Latest news with #Carole
Mint
4 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Prince William, Princess Kate holiday in Greece with family aboard Emirati Royal's $450 million superyacht
The Prince and Princess of Wales are currently enjoying a luxurious holiday in Greece, accompanied by their three children and Kate's parents, Carole and Michael Middleton. According to Greek media reports, the royal family is cruising around the Ionian Sea aboard a $450 million superyacht belonging to a member of the Emirati royal family. Local news outlet Enikos reported that Prince William, Kate, and their family arrived in Greece shortly after their last public appearance at Wimbledon on July 12. Travelling by private jet, they landed at Kefalonia airport and were swiftly transported in a luxury van to the yacht, where they boarded discreetly. The vessel, identified as the Opera, was spotted docked at the Ionian island of Kefalonia. The yacht is owned by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a prominent member of the UAE royal family. He is the ninth son of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of the United Arab Emirates, and currently serves as one of the UAE's four deputy prime ministers. Built by the renowned German shipyard Lürssen, Opera is a 146-metre mega yacht delivered in February 2023. The superyacht boasts ultra-luxury features, including two helipads, a large swimming pool, a state-of-the-art gym, and a beach club. Its size and amenities place it among the most opulent private vessels in the world. While the British royals have remained tight-lipped about the trip, images of the yacht in port and tracking data from luxury vessel monitoring sites have confirmed their presence in the region.
Telegraph
22-07-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
‘Will pension rules block me from withdrawing £50k?'
Write to Pensions Doctor with your pension problem: pensionsdoctor@ Columns are published weekly. Dear Charlene, I've reached age 60, which is the retirement age for my Barclays pension. Part of my pension is in the old Barclays 1964 defined benefit scheme, and this will pay me an income for life. The rest is in the 'Afterwork' scheme that replaced it. The scheme is made up of a credit account and an investment account. My understanding was that Afterwork was a defined contribution scheme, and I would be able to simply transfer this part somewhere else to access drawdown, but I'm confused by the credit account element and what this means. It is referred to as a 'cash balance arrangement'. Does this mean it is also a defined benefit scheme? The reason for asking is that the credit account is worth around £50,000, and I need to know if it comes under the rules requiring independent financial advice. From reading your column, if it counts as a defined benefit, I think I am going to struggle to find anyone to give me the required advice. This risks leaving me with an annuity as my only option, which would drastically alter my plans. I really need access to drawdown to top up my income until I receive my state pension, at which point I will have enough for my needs in retirement. I am hoping I am not going to end up stuck in limbo. Kind regards, Dear Carole, The pension tax rules split pension schemes into categories based on the benefits they can provide. Cash balance pensions are classed as a type of defined contribution scheme. They differ from most other defined contribution schemes because the value of the end pot doesn't just depend on what is paid in (contributions) and investment returns. Instead, there is also usually a guaranteed sum at retirement. This could be a minimum pot value or a guaranteed amount built up each year. While a guarantee might make it sound like a defined benefit scheme – and many resources online incorrectly label cash balance schemes as defined benefit – they are treated as defined contribution or money purchase. Moving to the Barclays Afterwork scheme, the 'credit account' is the guaranteed element. According to my research, this would build up a guaranteed credit of 20pc of your pensionable salary each month if you contributed 3pc of your salary each month towards it. The scheme also applied inflation-linked increases each year to the value of the credit account up to a maximum of 5pc. The money paid into the credit account is managed by Barclays, together with the scheme trustees, to ensure you can benefit from the full guarantee at the scheme retirement age. As you've mentioned, Barclays Afterwork has a normal retirement age of 60, and it is currently closed to new entrants. You could also make additional contributions to the second section of the Afterwork scheme, known as the investment account. You picked how much extra to pay in (as a lump sum or regular contributions), and Barclays would match this up to 3pc of your pensionable salary. If you chose to pay into the investment account, you'd have chosen a fund for the cash to be invested into. This section would move up and down in value, depending only on how your chosen fund performed and how much was paid in. As you are already at the scheme's retirement age, the trustees should have set out your options and what you need to do to access your pension in the way you'd like to. Drawdown can only be paid from cash balance pensions and other money purchase schemes. That doesn't mean a scheme must offer a drawdown, but it is another difference between defined benefit schemes, which cannot offer a drawdown. If your scheme does not offer drawdown, you should be able to transfer the total account (both credit and investment sections) to a scheme that does. You can request confirmation of the transfer value from the Barclays Afterwork trustees. Now that you've reached retirement age, there should not be a difference between the total account value and transfer value. People transferring before reaching the age of 60 should take care, as an adjustment can often be applied to the credit account to reflect early retirement. When you must get advice You must get specialist financial advice to transfer, cash in, or convert a plan that contains 'safeguarded benefits' worth £30,000 or more. This includes converting these funds to provide a flexible income using drawdown. The definition of safeguarded benefits includes defined benefits (like your Barclays 1964 scheme) but also casts a wider net, including other pots with guaranteed minimum pensions and/or guaranteed annuity rates attached to them. The legal definition of safeguarded rights (which can be found in the Pension Schemes Act 2015) appears to specifically exclude cash balance arrangements. While there might not be a legal requirement to get advice, you can still engage a regulated adviser to help you find the best way to bridge your income between now and reaching state pension age. An adviser can help you understand which option is best for your individual circumstances, recommend a provider, and even recommend an investment strategy to help you support your withdrawals, should you decide to move forward with drawdown. There is plenty to double-check with the trustees of the Barclays Afterwork scheme here, but I'm really hopeful that you will not be left in limbo as you initially feared. With best wishes, - Charlene Charlene Young is a pensions and savings expert at online investment platform AJ Bell. Her columns should not be taken as advice or as a personal recommendation, but as a starting point for readers to undertake their own further research.
Otago Daily Times
21-07-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Tireless dedication to animal welfare 'nothing short of extraordinary'
Carole Worley has devoted 14 years to championing the cause of animals in Christchurch. The SPCA volunteer driver said they see some sad sights on the job. "Animals are vulnerable. They've got no one to speak up for them," she says. "It's unbelievable what some people can do to their animals. "It just breaks your heart to see the unloved and abused ones." While that was distressing, it was great to animals recover after treatment and gain their confidence. "The best part is when you see them adopted and going to a lovely family." Carole's tireless dedication to animal welfare earned her the devoted volunteer award at the SPCA's National Volunteer Awards in June. Said the judges: "Carole's dedication to SPCA Christchurch is nothing short of extraordinary. "For longer than most can remember, she has been a rock for both the team and the animals in their care. "Rain or shine, she faithfully arrives ready to get stuck in and make a difference." Carole said it was a big surprise to receive the award. "When you think of all the fabulous volunteers we have at the centre and all over, it was nice to be recognised." The self-confessed dog lover drives and does a wide range of other tasks for the SPCA. "There's always something to do, even if it's pulling weeds in the garden." Her husband Leon passed away four years ago. She said since then the staff and volunteers at the SPCA have become her second family. "I really enjoy their company." Carole does not have her own pet at home as she likes to travel but she does foster dogs. She has provided a temporary home to about 20 dogs since she started volunteering for the SPCA when she retired. "It takes strong will-power not to adopt them myself." Carole was a blind/low vision guide dog puppy raiser for more than a year. She enjoys working with dogs and wanted to do something outdoors with a bit of variety so she approached the SPCA. Carole was recruited into the dog squad at the time, which meant walking them and training puppies. After turning her hand to driving, her duties now include picking up and dropping off the animals, collecting supplies, taking samples to labs, and picking up SPCA collection boxes. "My favourite job is taking dogs out to a Rolleston dog swim spa once a week, which is great for dogs rehabilitating after injuries and burning off energy.' The best part of volunteering was seeing dogs adopted into a "lovely family". "I'll keep volunteering until I can't drive anymore, and as long as my health allows me." Anyone who wants to volunteer at the SPCA can apply here
Edinburgh Reporter
14-07-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Refurbished Perthshire properties on the market
Braemore Estates, is selling investment property in the middle of Crieff, as they launch the development at Wade Court. This is a standalone development with nine apartments priced from £162,000. Buyers can acquire these properties, fully upgraded and redecorated, at a fixed price and in turnkey condition. Crieff, a bright and pleasant commuter area, is increasingly in demand from a UK wide audience, is now one of the country's property hotspots. Offering contemporary, open plan living, Wade Court is on Commissioner Street, with south facing views across the Strathearn Valley from its upper floors. There are private parking spaces in the building's undercroft garage which also has an external store in the garage area, useful for golf clubs and bicycles. There are two bespoke apartments on the first floor currently available, a one bedroom, priced at £162,000, and a bright and spacious two bedroom apartment with open plan kitchen/dining/living room, Juliet balcony, and ensuite to the master bedroom. This desirable property is priced at £192,000. Both of these modern and well insulated apartments are complete with well fitted modern kitchens, gas central heating, NEFF and Hotpoint appliances, Power Showers, all floor coverings, and secure door entry systems. Both can also take advantage of storage space in the undercroft garage and the external store in the garage area. The two bedroom apartment has its own parking space. Externally, buyers of these apartments may use a shared access pathway all around the building, with two communal areas for sitting out to enjoy the countryside views. Crieff is one of Scotland's most attractive market towns, and living at Wade Court, is within easy walking distance of a local pharmacy, the local Co-Op supermarket, the community hospital, doctors' surgery and numerous other independent retailers including a florist, a physiotherapist, artisan bakers, new acclaimed pastry shop & café, Ems & Co, and several beauty salons and hairdressers. Leisure facilities are available at nearby Crieff Hydro Hotel which offers various dining options within its recently refurbished restaurants and bar. A short walk from Commissioner Street takes you to the town's High Street. In front of the development, construction of a new Church Hall is about to commence. Carole Cameron, from selling agents Ballantynes, said: 'Wade Court represents a not to be missed chance to acquire a modern, turnkey apartment in the heart of Crieff, an area which has become highly desirable as a lovely place to live, which is rich in amenities and fabulous lifestyle opportunities, and as a lock and go investor hotspot, perhaps for those based overseas. Competition to acquire such properties can be fierce, but we are offering fixed prices.' For further details please contact Carole at Ballantynes on 01738 441825, or 0131 457 2222. Like this: Like Related
Fibre2Fashion
14-07-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
UK's Somerset Defence Textiles boosts capacity with plant extension
A SOMERSET-BASED industrial textiles firm has expanded into new facilities. Needles and Pins Aerospace – a female-led, family-run firm – has unveiled an expanded production facility in Somerton. And to launch the new facilities, the company welcomed figures from across the aviation and defence sectors, staff, customers and suppliers to its Somerton Business Park headquarters. Somerset-based Needles and Pins Aerospace has expanded its Somerton facility, marking the milestone with a ribbon-cutting led by Director Carole Champion. The female-led firm, which supplies Boeing and Leonardo, plans a further 25 per cent workforce growth by end-2025, including apprenticeships. The event celebrated team efforts, supplier support, and renewed focus on UK defence manufacturing. Director Carole Champion led the ceremony, cutting the ribbon, with a pair of scissors used to cut the first piece of material for the company back in July 2018 – owned by recently-retired general manager, Jean Spearpoint. 'This is a proud and significant moment in our journey,' Carole said. 'It's a celebration of our incredible team, the support we've had from customers and suppliers and a statement of our confidence in the future. 'With renewed focus on defence and British manufacturing, the opportunities ahead are exciting.' Needles and Pins Aerospace designs, manufactures and repairs bespoke protective covers, acoustic insulation and interior soft fittings for military and civilian aircraft, working with the likes of Boeing Defence UK and Leonardo, which has a plant in nearby Yeovil. Carole was joined by her son, Dillon Harmon, chief operating officer, who spoke of the company's growth and shared the team's plans, including further investment in people, processes and technology. The business has grown its workforce by 25% in the past year, with another 25% increase planned by the end of 2025, including the creation of two new apprenticeship roles. Steve Burnell, managing director of Boeing Defence UK , was among guests at the opening of the extended facility and said: 'At Boeing, we are committed to strengthening the UK aerospace industry by investing in local talent and fostering partnerships with innovative SMEs like Needles and Pins Aerospace. 'We're delighted to share in this milestone and support their continued growth.' Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RM)
