Health and safety specialist Andrew Wilkinson of Swindon-based Secure Safety Solutions is warning company owners to be vigilant around issues which may become ratified in HSE law in the future. “In the world of health and safety we always have to be ready for changes and 2026 will be no exception. Legislation and safety standards evolve over time and no company wants to find themselves facing enforcement action. Prevention is always better than cure. The safety of staff and members of the public should always be of paramount importance to business owners,” Andrew said. He’s come up with five areas…
Author: Greg Robinson
Social care technology platform AgoraStaff has been named one of Google’s Top 30 GovTech start-ups in the UK, recognising the company as one of the most innovative digital solutions helping to modernise public sector services. The team was invited to attend the Google GovTech Showcase, where selected start-ups pitched their technology to an audience of government stakeholders, policy advisers and investors. AgoraStaff’s Director of Compliance, Jolene Williams-Pears, attended the event and delivered a live pitch outlining how the platform is helping care providers connect directly with vetted carers through a digital marketplace. She said “Being recognised in Google’s Top 30…
A recent change to DBS rules means eligible self-employed professionals can now apply for Enhanced DBS checks through a registered umbrella body – something that was previously only possible if an organisation applied on their behalf. Samantha Vaughan, Chief Product Officer at Complete Background Screening (CBS), says the update reflects how working patterns have evolved, with more people operating independently in roles that involve trust and responsibility. “Over the past few years we’ve seen a rise in self-employed professionals working directly with families or vulnerable individuals,” Samantha said. “That includes tutors, carers, therapists and personal assistants. Until recently many of…
Global hiring platform Indeed reveals that more than 1 in 2 employers in the UK believe AI and automation will be the primary drivers of workforce skill changes in the coming years, with 52% anticipating at least a modest shift in the capabilities required. As businesses continue to adopt AI-based solutions, its presence in day-to-day operations is rapidly expanding. In fact, one in six UK companies now uses AI daily to solve business problems, reflecting how embedded the technology has become across sectors. This growing integration is already delivering tangible benefits: Indeed’s AI adoption data finds that 77% of UK workers who…
A Manchester-based accelerator has been named the North of England’s only programme to feature in the Financial Times’ Europe’s Leading Start-Up Hubs 2026 list, underlining Manchester’s growing profile as a base for successful start-ups. Alumni of the Exchange programme, which supports early-stage founders with mentoring, networks and investment-readiness support, have raised more than £78m in funding and created over 1,000 jobs to date. The recognition comes amid continued scrutiny of regional imbalances in UK innovation funding. London continues to attract a disproportionate share of venture capital investment, intensifying debate about the strength of scale-up infrastructure in regional technology clusters. Exchange, which is…
A UK-based sports technology company founded by biomechanical expert Dr Dario Cazzola and Roy Shubhabrata has played an important role in the record-breaking success of TeamGB’s bobsleigh and skeleton team and their record-breaking gold medal run at the recent Winter Olympics. Dario is using computer vision technology and AI to transform how elite athletes and teams analyse and improve performance using video, which is analysed in a matter of minutes, so that actions and improvements can be taken quickly and easily. The British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association were among his company’s first clients. “In a world where minute improvements are so…
Perform Partners, a multi-award-winning change delivery consultancy, has recently supported Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT), alongside Ingram Micro, to launch Fixter, a teacher-led AI feedback and assessment tool. This innovation acts as a ‘teacher sparring partner’. Rather than replacing the educator’s judgement, the AI-powered assistant works with them, adding an extra layer of consistency, efficiency and objectivity to support teachers in delivering high-quality marking and feedback. This approach allows teachers to reclaim up to five hours each week; creating space that can be channelled back into teaching or used to reduce the strain of extended workdays. The Fixter project was…
Entrepreneurs Michelle Leong and Debbie Gilbert, co-founders of the Leanier app, have been selected to join the Female Founders Rise Fundraising Accelerator Programme, a national initiative supporting women-led businesses to become fundraising-ready and investment-confident. They have joined a cohort of 70 female founders from across the UK taking part in the programme, which is delivered by Female Founders Rise and supported by partners including Barclays Eagle Labs. The accelerator offers expert mentoring, weekly practical training and strategy sessions, alongside peer support and in-person events in London. For Michelle and Debbie, whose app Leanier is currently in development, the selection marks…
Whether you’re hitting the M6 or hopping on the train, being on the road doesn’t mean you don’t have to be out of the loop. We’ve put together a list of the best apps for when you’re working on the road that cover both work and productivity, and also to relax and unwind. Business When it comes to staying proactive work-wise, there are a few apps beyond the obvious Slack and Zoom. Here’s three of the best: Expensify: Snap a photo of any receipt, and the app instantly converts it to your expenses. GPS technology also means it automatically tracks…
If you run a small business, work for yourself, or earn income from property, the way you handle your income tax is about to get a digital makeover. HMRC is introducing its Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax regulation from April and it will shake-up how and when you need to report on your finances, representing the single biggest change to personal tax since HMRC launched Self Assessment more than 30 years ago. What’s changing? Currently, most people share a year’s worth of data with HMRC in a single annual tax return. MTD for Income Tax will change that…