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S&U PLC chairman Anthony Coombs takes Proactive's Stephen Gunnion through the company's full-year results to the end of January 2025. Despite regulatory headwinds in its Advantage Motor Finance division, the company reported stable revenue, with record results from its Aspen Bridging arm. Coombs highlighted the impact of an FCA Section 166 investigation, which added approximately £1.5 million in costs and prompted an £11 million increase in provisions. While these factors significantly reduced profitability in the motor finance business, he expressed confidence that such challenges would not repeat in the coming year. "We've dealt with our customers in a responsible and... Christian-like manner," Coombs said, reflecting on the company's values-driven approach to business. He also noted that internal morale, temporarily shaken during the FCA review, was now recovering strongly. In contrast, the Aspen Bridging division achieved record revenue, profit, and transaction levels. Launched in 2017 to meet demand for bridging and small development finance, the division has proven to be a strategically sound addition to S&U's portfolio. Looking ahead, Coombs expressed cautious optimism for the UK economic landscape, suggesting that interest rates might stabilise. He emphasised the importance of robust underwriting as a defence against economic uncertainty, saying the company has weathered similar conditions in the past eight years. For more company insights, visit Proactive's YouTube channel. Don’t forget to like this video, subscribe to the channel, and enable notifications for future updates. #SAndUPLC #AnthonyCoombs #AspenBridging #MotorFinance #FCAReview #FinancialResults2025 #UKFinance #InterestRates #InvestorUpdate #ProactiveInvestors

First Phosphate Corp. CEO John Passalacqua joined Steve Darling from Proactive to express strong support for the growing political recognition of Quebec’s clean, igneous phosphate reserves, following a notable mention during the recent Canadian Federal Election Debate in Montreal. During the debate, Bloc Québécois candidate Yves-François Blanchet emphasized the strategic importance of Quebec’s phosphate resources, stating that the province "has probably the most important clean phosphate reserves in North America," specifically in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean. He highlighted the opportunity to fully leverage these assets, noting that Port Saguenay could serve as a key infrastructure hub to support development and export. Passalacqua called the public acknowledgment "a major milestone," saying it demonstrates broadening political support for phosphate’s role in advancing Canada’s energy, technology, and manufacturing sectors. “It’s encouraging to see phosphate move into the national conversation,” he said. “This validates our ongoing work to create a fully integrated and resilient North American supply chain for phosphate-based lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries—essential for the future of automation, robotics, AI, and clean energy storage.” The company's focus on clean, high-purity igneous phosphate positions it uniquely to serve these emerging markets. With over 1,000 sq. km of claims in Quebec, First Phosphate is building a vertically integrated LFP ecosystem—from mining through to battery-grade materials—to strengthen supply chain sovereignty and security. The significance of phosphate has also been officially recognized, with the mineral added to Quebec’s Critical Minerals List in January 2023, and to the Canadian federal Critical Minerals List in June 2024. #proactiveinvestors #firstphosphatecorp #cse #phos #otcqb #frspf #phosphate #CriticalMinerals #BatteryMaterials #LFPCathode #FirstPhosphate #CanadaMining #GreenEnergy #SupplyChain #QuebecMining #EVBatter

Optima Health PLC chief executive Jonathan Thomas talked with Proactive's Stephen Gunnion about the company's acquisition of Ireland-based Cognate Health. This deal marks Optima Health’s first foray outside the UK and is aligned with its strategy to supplement organic growth through mergers and acquisitions. Thomas said the move adds around €7 million in revenue and approximately £1 million in EBITDA to the group. Cognate Health is described as a strong platform with 30 clinic facilities across Ireland and around 60 experienced personnel, along with a network of clinicians. According to Thomas, “It’s a really great platform… in addition to obviously the financial aspects… really great opportunities to collaborate, revenue synergies and grow the businesses collectively.” He explained that expanding into a new regulated market provides access to multinational clients seeking services across both the UK and Ireland. The acquisition allows Optima Health to tailor services across jurisdictions while opening up new cross-sell opportunities. Thomas added that the company expects to announce more acquisitions during the year, with several discussions currently underway. Visit Proactive’s YouTube channel for more in-depth business updates and interviews. Don’t forget to give the video a like, subscribe to the channel, and enable notifications so you never miss a story. #OptimaHealth #CognateHealth #HealthcareAcquisition #MergersAndAcquisitions #JonathanThomas #OccupationalHealth #WorkplaceWellbeing #IrelandHealthcare #BusinessExpansion #ProactiveInvestors

Ilika PLC CEO Graeme Purdy talked with Proactive's Stephen Gunnion about the company’s latest progress in scaling up its Goliath solid-state battery technology. The discussion focused on improved results from Ilika’s collaboration with the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC). Purdy said: “We’re seeing an improved yield out of the industrialised process,” adding that this reduces waste and lowers costs. More notably, the batteries produced via UKBIC’s process outperform those created on Ilika’s pilot line, showing stronger power density and faster charge-discharge capabilities. Purdy confirmed the project’s shift from process to performance, marking the completion of a £2.7 million grant-supported programme funded by the Advanced Propulsion Centre. He also referenced recent government pledges of £2 billion to back automotive electrification, suggesting that future grant funding could help support Ilika’s product roadmap without shareholder dilution. Looking ahead, Ilika plans to release its P1.5 prototypes—10Ah cells—later this summer. Once enough testing data is gathered, the batteries will be shared with OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers enrolled in its evaluation programme. Purdy also teased the release of 50Ah P2 prototypes by year-end, built on insights gained from the Faraday Battery Challenge. Visit Proactive’s YouTube channel for more videos, and don’t forget to give the video a like, subscribe to the channel and enable notifications for future content. #IlikaPLC #GoliathBattery #SolidStateBatteries #EVTechnology #BatteryInnovation #UKBIC #AutomotiveElectrification #AdvancedPropulsion #BatteryManufacturing #GraemePurdy