Monthly Archives: May 2021

News

Award-winning asbestos consultancy expands

An award-winning firm at the forefront of tackling the UK’s asbestos problem has expanded its workforce.

Acorn Analytical Services works alongside businesses, councils, schools and hospitals across the country to make sure buildings are free from the health risks of asbestos.

It employs more than 30 staff at its bases in Northampton and Birmingham and in the past few weeks has recruited three new trainees as part of its commitment to developing the next generation of asbestos consultants.

Shane Richardson, 24, and Jake Newell, 21, who are both from Northampton, and Charlie Dalby, 20, of Oakham have all received a full induction into the industry, have begun accompanying the firm’s highly qualified surveyors and analysts on site visits and have taken their first set of examinations.

Acorn director Ian Stone said: “The UK relied on asbestos as a building material for decades which means there are properties up and down our country, including homes, workplaces, schools and hospitals, that continue to harbour this potentially fatal substance.

“As a result, the risk of people being exposed to asbestos here will continue to be high for a long time to come which is why our management team has invested thousands of pounds in training the next generation of specialist asbestos consultants.

“We’re delighted to welcome Shane, Jake and Charlie to Acorn and to see how well they are doing with their training. The long-term goal is for them to become fully qualified consultants and we look forward to watching them develop their careers at Acorn.”

In the past few years, six other Acorn trainees have gone on to become fully qualified asbestos consultants and two-thirds of them have chosen to continue their career with the firm.

Fellow Acorn director Neil Munro added: “The reality is finding high calibre asbestos consultants in the UK isn’t as easy as people might expect. Often those in need of asbestos management services can find it very difficult to find the right level of asbestos consultant because the skills required to do this specialist job are bespoke to our industry and you can’t study at college or university to become an asbestos consultant.

“By training employees the ‘Acorn Way’ we can be confident that they are providing clients with asbestos management services of the highest standard.

“We’re also very proud to be investing in such talented young people and providing job opportunities at a time when so many people are struggling to secure skilled employment. More than anything though we are proud to know that be investing in the next generation of asbestos consultants we are going to help save more lives.”

For further information about joining Acorn’s award-winning team visit www.acorn-as.com/careers or for advice on asbestos and asbestos training call 0844 818 0895.

News

Durham University Business School Welcomes Dr. Vicky Saporta as Professor in Practice

Durham University Business School has announced the appointment of Dr. Vicky Saporta, Executive Director of Prudential Policy Directorate at the Bank of England, to its faculty as Professor in Practice in the Department of Economics and Finance.

Created to bring public distinction and practical insights to the classroom and applied research, Durham’s Professors in Practice initiative recognises the skills, perspectives and experiences of senior business professionals and enables students to directly benefit from them. Such individuals are invited to lead classes and workshops, support education in their individual areas of expertise, and engage with research that addresses real world challenges.

Over the next three years, Vicky will be working within the Business School, delivering modern, immersive education programmes that reflect and address the key issues facing industry today, and in fostering greater connection between Durham University and banking, economics and finance sectors.

Speaking on her appointment and what she hopes to bring to the role, Vicky said

“I am excited to be appointed Professor in Practice in the Business School and cannot wait to meet the students and share experiences.”

Vicky has held a number of positions in prudential policy, financial stability and monetary analysis in a career spanning 25 years at the Bank of England. In particular, Vicky was at the heart of the macro prudential and micro prudential policy reforms undertaken by the Bank after the global financial crisis.

Since taking on the role of Executive Director in 2014, Vicky has been responsible for directing the work developing and delivering prudential policy for both the Board of the Prudential Regulatory Authority (PRA) and the Bank of England’s Financial Policy Committee. Vicky has represented the Bank on numerous international committees dealing with central banking and regulatory issues, including being a member of the Basel Committee that sets international standards for internationally active banks. During her career, Vicky has published over 20 articles in books, professional journals and Bank of England publications.

The Professor in Practice initiative also provides the opportunity for Durham University’s faculty to directly connect with business practice and public policy, enabling their research to have an actionable, positive impact on society. In this role, Vicky will contribute to directing and guiding the high-level research undertaken in the Department of Economics and Finance in Business School towards addressing policy-oriented vital research questions, which have the potential to lead to significant impact. She will be regularly participating in research events we hold in the Business School and delivering guest lectures on pertinent economic policy issues to our undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Anamaria Nicolae, Associate Professor in Economics at Durham University Business School has supported Vicky’s appointment, highlighting the value her expertise will bring to the School’s teaching, research, and student engagement.

“We are delighted that Vicky joins us as a Professor in Practice in the Department of Economics and Finance. Vicky’s strong interest in academia, her rich research background in banking policy, and her wider experience as executive director brings enormous strength to the department’s ambition to be excellent in research, excellent in teaching and broaden student experience.

We are very much looking forward to Vicky taking part in the Central Bankers’ Forum, a research workshop organised by the Centre for Banking, Institutions and Development (CBID) in June 2021. She will give the practitioner’s keynote address, drawing on her experience and knowledge as Executive Director of Prudential Policy Directorate at the Bank of England.”

Vicky’s announcement follows the recent appointment of Sally Guyer, also as a Professor in Practice at Durham University Business School. Sally is the Global CEO of World Commerce & Contracting, and will join the Business School’s faculty as Professor in Practice in Strategy and Innovation.

News

Five9 and Mitel Announce Strategic Multi-Year Partnership – Bringing a World-Class and Award-Winning CCaaS-UCaaS Offering to Organisations Across the Globe

This latest partner announcement continues the acceleration of the Five9 partner footprint within and outside of the US, with a particular focus on EMEA.

Five9, Inc. (NASDAQ: FIVN), a leading provider of the intelligent cloud contact centre, today announced a new strategic partnership with Mitel, a global leader in business communications. Mitel will now feature the Five9 Intelligent Cloud Contact Centre as its exclusive contact centre as a service (CCaaS) partner for its worldwide client base.

“Organisations across various industries and geographies rely on Mitel for their communication and collaboration needs and, for many of them, contact centre plays a critical role in the overall communications experience,” said Graham Bevington, Executive Vice President, Transformation Office at Mitel. “Five9’s intelligent cloud contact centre suite, strength in the enterprise market, and customer-centric values are a perfect complement to Mitel’s contact centre offering. We look forward to working closely with the Five9 team to help customers differentiate themselves through more human, empathetic customer engagement experiences, which are vital to building loyalty, trust and, ultimately, business success.”

Together, Five9 and Mitel will provide a holistic offering for organisations that value an integrated Contact Centre and Unified Communications solution as part of their overall collaboration and total experience strategy. Mitel’s global customer base and vast channel partner ecosystem will now have access to the full breadth of the Five9 product portfolio – including the core Five9 Platform, Workforce Optimisation (WFO), Intelligent Virtual Agents (IVA), Agent Assist, and Workflow Automation (WFA).

“Changing customer expectations require organisations to find better ways to improve the customer experience, and a tightly integrated UCaaS and CCaas solution helps contact centre agents and subject matter experts throughout the organisation join forces to resolve customer requests quickly and efficiently,” said Blair Pleasant, President and Principal Analyst of COMMfusion LLC. “Integrating Five9’s best of breed CCaaS solution with Mitel’s cloud and on-premises communications solutions will benefit both channel partners and customers, improving the way employees communicate and collaborate without compromising the personalised, frictionless experience expected by consumers.”

The Five9 Intelligent Cloud Contact Centre enables organisations to engage with their customers across channels from digital to voice. It empowers agents and supervisors with AI and automation, helps close the loop with customers for more proactive customer experiences and enables the contact centre to be connected to the broader business and vice versa via an extensive network of integrations. These capabilities ensure that Five9 customers can continuously improve on, or in some cases completely reimagine, their customer experience. In all cases, customers are able to achieve tangible business results. The Five9 platform creates a distinct value proposition for Mitel enterprise customers and partners who want to increase agent productivity, be agile, boost revenue, and create customer trust and loyalty.

“As Five9 continues to accelerate our international business, aligning ourselves with partners proven to be leaders in their field and dedicated to innovation is crucial for mutual success,” said Dan Burkland, President, Five9. “We are excited to announce our partnership with Mitel as their exclusive cloud contact centre partner offering. Our integration is live today and customers are already experiencing the joint value of our combined solution.” 

Mitel and Five9 were quickly able to go-live with a joint offering based on prior successes between the two companies. This was further supported by the Five9 partner program, which has developed over the past several years to include a robust rapid onboarding and expansion plan for new and existing partners. Overall, this partnership is another example of the continued investment in the North America and international partner ecosystem for Five9. 

About Five9

Five9 is an industry-leading provider of cloud contact centre solutions, bringing the power of cloud innovation to more than 2,000 customers worldwide and facilitating billions of customer engagements annually. The Five9 Intelligent Cloud Contact Centre provides digital engagement, analytics, workflow automation, workforce optimisation, and practical AI to help customers reimagine their customer experience. Designed to be reliable, secure, compliant, and scalable, the Five9 platform helps increase agent and supervisor productivity, connects the contact centre to the business, and ultimately deliver tangible business results including increased revenue and enhanced customer trust and loyalty.

For more information, visit www.five9.com.

 

News

Novus teams up with Railsbank and Visa to launch a new impact-driven digital banking app

Next-gen banking and impact app Novus has teamed up with Visa, the world leader in digital payments, to launch a unique mobile banking application that rewards conscious consumers for sustainable purchasing choices in a bid to generate positive impact from everyday payments.

 

Through this new partnership, Novus rewards its community with real-time impact points that can be spent, saved and tracked via the app, all with the added support of an ever-growing digital marketplace of ethical and sustainable brands.

 

By combining daily payments with reactive impact, Novus plans to utilise the value, support and backing given by Visa to embark on a revolution of purpose-driven, digital banking.

 

Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Novus, Hristian Nedyalkov, explained: “Our partnership with Visa not only provides us with the ideal platform to help drive positive change, but will add incredible value to the Novus customer journey, improve our member experience and increase the accessibility of our distinctive solutions to the wider market.

 

As one of the only digital banking apps in the UK to focus on and incorporate specific features that appeal to the conscious consumer – someone who actively bases their daily financial activity around making a positive social, economic or environmental impact – we are confident that we can work towards our vision of becoming a holistic solution for this growing user segment and are extremely excited for Visa to be a part of that journey.”

 

Jill Docherty, Executive Director, Business Development (UK & Ireland) at Visa commented: “Digital payments can empower consumers to understand, measure and manage the social and environmental impact of their everyday spend.  We are thrilled to be working with Novus on the launch of their innovative solution which will help conscious consumers use their purchasing power for good”

 

Louisa Murray, COO UK and Europe of Railsbank, the leading global Banking-as-a-Service platform, added: “We are delighted to be associated with this initiative from Novus and Visa, which has the noble aim of helping to solve societal, economic and environmental issues via everyday payments. It recognises the growing popularity of ethical and sustainable brands, backed by a flourishing digital marketplace. We look forward to working with Novus and Visa over the coming years on this initiative.”

 

Novus’ multi-layered approach allows individuals to use their everyday purchases as a force for good, contributing to various social and environmental causes. Novus members can choose to put the impact points they generate in the app through everyday payments towards issues like gender inequality, world hunger and ocean pollution. Members can then track their impact in real time to see just how much of a difference they are making, as well as track and offset their carbon footprint based on their card activity. The in-app marketplace that features ethical and sustainable brands is designed to make it more accessible to lead a sustainable lifestyle for those looking to do so.

 

Co-founded by five entrepreneurs with varying backgrounds in fintech, private equity, impact investing and app development, Novus is one of the few digital banking players that plans to offer additional features to electronic payments.

 

Almost 15,000 people have signed up to the waitlist of the Novus app. The app will be available to the wider public this summer.

 

To find out more or to sign up to the Novus waitlist where you will receive news and updates regarding the official launch.

Please visit: https://www.novus.world/

News

Entrepreneur fights diversity in fitness at Club Kombat

A Plymouth entrepreneur who set up a completely new fitness experience, underpinned by her commitment to diversity and inclusion, has described how the Covid-19 pandemic has led to a “rollercoaster of emotions” as her business finally emerges from lockdown restrictions.

 

Nadia Millinship, a single parent of two children, founded Club Kombat in 2018. Originally solely based at Revolution in Derry’s Cross, Plymouth, a venue Nadia chose because of its accessibility for people with disabilities, Club Kombat combines kickboxing and mixed martial arts to create a high intensity, unique fitness workout. Each cardio interval – packed full of ‘Kombat’ moves – is followed by a strength training exercise to tone and build the entire body.

 

Under Nadia’s model, the venue is utilised with groups at different stations around the space, as instructors move through each group to support and coach each exercise safely and efficiently. Whistles are used over the music to alert everyone about the change, and visual cues allow everyone to be able to look and follow the movements. The sessions, which include regular appearances from DJs, have been a real hit.

 

“I wanted to set up a business where people from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds would be able to take part in a fitness class with a mix of kickboxing and combat moves to give a full body workout,” said Nadia, who has recently completed her Masters’ degree in Entrepreneurship for Creative Practice, specialising in embedded diversity in fitness, at Plymouth College of Art. “I did not want it to be just another fitness class as it was important to me that I broke down barriers to enable people from all backgrounds and situations to be able to benefit from better health and a more positive mindset as part of a wider inclusive community.”

 

Nadia made steady progress in her first 18 months, hosting fitness classes every Wednesday evening and building her Facebook community, and was even awarded a Diversity Business Incubator Champion Award in January 2020. However, with Covid-19 restrictions in place and the Revolution venue being temporarily closed, she adapted quickly to take her fitness offering online and host her classes from her back garden.

 

“Such an exceptional event forced me to pivot and make swift decisions to ensure that my offering remained relevant and to keep my business afloat,” Nadia explained. “This meant a change to how I structure my working week and also consider how my children could also feature positively in my content to demonstrate the role of fitness in improving physical and mental health for all the family. Ironically, however, the move online has got me closer to the digital delivery model that I previously had in mind because it enables anyone to access my classes, including those who have no childcare support. I have also had people on my online classes who have been recovering from Covid-19.”

 

Through this difficult period, Nadia has been supported by YTKO’s GrowSmart programme, a national online learning platform giving SMEs the knowledge, skills and insight to scale up their businesses, teaching practical ways to reach markets and increase sales and profitability, as well as maintaining and improving productivity, equivalent to an intensive two-week course. “This has forced me to focus more and prioritise the activities that will monetise quickly and also be even more entrepreneurial in my approach,” Nadia said. “But you also need to keep calm and carry on at times like this. By believing in yourself you can get through this – remember why you started it in the first place.”

 

With lockdown restrictions slowly being lifted, Nadia plans to resume her classes at Revolution as well as continuing her online provision. “I would like to see Club Kombat go from strength to strength within this online platform, as well as building my new Nadia K Coaching brand,” she revealed. “My aim is to continue online and create more opportunities for instructors to join my platform, offering more options for people especially those who are underrepresented. I will also be running events in the nightclubs, starting in Plymouth but with a plan to recruit ambassadors in different areas, bringing members of the community together through fitness. I have experienced a rollercoaster of emotions and have had to remain positive and resilient with the hope that all my efforts will pay off. But I am feeling excited about what lies ahead.”

 

Nadia is one of over 22,000 businesses and nearly 31,000 disadvantaged entrepreneurs to have been supported by YTKO over a 14-year period. Analysis of 36 funded programmes across the South West, South East, London, East of England and Midlands, published in March 2021, showed YTKO assisted 30,752 entrepreneurs (including 47% who were previously out of work, 44% in receipt of benefits and 27% with entry-level qualifications), and 22,508 growth-ambitious businesses. It also revealed that 51% of those supported by YTKO were female entrepreneurs and 20% Black, Asian and Minority Ethnicity (BAME), compared to national averages of an estimated 23% and 5% respectively. Overall, YTKO’s performance delivered a ‘conservative’ net impact of £282 million GVA, a £362 million triple bottom line impact and a ROI of £10.70 for every £1 invested.

 

“We are incredibly proud of achieving such high levels of both improved productivity and job creation, increasing the competitiveness of the UK economy during the longest period of economic uncertainty in the UK,” said YTKO Group CEO Bev Hurley CBE. “It also robustly demonstrates that financial and social exclusion can be overcome, and therefore how we are impacting directly on the levelling up agenda and left-behind places. We have addressed issues around gender diversity and the under-representation of both women and BAME, pioneering a more inclusive economy. For well over a decade, we have supported more women starting and growing businesses than men, in contrast to the national picture. I am so proud that, as an SME ourselves, our teams have delivered such a major impact through our social mission – but we are not stopping here.”

Please visit: https://www.ytko.com/

News

Staycations dominate as three quarters of Britons stay home for the summer holidays

Britain is bracing for a boom in summer staycations due to the pandemic, according to data released today by location technology specialist TomTom (TOM2). A survey of holiday and travel intentions commissioned by TomTom shows that the vast majority of British people plan to take a UK holiday. Three-quarters (74%) intend to stay local or travel within the country, compared to 27% are likely to travel in Europe and only 16% outside of the continent.

Unsurprisingly, COVID-19 is the main driver of changing holiday habits. Without the pandemic, 61% claimed they would have travelled abroad this year, and 67% said the pandemic has made them concerned to visit another country. Among those not going on holiday, lack of money (31%) was another for people to avoid travelling abroad. Travel restrictions and quarantines were also a major turn-off, with over half (53%) of Brits saying they wouldn’t be willing to quarantine for the sake of a foreign holiday.

The data shows that the state of international travel may be slow to recover even after the summer. More than half (53%) of Brits think they are less likely to travel abroad this year than they were in 2020, and 67% say they are unlikely to book anything abroad until travel restrictions are lifted. In the longer term, 48% of Brits said the pandemic has made them appreciate their country as a holiday destination more, something that is likely to affect travel for years to come. The same percentage said they are more likely to holiday in the UK even after the pandemic is over.

Escape to the country

Regional cities are not likely to be the major winners of any staycation boom. UK people now show a strong preference for the countryside, with 43% saying they are more likely to plan trips to the country. This compares to the 25% who agree they are more likely to plan city breaks, compared to 37% who disagree. With Britons less willing to travel abroad, 46% are also more likely to opt for spontaneous trips rather than vacations they plan for long in advance.

These changing holiday habits are having big implications for how Brits travel during the summer. Over three-quarters (78%) intend to travel by motor vehicle, rather than air or rail. A summer of congestion on roads is likely, with 89% of these drivers saying they will be travelling in the UK.

Congestion and holiday activity will likely be highest in the South West of England and Wales as these are seen as the most attractive holiday destinations according to 26% and 21% of holiday drivers respectively. Northern Ireland (3%) is the least likely region to be visited, followed by the East Midlands (5%) and West Midlands (6%).

Convenience (52%), freedom and flexibility (50%), and safety (49%) are the main advantages of driving over public or air transport according to Brits. When travelling in their motor vehicles, the majority are likely to use a phone app (38%) or inbuilt sat nav (24%) in order to navigate.

Andy Marchant, Traffic Advisor at TomTom, said: “After more than a year of uncertainty and intermittent lockdowns, Brits are approaching summer holidays with a dose of caution. As uncertainty and international travel restrictions continue, the vast majority have decided it’s best to holiday at home – a trend that’s likely to persist even as restrictions are lifted. This has only made driving even more essential to people’s lives, and it’ll be their transport of choice when holidaying around the country this summer.

“Travelling by car offers everyone the best of all worlds when it comes to safety, convenience and freedom. However, with motor transport emerging as the most popular option, it’s likely that we’re in for a summer of congestion on British roads. To avoid this, it is crucial drivers take advantage of the navigation devices available, and that policymakers adopt a data-driven approach to traffic management.”

For more information on how the global pandemic changed mobility, visit the TomTom Traffic Index.

News

Staycations dominate as three quarters of Britons stay home for the summer holidays

Britain is bracing for a boom in summer staycations due to the pandemic, according to data released today by location technology specialist TomTom (TOM2). A survey of holiday and travel intentions commissioned by TomTom shows that the vast majority of British people plan to take a UK holiday. Three-quarters (74%) intend to stay local or travel within the country, compared to 27% are likely to travel in Europe and only 16% outside of the continent.

Unsurprisingly, COVID-19 is the main driver of changing holiday habits. Without the pandemic, 61% claimed they would have travelled abroad this year, and 67% said the pandemic has made them concerned to visit another country. Among those not going on holiday, lack of money (31%) was another for people to avoid travelling abroad. Travel restrictions and quarantines were also a major turn-off, with over half (53%) of Brits saying they wouldn’t be willing to quarantine for the sake of a foreign holiday.

The data shows that the state of international travel may be slow to recover even after the summer. More than half (53%) of Brits think they are less likely to travel abroad this year than they were in 2020, and 67% say they are unlikely to book anything abroad until travel restrictions are lifted. In the longer term, 48% of Brits said the pandemic has made them appreciate their country as a holiday destination more, something that is likely to affect travel for years to come. The same percentage said they are more likely to holiday in the UK even after the pandemic is over.

Escape to the country

Regional cities are not likely to be the major winners of any staycation boom. UK people now show a strong preference for the countryside, with 43% saying they are more likely to plan trips to the country. This compares to the 25% who agree they are more likely to plan city breaks, compared to 37% who disagree. With Britons less willing to travel abroad, 46% are also more likely to opt for spontaneous trips rather than vacations they plan for long in advance.

These changing holiday habits are having big implications for how Brits travel during the summer. Over three-quarters (78%) intend to travel by motor vehicle, rather than air or rail. A summer of congestion on roads is likely, with 89% of these drivers saying they will be travelling in the UK.

Congestion and holiday activity will likely be highest in the South West of England and Wales as these are seen as the most attractive holiday destinations according to 26% and 21% of holiday drivers respectively. Northern Ireland (3%) is the least likely region to be visited, followed by the East Midlands (5%) and West Midlands (6%).

Convenience (52%), freedom and flexibility (50%), and safety (49%) are the main advantages of driving over public or air transport according to Brits. When travelling in their motor vehicles, the majority are likely to use a phone app (38%) or inbuilt sat nav (24%) in order to navigate.

Andy Marchant, Traffic Advisor at TomTom, said: “After more than a year of uncertainty and intermittent lockdowns, Brits are approaching summer holidays with a dose of caution. As uncertainty and international travel restrictions continue, the vast majority have decided it’s best to holiday at home – a trend that’s likely to persist even as restrictions are lifted. This has only made driving even more essential to people’s lives, and it’ll be their transport of choice when holidaying around the country this summer.

“Travelling by car offers everyone the best of all worlds when it comes to safety, convenience and freedom. However, with motor transport emerging as the most popular option, it’s likely that we’re in for a summer of congestion on British roads. To avoid this, it is crucial drivers take advantage of the navigation devices available, and that policymakers adopt a data-driven approach to traffic management.”

For more information on how the global pandemic changed mobility, visit the TomTom Traffic Index.

News

Incomlend Provides USD2.5 million (CHF2.2 million) Invoice Financing Programme for India-based Apparel Manufacturer to Capture Revenue Opportunities

Quick Turnaround Factoring Facility to Safeguard the Manufacturer 

from Credit Risks Amid Pandemic-related Complications

 

United Kingdom – Global invoice financing marketplace Incomlend today announced a USD2.5 million (CHF2.2 million) invoice financing programme for a leading Indian apparel manufacturer. The initiative will bolster the manufacturer’s production and exportation capabilities, safeguarding its vital revenue streams with customers, including fashion retailers across Europe, the USA and the Asia Pacific.

Based in Singapore and with offices in Europe, India, and Southeast Asia, Incomlend connects small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with communities of investors, enabling them to buy and sell individual invoices online.

The working capital solution provided by Incomlend will enable the apparel manufacturer, which operates eight manufacturing plants, to safeguard its financial health and maintain manufacturing operations to capture new revenue opportunities. It will also allow the manufacturer to protect itself from credit risks and heightened volatility in the retail space, especially when many brick-and-mortar retail stores remain under threat due to the pandemic.

The move came when the manufacturer received a request from one of its key customers in Europe to lengthen the payment terms from 75 days to 120 days to ease cash flow against a challenging setting where the pandemic impacted several branches.

 

The apparel manufacturer will now be able to cash in an invoice as early as three days following the shipment of products. The retailer (importer) will have the option of paying for the shipment’s invoice value up to 120 days later.

 

Since it started operations in 2016, Incomlend has financed over USD500 million (CHF451 million) in trades across 50 countries worldwide. As companies continue to navigate the disrupted and volatile business environment, competitive and alternative working capital such as the Incomlend Invoice Financing Programme will play a crucial role in helping companies maintain their financial health and business continuity. The programme will also provide companies with the capital to capture new opportunities as economies recover.

 

According to research by Paris-based software company Sidetrade, more than 24% of invoices among European businesses remain unpaid ten or more days past their due date, representing an estimated CFH31 billion. Receiving cash for goods at an earlier time enables Incomlend users to maintain a healthy working capital to cover other aspects of their business, including the operational expenses.

 

Incomlend CEO and Co-founder Morgan Terigi commented:

“From supply chain disruptions to the ongoing closure of physical stores, the apparel industry continues to navigate the impact of COVID-19. Businesses in the sector face increased financial challenges, from limited cash flow to credit risks. With our extensive experience working with apparel manufacturers and fashion retailers, we understand the pain points that exporters and importers face in today’s pandemic climate. We offer our Invoice Financing Programme, a working capital solution to meet evolving business requirements and ultimately, a win-win situation for both exporter and importer.”

For more information on Incomlend, please visit https://www.incomlend.com/.

News

Five things you need to know before sending money abroad

Millions of Brits provide financial support to their families overseas, with an average of £7.7 billion being sent from people in the UK to support loved ones each year1.

With money transfer apps becoming the new norm, it is now easier than ever to send money to family and friends back home. People can make payments from the comfort of their homes or on-the-go without having to enter a physical store or bank.

However, as with any modern apps, there are a few things to bear in mind in terms of online security whilst sending or receiving money from abroad. The experts at global cross-border payments company WorldRemit have compiled some top tips for any first-time sender.

1. Secure your email address

Most companies require an email address to set up an account, therefore it’s important that you ensure that your email is protected with a strong password to prevent anyone from gaining access to not only your emails, but any apps you use via this address.

Strong passwords include a combination of lower and uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols, it’s also important to ensure that you don’t use the same password for multiple applications.

2. Avoid public wi-fi

Although it seems convenient to connect to a public wi-fi to make a quick money transfer, the open access can be a security threat, allowing unauthorised users to intercept your sensitive personal information or gain access to your device.

It is recommended to avoid logging into online banking or money transfer apps, or managing your mobile wallet using a public network.

Instead, either waiting until a secure wi-fi network is available, or using mobile data, is the safest way to use money transfer apps while you’re out and about.

3. Research the app you’re downloading

Before you download a money transfer mobile app, try to find more information about the company online. If there is little to no online presence, stay away from it. On social media, always look for the verified “blue tick” next to the business name. Last year, WorldRemit launched a Transfer Tracker App which allows recipients of money transfers to track their funds. The app is free to download through the Google app store in a number of countries including India and Nigeria.

4. Keep your operating system up to date

Whenever your smartphone’s operating system, internet browser or applications notify you that there are updates available, be sure to install them as soon as possible.

Many of these updates are fixing bugs or weaknesses in order to help you stay safe online.

5. Use a pricing comparison tool to get the best deal

The cost of sending money abroad takes numerous factors into account, for example, the exchange rate as well as any sending fees.

Be sure to use a pricing comparison tool to ensure you’re getting the best deal ahead of making the commitment and sending the funds.

A spokesperson from WorldRemit added: “Sending money overseas for the first time may seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually easier now than ever before.

“With WorldRemit, you can send in 70 currencies to more than 130 countries worldwide, in a safe and secure manner, and it can be done within minutes – it’s as easy as sending a text message.

“If it is your first time sending money to your loved ones overseas, we have customer service advisers available to help 24/7, to make your money transfer journey as seamless as possible.”

For more useful tips on staying safe when transferring money visit: https://www.worldremit.com/en/blog/tips-and-guides/money-transfer-app/

News

A flexible return to work for London businesses most likely

With government advice to work from home expected to relax next month, London businesses appear to be keen but cautious when it comes to getting employees back into the office, new research from Addison Lee has found.

 

In particular, concerns around the safety of employees appear to be driving a flexible approach for returning to the workplace for most businesses.

 

The research suggests that London businesses are keen to tap into the benefits that being back in the office could deliver, with 71% saying that bringing people back to the office will drive better collaboration. It also found that 59% of London businesses are looking forward to improvements in staff wellbeing, and 49% believe that a return to the workplace will improve company culture.

 

However, after over a year spent working from home, employee safety remains a point of anxiety for businesses. 71% are concerned about safe transportation for their employees to and from work.

 

These concerns are not unfounded. Addison Lee’s recent ‘ALmost There’ research revealed that over half (53%) of Londoners would be more comfortable going back to the workplace if they didn’t have to use public transport, and nearly two thirds (64%) would feel more comfortable going back to the workplace if they were able to travel in at flexible times to avoid rush hour.

 

And the concerns appear to be resulting in London businesses taking a dynamic approach to the return, with half (51%) expecting to bring their staff back into the workplace by June 30th. Promisingly for London’s economy, only a tenth (9%) of businesses surveyed anticipate waiting to bring staff back, on a more regular basis, until the final quarter of 2021.

 

In addition to this, the majority (71%) of London businesses are considering offering employees greater flexibility around travel times and working hours. While 73% also plan to help incentivise staff back into the workplace by offering a dynamic solution for working between the office and home.

 

Liam Griffin, CEO of Addison Lee said: “Many businesses are keen to get back into the workplace, to give employees the opportunity to see one another and enjoy working together again. But our research shows that safety remains employers’ number one concern when planning the return to the office.

 

Safety and hygiene have been at the core of our business during the pandemic. Our range of safety measures, implemented for both passengers and drivers, include safety screens across our entire fleet, face coverings for drivers and Electrostatic cleaning spray in our vehicles. As London gets back on its feet and back into the office, we can offer employers a flexible and safe transport solution.”