Author: Sam Allcock

A new study has ranked Octopus Energy as the best company to work for in the UK, based on employee feedback. The research, conducted by employee development platform Zensai, analysed company review data from Glassdoor for 206 UK-based companies with over 100 reviews. The rankings were determined by eight key factors, including company culture, work-life balance, and diversity, each weighted to create an index score out of 100. Octopus Energy, a renewable energy provider founded in 2015, emerged as the top-ranked employer with a score of 87.16. The company’s strong ratings in categories such as culture and values (4.56) and…

UK businesses are being urged to prioritise their cybersecurity as Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2024 highlights the growing threat posed by online attacks. According to the UK Government’s latest Cybersecurity Breaches Survey, half of UK businesses suffered a cyber-attack or security breach in the past 12 months, emphasising the urgent need for stronger cyber protection measures. In response, cybersecurity experts from e-commerce hosting provider Hypernode have outlined key practices that UK businesses should adopt to safeguard themselves against cyber threats. Milan Bosman, Commercial Director of Hypernode, stressed the importance of maintaining “cyber hygiene” to combat the increasing risks. What is Cyber…

Seeq, a global leader in industrial analytics and artificial intelligence (AI), has announced a strategic partnership with AVEVA, a renowned provider of industrial software. The collaboration aims to enhance how organisations in sectors such as energy, chemicals, metals, mining, and utilities access and utilise operational data, ultimately improving production and operational efficiency. At the heart of the partnership is the integration of the two companies’ platforms, which will allow users to access data more easily and in a more contextualised manner. Seeq’s industrial analytics platform will be integrated with AVEVA’s CONNECT industrial intelligence platform, enabling businesses to analyse data quickly…

Small businesses across the UK will now be able to accept payments on-the-go without the need for terminals or additional hardware, thanks to a new partnership between Tide and Adyen. Tide, the UK’s leading business financial platform, has teamed up with global payments giant Adyen to introduce a service that allows small business owners to accept contactless payments using just an iPhone. The new feature, Tap to Pay on iPhone, is now available to all Tide members with an iPhone through the company’s iOS app. This means that businesses will be able to receive payments from customers using contactless credit…

Slate Asset Management, a global alternative investment platform focusing on real assets, has announced its entry into the Portuguese market with the acquisition of a portfolio of 12 grocery properties valued at approximately €150 million. This marks Slate’s inaugural investment in Portugal and represents a significant expansion of its European essential real estate strategy. The acquired portfolio consists of high-quality grocery properties, all leased long-term to Continente, Portugal’s largest grocery retailer. These properties are strategically located in major urban areas across the country, particularly concentrated in the Metropolitan Areas of Lisbon, Porto, and Faro. Each location is designed to offer…

North Highland, a leading change and transformation consultancy, has announced that two of its prominent leaders, Sue Saikia and Eilidh Weir, have been named among the “2024 Women Leaders in Consulting” by ALM Consulting Magazine. This accolade highlights the achievements of women in the consulting field who are making significant impacts on their firms, clients, and the next generation of leaders. The ALM Women Leaders in Consulting Awards honour exceptional women for their leadership and contributions within the industry. This recognition is particularly noteworthy as it reflects the increasing influence women are having in a traditionally male-dominated sector. Celebrating Client…

Lunya, a nationally acclaimed Catalonian-inspired eatery in Liverpool, has made a landmark decision to transition to employee ownership. This unique move in the UK hospitality sector aims to secure the future of the restaurant and preserve its core values as co-owners Peter and Elaine Kinsella prepare for retirement. Founded in 2010, Lunya has established itself as a beloved destination for food enthusiasts, renowned for bringing authentic Spanish flavours to the UK with a modern twist. The restaurant has garnered multiple awards and a loyal customer base, celebrated for its commitment to quality and exceptional service. It has won the prestigious…

SKSC (Smurfit Kappa Security Concepts), a global leader in high-security printing and identity management solutions, has announced the launch of a new service specifically for the North African market. This initiative aims to enhance the development of secure printing in the region, catering to various needs, including excise stamps, motor tax documentation, and educational certificates. The company plans to collaborate with local businesses to provide a comprehensive range of services that include consultancy and pre-press design for both physical and digital formats. This strategic move is designed to empower indigenous printing companies, particularly those lacking expertise in security printing, to…

The Clean Space, a London-based commercial cleaning company, has announced the appointment of Reggie Afful as its new Senior Business Development Manager. In this role, Afful will focus on driving business growth across London and the South East of England. With over 15 years of experience in the commercial property sector, Afful has a proven track record of generating new business and managing key accounts. His extensive background positions him well to collaborate with key stakeholders within The Clean Space to identify emerging business opportunities and trends that support the company’s strategic growth plans. Commenting on his new position, Afful…

SciShield, a prominent provider of safety and compliance software for research laboratories, has announced the appointment of Philip Meer as its new Chief Executive Officer. This strategic move aims to strengthen the company’s leading platform and broaden its capabilities to support safe, compliant, and efficient scientific laboratories globally. With a presence in over 27,000 laboratories across North America and Europe, SciShield serves a diverse clientele, including major pharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers, educational institutions, and small biotech firms. Under Meer’s leadership, the company plans to enhance its product capabilities, expand its global footprint in key scientific research hubs, and establish strategic…