Latest news with #ClareRichards
Fashion United
12-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion United
Next requests shareholders vote against resolution calling to disclose employee wages
Next has called on its shareholders to vote against a resolution requesting for the British fashion retailer to disclose how it pays employees to address concerns over employee wages. A group of investors is hoping Next will increase its transparency and improve conditions for shop floor workers by revealing how many of its 40,000 staff are paid below the real living wage. The resolution is being backed by a group of institutional shareholders–including Axa, Scottish Widows and the Greater Manchester Pension Fund–according to This Is Money, which initially reported the news. Speaking to the media outlet, Clare Richards, a member of the Church of England Pensions Board, another backer of the resolution, said: 'Greater disclosure by Next of its pay practices would demonstrate how the company seeks to balance the needs of their stakeholders and lowest paid workers.' The real living wage is set at 12.60 pounds an hour in the UK, sitting higher than the national minimum wage, which is 12.21 pounds and 10 pounds for those between 18 and 20. In London, the minimum wage amounts to 13.85 pounds. Next responded to the resolution in its latest annual report where it said that it 'did not believe it was appropriate to produce additional bespoke reports beyond its current disclosures', which it claimed already aligned with its legal obligations. In the report, Next stated that it pays retail workers in line with statutory minimums, including use of age-related National Minimum Wage rates. National living wage is used as a baseline, payment for which is only guaranteed after one year of service with a performance requirement attached to the uplift. Any increase to its wages would come with 'significant cost implications', the retailer noted, before adding that it wanted 'flexibility' to set its own pay rates, instead of outsourcing the decision to a third party. In conclusion, the company added: 'We are committed to paying fair wages and acting in the best interests of all stakeholders. However, we believe it is vital for the company to retain control over pay and benefits decisions rather than ceding this responsibility to an external body. Formal 'Living Wage' accreditation would compromise this flexibility, increase costs, and impact employment opportunities.' The resolution will be voted on during Next's upcoming general meeting, scheduled to be held May 15.
Daily Mirror
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Steps' Clare Richards has made thousands flogging old clothes to followers online
Steps star Clare Richards has been raking it in selling her old outfits from her time in the band to followers online with everything from custom made sets to platform heels on offer Steps singer Clare Richards has been turning her hand to a new way of making money. The former pop star achieved incredible success with Steps after joining the band in 2007 racking up 14 consecutive UK top 5 singles including two number ones, two No1 albums and selling over 22 million records worldwide. During her time in the band Clare gained popularity for her style and looks as well as her singing ability. Steps split in 2001 but reformed in 2021 and their most recent album Platinum Collection reached number 1 in the UK in 2022. While she has also embarked on a solo career and competed on The Masked Singer, Clare is now raking it in away from the limelight. The singer has been selling her old outfits on Vinted - including music video costumes and stage outfits and has been making a healthy sum doing it. Selling under the username princessclarabella her biography on the site says: "I am 47 years old mother of two and I sing for my supper. I love clothes but never seem to throw any of them away when I should. So, it's time to make space x." Clare has almost 5,000 followers on the site and 588 reviews for the items she has flogged on the platform. An estimate by The Sun claims she has already made over £10,000 selling her old clothing. Clare has 79 items live currently and they are priced between £15 and £150 including a custom made House of CB top and skirt she wore in the music video for Heartbreak in this City and a pair of pink platform heels from Charlotte Olympia she has only ever worn "on set." She is also selling kitchenware, toys and teddies on the site. She raved about joining Vinted in 2023 on Facebook posting: "I've got myself on VINTED!! It's AMAZING! I'm OBSESSED Lots of lovely pieces added today. Women's and kids." Claire has previously spoken out about how being in the music industry had a drastic affect on her body image. Talking to Vicky Pattinson on her The Secret To podcast she said she was told she had to lose weight to be selected as a member of steps after auditioning to join the band in 1997. She said: "It set me on a pathway of not really eating for 4-and-a-half years. I still haven't managed to [regain my confidence]. I think I'm much better than I was. But I don't think I ever will get rid of it completely because it's played such a massive part of my life for such a long time… "And I think I probably was anorexic. You know, I managed to kind of stop what I was doing to myself but that went from not eating at all, to overeating." Clare has always been open about her weight struggles admitting she went from being "dangerously thin" to weighing 16.5 stone.
