Latest news with #Challinor
Kuwait Times
30-07-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Gulf Bank loan book grew 3.8% in H1 2025 driven by its corporate portfolio
The earnings webcast was held and presented by CFO David Challinor KUWAIT: Gulf Bank held its first half 2025 earnings webcast on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, to present and discuss the Bank's financial performance. The webcast was organized by EFG Hermes and presented by David Challinor, Chief Financial Officer of Gulf Bank. The discussion was moderated by Youssef Dib, from Investor Relations at Gulf Bank. Operating environment David Challinor, Chief Financial Officer of Gulf Bank, commenced the webcast with key updates regarding Gulf Bank's operating environment during first half 2025. Challinor stated: 'The first half of 2025 was marked by a dynamic operating environment and rising geopolitical tensions and oil price fluctuations have added volatility to regional markets and shifted governments priorities. These factors have also influenced market sentiment, creating a more cautious investment landscape. Locally, fiscal policy developments have also played a role in shaping market conditions. The most recent local government debt issuances will accelerate economic activity and enable faster participation by banks in financing national initiatives.' Challinor added, 'Against this backdrop, and despite continued pressure on margins across the sector, our financial performance reflects strong execution and a prudent approach to managing our operations. We continued to maintain a balanced approach between credit expansion and asset quality, ensuring the resilience of our loan book. Our low non-performing loan ratio and high coverage levels underscore the effectiveness of our risk management framework and our ongoing commitment to financial stability.' He added: 'We are also advancing our internal readiness for a potential Islamic Sharia-compliant conversion, subject to being granted with the necessary regulatory and shareholders' approvals. The essential systems, governance frameworks, and talent are currently being explored. We are carefully assessing all operational and market implications to ensure we would be well-prepared subject to obtaining the necessary approvals. In addition, we have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Warba Bank stating the basis of cooperation in assessing a proposed merger between both banks independently, ensuring the best interests of all the Bank's shareholders in line with all regulations. Following that, we announced on July 28, 2025 that we had obtained approval from the Central Bank of Kuwait to engage and appoint a group of specialized consultancy firms with the necessary qualifications and expertise to carry out the feasibility study and due diligence for the potential merger.' Margins In response to questions raised regarding the net interest margins and the trend during Q2 on a sequential basis, David Challinor, Chief Financial Officer of Gulf Bank remarked: 'The margin expanded very strongly by a total of 14 basis points from Q1. Now, even though we saw a fall in the cost of funds during Q2 the market has recently become very competitive which is causing the cost of new deposits to rise and if this dynamic continues to persist, then we could be faced with some margin pressure even in the absence of cuts to benchmark rates.' Operating expenses In terms of operating expenses Challinor mentioned: 'We've seen a 6 percent growth in total operating expenses in H1 25 versus H1 24. I think given the potential Islamic banking conversion coupled with the potential merger, we are likely to have a higher absolute level of operating expenses in the second half than the first. Now, the increase in the cost to income ratio at H1 25 has been primarily by asset repricing on the income side, coupled with an uptick in the other expenses category. However, we did see an improvement in the cost-to-income ratio in the second quarter versus the first as the margin recovered, but I think the full year outlook is that the ratio is set to increase from FY24 levels'. Credit cost When asked about the credit cost and the Bank's asset quality, Challinor said: 'As I've mentioned on previous investor calls, for at least a year now, the vast majority of the Bank's credit costs are coming from the retail book and this trend continued into Q2. However, the Q2 credit costs for retail were the lowest since Q3 2023 which is an encouraging sign. On the corporate side, the book continues to perform exceptionally well with insignificant new NPLs. In terms of the guidance we gave at the beginning of the year we said FY25 credit costs are likely to fall in the 60 to 70 basis point range, which was down significantly from 75 basis points for FY24. For H1 25 we are sitting at 61 basis points, so I think the full year guidance of 60 to 70 continues to be appropriate at this stage.' Loan growth In regard to loan growth, Challinor noted: 'In Q2 we continued to grow the loan book, and the year-to-date growth was 3.8 percent for the first half of 2025. Now, when we compare it to the second half of last year, where we saw a contraction of 1.8 percent, H1 25 has witnessed a strong rebound from H2 24. And this rebound has been driven by our corporate business, which has grown 7.2 percent year to date versus the market growth, to the end of May 25, of 5.1 percent. So, we've gained market share in corporate this year and we also gained market share last year. Now when we look at retail, this continues to be a challenge in the current environment and according to the CBK data the growth to the end of May 2025 was only 1.2 percent which is perhaps indicative of the current higher rates and future rate expectations. In terms of the outlook for total loan growth for the full year 2025, we did guide for around mid-single digit loan growth, and we are currently on track to achieve this.' David Challinor •We maintained a balanced approach between credit expansion and asset quality, ensuring the resilience and integrity of our loan book. •We saw an improvement in the cost-to-income ratio in the second quarter versus the first as margins recovered. •The most recent local government debt issuances will accelerate economic activity and enable faster participation by banks in financing national initiatives.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Challinor criticises Stockport fans who left during shootout
Dave Challinor led Stockport County to a third-placed finish in League One before their eventual play-off defeat by Leyton Orient [Rex Features] Stockport County boss Dave Challinor has criticised fans who left midway through the penalty shootout they lost to Leyton Orient in Wednesday's League One play-off semi-final second leg at Edgeley Park. The Hatters were defeated 4-1 on penalties by Orient after the second leg finished 1-1 and 3-3 on aggregate. Advertisement Jack Diamond saw his penalty saved, while Ryan Rydel struck the post in the shootout. Some fans had left before Orient struck the winning spot-kick. "I get that there's disappointment. No-one's more disappointed than how much we are. There are players in the dressing room where it will live with them for the rest of their lives," Challinor told BBC Radio Manchester. "They deserve better than people walking out. Maybe they thought the game was over." Challinor has led Stockport to two promotions during his time with the club, taking them from the National League to the third tier. Advertisement Prior to this season's play-off campaign, they ended the season in third position, missing out on automatic promotion by five points. "If the players walked off with five minutes to go, we wouldn't be in the position we're in. That is a bit of a frustration," he added. "I get people may want to get away and avoid traffic and things, but our season has come to an end and I think it would have been nice and justified for people to have stayed in. "The majority did, don't get me wrong, and I massively thank them for that, to appreciate what the players have done because the effort they've given for nine months has been incredible." Advertisement Stockport had prior experience of losing on penalties in the play-offs, having lost to Carlisle United on spot-kicks at Wembley in the 2023 League Two final. Challinor's side went on to win the fourth tier title the following season, but he does not feel they will have things all their way in 2025-26. "I don't in any way think it will be as easy as that. To go back to the play-off game against Carlisle, we were hampered by injuries. I felt in that season we deserved to be promoted, we were one of the best teams," he said. "Unfortunately we've missed out at this stage. Football is ruthless, it moves on quickly." Advertisement A big summer awaits for the club as they look to make changes to their line-up in order to remain competitive next season. Challinor said: "Obviously there are players out of contract and we need to look at our squad. "There will be players at the club whose opportunities have been limited this year and will move on and it's my job to shape our squad in order to give ourselves the opportunity of being as successful next year as we have been this year. "There certainly won't be an understanding from my perspective, as I imagine there will be from a lot of other people, that says that because we finished third this year that we'll just happily waltz to an automatic spot next year and get promoted. "We've got to be better than this year not to stand still. And that becomes all of our jobs to make sure that happens."
The Star
23-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
Advertising isn't dead, it is evolving
Photo: AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star. KUALA LUMPUR: Advertising is not facing extinction—it is evolving rapidly, say media industry leaders. Speaking at the 'Is Advertising Dead?' plenary session during the Digital Media Awards (DMA) 2025 on Wednesday (April 23), Mark Challinor ( pic ), international media advisor for News Media UK, emphasised that advertising can still thrive if approached with the right mindset and tools. 'Advertising success now hinges on a fundamental shift; leaving behind outdated rules and embracing a technology-driven, customer-centric model. 'There are wonderful opportunities in advertising with Artificial Intelligence (AI), allowing for more precise targeting of relevant and new audiences,' he said. Challinor added that media sales teams and advertisers need to embrace innovation, prioritise customer experience and privacy, and adapt to the evolving landscape. 'The future of advertising lies at the intersection of emerging technologies, ethical standards, and shifting audience expectations,' he said. Echoing similar sentiments, Marcelo Benez, Chief Commercial Officer of Folha de said publishers and advertisers to view changing consumer habits as an opportunity. 'In the past, people read the newspaper every day. Today, they read it all day long. 'This is the new reality,' he said. Benez added that modern audiences demand more engaging, emotionally resonant advertising. 'Brands that can evoke emotion, spark thought, or generate buzz are more likely to achieve lasting impact. 'Audiences are becoming increasingly selective about what they engage with—and where it comes from,' he added. Challinor also noted that success requires more than just strategy—it requires talent. 'We need solutions-based sales teams and staff with strong technical competencies like digital literacy, proficiency in navigating digital platforms, keeping up with emerging technologies and trends, ability to analyse and interpret data. 'That's how we show we're creative, trustworthy, and in tune with our audience.' Organised by the World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA), DMA marks its 17th edition this year since its inception in 2009. The session examined whether advertising is truly in decline or poised for reinvention, highlighting how publishers can still capture a share of the projected US$818bil in global ad spend in 2025, as forecast by Dentsu.
BBC News
15-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Masters of their own destiny with finishing line in sight
Their advantage in the race for automatic promotion to the Championship may be slim, but Wrexham would surely have settled for their current position before a ball was kicked in four games remaining this season, Phil Parkinson's team are second in League have a golden chance to seal a third successive promotion – and are masters of their own was some disappointment for the Dragons as they were held to a goalless draw by a Wigan Athletic side who are without a win in six matches last result, coupled with Wycombe Wanderers' late winner against Stevenage, saw Wrexham's advantage over the third-placed Chairboys cut to one the fact remains that Wrexham are in the box seat – and on paper at least, they have the more favourable side are back in action when they host 21st-placed Bristol Rovers on Friday. The Pirates head across the border having lost six successive games, while Wrexham have been beaten in only two of their 21 home league fixtures so far this then go to Blackpool, who are 10th, next Monday, before taking on fifth-placed Charlton Athletic at home and travelling to mid-table Lincoln City to round off the season. Wycombe, meanwhile, travel to Bolton Wanders – who are eighth and firmly in the play-off race – this Friday before they also entertain Dodds' team then visit seventh-placed Leyton Orient on the penultimate weekend of the campaign before a final-day home game against Stockport course, depending on how results go in the meantime, Stockport may have something to fight for on 3 May. As things stand, the Edgeley Park side are four points worse off than Wycombe in Challinor's team must also face Peterborough (away), Huddersfield (home) and Lincoln (home) as the third-tier season reaches its are a point worse off than Stockport in fifth, and need something special in their games at Wycombe and Wrexham – as well as home fixtures against Northampton and Burton – if they are to mount what looks an unlikely late push for second place behind Birmingham Addicks look much more likely to end up in the hope for Parkinson is that Wrexham will not be there too.
Telegraph
23-03-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
James McClean incident with Stockport fan under investigation
A pitch-side confrontation in which a fan allegedly attempted to punch Wrexham captain James McClean will be scrutinised by the Football Association. Police were said to have intervened after a Stockport County fan apparently attempted to attack the Irishman at half-time at the Racecourse Ground. McClean faced abuse from visiting fans as he made his way to the tunnel area after a first half which had seen the Irishman help win his side a penalty. Jay Rodriguez converted the rebound from an initially saved spot kick. The half-time confrontation took place after Stockport supporters took issue with McClean's prior appeals for the penalty after his header struck defender Ibby Touray's arm. North Wales Police has yet to respond to requests for comment but Telegraph Sport understands the FA has been made aware of an alleged altercation. The incident will be looked at over the coming days. McClean is a regular target for opposing fans, having repeatedly taken a firm stance against commemorations on Remembrance Day. After Saturday's match, he posted photographs of the team's win on Instagram stories and included one shot of him leaving the field apparently gesturing to visiting fans. The Mirror had reported first that a fan had tried to punch McClean but no footage of the confrontation was immediately available on Sunday. Stockport manager Dave Challinor failed to contain his frustration at officials over the penalty after the League One encounter between promotion-chasing rivals, which ended 1-0 to the hosts. Replays showed the ball struck Touray's arm, but Challinor suggested that was only because he was thrown off-balance by McClean. Challinor bemoaned a 'really, really poor decision' that he believed cost his team at least a point. 'First off, I'm not going to get myself into trouble over it by saying what I probably truly believe,' Challinor added.
