Latest news with #RogerBrown
BBC News
05-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Agnes Davies: The Welsh woman who snookered men for 64 years
"I've just lost to a granny with her arm in a plaster." Promising London amateur Roger Brown arrived at the 1976 Pontins Snooker Championship full of hope for a strong tournament. But he was sent packing in the first round by the aforementioned granny, Agnes Davies, a forgotten snooker legend from Saron, near Ammanford in Carmarthenshire. In a 64-year career spanning from 1937 to 2001, Davies amassed more than 20 ranking titles against men, women and in mixed doubles. Born Agnes Morris in 1920, she is now being remembered with a purple plaque, commemorating remarkable women in Wales, on a single-table snooker hall her father opened in a corrugated iron lean-to next to their family home. Davies' father opened a ramshackle snooker hall to provide income for his family with compensation after contracting a lung disease called silicosis while working in the coal mines. Her son, Eiddon Davies, said: "Mam was the youngest of six, so even though she'd wanted to carry on with her schooling, she had to drop out and help run the snooker hall and their little shop. "When there were no customers she passed her time by playing on the table, and became fascinated with the game. "She was completely self-taught and by the mid '30s she could beat anyone in Saron."Encouraged by fellow villagers, she won the 1937 Welsh women's championship at her first attempt, before repeating the feat in 1938 and 1939. In the same year of 1939, she also won the British amateur title - a de facto world championship at the time - and turning professional in 1940, Agnes narrowly lost in the equivalent world birth to Eiddon in 1941, she thought she had hung up her cue but returned for more success on the baize. She won the women's world professional title in 1949 at a glittering ceremony at London's Leicester Square, in which all the women competed in floor-length trophy was presented to her by actress Valerie Hobson, who would go on to become the wife of MP John Profumo, who later became embroiled in scandal. Snooker hit the doldrums soon after, but was revived in the 1960s by BBC Two commissioner David Attenborough, who used the sport as a way to promote the advent of colour TV. "In the '70s the invitations began to roll in again, and the likes of Guinness, Coral and Pontins began holding tournaments with prize money and free holidays etc," Eiddon said. "In '76 Mam broke her wrist vacuuming the stairs, but as we'd already paid for the week at Pontins Prestatyn she decided to compete anyway."It was here she beat Brown and went on to fall just before the round of 16, where famous male players entered the mixed tournament. She would go on to claim the Pontins women's title in 1982 and also became world champion for her third and final occasion in 1978, aged 58. Her competitive streak was not limited to tournaments, her son said. "Even playing with us you could tell she was a different, steely-eyed person as soon as she leaned over the table."I didn't beat her until she was in her 80s, when she threw a strop and blustered 'look, you wait until you've had a heart attack. I've got angina, arthritis, and also got cataracts, so let's see how you'll play then'." She was still competing for Wales as late as 1999 in the Home Nations Championship, telling The Guardian it had helped her get over the death of her husband, Dick, three years earlier. Agnes played her final season in 2001, in the Gwendraeth League. She died a decade later, aged 90. Purple Plaques Wales honours outstanding Welsh women in a similar manner to blue plaques. Chairwoman Sue Essex said: "In common with many of the women who are represented with Purple Plaques, Agnes was champion among men and women - but her glittering career is little known. "She beat both women and men at their own game, once winning a game with her wrist in plaster and beating a man several decades her junior. "We take our hats off to her achievements."
TimesLIVE
04-06-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Local firms drive new growth phase in Nigeria's oil sector
Nigeria is witnessing a significant shift in its oil and gas landscape as local companies expand their roles, driving a new phase of potential sectoral growth and innovation. Leading the charge are companies which bought onshore and shallow-water assets from oil majors planning billions of dollars of investments to develop abandoned fields. Smaller producers are also pulling their weight, for example Nigeria's first locally developed and operated onshore crude terminal, Otakikpo, began loading operations on Monday. Built by Green Energy Limited and located in the OML 11 block near Port Harcourt, it marks a milestone in local capacity. Shell loaded the first crude cargo through the 360,000 bpd capacity terminal on Monday, opening up potential drilling prospects for over 40 stranded fields in the region. Similarly, Conoil Producing Limited recently shipped the first cargo of its new Obodo crude blend from the onshore OML 150 in the Niger Delta. The cargo was lifted by Oando Trading, a subsidiary of Oando Plc which bought ENI's divested assets. Following this trend, Renaissance Africa Energy — after acquiring Shell's onshore assets — is committing to investing $15bn (R266.77bn) over the next five years in its oil and gas operations. The company aims not only to balance its portfolio by increasing crude oil production but also to double its gas output once a key local gas pipeline is completed. Similarly, Seplat Energy, following its acquisition of ExxonMobil's Nigerian shallow-water assets, recently announced plans to reopen 400 previously shut-in wells. CEO Roger Brown said the company is set to invest up to $320m (R5.69bn) this year in drilling campaigns and infrastructure, with the goal of boosting crude production to around 140,000 barrels per day. "We are focused on reviving existing wells, expanding drilling campaigns, and increasing gas volumes," Brown said during the company's annual general meeting. While these developments show the increasing role local producers are playing amidst government reforms, they are also grappling with challenges. "These operators face higher costs due to security challenges, community disputes, oil theft and ageing infrastructure — a key aspect of reducing costs for operators will be addressing these challenges," said Mikolah Judson, an analyst at global risk consultancy, Control Risk. These local players, signal a new phase for Nigeria's oil and gas sector and could provide support for the government's plan to raise oil output by additional 1 million barrels per day (bpd) next year, head of Nigeria's oil regulator said. They now account for over half of Nigeria's oil production from around 40% before the oil majors completed their divestment programmes according to the regulator's data.
Zawya
28-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Seplat Energy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 as Nigeria Accelerates Gas-Driven Growth
Roger Brown, CEO of Nigerian independent oil and gas company Seplat Energy, has been confirmed as a speaker at African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025, taking place from September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town. His participation underscores Nigeria's gas-led strategy to drive industrialization, boost power generation and attract investment across the energy value chain. In recent years, Seplat Energy has solidified its position as a key enabler of Nigeria's just energy transition, advancing low-carbon oil and gas developments that unlock value for local communities. The company recently announced plans to revive over 400 idle oil wells across 11 blocks, is advancing the $650 million ANOH Gas Processing Plant – slated to produce 300 million cubic feet per day – and has ramped up output through its $1.28 billion acquisition of energy major ExxonMobil's local subsidiary Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited. The deal, which received federal approval in 2024, effectively tripled Seplat Energy's production volume and secured major stakes in prolific onshore and shallow water assets. Marking a significant step forward in Nigeria's oil and gas sector, Seplat Energy's acquisition of Mobile Producing Nigeria Unlimited in 2024 saw the company gain a 40% interest in four oil mining leases and associated infrastructure, including the Qua Iboe oil terminal. Additionally, Seplat Energy assumed at 51% stake in the Bonny River natural gas liquids recovery plant. These strategic additions are expected to significantly enhance Seplat Energy's production capacity and operational capabilities, solidifying its role as a major player in Nigeria's upstream sector. In Q1, 2025, Seplat Energy reported a 350% year-on-year revenue increase to $809.3 million, fueled by higher hydrocarbon volumes and robust gas sales. The company is currently producing over 131,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day and has maintained over 11 million man-hours without a lost-time injury, demonstrating its operational excellence and safety culture. Seplat Energy's financial strength and strategic positioning have also enabled generous shareholder returns, including a 28% dividend increase for Q1, 2025. As Nigeria pursues a future powered by natural gas and homegrown innovation, Brown's participation at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 is expected to showcase emerging opportunities for independence energy companies in West Africa. During the event, Brown is expected to explore how the country is leveraging its vast reserves – over 200 trillion cubic feet – to secure energy for its population and position itself as a gas powerhouse in Africa. 'Seplat Energy's expansion of its gas portfolio, infrastructure investments and acquisition strategy serve as a blueprint for sustainable, inclusive growth, The company's aggressive investment and development strategy is expected to unlock significant value for Nigeria, as the country seeks to unlock the true potential of its oil and gas reserves,' states Tomás Gerbasio, VP Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber. AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit for more information about this exciting event. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE We lived happily in our house for years... but a horrendous decision from our neighbour has cost us £50k - we've been forced out
A couple have been left distraught after their neighbours house started to be turned into an HMO - which left people defecating in an alleyway near their home and knocked £50k off their house. Roger Brown, 67, and his wife Gail, 64, have been plagued with weeks of builders leaving them feeling unsafe and at their wits' end. The couple, from Shepperton, Sunbury-on-Thames, have lived in their three-bedroom terraced house in a residential street for 45 years. Now they fear the neighbourhood of local families could be torn apart by outsiders moving into a house of multiple occupancy (HMO). As contractors work to transform their next door house, the couple are constantly fighting against disappearing tools, ruined views and even people defecating in the alleyway near their family home. Roger told MailOnline: 'They stole ladders from my garden to use. They have been going down in the alleyway and doing their business there, both ways. They are sh**ting out here.' He said he and his wife's lives have been turned upside down and hit out at the council for failing to protect them as they confessed they can barely work they're so worried. But there appears to be no easy way out for the couple, who claim they are being forced to sell up their much-loved home, losing a small fortune in the process. Roger, a health and safety trainer, added: 'Work started [but] we had been given no notification. It's being turned into a six-bedroom HMO. 'They have been working there [for] three weeks. They have extended the downstairs now it blocks out the light. And while the change of view is upsetting the 67-year-old, Roger revealed a more horrific reality that is upsetting both himself and his wife. Roger slammed the local authorities and said they have been unsupportive. He said: 'The council has been next to useless. We are very stressed over all this. We don't know who will be living here. It's horrendous.' Because of the disruption, Roger says he and Gail are considering moving but are concerned about the impact on their house price - another worry that is too much to take for the hexagenarians. The health and safety worker said: 'We are going to sell. We are being forced out. An estate agent said we will lose £50,000. 'My wife won't feel safe because we don't know who we will be living next to. 'We were in shock. We felt sick. My work is suffering because of the stress I'm going through. 'We have been totally let down. It's wrong. They cut through an expensive fence. All those things add up. It's too much to bear and we don't need it in our time of life.' A Spelthorne Borough Council spokeswoman said: 'The work is being overseen by an Approved Inspector not Spelthorne Borough Council's building control team. Unfortunately, this means the Council cannot intervene from a building control point of view. 'A planning enforcement officer visited the premises but based on the evidence his view was that it would fall within permitted development rights. 'The officer therefore advised that no action could be taken from a planning perspective and that this would also apply to a change of use to an HMO (planning permission is not required). 'The Council was later advised by an Approved Inspector of works that the enlarged property will be used for a six-unit HMO. 'This does not need planning permission but will need an HMO licence. The Council's Environmental Health team has sent out an application pack, but no application has been received yet. 'Unfortunately, the legislation does not allow for public consultation on HMO licence applications or for neighbours to comment or object. 'In January 2025, the Council's planning committee approved an Article 4 direction to withdraw permitted development rights for change of use to HMOs across all wards in the borough. 'However, this will not come into effect until at least the beginning of next year. Going forward this means planning permission will be needed for HMOs but will not prevent applications being submitted or being granted or allowed on appeal. 'The issue with regards the lack of toilet facilities for the workers has been addressed.'
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Institutional investors may adopt severe steps after ARB Corporation Limited's (ASX:ARB) latest 3.2% drop adds to a year losses
Institutions' substantial holdings in ARB implies that they have significant influence over the company's share price A total of 11 investors have a majority stake in the company with 50% ownership Insiders have bought recently If you want to know who really controls ARB Corporation Limited (ASX:ARB), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. The group holding the most number of shares in the company, around 50% to be precise, is institutions. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company. And so it follows that institutional investors was the group most impacted after the company's market cap fell to AU$2.7b last week after a 3.2% drop in the share price. Needless to say, the recent loss which further adds to the one-year loss to shareholders of 19% might not go down well especially with this category of shareholders. Also referred to as "smart money", institutions have a lot of sway over how a stock's price moves. Hence, if weakness in ARB's share price continues, institutional investors may feel compelled to sell the stock, which might not be ideal for individual investors. Let's delve deeper into each type of owner of ARB, beginning with the chart below. View our latest analysis for ARB Many institutions measure their performance against an index that approximates the local market. So they usually pay more attention to companies that are included in major indices. We can see that ARB does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. This suggests some credibility amongst professional investors. But we can't rely on that fact alone since institutions make bad investments sometimes, just like everyone does. If multiple institutions change their view on a stock at the same time, you could see the share price drop fast. It's therefore worth looking at ARB's earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters. Hedge funds don't have many shares in ARB. Our data shows that Bennelong Funds Management Group Pty Ltd is the largest shareholder with 12% of shares outstanding. In comparison, the second and third largest shareholders hold about 6.1% and 5.9% of the stock. Roger Brown, who is the third-largest shareholder, also happens to hold the title of Member of the Board of Directors. Looking at the shareholder registry, we can see that 50% of the ownership is controlled by the top 11 shareholders, meaning that no single shareholder has a majority interest in the ownership. Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. Quite a few analysts cover the stock, so you could look into forecast growth quite easily. While the precise definition of an insider can be subjective, almost everyone considers board members to be insiders. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves. Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances. Shareholders would probably be interested to learn that insiders own shares in ARB Corporation Limited. This is a big company, so it is good to see this level of alignment. Insiders own AU$211m worth of shares (at current prices). It is good to see this level of investment by insiders. You can check here to see if those insiders have been buying recently. The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 41% stake in ARB. While this group can't necessarily call the shots, it can certainly have a real influence on how the company is run. I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Many find it useful to take an in depth look at how a company has performed in the past. You can access this detailed graph of past earnings, revenue and cash flow. But ultimately it is the future, not the past, that will determine how well the owners of this business will do. Therefore we think it advisable to take a look at this free report showing whether analysts are predicting a brighter future. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Sign in to access your portfolio
