Latest news with #ExpandingHorizons
South Wales Argus
11 hours ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Expanding Horizons acquires three South Wales care homes
Cwmbran-based Expanding Horizons secured the homes following its takeover of Enable Care Services (South Wales) Ltd. The acquisition was funded by a £3.25 million investment from NatWest. Ellis Jenkins, director at Expanding Horizons, said: "At Expanding Horizons, we care deeply about the quality of care our service users receive. "We seek to not only support individuals but empower them to be the best versions of themselves. "The fact that so many people in Wales are living with disabilities and severe mental illness underscores the critical need for tailored support which helps them gain or rebuild their independence. "Residents of South Wales deserve the highest quality of care, and we are thrilled to announce the acquisition of Enable Care Services as we continue to grow and expand our network. "NatWest has been exceptional throughout the process, demonstrating a deep understanding of our industry and our goals and we are incredibly grateful for their support." The deal includes two care homes in Cwmbran and one in Argoed. Expanding Horizons provides personalised support for people with learning disabilities and severe mental illnesses. The company marks its 20th anniversary this year. Part of the funding will go towards the acquisition, while the remainder will support refinancing and infrastructure improvements to ensure regulatory compliance. The expansion is aimed at meeting the rising demand for residential and supported living services across South Wales. According to Public Health Network Cymru, around 900,000 people in Wales live with a disability. This represents 27 per cent of the population, compared to the UK average of 22 per cent. Neil Williams, senior relationship manager at NatWest, said: "The work that Expanding Horizons does is absolutely invaluable to its service users and is the exact sort of community benefit that we look to support at NatWest. "We look forward to continuing our partnership and are excited to witness Expanding Horizon's continued growth and evolution." Expanding Horizons said the acquisition will improve its ability to deliver high-quality care across the region. The company currently operates a portfolio of care homes and supported living services in South Wales.
Qatar Tribune
07-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
QFC, LSEG co-host Islamic Finance Forum, launch key industry reports
Tribune News Network Doha The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), a prominent onshore financial and business hub, and the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), a global leader in financial markets infrastructure and data analytics, jointly hosted the QFC Islamic Finance Forum under the theme 'Enabling Transformation.' The high-level forum convened senior industry leaders, financial experts, and policymakers to explore the future of Islamic finance, focusing on innovation and transformation in banking, capital markets, and financial technology (fintech). The event served as a platform for in-depth discussions on strategies to modernise Islamic finance and align it with evolving global financial trends. A key highlight of the forum was the launch of the Qatar Islamic Finance Report 2025: Expanding Horizons, developed in collaboration with LSEG. The comprehensive report examines major developments in Qatar's Islamic finance sector over the past five years, shedding light on market trends, regulatory advancements, and alignment with the Qatar Financial Sector Strategic Plan. According to the report, Islamic finance assets in Qatar reached QR694 billion by the end of 2024, with Islamic banking and Sukuk accounting for 97 percent of the total. Islamic banking assets rose to QR586 billion in 2024, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8 percent since 2020, outperforming the growth of conventional banks. Sukuk issuance by Qatari entities more than tripled over the same period, surging from QR9.2 billion in 2020 to QR30.4 billion in 2024. The Takaful sector also witnessed robust expansion, with gross written contributions climbing to $1.9 billion in 2024, and market share nearly doubling from 6 percent in 2020 to 11 percent in 2024. Meanwhile, Islamic FinTech transaction volumes tripled to nearly QR10 billion, with an expected CAGR of 10 percent through 2028. Qatar also achieved global recognition by ranking 8th in the 2024 Global Islamic FinTech (GIFT) Index. In addition to the report, the QFC Sukuk Guide was also launched during the forum. The guide offers a succinct overview of the evolution of Qatar's Sukuk market since 2005, detailing common Sukuk structures and outlining the legal and regulatory framework for issuers under the QFCplatform. QFC CEO Yousuf Mohamed Al Jaida emphasised the importance of the forum in promoting knowledge sharing and policy dialogue in Islamic finance. 'This forum represents our commitment to facilitating knowledge exchange and policy dialogue in Islamic finance. Through our collaboration with LSEG on the Qatar Islamic Finance Report 2025, we aim to support stakeholders with the insights and tools needed to tap into the growing opportunities within Qatar's dynamic financial sector,' he said. The event attracted participants from top financial institutions in Qatar and the broader global financial community, underscoring Qatar's position as a leading hub for Islamic finance innovation.
