Latest news with #Halcyon
The Courier
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Courier
How dairy boss Robert Graham grew Stirling business from 7 milk vans to £155m turnover
The title of managing director doesn't sit comfortably with Stirlingshire dairy boss Robert Graham. The 54-year-old heads up his multi-million-pound third-generation family firm but he refuses to see himself as 'corporate'. 'We are a family business that started with my grandfather milking cows by hand. That is what we are all about,' Robert is keen to stress. 'I hate titles like managing director and CEO, I grew up driving tractors in my school holidays.' Graham's the Family Dairy, based in Bridge of Allan, is now Scotland's largest independent dairy, shipping products around the world. Last year, its turnover was more than £155 million – with dozens of products from butter and cottage cheese to kefir and protein ice cream. However, it began as a herd of just 12 Friesian cows in 1939. In 1947 – after producing milk to feed the troops during WW2 – Robert's grandfather, Robert Graham, bought his first delivery van. His father, also Robert Graham, was instrumental in expanding production and by the 1960s, R. Graham & Son was supplying homes and shops in the Stirling area with pasteurised milk. Born in 1970, Robert Jnr enjoyed a 'wonderful childhood' on Airthrey Kerse Farm. 'I have very fond memories of being a kid. I grew up feeling happy and safe,' he said. 'My dad worked very hard and was out of the house before dawn but we always had dinner together at 5pm – me, my older sister Carol, mum and dad. 'In the winter we would help with lambing and in the summer we would help with the hay. 'I loved driving the tractor in my teens, listening to Depeche Mode and Madonna on my Walkman. Life was simpler then.' He continued: 'I was fairly privileged, yes, but also pretty normal. 'My friends and I were always out cycling to the local ice cream shop and played tennis, hockey and football.' Robert went to Beaconhurst independent school in Bridge of Allan for his primary education, before attending Morrison's Academy in Crieff. He excelled in history and mathematics at school but was less fond of English, he recalls. While he had a close group of friends, he admits he 'wasn't as popular as Ewan McGregor' in the year below, who was 'too cool for me'. On finishing school, Robert secured a place at Heriot Watt University to study accountancy and finance. He had initially planned to move to London after graduating to join an investment firm in the City, but found himself longing to come home. He said: 'There had been no plan in place for me to join the family business at that point. 'It was certainly a shock for my parents when I came back the summer after university and asked my dad to get involved. 'I had ideas about things that could be done to move the business forward and wanted to give my energy to our company. 'There were also some Halcyon memories of Bridge of Allan, I think.' Robert recalls 'butting heads' with his father at first – and struggled with the 4am starts. But his ideas started to bear fruit and the dairy began expanding. He continued: 'When I came on board, properly, we had about seven vans and only delivered in Stirling. 'I remember writing a list of things we should do on a piece of paper. 'My dad thought it was ridiculous at the time… but we have now done all of the things on that list from more than 30 years ago. 'We both wanted the business to grow and after butting heads at first we started to work really well together. 'When we first made it to £1m turnover we thought that was amazing and then quite quickly we were at £2.5m.' In the 1990s, Graham's expanded its delivery area beyond Stirling to Falkirk, then Perth and Dunfermline, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Robert Jnr became managing director in 1996 and in 1999 the business won its first supermarket contract. In 2005, now a household name, Graham's the Family Dairy reported a £22m turnover and started to sell more than just milk. 'It was then we really started to upscale,' Robert recalls. 'We expanded into butter and Jersey milk and then, in 2010, we started making yoghurt. 'Looking back, I am very proud of everything the team achieved to build the business.' In recent years, thanks in part to a 'dairy renaissance' – as Robert calls it – sales have rocketed for Graham's. Growing numbers of consumers have turned their back on processed oat and nut milks in favour of high-protein, natural foods. The volume of Graham's cottage cheese sold has increased by an astonishing 80% year-on-year – the equivalent of two million extra kilograms of cottage cheese. The Stirlingshire firm, which has its own prize Jersey herd at Mains of Boquhan near Kippen, now works with 90 milk producers across the country. 'Remarkably, our protein pouches are now bigger than our conventional milk business – and milk is what our whole business was built on. '10 years ago, butter our second biggest line but now, despite still selling well, it's no longer one of our top eight products. 'We are fortunate to be in product categories that are going through explosive growth just now. 'Fats are no longer demonised and people are looking for high-quality, high-protein natural foods. 'The story and provenance of our brand is also very important to our customers.' Despite growing revenue, Graham's the Family Dairy has not been immune to energy price and national insurance hikes. 2023 saw it suffer its first operating loss of £200,000 but last year it was back in £4.5m profit. Robert is confident that 2025 will see a further increase but admits 'it has been very tough'. Fewer than 50% of Graham's sales are now Scottish. The vast majority of the remaining sales come from south of the border but the products are also popular in Ireland. In recent years, Graham's now exports to a number of Arab nations and Caribbean islands. Growing the brand internationally is something Robert hopes to continue, but he is also keen to make the most of the time he isn't at work. The father-of-three says he has always tried to do as much as he can for his children – teenagers Holly and Douglas and seven-year-old Charlie. Being able to attend each of Holly's school hockey matches is something he is immensely proud of, and he provides 'dad's taxi service' whenever he is called upon. A keen hill runner, who regularly climbs nearby Dumyat at speed, he is also determined to keep his fitness up. 'One of the perks of having a family business should be that you are able to make time for your own family,' Robert reflects. 'I live a few minutes from the farm and am across most things but I also work with a great team of people – including my 84-year-old dad and my sister Carol – who I trust to get things done.'
TimesLIVE
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Rolls-Royce Corniche and Silver Shadow get an electric reboot
Halcyon's electric Rolls-Royce conversions are not just about replacing the engine; they involve a complete overhaul of the vehicle, including the interior and suspension, with options for active suspension and personalised art pieces on the dashboard. Active suspension and an upgraded braking system combine to add dynamic composure, all while maintaining the signature cloud-like ride. Continuously controlled electronic dampers offer three drive modes: Drive, Spirited and Touring. The cabin integrates a timeless aesthetic with modern technologies for comfort and convenience. The tactile and analogue feel of the classic interior is retained, with a select few beautifully integrated displays for essential driver information and controls. The interior's centrepiece is an exhibition feature that spans the width of the dashboard, offering a dedicated space for bespoke art pieces. A concealable infotainment unit with wireless Apple CarPlay is paired with a bespoke audio system. These are complemented by a host of driver-orientated features including cruise control, climate control and electrically adjustable seats with heating and ventilation. Owners can work with Halcyon's in-house designers to commission exclusive details such as custom embroidery, monograms, artistic enhancements or request one-off paint finishes. 'For more than 120 years, Rolls-Royce has embodied the art of smooth, refined and quiet power. Inspired by that legacy, we've seamlessly integrated cutting-edge electric technology to remaster and elevate these iconic cars,' said Matthew Pearson, CEO of Halcyon. The first Halcyon customer orders are set for delivery in 2026. Limited to 60 unique commissions, each car undergoes a 12-month handcrafted build process. Halcyon's remastering service starts from £395,000 (R9.5m) on top of the cost of a donor vehicle, which the company can source for the client on request. All 2026 build slots are sold.
Technical.ly
21-05-2025
- Business
- Technical.ly
Halcyon's DMV climate fellows learn about financials, the power of a network and how to deal with Trump policies
A global incubator from DC went local in its latest programming for climate startups, and helped founders find ways to manage fluctuating policies from the Trump administration. Halcyon, based in Georgetown, wrapped its DMV Climate Fellowship in mid-May. The program attracted firms developing hardware and software from across DC, Maryland and Virginia, and stretched beyond the suburbs into Baltimore and the Eastern Shore. When Halcyon called for applications to this fellowship in 2024, it was a 'very different world that we were living in' compared to when the program began in late January, explained Mercy Erhiawarien, the senior manager of intensives. Many of the founders reaped benefits from former President Joe Biden's stance and policy related to climate, she said. Part of Erhiawarien's job involved finding ways to pivot some programming to address the Trump administration's dismantling of climate programs, including rolling back Environmental Protection Agency regulations and enacting massive cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 'We like to joke at Halcyon that one of our values is being nimble and taking risks,' Erhiawarien told 'We had to very quickly think, 'How can we bring resources to bear to address the situation at hand?'' That pivot included a panel for the fellows about navigating new policies, how to be flexible, and ways to find funding sources outside the federal government. That aspect of the program was helpful to Krisztina Christmon, the cofounder and CEO of Repurpose Farm Plastic. Through her company, headquartered on the Eastern Shore, she's developing a machine to clean the plastic that farmers use in fields for controlling soil temperature or mitigating weeds. The hardware doesn't use water, as well, and is portable enough to go straight into farmers' fields. She planned to rely on steel and aluminum imports to manufacture the machines she's developing, but tariffs took that option off the table. She's now looking at manufacturing in the US, and mentors and programming from the fellowship have been key in figuring out that change, she said. It's also helped to commiserate with fellow climate tech founders about the federal shakeups and chaos. 'We weren't alone. We were together to live this through,' Christmon said. 'Just rethinking this, this whole new era that we all entered.' Fellows learn financials, network — and teach one another Outside of pivoting to address federal government disarray, Halcyon's Erhiawarien surveyed fellows at the program's start to gauge what founders most needed. In addition, this and many of Halcyon's other fellowships revolve around three main pillars: leadership, investment readiness and product-market fit. Christmon learned about more than dealing with a volatile presidential administration. This fellowship was the first time a mentor helped her with her business model and finances. She also feels a lot more connected to the local ecosystem because part of the fellowship included going to events in the DC region. Taein Lee, cofounder of the sustainable construction materials startup JJ Innovative Materials, agrees. He's based in Baltimore and hasn't been able to make connections in DC as much as he'd like to. Through Halcyon, he got to speak about his startup on a panel at the inaugural DC Climate Week this spring. Lee founded JJ Innovative Materials shortly after a pipe burst in his bathroom during a cold winter. The whole ceiling came down with the drywall and insulation, he said. 'I realized that's so much waste, and this is actually so much volume of material,' Lee told 'If we can make this into a climate-friendly, innovative application, then maybe we could do something interesting.' Fellows also learned a lot from one another. WeatherDeep's founder Ashton Robinson Cook developed machine learning technology to predict tropical cyclone landfalls across the Gulf Coast and the Gulf Stream. He felt encouraged to apply because he saw several founders from underrepresented backgrounds in previous programs. After getting in, he also found comfort in confronting similar challenges to his peers, like funding. 'Just brilliant people working on incredibly important problems,' Cook told 'to try to make things better for mankind across the board.' A call to support local founders, impact-driven startups This is not the first time Halcyon, an organization bringing in founders from across the globe, has hosted a local program — though it is the first climate-focused local program, per Erhiawarien. While she could not share plans for a future local fellowship, Halcyon has hosted intensives for founders in the region prior to this program. Erhiawarien wants to see more programming and support for founders in DC proper, she said. There are great new initiatives like DC Climate Week, but more work needs to be done. That includes more support from the DC government for startups outside of small business resources. That'll make way for more impact-driven startups in the area, which Halcyon focuses on supporting. 'We need to continue to keep impact at the core of good business,' Erhiawarien said, adding: 'It seems like we are in a time and in an era where it's really all about grabbing as many dollars as you can get, but all of that will fall if there is not something more substantial behind it.'
Associated Press
15-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Informative Research Integrates AccountChek® with Halcyon to Automate Income Validation
GARDEN GROVE, Calif., May 15, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Informative Research, a premier technology provider delivering data-driven credit and verification solutions to the lending community, today announced a strategic integration with Halcyon, a fintech innovator revolutionizing income verification through real-time access to IRS tax transcript data. This integration delivers verification of employment and income (VOE/I) reports—including payroll and paystub data—directly into Halcyon's income calculator, enabling faster, more automated income assessments. The data is obtained through Informative Research's AccountChek® consumer-permissioned connectivity to major payroll providers. By directing this information into Halcyon's income calculator, the integration facilitates real-time, automated income validation that complies with investor guidelines and rep and warrant relief strategies. 'This is a solution designed for scalability,' said Kirk Donaldson, CEO of Halcyon. 'Whether validating pay stubs, W-2s or tax transcripts, lenders receive verified data and completed income calculations. It's faster, more cost-effective and automated.' The integration supports modern mortgage operations without compromising compliance or control by emphasizing automation, auditability and borrower transparency. Lenders gain access to secure, permissioned income data while enhancing efficiency and delivering a smoother borrower experience. 'This is an exciting advancement of our partnership, bringing together IR's payroll-direct income and employment verifications with Halcyon's rich tax data and proprietary income calculation capability,' said Steve Schulz, executive vice president at Informative Research. 'Together, we're equipping lenders with a streamlined way to analyze and validate income in a fast, compliant and cost-effective way, and this is just the beginning—we're already working on additional innovations with Halcyon that will bring even more value to our clients.' About Informative Research Informative Research, a Stewart company, is a premier technology provider delivering data-driven credit and verification solutions to the lending community. The solutions provider currently serves mortgage companies, banks, and lenders throughout the United States. The company is recognized for streamlining the loan process with its straightforward service model, progressive solutions, and cutting-edge technology. To learn more, visit About Halcyon Halcyon assists in deepening lenders' overall relationship with their borrowers to offer products and services specific to everyone, creating additional revenue streams beyond the initial loan closing. They have multiple products that ensure you will know more about your borrower every step of the way – IRS income & tax transcripts, digitally prepared tax returns, and a Registered Investment Advisory platform to offer full financial services to your borrowers. Visit NEWS SOURCE: Informative Research ### MEDIA ONLY CONTACT: (not for publication online or in print) Lindsey Neal Depth for Informative Research (404) 549-9282 [email protected] ### Keywords: FinTech, Informative Research, AccountChek, Halcyon, fintech, income verification, voie, GARDEN GROVE, Calif. This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Informative Research) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P126226 APNF0325A To view the original version, visit: © 2025 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. RIGHTS GRANTED FOR REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY ANY LEGITIMATE MEDIA OUTLET - SUCH AS NEWSPAPER, BROADCAST OR TRADE PERIODICAL. MAY NOT BE USED ON ANY NON-MEDIA WEBSITE PROMOTING PR OR MARKETING SERVICES OR CONTENT DEVELOPMENT. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bob Dylan's unseen artworks to go on display
Almost 100 of Bob Dylan's unseen artworks will go on display from next week. The 83-year-old Blowin' in the Wind singer, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016, has created 97 new works to feature in London's Halcyon in a solo show. Dylan's exhibition, opening on May 9, is based on the artist's studies of 'characters, objects and scenarios', according to the organisers, who added that they 'read like a glimpse into his visual journal'. The American musician said of his latest works, which were made between 2021 and 2022: 'The idea was not only to observe the human condition, but to throw myself into it with great urgency.' He added that he wanted to 'create living, breathing entities that have emotional resonance, colours used as weapons and mood setters, a means of storytelling'. The exhibition comprises of 97 works made by Bob Dylan between 2021-22 - Halcyon The artworks will 'read like a glimpse into his visual journal' - Halycon The choice of Dylan's subjects include a mirror displaying a set of lips, a saxophonist with his instrument and a cowboy in front of a rising sun. The artist has previously said that drawing provides him with moments where he can 'relax and refocus a restless mind'. Dylan has recently been the subject of an Oscar-nominated Hollywood biopic about his early career and rise to fame, A Complete Unknown, starring Timothée Chalamet. The show, called Point Blank, also includes a range of figure studies as well as a limited selection of reworked drawings in monochromatic blue, red and neutral colours. Part of the exhibition will also be a series of reworked drawings and sketches - Halycon The series will feature a range of figure studies - Halycon Paul Green, the president and founder of Halcyon, said: 'It is nearly 18 years since Halcyon first started working with Bob Dylan and it has been an extraordinary experience to watch this cultural icon develop into such a critically revered and important visual artist so closely. 'This latest body of paintings feels like a more intimate connection to the artist than in any of his previous work and it is a great privilege to share them with the public for the first time.' Kate Brown, the gallery's creative director, said: 'These works on paper feel like memories, intangible windows into the life and imagination of one of the greatest storytellers who ever lived. 'People who attend the exhibition will discover that they provoke stories from our imagination. We consider the circumstances of the protagonists and ponder our movement through the spaces that the artist depicts.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
