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As a tech entrepreneur who built my business before, during and since the pandemic, I’ve seen the shift that every business owner and organisation has seen.
The shift from office working, to remote working, to hybrid working, and now to somewhere in between. So, while organisations still grapple with how best to approach remote working and every organisation takes a different approach to it, there are some common themes that consistently crop up in conversations.
The flexibility around remote working undoubtedly has its advantages, and yet at the same time it has also introduced significant challenges – many of which are quietly eroding productivity, work-life balance, and employee well-being. And it’s these challenges which have led me to starting my new venture, namely, uRoutine. A venture focused on supporting people and organisations and giving them more structure, support, routine and accountability in an increasingly chaotic world.
Remote Working and Its Impact
The pandemic accelerated a move towards remote working that nobody was quite prepared for. While the freedom to work from anywhere was initially celebrated, it soon became clear that the lack of routine was taking its toll. Without the natural structure of the office – think commutes, coffee breaks, and set working hours – many people found themselves working longer hours with fewer boundaries. In fact, while it may not seem like a lot, research from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that the average workday increased by 48.5 minutes post-pandemic. Many would argue, I believe rightly so, that this is leading to higher stress levels and burnout.
The lack of separation between work and home has caused serious issues for employees, even the ones who celebrate remote working. A study by the Royal Society for Public Health revealed that 67% of remote workers felt less connected to their colleagues, while 56% reported increased levels of anxiety and stress. Additionally, many are struggling to prioritise their health and well-being, as work bleeds into personal time. Ultimately, these problems result in a decline in productivity rather than an improvement, despite employees spending more time at their desks.
Where Routine Can Help
So, what’s the answer? Well, let’s take a look at the power of routines. The truth is that human beings thrive on structure. Some may argue that they like flexibility (and perhaps they do when it comes to certain things like weekends and downtime), but structure in the form of a routine is ingrained in most of us from a very young age. Set bedtimes, mealtimes, school timetables, etc. Without clear start and end times, scheduled breaks, and set goals, it’s all too easy to drift into an unhealthy cycle of overwork and inefficiency. Establishing routines is key to reversing this trend.
A structured workday reduces decision fatigue, can foster discipline, and keeps people on track. Research from Gallup shows that employees with a well-defined routine are 25% more productive and report lower stress levels than those working without structure. Routines also create a sense of accountability – regular check-ins, clear deliverables, and scheduled focus time ensure that work gets done efficiently, while at the same time allowing employees to step away and recharge when needed.
So, How Can Businesses Engage with Employee Routines?
Well, while uRoutine’s platform is still in development, there are a few other key things that can already be explored. To make a real impact, businesses should be setting clear expectations around working hours, meeting schedules, and communication norms. These should all be done to ensure that employees don’t fall into an “always-on” culture. Encouraging time management techniques and training can help employees focus while avoiding burnout. Leveraging technology can also help. Technologies that are both advanced and simple and ones that already exist in most workplaces, such as shared calendars, project management tools, and structured workflows, can keep teams aligned and accountable. Most importantly, organisations have got to prioritise employee well-being by encouraging boundaries, designated break times, and mental health support, ensuring that people perform at their best without sacrificing personal time.
Final Thoughts
The future of work is evolving, and businesses that embrace structure will thrive in this new landscape. The reality is, without routine, we risk losing clarity, accountability, and ultimately, efficiency. By integrating well-designed routines into our workdays, we can reclaim control, boost productivity, and ensure that employees feel supported rather than overwhelmed.
That’s exactly why we created uRoutine – to help individuals and businesses navigate this new reality. If we want to build a sustainable future of work, we need to start by bringing structure back into our daily lives.
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The Ever-Increasing Need for Employee Routines

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has told MPs that Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey has confirmed that financial markets are “functioning effectively” and that the UK’s banking system remains resilient, despite the escalating global uncertainty caused by President Trump’s new tariffs.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Reeves took the unusual step of opening Treasury questions with a short statement addressing the global reaction to the US’s decision to impose sweeping tariffs on foreign imports. Her comments echoed Labour leader Keir Starmer’s speech earlier this week, calling for a measured, pragmatic response that keeps the UK’s national interest at its core.
Reeves emphasised that the government was “keeping nothing off the table” in terms of potential retaliatory measures, while underlining the importance of calm diplomacy.
“The United States’ decision to impose tariffs has had and will continue to have huge implications for the world economy,” Reeves said. “These implications have been reflected in the reaction that we’ve seen in global markets in recent days, which the financial authorities have of course been monitoring closely.”
She confirmed she had spoken directly to Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey on Tuesday morning. “He has confirmed that markets are functioning effectively and that our banking system is resilient,” she told the Commons.
Her reassurances come as global financial markets continue to experience turbulence in response to President Trump’s protectionist measures, which have already prompted retaliation from key US trading partners. The UK government, alongside EU leaders, is considering its next steps amid mounting pressure from business groups worried about supply chains, export viability, and increased costs.
The Chancellor’s statement will be seen as an attempt to instil market confidence and reinforce the UK’s position as a stable and reliable economy amid wider geopolitical uncertainty.
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Rachel Reeves tells MPs Bank chief says ‘markets functioning effectively’ despite tariffs crisis

The UK’s statistics watchdog has ordered the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to urgently overhaul its data collection methods within the next four weeks, amid growing alarm over the reliability of official economic figures used to shape government and Bank of England decisions.
The intervention comes after a series of delays and data quality concerns that have prompted widespread criticism from economists, policymakers and MPs. The Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR), which monitors the quality of official data, has demanded that the ONS publish a fully-resourced improvement plan to “restore confidence” in its surveys.
It follows growing frustration over missed publication deadlines for key data, including trade, producer price inflation, and services inflation figures, as well as long-standing concerns about collapsing response rates to the Labour Force Survey — one of the core measures of the UK jobs market.
Once widely trusted, the Labour Force Survey now has response rates below 20%, down from 50% a decade ago — a decline that has eroded confidence in statistics crucial for assessing employment trends, productivity, and wage growth.
In an interim report, the OSR said there was an “urgent need to modernise” how the ONS collects and manages data, noting the agency is struggling more than international counterparts to recover post-pandemic.
Dame Meg Hillier, chair of the House of Commons Treasury committee, warned that inaccurate data could have real-world consequences for households and businesses. “Wrong decisions made by these institutions can mean constituents defaulting on mortgages or losing their livelihoods,” she said.
“We know that these figures, on which decision makers rely, are unreliable — and that is a huge problem,” Hillier added. “The Treasury cannot confidently assess employment levels, and the Bank of England may be making interest rate decisions without an accurate picture of the economy.”
ONS statistics are used by the Bank of England and the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to guide critical decisions — from setting interest rates to shaping fiscal policy. Concerns have grown that decisions affecting millions could be based on flawed or incomplete data.
The OSR acknowledged that the ONS had made progress in 2025 in improving survey response rates and integrating new data sources — including VAT records and rail and rental prices — into national accounts and inflation statistics. However, it criticised the slow adoption of administrative data across government, citing cultural and practical challenges.
It also highlighted broader issues with both social and business surveys, warning that declining engagement poses a “significant quality issue” that could “significantly impact” the trustworthiness of the UK’s economic indicators if left unaddressed.
“Inadequate investment” in survey collection and outdated working practices were identified as central causes of the ONS’s struggles, with the regulator demanding a clear plan for prioritising funding and improving data quality over the next three months.
In a statement, an ONS spokesperson acknowledged the seriousness of the situation: “We recognise and share concerns about data quality and are addressing these as a matter of urgency. Our new strategic business plan includes a renewed focus on our core economic and population statistics.”
The regulator is expected to review the ONS’s full response this autumn and publish its final assessment. For now, the message is clear: without swift and decisive reform, the credibility of Britain’s official statistics — and the policies they influence — remains at risk.
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ONS given four weeks to fix data quality issues amid warnings key decisions risk being ‘built on sand’

While many have been soaking up the spring sunshine, farmers across southern England are facing growing concern over the impact of an extended dry spell on their crops.
With little rain forecast in the coming days, many fields are struggling, as crops sown earlier this spring fail to germinate in increasingly parched soil. For farmers like Colin Rayner, who runs Stubbings Farm in Maidenhead, the situation is already having a serious effect on yield potential.
Rayner said the spring barley he planted several weeks ago has “hardly germinated”, leaving him hoping for rain by the weekend. “We had a very wet winter,” he told BBC Radio Berkshire. “I think we had 90 days of rain from November to the end of February. Then it just stopped.”
“The ground’s dried out very quickly. We’ve had cold temperatures but then very hot lunchtimes,” he added. “In the morning, I’ve got two jumpers on and by lunchtime I’ve got my shorts and T-shirt on. By 3pm, the jumper’s back on again.”
Rayner, who has been farming for 50 years, says the weather has changed “dramatically” in that time. “We seem to get periods of extreme wet and then periods of extreme hot and dry.”
His concerns are echoed across the region. In Newbury, farmer George Brown is also battling uneven crop development. “A lot of the crops that were planted early are coming through, but we’ve got large chunks – especially on top of the hills – where it’s absolutely barren. They’re just sitting there, waiting in rows to germinate,” he said.
Last autumn, many farmers were unable to plant winter crops at all due to persistent rainfall and waterlogged fields. Now, the challenge has flipped, with rapidly drying ground and limited rainfall putting spring sowings at risk.
Dr Paola Tosi, an expert in crop science at the University of Reading, said the shift in seasonal patterns is making farm planning increasingly difficult. “Agriculture really depends on seasonal weather patterns, and those have clearly changed a lot,” she said. “It’s very difficult for farmers to decide what to drill and where to plant their crops.”
However, she pointed out that improvements in mid-range forecasting are offering growers more flexibility. “Farmers can increasingly adjust their plans as forecasts improve – but that doesn’t help when the weather extremes are so unpredictable.”
With margins tight and planting windows narrow, farmers say they are increasingly reliant on favourable weather patterns – and right now, many are simply praying for rain.
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Farmers hope for rain as dry spell stalls spring crops across the south

Volkswagen has taken the dramatic step of halting all vehicle imports into the US, as the world’s second-largest carmaker grapples with the fallout from President Donald Trump’s sweeping 25% tariff on foreign-made cars.
Thousands of vehicles — including many from its luxury brand Audi — are currently being held at American ports, caught in limbo after arriving on the same day Trump’s tariff announcement was made. The German giant has since paused all US-bound shipments and is weighing up its next steps, as auto industry leaders scramble to assess the impact of the escalating trade tensions.
Executives at VW are reportedly hoping for either a policy reversal or the opportunity to negotiate more favourable terms. In the meantime, the company said it will begin including a new “import fee” on affected models, which will be listed alongside existing charges such as VAT, delivery costs, and extras like heated seats or panoramic roofs.
The announcement underscores the growing disruption to global automotive supply chains — with Audi particularly vulnerable. Its top-selling Q5 SUV is assembled in Mexico, while most of the brand’s other models are shipped from Europe, placing nearly its entire line-up squarely in the tariff’s crosshairs.
Speaking at the company’s headquarters in Wolfsburg last month, Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume addressed the mounting uncertainty. In a statement to DailyMail.com, the firm said: “We share the assessment of most experts that US tariffs and any counter-tariffs will have negative consequences for growth and prosperity in the US and other economic areas.”
Although no immediate showroom shortages are expected — Volkswagen has 37,000 vehicles in US inventory, which should last dealers around two months — the company warned of potential disruption ahead if the standoff continues.
“The entire automotive industry, global supply chains and customers will bear the negative consequences,” a spokesperson added, noting that VW has invested over $14 billion in US production facilities, including its Chattanooga, Tennessee plant, which builds the Atlas, Atlas Cross, and electric ID.4 models.
Despite this local footprint, VW remains heavily reliant on imported vehicles. That exposure places it among the most at-risk carmakers as the Trump administration intensifies its protectionist trade stance.
Insiders say communication with dealers is ongoing. “We want to be transparent about navigating this period of uncertainty,” said a VW source. “Our messaging can change daily based on circumstances, but our focus remains on supporting our dealer network and customers.”
The move follows similar steps by rival manufacturers. Jaguar Land Rover has also paused US-bound shipments, while Stellantis — owner of Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler — has furloughed 900 staff and paused production at several plants. Ford is attempting to offset losses by offering discounts, and GM is accelerating US production of its high-margin trucks.
Toyota and Mercedes-Benz have so far resisted price changes, but analysts warn that industry-wide adjustments are inevitable if tariffs remain in place.
President Trump, defending his stance, has insisted that the tariffs are intended to pressure foreign carmakers to manufacture more vehicles in the US. “They charge us 39 percent, we’re going to charge 20 percent,” he said of European tariffs. “So we’re charging them essentially half.”
However, trade experts have questioned those figures. According to the World Trade Organisation, the average EU tariff on US products stands at just 4.8%. In 2023, the bloc reportedly collected $3 billion in tariffs on US goods, compared to $7 billion collected by America.
As the situation evolves, manufacturers, dealers and consumers alike are bracing for a turbulent second quarter, with the global automotive industry once again caught in the crossfire of geopolitical policy shifts.
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Volkswagen halts all US car imports as tariffs spark industry-wide turmoil

The Trump administration is preparing to escalate its trade dispute with the UK by considering the use of a 91-year-old tax rule that would double tax rates on British firms operating in the United States — a move that experts warn could have a more severe impact than tariffs.
Known as Section 891 of the US Internal Revenue Code, the rule was introduced in 1934 and gives the president sweeping powers to raise taxes on US subsidiaries of foreign companies if their home governments are deemed to be discriminating against American businesses.
Though never before used, the Trump administration is now actively exploring the measure. On the first day of his second term, President Trump ordered officials to investigate which countries impose “discriminatory” taxes on US firms. That review has now been completed — and the UK is believed to be among the nations on the list, along with other OECD countries.
The warning comes just a week after the White House triggered a global trade shock with the announcement of up to 49% tariffs on dozens of countries, including a 10% blanket tariff on British goods. But tax specialists say the next front in the trade war could be even more damaging.
“That’s the next battle in the [trade] war, and potentially affects the UK much more than the tariffs,” said Tim Sarson, head of tax policy at KPMG UK. “We’re a services economy and this obviously affects service transactions as well.”
At the heart of the White House’s concerns are UK tax policies perceived to unfairly target American firms, particularly large tech companies. The UK’s Digital Services Tax, introduced in 2020, levies a 2% tax on UK revenues of tech firms generating more than £500 million globally. Many of the biggest firms caught by the tax are US-based.
Also under scrutiny is the UK’s undertaxed profits rule, part of the global OECD tax framework. This allows HMRC to apply a “top-up” tax on companies based in low-tax jurisdictions — including some US states — if they fall below the global 15% minimum tax rate.
In addition, the UK’s Diverted Profits Tax — often referred to as the “Google Tax”, introduced under former chancellor George Osborne — is seen as another sticking point. The measure targets firms that shift profits to low-tax countries despite having significant operations in the UK.
One senior US tax adviser with knowledge of the administration’s discussions said: “If any country was going to end up on the list, it was going to be the UK.”
The administration is also considering an additional measure — Section 899 — which would raise taxes incrementally by 5% each year, rather than doubling the rate immediately. While this is seen as less dramatic, its cumulative impact would still be significant for foreign firms operating in the US.
However, there remains legal uncertainty about whether these measures can be enforced unilaterally. The UK and US have existing tax treaties and trade arrangements that could override Sections 891 and 899. These agreements may offer protections against sudden increases in tax rates, though this could ultimately become a matter of legal interpretation and international diplomacy.
For UK-based businesses with substantial US operations — particularly in technology, finance and professional services — the threat of punitive taxation adds a fresh layer of uncertainty at a time when markets are already rattled by tariffs and rising geopolitical tensions.
If invoked, Section 891 would mark a significant escalation in the UK–US economic relationship, shifting the focus from goods trade to cross-border taxation of services and intellectual property.
As the situation evolves, business leaders and trade associations are likely to press the UK government to engage with Washington diplomatically — not only to avoid retaliatory taxes but to uphold investor confidence in UK firms operating abroad.
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US threatens to double tax rates on UK firms under obscure 91-year-old rule

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced a relaxation of key green policies in a bid to shield the UK automotive industry from the impact of President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on car exports to the United States.
Delivering his first formal response to the tariffs during a visit to the West Midlands, Starmer will say that British industry must accept that “the world has fundamentally changed” and adapt accordingly. He warned that the tariffs, part of Trump’s wider “Liberation Day” trade strategy, were “not a phase” and would require urgent long-term action.
One of the most significant changes is a relaxation of the UK’s Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) mandate. The fine for non-compliance will be reduced from £15,000 to £12,000 per car, easing the burden on manufacturers already grappling with export barriers and inflationary pressures.
Under the current ZEV framework, 28% of all new cars sold in the UK this year must be electric, rising to 80% by 2030 and 100% by 2035. But Starmer confirmed that hybrid vehicles — including non-plug-in models — will be permitted until 2035, pushing back Labour’s previous commitment to end the sale of all new combustion engine vehicles by 2030.
Manufacturers will also be allowed more flexibility in how they meet annual EV targets. Instead of incurring fines or buying credits from fully electric competitors like Tesla or China’s BYD, they will now be able to “bank” and “borrow” EV sales across multiple years until 2030 to meet compliance requirements.
“No British-based manufacturers should have to pay a fine — or pay foreign firms for EV credits,” Starmer said.
The changes come amid increasing concern from the UK car industry. Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) announced over over the weekend that they had suspended vehicle exports to the US, citing the severe impact of Trump’s 25% auto tariff. With over 9,000 staff employed at its Solihull plant alone, the implications for the regional and national economy are considerable.
To encourage EV adoption and reassure consumers, Starmer confirmed £2.3 billion in tax incentives and investment in charging infrastructure.
“One public charging point pops up every half an hour,” he wrote in an op-ed, aiming to counter concerns about the higher upfront cost of electric vehicles.
According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), EV sales in March rose by 43% year-on-year, totalling 69,313 new electric cars sold. But the charging industry has warned that policy instability could put the brakes on further progress.
Vicky Read, CEO of ChargeUK, welcomed confirmation of the 2030 petrol and diesel ban but criticised what she described as “back door amendments” to the ZEV mandate.
“The ZEV mandate has been weakened, creating uncertainty for investment in EV charging infrastructure,” she said, adding;“Without supportive measures, we risk confining the UK to the slow lane.”
Read reiterated the sector’s pledge to invest £6 billion in UK charging infrastructure by 2030, but warned that confidence depended on regulatory clarity.
Meanwhile, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to intensify international trade talks this week, including discussions with Indian ministers on a long-anticipated trade deal. A new agreement with Australia is also in the pipeline.
Tensions between London and Washington remain unresolved. While Starmer has not spoken to President Trump since the tariffs were announced, the Prime Minister dismissed the US leader’s claim that the UK was “very happy” with the baseline 10% tariff.
“Nobody is pretending that tariffs are good news,” Starmer said bluntly.
On Sunday, Starmer held calls with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and German leaders Olaf Scholz and Friedrich Merz, stressing the need for coordinated diplomacy to stabilise global trade.
Despite early signs of internal division in Washington — with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick defending even the tariffs on uninhabited islands, and Elon Musk, now part of Trump’s government efficiency department, calling for zero tariffs — Starmer has made clear that his trade strategy will be governed by national interest, not political spectacle.
“I will only sign deals, with the US or anyone else, that are in our national interests,” he said.
As the dust settles on the latest volley in the global trade war, the Prime Minister’s recalibrated green strategy seeks to balance environmental ambition with industrial pragmatism, ensuring that Britain’s transition to electric vehicles is both commercially viable and globally competitive.
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Starmer eases green rules to shield UK carmakers from Trump tariffs

Jaguar Land Rover has announced a temporary pause on all vehicle shipments to the United States, as the British carmaker scrambles to navigate the new trading terms imposed under President Donald Trump’s global tariff regime.
The company confirmed it is taking short-term action in April while it works with business partners to assess the impact of the tariffs and formulate mid- to long-term plans. The decision follows the US imposition of a 25% levy on foreign-made cars, which came into effect on Thursday, alongside a baseline 10% tariff on all imported goods, rolled out globally from Saturday.
“The USA is an important market for JLR’s luxury brands,” the company said in a statement. “As we work to address the new trading terms with our business partners, we are taking some short-term actions including a shipment pause in April.”
The move has raised alarm in the UK automotive sector, particularly in Solihull, home to one of JLR’s five manufacturing plants, employing over 9,000 workers. The town has been a historic hub for British automotive engineering, but Trump’s tariffs have cast uncertainty over its economic future.
Robert Mills, a former automotive consultant and long-time Solihull resident, fears the tariffs could decimate local employment.
“I’m appalled. It will kill Jaguar Land Rover here in the town,” he said. “There could potentially be job losses because JLR export enormously to America. The knock-on effect is going to be enormous.”
Trump’s policy shift has stunned markets, with global equities sliding and major indices posting their worst day of trading since the pandemic. The FTSE 100 closed down 4.95% on Friday, wiping nearly 420 points in a single session, while Wall Street’s Dow Jones plunged 5.5%. The tariff package includes a 20% levy on EU goods and 34% on Chinese imports, prompting Beijing to retaliate with matching tariffs on US products starting 10 April.
The UK automotive industry, already under strain due to slowing domestic demand and the transition to electric vehicles, is expected to suffer considerably. Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), said: “The industry is already facing multiple headwinds and this announcement comes at the worst possible time.”
In 2023, UK car production slumped by 13.9% to 779,584 vehicles, with over 77% of that output destined for export. The US is Britain’s single largest market for vehicle exports, with an estimated £8.3 billion worth of cars shipped across the Atlantic in the 12 months to September 2024.
To soften the immediate blow, UK carmakers had reportedly stockpiled vehicles in the US prior to the tariffs taking effect. But Jaguar Land Rover, which does not manufacture any vehicles in the US, is particularly exposed. A report from GlobalData confirms it is the most at-risk car brand in the American market due to its full reliance on overseas production.
Tony Rhea, 77, a retired electrical engineer who spent decades working with Land Rover, said the effects of a prolonged export disruption would ripple through the local economy.
“Everyone is affected. Right down to the cafe where they eat, the people who wash their overalls and even the people that maintain the robots — that’s all local.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has so far resisted retaliating against Trump’s tariffs, stating that the UK will “calmly continue with our preparatory work” and seek a deal that protects British interests. However, the government has set a 1 May deadline for consultations on possible reciprocal measures, warning that “all options are on the table”.
Trump, however, struck a different tone, bizarrely claiming that Starmer was “very happy” with the tariffs and maintaining that “the markets are going to boom”. He added: “They’ve taken advantage of us for many, many years. I think it’s going to be unbelievable.”
Economists disagree. The Office for Budget Responsibility has already cut its UK growth forecast from 2% to 1%, not including the effects of the tariff shock. Thomas Pugh, economist at RSM UK, warned that Britain faces “another year of stagnation at best,” noting the likely impact on interest rates and fiscal flexibility.
“We wouldn’t go as far as to say this has wiped out the £10 billion Rachel Reeves just rebuilt, but it’s probably not far off.”
The full fallout remains to be seen, but with UK exports to the US valued at over £60 billion annually, and estimates suggesting that up to 70% of those exports could be affected, the pressure on Downing Street to act is growing.
As global leaders, including the prime ministers of Australia and Italy, express shared concern over a looming trade war, Starmer is expected to spend the weekend holding calls with counterparts to coordinate a response.
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Jaguar Land Rover halts US shipments as Trump’s tariffs bite placing 9,000 jobs at risk

The Hollywood owners of Wrexham AFC, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, are on the hunt for new investors as they continue their ambitious push to take the North Wales football club into the Premier League.
Despite on-pitch success and soaring international interest — fuelled in part by the hit docuseries Welcome to Wrexham — the club remains a loss-making venture for its celebrity co-chairmen. The pair, who acquired the club in 2021, have now opened the door to additional backers willing to inject capital in exchange for a shareholding, as they eye further promotions.
The League One club is currently well-positioned for a move into the Championship, and the owners have made no secret of their desire to eventually compete with top-flight giants such as Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea.
Their stewardship has already transformed Wrexham’s fortunes. Since the takeover, the club has secured two successive promotions, rebuilt its global brand, and dramatically increased revenues — particularly from sponsorship and international fan engagement.
In the 2022/23 season, Wrexham generated £26 million in revenue, up from £10 million the previous year. Sponsorship and advertising income alone rose from £2 million to £13 million, with more than half of total turnover now coming from overseas markets.
However, costs have risen sharply too. The club’s wage bill increased to £11 million, up from £7 million, contributing to a £2.7 million loss last year, following a £5 million loss the year before.
Recognising the challenge of sustaining growth in lower-league football, Reynolds and McElhenney took their first step towards external funding in October 2023, when they sold a minority stake to the Allyn family of New York, best known for their former ownership of the medical device firm Welch Allyn.
Now, the door is open for “further partners” to join the ownership group and help propel Wrexham further up the football pyramid.
McElhenney, who first had the idea of buying a club during the pandemic, previously said he was drawn to Wrexham because it reminded him of his working-class hometown of Philadelphia. His aim was to “bring hope” to the town by reinvigorating the club, and he persuaded Reynolds, star of Deadpool, to join the project.
Their investment has already yielded results, both financially and in global recognition. The club’s international following has grown exponentially, thanks to the Welcome to Wrexham series and the novelty of celebrity ownership. The story has captured the imagination of fans across the US and beyond, turning Wrexham into a global football brand — albeit one still climbing the professional tiers.
Wrexham AFC declined to comment further on the investor search, but sources suggest that any new backers would need to align with the club’s long-term vision and demonstrate a commitment to community-driven values as well as commercial growth.
For would-be investors, it may be a unique opportunity: a chance to gain equity in a rapidly rising club, rub shoulders with Hollywood royalty, and play a part in one of the most remarkable business turnarounds in British sport.
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Wrexham’s Hollywood owners seek new investors to back Premier League dream