Author: Brittany Bathgate

Owners Club, a pioneering mobile horse racing game, made history by hosting the world’s first-ever virtual Champions Day race at the iconic Ascot Racecourse. The event drew significant attention, with over 10,000 players from across the UK participating in this high-stakes competition. From this large pool, 600 players qualified for the tournament, 60 advanced to the finals, and the top 12 competed in a thrilling live race. The final showdown was broadcast across all screens at Ascot, creating an electrifying atmosphere for the audience. The virtual race was narrated by legendary announcer Mike X, whose distinctive voice added excitement to…

Kantata, a global leader in technology for professional services, has announced the winners of the 2024 Kantata Catalyst Awards during the recent Kantata Converge user conference. These awards recognise customers who have significantly impacted their clients and the industry, highlighting the role of innovation in advancing the professional services sector. The Kantata Catalyst Awards aim to showcase the achievements of customers who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to change, all while utilising Kantata’s cutting-edge platform for project management, resource optimisation, and client satisfaction. “This year, we honour professionals and teams who have implemented bold strategies and overcome industry challenges,”…

QS Recruitment, a specialist in driver, warehouse, manufacturing, and social care recruitment, is giving its employees a significant stake in the company as part of its ambitious growth strategy. The firm has recently issued shares to long-standing staff members to acknowledge their contributions and success while offering new hires the opportunity to earn a similar stake. This initiative comes as QS Recruitment announces plans to expand its workforce by 80% over the next three years across its regional hubs, following a management buyout completed earlier this year. Peter Gillespie, Managing Director of QS Recruitment, highlighted the importance of equity in…

New figures from the UK’s insolvency and restructuring trade body, R3, reveal that Yorkshire and the Humber experienced a significant rise in new business start-ups between August and September. The region saw a 7.7% increase in new businesses, with a total of 4,235 start-ups in September, according to data analysed by R3, based on research from CreditSafe. This represents over 300 more start-ups than the previous month. This positive shift comes after a 3.5% decline in business formations between July and August, suggesting a rebound in entrepreneurial activity across the region. Yorkshire and the Humber ranked fourth in terms of…

Students in Wales are laying the groundwork for their future careers in the construction industry through an innovative suite of apprenticeship programmes. The inaugural cohort has begun their journey in the country’s first fully funded Construction Degree Apprenticeships, which aim to equip them with both academic qualifications and valuable work experience. The programme, based at Coleg Cambria’s Bersham Road site in Wrexham, will see students spend two years at the college before transferring to Wrexham University for their final two years. This unique pathway is designed to foster the next generation of professionals in key fields such as Construction Management,…

Crystal Units, a leader in glazing solutions, is marking its 30th anniversary, reflecting on three decades of innovation and excellence in the UK’s construction industry. Established with a vision to deliver cutting-edge glazing technologies, the company has significantly advanced its offerings, providing solutions for residential, commercial, and architectural projects across the nation. Since its inception, Crystal Units has focused on innovation, pioneering technologies such as C.U.in and NUclr glass. These advancements have redefined energy efficiency, thermal performance, and design aesthetics, allowing the company to meet the evolving needs of architects, window installers, builders, and homeowners alike. Over the years, Crystal…

A new analysis has identified the areas in England where residents face the highest council tax bills, with Elmbridge, Surrey, topping the list for 2024. The study, conducted by tax specialists at Tax Accountant, examined council tax data from gov.uk, revealing that affluent areas with high property values are paying significantly more for local services. Elmbridge leads the way with an average council tax of £2,646 per dwelling, followed by Surrey Heath, where residents pay £2,501 on average. Waverley, another Surrey district, ranks third with a rate of £2,488 per home. These areas are among the wealthiest in England, where…

A new analysis has highlighted significant governance challenges in the United States, warning that democratic accountability and state capacity have declined sharply since 2015. The findings come ahead of the upcoming presidential election, raising concerns about the efficacy of the country’s political system, particularly in key swing states. The research, conducted by the Luskin School of Public Affairs at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), the Berggruen Institute in Los Angeles, and the Hertie School in Berlin, paints a troubling picture of the state of US democracy. According to the study, democratic norms have weakened across multiple levels, posing…

A family-run restaurant in Whitby, famous for its Fish and Chips Afternoon Tea, has secured a £25,000 business loan from NatWest to fund its expansion. Hetty & Betty, which has been serving the community since 2018, is using the loan to renovate its historic Georgian Ballroom, a key feature of its wedding venue. The expansion is set to create new jobs in the area as the business grows its offering. Lois Kirtlan, Founder and Director of Hetty & Betty, established the restaurant after gaining 17 years of experience in the hospitality industry. The business, named after her daughter Harriett, has…

Clearspeed, a leading provider of AI-powered risk assessment technology, has announced a new partnership with RSA Insurance aimed at improving fraud detection and enhancing the overall claims process. The collaboration will utilise Clearspeed’s voice analytics solution, enabling RSA to streamline operations and provide a better customer experience in an increasingly complex fraud landscape. The rise of opportunistic fraud, exacerbated by advancements in artificial intelligence, has posed significant challenges for insurance providers. Concurrently, consumer expectations for faster and simpler claims settlements are also on the rise. In response, RSA is making strategic investments in automation and advanced technologies to accelerate workflows…