Sexual harassment at work is a topic that has been talked about a lot in recent years since the #MeToo movement sparked by the now convicted sex offender Harvey Weinstein. In this article, authored by Dr Anna Loutfi, equality, employment and human rights barrister with The Barrister Group, we shine a light on the toxic behaviour faced by so many.  #MeToo, and other high-profile scandals that have unfolded since, may have pushed the dial when it comes to raising awareness, but how much has really changed? Recent research by The Barrister Group found that almost a third of UK workers…

UK business spending on products related to their office space increased 36% in September, following summer months, says findings from Pleo, Europe’s leading spend management platform, in a just-launched first-edition of its European Quarterly Spending Report.  The new insight gives the clearest indication yet that businesses and workers are getting back to pre-COVID normality concerning office attendance and are committed to a long-term change, moving away from the working-from-home culture that many businesses have struggled to overcome. The report collated spending data from over 30,000 companies across 16 European markets – including the UK, France, Germany and Spain – giving invaluable insight into…

SimpliFi is a new online portal designed to help small businesses across the region access information on funding that they need to launch and grow. It contains free guides to help with securing capital, pitching for investment, writing business strategy and more. SimpliFi will be launched at an online event on Thursday 30th November, and you can register here. Businesses of any stage and size across Greater Manchester can access information to help in finding finance they need with the launch of SimpliFi from The Growth Company. SimpliFi has been created to help business owners understand the finance options available…

UK businesses have been warned to look out for ten red flags when engaging with a digital marketing consultancy, such as guaranteed results, lack of transparency, a focus on vanity metrics and more.   Despite current economic challenges, the first half of 2023 has showcased a surge in entrepreneurship, with 101 new businesses springing to life every hour across the United Kingdom, according to a recent study. This surge in business creation, combined with the Government’s recent commitment of £1 billion to support said new businesses, bodes well for the UK’s economic growth in the coming years. With this rise in…

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has disclosed the details of his Autumn Statement, delineating the government’s fiscal policies and expenditures for the upcoming year. An additional £500 million has been allocated to support the advancement of the next generation of supercomputers in the UK, building upon successful initiatives such as the one in Bristol. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt outlined 110 measures aimed at fostering economic growth and addressing regional disparities in a cautiously optimistic Autumn Statement. He emphasized that these proposals would stimulate investment, reduce debt, but underscored that there is more work to be done. Among the measures is a focus on…

Rob Cottrill, technology director at ANS, discusses how SMEs can start adopting AI to maximise results and explores why it’s so important to embrace smart technology responsibly. Artificial Intelligence (AI) was once a luxury exclusive to corporate giants. But thanks to the introduction of accessible programmes like Open AI’s ChatGPT, AI is now within reach for businesses of all sizes. However, although AI offers remarkable advantages, without rules and being used responsibly, it’s not without risks. Defining responsible AI adoption While most small businesses are keen to embrace AI, the rush to do so can lead to gaps in safe…

In this article, authored by Sam Pardy from The HR Department, we explore the unique advantages small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) possess when it comes to recruitment. It sheds light on how SMEs can leverage their distinct qualities to attract top talent and compete effectively with larger corporations. Responsibility, opportunity, community Job interviews are a two-way process. While you are certainly interviewing candidates, they will also be sussing out whether they would like to work for you. It’s all about finding the right fit for both employer and prospective employee. When they may also be being interviewed by bigger companies,…

UKEF and K-Sure have secured support worth £367 million for South Korean manufacturer SeAH Steel Holding’s construction of a wind tech factory near Redcar, in the Tees Valley. In a groundbreaking collaboration, UK Export Finance (UKEF) and South Korea’s export credit agency, Korea Trade Insurance Corporation (K-Sure), have played a pivotal role in securing financing from Standard Chartered Bank and HSBC UK for the construction of the world’s largest wind monopile manufacturing facility by SeAH Wind UK. UKEF and K-Sure have secured support worth £367 million for South Korean manufacturer SeAH Steel Holding’s construction of a wind tech factory near…

Amazon UK’s retailers will save time with automated accounting solutions delivered by innovative cloud accounting software provider  FreeAgent, an online accounting provider, has revealed a new integration with Amazon’s Selling Partner Appstore. This integration aims to streamline the financial administrative tasks associated with selling on the platform, ultimately saving retailers time and money. Transactions will be automatically imported into FreeAgent with no limit on the quantity of data processed. The software will accurately record the sales income and expenditure generated through selling on Amazon, reducing the manual admin required for businesses that sell on UK Amazon Marketplace. The announcement represents…

In the realm of Artificial Intelligence, where ethical considerations are increasingly pivotal, Aaron McClendon, Head of AI at Aimpoint Digital, stands at the forefront of navigating the complex landscape. As the world witnesses the unprecedented expansion of AI, McClendon’s expertise and insights bring a nuanced perspective to the ethical challenges emerging in its development and deployment across diverse industries. AI’s evolution has ushered in a myriad of ethical concerns, from bias and privacy to transparency and accountability. Recognizing the non-uniform nature of these challenges across industries, McClendon underscores the need for tailored ethical guidelines. With healthcare, retail, logistics, and other…

Careology and Nuffield Health, the UK’s largest healthcare charity, have extended their partnership to provide people undergoing cancer treatment access to advanced digital cancer care technology at 12 Nuffield Health hospitals across the UK. During a successful pilot of Careology’s digital cancer care platform at Nuffield Health Derby Hospital, which ran from February to October last year, over half of the patients who were provided with the Careology digital cancer care platform (through an app) each month logged their symptoms in response to medication (such as chemotherapy), vital signs and engaged with their clinical nurses about their wellbeing from their…

As the UK braces for the Autumn Statement tomorrow, 3 industry leaders have shared their pre-budget insights, offering targeted recommendations for key reforms. The collective call is for reforms that extend beyond immediate fiscal relief, laying the groundwork for a resilient and thriving economic landscape. Following extensive conversations with customers and recent research, Mike Randall, CEO at Simply Asset Finance pinpoints four pivotal initiatives he urges the Chancellor to prioritise to enhance the business landscape for SMEs who have faced some of the most difficult months on record: Extend the Full Expensing scheme and make it permanent. “The implementation of the full expensing…

As winter approaches, the likelihood of indoor fires surges within businesses. This heightened risk stems from various factors, including the increase in the use of central heating systems, the installation of festive decorations in workplaces and end-of-year fatigue. The Detailed Analysis of Fires Attended by Fire and Rescue Services Report published by the government in September has revealed that between 2022-23:  A staggering 29% of fires stem from mishandled equipment or appliances Misuse of appliances caused 13% of fires in 2023 Flames sparked by flammable items and coming into contact with heat accounted for more than 15% of last year’s blazes Worryingly, 43% of fires go unnoticed by smoke detectors across…

As the business landscape in the UK continues to evolve, office search agency, Sketch Labs reveals a 100% increase in searches for ‘coworking space’ in the last five years. This data underscores the rise in remote and hybrid working models and indicates that employees are more than ever, seeking flexible environments to create a balance in their professional and personal lives.  The data, compiled by Sketch Labs discovered that from 2018 to 2023, UK searches for ‘coworking space’ have doubled, reflecting a noticeable shift in how individuals and businesses alike are reimagining the concept of workspaces. Further statistics reveal that by 2024,…

In the last few weeks and months, a steady wave of business leaders has written to the government calling on them to scrap the inflation-linked increase in Business Rates expected. With the 2023 autumn budget right around the corner (22nd November), this only becomes more relevant for commercial property owners and tenants. Molly Jackson-Holm, from RVA Surveyors, provides some insight.  Anthony Hughes, Managing Director at RVA Surveyors, expressed his concerns for the upcoming autumn budget. “This is something everyone in the rating industry has been following for a while,” Hughes said, “It could quite easily spell disaster for many. Spending…

Sick building syndrome is an elusive health condition – we have a limited understanding of it, other than its core symptoms and that it’s most commonly developed by poor office environments. Workspaces that are dirty, unorganised, lacking in natural light and using outdated equipment can cause employees to feel intense symptoms of sickness, including nausea, headaches, eye strain, dry skin and others that have now been officially recognised by the NHS as a result of a poor working environment. But with hybrid working becoming more common, what does sick building syndrome mean for home workers? How can we craft our…