Latest news with #CraigClark
Press and Journal
6 days ago
- Press and Journal
Russian spy ship intercepted off Outer Hebrides
The Royal Navy has been watching a Russian spy ship spotted in the Outer Hebrides. HMS Dragon – a Type 45 air-defence destroyer – monitored the Russian intelligence gathering vessel as it sailed in UK waters. A Merlin helicopter was launched to help keep the Yuri Ivanov under surveillance while it was off the coast of Scotland. Though the Royal Navy revealed details of the stand-off, it did not confirm the exact location. The Russian vessel eventually headed north towards the Arctic. The two vessels found themselves sharing the same waters shortly after the completion of a major NATO exercise – Formidable Shield – which took place nearby. Elsewhere, HMS Ledbury, HMS Hurworth and 814 Naval Air Squadron were activated to shadow the another Russian vessel, the RFN Stoikiy. The warship sailed west through the English Channel to meet two merchant vessels, Sparta IV and General Skobelev, which were returning from the Mediterranean. The Steregushchiy-class Russian corvette subsequently escorted the two cargo ships back to the Baltic Sea. HMS Ledbury met Stoikiy late on May 18, monitoring the warship through the Dover Strait during its westbound journey before HMS Hurworth took over on May 19, off Brighton. Hurworth kept watch as the Stoikiy met the two merchant vessels south-west of Land's End. The minehunter then tracked the group eastbound through the Channel and into the North Sea until the operation ended on the afternoon of May 22. The Merlin Mk2 from 814 Naval Air Squadron, based at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, monitored the Russian group. Aircraft and warships from NATO allies were also involved. Commanding officer of HMS Ledbury, Craig Clark, said: 'Escorting Russian vessels through UK waters is a vital demonstration of our unwavering commitment to national security.'
Daily Record
7 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Russian spy ship monitored by Royal Navy warships off Outer Hebrides
HMS Dragon was tasked with monitoring Russian intelligence gathering vessel Yuri Ivanov as it "loitered" in waters off the Outer Hebrides. The Royal Navy have deployed ships and helicopters after a Russian warship was spotted in Scottish waters. HMS Dragon was tasked with monitoring Russian intelligence gathering vessel Yuri Ivanov as it "loitered" in waters off the Outer Hebrides. The ship was in the area following the completion of a major NATO exercise Formidable Shield that took place nearby. The Type 45 destroyer, which was built by BAE Systems at Scotstoun on the Clyde and based in Portsmouth, also launched her Merlin helicopter to collect information. The Yuri Ivanov eventually headed home to its base in the Arctic. Operation Formidable Shield was a NATO naval exercise focused on integrated air and missile defense. The manoeuvres saw a historic first when the Royal Navy successfully intercepted a supersonic missile off the coast of Scotland. Lieutenant Commander James Bradshaw, Commanding Officer of Hunt-class minehunter HMS Hurworth, said: "Monitoring activity on the seas and seabed around the UK is one of the core roles of the Royal Navy's 2nd Mine-Countermeasures Squadron. "This operation was all in a day's work for the ship's company who have shown great professionalism. We have kept a constant watch to ensure the security and integrity of the UK's critical sea-lanes." It is the second time this month that Royal Navy warships and helicopters have been activated to report on Russian activity in UK waters. HMS Ledbury, HMS Hurworth and 814 Naval Air Squadron were activated to shadow RFN Stoikiy as the Russian warship sailed west through the English Channel to meet two merchant vessels, Sparta IV and General Skobelev, which were returning from the Mediterranean. The Steregushchiy-class corvette subsequently escorted the two cargo ships eastbound, with Portsmouth-based HMS Hurworth watching every move as the Russian group headed back to the Baltic Sea as part of combined NATO efforts. Lieutenant Commander Craig Clark, Commanding Officer of HMS Ledbury, added: 'Escorting Russian vessels through UK waters is a vital demonstration of our unwavering commitment to national security. Whilst the Hunt-class is uniquely equipped for mine and sea-bed warfare, maritime security remains a crucial task that any Royal Navy warship is trained to undertake.' Able Seaman Mine Warfare Wayne Slater, from HMS Hurworth, said: 'Driving the ship close to the Russian vessels has been a new experience for me as a helmsman. Everything has been safe and professional but we're all trained to make sure we can respond to any aggression or incident whenever non-allied warships are operating near UK waters.' Lieutenant Patrick Bingham, Gunnery Officer from HMS Hurworth, added: 'As a former merchant navy officer, I know how important freedom of the seas is to the lifeline of goods and raw materials upon which our economy depends. 'The Royal Navy has been a guardian of the freedom of the seas for centuries and I am privileged to have contributed to this mission.'
BBC News
18-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Scottish Premiership: County in relegation play-off after draw; Dundee & Hearts win
'It's up to the board' - Burke FT: Kilmarnock 0-1 Hearts Kilmarnock caretaker manager Chris Burke tells BBC Scotland: "It felt good. The players have been excellent, they made me feel comfortable. The experience was great for me and Craig Clark (assistant) as well. "Just disappointed we concede that goal at that end. I'll have to digest that as time goes on and then reflect on the game. "There's been a lot of success in the past four seasons. We need to try and maintain that. There will be bumps in the road. "It's up to the board what they decide and what they're looking for, the profile for the manager. They have a great bunch of players staying on for the next manager. "He's got a good group, a good core, and that will help the next manager hugely."
BBC News
18-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Kilmarnock 0-1 Hearts: What Burke said
Kilmarnock caretaker manager Chris Burke tells BBC Scotland: "It felt good. The players have been excellent, they made me feel comfortable. The experience was great for me and Craig Clark (assistant) as well."Just disappointed we concede that goal at that end. I'll have to digest that as time goes on and then reflect on the game."There's been a lot of success in the past four seasons. We need to try and maintain that. There will be bumps in the road."It's up to the board what they decide and what they're looking for, the profile for the manager. They have a great bunch of players staying on for the next manager."He's got a good group, a good core, and that will help the next manager hugely."
Business Wire
05-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Nitrogen's 2025 Firm Growth Survey Reveals Disconnect Between Advisors and Investors
AUBURN, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Nitrogen, the leading developer of integrated risk tolerance, proposal generation, investment research, and planning software for advisors, today released its third annual Firm Growth Survey, which uncovered a critical insight: despite rapid adoption of new technology and service expansion strategies, many advisors may be misaligned with what clients actually want—high-quality investment management, transparent analytics, and personalized technology-driven experiences. Developed in collaboration with DeVoe & Company and drawing on responses from over 425 advisory firms and 1,000+ investors, the 2025 report offers a comprehensive snapshot of the forces shaping organic growth, client engagement, and firm valuation in today's wealth management landscape. 'It's clear from the data that trust, communication, and client-facing technology aren't just differentiators, they're growth catalysts,' said Craig Clark, Chief Marketing Officer at Nitrogen. 'The vast majority – 95 percent – of advisors felt that cross-selling specialized services such as estate and tax planning would be a key driver of their growth, but investors shared they'd much prefer advisors utilize better client-facing technology to support and explain their investment strategies and to build trust.' Key Findings from the 2025 Growth Survey: Organic Growth Accelerated: 57% of advisory firms surveyed achieved 11%+ organic growth last year, excluding market performance. This is a stark increase from last year's report, which found that 22% of advisors achieved 5% or less growth. Technology as a Growth Driver: 68% of investors said they would consider switching to an advisor who offers better client-facing technology and portfolio clarity. Risk Tolerance Misunderstood: 91.6% of investors rated risk tolerance as critically important, yet few firms cite risk tolerance software as essential to growth. Willingness to Pay for Value: Nearly 3 in 4 investors would pay higher fees if given access to tools that increase their understanding and engagement. Organic Growth Prioritized: 35% of advisors said increasing their organic growth would have the largest impact on their firm's future valuation. The report also reveals a changing marketing landscape for advisors. For the first time, organic marketing efforts like content and SEO outpaced referrals as the top source of new client leads. Additionally, firms using lead-gen tools, such as Nitrogen's proprietary Risk Questionnaire, saw 2.4 times more prospect volume. These insights underscore a broader industry shift: firms that align their strategies with investor expectations, especially around communication, personalization, and technology, are poised to outpace their peers in both growth and client retention. Download the Full Report The 2025 Nitrogen Firm Growth Survey is available now. Download the full report and discover the strategies powering high-growth advisory firms at ABOUT NITROGEN Nitrogen has been revolutionizing how financial advisors and wealth management firms engage with their clients since the launch of Riskalyze in 2011. Today, Nitrogen offers an integrated client engagement software platform featuring risk tolerance, proposal generation, investment research, and financial planning tools designed to help firms and financial advisors deliver personalized advice. The company invented the Risk Number®, built on top of a Nobel Prize-winning academic framework, and is the champion of the Fearless Investing Movement — tens of thousands of financial advisors committed to our mission of empowering the world to invest fearlessly. To learn more, visit The 2025 Growth Survey engaged 1,400 total respondents through email, social media, and notifications within the Nitrogen platform. Participants included financial advisors, firm executives, and individual investors residing in the United States. Survey submissions were collected online between December 15, 2024, and January 15, 2025. There were a total of 55 questions divided between two surveys—one for financial professionals and one for individual investors. Advisor questions focused on: Demographics, Growth & Succession, Marketing & Lead Generation, and Technology & Client Engagement. Investor questions explored: Background & Demographics, Advisor Selection & Trust, Communication & Reporting, Services & Value, and Future Orientation & Relationships.
