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Telegraph
28-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
The most affordable holidays in France this summer
Creamy brie smeared on a crusty baguette, crisp local wines sipped in a sun-dappled square and Alpine wildflower meadows to roam – our love affair with French holidays shows no signs of fading. A recent poll by Ink Digital may have ranked our neighbour across the Channel as the second least-affordable half-term destination worldwide, but we've got you covered. We've sourced 15 affordable escapes – from beach holidays and mountain retreats to city breaks and luxury for less – that offer value without draining your savings or cutting corners on quality. What's more, they've all still got availability remaining this year. Remember, affordable doesn't mean cheap; it means sourcing smart alternatives. For example, a seaside apartment in the Languedoc can offer the same sun and sea as the Riviera at a fraction of the cost, and smaller cities like Carcassonne or La Rochelle offer similar cultural depth to Paris, without the inflated price tag. Plus, it's so close that those conscious of their carbon footprint can swap planes for trains and ferries. Find the perfect break for you: Beaches Mountains Families/groups Luxury for less City breaks Beach Charente Maritime Charente Maritime, on the west coast of France, is a little-known alternative to the Cote d'Azur – it's far enough south to rival the Mediterranean coast for sunshine in the summer, and its beaches are big and sandy. Its capital is La Rochelle, but day trips to the seaside villages of Royan, Cognac and La Tremblade – world famous for its oysters and mussels – are a must. A seafood platter here costs around €24 in comparison to €40 to €100 around Nice. How to do it Siblu (020 8610 0186) offers a week in a two-bedroom self-catering holiday home at Les Charmettes sleeping four people from £1,121 total, departing August 16. Ferries from Portsmouth to Caen start from £831 return with Brittany Ferries. Corsica Don't overlook Corsica, the Mediterranean's French-owned island with more than 200 beaches. For the last few years, August has been a quiet month and travellers can benefit from prices lowered to lure them back. Pick up picnic supplies at the rustic L'Île-Rousse market, then laze on nearby Calvi Beach, or head south to seek out the iconic horseshoe bay at Palombaggia, the Instagram-worthy pontoon posted on the turquoise waters of Santa Giulia Beach, or to pretty pine forest-backed Pinarello Beach. How to do it Corsican Places (01489 866931) offers seven nights at L'Ancre Bleue, a four-bedroom villa with a private pool and panoramic bay views from £699 per person, based on eight sharing in June, including flights and car hire. Easyjet fly direct from Gatwick to Figari from £105 return. Cote d'Azur Prefer to be on the soles of your feet, instead of sunbathing? Why not walk the glistening Cote d'Azur coastline? Home to glitzy Monaco and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, this stretch of southern France is notoriously expensive, but this self-guided walking tour, which flows at a sedate pace, comes in well below the usual £1,000 holiday budget. Enjoy views of pastel-coloured mansions tumbling down to beaches, citrus tree-scented air and long seafood lunches. How to do it KE Adventure (01768 773 966) offers the seven-day Walking Menton to Nice trip from March to December from £785 per person, including accommodation, some meals, self-guided information pack, luggage transfers, but excluding flights. Mountains Clarée Valley The French Alps aren't just for snow bunnies with deep pockets. Come summer, think: wildflower meadows, larch forests and cooling glacial lakes. Most holidaymakers invariably head to the Alpine honeypots of Chamonix and Lake Annecy, but opt instead for the Clarée Valley, a well-kept secret near the Italian border that was saved from over-development by a local farmer's daughter. Follow its walking trails with an experienced guide and support family-run hotels to find the best value in this affordable alternative. How to do it Mountain Kingdoms (01453 844 400) offers an eight-day guided Clarée Valley walking holiday from £2,070 per person, including, accommodation, meals and flights. Departing July 6, August 17 and October 12. Morzine Seeking complete seclusion? Golèse Refuge is a new remote mountain hut couched between the Giffre and Manche valleys, based at 1,660 metres and completely unreachable by car. A 1.5-hour hike from the town of Chardonnière, it sits amid sweeping mountain pastures and is the ideal starting point for exploring the surrounding peaks of Bostan, the Dents Blanches, or even the Dents du Midi and Mont Blanc. Refuel in its snug rustic restaurant, dishing up regional Savoyards specialities. How to do it A four-night stay at Golèse Refuge (0033 450 9059 53) in a private room, half board, costs from £244 per person. Easyjet fly from London Gatwick to Geneva from £57 return. Families/groups Mercantour National Park Want to walk but have young ones that lack enthusiasm – bring a donkey! This self-guided family walking tour, suitable for children aged five and above, explores the undiscovered Mercantour National Park and equips you with a well-cared-for donkey to carry your bags and keep morale high. Staying in a mix of ecolodges, yurts, hotels and mountain inns, you'll follow old postman trails between hamlets, with time for picnics and four-legged cuddles. How to do it Responsible Travel (01273 823 700) offers the self-guided six-day Mercantour Family Walking Holiday from £589 per person, including full board accommodation, but excluding flights, departing mid-May to mid-September. British Airways fly direct from London Heathrow to Nice from £189 return. Canal du Midi Bundling everyone onto a boat often works out far cheaper than purchasing multiple hotel rooms. Try the Canal du Midi, a 150-mile-long Unesco-listed 17th-century waterway that threads through the vineyards, medieval towns and canal-side villages of the Languedoc region. With no experience required, families and groups can hire their own boat and pootle along (dog in tow too) stopping for wine tastings at Château de Ventenac, swimming at Jouarres Lake near Homps, strolling through Carcassonne's medieval citadel or for go-karting and mini-golf in Vias. How to do it Le Boat (020 3993 1218) offers a seven-night self-catered stay on board Caprice, sleeping up to six people, starting and ending in Port Cassafières, from £209 per person, departing October 16. Ryanair fly from London Stanstead to Béziers from £57 return. Luberon If you're seeking something for a special occasion, why not hire an entire hamlet? Located in Luberon, 40km north of Aix-en-Provence, Le Grand Banc is a secluded hamlet with 10 houses (sleeping up to 24) set along a private cobbled street. Each home sleeps between two and five people, is individually styled with art and sculptures and offers idyllic views. All guests dine together around the huge outside marble table, there's a saltwater pool, table tennis, pétanque, and e-bikes available to hire. Perhaps a little pricey per head, but a bargain when you have the whole village to yourself. How to do it Scott Williams (01749 812721) offers a seven-night stay at Le Grand Banc from £750 per person based on 24 sharing, including a cook to prepare meals and daily maid service. Ryanair flies from London Stansted to Marseilles from £109 return, or travel by TGV to Avignon (1hr30 away). Luxury for less Carcassonne For a guilt-free dose of indulgence, book La Belle Eco – a bewitching 19th-century manor with nine rooms just outside Unesco-listed Carcassonne, that combines Art Deco sophistication with eco-friendly refurbishments such as solar panels, a secret organic garden and a naturally purified swimming pool. How to do it La Belle offer a two-night stay at La Belle Eco from €380 based on two sharing a luxury double room with breakfast. Ryanair flies from London Stansted to Carcassonne from £100 return. Villeréal Live out your Marie Antoinette fantasies at Château Majestic, an 18th-century moat-encircled stone mansion set in 10 hectares of private gardens just five minutes from Villeréal, one of France's most beautiful villages, famed for its food markets. Sleeping up to 14 people beneath its soaring ceilings, it flaunts its own herb garden, hammocks, private gym and heated swimming pool. How to do it CV Villas (020 3993 4088) offer seven nights at Chateau Majestic from £664 per person, including return flights from London based on full occupancy. Lot Valley Set near the Midi-Pyrenees region of Southern France, the deeply rural vineyard-studded Lot Valley only reached the British holiday radars in the last decade and is a top pick for affordable stone villas with pools. Try Le Saltrou near Floressas, which sleeps four in the main building and has a separate garden suite for two (ideal for grandparents or teenagers), plus a garden-framed pool. It's 45 minutes from the historical and art-rich Cahors and its Unesco-listed Valentré Bridge. How to do it Vintage Travel (01954 261 431) offers a week's stay at Le Saltrou from £468 per person, based on six sharing and including return flights from Gatwick to Bergerac and car hire, departing August 30. City breaks Nice The second capital of the Cote d'Azur is known for its city beach, warren-like Old Town, Matisse and Marc Chagall museums, plus it's just a 30-minute drive from Calanques – one of France's newest national parks, home to secluded beaches and hidden coves for snorkelling. Find high design at hostel prices at hip chain Mama Shelter, located in Nice's central Cours Julien district. Suitable for singles, couples and families, perks include free in-room movies, live music sessions and giant table football. How to do it Mama Shelter Nice (0033 428 9511 95) offers a Large Mama Family room with a lounge for four people from £272 per night. Ryanair fly from London Stanstead to Marseille from £97 return. Northern cities If you want to do it all, this whirlwind tour of France's standout northern cities has you covered. Kicking off and ending in Paris, there's time for a fresh croissant and a visit to the Mona Lisa, before winding to Normandy's Mont Saint-Michel, the D-Day landing beaches and the Bayeux tapestry. Then move onto Reims for a city tour toasted with a flute or two of champagne from the surrounding vineyards. How to do it Contiki (0808 281 1120) offers the seven-day France in a Week guided tour from £921 per person, including accommodation, some meals, but not international travel. Departures in June and August. Eurostar runs from London Kings Cross to Paris Gard du Nord from £167 return. Paris Finding an affordable bed in the City of Love isn't for the faint of heart. A solution might be Generator Paris, a hostel/hotel designed like a Parisian art-house movie, right in the heart of the 10th Arrondissement and just a 15-minute walk from Eurostar's Gare du Nord. Ideal for friends and families, it's surrounded by hip art galleries and cafés, plus its rooftop cocktail bar has Moulin Rouge -worthy views of Montmartre. How to do it Generator Paris (0033 170 9884 13) offers a five-night stay in an ensuite Deluxe King from £607 per room – use code 20STAY until July 31 for 20 per cent of stays of four nights or more. Eurostar runs from London Kings Cross to Paris Gard du Nord from £167 return. Lyon For bon vivants, Lyon steals the chef's cap from Paris thanks to its distinctive bouchons dishing up local and affordable specialities such as andouillette, quenelles (dumplings) and bugnes (sweet fritters). Foodies will be right at home in the new Cour des Loges, a historic hotel with a gastronomic restaurant led by chef Anthony Bonnet that's competitively priced for its location in the heart of the historic Old Town. June also marks the Lyon Street Food Festival (25 to 29), so prepare to let your belt out a notch… or three. How to do it Cours des Loges offers double rooms from £281 per night, B&B. Easyjet ( fly from London Luton to Lyon-Saint Exupéry from £78 return.
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Daily Mail
I'm a travel expert - here's how to save £800 on last-minute half-term flights
The school bell rings on the latest term tomorrow for much of the UK - and if you're still hankering after a last-gasp deal to the sun, it's not too late says one holiday expert. Michael Ryan, owner and CRO of marketing brand Ink Digital, says there's still opportunities for low-cost flights despite the late hour, and has a handful of hacks that he says can help tourists save up to £800 on flights. Typically, heading abroad in the school holidays is the most expensive time to travel, with families seeing a price surge of around 50 per cent if they want to get away at the height of peak season. For example, a flight from Heathrow to popular Spanish holiday isle Menorca costs £599 for a family of four for a week but prices soar to £1,112 next week. Says Ryan: 'Airlines simply charge what parents will pay out of desperation but families can still use clever tricks to find any remaining deals for half-term... or plan ahead for summer.' The Department for Education (DfE) data revealed 487,344 fines were issued in 2023-24 - up 22 per cent on 398,796 penalty notices in the year before. The vast majority (91%) of fines issued in 2023-24 were for unauthorised holidays. In September, school absence fines in England rose from £60 to £80. A parent who is fined a second time for the same child within a three-year period will now receive a £160 fine. The former Conservative government announced these hikes in February last year as part of a drive to boost post-pandemic school attendances. It's controversial but Ryan claims some people actually factor in fines, saying: 'With penalties starting at £80 per child, many families calculate they still save money by travelling during term time.' So, how do you stay within designated school holidays without paying a fortune, particularly at the eleventh hour? Grab a mid-week discount The travel expert says look to Tuesday to escape: 'The savings when flying Tuesday to Thursday rather than at weekends can be substantial. 'Our data shows midweek flights can cost half as much as weekend departures even during school holidays,' Ryan adds. 'A family of four might save £600-£800 just by shifting travel days.' He adds that booking Monday to Friday holidays instead of popular Saturday departures can often halve the cost, while still giving children a full school holiday experience. Don't follow the sun Another tip? Avoid classic Med destinations and head east because 'Eastern European destinations offer great value compared to traditional hotspots.' Says our expert: 'Cities like Prague, Budapest and Krakow provide cultural experiences at lower prices than western Europe. Flight costs to these destinations rise much less during school holidays.' Don't fly from your usual airport 'Flying from a less convenient airport can slash costs. A family willing to drive an extra hour might save hundreds of pounds,' Ryan says. 'Check all airports within reasonable distance of your home.' And take early or late flights, he adds: 'The first flights of the day or last departures often have the lowest fares, even during peak periods. 'A 6am departure might mean an early start but can save a family £300-£400 on the total fare.' Book separate legs Don't assume you have to leave and fly back to the same airport, particularly if you're not taking the car and have good bus and train links. Says Ryan: 'Sometimes booking outbound and return flights separately with different airlines works out cheaper. This takes more time but can bring about big savings.'
Sunday World
17-05-2025
- Business
- Sunday World
Ryanair and Aer Lingus in top 10 airlines who lose most bags
It is not great news for European carriers which dominate the top five, although the Irish airlines avoid the distinction of ending up in the top table Both Ryanair and Aer Lingus have made the top 10 airlines who lose the most bags in the UK The results of a new survey revealed the airlines most to least likely to lose luggage and unfortunately the Irish airlines are included. Some airlines manage luggage more efficiently through advancements in aviation technology and airport procedures. However, as hundreds of thousands of passengers prepare to fly on summer holidays, many are opting to travel with carry-on or cabin bags only to avoid the hassle of misplaced or lost suitcases. The digital marketing agency, Ink Digital, analysed the average monthly search volume relating to lost baggage for each major airline operating in the UK, MailOnline reports They then calculated the total monthly search volume to rank the airlines from most to least likely to lose passengers' luggage. It is not great news for European carriers which dominate the top five, although the Irish airlines avoid the distinction of ending up in the top table According to Michael Ryan of Ink Digital, luggage is often lost due to tight layovers, staffing shortages, and mishandling during transfers. Stock image News in 90 Seconds - May 17th 'Passengers can reduce their risk by using carry-on luggage where possible, investing in smart trackers like AirTags, and ensuring they have proper travel insurance to cover any unexpected losses,' he said. This would be of some help to passengers on the UK's flagship carrier British Airways which comes out as the airline most likely to lose luggage. With a total of 6,938 monthly searches related to missing baggage, they are well ahead of KLM, the Dutch national carrier that came second with 1,372 monthly searches about lost baggage. However, in 90 per cent of cases, delayed baggage is located and returned to passengers within three days, the airline claims. The UK's busiest airline, easyJet, takes third place, with 1,208 searches per month, while Emirates, perhaps surprisingly as it is noted for its high standards in customer service, ranks fourth with 1,048 monthly searches regarding missing luggage. It has been suggested that as it operates from a major hub in Dubai, this is where baggage mishandling during transfers contributes to the problem. Germany's biggest airline, Lufthansa, rounds out the top five with 987 monthly searches for lost baggage, just edging out Ryanair, the popular Irish low-cost airline with 985 searches each month. Turkish Airlines, which has been emerging as a major global carrier in recent years, records 803 searches relating to lost luggage each month, while Qatar Airways, also widely regarded for its service, ranks eighth with 598 searches per month. As one of the world's largest carriers, American Airlines, appears in ninth place on the list, with 557 monthly searches regarding lost baggage. Its extensive domestic and international operations are considered contributing factors in luggage mismanagement. And finally, Aer Lingus, Ireland's beloved national airline rounds out the top 10, with 523 lost luggage-related searches per month. However, there may be some relief for those flying Aer Lingus as the airline is one of the select few that is partnering with Google to integrate Find Hub sharing so it's easier to recover lost luggage. This feature will roll out beginning early next year, taking Google's Find My Device service to a whole new level. The Find My Device service on Android is going a step further as Google transforms it into the Find Hub which means passengers will be able to share Bluetooth item tracking tag's location with these airlines. This should greatly improve the luggage recovery process if your stuff gets lost, according to
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Revealed: The airline who loses the most bags in the UK
As millions of Brits prepare to jet off to sunny destinations near and far this summer, new data reveals which major airlines are most likely to lose your luggage. Despite advancements in aviation technology and airport procedures, lost luggage remains a frustrating reality for holidaymakers - to the extent many opt to travel with carry-on or cabin bags only. While some airlines are taking measures to combat the issue and manage luggage more efficiently, it appears not all are as proactive in locating and returning unclaimed and missing goods. A recent study conducted by digital marketing agency, Ink Digital, analysed the average monthly search volume relating to lost baggage for each major airline operating in the UK. The total monthly search volume was then calculated and used to rank the airlines from most to least likely to lose passengers' luggage - with European carriers making the top five. Michael Ryan, Owner & CRO of Ink Digital, said: 'Lost luggage often arises due to tight layovers, staffing shortages, and mishandling during transfers. 'Passengers can reduce their risk by using carry-on luggage where possible, investing in smart trackers like AirTags, and ensuring they have proper travel insurance to cover any unexpected losses.' Read on to discover which ten airlines have a higher risk of losing luggage: 1. British Airways The UK's flagship carrier takes the crown as the airline most likely to lose luggage, with a staggering 6,938 monthly searches related to missing baggage. This could be a reflection of the fact passengers on BA flights appear to be traveling with less luggage these days. Recent figures from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) show that there were 451,500 metric tons of cargo carried on passenger flights in 2023, which is about 100,000 metric tons less than the 561,240 metric tons transported in 2019. 2. KLM The Dutch national carrier ranks second with 1,372 monthly searches about lost baggage. However, the airline reports that in 90 per cent of cases, delayed baggage is located and returned to passengers within three days. 3. easyJet According to the CAA, easyJet received the third highest number of complaints in the last quarter of 2024, with 2,953 cases opened The UK's busiest airline takes third place, with 1,208 searches per month. According to the CAA, easyJet received the third highest number of complaints in the last quarter of 2024, with 2,953 cases opened. 4. Emirates The airline, recognised for its luxury travel experience and high standards in customer service, surprisingly ranks fourth, with 1,048 monthly searches regarding missing luggage. The airline operates a major hub in Dubai, where baggage mishandling during transfers is suggested to contribute to the problem. 5. Lufthansa Germany's biggest airline follows in fifth place, with 987 monthly searches for lost baggage. As a key member of Star Alliance, it operates a great deal of long-haul and connecting flights, although the CAA reported the airline only gained two complaints in the last months of 2024. 6. Ryanair The popular low-cost airline reports 985 searches each month for missing baggage. The Irish airline experienced the highest number of complaints of all the major airlines operating in the UK in the third quarter of 2024, with a total of 3,240 complaints. 7. Turkish Airlines The rising global carrier records 803 searches relating to lost luggage each month. The airline received the seventh-highest number of total complaints towards the end of 2024, with 254 complaints registered according to the CAA. 8. Qatar Airways Qatar Airways, widely regarded for its unparalleled service, ranks eighth with 598 searches per month. Its global connections through Doha also suggests holidaymakers are more likely to experience baggage mishaps when transiting between flights. 9. American Airlines American Airlines appears in ninth place on the list, with 557 monthly searches regarding lost baggage. As one of the world's largest carriers, its extensive domestic and international operations could contribute to luggage mismanagement. 10. Aer Lingus Ireland's national airline rounds out the top 10, with 523 lost luggage-related searches per month. From October to December 2024, the airline received 28 complaints, ranking it 21st for total number of complaints.
Entrepreneur
08-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Ctrl+Alt+CEO: The May Reboot
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur United Kingdom, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. For many, May sits in an awkward middle ground - not quite the urgency of Q1, not yet the intensity of summer. But for a growing number of leaders across industries, this mid-year moment is becoming something else entirely: a deliberate reset. Not a slowdown. Not a break. But a re-evaluation of process, purpose and performance. "What if a deliberate mid‑year pause could be the single biggest catalyst for your Q3 success?" asks Michael Ryan, founder of digital marketing agency Ink Digital. His question isn't rhetorical - it's tactical. "A strategic 'May Reset' focused on refining processes, shifting leadership mindset, and carving out creative space positions your business to enter summer not just energized, but truly aligned with its goals." Ryan's agency is using May to overhaul two foundational areas: client onboarding and campaign retrospectives. "We've learned that small inefficiencies in communication and feedback loops compound over months," he says. "So we're using May's natural lull to streamline workflows, accelerate creative turnarounds, and ensure every project kicks off with crystal‑clear objectives." But if May is about rethinking structure, it's also about rethinking self. "I've transitioned from 'reaction mode', responding to every email and Slack ping, to creating deliberate white‑space in my calendar," Ryan says. "Empowering the team to make autonomous decisions while I focus on big‑picture strategy has turned urgency into intentionality." One of his most radical resets? A weekly digital detox. "I've instituted a weekly 'creative fast': one full day without meetings or digital interruptions. That silence has sparked our best ideas yet, sharpened my strategic thinking, and given the team space to innovate without distraction." Across London, another kind of reset is underway - one rooted not in silence, but in technical immersion. "At Faculty, we're re-evaluating how we engage with the very frontiers of AI," says Dr Marc Warner, CEO and co-founder of the artificial intelligence firm. "Back in January, after a visit to San Francisco and subsequent reflections, it was clear that the AI landscape had shifted enough that we needed to re-educate ourselves." Warner and his Chief Technology Officer spent two intensive weeks revisiting the most cutting-edge models in AI. "That trip was transformational for how I spend my time and how we think about where to focus," he says. "While the outputs are still unfolding, the signal was clear: this is the moment to reset to spring forward." This wasn't just a tech refresh. It was a leadership awakening. "One of the biggest mindset shifts has been doubling down on aligning AI initiatives with core business priorities," Warner says. "After over a decade of building Faculty, we've learned that AI strategy should always be subservient to business strategy." He's wary of chasing shiny objects. "There's a real temptation to create a laundry list of possible AI applications, pick the easiest to execute, and hope something sticks – but that approach rarely delivers real impact," he explains. "Instead, what works is identifying the organisation's most important priorities and asking: where can AI truly accelerate these?" In Warner's case, recharging doesn't mean stepping back - it means diving deeper. "For me, recharging doesn't mean stepping away; it means leaning into the work that stretches and excites me," he says. "My reset at the beginning of this year - sitting side-by-side with our CTO, digging into the technology – was a prime example. It was energising and reminded me how important it is to carve out time for exploration, not just execution." But not everyone is using May to pause. For Kateryna Serdiuk, founder of digital art marketplace Subjektiv and former investment banker who once orchestrated $25b in equity transactions, the month is less about reflection and more about acceleration. "This month we're doing the opposite of slowing down. It's full steam ahead," she says. "We're laying foundations for what's next, putting time into product tweaks, new partnerships and customer growth." Her reset? Pre-empting logistical risk, especially in the increasingly complex US market. "We're taking a closer look at how our logistics work in the US," Serdiuk explains. "The tariff war means there's more uncertainty than usual, and rather than waiting for issues to arise, we'd rather pre-empt them." Subjektiv, built to simplify art acquisition for a new generation of collectors, depends on operational precision. "If friction creeps in, it affects the whole experience," she says. "Our strategy is solid. It's more about making sure the infrastructure can support what we're building, especially as we grow across new markets. The rest is working well, and we want to keep it that way." For Serdiuk, clarity comes not from stillness, but from execution. "Not a shift, but a strengthening," she says of her mid-year mindset. "If anything, the turbulence around us has made us more certain about what we're doing and why." And like her peers, she knows that success depends on more than ideas. "You can have the best idea in the world, but without the right people to help make it happen, it stays an idea," she says. "We're putting more attention into team culture, shared goals, and finding those who want to grow something meaningful together." Across the UK, another CEO is using May not just as a moment to reflect - but as a mandate to disrupt. "We transitioned to our unique cashback business model to deliver real, tangible value to our customers," says Cas Paton, CEO of the rapidly growing online marketplace. "This commitment drives us, especially at a time when people are feeling the effects of economic uncertainty." For Paton, May is about dialing up - not dialing down - OnBuy's impact. "We're intensifying our efforts to make sure that our rewards have a significant impact, while also challenging the norms in retail, finance, and traditional cashback industries." But that drive outward is matched by focus inward. "The current economic climate is a challenging one for business. It's at times like these that leadership takes on a whole new meaning," he says. "Teams need to feel stability and positivity in order to perform at their best. That's why we're not taking our foot off the accelerator." Paton's mid-year mindset? Momentum and clarity. "We're continuing apace with our bold international expansion plans and ensuring that all the exciting signals we're seeing about the success of our strategy are being fed through to our team." Even his recharge mode is strategic. "Juggling work and life is a challenge, but you have to get off the hamster wheel to be able to step back and plan," he says. "I try and absorb as much calm and family time as I can. It helps me to re-energise, so I can give my all to the success of OnBuy when I'm back at my desk." So while May may seem like a moment to coast, these four founders see it differently: as a pivot point - a strategic intermission before the pace intensifies again. Because whether it's making space for silent thinking, doubling down on technical learning, challenging market norms, or charging forward while others pause, the May Reset is not about stepping back. It's about choosing how - and where - to leap next.
