Business

The volume of data businesses manage grows rapidly, and with it, the demands for scalability, availability, and protection also increase. In this landscape, cloud storage has become a fundamental component of IT infrastructure, particularly in environments that prioritize regulatory compliance and operational continuity. Simply put, cloud storage enables files, databases, and systems to be stored on servers accessible via the Internet. More specifically, the data is hosted in data centers managed by specialized providers rather...

The UK is still grappling with what economists call the “productivity puzzle.” Since the 2008 global financial crisis, growth in output per worker has been sluggish when compared with international competitors such as the United States, Germany and France. Weak productivity holds back wages, dampens economic growth and limits our ability to fund vital public services. The government has rightly recognised the need to kickstart growth. The Industrial Strategy identified eight key sectors with the...

The pharmaceutical industry is undergoing a significant transformation. Historically focused squarely on safety and efficacy, the sector is now embracing a new priority: sustainability. This shift is driving a revolution in pharmaceutical packaging, with companies actively seeking greener alternatives that reduce environmental impact without compromising the integrity of medical products. The move towards sustainability is not just a trend; it’s becoming a core part of business strategy, reflecting a broader awareness of corporate environmental responsibility....

The government has agreed to reconsider its decision not to compensate millions of women affected by state pension age rises, after new evidence emerged during ongoing legal proceedings. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden told MPs that ministers will withdraw from a forthcoming judicial review brought by the Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) campaign, while the newly uncovered material is examined. The decision marks a significant shift in the long-running dispute over how women...

Energy giant SSE has announced a landmark £33 billion investment programme to modernise the UK’s electricity infrastructure, describing it as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to transform how power is generated, transmitted and distributed across the country. The Perth-based company said the five-year plan, running to 2029–30, will see it raise £2 billion from investors through a share placing and generate a further £2 billion from targeted asset sales. The move is designed to fund an ambitious...

The spirit of British enterprise took centre stage once again at the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards 2025, held at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel, where the nation’s most innovative, resilient and purpose-driven businesses were celebrated in a glittering evening of recognition and entertainment Following last year’s show-stopping ceremony where Trinny Woodall received the prestigious Inspiration Award, the 2025 edition continued to showcase excellence across industries, from sustainable innovation and technology to family business leadership and...

Used car retailer Motorpoint has reported a sharp rise in profits after embracing artificial intelligence to power its online sales. The London-listed firm said it sold hundreds of cars through its new AI agent, which has become a key part of its digital sales strategy. Chief executive Mark Carpenter said the technology, known internally as Lily, had helped the company sustain conversations with potential buyers in a way that human agents often could not. “We’ve...

Grocery price inflation eased to its lowest level in more than two years last month as supermarkets increased discounts to attract cost-conscious shoppers in the run-up to the chancellor’s budget and the Christmas trading season. According to new data from Worldpanel by Numerator, grocery inflation slowed to 4.7 per cent in the four weeks to 2 November, down from 5.2 per cent the previous month. The decline came as supermarkets rolled out a wave of...

More than six million small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the globe are calling on world leaders to take urgent and coordinated action to support business-led climate progress, warning that the path to net zero will stall without their inclusion. In an open letter released ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Brazil, the SME Climate Hub and its global partners urged governments to adopt a unified set of policies that unlock green...

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is shutting down some of his final remaining business ventures, including Pitch@Palace Global Ltd, once seen as a potential source of private income after the King withdrew financial support. Pitch@Palace began as a Dragon’s Den-style initiative allowing entrepreneurs to pitch start-up ideas to investors, backed by the then Duke of York. It attracted global attention and corporate sponsors before collapsing under the weight of scandal following Mountbatten-Windsor’s association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey...