Monthly Archives: September 2024

Cybersecurity

It’s Time to Overhaul Enterprise Cybersecurity Alerting Systems – What Every Storage Admin should know about Their SOC

Written By Eric Herzog

Storage administrators bear a lot of responsibility for their enterprise’s data. Some would argue this is one of the most challenging aspects of the administrator role. As soon as the security team gets any indication that a cyberattack may be occuring, a phone call is immediately made to the storage admin, alerting them to the threat. It’s all part of ongoing, reactive efforts to protect the enterprise’s mission and business-critical data. Precious minutes and seconds tick by, as this manual cyberattack warning system gets underway. The storage admin just has to stop whatever it is they are doing and focus on the fact that a cybersecurity incident could be underway.

When this happens, storage administrators need to be ‘firing on all cylinders,’ asking the key questions and ensuring the right outcomes. And in these situations, there is really only one right outcome – that enterprise data, lifeblood of all organisations today, is properly safeguarded. But will the storage admins have been quick enough to respond? Will they have succeeded in taking an immutable snapshot of all the data during that split second window? Can all the data be recovered rapidly in the event of a ransomware attack or another type of malware incident?

Hanging in the balance is their entire enterprise’s data infrastructure security. Can the storage admin guarantee that a known good copy of the data is recoverable? When one examines the critical stages in this process it’s clear that a great deal of responsibility is resting on the shoulders of storage administrators and their ability to make lightning fast reactions. Is that even possible? What if something else goes wrong? Automation has crept into just about every other aspect of enterprise IT, so why is it that this process and one where the stakes are especially high, is still operating in a silo and dependent on manual intervention?

The reality is that without a fully automated process to capture immutable snapshots of the data before it gets encrypted, corrupted or taken hostage through a ransomware attack, the reaction time is, most likely, simply too slow. Cyberattacks happen so fast, that the loss of even seconds to reaction times can make a significant difference to whether an enterprise can resist, withstand and recover with any certainty. And instead of being the heralded as a hero, the storage admin could be slated for poor performance in the aftermath of a security incident. Is that even fair?

How could the enterprise cybersecurity alerting process be improved?

One way to ensure a more dynamically cyber resilient storage infrastructure and improve security of the entire data centre as a whole, would be to seamlessly integrate automated cyber storage capabilities into an enterprises’ Security Operation Centre (SOC).  Currently, this lack of integration is the missing link between data storage systems and enterprise cybersecurity. In order to reach this point, the role of storage admin needs to gain a greater organisational appreciation. And CTOs, CIOs, and CISOs will need a deeper understanding of SOCs and how, by linking existing security systems with enterprise storage, they can give their organisations an immense advantage when it comes to recovery from a somewhat inevitable cyberattack.

A SOC has many applications, but is broadly designed to ensure that an enterprise has the most coordinated and effective capabilities for cyber threat detection and response, as well as cyberattack prevention. As most IT professionals know, a SOC is dedicated to monitoring the enterprise’s entire IT infrastructure – and they do it seven days week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It is supposed to detect and respond to any security-related incident in real-time. IT is continually analysing threat data but are missing a trick when it comes to integrating SOC and storage systems.

Enterprise storage needs to be tightly integrated into a SOC strategy, because the SOC is a control centre and unifies all the cybersecurity technologies, including the emergence of cyber resilience tech. Rather like the conductor of an orchestra. And now, due to new technological innovation, cyber resilient storage capabilities can help reduce the threat window – if the alerting triggers the right split second protection mechanisms.

What if a trigger can be defined for cyber storage to proactively take action based on a security incident?

An enterprise’s security team can put all its information from security operations through an enterprise storage intelligence grid to create highly sensitive triggers that may otherwise get missed by existing technologies and techniques. IT solution providers have identified this ability to automate data snapshot commands and data pathways as critical to early detection and worry-free cyber recovery that minimises the effects of even the most vicious and deceptive cyberattacks of malicious actors. There are three ‘must haves’ to guarantee rapid action:

  1. Your enterprise needs automated cyber protection, utilising triggers that security teams define based on security incidents. These may even be barely detectable aberrations that require a deep scanning of the cyber infrastructure.
  1. You need an enterprise-wide cyber storage capability that orchestrates the automatic taking of immutable snapshots of data, at the speed of compute, to stay ahead of cyberattacks by creating a cyber realm to cut off the proliferation of data corruption.
  1. You need an automated cyber protection solution that seamlessly integrates into SOC environments to add a powerful cybersecurity capability to an infosec teams’ toolbox in the security infrastructure. It enables more dynamic monitoring that speeds up response to the start of a cyber issue and enables a “handshake” between monitoring for security incidents (the event) and expressing the fabric of core storage – the data (the outcome).

This integration of cyber resilient storage into SOC needs to be considered mission critical because the stakes are simply too high. It extends our thinking beyond traditional enterprise storage to span the layers of cyber infrastructure that need to be reshaped for today’s emerging cyberattack vectors and more sophisticated AI-driven infiltration designed to inflict harm to enterprises.

Today it’s less a question of ‘if’ a cyberattack will take place and rather a matter of ‘when.’ It’s time for enterprise storage to stop being relegated as a backroom function and it’s time to ‘put a SOC’ into it.

www.infinidat.com

Welsh language

Infectious Welsh leaner Daniel now has job promoting the language

“Immerse yourself in the richness of the Welsh language – the experience will change your life.” Those are the words of Daniel Minty who has experienced a cultural transformation since starting to learn Welsh in 2022.

 

Daniel, who lives in Cardiff, has gone from knowing only a few words of Welsh to speaking the language eight hours a day, five days a week as Menter Iaith Casnewydd’s Community Development Officer.

 

He describes securing the job this year as one of the “biggest successes of my life”.

 

Now his learning journey has been recognised with the Starting Out – Welsh Beginner Award which he will receive at the Inspire! Adult Learning Awards 2024 ceremony being held at the Coal Exchange Hotel, Cardiff on September 10. Daniel is one of a dozen award winners.

 

Responding to the award, Daniel said: “It’s crazy that I have won an Inspire! Award and the Dysgu Cymraeg Caerdydd/Learn Welsh Cardiff Learner of the Year Award this year. I want to inspire other people to learn Welsh and use the language in the workplace.

 

“I would also like to make the language more accessible and why not launch a scheme whereby Welsh learners are encouraged to apply for Welsh language jobs. I would also like to see an institute set up to support people who are learning Welsh in the workplace.”

 

A highlight of Adult Learners’ Week in Wales from September 9-15, the Inspire! Awards are co-ordinated by the Learning and Work Institute with support from the Welsh Government and recognise those who have demonstrated a commitment to never stop learning.

 

Each Inspire! winner demonstrates how learning can offer second chances, help create new career opportunities, build confidence and help communities become vibrant and successful.

 

“After learning Welsh for 18 months, I now work through the medium of Welsh, helping communities in the area to use the language outside the classroom,” said Daniel.

 

“This is one of the biggest cultural changes in my life. I am so grateful for this and want to help others to do the same thing as me.”

 

Brought up in the Rhymney Valley, he was proud to be Welsh but rarely heard the language being spoken in the community or in the schools he attended.

 

Volunteering at Sŵn Festival in Cardiff in 2014 and listening to Welsh language music rekindled his interest. He created a website called Minty’s Gig Guide to promote Welsh-language gigs across South Wales and ran a series of successful campaigns.

 

He has presented with Bethan Elfyn on BBC Radio Wales, having previously worked for the corporation as a broadcast assistant.

 

Daniel enrolled on a Welsh language Entry course in September 2022 and hasn’t looked back. He achieved the Foundation qualification, is working towards Intermediate level and plans to progress to Advanced level.

 

He says he’s “greatly indebted” to his tutors Elin Prys Davies and Meilyr ap Ifan at Learn Welsh Cardiff and Nigel Rees at Coleg Sir Gâr for their encouragement and passion for the language.

 

Keen to share his own passion for Welsh, he has helped other learners by organising informal chat and reading groups and even inspired his sister and brother-in-law to learn the language.

 

It was Elin who encouraged Daniel to apply for a job with Menter Iaith Casnewydd and nominated him for the award. “Undoubtedly, learning Welsh has transformed Daniel’s life,” she said.

 

“He’s an energetic individual who inspires everyone around him to learn Welsh. His enthusiasm is infectious. His aim is to promote, encourage and inspire the residents of Newport to learn Welsh, use the language skills they have and, more than anything, to delight in the language and enjoy speaking it.”

 

For adults in Wales keen to start their learning journey, new in-person courses and online sessions at Entry level will begin in September and during Adult Learners’ Week.  Advice and information will be available locally to inspire people to take up learning as a way of increasing their employability, building life skills and improving their quality of life.

 

Lynne Neagle, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Education, said: “The effort, talent and determination on display from all the finalists in this year’s Inspire! Adult Learning Awards is truly inspiring.

 

“I am determined that Wales should be a place where everyone has the chance to return to learning and renew their career at whatever stage of life they are at. Adult Learners’ Week is a great opportunity to discover your passion for learning or brush up on your existing skills. I’d encourage anyone looking for support or change of direction to look at the support available from Working Wales.

 

“Learning as an adult is not only a great way to improve employability but is also a fantastic opportunity to meet new people, make new friends, as well as boosting self-esteem and confidence.”

 

Joshua Miles, Learning and Work Institute Director, said: “I would like to congratulate all the nominees and winners of the 2024 Inspire! Adult Learner Awards and to thank them for sharing their inspiring stories with us.

 

“They have overcome significant challenges, such as health issues, unemployment, low confidence, or caring responsibilities, and have transformed their lives through learning. In doing so, they have also inspired others to follow in their footsteps and have made a positive difference to communities across Wales.

 

“Learning is a lifelong journey that can enrich our lives in many ways. Now more than ever, it is important that we support and celebrate adults in Wales who return to learning later in life in the hope of a brighter future.”

 

To find out what’s going on during Adult Learners’ Week and for personalised advice on your own learning options and the support available, get in touch with Working Wales on 0800 028 4844 or search www.workingwales.gov.wales.

HR News, Tech, Technology

Xalient Earns Spot on Global Top 100 Inspiring Workplaces List for Second Year Running

LONDON, 05th September 2024 – Xalient, a provider of expert advisory and managed services in identity, cybersecurity, and networking, has been named a Global Top 100 Inspiring Workplace by The Inspiring Workplaces Group (IWG) for the second consecutive year. This is a result of the company being highly ranked in the Top Inspiring Workplaces in EMEA, UK and the US earlier this year.

The Top 100 Inspiring Workplaces List is compiled from the highest-scoring winners across each of the IWG’s operating regions worldwide, showcasing and celebrating truly PeopleFirst organisations. These organisations of all sizes and across diverse industries share a common emphasis on creating PeopleFirst workplaces which, according to Inspiring Workplaces, relies on six key elements: culture and purpose, leadership, wellbeing, inclusion and diversity, communication, and employee experience.

Xalient CEO and founder, Sherry Vaswani said, “Being recognised as one of the Global Top 100 Inspiring Workplaces for the second year in a row is an incredible honour. Since founding the company in 2015, our unwavering commitment has been to prioritise our people and create an exceptional workplace. We cultivate a culture of innovation and collaboration, ensuring every team member feels a sense of belonging and alignment with our core values and mission.”

Matt Manners, Founder of Inspiring Workplaces Group, commented: “Congratulations to Xalient on being recognised for its PeopleFirst approach for a second consecutive year. A clear message we can take from the Global Top 100 Inspiring Workplace list is that, despite what else might be going on in the world, there is a clear and global desire to put PeopleFirst being led by the private sector. Our mission is to change the world through the world of work, and recognising these Inspiring Workplaces and their dedicated employees is a crucial step in that journey.”

Earlier in 2024, Xalient ranked 10th in the Top 25 Workplaces in Europe and 48th in the Top 50 Inspiring Workplaces UK and Ireland at the Inspiring Workplaces Awards and was recognised as a Top 100 Inspiring Workplace in North America.

 

About Xalient

Xalient helps organisations safeguard their most valuable assets: employees, applications, and data. We ensure they operate securely, efficiently, and productively, empowering them to lead in their respective industries.

We achieve this by providing expert advisory and managed services in identity, cybersecurity, and networking. Our Identity-Centric Security Framework is built on a deep understanding of the interdependencies between these critical areas, enabling us to drive optimal business outcomes for our clients.

With a rich heritage in secure networking, Xalient offers a unique perspective on user and application experiences across enterprise networks and the broader internet.

By integrating these insights into our managed services—enhanced by MARTINA, our cutting-edge AIOps platform—we provide unmatched visibility into incidents, performance, and security threats. This unique approach makes Xalient’s Managed Services the ideal choice for forward-thinking enterprises, where secure networks, identity management, and cybersecurity are fundamental to business success.

Xalient helps make the world’s largest brands more secure, resilient, adaptable, and responsive to change.

*Xalient was named among Europe’s Fastest Growing Companies in 2024 by Financial Times and Statista for the third consecutive year.

To learn more about Xalient and its services, visit www.xalient.com

 

For more information please contact:

Paula Elliott

Managing Director

C8 Consulting Ltd

paula@c8consulting.co.uk

07894 339645

British Travel, Business & Property News, News, Pets, Travel

Record Numbers of Over-60s turn to self-employment and homesitting

The number of self-employed over 60’s in the UK has reached a record high of nearly one million, according to a new study from Rest Less[i].

As more retirees look for flexible employment and fulfilling ways to earn money, home and pet sitting has emerged as an attractive option. Homesitting offers the ideal balance between earning extra money and maintaining control over one’s schedule. Whether it’s looking after a beautiful country house, caring for beloved pets, or simply enjoying a change of scenery, homesitting allows retirees to decide when, where, and how often they want to work.

Rest Less’s research highlights the rise in self-employment among the over-60s is driven by the desire for greater work-life balance, the need for additional income, and the appeal of staying active and engaged in later life. Homesitting aligns perfectly with these goals, offering a flexible and fulfilling way to remain in the workforce without the demands of a traditional job.

 

One couple enjoying this new era of self-employment is Malcom and Sue Horsup, in their early 60’s from Colchester in Essex who became professional home and pet sitters through Homesitters when they retired early aged 50.  Sue says, “We love every aspect of the job which has made retirement life even more enjoyable and rewarding. We still get to travel as much as we like but also get to be around our favourite animals.”

Even though the couple don’t homesit for financial reasons they have experienced some of the monetary benefits which comes with home and pet sitting. Malcolm goes on to say: “As most of our homesits are during the colder winter months, we have also noticed slightly lower energy bills which is just another added bonus of home and pet sitting.”

With the rising cost of living and with the winter fuel allowance under review, many retirees will be looking for ways to boost their income. Homesitting offers a practical solution without the pressure of a full-time job. The additional income can help cover everyday expenses or fund hobbies and travel.

 

Ben Irvine, Director of Homesitters Ltd, says: “We’ve seen a significant increase in retirees looking to become homesitters over the past few years. Homesitting is perfect for those who want to keep busy and supplement their pension without being tied down to a regular job. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy retirement while still earning an income.”

 

With the number of self-employed people over 60 reaching record levels, homesitting is set to become an even more popular choice. It offers retirees the chance to remain financially independent, stay active, and enjoy a lifestyle that combines work and leisure on their own terms. As the trend toward self-employment continues to grow, homesitting presents a compelling option for those looking to make the most of their retirement years.

 

For more information and to apply to become a homesitter visit: www.homesitters.co.uk

Drink, Food & Drink, News

Hydes showcases latest ‘stars’ of TV-based beer range for 2024

Salford-based brewer Hydes has launched the final ales of its classic British TV programme-inspired seasonal range for 2024. The brewer will also introduce its latest two ales as part of its celebratory vintage bi-monthly range.

The final themed ales to be introduced are Our Survey Says, a 4.2% ABV deep amber beer available throughout September; Four Candles, a 5.0% ABV classic ruby ale for October; Say What You See, a 4.5% premium golden ale for November, and Jerry the Berry, a 4.4% ABV fruity red ale.

The full 2024 seasonal range comprised a range of 12 ales themed around classic British TV shows including Bulls Eye, Dad’s Army, Family Fortunes, Catchphrase, The Two Ronnies, Monty Python’s Flying Circus, Fast Show, Hi-De-Hi, Phoenix Nights, Fawlty Towers and Only Fools and Horses.

Hydes is also launching the final ales from its 2024 vintage line-up including Oatmeal Stout (4.5% ABV) a full-bodied, dark beer crafted from roasted and pale malts, choicest English hops and roasted barley. The beer will be available throughout September and October.

For November and December, Hydes presents ‘Anvil’ Nut Brown (3.8% ABV), a tribute to one of the brewer’s favourite British styles. Deep mahogany in colour, Nut Brown is a highly sessionable ale that typifies a once highly popular style of brewing.

Managing director of Hydes Brewery, Adam Mayers, said: “Our 2024 range has proved very popular across our pub estate.This year we have offered customers a fantastic collection of monthly beers to celebrate classic TV programmes from the past, plus six bi-monthly beers showcasing a range of vintage ales from the Hydes historical archives. This batch of ales, which concludes our 2024 offering to complement our core range on bar, combines elements of our rich brewing heritage in the North West through our vintage range with an innovative, contemporary range of seasonal ales playfully themed around British TV classics.

“We are currently finalising our exciting 2025 range which will include six more vintage cask ales to be made available bi-monthly and a completely new themed range of 12 seasonal ales. We can’t wait for our customers to sample what we have to offer.”

Hydes, with its brewery in Media City, Salford, was formed in 1863 and supplies beers to wholesalers, pub companies and other brewers throughout the UK and a pub retailing estate of over 40 pubs across the North West of England and North Wales.

To find out more about Hydes Brewery visit https://www.hydesbrewery.com/.

Creative & Marketing, Greater Manchester, Marketing & PR, News

Anything Agency appointed to design and build new website to launch MAD//Fest’s latest event: MAD//UpNorth

Creative digital agency Anything has been appointed to design and build a website for the new MAD//UpNorth (Marketing Advertising Disruption Festival). The dynamic London based festival attracts 12,000+ attendees with keynote speakers such as Eddie Izzard, Rory Sutherland and Hannah Fry and is now coming Up//North with a new festival held at Manchester’s Factory International 26-27 February 2025.

Anything has worked with MAD//Fest, held each summer at the Truman Brewery, Shoreditch, since its launch in 2018.  Earlier this year the agency collaborated on a brand new digital design for the MAD//Fest website by moving its current Content Management System (CMS) over to headless solution Storyblok, to allow for flexibility and scalability. The vibrant new website aims to set MAD//Fest apart from the competition while offering a cutting edge technology stack focused on driving performance, security and flexibility.

The Anything team has designed and built a vibrant site for the Up//North festival, in keeping with its new northern identity.

Jono Brain, Technical Director and co-founder of Anything, said: “MAD//Fest is always such a brilliant event, everyone in the industry wants to be there because it is that good. We’ve seen the event go from 2,000 attendees to over 12,000 so it’s our job to support this growth. We love working with the MAD//Fest team and bringing their ideas to life and being part of the excitement and anticipation in the run up to the events. The new websites are a perfect example of what a headless CMS solution should be and we’re incredibly excited to be launching MAD//UpNorth.”

 

Ian Houghton, co-founder of MAD//Fest, commented: “At MAD//Fest, we want to challenge industry norms and create an environment with no corporate jargon where people can speak passionately about the marketing and advertising industry. Our new site has been fundamental in getting attendees excited about the event and I have no doubt that UpNorth will be a huge triumph as well.”

 

With the introduction of new modern technologies and a flexible headless CMS solution, Anything was able to add the new microsite rapidly for MAD//UpNorth with no trouble at all. It follows the exact same structure and block configurations, yet appears visually different with the new northern, vibey identity of the MAD//UpNorth Manchester event.

 

—

About Anything

Anything is a creative digital agency led by a team of industry experts who don’t believe in limits.

When recommending a creative solution to their client’s digital problems, Anything’s team of consultants purposefully avoid technical jargon. This open and honest approach has led to the agency’s long term relationships with some of the UK’s biggest brands.

With a dedication to future proofing client’s digital platforms with scalable technology, Anything will limit downtime effectively enabling businesses to expand internationally.

As the digital industry has evolved during the past 10 years so has Anything who integrate brand design, experiential, event builds, social media and any communication solution needed to make their client’s campaigns a success.

Led by Jono Brain and Mark Holt in Manchester, Anything’s client’s include, Quorn, Amtico International and Institute of Civil Engineers.

 

About MAD//Fest 

Launched in 2018, MAD//Fest London is the UK’s largest brand event. In 2024, MAD//Fest brought together 12,000+ senior brand/agency marketers, 550+ speakers, and over 120 commercial partners. The festival has attracted several industry awards, including ‘Event of the Year’ and ‘Trade Show of the Year’ at the UK Event Awards. Alongside MAD//Fest London, the business operates the successful MAD//Masters By Rory Sutherland hybrid course and has launched ‘MAD//UpNorth’, which will take place in Manchester on 26-27 Feb 2025. In June 2024, MAD//Fest was acquired by The Ingenuity Group. The deal will accelerate growth and play an instrumental role in the creation of a disruptive marketing connections group.

Science

Revolutionary Breakthrough Unites Quantum Physics and General Relativity – The Ultimate Theory of Everything!

A team of pioneering scientists has just dropped a bombshell in the world of physics, unveiling a theory that could finally bridge the gap between quantum mechanics and Einstein’s theory of general relativity – the Holy Grail of physics! Published in the prestigious journal *Astroparticle Physics* and fully accepted after rigorous peer review, this jaw-dropping discovery could rewrite the rules of the universe and solve the greatest mysteries of modern science.

The groundbreaking paper, titled “On the Same Origin of Quantum Physics and General Relativity from Riemannian Geometry and Planck Scale Formalism” (Article reference: ASTPHY_103036), was authored by Chavis Srichan of Khon Kaen University and led by the corresponding author, Adrian David Cheok of Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology. After being received at the editorial office on June 27, 2024, and published on August 30, 2024, the study is now available to the public under DOI: [10.1016/j.astropartphys.2024.103036] (  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.astropartphys.2024.103036  ).

For decades, physicists have struggled to reconcile the bizarre behavior of tiny particles at the quantum level with the elegant, predictable curves of space and time described by general relativity. But now, using a radical approach that redefines space-time and energy through a new mathematical framework, these visionary researchers claim to have found the answer. Their theory suggests that the cosmos operates on a hidden geometric and energetic level that brings together both worlds in a beautiful, unexpected harmony.

What does this mean for the rest of us? Imagine a universe where black holes don’t collapse into singularities but become portals to other dimensions! A universe where the fabric of space-time itself can be bent and twisted, potentially unlocking secrets of faster-than-light travel and time manipulation. This new theory even proposes a shocking explanation for the eerie “ghost” galaxies observed by the James Webb Space Telescope – phenomena that have baffled scientists until now.

But the implications don’t stop there. This daring new theory could challenge the very foundation of physics, pushing the boundaries of what we thought was possible and sparking debates that could lead to a new era of scientific enlightenment. The world is watching as this revolutionary idea takes hold, with physicists and cosmologists racing to explore the new frontier it has opened.

Hold onto your hats, folks – the universe just got a whole lot more interesting!

For more information please contact adrian@imagineeringinstitute.org

Appointments, Business, Construction, Construction News

Fabricator welcomes next generation with new appointments

FABRICATOR Dudley’s Aluminium has made three new appointments to its team in Cardiff.

Taran Bhullar, an experienced Estimator, has joined Dudley’s from aluminium product manufacturer Smart Systems. Using his expertise, Taran will assist with cost estimation for new projects and will take an active, leading role within the department.

Joining Taran in the estimating team will be Estimator Apprentice Miles Neizer. Miles has an NVQ Level 3 in Construction in the Built Environment from Cardiff and Vale College and through his apprenticeship, he will learn to review detailed drawings, elevations, floor plans and specifications to assist the team and calculate the required costs for construction projects.

Project Design Apprentice Evan Robertson completes the trio of appointments. Evan joins the team fresh from completing his A-Levels at Newport High School and, in his apprenticeship, will be undertaking CAD training to develop his skills in project design to create detailed drawings and designs across a range of projects.

Pablo Shorney, Finance Director at Dudley’s Aluminium, said: “We are delighted to welcome Taran, Evan and Miles to our team and look forward to seeing them progress in their roles with our support.

“It’s exciting to see our team grow as our company has enjoyed a successful year with an increasing number of projects live and in the pipeline. We’re also continuing to expand with more apprentices set to join us in the coming months.”

Since 1993, Dudley’s Aluminium has offered clients full in-house design and production facilities, completing many successful and prestigious projects within the education, health, commercial, retail, residential and defence sectors throughout the UK and Channel Islands.

Dudley’s reputation for quality has been recognised with several industry-related accreditations. The company is CHAS accredited, Constructionline registered and BM Trada certified to manufacture enhanced security products to align with PAS24:2016 and BS 4873.

Accountancy, Accountancy & Accounts, Accounts and Accountancy, Economy & Jobs News

Finance teams – evolve now or become irrelevant

A comprehensive new report reveals that finance teams worldwide are at a critical juncture, with just five years to adapt to rapidly changing demands—or face the risk of becoming obsolete.

Finance teams have just five years to transform or risk becoming irrelevant, according to a new report by ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and Chartered Accountants ANZ in association with PwC. The report, Finance evolution: Thriving in the next decade, stresses the vital role finance teams play in building sustainable businesses and urges CFOs and finance leaders to take immediate action.

Drawing on insights from over 150 finance professionals and 2,300 survey responses, the report shows that businesses now demand a broader skill set from their finance teams, as retrospective reporting and traditional approaches to planning and forecasting alone no longer meet key decision-makers’ needs. Being pre-emptive is the order of the day.

The report highlights some ongoing concerns raised by survey respondents:

  • A lack of clarity on how finance can add value to the business (38%)
  • Finance being seen mainly as a cost centre (32%)
  • Current technology not meeting the needs of the organisation (30%)

Finance teams must embrace technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning and data analytics, to enhance decision-making and operational efficiency. These technologies help finance teams reduce manual tasks, boost efficiency, and be recognised as key drivers of growth rather than merely number crunchers. The role of finance has also expanded to include leadership on long-term value creation including sustainability issues.

However, the report also emphasises that as finance teams undergo this transformation, the importance of ethics must remain at the forefront. With the increasing reliance on technology and data, maintaining a strong ethical foundation is crucial to building and sustaining trust.

Helen Brand OBE, Chief Executive of ACCA, said: “For finance teams to stay relevant, they need to look ahead. CFOs and finance leaders must ensure they are measuring both the long-term and short-term goals of sustainable business models effectively. The role of the CFO is fast evolving beyond finance to encompass wider value creation and management.”

Ainslie van Onselen, Chief Executive Officer of Chartered Accountants ANZ, stated: “While the arrival of new technology presents exciting opportunities to radically transform and improve the way we work, the one thing that must never change is our profession’s strong ethical standing.  While we upskill and future proof our technology capabilities, we must also remain firmly focused on the ethical role that financial professionals – especially Chartered Accountants – must play.”

Moreover, the report highlights significant skill deficits in the areas of digital, data, and sustainability. Addressing these gaps is essential for finance teams to lead effectively in the next decade.

Simon Seymour, Partner at PwC, noted: “Respondents highlighted their biggest skills gaps as digital skills, data skills and sustainability skills.  A critical question for the industry, as a whole, is why these skills gaps remain so pronounced and how far organisations should go to own the skills agenda, and not just rely on traditional training.”

The report is a clear call for action: finance teams must embrace new technologies, develop critical skills in digital, data, and sustainability, and uphold the highest ethical standards to ensure they remain integral to their organisations’ success in the years to come.

Read the report online.

Business, Business Investment, Cardiff, Cardiff News

Cardiff Capital Region invests £1.5m in Whisper Cymru

Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) has invested £1.5m in broadcast production agency Whisper, enabling the purchase of specialist remote broadcasting equipment to deliver large scale live programming within its new Cymru Broadcast Centre facility in Cardiff, the first being the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.

The ambition of this project goes beyond the Paralympics, with other international productions already planned; a commitment to boosting skills, training and employment opportunities for underrepresented groups will see this investment bring tangible benefits to the wider community and a lasting legacy.

With this new studio equipment in place, Whisper has been able to create one of the most accessible production facilities in Europe. The facilities include a changing spaces toilet, wide walkways, ramps, power-assisted doors and accessible signage. Attention has also been given to the Centre’s colour schemes and signage throughout to ensure the Cymru Broadcast Centre can be used by as wide a range of people as possible. In addition, Media Cymru and Channel 4 co-funded research and development around accessibility in live production in conjunction with The Ability People – with the hope of acting as a case study for other technical facilities to use as best practice and to share learnings.

As one of CCR’s key priority sectors, the Creative Industries will benefit from this investment, delivering Creative Bootcamps for up 100 people over five years, covering digital and broadcast skills. In addition, Whisper will deliver two outreach events across the Region each year – the aim is to introduce young individuals to the diverse career opportunities within the industry, and to foster inclusivity and diversity.

Wales Office Minister, Nia Griffith said:

“It’s wonderful to see the Cymru Broadcast Centre open and Whisper Cymru delivering live coverage of the Paralympics for Channel 4. The UK Government recognises the value of the creative industries for Wales and that is why we are proud to invest in the Cardiff Capital Region and see that funding used to support the sector.

“We, along with our partners, are helping to build a world-class reputation for Film and TV in the Cardiff region.”

Councillor Mary Ann Brocklesby, Leader of Monmouthshire County Council and Chair of Cardiff Capital Region Committee, added:

“The Cymru Broadcast Centre shows the tremendous rewards of CCR working together with our partners at Welsh Government and Whisper Cymru. The wider economic benefits of job creation, retention of homegrown talent and attracting skilled individuals to Wales, as well as the highly accessible build of the facility opens employment opportunities to all, nurturing diversity and inclusion in our Region.

“I’m very excited about the growing creative industries sector in the Cardiff Capital Region and look forward to seeing it continue to grow and flourish.”