Industry news

The UK’s health and wellbeing sector is evolving fast, driven by AI innovation, resilient consumer demand, and a renewed focus on personalised care and women’s health. In our recent Pulse Report, we explore the trends shaping the sector, the impact of upcoming legislation, and how forward-thinking operators are fuelling growth through innovation and strategic finance.

OakNorth recently co-hosted a breakfast event with the Adam Smith Institute, exploring how Urban Development Corporations could help deliver more homes and unlock growth in Britain’s cities. The discussion highlighted the need for better planning, stronger coordination, and long-term investment to solve the UK’s housing crisis.

The UK hospitality and leisure sector is no stranger to headwinds. But the first half of 2025 has tested even the most agile operators: mounting cost pressures, shifting consumer behaviour, and ongoing workforce challenges in an already trying environment. Still, signs of smart recovery are emerging.

By Hemesh Patel, Director, Property Finance at OakNorth Last week, I published a blog looking at how the UK residential sector could be impacted by potential announcements in the Autumn Budget. Yesterday, the Chancellor delivered her Budget, bringing significant changes for property developers, investors, and SME housebuilders. These initiatives, which include adjustments to stamp duty, […]

When you think of care workers, you might be struck with images of selfless, generous individuals always prioritising the needs of their care recipients. And while the workforce is made up of hugely compassionate individuals, you can’t continue to pour from an empty cup. Many of the current workforce were the key workers who supported […]

There’s the adage that a healthy body brings a healthy mind, but increasingly, we’re seeing this also means a healthy bottom line for fitness businesses. We’re currently witnessing one of the biggest booms in the health space, as the UK fitness industry’s market value has reached an all-time high in 2023.   But what can […]