight to stand out. What's happening here isn't part of a trend; it's the result of years spent investing in the land, the people, and the process. The Green Star might have come last year, but the philosophy behind it runs deep. Acre Resort © Gina & Ryan Photography |
