Bite-size news and insight from UK business and tech – including funding, deals and appointments
Published: January 7, 2026 at 11:52 am
London-based Apex Rides has raised £420,000 to accelerate the development of its connected fitness platform and support a shift to an app-first, hardware-agnostic model.
The funding round included backing from FundMyPitch alongside strategic angels and venture capital investors.
Originally launched with its own bikes, the company is now positioning its platform as a software layer that works with any Bluetooth-enabled bike in an attempt to expand its market.
The firm previously raised a £3 million seed round in 2021, which included investment from former Formula 1 team boss Eddie Jordan.
Published: January 7, 2026 at 11:26 am
Oxford Quantum Circuits has appointed Darko Stojkovic as its new chief operating officer as the company moves into its next phase of global expansion and commercial scale-up.
Stojkovic brings extensive experience in scaling advanced manufacturing and complex supply chains, having previously held senior operational roles at companies including Refeyn, Vestas and Keeler.
His appointment comes as OQC accelerates the deployment of its quantum computing platforms into commercial data centres worldwide.
The company said the move strengthens its leadership team as demand for enterprise-grade quantum computing continues to grow.
Published: January 7, 2026 at 11:00 am
Nonwovenn has been acquired by CorpAcq in a deal that marks the exit of growth capital investor BGF after nearly a decade of backing the Somerset-based manufacturer.
Founded in 2003 by chairman David Lamb, the business designs and manufactures specialist nonwoven technical fabrics for niche applications, with a strong focus on harm reduction.
Its products are used in areas including protective clothing, wound care and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) protection.
BGF first invested in the business in 2016, providing multi-million-pound funding to support expansion and innovation.
Since that initial investment, the firm has more than doubled its annual turnover, growing revenues from £19 million in 2016 to £46m in 2025, with continued growth into 2026.
Published: January 7, 2026 at 10:19 am
Nasdaq-listed Amgen has agreed to acquire Oxford-based Dark Blue Therapeutics in a deal valued at around £622 million.
The swoop is set to strengthen the US MedTech giant’s early-stage oncology pipeline and its focus on targeted protein degradation.
Private firm Dark Blue Therapeutics is currently developing first-in-class small molecule therapies designed to degrade disease-driving proteins.
Its lead investigational programme targets MLLT1 and MLLT3, proteins implicated in certain forms of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), an aggressive blood cancer with limited treatment options and high relapse rates.
Amgen, listed in the US, has a market cap of $177.8 billion.
It is one of the world’s largest MedTechs, with a portfolio spanning oncology, cardiovascular disease, inflammation and rare conditions.
Published: January 7, 2026 at 9:45 am
The Scottish National Investment Bank has appointed David Ritchie as its new CEO, succeeding Al Denholm, who is retiring after a 40-year career in investment.
Ritchie was a founding member of the bank and most recently served as chief strategy officer, playing a key role in its launch in 2020.
The bank has committed more than £990 million across 49 businesses and helped attract a further £1.4 billion in co-investment.
Ritchie will lead the organisation as it continues to focus on its missions around net zero, place and innovation.
Published: January 7, 2026 at 9:10 am
Universal Music Group has announced a collaboration with NVIDIA to develop responsible AI technologies for music discovery, creation and fan engagement.
The partnership will combine NVIDIA’s AI infrastructure with Universal’s extensive global music catalogue to explore new ways of enhancing discovery, personalisation and interactive experiences while protecting artists’ rights.
The companies will also work on tools that support human-led creativity and ensure proper attribution and compensation for rightsholders.
Published: January 7, 2026 at 9:05 am
SmartSearch has completed its acquisition of Credas Technologies, bringing together two specialist providers of KYC (Know Your Customer), AML (Anti-Money Laundering) and digital identity solutions.
The Ilkley-based business said the deal will enhance its ability to support regulated firms across sectors including financial services, legal, accountancy, property and insurance, as compliance requirements continue to evolve.
Cardiff-headquartered Credas’ digital identity verification technology and established brand will be integrated into SmartSearch’s platform, expanding flexibility and accelerating product development.
Following the acquisition, the combined group will serve more than 8,500 regulated firms, up from SmartSearch’s existing base of more than 7,500 UK customers.
Published: January 7, 2026 at 8:54 am
NAVEX has appointed Joe Stubbs as UK country manager as the risk and compliance software provider continues to expand its international operations.
Stubbs brings 20 years’ experience in revenue-focused roles, including senior positions at Cognism, Ceros and Adestra, and will be responsible for driving growth and localisation in the UK market.
His appointment follows a series of senior hires across Europe and Asia as the Oregon-based firm responds to rising demand for risk and compliance technology.
The business serves more than 13,000 organisations globally, including the majority of Fortune 100 and 500 companies.
Published: January 7, 2026 at 8:42 am
A listed University of Leeds spinout in danger of going insolvent has left the London Stock Exchange after two decades.
In December Tissue Regenix Group secured $500,000 in emergency funding to help it to remain afloat, having appointed a new leadership team in October following the discovery of errors in previously reported revenues.
Trading in its shares on London’s AIM market have been suspended since that time as it restated its 2024 revenue figures.
Following approval at a shareholder meeting just before Christmas, the regenerative medical devices company has today cancelled the admission to trading on AIM of its ordinary shares.
The company has appointed a secondary market trading facility, Asset Match, to facilitate trading in its shares. Asset Match, a firm authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, will operate an electronic off-market dealing facility for these.
Published: January 7, 2026 at 8:20 am
One of McCann Manchester’s managing directors is to leave after 19 years with the agency.
Graham Todd, who joined the firm as an account director in 2007, was appointed joint MD alongside Laura McKinlay in May 2024.
“It’s been an incredible journey alongside truly amazing colleagues and clients,” he wrote on LinkedIn. “Together we’ve produced work that has transformed businesses and won a fair few creative and effectiveness awards along the way.
“But it’s the people in this industry that matter most to me. Their skill, their craft, the dedication and the character to believe in an idea and see it through with absolute confidence it’s going to deliver.
“McCann Manchester is a unique place, and from that first drive up to Bonis Hall it becomes a part of you that will never go. I feel privileged to have been part of it for so long. The memories will last a lifetime and those of you who helped make them so special, you know who you are.
“So, to everyone I’ve worked with, a simple thank you doesn’t come close – but I hope you know what this has all meant to me, and being part of this place and working together has been a huge part of my life.
“And to the many who are experiencing a similar situation at this time, my words of wisdom are to believe in yourself – you are amazing.
“It’s now time to take a short break Down Under which might involve a beach, some sun, a cold beer and time with my amazing better half. I’ll be back at the end of January ready for what 2026 and beyond brings. The Open to Work logo is officially on.
“And finally, to quote a particularly insightful person, Work Hard – Be Nice people.”
Published: January 7, 2026 at 8:08 am
Faculty has become the first tech unicorn of 2026 after it was bought by Accenture in a deal worth more than $1 billion.
While terms of the deal were not disclosed, Faculty investors Apax Digital and Mercuri said it made the company a unicorn.
“Quadrupling revenues in four years, launching a successful AI software offering and becoming a unicorn – this is a great outcome for Faculty and showcases the strength of the UK’s AI ecosystem,” said Mark Beith, partner at Apax Digital.
Alan Hudson, partner at Mercuri, wrote on LinkedIn that Faculty was “the first UK tech unicorn of 2026”.
In three months last year Accenture cut 11,000 staff in a restructure with CEO and chair Julie Sweet warning that the figure would grow if staff did not retrain for AI. Its 800,000 employees are now referred to as ‘reinventors’ amid the pivot to AI advice.
“With Faculty, we will further accelerate our strategy to bring trusted, advanced AI to the heart of our clients’ businesses,” said Sweet in announcing the deal. “I’m pleased to welcome the Faculty team to Accenture and look forward to [co-founder and CEO] Marc Warner’s contribution shaping our technology vision and strategy as [our new] chief technology officer.”
Published: January 7, 2026 at 7:46 am
Mia Drennan has spent most of her life breaking through glass ceilings.
Earlier this week GLAS, the London FinTech she co-founded in 2011 with £6,000 of capital, secured strategic investment from leading European mid-market private equity firm, Oakley Capital, and one of Canada’s largest institutional investors, La Caisse.
The deal size has not been disclosed but it’s understood to have been in excess of £1bn.
It’s a remarkable story – until you understand a bit more about the driving force behind the business.
Mia Drennan was born in May 1970 and as a teenager joined the air cadets and dreamt of being a fighter pilot.
Unfortunately her passion came several years before female pilots were allowed to join the RAF so she pursued her other passion of art instead.
However, after working as a holiday rep is Corfu she responded to a job advert at a London accountancy – and has never looked back.
Published: January 6, 2026 at 4:45 pm
Publisher Collective has appointed Andrew Buckman as its new CEO as it enters the next phase of growth following its merger with Snigel.
Buckman replaces Christian Jeschko, with Jeschko remaining as chief operating officer focused on growth initiatives and publisher partnerships.
Buckman brings nearly 30 years of industry experience, including a long career in MarTech and a previous role as CEO of Sublime, which exited to Azerion.
His initial focus at the Bath-based firm will be on integrating teams and systems, strengthening publisher relationships and driving sustainable profitability.
Published: January 6, 2026 at 4:00 pm
IBM and the All England Lawn Tennis Club have agreed a multi-year renewal of their long-running technology partnership, extending a collaboration that spans more than 36 years.
The renewed agreement will focus on expanding Wimbledon’s global reach and deepening fan engagement through AI-powered digital experiences across its website and mobile app.
IBM’s watsonx technology underpins features such as predictive insights and interactive match tools, which helped drive a 16% increase in digital engagement in 2025.
The partnership has been widely recognised for innovation and will continue to play a central role in shaping Wimbledon’s digital strategy from 2026 onwards.
Published: January 6, 2026 at 3:10 pm
The UK government has unveiled a new £210m-plus Cyber Action Plan aimed at strengthening the security and resilience of online public services.
The plan, overseen by a newly established Government Cyber Unit, is designed to protect services such as benefits, tax and healthcare from an increasing range of cyber threats.
It supports wider ambitions to digitise public services, making them easier to access while reducing reliance on phone calls and paperwork.
The strategy also sets tougher cyber resilience expectations for suppliers working with government.
Published: January 6, 2026 at 12:56 pm
Global online marketplace Fruugo saw revenues decline sharply in 2024 as new European regulations and platform changes led to a company slump, according to newly filed accounts.
The Ulverston-based eCommerce group reported turnover of £56.4 million for the year to 31st December 2024, down from £78m in 2023, as gross merchandise value and order volumes fell across the platform.
The firm said the decline was driven by a reduction in active retailers and fewer transactions following regulatory intervention under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Fruugo operates an international marketplace connecting consumers with retailers across more than 40 countries.
Published: January 6, 2026 at 12:16 pm
Inflexion-backed Axiom GRC has strengthened its push into the US with the acquisition of AssurancePoint, a specialist provider of SOC and ISO audit and advisory services for mid-sized organisations.
Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Atlanta, AssurancePoint has built a fast-growing business focused on technology-enabled assurance services.
Following the acquisition, the company will be integrated into IS Partners, Axiom GRC’s US platform, expanding its audit and assurance capabilities and accelerating growth across North America.
The deal marks the London-based firm’s second US acquisition since the group formally launched in May 2025, backed by £500 million of private equity funding.
Published: January 6, 2026 at 11:58 am
Media and entertainment group Global has acquired a majority stake in Gary Neville’s sports media group The Overlap.
The Overlap has become one of the world’s most popular football and sports destinations since launching in 2021, with more than 38 million monthly views on YouTube, and it recently announced it had achieved 2.2 billion views across all platforms in 2025.
Described as a strategic partnership, the new company will be co-chaired by Gary Neville and Global Group CEO Simon Pitts, with Scott Melvin as lead executive director.
Published: January 6, 2026 at 11:32 am
Communicate Technology has appointed Paul Bryce as its new CEO as the cybersecurity and IT network specialist looks to build on a period of rapid growth following acquisitions and private equity backing.
The appointment comes after the Teesside-headquartered firm delivered 102% year-on-year growth, driven in part by the successful integration of Blaze Networks, which it acquired last year, and investment from private equity firm Rockpool in 2024.
The business provides cybersecurity, managed IT and network solutions to organisations across the UK.
Bryce brings more than 30 years’ experience in the managed service provider sector and joins the company from a background that includes being a founding member of Node4.
During his time in senior leadership roles at Node4, he helped scale the business from start-up to more than 1,100 employees and £190 million in annual revenues, while playing a key role in 10 acquisitions and three rounds of private equity investment.
In his new role, Bryce will be responsible for leading Communicate through its next phase of growth, with a focus on long-term value creation, strategy and culture.
Founder and outgoing group CEO Tony Snaith will remain on the board as a non-executive director.
Published: January 6, 2026 at 11:16 am
Professional services giant Accenture has agreed to acquire London-based AI specialist Faculty as it looks to strengthen its applied AI and decision intelligence capabilities.
Founded in 2014, Faculty works with public and private sector organisations to design, build and deploy AI systems, with a strong focus on safety, ethics and real-world outcomes.
The business employs more than 400 AI professionals, who will join the New York-listed firm following completion of the deal, while Faculty’s decision intelligence platform Frontier™ will be integrated into Accenture’s product suite.
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