Author: Scott Dylan

In a series of significant developments, several key appointments and strategic moves have been announced across various businesses in the North West region. These changes reflect the dynamic nature of the business landscape, with companies making strides to enhance their operations and drive growth.From leadership appointments to strategic expansions, the business community is witnessing a wave of transformative changes. This article delves into these notable developments, highlighting the impact on the respective organisations and the broader regional economy.Vulse Appoints Katie Gallagher to BoardVulse, a LinkedIn employee advocacy platform headquartered in Manchester, has brought on board Katie Gallagher as a director.…

Commuters in Bristol may soon be required to pay a £20 weekly charge to park at their city centre workplaces as the city council intensifies its efforts to reduce congestion and air pollution.The proposed workplace parking levy is anticipated to affect approximately 9,000 employees who currently enjoy free parking at their places of employment. The levy would impose a charge on businesses that offer free staff parking, with many employers expected to pass this cost onto their employees. Exceptions to the levy are expected for disabled individuals who rely on private vehicles, hospital workers, and other specific groups.The city council…

The Treasury continues to engage in “positive discussions” with AstraZeneca regarding the future of its vaccine plant in Merseyside. Former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt had previously announced the pharmaceutical giant’s plan for a new £450 million vaccine plant in Liverpool, part of a broader £650 million investment in the UK.Reports have indicated potential deadlock in talks between the Government and AstraZeneca, with suggestions of reduced state support for the project, from £90 million to £40 million. These reports further speculated that AstraZeneca might consider relocating its manufacturing operations overseas, potentially to the US or India.The Treasury asserts its commitment to making…

As traditional identity management systems increasingly struggle to meet the security demands of the digital world, biometric authentication has emerged as a promising alternative. By leveraging unique physical characteristics such as fingerprints and facial features, biometrics offer a more secure method for verifying identities and managing access.Biometric authentication systems employ a person’s unique physical traits to verify their identity. These include fingerprints, facial features, and even voice patterns. Unlike traditional passwords or PINs, biometric data is difficult to replicate or steal, providing a higher level of security. Two technologies stand out in this field: facial recognition and 3D liveness detection.Facial…

With the release of iOS 18 this October, AI on your iPhone or iPad is set to become significantly more advanced and impactful.AI technology is already integrated into various features on iPhones and iPads, eliminating the need to wait for the latest update to experience its benefits. For instance, digital assistants like Siri and Alexa can understand and execute commands as if they were human. This hands-free interaction allows users to send messages, answer calls, control smart home devices, auto-play music, and get directions without lifting a finger. Beyond voice assistants, AI plays a crucial role in photo editing. iPhone…

Choosing between edge computing and cloud computing hinges on specific business requirements. This comparison aims to provide guidance on the optimal selection for data processing needs.Edge computing processes data close to its origin on devices such as sensors or machines, avoiding the need to send all data to a central server or cloud. This local processing saves time and reduces data transfer costs. Technologies like 5G and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have amplified the demand for edge computing due to their necessity for real-time data processing. This method excels in applications requiring immediate data analysis, making it ideal for sectors like…

A dating app aimed at individuals in alternative relationships nearly doubled its revenues last year, thanks to a surge in non-monogamous, queer, and kinky users expanding its global reach.The platform, established by an entrepreneurial couple who are themselves in an open relationship, has stated its mission is to elevate the human experience of sexuality and relationships. Operating from a registered office on an industrial estate in Carlisle, Cumbria, the app has seen considerable growth in popularity.In recent years, there has been a significant rise in interest in non-traditional relationship structures, such as polyamory. As a result, last year marked the…

Clive Owen LLP, an accounting and business advisory firm with offices in Darlington, Durham, York, and Middlesbrough, has confirmed its commitment to best practices by securing accreditation from the Good Business Charter (GBC).This esteemed accreditation recognises the firm’s dedication to responsible business practices and sustainable growth. The Good Business Charter is awarded to businesses that meet ten essential components covering employee conditions, environmental impact, and the treatment of clients and suppliers. By committing to these ten components, Clive Owen LLP demonstrates its dedication to responsible business growth, aligning with its core values and future growth plans.Carl Wright, the Sustainability Lead…

A Cheshire-based bakery is set to launch a new TV and multi-channel marketing campaign as part of a £1.5m promotional drive next week.Entitled ‘Back to our Best’, the campaign will highlight the remarkable taste and quality that has defined over 130 years of baking success, targeting consumers across key distribution areas with a powerful comeback message. The bakery was affected by a fire at its Northwich site last year, which disrupted production and led to a multi-million pound investment into the site facilities to ensure future sustainability.The campaign invites consumers to rediscover its freshest, softest family recipe. The TV advert…

In a recent update to its 10,000 employees, the Spanish-owned bank announced that its current policy of allowing staff to work two days a week at one of its sites would be replaced by a requirement of 12 days a month—effectively three days a week.The change aligns with a broader trend among employers to increase on-site attendance, as many companies seek to shift the balance of hybrid working towards more time in the office. This adjustment comes on the heels of PwC’s announcement that its 26,000 UK employees must now spend at least three days a week in the office…