v THE HERALD - INDEPENDENT AND PROUD OF IT v 29th January 2026 • The HERALD • Page 61 ASK A PROFESSIONAL Helen Sparks Mortgages & Financial Services Offering professional advice since 1985 Mortgages Residential Life Time Equity Release Buy to Let – first time landlords Property Portfolios Help to Buy Insurance Buildings & Contents Insurance Life Assurance Critical Illness Income Protection YOUR PROPERTY MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS This firm usually charges a fee for mortgage advice. The amount of the fee will depend upon your circumstances and will be discussed and agreed with you at the earliest opportunity. Some forms of buy to let mortgage are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. 023 8084 4108 enquiries@helensparks.com Helen Goodall T/A Helen Sparks Mortgages & Financial Services is an appointed representative of PRIMIS Mortgage Network, a trading name of First Complete Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority Local Businesses To Benefit From Unlimited Staff Training With New Membership Programme A training academy has launched its own membership programme, giving Hampshire businesses unlimited access to its full range of courses. Step8Up Academy has rolled out the programme which delivers year-round accredited and instructor-led learning for less than a minimum wage team member’s monthly cost. Members will also bene t from one instructor-led live online session every month for all their sta , a dedicated relationship manager and a exible quarterly payment option to help small businesses get started. Alongside the membership programme, Step8Up has also launched new courses to meet the growing demand for AI competence as well as courses for project and people management. Each course is built to deliver measurable ROI and improve sta retention. CEO of Step8Up Jeev Sahoo said: “The aim behind our new membership programme is to deliver proven, futurefocused training from one trusted learning partner. We often see that tech teams desperately want upskilling opportunities but depend on HR or finance for approvals. This creates a loop that slows progress. We’re getting rid of shopping around and comparing costs – it’s all covered under one price. 37% of businesses now prefer to upskill or retrain existing team members rather than hire new ones which often proves to be costly. Even when companies do choose to hire, we’re brought in during probation periods to provide “top-up” training, reducing performance risk and improving staff retention and productivity.” To nd out more about Step8Up’s new membership programme, visit: www. step8up.co.uk/employers/partnerships Step8Up Christmas event
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