NEWS & UPDATES
A long, unconventional & fulfilling career that is still keeping pace with developments in sports & entertainment, business and the law
The Bull's Head - West Midland Pub of the Year
As one of the founding partners of Wild by Nature LLP, I would like to congratulate the whole WBN team on their latest award for the Bull's Head Pub. It was only 5 years ago that this historic Black Mountain icon was threatened with permanent closure. It is great to see what the regenerative ethos of a business supported by the community can deliver in this wonderful remote setting. Well worth an overnight stay in one of their very comfortable cabins as featured in The i Paper’s top 20 best destinations for hiking and food.
Synchro Arts - Academy Award
Jeff Bloom & John Ellwood congratulations on winning another Oscar (Academy Award) in the Scientific & Technical Category. An incredible achievement and I appreciate you allowing me to play a small part in the Synchro Arts 30 year plus journey as a legal advisor, investor and latterly as chairman.
Swimming the Cook Strait
If you need inspiration and a distraction from trying to unravel complex world geopolitics take a look at this video of my friend and colleague Sami Robertson swimming the Cook Strait and then get back under the duvet on Saturday morning. Temperature: 16C, distance: circa 24km, time: under 10 hours. Brilliant Sami, but glad it was you and not me!
Global Sustainable Sport
Much appreciated the opportunity Mike Laflin to contribute to this important Global Sustainable Sport piece on the rising Green Swan flapping its wings in sport through climate change. This is having increasing impact both for major sports brands such as the IOC and FIFA as well as their commercial partners and sport economy. Read the full article and the supporting analysis through the https://lnkd.in/dcKnEUG6
Herefordshire Tourism Awards
Pub of the Year
Winner of Pub of the Year: The Bull's Head Craswall
Honouring the people and places powering Herefordshire tourism. On 3 March 2026, the spotlight was on Herefordshire’s tourism champions as presenter Kate Humble announced the winners of the Visit Herefordshire Tourism Awards 2025.
The gala dinner welcomed over 200 local business leaders, industry professionals, and dignitaries for a night of celebration and recognition. More than 83 finalists, shortlisted by expert judges in 2025, competed across 16 categories. 20 outstanding winners were honoured for their exceptional service to Herefordshire’s tourism sector.
Synchro Arts - Academy Award
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Synchro Arts - Double Queen's Award
Royal recognition with double Queen’s Awards
I have been a strategic advisor and investor for many years and Chairman for nine years of Synchro Arts, pioneers and experts in the audio processing world that help make the music, films and much more that we all enjoy. We are delighted to have won two Queen’s Awards for Industry, a rare event indeed. The first is for Innovation and the second for International Trade. Synchro Arts is recognised as being way ahead of the game worldwide and last year also received an Emmy for technical services to the film industry.