prabhu
Three major stires to bring you this morning as speculation is once again surfacing regarding ghe sale of retail giant boots in relation to a possible third attempt to sell or spin off the Nottingham-based company, amidst ongoing retail challenges. Northampton’s Portman Finance Group has secured a £10 million funding line from Shawbrook to expand its SME lending,. Meanwhile, University of Birmingham support staff, backed by UNISON, have voted overwhelmingly for strike action over pay and working conditions.
Boots’ Potential Sale: A New Chapter for a Retail Icon
Shareholders of Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA), the US-based owner of Nottingham-headquartered pharmacy chain Boots, voted 96% in favour of a $10 billion (£7.4 billion) takeover by private equity firm Sycamore Partners, as reported by The Times. The transaction, pending regulatory approval and expected to close in late 2025, marks a pivotal moment for WBA, which had a market valuation of almost $100 billion less than a decade ago. For Boots, a cornerstone of the UK’s retail and pharmacy sector, the deal fuels speculation of a third attempted sale or spin-off, following two unsuccessful efforts since 2022.
Boots has faced significant headwinds, with consumers increasingly turning to online health and beauty retailers and discount pharmacy chains. WBA closed 334 Boots stores in the year to August 2024 as part of a cost-cutting drive, mirroring the closure of up to 700 stores in the US. Previous sale attempts, including a £7 billion bid in 2022 rejected due to undervaluation by bidders like Apollo Global Management and a stalled effort in 2024 amid profit warnings, highlight the challenges of divesting Boots in a competitive market. Sycamore, known for its retail and consumer investments, is expected to review strategic options, potentially sparking a competitive bidding environment involving private equity firms, international retailers, and UK-based pharmacy groups.
The potential sale represents an opportunity to revitalise Boots’ operations, leveraging its strong brand and Nottingham roots to regain market share. A successful divestment could inject capital into the chain, enabling investment in digital platforms, store refurbishments, or expanded healthcare services to compete with online rivals. However, the retail sector’s volatility and ongoing closures pose risks, requiring strategic vision from potential buyers to restore Boots’ prominence while maintaining jobs and customer trust in Nottingham and beyond.
Portman Finance Group: Empowering SMEs with £10 Million Boost
Northampton-based Portman Finance Group, founded in 2007 by Alex Read, has secured a £10 million funding line from Shawbrook’s Speciality Finance team, announced on 14 July 2025. Having grown from a commercial finance brokerage to a direct SME lender employing over 100 people, Portman has provided over £1.5 billion in funding to more than 20,000 companies. The new funding, structured as a block facility, will enable Portman to expand its loan offerings, focusing on larger and longer-term finance solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises across the UK.
Alex Read, Portman’s founder, expressed enthusiasm: “We are delighted to have Shawbrook as a partner as we look to grow and expand our offerings. This funding line is crucial for us to achieve our ambitious plans and to assist even more SMEs across the UK.” Chris Clarke, director of Structured Lending at Shawbrook, added, “Right from the start, Portman’s Board demonstrated they had built a strong, experienced group and their robust systems and data-led approach aligned perfectly with our vision. We believe that this funding line is only the start of a long and prosperous relationship.”
This investment strengthens Portman’s ability to support SMEs, a critical driver of the UK economy, particularly in regions like the East Midlands where small businesses fuel local employment and innovation. The focus on larger, longer-term loans addresses a gap in SME financing, enabling firms to invest in growth, technology, or sustainability initiatives. Portman’s data-driven approach and Shawbrook’s backing position it to scale operations, potentially creating additional jobs in Northampton and enhancing financial access for businesses navigating economic uncertainties, such as high interest rates and market volatility.
University of Birmingham: Strike Action Over Pay and Conditions
On 12 July 2025, UNISON’s branch committee at the University of Birmingham announced that 86.7% of support staff voted in favour of strike action, with a 55% turnout exceeding the 50% threshold, following the university’s failure to meet demands for fair pay and working conditions. The ballot, closing on 8 July 2025, reflects anger among cleaners, admin staff, technicians, library staff, caterers, security officers, and others who keep the university running. UNISON demanded a minimum 6% pay rise for all staff, reforms to workloads, and changes to “punitive” sickness absence policies, rejecting the university’s 4.1% offer from March 2024, which lacked concessions on other demands.
The union highlighted a year-long delay in implementing a promised 35-hour working week, with no compensation offered, and growing stress from “unsafe” workloads due to staff cuts. A UNISON survey revealed 78.1% of respondents reported increased workloads, 23.3% experienced stress-related sickness, and 59.4% felt they lacked control over work pace. The university is under Health and Safety Executive investigation following a Birmingham UCU complaint, with voluntary redundancies exacerbating workload pressures. UNISON warned, “The services provided by UNISON members are vital to keep the University functioning, as well as keeping staff, students, and visitors safe. Cuts to staff could leave buildings uncleaned, essential maintenance delayed, and students without any frontline support.”
A University of Birmingham spokesperson responded, “It is deeply disappointing that the UNISON branch has voted in favour of strike action for support staff in relation to claims which relate to last year’s pay settlement for 2024/25.” The university highlighted a settled 2024/25 pay dispute, including a pay increase, enhanced pension provisions, equalised sickness pay, and a 35-hour week implemented from 1 June 2025. It also committed to addressing workload concerns with UNISON and is negotiating pay for 2025/26. UNISON, however, is planning further action, with a meeting scheduled for 21 July 2025 to discuss strike plans, urging members to rally support.
Tension have been bubbling away in the higer endication secotr for some time so the reult of the strike did not come as a suprise for most people in the sector, espically as its been reported that support staff face increasing demands amidst budget constraints. The university’s essential services, from cleaning to student support, risk disruption if unresolved, potentially impacting its reputation and operations.
What This Means For The Midlands
The Boots takeover, Portman’s funding boost, and the University of Birmingham strike action reflect a multifaceted approach to economic and social challenges. Boots’ potential sale could revitalise a struggling retail icon, preserving jobs in Nottingham and strengthening the UK’s pharmacy sector. Portman’s £10 million funding line empowers SMEs, driving economic growth and innovation in the East Midlands. The strike action at Birmingham highlights the need for fair workplaces, ensuring that vital support staff are valued and supported to maintain high-quality education services.
These initiatives address distinct but interconnected challenges. Boots’ divestment could attract investment to counter online retail competition, while Portman’s SME support fosters resilience in a volatile economy. The university strike emphasises the importance of equitable pay and conditions to sustain workforce morale and institutional functionality, particularly under regulatory scrutiny. Together, they underscore the UK’s commitment to balancing economic ambition with social fairness.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Boots faces a competitive retail landscape, with online and discount rivals eroding market share. A successful sale by Sycamore requires a buyer with a clear strategy to modernise operations without further store closures, preserving Nottingham’s economic fabric. Portman’s expansion hinges on effectively deploying the £10 million to meet SME demand, requiring robust risk assessment to ensure loan sustainability. The University of Birmingham must navigate strike action to avoid disruptions, engaging with UNISON to address pay, workload, and policy concerns while maintaining student and staff safety.
All in all this could been significant changes in educcation and the retail sector, but only time will tell if they will be posotive or negative in relation to Boots. As for the strike action all parties involved will be hoping there is a resolution quickly and amicably so they can get back to focusing on moulding the minds of the next generation.
