Friday High Five – what’s been in the news this week
A new dawn has broken, has it not?
This has been an epic week.
Not only has there been the General Election, I’ve also been covering a complex trial in the High Court, which we will bring you details of when it is safe and legal to do so.
It’s also been the week where we held our two big Rainmakers 2024 summer parties, last night in Leeds and on Wednesday in Manchester.
There was a lot of love in the room for the community’s choice of North West Rainmaker of the year, Nicky Merritt, who founded Cortus Advisory just three years ago. In that time the business has been a part of the shifting of the tectonic plates within the whole advisory and corporate finance world.
As the first woman to achieve the honour, her words on the night seem so pertinent – if you want change, then be the change you want to see in the world.
That takes courage and dedication.
Our new Rainmakers platform looks to delve deeper into the deals and the part played by disruptors to that old order, like Nicky.
We have been heartened by how much a smart community like this values our commitment to quality journalism and commentary.
An absolute belter of a story this week was about the court clash between Bridges and Storetec and it shows that great writing and quality journalism is alive and well in our team.
But today is also about the turning of the page on our politics.
New prime minister Sir Keir Starmer will lead a government that claims it can provide economic stability and be on the side of both workers and business.
Two of our regional MPs will be at the heart of the new government in key roles, Ashton’s Angela Rayner in her role as deputy prime minister and Jonathan Reynolds, from the neighbouring constituency of Stalybridge & Hyde as the Business Secretary.
I expect a big role too for Birkenhead MP Alison McGovern.
There’s also going to be a change in the relationship between the regional city Mayors, Steve Rotheram and Andy Burnham, and the new government.
Just because they’re from the same party, it doesn’t mean the relations will always be smooth. Far from it.
Over the next weeks and months that is going to be put to the test.
Much as I welcome this change, my abiding priority as a journalist will be to scrutinise the powerful on behalf of you, our readers.
For now though, this weekend, I will mostly be sleeping.
However you spend yours, may it bring you refreshment.
