Author: Scott Dylan

Revolut, a leading FinTech unicorn, is taking a significant step in addressing gender imbalance within the tech industry. The company has launched free coding classes for women, aimed at fostering a more diverse engineering team.Currently, women are significantly underrepresented in tech roles, with startling statistics showing only 20% opting for computer science at the GCSE level. Revolut’s initiative seeks to bridge this gap and create more opportunities for women to excel in technical fields.Revolut’s initiative represents a significant step towards a more inclusive tech industry. By offering these free coding classes, the company not only enhances its team diversity but…

Marks & Spencer has unveiled its groundbreaking ‘Mobile, Pay, Go’ service, transforming the shopping experience for its London-based clientele.This mobile payment option, part of M&S’s digital strategy, allows quick transactions, catering to busy shoppers.Introduction of Mobile PaymentRetail giant Marks & Spencer (M&S) has introduced a new mobile payment service, ‘Mobile, Pay, Go’, to enhance the shopping experience in six London stores. This innovative service utilises the M&S app, allowing customers to scan and pay for items directly from their iPhone using Apple Pay or a saved card, removing the need to queue at traditional tills.The rollout is currently live at…

BetaDen, Worcestershire’s pioneering tech accelerator, has introduced the first seven participants in its programme, covering diverse emerging tech industries such as healthcare, entertainment, sensors, and IoT security.This initial cohort aims to address some of the most pressing challenges faced by businesses today, including data privacy and the UK’s productivity crisis. Participants will undergo a nine-month support programme at Malvern Hills Science Park to develop their ideas and prepare for market launch or to expedite the growth of their existing businesses.Worcestershire is experiencing rapid economic growth, home to over 17,500 cyber and digital companies and on track to become the UK’s…

Tim Berners-Lee, the creator of the World Wide Web, has unveiled a new start-up named Inrupt, designed to create a decentralised internet where corporations no longer control user data.In a detailed blog post, Berners-Lee outlined that the web has evolved into a platform where users exchange their data for products and services from major internet companies. To address this issue, he has been developing an open-source platform called Solid in collaboration with researchers at MIT. Solid aims to enable users to choose where their data is stored and who can access it.The traditional method of data storage involves various companies…

Ripple XRP is anticipated to become the dominant digital currency for businesses, drawing parallels to Microsoft’s role in the early internet era, according to Phillip Nunn, CEO of The Blackmore Group and Wealth Chain Group.Phillip Nunn recently tweeted expressing his scepticism towards Ripple XRP, yet acknowledging their significant advancements. He stated, ‘I’ve never been a supporter of #ripple $xrp. But boy they are making some serious moves. And the fact I have issues with their offering are being put aside for now as they become so important in flying the #crypto #blockchain flag. They will become the Microsoft of #crypto.’In…

Data deletion requests should not be automatically complied with by businesses, as other legislation often obliges them to retain information that overrides GDPR.Stephen Watkins, an IT and InfoSec expert at a financial compliance consultancy, has emphasised that companies must assess whether an individual’s desire to ‘be forgotten’ conflicts with legal obligations, particularly regarding potential fraudulent activity and human resources. He questioned, “When does empowering individuals to be ‘masters of their own personal data destiny’ encroach on a payment service provider’s legal responsibility to prevent fraud, safeguard its venture, and limit criminal activity?”Watkins described a scenario where a fraudster, declined during…

Amazon has announced an increase in minimum wage for all its employees in the United Kingdom and the United States in response to criticism regarding working conditions.From November 1st, London-based workers’ pay will rise to £10.50 per hour, while those outside the capital will receive £9.50 per hour, both increasing from the current £8 per hour. In the United States, the minimum wage will rise to $15 (£11.57) per hour for over 250,000 staff members. This change affects Amazon’s 17,000 permanent workers as well as 20,000 temporary staff employed at various times throughout the year.Founder and CEO Jeff Bezos stated,…

Leeds being chosen as the location of Channel 4’s new headquarters could serve as a significant catalyst for attracting further investment into the West Yorkshire city. Richard Ellis, managing principal consultant and head of digital retail at a technology company, conveyed this sentiment during a recent event focused on Leeds’ technological growth.Richard Ellis stated, ‘I think it would be a real catalyst in terms of attracting other figurehead businesses to come into the city.’ He emphasised that such a development would boost the local economy, generate jobs, and increase Leeds’ appeal to potential investors.Although the final decision regarding Channel 4’s…

The manufacturing sector is now utilising artificial intelligence (AI) to predict machinery breakdowns, promising significant benefits despite potential challenges.By transitioning from reactive maintenance to predictive maintenance, manufacturers can avert disruptions in their output levels and prevent issues from escalating down the production line. Nevertheless, excessive maintenance without genuine predictive capabilities may cause unwarranted downtime and increased costs.Predictive maintenance offers a balanced approach, addressing potential issues before equipment failure without the expense of over-maintenance. According to Kevin Bull, Product Strategy Director, predictive maintenance identifies and resolves problems preemptively, thus avoiding the costs associated with emergency repairs or unnecessary upkeep.Deployments of the…

Agent Academy CIC, a social enterprise based in the North West, has successfully generated over £2 million in salaries through its industry-designed skills programme aimed at preparing young people for the digital revolution.Agent Academy CIC aims to equip young individuals with the necessary skills to succeed in the rapidly evolving technology sector. Traditional education often falls short when it comes to providing these skills, leaving many young people unemployed or in insecure, low-skilled jobs. The 2018 Centre for Cities Outlook Report highlights that 3.6 million jobs are at risk of disappearing by 2030, emphasising the need for policymakers to prepare…