Author: Sam Allcock

On Friday 27 September, the Winter Gardens in Blackpool played host to the 2024 Enterprise Vision Awards (EVAs), a prestigious event celebrating the remarkable achievements of women in business. Recognised as the UK’s largest awards dedicated to female entrepreneurs, the ceremony attracted attendees from across the nation and garnered a global audience, with viewers tuning in from countries like India, the USA, and New Zealand. The atmosphere at the Winter Gardens was charged with energy as small businesses, social enterprises, and international brands converged to connect, collaborate, and honour the spirit of female entrepreneurship. The evening provided an invaluable platform…

A wave of innovative business support initiatives is significantly enhancing trade and economic growth in West Wales, particularly in Cardigan. Thanks to guidance and funding from Antur Cymru Enterprise, local start-ups and entrepreneurs are finding the resources they need to flourish. The South Ceredigion Local Business Support project, delivered by Ceredigion County Council through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, has proven instrumental in helping businesses refine their strategies and products. This initiative has offered not only expert advice but also provided small enterprises with a space at the recently revitalised Guildhall market, which reopened this summer after a £3…

Leaders from Rubicon Bridge, a regulatory tech disruptor based in Yorkshire, have met with key industry contacts at Amazon’s premier partner event, aiming to assist US companies in entering international markets. Managing Director Kathryn Brown, Chief Revenue Officer Alan Worthing, and Regulatory Transformation Director Daniel Hibbitt attended the Amazon Accelerate conference in Seattle, where they held discussions to promote Rubicon Bridge’s innovative technology. The company is seeking to collaborate with several prominent US food and supplements brands to trial its cutting-edge solutions, which simplify the regulatory processes that often hinder market entry. Rubicon Bridge operates from the C4DI (Centre for…

A new digital loyalty app, Llama Points, has been launched in the UK, with Leeds selected as the first city to unveil the innovative platform. Designed to help independent retail, leisure, and hospitality businesses attract more customers, Llama Points offers a flexible and convenient alternative to traditional paper-based loyalty schemes. Having first launched in Switzerland in 2023, Llama Points is now rolling out across the UK, with several businesses in Leeds already on board. The app allows small business owners to set up promotions in as little as 10 minutes, providing them with a simple yet effective way to encourage…

Nixon Hire has announced a new strategic direction as a provider of sustainable sites, following a transformative period of growth and adaptation over the past two years. The company’s shift comes in response to a surge in customer demand for eco-friendly site solutions across the UK. To meet this growing demand, Nixon Hire has significantly invested in new equipment and technical expertise in key areas, particularly in Modular Buildings and Renewable Power. These sectors, along with the company’s improved Welfare Facilities, Site Accommodation, and Portable Toilets divisions, now constitute the core of Nixon Hire’s offerings for construction, events, and other…

Smarsh, a leader in digital communications data and intelligence, has released new findings from a Total Economic Impact (TEI) study conducted by Forrester Consulting. The study reveals that organisations using the Smarsh Platform can reduce communications archiving costs by up to 25%, along with several other financial benefits. Commissioned by Smarsh, the Forrester study aims to provide business leaders with a framework for assessing the potential return on investment (ROI) associated with the implementation of Smarsh technology. It draws on the experiences of six global customers to illustrate the tangible benefits that can arise from utilising the platform. Kim Crawford…

Wildix, a global leader in Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS), has introduced its latest innovation, x-bees, an AI-powered communication platform designed to improve smartworking, streamline workflows, and boost collaboration across teams. The platform integrates voice, video, messaging, and conferencing into one interface, with a standout feature being its deep Salesforce integration. This development sets a new benchmark in sales-driven communication, allowing businesses to work more effectively both internally and with clients. The x-bees platform revolutionises sales processes through its Salesforce Opportunity feature, enabling users to manage leads, contacts, and notes without switching between applications. By embedding key Salesforce functionalities…

Bank of America has announced the expansion of its Virtual Payables capabilities across the EMEA region with the launch of Virtual Payables Direct, a new payment solution designed to give businesses more flexibility in managing their financial transactions. The solution enables buyers to make business-to-business (B2B) payments through direct bank transfers, providing the benefits of extended payment terms while allowing suppliers to receive funds promptly. The launch comes amid significant growth in the global B2B payments market, which is forecast to exceed US$2.4 trillion by 2031. Bank of America’s new product is set to meet the growing demand for more…

FlowFest 2024, the premier online conference focused on business orchestration and process automation, will take place on 15 October 2024, offering a platform for industry experts and thought leaders to discuss the latest advancements in automation technology. Organised by Flowable, a leading provider of process automation solutions, this free annual event will begin at 15:00 CET (09:00 EST) and will provide valuable insights across three key areas: Tech, Innovation, and Business. The conference promises to offer a comprehensive look at emerging trends in the world of automation, with this year’s agenda packed with sessions covering artificial intelligence (AI), automation strategies,…

A sharp rise in incidents of deepfake fraud has been reported by global businesses, according to a new survey. The study, commissioned by Regula, a leading developer of forensic devices and identity verification solutions, shows that half of the businesses surveyed worldwide have faced deepfake scams in the past two years. The “Deepfake Trends 2024” report highlights a significant rise in both audio and video deepfake fraud. While incidents of audio deepfakes have increased by 12% since 2022, video deepfakes have surged by 20%. In 2022, 29% of businesses in countries such as Australia, France, and the US reported encountering…