Monthly Archives: August 2024

Commercial Property, Commercial Property News, Creative & Marketing, News, Web Design

Canvas Offices Unveils Brand New Website Refresh: Redefining the Way You Look for Your Next Office Space

London-based flexible-office provider Canvas Offices has announced the launch of its new website, offering a true reflection of the company’s brand refresh. The new website will allow businesses to find suitable office space more easily in bustling commercial hubs across London, such as Mayfair, Shoreditch, Old Street, Farringdon and Holborn.

Through the new website, Canvas Offices will showcase these buildings, offices, and neighbourhoods, providing a more efficient office space search for the end user, which will in turn empower businesses to search for individual spaces. Canvas has removed unnecessary steps from the search process, ensuring businesses can be directly connected with desirable office spaces. The entire Canvas portfolio is now available online, allowing users to access spaces effortlessly.

In addition to providing a more streamlined process in the efficiency of finding an office space, the new Canvas website incorporates rich content, including advice and insight on office spaces, where people can filter through the news and find relevant stories to aid them in their office search.

 

“Our spaces are distinctive, and our new website enables us to showcase them effectively,” said Yaron Rosenblum, co-founder of Canvas Offices.

“We provide a range of design-led spaces, where characterful and modern features are seamlessly blended.  No bland offices. This is what you’ll see on the website. Actual spaces in our portfolio, providing an authentic representation of what we offer.”

 

Canvas strives to create spaces designed for work, rest and play, ensuring teams can feel at home whilst they work. Its spaces are often unique, moving away from the normality of a bland, generic and boring, office look. The Canvas Offices team encourages businesses to speak to them about off-market properties to personalise their search and find a space that is a true reflection of their business and suits them as a client. This process will personalise the office space search, creating conversation around what is best for business identity.

The new Canvas Offices website is now live and has been built with future growth in mind so that it can be developed further to meet the evolving needs of businesses. The website is ready to provide a more intuitive, efficient and user-friendly office search and experience.

 

Established in 2018, Canvas Offices is on an exciting trajectory for growth after securing £2.5 million debt in debt investment in October 2022. Underpinned by a growing team of industry experts, its buildings are home to hundreds of ever-expanding businesses from start-ups to global unicorns, including influential brands like Rough Trade, Patchwork, Malin+Goetz, and Augustinus Bader.

 

Click here to explore Canvas Offices new spaces and discover how they can meet your business needs.

Digital Transformation, Newport, News, Technology

de Novo Solutions cements commitment to Information Security Management with ISO 27001 Certification

de Novo Solutions, the multi-award-winning Welsh technology company, specialising in delivering personalised data-driven digital experiences across Finance, Procurement, HR, and Payroll functions, has successfully achieved ISO 27001 certification.  This milestone underscores the company’s commitment to maintaining the highest possible security standards.

Renowned for its expertise in navigating today’s experience economy and recognised as a highly trusted partner of Oracle and ServiceNow, de Novo stands at the forefront of digital transformation innovation.  ISO, a worldwide federation of national standards bodies, is a nongovernmental organisation that comprises standards bodies from more than 160 countries.  These bodies collaborate to develop and promote international standards for technology, scientific testing processes, working conditions, societal issues and more.

The ISO 27001 certification confirms that de Novo Solutions meets the rigorous standards required for its information security management system [ISMS].  This certification signifies adherence to international best practices for managing information security risks.

 

By achieving ISO 27001, de Novo Solutions joins a select group of organisations operating at global standards for the secure management of people, processes and technology.  This certification provides additional assurance to customers, partners and suppliers that its systems and data are highly secure.

This achievement comes just four months after the pioneering digital consultancy secured the Cyber Essentials Plus Accreditation, and as it marks its third successful year in business.

 

Ian Carline, Chief Technology and Data Protection Officer, de Novo Solutions, confirmed: “We are thrilled to achieve ISO 27001 certification, which stands as a powerful validation of our relentless pursuit of excellence in data security and privacy. This milestone not only demonstrates our dedication to safeguarding our clients’ information but also reinforces our position as a trusted leader in the industry, committed to upholding the highest standards of information security to ensure our clients’ peace of mind.
I am incredibly proud of the de Novo team and everything we have achieved in three short years and now look forward to building on this success throughout the rest of 2024 and beyond.”

Tom Mann, Senior Vice President of Client Services, de Novo Solutions, confirmed: “Obtaining this certification was no mean feat. It involved subjecting every aspect of our operations to intense scrutiny, from our data handling protocols to our infrastructure security. The audit process was rigorous and exhaustive, but it was all worth it. It has not only demonstrated our compliance with ISO 27001 standards but also showcased the depth of our dedication to our clients’ security. Throughout this journey, we’ve not only met the high standards set by ISO 27001 but have also provided our clients with the assurance and peace of mind they rightfully deserve. We’re incredibly proud of this achievement and what it represents for our clients and our commitment to their security.”

 

Since its launch in 2021, de Novo Solutions has successfully developed and introduced a range of innovative solutions to the market.  These include its industry cloud solutions ’Odyssea™’, for Central Government, Local Government and Secondary Education (Multi-Academy Trusts) and its next-generation managed services offering, ‘Value as a Service™‘ [VaaS™].

Headquartered in Langstone, South Wales, the forward-thinking digital transformation consultancy is underpinned by a fast-growing team of 78 specialists specialising in Oracle Cloud and ServiceNow technologies.

For more information, visit: https://www.de-novo-solutions.com

 

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Image:

Mark Sweeny, founder and CEO of de Novo Solutions.

News

School pupils enjoy day of animal magic at North Wales college

MORE than 50 schoolchildren enjoyed a skills day amidst the creature comforts of Coleg Cambria Northop.

Pupils from Ysgol Owen Jones, based in the Flintshire village, took part in a range of activities centred on Maths, English and Digital Literacy.

They also had the opportunity to view and handle some of the wide range of species at the site’s Small Animal Centre, which houses more than 200 types from reptiles, fish and amphibians to mammals, birds and invertebrates.

Cambria lecturer Paul Williams hopes the skills day will become an annual event.

“It was great to have pupils with us from Years 4, 5 and 6 to showcase what is on offer here at Northop, the amazing facilities, and to work together as two key stakeholders in the local area,” said Paul.

“The pupils created power-points, designed presentations, displayed their skills and most importantly, had fun as well.”

Gareth Caughter, headteacher at Ysgol Owen Jones, added: “It’s been a really great day and an opportunity for the children to develop their skills in English, Maths and Digital Literacy.

“Also, for us to strengthen our links with the college, something we hope to do more of in the future.”

For more news and information from Coleg Cambria, visit the website www.cambria.ac.uk and follow them on social media.

Mobile Phones, News, Technology, Telecoms

juice® continues to help save wild animals with the expansion of its eco-conscious range in partnership with the Born Free Foundation

Quirky and colourful tech accessories brand juice® has expanded its eco-conscious ‘Animals’ range with the launch of three brand-new products.

Initially launched in April in partnership with international wildlife charity, the Born Free Foundation, the playful assortment of charging cables, speakers and headphones was based around two critically endangered and legally protected species – the Lazy Giant Panda and the Fierce Sumatran Tiger.

Now, juice® has not only welcomed two more animals to the pack – the Gentle Grevy’s Zebra and the Ghostly Snow Leopard – with wireless airphones available in both designs, but the Fierce Sumatran Tiger collection has grown with the introduction of a super-fast dual port mains charging plug.

 

Since 2012, juice® has maintained its mantra of “just doing the right thing”, and as such, is donating 20% of all profits from the Animals range to the Born Free Foundation to help end the exploitation and suffering of animals living both in captivity and in the wild.

Founded in 1984, Born Free has dedicated 40 years to wild animal welfare and the protection of threatened and endangered species around the world. Through its tireless work across conservation, rescue and care, policy and education, the charity seeks to enhance the survival of threatened species in the wild and safeguard their natural habitats, while respecting the welfare of individual animals. Born Free opposes the exploitation of wild animals in captivity and campaigns for a future where animals and people can coexist, for the benefit of all life on earth.

 

Jolyon Bennett, founder and CEO of juice® said: “We’ve always been an eco-conscious business and for the last couple of years, we’ve focused specifically on the materials used within our products. However, we’re now extending our efforts into other areas, and collaborating with the Born Free Foundation just made sense – we both share the same vision of trying to make the world a better place.

“Since launching a few months ago, the Animals range has received a lot of positive feedback. As the only collection we’ve designed and created specifically for the younger demographic, these products are different from anything else we offer, and we wanted to expand on this by introducing multiple new lines that are just as cute as the rest!”

 

Will Travers OBE, Executive President of the Born Free Foundation added: “Jolyon Bennett and juice® are clearly on a mission! I am not only thrilled that they have chosen Born Free’s pride as a charity partner, but that their ‘Animals’ range is designed with young, animal-friendly, eco-conscious consumers in mind. It will take our combined efforts to save the world’s threatened species and the natural habitats they (and we) rely on. By working together, juice®, Born Free, and our many loyal customers and supporters can help turn the tide, one animal, one species, one ecosystem at a time.”

 

Last spring, juice® became the first mobile phone accessories manufacturer in the UK to remove all single-use plastic from its products as a result of its ‘juice® Made Mindfully’ campaign. Since then, the Banbury based manufacturer has saved a grand total of 261 tonnes of plastic, including 109 tonnes in 2023 alone.

 

The juice® Animals range can be purchased from juice.co.uk, with the three new lines now available from TK Maxx.

 

—

About Born Free 

 Born Free was founded by Bill Travers MBE and Dame Virginia McKenna DBE, who starred in the movie classic, Born Free (1966), together with their eldest son, Will Travers OBE, who now leads the charity as its Executive President. Born Free’s mission is to ensure that all wild animals, whether living in captivity or in the wild, are treated with compassion and respect, and are able to live their lives according to their needs, as far as possible. Born Free opposes the exploitation of wild animals in captivity and campaigns to keep wildlife in the wild.

 Born Free promotes compassionate conservation which strives to enhance the survival of threatened species in the wild and protect natural habitats, while respecting the needs of and safeguarding the welfare of individual animals. Born Free seeks to have a positive impact on animals in the wild and protect their ecosystems in perpetuity, for their own intrinsic value and for the critical roles they play within the natural world. For more information, please visit: www.bornfree.org.uk

Mobile Phones, News, Technology, Telecoms

juice® continues to help save wild animals with the expansion of its eco-conscious range in partnership with the Born Free Foundation

Quirky and colourful tech accessories brand juice® has expanded its eco-conscious ‘Animals’ range with the launch of three brand-new products.

Initially launched in April in partnership with international wildlife charity, the Born Free Foundation, the playful assortment of charging cables, speakers and headphones was based around two critically endangered and legally protected species – the Lazy Giant Panda and the Fierce Sumatran Tiger.

Now, juice® has not only welcomed two more animals to the pack – the Gentle Grevy’s Zebra and the Ghostly Snow Leopard – with wireless airphones available in both designs, but the Fierce Sumatran Tiger collection has grown with the introduction of a super-fast dual port mains charging plug.

 

Since 2012, juice® has maintained its mantra of “just doing the right thing”, and as such, is donating 20% of all profits from the Animals range to the Born Free Foundation to help end the exploitation and suffering of animals living both in captivity and in the wild.

Founded in 1984, Born Free has dedicated 40 years to wild animal welfare and the protection of threatened and endangered species around the world. Through its tireless work across conservation, rescue and care, policy and education, the charity seeks to enhance the survival of threatened species in the wild and safeguard their natural habitats, while respecting the welfare of individual animals. Born Free opposes the exploitation of wild animals in captivity and campaigns for a future where animals and people can coexist, for the benefit of all life on earth.

 

Jolyon Bennett, founder and CEO of juice® said: “We’ve always been an eco-conscious business and for the last couple of years, we’ve focused specifically on the materials used within our products. However, we’re now extending our efforts into other areas, and collaborating with the Born Free Foundation just made sense – we both share the same vision of trying to make the world a better place.

“Since launching a few months ago, the Animals range has received a lot of positive feedback. As the only collection we’ve designed and created specifically for the younger demographic, these products are different from anything else we offer, and we wanted to expand on this by introducing multiple new lines that are just as cute as the rest!”

 

Will Travers OBE, Executive President of the Born Free Foundation added: “Jolyon Bennett and juice® are clearly on a mission! I am not only thrilled that they have chosen Born Free’s pride as a charity partner, but that their ‘Animals’ range is designed with young, animal-friendly, eco-conscious consumers in mind. It will take our combined efforts to save the world’s threatened species and the natural habitats they (and we) rely on. By working together, juice®, Born Free, and our many loyal customers and supporters can help turn the tide, one animal, one species, one ecosystem at a time.”

 

Last spring, juice® became the first mobile phone accessories manufacturer in the UK to remove all single-use plastic from its products as a result of its ‘juice® Made Mindfully’ campaign. Since then, the Banbury based manufacturer has saved a grand total of 261 tonnes of plastic, including 109 tonnes in 2023 alone.

 

The juice® Animals range can be purchased from juice.co.uk, with the three new lines now available from TK Maxx.

 

—

About Born Free 

 Born Free was founded by Bill Travers MBE and Dame Virginia McKenna DBE, who starred in the movie classic, Born Free (1966), together with their eldest son, Will Travers OBE, who now leads the charity as its Executive President. Born Free’s mission is to ensure that all wild animals, whether living in captivity or in the wild, are treated with compassion and respect, and are able to live their lives according to their needs, as far as possible. Born Free opposes the exploitation of wild animals in captivity and campaigns to keep wildlife in the wild.

 Born Free promotes compassionate conservation which strives to enhance the survival of threatened species in the wild and protect natural habitats, while respecting the needs of and safeguarding the welfare of individual animals. Born Free seeks to have a positive impact on animals in the wild and protect their ecosystems in perpetuity, for their own intrinsic value and for the critical roles they play within the natural world. For more information, please visit: www.bornfree.org.uk

Fintech, News, Technology

Bluechain announces an open funding round as it enters its next phase of growth

After a successful 2023, Bluechain continues to grow, with business users up 220% in 2024 to date, suppliers joining the platform and new exciting partnerships on the horizon

Bluechain, the EIS certified fintech transforming the payments and receivables process, has capitalised on a strong 2023 with incredible growth in 2024 across users, transaction volume and revenue. Off the back of 2023 and with rapid expansion plans, Bluechain has announced an opening funding round for its next phase of growth.

2023 was a transformative year for Bluechain, with a successful partnership with a multinational financial services corporation to streamline supplier payment processes for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) being a key highlight. The success Bluechain experienced in 2023 is attracting major business and financial institutions who are keen to leverage Bluechain’s capabilities across the end-to-end of business-to-business (B2B) payments.

The most recent addition to Bluechain’s business network is Sigma Pharmaceuticals, a leading distributor for independent pharmacies in the UK. Bluechain’s partnership with Sigma Pharmaceuticals aims to transform receivables with its customers while providing them with a simpler and more efficient AP process. A win-win for both parties.

 

Dipesh Vaja, Head of Sales at Sigma Pharmaceuticals says: “We are very excited to begin our journey with Bluechain to simplify the way we manage our customer payments, whilst giving our customers the benefit of enjoying rewards. This is a great opportunity for both ourselves and our customers as we also look to benefit from the latest in payment technology. The Bluechain team clearly understands the challenges that businesses face across receivables, which made them stand out as a provider. Their engagement on our feedback and willingness to adapt has been an added bonus.”

 

In H1 of 2024 alone, Bluechain’s users, volume growth and revenue growth have all increased by over 200% in comparison to 2023. This marks a significant milestone in Bluechain’s journey towards connecting more B2B businesses through B2B payments while helping them cut the cost and manual efforts across their receivables and payables processes.

Bluechain’s platform, with Request to Pay at its core and a patented security model, helps provide the UK with the springboard it needs to deliver real capability and change to the payments industry, which the UK needs now more than ever following the lack of success from Pay UK’s request to pay offering. Following the growth Bluechain and its ‘Request to Pay’ platform has experienced, Bluechain is keen to accelerate even faster and has announced an open funding round to help support its next phase of growth.

 

Tim Annis, CEO of Bluechain says: “2023 was an incredible year for Bluechain, and we are extremely proud of our team for everything that we have accomplished together. The success we experienced last year has unlocked a realm of opportunity for us, and we are excited to officially open our next funding round to fuel the next stage of our growth.

“We look forward to building on this momentum throughout 2024 and beyond as we respond to businesses’ need for simplicity in B2B transactions and help them get the most out of it while minimising cost and time.”

 

 

About Bluechain


Bluechain is a platform that connects businesses for simple, efficient and secure B2B transactions. Built using Request to Pay principles and leveraging a patented security process, it is designed to deliver automation across the end-to-end of receivables and payables regardless of the systems or payment methods used.

We are a champion for making B2B payments better and easier for everyone and we believe that businesses deserve to be paid on time, while customers deserve to pay in a way that makes life easier for them. From reducing fraud to making reconciliations simpler, Bluechain is obsessive about making the end to end process of B2B payments smooth and straightforward for both sides.

For more information about Bluechain, please visit bluechain.com.

Flexible Working, HR, HR News, News, Swansea

Almost half of workers in Wales want more flexibility – and almost 1 in 4 with children would consider term-time-only working, according to new survey

  • New survey from YouGov, commissioned by Amazon, explores Welsh views on workplace flexibility 
  • While 45% of workers in Wales would like more flexible working options from their employer, more than one in three workers (38%) say they have NO option to work flexibly at all 
  • Almost one in four (23%) of all parents with children aged 18 and under would consider term-time working; an innovative option recently introduced by Amazon for its Operations employees in Swansea and across the UK 

 

One in 3 parents want flexible working – over a third say employer offers zero flexibility

As parents across Wales plan ways to keep their children active and entertained during the school holidays, new research reveals that almost one in three working parents in Wales would consider term-time only working to improve work/life balance.

A YouGov poll commissioned by Amazon, reveals almost half (45%) of working parents in Wales want more flexibility in their jobs, while almost one in four (23%) parents in Wales said they would consider switching to a term-time contract.

Furthermore, more than a third (38%) of those questioned in Wales say their current employer offers no opportunity to work flexibly at all.

 

Amazon say their term-time only jobs help employees and their families

The survey follows a recent expansion of Amazon’s own ground-breaking term-time working option which aims to help employees and their families. The flexibility guarantees time off during the summer, Christmas and Easter school holidays for parents, grandparents and guardians of school-age children.

Launched as a response to employee feedback, term-time working is now available to thousands of people across Amazon’s operations network following a pilot in the company’s larger fulfilment centres to understand how the option could better support families during school holidays.

The company also recently introduced Amazon Anytime; a flexible part-time contract for a minimum of 80 hours a month, which lets employees pick and mix the shifts which suit their needs – part-day or full-day, day or night, weekday or weekend.

 

The new survey also reveals:

  • Three quarters (72%) of working parents in Wales say flexible working is a priority when thinking about their next job
  • A better work-life balance (58%) and less commuting (54%) are the top perceived benefits of flexibility for working parents in Wales

 

Swansea Dad: “Flexibility has a very positive impact and creates a great balance in the family unit”

David Brownhill (pictured with his daughters above) works at Amazon’s Swansea Fulfilment centre. The single dad, who has twin teenage daughters, joined Amazon six years ago after being made redundant from a previous job. He switched to a term-time contract last year and explains this gives him the stabilisation and flexibility he needs to prioritise his family. He says the contracts means he has ‘prioritised his children’ and it’s important they ‘know he’s there’.

“I’m turning 50 over the summer and we’re going to try and do something really special. One daughter will be abroad – volunteering for a time – but we’re trying to get away. We’re thinking about Egypt, but we like Cornwall too. It’s all about spending this special time with them before they’re older; creating more great memories after some challenges we’ve experienced.

“This contract takes so much pressure off, particularly as a single parent, when you’re managing a number of conflicting priorities. I’m trying to do the best I can for my kids and this flexibility gives me certainty.

“Before Amazon, my previous job took up much of my life and I lost some of the magical times with them when they were young. As I’ve got older my mindset has changed and I’m trying to catch up and be there more. This flexibility has a very positive impact and creates a great balance in the family unit. We’re all happier for it.”

 

John Boumphrey, Amazon’s UK Country Manager, said: “These findings clearly demonstrate the huge importance of workplace flexibility, and why it matters so much to employees in Wales and across the UK. At Amazon, we’re always listening to our employees and innovating for our people, and we’re delighted to offer these ground-breaking contracts to help provide employees and their families more flexible options.

“We have a variety of different full-time and part-time contracts, and we’ve also provided a four-day working week for our fulfilment centre employees for many years. Term-time working and Amazon Anytime are examples of how we continue to use feedback to support our people, help with childcare needs, and give families more time together.”

 

Amazon employees can also take advantage of Amazon’s pioneering Career Choice programme, which pre-pays up to 95% of costs for nationally accredited courses in high-demand fields (up to £8,000 over four years), regardless of whether the skills are relevant to a career at Amazon.

Competitive pay, comprehensive benefits and a modern, safe and engaging work environment are provided for Amazon employees. The roles pay a minimum of £12.30 per hour depending on location, as well as up to £33,500 a year for degree-level apprenticeships. All employees can also benefit from a package that includes private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection, and an employee discount – which combined are worth thousands annually – as well as a company pension plan.

Amazon has been named as a ‘Top Employer UK 2024’ by the Top Employer Institute, one of the world’s most prestigious certifications in the field of human resources management. This award recognises Amazon’s commitment to the development and well-being of its employees. In addition to the UK accolade, Amazon has also been certified as one of the Top Employers in Europe for a second consecutive year.

Amazon was also recently ranked first in the top 50 employers of veterans in the UK by the GREAT British Employers of Veterans, a comprehensive benchmark of the leading companies that employ veterans.

 

Accountancy, Accountancy & Accounts, AI, Business, Cyber Attack, Technology

ACCA UK calls for AI cybersecurity approach to emphasise global applicability

  • Leading accountancy body ACCA says the UK government’s proposed AI cyber code is a useful starting point for a global regulatory approach
  • Industry experts are best placed to manage the emerging and evolving range of cyber risks

 

Responding to a UK government consultation led by the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology outlining an AI cybersecurity code of practice, ACCA says the government is best placed to set up overarching regulatory structure and principles, while those on the frontline of AI developments should be given the space to work to combat emerging cyber risks.

 

However, the pro-innovation approach of the proposed code – as set out in the government’s white paper – needs to have safeguards and its requirements may need to be revisited. The cyber challenge in AI is dynamic, and a ‘point in time’ view can become quickly outdated.

 

ACCA also highlighted the risks and impacts to end users in small and medium enterprises (SMEs), with a significant number of its members operating in this segment. The greater challenges faced by this group of stakeholders on cyber readiness – across both skills and budgets – are well-documented. ACCA wants end-user SMEs to be safe and protected from cyber risk, yet empower them to choose AI given its potential to augment business productivity.

 

Glenn Collins, head of technical and strategic engagement, ACCA UK, said: “ACCA is pleased to see the consultation taking a principle-based approach as our current view of AI offers too many unseen scenarios. ACCA, its members and partners, will be profoundly impacted by its planned use of AI including delivering finance professionals with an optimal experience and skill set for the modern workplace.”

 

ACCA warned that adherence to any code carries a cost, including indirect costs of adhering to the code and the impact through the supply chain. Effort and cost will be needed to raise awareness of the code, as well as monitoring and enforcement.

 

Narayanan Vaidyanathan, head of policy development, ACCA, noted: “We anticipate utility from such a code for those providing assurance or third-party verification of AI systems. This is an important category of stakeholders who will have a key role to play in creating a trusted AI eco-system to supplement the regulatory and legal direction from policy makers.

 

“We do not anticipate this group to be subject to the requirements of the code itself, but assurance requires checks against a well-defined, and ideally, publicly available standard – which this code could provide. Cyber risks are a part of what the assurance of an AI system may need to check for. Therefore, those providing assurance would find such a cyber code and associated standards helpful.”

 

In its response, ACCA also called on the government to tackle the skills gap, which needs to be filled in order to combat cybersecurity risks. The Apprenticeship Levy could be expanded to a ‘Growth and Skills Levy’ that is more flexible and can be used to fund shorter-term accredited training programmes that upskill and reskill workers on the cybersecurity of AI.

 

Companies should also be able to increase the proportion of their unspent levy funds to their supply chains – ACCA suggests an increase of 25% to 40%. This could unlock millions of pounds to develop AI skills.

 

Ultimately, cybersecurity issues linked to AI need staff to be trained on current and emerging risks. If insufficient training is given, standards and frameworks will fail to achieve any impact.

 

Read ACCA’s response here.

 

Visit ACCA’s website for more information.

News

Economic Uncertainty and Technological Shifts Drive London Job Market Down in Q2 2024

Key stats from Morgan McKinley’s Q2 2024 London Employment Monitor:

● 9% decrease in jobs available quarter-on-quarter (Q2 2024 vs Q1 2024)
● 25% decrease in jobs available year-on-year (Q2 2024 vs Q2 2023)

David Leithead, COO, Morgan McKinley UK commented: “Caution’ is our word for the latest London Employment Monitor looking at the jobs in financial services across London from April to June.”

“The number of jobs available in Q2 declined by 9% from the first quarter to the second Quarter 2024. The slight improvement we saw in the first few months of the year has receded and overall numbers reached a three year low. The second quarter was 25% down on the same quarter in 2023.”

“The major factors continue to be economic uncertainty caused by Brexit, slow global growth and geopolitical tensions, all combining to cause a conservative approach to expansion and hiring and a focus on management of costs.”

“All the while, many financial companies continue their programs of structural change, off-shoring and near-shoring functions, maximising the benefits of technology, digital transformation and automation, and taking the opportunities presented by the profound shifts in attitudes to remote working. All these combine to negatively impact the overall volume of jobs in the City.”

“Specialist skills clearly remain in demand, and some functions are expanding. Compliance and risk management functions for example remain critically important. Some parts of the sector are flourishing, there are always some companies in a growth phase, but the overall picture is one of caution, leading to tight management of budgets, and often a first position of do-more-with-less.”

Leithead concluded: “The outlook for the London professional job market remains uncertain. While there are opportunities in specialised roles driven by regulatory needs and technological advancements, the overall market is expected to remain subdued. Structural changes, economic uncertainty, and technological disruption will continue to shape the job market.”

-Ends-

About Morgan McKinley

Morgan McKinley is a global talent services expert, offering the full spectrum of solutions to meet employers’ and jobseekers’ needs.

www.morganmckinley.com/uk

Education, News, Technology

Parents set to spend £1.25bn on back-to-school tech

  • Parents will spend an average of £243.60 per child on tech products before September
  • 44% of parents have not been provided with any guidance for buying laptops, leaving them adrift in a world of possibilities
  • 19% will rely on in-store or specialist help to select the right tech for their kids

Technology products now account for more than half of parents’ back-to-school spending, with parents set to spend £243.60 per child before the start of the next school year – the equivalent of £1.25bn across the UK.

According to new research from retail marketing consultancy Gekko, parents are prepping to spend a total of £452.40 per child, with 53 per cent of the total back-to-school cost being allocated to tech products like laptops, mobile phones and air tags.

With three quarters (76%) of schools now expecting pupils to have access to their own laptop or tablet, parents are faced with finding extra cash at a time when the cost of living is squeezing incomes. Nearly a quarter (23%) of parents of school-age children expect to buy a laptop or tablet before September, at an average cost of £511.40.

 

A lack of technological know-how is making buying laptops and tablets for their children even more stressful for parents. Only 13 percent of schools have suggested specific products, leaving parents to get to grips with the technical specifications they have set (18%) or completely at sea without any suggestions or specifications at all (44%).

One in five (18%) say they find it hard to understand variances between different laptops and tablets, while 17 per cent do not know enough about the technical specifications to make good purchasing decisions. To support these decisions, a quarter (27%) would value clearer information on specifications and features of technology, but ultimately one in five (19%) rely on in-store or specialist help to select the right technology for their kids.

Around one in five (17%) parents will also buy new mobile phone for their child, spending an average of £459.20, which suggests that many will be opting for smart phones rather than something more basic. Seven in 10 (70%) parents agree that balancing what their children need with what they want is challenging, with one in five (21%) concerned about the impact on their child if they choose entry-level options.

 

Daniel Todaro, CEO at Gekko, said: “Technology is a relatively new addition to the back-to-school bill, adding an extra challenge for parents both in terms of the cost and the technical specifications. Tech brands and retailers can ease some of the pressure parents are facing by anticipating their needs and ensuring that in-store teams are equipped with great product knowledge so that they can support the parents who will inevitably rely on them for advice.”

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* According to ONS population estimates, there are 5,123,790 children aged between 4-18 in the UK. With an average back-to-school tech spend of £243.60 per child, parents will spend 5,123,790 x £243.60 = £1.25 billion.

 

About the research

Gekko commissioned Opinium Research to conduct a survey of 1,000 parents with school age children. The survey was conducted between 18 June and 24 June 2024, and the results were weighted to be nationally representative.

 

About Gekko

Gekko is a customer experience marketing agency, specialising in crafting innovative, category changing campaigns and initiatives that enhance the shopper journey.

Through Gekko’s research and understanding of big-ticket purchases and changing shopper expectations, the company helps to complete the customer journey from ATL to purchase.

By enhancing the customer experience, Gekko helps companies generate a competitive advantage in their field, identifying ways in which they can attract and retain customers to boost their bottom lines.