Monthly Archives: October 2023

Awards, Business, News

Chamber members recognised at national level

Two Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid members have been announced as national winners at the 2023 British Chamber of Commerce Chamber Business Awards.

Ponctyclun-based manufacturer Concrete Canvas, an innovative company at the forefront of sustainable construction solutions, won the Problem Solver category which recognises businesses that transform the market that they operate in.

The company manufactures four award-winning products – Concrete Canvas®, CCX™, CC Hydro™ and CC Shelters™ – which are exported around the world.

Law firm Browne Jacobson, another Chamber member, took the title in the Equality Trailblazer category for their work championing diversity and promoting inclusion in their workforce, with their customers and in their local community.

The two businesses, along with the other national winners, will be awarded their certificates at a special event at the London Stock Exchange on 16 November.

Paul Butterworth, CEO of Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, said: “Congratulations to our members Concrete Canvas and Browne Jacobson! To be recognised as the best in Wales and now the UK in their respective categories is an incredible achievement. Their innovative solutions and valuable contributions to diversity, inclusion, sustainability and economic success highlight the talent and calibre of the businesses we have here in Wales.”

Digital Transformation, Networks, Tech Thought Leadership

Boost Cloud Defence by Combining Application Delivery with Next-Gen WAF and Build Resilience for Hybrid Cloud Environments

Written by Anthony Webb, Vice President, A10 International, A10 Networks

In today’s modern business landscape, outside of any macro issues or economic uncertainty, there are two significant technology challenges that enterprises are grappling with. The first challenge is around the constantly evolving threat landscape, and the growing sophistication of cybercriminals and their techniques. This means the risk of an application attack and a data breach is an ever-present threat that enterprises must contend with.

The other key challenge is around the effectiveness and economics of cloud operating models. Without a doubt, over the last decade digital transformation has catapulted many businesses forward, many of whom can now claim to be ‘true’ digital businesses servicing their customers in new and exciting ways. However, in this new digital and hybrid cloud environment, enterprises are highly concerned about how they can best secure, optimise, and automate their infrastructure in the most effective and cost-efficient way.

Applications must be consistently available 

Today, organisations must guarantee their applications are consistently and securely accessible, no matter the location, to ensure the best end-user experience and productivity. This includes ensuring workloads are efficiently distributed across all servers, monitoring application health, and maintaining operational integrity around the clock. However, when you add in the need to protect against a rise in application attacks and an ever-increasing number of bad actors targeting the organisation, the scale of these challenges starts to become clearer. Likewise, complex deployments coupled with regular maintenance and often limited resources dedicated to cybersecurity are exacerbating the risk to organisations further.

In this environment, with cybercriminals constantly evolving their tactics to exploit vulnerabilities in systems, a layered defence strategy that provides comprehensive protection against a wide range of threats is essential. At the same time, a solution that also helps to deliver better business outcomes, enabling organisations to optimise the customer experience, and ensure business continuity, is highly desirable.

Combining ADC with next-gen web application firewall

Combining an application delivery controller (ADC) and a next-gen web application firewall (WAF) creates a robust security solution that supports the principles of a Zero Trust security framework. As organisations seek to establish a more efficient, effective, and secure cloud operating model, these two combined technologies enable a highly performant security solution at a strategic application ingress point that reduces false positives and automates security, empowering agility and effectiveness. The ADC efficiently sifts through the myriad of threats, while the next-gen WAF efficiently provides defence against more sophisticated web attacks.

How does this layered defence approach work

To explain in a bit more detail how this layered defence works, let’s start with the ADC. ADCs can provide load balancing and transport layer security (TLS) offloading, which can help reduce the attack surface by minimising the number of entry points into the system. This mitigates the impact of volume-based attacks, such as DDoS or brute-force attacks. On the other hand, next-gen WAFs can provide deep packet inspection and advanced threat detection capabilities, enabling them to identify and block attacks such as account takeover (ATO), known CVEs, injections, cross-site scripting (XSS), and other OWASP Top 10 attacks.

Earlier in the year, we partnered with Fastly to offer its next-gen WAF with our Thunder® ADCs to provide our customers with a premier next-generation web application firewall solution running on high-performance hardware and virtual platforms for businesses operating in a highly competitive market. This enables organisations to protect their apps against advanced threats with greater accuracy while gaining superior application availability and accelerating content delivery.

Digital transformation initiatives will continue to evolve

Unfortunately, digital transformation is not a one and done initiative. Moving forward, enterprises will continue to evolve their environments as new technologies inevitably emerge. Likewise, the cyber threat landscape will undoubtedly continue to expand, very likely at the same pace as we’re seeing currently—if not faster. Organisations must, therefore, stay vigilant, never compromise and make sure that they have a layered defence approach to protect their business.

AV, AV tech, News, Tech, Technology

Panasonic Connect Intros Two New IP Systems To Support Live Production Transition

New 4K/IP Camera Control Unit to Offer Robust IP Connectivity and new KAIROS addition for increased redundancy

Panasonic Connect Europe today announced a new camera control unit (CCU) to support a wide range of IP migration paths for the company’s existing 4K studio camera systems. As the live-production industry migrates to IP-based systems, this new AK-UCU700 series offers 4K and HDR operation, flexible IP migration of existing operation systems, seamless migration from conventional CCU-based baseband systems, and a 3.5” LCD touch panel for easy operation.

The AK-UCU700 supports the new SMPTE ST 2110 IP-transmission standard as well as JPEG-XS to compress 4K video by a factor of 10 without degrading quality. It’s also the industry’s first studio camera system to support the Dante network audio standard as well as the NDI® (High Bandwidth NDI®) and SRT (Secure Reliable Transport) IP transmission standards.

Expanded KAIROS

In addition, Panasonic Connect Europe today also announced the Kairos Core 2000 (Main Frame) new series, AT-KC2000S1, one of the KAIROS IT/IP platforms for professional live-video production and distribution. The AT-KC2000S1 can support a flexible number of inputs and outputs to suit customers’ video production, alongside ST 2022-7 redundancy for broadcasting and event distribution using a network. This series is ideal for customers broadcasting or live streaming events and sports using a network, and supports unlimited and more stable video production.

The AT-KC2000S1 is a mainframe equipped with the same functions as the second-generation Kairos Core 2000 (AT-KC2000) announced in August of this year and can be used without halving the number of inputs and outputs when operating with redundancy.

AT-KC2000 AT-KC2000S1
During normal operation 4K 16 inputs x 10 outputs* 16 inputs x 10 outputs*
HD 64 inputs x 40 outputs* 64 inputs x 40 outputs*
When redundancy is secured 4K 8 inputs x 5 outputs* 16 inputs x 10 outputs*
HD 32 inputs x 20 outputs* 64 inputs x 40 outputs*

* All input/output are from “KAIROS version V1.6” or later. “KAIROS version 1.6” is scheduled to be available from the fourth quarter of FY2023.

“Demand for hybrid video production is growing and viewing habits are rapidly diversifying,” explained Andre Meterian, Director of Professional Video Systems for Panasonic Connect Europe. “It’s driving a need for the industry to support various resolutions and aspect ratios as well as simultaneous distribution to multiple media. These two latest IP-based systems help organisations transition to the new production reality and Panasonic Connect Europe is leading this charge.”

The AK-UCU700 series is scheduled for release in the first quarter of CY2024. The KAIROS AT-KC2000S1 will be available from December 2023.

Appointments, Apprenticeships, L & D, News

The OCM appoints Tasmin Raynor as new Apprenticeship Director to expand business.

Leading professional coaching and mentoring firm, The OCM, is boosting its business with the appointment of Tasmin Raynor as its Director of Apprenticeships.

With over two decades of experience in further and higher education, Tasmin is exceptionally well-suited to lead The OCM’s apprenticeship programmes during this pivotal time of growth for the organisation.

Tasmin Raynor’s impressive career in further and higher education has seen her make significant contributions to work-based learning and vocational education and training. She has been a passionate advocate for apprenticeships since their inception and has extensive expertise in apprenticeships, academic quality, and partnership development. Her success in developing and implementing strategies to establish and embed degree apprenticeships at prestigious institutions such as the University of Salford and De Montfort University are just some of her achievements.

In her new role, Tasmin Raynor will lead The OCM’s Apprenticeship business, focusing on growth and development opportunities.

Commenting on her appointment, Tasmin stated, “I am both delighted and honoured to be joining The OCM, as the company has a reputation for world-class coaching and mentoring and their values and ethos resonates completely with my own. I am excited to take on the leadership of OCM Apprenticeship business at an important time, as we work to define – and then deliver – our significant ambitions.”

“I will bring my experience, drive, and energy to the role and build on The OCM’s excellent reputation. I look forward to continuing the momentum built up and developing and sustaining strong relationships and delivering The OCM’s high-quality coaching and mentoring programmes. The OCM is well positioned to make an increasing impact from an already sound base in line with its ambition, and I am thrilled to be part of the growth journey.”

Ed Parsloe, CEO, The OCM, said, “We are pleased welcome Tasmin Raynor to The OCM family as our new Director of Apprenticeships – she will be an asset to our clients and the business. Her wealth of experience and deep commitment to education and apprenticeships perfectly align with our vision and mission. Under her leadership, we are confident of expanding our apprenticeships and reaching new levels of excellence.”

Currently, The OCM offers the Level 5 Coaching Professional Apprenticeship and The Learning & Skills Mentor Level 4 Apprenticeship – both digitally-led blended learning programmes supported by a team of highly trained coaches and supervisors.

The Level 5 Coaching Professional Apprenticeship programme is designed to develop impactful and agile coaches who can effectively support employees, provide the desired impact for organisations, and create a fantastic learning experience for apprentices. One of the unique benefits is the additional European Coaching and Mentoring (EMCC) accreditation offered through the programme. The programme is available in two routes – a full 14-month programme and a fast-track 12-month programme for candidates with prior coaching and mentoring experience.

The Learning & Skills Mentor Level 4 Apprenticeship will benefit any individual looking to develop their abilities as a mentor, team leader, coach, supervisor or manager. They must have a strong aspiration to support learners, along with a commitment to making the time to do so. They may have some pre-existing experience of informal mentoring, that can be built upon throughout the programme.

The apprenticeships are delivered through virtual modules, live facilitated webinars, 1-1 coaching with professional Coach-Mentor Supervisors, coaching practice, case studies, presentations, Action Learning Sets, e-Learning, and self-assessments.

For more information on The OCM visit: www.theocm.co.uk/

Business, Marketing & PR, News

Misan Harriman tells new ‘Status Update’ podcast of his daily battle with self-doubt

World-renowned photographer, storyteller and cultural commentator says a huge part of his success is in finding a way to handle “fear of failure.”

Photographer, entrepreneur and social activist Misan Harriman, regularly described as one of the most widely shared photographers of the age and whose pictures have graced the front cover of Vogue and hang in the National Portrait Gallery, has revealed that a big part of his daily routine is his battle with self-doubt.

The award-winning creator is a guest on ‘Status Update’ – the new podcast from influencer marketing agency, Disrupt – which is due to be launched on 27th October and features some of the world’s best-known creatives.

The podcast, hosted by former Made in Chelsea star Stevie Johnson and co-host, ‘voice of Gen Z’ Jake Crabb, will be available on Apple and Spotify. It has been designed for listeners with an interest in the future of social and digital content.

The first episodes include discussions with stand-up comedian and TikTok phenomenon Rob Mayhew; author, entrepreneur and creative sociologist Amy Kean; speaker, writer and activist Jamie Klingler; and entrepreneur, mental health advocate and co-founder and COO of Social Chain Dom McGregor.

On the second episode of the podcast, Harriman describes himself as a “storyteller, truth-seeker and custodian of the human condition.”

A self-taught photographer who learned his art from watching YouTube videos, Harriman tells Status Update: “The truth is, I wouldn’t have shown up if it was a photography school. I would have been too scared to, because I failed every flipping exam I ever took. The idea of a professor telling me about photography history and this is how to hold a camera… I just would not have lasted.”

Harriman’s images of the Black Lives Matter movement have inspired many around the world. He was the first black person in the 104-year history of British Vogue to shoot the cover of an issue. In June 2022, Harriman photographed Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor, the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and granddaughter of King Charles III.

Harriman’s portrait of Marcus Rashford is now exhibited in the National Portrait Gallery in London and he’s captured Angelia Jolie, Jay-Z, Tom Cruise, Julia Roberts, Giorgio Armani, Rhianna, Cate Blanchett and Olivia Colman among others.

Harriman says: “Finding the space where you can thrive without fear of judgement is the difference between the thousands, if not millions of people on this planet, doing things they are not supposed to do. What if the next Beyonce, or Jay-Z, or LeBron James, or Messi, didn’t have that place where they felt safe to chase their dreams.”

He tells the podcast: “Vulnerability is hugely important to me. A huge part of my success is to find a way to handle my fear of failure. A big part of my journey is daily self-love and the battle with self-doubt.”

Stevie Johnson, co-host and managing director of Disrupt, said: “Misan Harriman has inspired millions of people around the world, and we are delighted to have heard his captivating story first hand.

“Status Update is the social media and creator podcast for those of us who find good content utterly inspiring and who want to hear from the people behind it, like Misan.

“We hear from all sorts of inspirational social creators, activists, authors, poets and comedians and we have many more to come in the weeks ahead. Come and join us on Status Update  because, as you’ll hear, the future is undeniably creator-led.”

The first episode features Rob Mayhew, Creative Director at digital innovations agency, Gravity Road, who is often aptly described as ‘The King of Agency Comedy.’

A stand-up comedian, Mayhew has attracted more than 5.3 million likes and 150,000 followers on Tik Tok for his award winning short sketches – and bright jumpers – which shine a light-hearted spotlight on creative agency life.

Co-host Jake Crabb, Disrupt’s marketing manager, says: “These stories sum up neatly exactly why we’re launching Status Update. It’s about inspiring creators with the phenomenal stories of inspiring creators. By joining us on the journey, we hope to create a whole new generation of social media and digital creators.”

The first episode of Status Update will be released on October 25th followed by the official launch party two days later in London. Misan Harriman features in the second episode, released on November 1st.

 

Image caption: Status Update hosts Jake Crabb (L), Misan Harriman (middle) and Stevie Johnson (right)

Food and Drink

Discovering the Best Beer Kit From The Top Supplier: Home Brew Shop UK

In the captivating realm of beer-making, nothing compares to the thrill of brewing a mug of frothy ale. Whether an individual is an amateur enthusiast eager to delve into the magic of home brewing or an experienced brewer aiming to refine their toolkit, the quintessential question emerges: which is the best beer kit from the top supplier?

Introducing Beginners to the Art: Starter Home Brewing Kit

Delving into the myriad options of starter kits can be formidable. For those embarking on their brewing journey, the plethora of choices might appear bewildering. Starter kits have risen to this challenge, ensuring all the essentials are in place for that initial batch.

Beer Kits: Foundation Stones of Home Brewing

Beer kits capture the soul of specific beers, offering a simplified approach by packaging vital ingredients. Depending on the brew’s character, a beer kit might encompass malt extract, hop pellets, priming sugar, and yeast. The hallmark of these kits? Predictability and precision, making them an ideal fit for novices.

Essential Tools & Equipment: Home Brewing Kits

Home brewing kits come equipped with all the gear required for the brewing adventure. Northern Brewer, a renowned name in the home brewing landscape, promises excellence with every instrument.

However, it’s essential to recognize that not all kits are identical. Some might feature a five-gallon bucket, while others might favor a glass carboy for primary fermentation. Often, the choice between plastic buckets and glass carboys is a matter of individual taste.

Tailoring the Perfect Brew Beer: Recipe Kit

A niche within beer kits, recipe kits are tailored for distinct brews – from pale ales to brown ales or even exotic craft beer blends. Accompanied by detailed instructions and all the requisite ingredients, it’s akin to having an expert brewmaster overseeing the brewing process, guiding towards that perfect pint.

Showcasing the Northern Brewer Brew Share Enjoy Kit

The “Brew Share Enjoy Kit” from Northern Brewer is the talk of the town in the home brewing circles. This kit symbolizes the trend of crafting superior brews at home, boasting both equipment and recipe kits. It caters to both beginners and aficionados.

The Home Brew Shop UK: The Pinnacle of Quality

The homebrewshop.co.uk emerges as the UK’s leading supplier. Their diverse collection, encompassing beer brewing kits and wine kits, underscores their dedication to the home brewing fraternity. Their meticulously crafted beer kits guarantee that each brew day culminates in a delightful glass of quality beer.

Their expansive inventory ranges from essential fermenting buckets to the vital bottle brush, meeting all brewing requisites. Their kits, especially the beginner-centric ones, have garnered admiration for their straightforwardness and thoroughness.

Optimizing the Brew Day Experience

Crafting an exceptional beer goes beyond mere instruction-following. It’s a fine art. Each stage, from steeping grains to maintaining apt fermentation temperatures, shapes the resulting beer. But with a superior kit, this intricate procedure evolves into a pleasurable, rewarding hobby.

Contrary to popular belief, home-brewed beer can indeed rival, if not surpass, commercial brews. Especially with the top-tier kits from esteemed suppliers like The Home Brew Shop UK, home brewers are now crafting beers that challenge the norms.

The bottom line? With an elite kit, a dash of zeal, and a sprinkle of patience, brewing beer transitions from an intricate task to a joyful pastime. For those yearning to fully immerse in this rewarding hobby, selecting the best beer kit from a premier supplier is paramount.

Enhancing Your Brewing Prowess: The Art & Science Behind Every Kit

As this deep dive into brewing unfolds, it’s crucial to discern the elements elevating a decent brew to a stellar one. Amidst a sea of beer kits, what sets the elite apart? The devil is in the details.

From Grain to Glass: Ingredient Insights

  • Malt Extract: The crux of numerous beer kits. Depending on the chosen kit, one may encounter both liquid and dry malt extracts, derived from malted barley. A premium malt extract ensures the beer’s richness.
  • Hop Pellets: These impart beer’s signature bitterness and scent. Most kits come with hop pellets – condensed hop flowers. Different brews lean on diverse hop varieties, infusing them with unique flavors and fragrances.
  • Yeast: The unsung hero, yeast metamorphoses malt sugars into alcohol. The yeast variety in a kit can significantly shape the beer’s final flavor and texture.

The Brewing Journey: Beyond Mere Combining

While brewing may appear simple, minute details in the procedure, from the boiling water temperature to fermentation duration, can profoundly impact the final brew.

Cold Water vs. Hot Water

Most brewing journeys commence with boiling water for malt and hop steeping. But it’s vital to swiftly cool this concoction before introducing the yeast. Yeast thrives in cold water, ensuring successful fermentation.

Twin Fermentation Phases

Majority of kits recommend a dual fermentation. The inaugural batch undergoes primary fermentation, either in a fermenting bucket or a glass carboy. This is succeeded by secondary fermentation, refining and aging the beer, and amplifying its flavors.

Unveiling the Premier Home Brewing Experience with The Home Brew Shop UK

For those diving into the effervescent world of home brewing, The Home Brew Shop UK emerges as the beacon of superior offerings. This esteemed supplier presents a diverse range of kits, guaranteeing unmatched brewing experiences for both novices and seasoned aficionados.

For the Budding Brewer

Embarking on the brewing journey can be filled with uncertainties, but The Home Brew Shop UK’s starter kits sweep aside all apprehensions. These kits, replete with all the essentials, are meticulously crafted to ensure that a brewer’s initial batch radiates success.

For the Advanced Enthusiast

Beyond the basics, The Home Brew Shop UK showcases a collection of sophisticated kits. Delving into diverse brewing styles – from the full-bodied brown ales to the refreshing pale ales, they serve as a canvas for brewers to push their boundaries.

Craft Beer Kits Take Centre Stage

For those with discerning tastes, the craft beer kits stand as an epitome of perfection. These kits capture the spirit of iconic brews, allowing enthusiasts to craft their favorite beverages in the comfort of their sanctuary.

Spotlight on Northern Brewer

Among the pantheon of brewing marvels, Northern Brewer’s Brew Share Enjoy Kit deserves a special accolade. A testament to the essence of home brewing, this kit is not just a mere assembly of tools and ingredients. It is an invitation to embrace the rich tapestry of beer-making, where quality components meet insightful guidance.

Home brewing transcends being a mere activity – it is a soulful journey. With the optimal kit in hand, it transforms into an odyssey filled with exploration, elation, and the joy of crafting exquisite beer.

Immersing in the Craftsmanship of Home Brewing

At the heart of home brewing lies a harmonious blend of age-old traditions, artistic expression, and contemporary techniques. In this ever-evolving milieu, dedicated brewers constantly quest for the pinnacle of perfection. The plethora of options at their disposal underlines the importance of discerning the jewels from the ordinary.

Savouring the Symphony of Flavours with Recipe Kits

Beer’s rich repertoire has witnessed an exponential expansion. Ranging from timeless lagers and stouts to avant-garde blends, the spectrum is astonishingly vast. Recipe kits emerge as the guiding star for the aspiring brewers in this expansive universe. These kits, precision-engineered with handpicked ingredients, ensure that every desired flavor profile, be it the zesty punch of a pale ale or the profound resonance of a brown ale, is within reach.

Decoding the Brewing Apparatus

Glass Carboys vs. Plastic Buckets: A long-standing debate in the brewing world centers around the choice between glass carboys and plastic buckets. While glass carboys win accolades for transparency, offering a clear view of the fermentation process, plastic buckets often gain favor for their robustness and hassle-free maintenance.

Bottling Excellence: As one transitions to the culmination of the brewing journey, instruments like bottling buckets and bottle cappers become pivotal. Bottling buckets simplify the beer’s voyage into beer bottles, and cappers ensure each bottle’s pristine seal, capturing the beer’s essence.

Brewing’s Ethereal Essence

Beyond the tangible tools and techniques, brewing’s true essence is anchored in unwavering patience, fiery passion, and relentless pursuit of perfection. Whether one commences with a simple brewing kit or embraces advanced apparatus, the real enchantment blossoms when the brewer’s expertise synergizes with top-tier ingredients.

The Home Brew Shop UK: A Beacon of Excellence in the Brewing Realm

In the vibrant brewing landscape of the UK, The Home Brew Shop UK has risen as an indispensable ally for countless brewing enthusiasts. It isn’t merely the expansive inventory that distinguishes them but their unwavering fervour for the brewing art.

An All-Encompassing Brew Journey

The Home Brew Shop UK’s catalogue is a harmonious blend of time-honoured practices and cutting-edge innovations. From comprehensive starter kits tailored for neophytes to specialised recipe kits for the adept, they are committed to fulfilling every brewing aspiration.

More Than Just a Store – A Learning Hub

A hallmark of The Home Brew Shop UK’s ethos is their dedication to community upliftment. Beyond being a premier supplier, they shine as educators, frequently disseminating invaluable brewing insights, techniques, and tips.

Brewing: An Odyssey of Lifelong Learning

To term brewing merely as a hobby would be an understatement. It is, in essence, a journey of perpetual discovery and delight. As the home brewing culture flourishes, it’s heartening to witness torchbearers like The Home Brew Shop UK charting the path for future brew maestros.

Demystifying Beer Kit Selection:

In the vast universe of brewing, zeroing in on the perfect beer kit can be a daunting quest. Be it novices taking their initial steps or seasoned brewers broadening their horizons, there’s an impeccably tailored kit awaiting each.

  • Starting Right: The beginner’s delight, starter kits are meticulously engineered to ensure a smooth initiation. Encompassing everything from malt extracts to concise instructions, they set the stage for a memorable first brew.
  • For the Adventurous Palate: As one’s brewing prowess advances, the allure of specialty beers beckons. Whether it’s the allure of a hearty pale ale or the depth of a brown ale, there’s a specialty kit ready to meet the call.

Brewing Unveiled:

At first glance, brewing may seem intricate, but it’s truly a sequence of coherent phases:

  1. From Grain to Gold: Beginning with the steeping of grains, this stage extracts the pivotal sugars for fermentation.
  2. Wort’s Elixir: The extracted liquid, termed ‘wort’, is boiled, with hop pellets introduced to impart distinct bitterness and fragrance.
  3. Magic in Fermentation: Upon cooling, the wort moves to a fermenting vessel, and yeast comes into play, marking the beer’s birth.
  4. Enhanced Fermentation: An optional phase, secondary fermentation, accentuates nuances in flavours and transparency.
  5. The Final Pour: The culmination sees the beer being bottled, carbonated, and sealed for optimal enjoyment.

A brewing mantra to swear by? Cleanliness. Employing a no-rinse sanitizer can be pivotal, warding off undesirable flavours.

Crafting Masterpieces with The Home Brew Shop UK:

Venturing into home brewing becomes a breeze with stalwarts like The Home Brew Shop UK lighting the path. Their exhaustive collection, coupled with an earnest passion for brewing excellence, serves as an invaluable resource for brewers of all calibers.

  • Spotlight on the Northern Brewer Kit: Among the treasure trove of offerings, the Northern Brewer Brew Share Enjoy Kit shines brilliantly. It encapsulates the zenith of craft beer crafting, promising brews that rival artisanal excellence.
  • A Quality-driven Ethos: Every offering from The Home Brew Shop UK, be it a basic kit or an elaborate setup, underscores their commitment to quality. Each brew, hence, is a stride towards unparalleled perfection.

Brewing: A Journey of Empowerment:

Brewing stands as a testament to individual empowerment, a canvas to innovate, relish, and celebrate one’s endeavours. With luminaries like The Home Brew Shop UK forging ahead, brewers are equipped with unparalleled tools, knowledge, and zest.

Navigating the Kit Spectrum:

Selecting the perfect beer kit is akin to curating a personal journey. With evolving brewing finesse, the horizon of possibilities broadens. From dark ales to IPAs, The Home Brew Shop UK ensures a kit for every brewer’s aspiration.

Equipment Mastery for the Perfect Brew:

A beer kit’s brilliance shines brightest with impeccable equipment. While starters often receive the basic essentials, delving deeper reveals the transformative power of quality apparatus.

  • The Carboy Conundrum: Plastic buckets offer simplistic charm, but glass carboys elevate the experience with enhanced clarity and flavour preservation. The Home Brew Shop UK’s inventory ensures every brewer finds their fit.
  • Bottling Brilliance: Precision in bottling is paramount to capturing the beer’s soul. The Home Brew Shop UK stands ready with an arsenal of bottling essentials, ensuring every brewer’s vision is flawlessly bottled.

The Home Brew Shop UK Introduces Advanced Brewing Kits for Enthusiasts

With the growth of home brewing expertise, The Home Brew Shop UK understands the allure of advanced homebrew kits that offer intricate flavour profiles and heightened brewing experiences. Their range kit includes recipe kits that mirror professional breweries with carefully pre-measured ingredients and detailed guidelines.

One of the standout features of The Home Brew Shop UK lies in its matchless passion coupled with superior product quality. Their commitment stretches from providing the simplest beer kit to advanced brewing systems, making them an indispensable asset in a brewer’s journey. Additionally, their unwavering dedication to customer service ensures that queries, ranging from malt extract subtleties to brewing process details, are handled with unmatched expertise.

The wave of craft beer has globally captured the attention of beer aficionados. Recognising this trend, The Home Brew Shop UK offers a vast collection of craft beer kits, enabling enthusiasts to recreate their favourite craft brews or even establish their unique signature flavours.

Beyond the classic lagers and ales, The Home Brew Shop UK opens the doors to the world of speciality brews. Their kits encompass everything from the malty sweetness of brown ales to other nuanced beverages. Their brown ale kits, for example, guarantee a brew day resulting in a glass brimming with rich, delightful flavours.

Understanding that the essence of beer largely depends on the quality of its ingredients, The Home Brew Shop UK prioritises high-grade components in their kits. Every ingredient, whether it’s the malt extract, hop pellets, or yeast, plays a decisive role in the final beer’s taste, aroma, and texture. Their mantra seems clear: Quality trumps quantity, and their kits reflect this commitment, ensuring beers that stand out in taste and character.

The realm of home brewing has witnessed significant evolution, with modern-day kits promising clarity and an enhanced brewing experience. Catering to all, from novices to seasoned brewers, The Home Brew Shop UK offers a spectrum of options that satisfy every brewing ambition.

Brewing might initially seem complex, but The Home Brew Shop UK is dedicated to simplifying the process. From understanding the pivotal role of ingredients like malt extract, hops, and yeast to the nuances of boiling and fermentation, they provide guidance every step of the way. Furthermore, they emphasize the importance of sanitation during bottling and carbonation, ensuring that every pint brewed is perfect.

In the expansive world of home brewing, where every kit unboxed presents a new adventure, having a dependable ally like The Home Brew Shop UK can indeed make the journey exhilarating and rewarding.

The Home Brew Shop UK Guides Enthusiasts to Their Ideal Brewing Kit

The Home Brew Shop UK recognises that every brewing adventure is as unique as the individual embarking on it. Understanding that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to brewing, they offer a range of kits tailored to cater to each brewer’s journey.

For novices just venturing into the world of home brewing, The Home Brew Shop UK suggests starting with their beginner brew kits. Comprehensive and user-friendly, these kits encompass everything from fermenting buckets to bottle cappers, accompanied by in-depth guidelines. This ensures that even a newcomer’s maiden brew can stand shoulder to shoulder with those of seasoned brewers.

More seasoned brewing aficionados might find the allure of advanced kits hard to resist. Tailored to meet the evolving needs of experienced brewers, these kits pave the way for experimenting with nuanced techniques, ranging from grain steeping to exploring varied hop profiles and even venturing into secondary fermentation.

Moreover, with craft beer’s ever-growing popularity, The Home Brew Shop UK has seized the moment. They offer a curated selection of craft beer kits, enabling beer lovers to emulate their cherished craft brews or even pioneer their own unique blends at home.

Incorporating Essential Brewing Wisdom

The Home Brew Shop UK believes that while equipment and ingredients are vital, knowledge and best practices truly set a brew apart. Their key brewing insights include:

  • Prioritising Sanitisation: A clean brew is a successful brew. The company stresses the importance of meticulously sanitising every piece of equipment.
  • Valuing Patience: Giving beer its rightful time to ferment and carbonate can transform its quality.
  • Monitoring Temperature: Ensuring optimal temperature during fermentation and storage can be pivotal to achieving the desired beer flavour and character.

Exploring the World of Diverse Beer Styles

Understanding that a brewer’s quest often lies in discovering diverse beer styles, The Home Brew Shop UK offers insights into the myriad of options:

  1. Dive into Pale Ales: From the quintessential English Pale Ale to the hop-dominant American variant, pale ales offer a spectrum of flavours and aromas. The Home Brew Shop UK showcases an array of pale ale kits, opening a world of possibilities.
  2. Unravel the Brown Ale Mystery: Bridging the gap between light pale ales and robust stouts, brown ales tantalise with their malty, caramel-infused profiles. With roots in England, the style has now been embraced and adapted globally.
  3. Join the Craft Beer Movement: Craft beers, synonymous with innovation and superior quality, have globally resonated with beer enthusiasts. The Home Brew Shop UK’s craft beer kits provide the tools and ingredients for recreating some of these distinctive styles, from fruit-infused IPAs to rich barrel-aged sours.

In the vast realm of home brewing, The Home Brew Shop UK emerges as a guiding star, ensuring every brewer, novice or seasoned, finds their perfect pint.

The Home Brew Shop UK Champions Cost-Efficient and Sustainable Brewing Solutions

In today’s brewing landscape, The Home Brew Shop UK knows that home brewing extends beyond crafting that impeccable pint—it’s also a marriage of passion, sustainability, and economic sensibility.

While the upfront costs of a high-quality starter kit might give pause to budding brewers, The Home Brew Shop UK underscores the long-term savings inherent in home brewing. When pitted against the per bottle price of off-the-shelf beers, especially artisanal crafts, the economics of home brewing becomes hard to contest. This positions brewing at home as not just an engaging pastime, but also a wallet-friendly one.

In an era of increasing environmental mindfulness, The Home Brew Shop UK highlights another compelling facet of home brewing: its sustainable nature. From recycling beer bottles to diminishing the carbon footprint tied to commercial beer transport, choosing to brew at home resonates with eco-aware enthusiasts.

Elevating the Brewing Experience with Premier Add-Ons

As brewers evolve in their craft, their thirst for innovation and perfection intensifies. The Home Brew Shop UK, staying attuned to this progressive journey, offers solutions:

  1. Advanced Tools: Seasoned brewers understand that transcending basic brewing may call for enhanced equipment. Be it the clarity a glass carboy provides during fermentation or the efficiency a racking cane offers for transfers, the right tools can redefine the brewing odyssey.
  2. Ingredient Exploration: There’s a universe of flavours that novel ingredients can usher in. Whether the allure lies in rare hops, bespoke malts, or even eclectic additives like fruits and spices, The Home Brew Shop UK hosts a vast assortment. This ensures that brewers can bring even their most daring beer visions to life.

A Toast to the Spirit of Home Brewing

Embarking on the home brewing voyage—be it as a leisure pursuit or a fervent passion—ushers in boundless innovation, surprises, and naturally, exquisite beers. Coupled with superior kits and resources from stalwarts like The Home Brew Shop UK, each brewing day transforms into an event.

Home brewing, in essence, is an expedition of exploration, innovation, and unparalleled satisfaction. And with every freshly brewed batch, the euphoria of sculpting something from the ground up is incomparable. The journey, made even more memorable with the unwavering guidance, expertise, and provisions from The Home Brew Shop UK, ensures that brewers relish every moment.

FAQs

1. What is the best starter brewing kit?
For beginners, the best starter brewing kit is one that offers simplicity, comprehensive instructions, and all the essentials needed to brew. The Home Brew Shop UK provides a variety of beginner-friendly kits tailored to ensure a successful first brew.

2. Are beer kits worth it?
Absolutely! Beer kits offer convenience, consistency, and a cost-effective way to produce high-quality beer at home. They eliminate guesswork, making the brewing process more accessible, especially for newcomers.

3. Can you make good beer from a kit?
Yes, with the right kit and following the instructions diligently, you can produce beer that rivals commercial brews in taste and quality. The key lies in selecting quality kits from reputable suppliers and maintaining sanitation throughout the brewing process.

Cryptocurrency, News

Cryptocurrency’s Disruption: How Digital Coins are Revolutionising Traditional Banking

The last few years have seen a revolution in the way people think about digital currencies. Cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, have become increasingly popular and are now being used as a form of investment and payment method across the globe.

Cryptocurrency payment solutions have made it possible to conduct financial transactions without any government or regulatory oversight (although such oversight has been gaining in development in recent times, as shown by milestones like the entering into law of the European Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation, or MiCA).

It might seem like a relatively simple change on the surface, but it is one that has revolutionised the ways the world thinks about and engages with traditional banking.

Below, we take a closer look at the impact of cryptocurrency’s disruption of the traditional banking system, and attempt to answer the question of what the future may look like.

What Is Cryptocurrency?

Before we dive in, let’s define exactly what cryptocurrency is. A cryptocurrency is a digital form of currency that uses cryptography to secure and verify financial transactions.

Unlike traditional currencies issued by governments (such as the US dollar, GBP, or Euro), cryptocurrencies are decentralised. This means they exist on distributed ledger technology (DLT), which records all transactions and keeps them secure.

Cryptocurrencies have been designed to be immune to tampering and counterfeiting, and they offer users complete control over their assets.

Cryptocurrencies Are Disrupting Traditional Banking

Cryptocurrency’s disruption of the traditional banking system is evident in several ways, and some of these include:

  • Lower Transaction Costs

Cryptocurrency is a much more economical way of transferring funds, as payments and transactions are typically faster and less expensive than those conducted through traditional banks, which often include hidden fees. This means that those who use cryptocurrencies can save money on transactions, especially when dealing with large sums of money.

This can be particularly useful for investors, who are constantly checking for affordable rates and lower costs to allow them to maximise the return on their investment. And sure enough, crypto investments are another area that has seen huge growth in recent years.

  • Increased Security And Privacy

Cryptocurrency transactions also offer users enhanced security and privacy. As all transactions are recorded on a distributed ledger, they are much more difficult to tamper with or counterfeit. Furthermore, digital coins allow users to remain anonymous while making transactions, thus protecting their financial information from potential hackers.

  • Faster Transfers

Another major advantage is speed; cryptocurrency transactions can take as little as minutes to complete, and this is a huge bonus compared to the days that can be involved when using traditional banking methods. This speed makes it much easier to send and receive money, and it eliminates the need for long wait times associated with transfers.

The Future of Cryptocurrency: How It Will Impact Banking

It is clear that cryptocurrency has already disrupted traditional banking systems in a number of ways. However, as digital coins continue to gain traction, we can expect even more changes to take place in the future.

The most notable impact that cryptocurrency is likely to have on banking in the future is the decentralisation of financial services. By utilising blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies can provide users with access to financial services without the need to rely on banks or other institutions. This, in turn, has the potential to lead to more accessible banking options for those who do not currently have access to traditional banking systems.

In addition, crypto may also lead to an increase in financial transparency. As all transactions are recorded on a public ledger, it would be much easier for governments to track and monitor money flows. This could help reduce corruption and money laundering, as well as improve the overall efficiency of global banking systems, ultimately improving security for everyone.

What Are The Risks?

As with any new and potentially disruptive technology, there are certain risks associated with cryptocurrency. Digital coins are highly volatile and susceptible to market fluctuations; as we have seen in recent market trends, values can fall dramatically, as rapidly as they climb. This can risk significant losses if not managed correctly.

Additionally, cryptocurrencies are still largely unregulated, and there is no governing body or official authority. This means that users must take extra caution when dealing with digital coins, as they do not have the same level of protection as traditional banking systems.

The Rise of Cryptocurrency: What This Means for the Future

As cryptocurrency continues to gain traction, it is clear that it is here to stay. The increased security, privacy, and speed offered by digital coins are clearly attractive features for users. It all adds up to strong potential to revolutionise the ways in which we manage our finances in the future.

From a technological perspective, cryptocurrencies have already disrupted traditional banking systems, and they are likely to continue doing so in the future.

With new changes and developments arising every single day, maintaining an ongoing understanding of the impact of crypto is crucial to success, and could help you manage and make the most of your money in a manner most beneficial to your banking needs and circumstances.

Employee Benefits, News, Recruitment

Skills shortages and limited hiring budgets are top recruitment challenges for UK companies

Majority of British workers are unhappy with benefits packages.

A new survey revealed that 86% of organisations in the UK have found hiring ‘quite’ or ‘very’ competitive in 2023. 46% have lost out on hiring new talent in the last six months as they ‘can’t compete on salary and benefits’, and 40% expect ‘lack of skilled candidates available’ to be their greatest 2024 recruitment challenge.

Despite this, the research, conducted by global talent services company Morgan McKinley as part of its 2024 Salary Guide, found that over half (52%) of UK businesses still plan to hire in the next six months.

As for professionals, 51% in the UK plan to actively look for new jobs in the next six months. The survey also revealed that British workers were not happy with the benefits they received: 59% being ‘neutral’, ‘dissatisfied’ or ‘highly dissatisfied’ with their packages. The top five desired benefits British workers look for in a job are: Work from home, bonus, pension, health insurance, and flexible working hours.

‘Higher salary’ remains the most valued reason for wanting to move jobs at 42%, followed by ‘meaningful and impactful work’ at 13%. 49% of professionals in the UK are optimistic that they will receive a salary increase in 2024 and 70% of employers plan to increase salary offers in 2024 for certain in-demand roles.

Contracting appears to be more attractive for many, as 48% of professionals currently employed in permanent roles would consider making the switch to contracting, with the main reasons given being ‘better rates of pay’, ‘greater opportunities to develop skills’, and ‘more flexibility’.

 

David Leithead, Chief Operations Officer of Morgan McKinley UK, commented: “The underlying economic gloom caused many employers to slow recruitment; the frenzy to secure new hires has been replaced by companies taking time and care to ensure the best hiring decisions are made. Despite this, the pressure to find new talent has remained, as companies look to drive ahead with change agendas, satisfy new regulatory and legal regimes, maximise commercial opportunities, and respond to turnover.”

“Many employers offered inflated salaries to secure talent throughout 2021 and 2022, so it’s unsurprising that salary offers have largely normalised with fewer opportunities available.”

 

Leithead concluded: “No matter the macro climate, it remains true always that the right talent – that can drive progress and improvement – will remain in demand and companies will pay well to secure them. With the shortage of skilled professionals available, take steps to keep your people engaged, supported and happy; offering benefits that are meaningful to the individual’s specific situation will help here. Benefits around wellbeing and flexibility remain top of the pile.”

The Morgan McKinley 2024 Salary Guide presents up-to-date and accurate salary data for a wide range of roles across the UK, providing hiring managers with industry benchmarks when they are working out what to pay employees and giving professionals more visibility over what they can earn.

Research from 650 businesses and 3,400 professionals was conducted to find out what companies’ hiring intentions are for 2024, what the key motivators are for changing jobs, and what the expectations are for movement on salaries.

 

For the Morgan McKinley UK 2024 Salary Guide, visit: https://www.morganmckinley.com/uk/salary-guide

Cybersecurity, Finance and Banking, News

Natwest study reveals top financial scams of 2023; finds seven in 10 targeted by scams in last 12 months – IEEE comments

NatWest has today (17 October) released new research of 2,000 Brits*, in conjunction with its own data, revealing that more than seven in 10 adults have been targeted by financial scammers in the last 12 months, most commonly through phishing scams (37%), where fraudsters use fake emails, calls, messages or websites that seem legitimate to try to elicit personal or financial information.

The study found that 61 percent of Brits agreed that digital scams are now more prevalent than real life scams, such as people coming to the door asking for money. 8 in 10 of those polled are concerned that impersonation fraud may become harder to detect in the next five years because of the rise in AI. Indeed, nearly a fifth (18%) of people said they had replied to a message from an impersonator in the past, initially believing it was from a friend or family member.

 

Kevin Curran, IEEE senior member and professor of cybersecurity at Ulster university, offers the following comment on the issue of phishing attacks, the use of AI and the best practice to avoid being caught out by attackers:

“Phishing attacks remain a big problem. Many are designed to be effective in these environments by targeting large numbers of people with finance or bill related claims. These attacks use tailored techniques, dynamic websites, and regularly update the methods used. The result is a series of attacks that have an alarmingly high success rate, yet a relatively low detection rate. It’s important to be cautious – unsolicited communications that ask for data or refer to pages asking for personal data should be carefully checked.

“Increasing the risk of phishing scams is the use of AI. ChatGPT could be used to write phishing emails without typos, given its real-time intelligent responses in many scenarios. This is a crucial point because, as the study shows, phishing scams are still the number one attack vector in the last 12 months. Typos in traditional phishing emails is one of the key indicators of spam but ChatGPT could suddenly clean up this aspect for the scammers. Generative AI can also be used to create keyloggers and there are even examples already of ChatGPT being asked to write malware. It could also be used in various scam situations where people are fooled into thinking they are communicating with a real-world authentic person.

“It is best practice to avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from suspicious emails altogether. For those who are concerned that they have been caught out by the attackers, they should review online accounts regularly – this helps to flag signs of fraud or rogue charges. Banks are good at spotting fraud, however it’s also up to the individual to spot fraud on their account.”

*https://www.natwestgroup.com/news-and-insights/news-room/press-releases/financial-capability-and-learning/2023/oct/most-common-financial-scams-of-2023-revealed.html

Charity & CSR, News

Charitable Company Raffolux Raises £1.5m via Unique Fundraiser in Industry First

Digital raffle operator strikes “airtime-for-equity” deal with UKTV Ventures

For the first time in their industry, Raffolux, the leading digital raffle operator has secured an impressive £1.5 million investment through a unique fundraising initiative with media company, UKTV Ventures.

The partnership involves an investment in premium advertising on UKTV linear TV channels in exchange for minority equity stakes in direct-to-consumer start-ups. They aim to help the business scale at pace to become a household brand name in the UK.

UKTV Ventures’ £1.5 million “airtime-for-equity” investment will allow Raffolux to launch a TV advertising campaign from October 23rd on the broadcaster’s seven linear channels – Dave, W, Gold, Alibi, Drama, Yesterday, Eden. The company will benefit from access to an audience of over 26 million viewers a month and in return, UKTV will gain an equity stake in the business.

Raffolux launched in 2019 and has since solidified its position as the leading player in the UK market. Its modern take on the classic raffle has not only given thousands of people the chance to win coveted prizes but has also enabled them to support charities close to their hearts. Raffolux has given away over £11 million pounds in prizes to over 65,000 winners and has raised over £600,000 for charities across the nation.

The TV advertisement features iconic British elements such as black cabs, London buses, and quirky coffee shops and revolves around the concept that anyone has the potential to become a Raffolux champion. In fact, there are so many of them that you might just encounter them in your everyday life.

Gerry Lianos, Co-founder of Raffolux comments “We are extremely excited about this partnership with UKTV Ventures and see this not only as a brilliant opportunity to propel the brand to new heights, but also to continue to raise money for our brilliant charity partners”

Brendan Kilcawley, Director of UKTV Ventures, said “It is an exciting time to be partnering with Raffolux, and we are happy that the team are embracing the power of TV advertising to boost brand awareness and accelerate their growth. It is a pleasure to work with Gerry and the Raffolux team and we look forward to seeing their advert on the UKTV network over the next year.”

UKTV Ventures is committed to helping companies new to TV advertising build their brand and scale up by benefiting from the wide reach, trust and recognition only achieved through TV advertising. Similar to venture capital, UKTV Ventures is a funding model which invests airtime, instead of cash, in burgeoning high-growth companies looking to accelerate their growth.