Latest news with #BenSmith
News.com.au
08-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
AFLPA interim boss Ben Smith says players ‘open to' conversation about mid-season cup
AFL players would embrace the possibility of a mid-season tournament and are open to 'innovation' as a long end to 2025 looms, with only one team outside the eight a genuine chance of breaking in with seven rounds remaining. The prospect of a mid-season tournament, like one played in the NBA, was flagged to club chief executives last week as a way for the AFL to generate interest during the quieter period of the year and possibly open the door for extra finals qualifications. Brisbane premiership winner Josh Dunkley threw his support behind the idea and interim AFL Players' Association boss Ben Smith said while the association had not had any part in discussions, he confirmed the players would be open to evolving the game. 'Obviously, at the moment we haven't had any dialogue with the AFL in relation to this,' Smith said on SEN Breakfast. 'But we are partners in the game and that's how the revenue share model works. I think the players are an important part of this conversation and we will be. 'We're open to innovation in the game, I think that's important, but in relation to this mid-season competition, it's not something that's been discussed with us. 'I think there's a point there in relation to there's one success in the grand final and what other options exist for us to find success through the season and opportunities to engage fans in the game. 'I think we're open to that conversation, whether that's State of Origin and the possibilities there or this type of thing – let's have that dialogue.' Smith said if the in-season tournament added to the number of games, it would accelerate discussion around shortened quarters. 'I think there's a lot of footy now and talk of more potentially,' Smith said. 'I think those things, quarter lengths and all those things, are a part of that conversation if we're looking to expansion.' The shortened quarters is a topic that former AFLPA president and Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield feels strongly about. He told NewsWire in March that he wanted to introduce shorter games to bring back 'footy's heyday'. 'I think reducing quarters could potentially mean more games in shorter breaks because it's not as physically demanding,' he said. 'Everyone talks about the '80s as the heyday and reducing quarters would just fall in line with what the game length was back then, which was 120 minutes. 'We're well in excess of 130-plus now. Everyone talks about the heyday, well, this is one way to get back to that, I think.' Smith said a mid-season tournament fell into the same category of State of Origin. The AFLPA is open to the conversation but wants to see the AFL's long-term vision before committing. 'I think the players have got a real appetite to consider and look at State of Origin football,' he said. 'We've had that discussion with the AFL, but I think that point around having a strategic focus, what are we doing with it? What's the long-term sustainability of it as well? 'I think the players, if they're going to play it, want it to have a future – I think, what's the plan? What does it look like in 10 years' time? 'That is something the players are really keen to understand and then commit to.'
Khaleej Times
06-07-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Abu Dhabi expat survives cancer, opens green juicery to make ends meet
Ben Smith, a 27-year-old Abu Dhabi resident who grew up in the city, was just 22 when his life was interrupted when doctors diagnosed him with cancer in his appendix, shortly after graduating from university. 'It was the start of my life, really,' he said. 'All my friends were getting jobs, and I was thrown into the hospital.' Over more than a year, Ben underwent treatments, surgeries, and long periods of waiting both in the UAE and the UK. He came out of the experience with no job, no clear plan, not much energy, but a new sense of clarity. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. 'When you get cancer, nothing else matters. It puts you face-to-face with what's important, your health, your peace, your community.' With little energy and no clear career path, Ben turned to a skill he had picked up during university while working part-time at Joe & The Juice. He began making juice at home for friends. What started as a casual idea slowly grew into Pink and Greens, a health-conscious juicery that now operates with a strong environmental ethos and nearly zero packaging waste. 'I'm not a businessman,' Ben said. 'I'm more of a family man. I love the environment. I hate plastic. That's just me.' The shop, located at an ADNOC station in Abu Dhabi, has developed organically with the help of a close-knit community. At the core of Ben's business is the Earth Club, a glass bottle return system that encourages customers to bring back used bottles in exchange for a week's worth of free coffee. 'It's become a system that people actually follow,' he said. 'We've created a small loop of reuse, and it works.' Challenges Still, running an eco-conscious store comes with challenges. Paper cups, for example, don't show the colours or layers of the drinks, a key part of the visual appeal. The team is now transitioning to biodegradable cornstarch cups that look like plastic but break down naturally. 'We have to be careful that people don't misunderstand the material,' he said. 'It looks like plastic, but it's made from plants, and it goes back to the earth.' Another challenge is managing the daily pulp generated from juicing fruits and vegetables. While Ben used to compost and deliver the pulp to local farms, he's now actively pursuing new ways to put it to use. 'I don't want it to go to waste,' he said. 'There's real potential in this pulp, and we're looking at how to make sure it stays a part of a sustainable cycle.' 'Everything felt more urgent' Beyond juices, Ben has a wider goal in mind: reviving marine life in the UAE. In collaboration with a government-led initiative, Pink and Greens is planning to launch a bottled water line, where part of each purchase funds the planting of coral reef tiles made from 3D-printed terracotta. These tiles are placed on the seabed to support coral regeneration. 'When someone drinks water from us, they're also helping restore ocean life,' Ben said. 'That's the point, every product has a purpose. We're not just selling drinks. We're trying to make choices that give something back.' Asked whether his interest in sustainability existed before his diagnosis, 'I always respected it. But after cancer, everything felt more urgent,' he said. 'It made me realise this is where I want my life to go, something that makes a real difference.'
New York Post
04-07-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Air France-KLM to take majority stake in Scandinavian airline SAS
Air France-KLM plans to increase its stake in Scandinavian airline SAS to 60.5%, the latest step towards consolidating Europe's fragmented airline sector as carriers seek to strengthen their position against rivals. The Franco-Dutch airline group said on Friday it intended to increase its stake from 19.9% currently by acquiring the stakes held by top shareholders Castlelake and Lind Invest. The purchase, subject to regulatory clearances, is expected to close in the second half of 2026, Air France-KLM said. Advertisement 3 Air France-KLM is looking to increase it's stake in Scandinavian carrier SAS to 60.5% from 19.9%. EPA The value of the investment would be determined at closing, based on SAS's latest financial performance, including core earnings and net debt, the company said. It declined to give details on those metrics. Air France-KLM expects to generate 'three-digit million' euros in synergies from raising its SAS stake, finance chief Steven Zaat told analysts on a call. Advertisement Zaat said the deal would be funded from cash or a 'plain vanilla bond' and would not impact the drive to reduce the group's hybrid debt. 'We have ample room for it,' he said. SAS welcomed Air France-KLM's announcement. 'European consolidation had to happen further, and we're very happy to be part of that,' SAS CEO Anko van der Werff told Danish broadcaster TV2. 3 The Danish government will keep its 26.4% stake in SAS and its seats on the board. REUTERS Advertisement 'In the current setup where Air France-KLM is a 19.9% shareholder, they're still a competitor,' he said. 'With the new stake, going above 50%, we can really tap into all of those synergies and offer those benefits to customers.' SAS said it would continue to invest in its fleet and network. In 2023, Air France-KLM said it would invest about $144.5 million for its initial SAS stake, boosting its presence in Sweden, Denmark and Norway with the option to become a controlling shareholder after a minimum of two years, subject to conditions. SAS exited from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in August 2024. Advertisement 3 Air France-KLM CEO Ben Smith. Bloomberg via Getty Images The two carriers have already had a commercial cooperation since summer 2024. Control of SAS would allow Air France-KLM to expand in the Scandinavian market and create additional value for shareholders, Air France-KLM said in a statement. 'Following their successful restructuring, SAS has delivered impressive performance, and we are confident that the airline's potential will continue to grow through deeper integration within the Air France-KLM Group,' said Air France-KLM CEO Ben Smith. The deal comes as executives seek more consolidation in Europe's fragmented airline industry, which they say is needed to compete with U.S. and Middle Eastern rivals. SAS has 138 aircraft in service and carried more than 25 million passengers last year, generating revenues of 4.1 billion euros ($4.8 billion). Air France-KLM group would have a majority of seats on the board of directors, while the Danish state will keep its 26.4% stake in SAS and its seats on the board.
Local Sweden
04-07-2025
- Business
- Local Sweden
Copenhagen Airport could get more long distance flights after SAS takeover
A takeover of Scandinavian airline SAS, announced Friday, could bring more long distance routes to Copenhagen Airport, the airline's new owners have said. Advertisement Air France-KLM wants to introduce more long distance flights out of Copenhagen if, as expected, the company completes a takeover of Scandinavian airline SAS. CEO of Air France-KLM Ben Smith said at a press conference on Friday that the takeover would mean more long distance SAS flights from Copenhagen, media Finans reports. "SAS is currently underrepresented on long distance routes. We want more long distance departures out of Copenhagen, because the airport doesn't have its fair share right now. There will be growth in the number of long distance routes," Smith said. The comments from the Air France-KLM CEO come after the company announced on Friday that it is to initiate proceedings to take a majority stake in SAS. The former company intends to increase its ownership stake in SAS from 19.9 percent to 60.5 percent by the end of next year, by acquiring shares currently held by investment groups Castlelake and Lind Invest. Advertisement The Danish state, which also owns part of SAS, will retain its 26.4 percent stake and its seats on the board, while Air France-KLM will hold a majority of the board positions, news wire Ritzau reported. Smith said the company would invest in Copenhagen Airport to make it its third hub, joining existing hubs for the airline in Amsterdam and Paris. In a SAS statement, CEO Anko van der Werff said the move would strengthen the Scandinavian airlines's market position by 'positioning Copenhagen as our global hub for the region, while continuing to uphold strong and strategic operations in both Oslo and Stockholm.'
Skift
04-07-2025
- Business
- Skift
We're Not Becoming ‘Air France-KLM Lite,' SAS CEO Tells Skift
Anko van der Werff has long championed consolidation. With Air France-KLM poised to take majority control, he's getting his wish while (hopefully) keeping the airline's Scandinavian soul. Anko van der Werff is having a wild week. On Tuesday, the SAS CEO signed a multi-billion dollar deal for 45 new Embraer aircraft – the company's largest direct order in decades. Today, he was shaking hands with Ben Smith as Air France-KLM prepared to triple its stake in the Scandinavian carrier. Speaking to Skift from Stockholm, van der Werff described Friday's announcement as both strategic and symbolic: 'This is not marketing, it's not boasting, but this is a historic day for us,' he said. 'We've been interested and open to consolidation and finally after many years – in fact, a few decades probably – SAS is succeeding in consolidating.' The deal, which remains subject to regulatory approval, will see AF-KLM increase its shareholding in SAS to 60.5%, enabling much deeper integration between the two companies. The Franco-Dutch group will acquire existing SAS stakes held by asset management firms Castlelake and Lind Invest. Investment as a Validation AF-KLM currently owns a 19.9% shareholding in SAS. Van der Werff said the move to more than 60% shows that the Scandinavian airline is on the right track: 'It is a validation of the transformation journey we have been on – it feels good.' The SAS chief laid out the enormous opportunities available if – or more likely when – the majority holding is confirmed. 'At 19.9% there's nothing you can do together beyond the normal interline and codeshare agreements that you can have with any other airline,' he explained. 'The 19.9% gave them a seat on the board, but commercially speaking for things like joint purchasing, fleet, network, schedule, and pricing, you're still completely two independent airlines.' Pending approval from the European Commission, the tie-up will unlock a broad range of synergies including joint pricing, fleet alignment, loyalty, and corporate contracting. SAS also hopes to become part of the transatlantic joint venture alongside Air France-KLM, Delta, and Virgin Atlantic. A Reflection of Performance The terms of the initial consortium deal signed last summer allowed AF-KLM to ultimately own a controlling stake. Van der Werff attributed the acceleration in shareholding to SAS's stronger-than-expected performance post-restructuring. 'We are performing better than planned. It sometimes feels uncomfortable as an airline CEO to say that things are going well, but within that context, we are doing well. I think Air France-KLM... liked what they saw and decided to move earlier once Castlelake and Lind offered their shares.' SAS' Anko van der Werff and AF-KLM's Ben Smith. credit: air france-klm Van der Werff joined SAS exactly four years ago when the airline was still in financially stormy skies. His mission was clear, but the path was less certain. Asked if he expected to be at this stage of the turnaround by the summer of 2025, the CEO revealed his hope was actually to get here around a year ago. The move is more than just a financial or operational shift; it's the culmination of a strategic vision Van der Werff's held since joining the airline amid the turbulence of 2021: 'I've always had this visualization that SAS needs to be part of something bigger,' he said. 'That was the philosophical, spiritual, whatever-you-want-to-call-it direction that I had.' Moving Faster Together While Air France-KLM is set to become the majority owner, the Danish government will retain a significant stake at around 26.5%. It will also continue to have board representation. Van der Werff welcomed Denmark's continued involvement but made clear that governance decisions lie with the new ownership. 'What I can say is it's already been very constructive to work in this environment over the last year since the restructuring. What I'm happy with is that [the consortium] owners have taken this decision and done what is right for the company. We'll probably move faster in that the 19.9% [AF-KLM existing stake] doesn't give you much. If you really want to go forward with the synergies, then you have to get into a controlling stake environment.' The Fate of SAS' Scandinavian Soul As well as comments in market filings on Friday, van der Werff took to LinkedIn for a more personal take on the proposed deal. Perhaps anticipating concerns about SAS's future identity, he wrote: "Make no mistake, SAS will remain proudly Scandinavian at heart, in look, and in feel." Pressed by Skift on what this would mean in practice, the CEO emphasized that SAS's identity would remain intact: 'If there was any concern about if the brand will still exist after this – it will. Will we still serve a distinctly Scandinavian product? We will. "Air France-KLM is not in the process of buying us to make an 'Air France-KLM Lite'. They bought us because we know Scandinavia. We are Scandinavians. It would be value destruction if you took the loyalty of 8 million EuroBonus members completely away and made it into something that we're not,' he added. Before returning to Europe, the industry veteran held senior leadership roles at Aeromexico, and Qatar Airways, and was most recently CEO of Colombia's Avianca. Van der Werff believes the deal reflects a wider structural shift in European aviation. 'Europe is lagging behind,' he said, citing his experience working in other global markets. 'It's still too fragmented and it needs a second phase [of consolidation]. I hope this contributes to that.' Air France-KLM Now Owns 20% of SAS: 3 Big Changes to Watch Air France-KLM's significant stake is more than just a strategic move—it's the latest stage of deepening consolidation in Europe's airline industry. With SAS defecting to the SkyTeam alliance and expanding cooperation with new partners, expect tighter network integration in the months ahead. Read More What am I looking at? The performance of airline sector stocks within the ST200. The index includes companies publicly traded across global markets including network carriers, low-cost carriers, and other related companies. The Skift Travel 200 (ST200) combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number. See more airlines sector financial performance. Read the full methodology behind the Skift Travel 200.
