Business

Small manufacturers across the capital are set for a major digital upgrade after London awarded more than £300,000 in grants through the first round of the Made Smarter London programme. Delivered by London & Partners, the fund is designed to help locally based makers adopt new technologies, improve productivity and strengthen their resilience amid rising demand and global competition. Twenty small manufacturers have secured grants ranging from £4,500 to £20,000, enabling investment in artificial intelligence...

In the bustling tech hubs of London, Manchester and Edinburgh, a handful of visionary founders launched what seemed like modest bets on live streaming innovation back in 2020. With initial seed rounds totalling around £10 million, these companies focused on creating real-time interactive experiences that blended television polish with social media immediacy. Fast forward to late 2025, and those early investments have ballooned into a collective valuation exceeding £2 billion, according to recent filings with...

Some people learn about a city. Others live it. John Gerges does both. As one of Toronto’s most recognised walking tour guides, he has built a career by transforming ordinary streets into moving stories. His tours feel less like scheduled events and more like guided adventures through the city’s energy, art and hidden corners. “Toronto never sits still, so my tours can’t either,” he likes to say. His approach has helped him stand out in...

When Maryam Simpson started creating homemade magazines as a kid on her family’s first computer, she didn’t know she was laying the foundation for a career in digital marketing. But her love for design, storytelling, and tech never left. Today, she’s a seasoned Marketing Specialist based in Hoboken, New Jersey, helping brands grow with strategy, empathy, and data. From launching rebrands to tripling client sales, Maryam’s work speaks for itself. But behind every campaign is...

Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has acquired Swindon’s Designer Outlet, one of the UK’s busiest retail destinations, marking the latest move in the company’s fast-growing property portfolio. The popular shopping centre — housed within the Grade II-listed former Great Western Railway Works — attracts more than three million visitors a year and has been sold by LaSalle Investment Management, which only purchased the site in 2022. Michael Murray, CEO of Frasers Group, said the deal underscores...

The government has announced a £725 million overhaul of the apprenticeship system, setting out plans to create 50,000 new placements over the next three years in an effort to address rising youth unemployment and strengthen the UK’s long-term economic prospects. The reforms include a £140 million mayoral pilot programme giving regional leaders new powers to connect young people — particularly those not in education, employment or training (NEET) — with apprenticeship opportunities at local employers....

The Invest in Women Taskforce has surpassed its fundraising ambitions in a major boost for female entrepreneurship, announcing that it has now convened £635 million in commitments, more than double its original £250 million target set at launch in 2024. The milestone includes confirmation that Nationwide and the British Business Bank will join Barclays and M&G as anchor partners in the targeted £130 million first close of the groundbreaking Women backing Women Fund of Funds,...

Recent scientific work has given growers a clearer look at what truly strengthens the quality of feminised seeds, and one of the most relevant studies came from a 2024 publication in Frontiers in Plant Science. Researchers focused on how feminised seeds are made, how the plants react, and what steps actually lead to dependable outcomes. With these findings, growers can rely on approaches grounded in real research rather than continuing with practices that do not...

Positive working environments encourage creativity, increase productivity, reduce turnover rates, and improve overall performance. Ensuring the office is a pleasant place to work in isn’t just about keeping employees happy, it’s about ensuring the longevity of your business. With that in mind, here are five ways you can improve the working environment. Focus on the Physical Workspace The area in which a person works can significantly influence their wellbeing and concentration levels. You should ensure...

Taking the leap to join the world of the self-employed is equally as exciting as it is nerve-wracking. If you are new to self-employment, or you’re thinking about becoming a sole trader, then here are a few essential tips that will help you along the way. Manage Your Time Wisely Being self-employed can be incredibly time consuming. There is always something that needs to be done, it’s easy to fall behind, and it doesn’t take...