Seda secures £15m BGF investment to accelerate global pharma growth

Seda Pharma Development Services, a Cheadle-based contract research, development, and manufacturing organisation (CRDMO), has secured a £15 million investment from BGF. The funding, supported by additional debt facilities from Santander, marks a significant milestone for the Greater Manchester firm as it scales its integrated pharmaceutical platform.

Founded in 2015, Seda has evolved from a research-focused entity into a fully integrated CRDMO after receiving its MHRA manufacturer licence in February 2025. The company has already delivered over 1,000 projects for 185 international customers, ranging from early-stage drug development to clinical registration.



The capital injection will be used to:
Acquire the freehold of its 50,000 sq. ft manufacturing facility at Cheadle Royal Business Park.

Expand international operations and strengthen business development capabilities.

Increase manufacturing capacity to meet rising global demand for complex medicines.

Dr Paul Stott, CEO of Seda, stated: “BGF’s investment marks a pivotal moment... Securing the freehold of our manufacturing facility gives us long term control and positions us well to expand into new markets". As part of the deal, BGF Partner Harry Jones joins the Seda board to support the company’s ambitious growth plans.



Carlisle motor finance firm achieves fifth consecutive platinum award

Borderway Finance has retained the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award for the fifth year in a row, marking eight consecutive years of high-tier customer service recognition. The Carlisle-based motor finance specialist, which helps customers fund cars, vans, and leisure vehicles, secured the accolade after 95% of verified reviewers awarded the firm a maximum five-star rating.

The Platinum status is reserved for companies that maintain Feefo’s "Gold" standard for three years before achieving the top-tier ranking. Customers highlighted the "speed, professionalism, and friendliness" of the team, with one long-term client describing the service as "super-fast" and "wonderfully helpful".

Managing Director Mike Deans said: “Achieving the Platinum Trusted Service Award is the ultimate seal of approval. Maintaining our high service rating consistently demonstrates that our customers truly value the consistency and integrity we bring to every interaction".

Borderway Finance is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Cumberland Building Society, which has itself held the Platinum Award for six years. Feefo CEO Tony Wheble congratulated the firm on building the "long-term trust" necessary to define successful modern brands.



Bolton’s Intercity advises caution following Microsoft E7 launch

Intercity, the Bolton-based managed IT services provider, is urging businesses to evaluate their digital readiness before investing in Microsoft’s new E7 Frontier Suite. While the launch marks a significant transition toward "agentic AI," experts at the Paragon Business Park firm warn that the technology may be ahead of many current corporate governance structures.

What is Agentic AI?

Unlike "assistive AI"—such as standard chatbots that respond to specific prompts—agentic AI can autonomously execute multi-step tasks and manage workflows across a company's systems. The E7 suite integrates Microsoft 365 E5 with advanced tools like Agent 365, designed to act as a control plane for these "non-human workers."

Strategic Investment vs. Media Fanfare

David Keeling, Managing Director of Managed IT Services at Intercity, suggests that while E7 offers a powerful consolidated stack for security and compliance, timing is critical. "It may not be the right moment for many management teams, who will follow the trend and invest in it when they’re not going to get the most out of it," he explained.

Intercity identifies several scenarios where immediate adoption may be premature:

Organisations still in the early stages of their AI journey.

Firms currently rolling out Copilot in gradual phases.

Businesses with maturing governance that do not yet require autonomous agents.

The firm, which supports the public sector and charities alongside private enterprises, recommends seeking specialist advice to ensure licensing aligns with actual operational needs rather than reacting to the current news cycle.