Bite-size news and insight from UK business and tech – including funding, deals and appointments
Author: Patrick Killeen
BGF has appointed Ben Barker as its new chief investment officer (CIO), with the long-serving investment leader stepping up from his current role as head of portfolio.
Barker, who joined BGF in 2016 and has overseen portfolio, exits and value creation activity since 2023, takes up the position with immediate effect and will join the BGF board, reporting to CEO Andy Gregory.
He previously worked at banking giants HSBC, Halifax and Lloyds, as well as sitting on the board of multiple businesses as a non-executive director.
In his new role, Barker will be responsible for overseeing investment activity and portfolio management across all areas of the business, as the London-based firm continues to focus on disciplined investing and supporting management teams to deliver long-term returns.
Author: Patrick Killeen
SaleCycle has acquired French conversion optimisation firm BEYABLE in a deal designed to create one of Europe’s most advanced full-funnel conversion platforms for eCommerce brands.
The Gateshead-based firm was backed by BGF in 2018 to support innovation and international expansion.
This acquisition is positioned as the next step in building a European-owned MarTech alternative to global marketing suites.
The combined offer will bring together identity resolution, behavioural intent scoring, on-site personalisation and A/B testing, alongside remarketing across channels including email, SMS, WhatsApp and RCS.
It is in an attempt to help brands convert more visitors and generate measurable revenue.
Author: Jonathan Symcox
Grok, the AI tool on Elon Musk’s social media platform X, will no longer be able to ‘undress’ images of real people in jurisdictions where it is illegal.
The climbdown follows widespread condemnation of the tool, which is being used by thousands to remove the clothes of women and children in images.
X disabled the image generator for free users – meaning only those who had logged personal details with X could use it – but the pressure intensified further after Malaysia and Indonesia became the first countries in the world to block access to Grok outright. Yesterday California confirmed that it was probing the spread of sexualised AI deepfakes, including of children, generated by the AI model.
“We now geoblock the ability of all users to generate images of real people in bikinis, underwear, and similar attire via the Grok account and in Grok in X in those jurisdictions where it’s illegal,” X said in a statement.
“We have implemented technological measures to prevent the Grok account from allowing the editing of images of real people in revealing clothing.”
Author: Patrick Killeen
EdTech Tapestry has announced a new partnership with school data management specialist Wonde, enabling schools to securely connect their management information system (MIS) directly to their Tapestry account.
The integration will allow the thousands of primary schools already using the platform to automatically sync data via Wonde, cutting down on manual updates and reducing admin for teachers and early years teams.
Cloud-based data management solutions provider Wonde is headquartered in Newmarket and already used by over 30,000 schools across 60 countries.
Meanwhile, Tapestry, which was launched in 2012, is used in more than 14,000 schools across over 40 countries and recently ranked 3rd in BusinessCloud’s EdTech 50.
It was launched through Foundation Stage Forum by husband and wife Helen and Steve Edwards.
Author: Patrick Killeen
Audioboom has reported a strong trading update for 2025, with a sharp rise in profitability and record performance in the final quarter of the year.
The AIM-listed podcast company’s adjusted EBITDA is expected to come in at around $5.1 million (£3.8m), up 54% year-on-year and ahead of market expectations, while revenue rose 10% to approximately $80.4m (£59.8m).
However, the Jersey-based business has seen its share price fall by over 6.5% to 710p since markets opened today.
This goes against the grain, as it has seen its stock rise by a whopping 67% in the past 12 months, with its market cap rising to £132m.
The company also delivered improved gross profit of around $17m, up 18%, as it continued to prioritise higher quality revenue streams.
Listed FinTech group TruFin expects its adjusted profit before tax to be ahead of previously guided expectations and jump a whopping 720% year-on-year.
After posting £900,000 profit in FY24, it expects to report PBT of £7.4m in FY25.
Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in excess of £11.8m (FY24: £7.6m). Group revenue is expected to be approximately £63m (FY24: £55m).
The group’s exceptional financial performance during 2025 was predominantly driven by Playstack. It also owns the Oxygen and Satago brands.
Abingdon Health plc saw half-year revenues grow by 45% to £4.5 million in the six months to 31st December 2025.
The York-based firm, a developer, manufacturer and regulatory services provider for rapid diagnostic tests and MedTech, said the growth was driven by several significant commercial contracts.
Cash and cash equivalents at 31st December 2025 were £3.6m (30th June 2025: £1.9 million). This followed the company’s fundraise in October 2025 which raised £3.2m net of expenses to accelerate expansion operations in the USA and enhance working capital required in new higher revenue-generating projects.
The board is maintaining its revenue guidance for FY26, including grant-funded income, in line with market expectations of £12.6m (£12.2m plus £400,000 grant-funded revenue).
Author: Patrick Killeen
Digitalbox expects profits to beat forecasts after a strong end to 2025, as the AIM-listed mobile-first publisher’s strategy helped it navigate a changing media market shaped by AI.
The Peterborough-based business now expects adjusted EBITDA for the 2025 to come in comfortably ahead of market expectations at around £330,000, compared to a consensus figure of £200,000.
Revenue is expected to be approximately £3.9 million, slightly below the £4.1m consensus, while gross cash stood at around £1.8m at year end.
Author: Chris Maguire
Modern Milkman, a pioneer in sustainable grocery delivery, has launched a new doorstep recycling service for old toys and small electrical products.
Collections will initially start with customers in Harrow, Wellingborough, Warrington and Newcastle before being expanded to everyone in 2026.
The new service initially start with old toys and small electrical products but there are plans to expand the range of goods to include textiles and clothing, books and media and household items.
Founder and CEO Simon Mellin said Collections was a natural extension of Modern Milkman.
“You fill a bag, leave it out with your empties, and we’ll take care of the rest with local recycling partners.
“No trips. No sorting. No guilt – just less clutter at home and a positive impact on the planet.”
The new service works by customers ordering a plastic bag for either old toys or small electrical products online at a cost of £2.50.
According to the company’s website a large wooden milk hut costs £15.
The UK economy grew by 0.3% in November, more than expected, despite uncertainty around Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s Budget.
A more modest 0.1% expansion had been forecasted following a 0.1% fall in October.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that the services sector grew by 0.3% in November, while production grew by 1.1% and motor vehicle manufacture grew a whopping 25.5% as the sector recovers following the cyber attack on Jaguar Land Rover earlier last year.
However, construction fell by 1.3%.
Finseta, a foreign exchange and payments solutions company, has reported a 9% increase in revenue in its latest annual results.
The firm, which offers multi-currency accounts to businesses and individuals through a technology platform, expects to report revenue of £12.4 million (FY 2024: £11.4m) for the year ended 31st December 2025.
After receiving regulatory approval in March 2025 to provide payment services in the United Arab Emirates, the group achieved significant growth in its Dubai operation, ahead of the board’s initial expectations, and consequently invested further in the sales team to support accelerated future growth in the region.
Together with further expansion of the UK sales teams in 2025, the group also saw strong growth in business with corporate clients in the UK.
Author: Patrick Killeen
Cirata’s share price jumped by more than 16% today after the Sheffield-based data integration business posted a record set of bookings.
The scandal-hit company is now on track to turn cash flow positive in the first quarter of FY26.
In an unaudited trading update for the quarter ended 31st December 2025, the firm reported FY25 Data Integration (DI) bookings of $13.2 million – its strongest full-year performance since 2017 and an increase of 181% year-on-year.
Q4 DI bookings alone hit $9.8m, the strongest quarterly DI bookings in the company’s history.
Cirata also revealed two contracts described as the largest in its history – a $6.7m OEM deal and a $3.1m direct customer contract.
Author: Patrick Killeen
Omnea has been named winner of the 2026 Startups 100 Index after impressing judges with its AI-led approach to modernising procurement.
The London-dominated list, which has returned for its 18th edition, featured 69 companies which are said to be headquartered in London.
Startups from regions including Oxford (4), Cardiff (3), Cambridge (3) and Brighton (3) were featured but their numbers were fractional compared to the eye-watering figure of firms in the capital.
Telent has secured a major RAF contract to operate and enhance the Site Co-ordination, Installation and Design Authority (SCIDA) service.
SCIDA controls how IT and communications infrastructure changes are approved and delivered across 244 sites, including all military air traffic control infrastructure.
The contract starts this month, with a four-year delivery phase beginning in April, and includes new customer liaison and process improvement roles to modernise workflows.
Telent, which was acquired by M Group in August last year, will manage end-to-end change control and stakeholder engagement, replacing spreadsheet-heavy processes with secure digital tools inside the MOD’s Modnet environment.
It will also integrate the RAF’s AutoCAD planning system to reduce duplication, improve transparency and speed up approvals, with 37 staff transferring into Telent as part of the transition.
A workplace wellbeing rewards platform designed to encourage healthier habits through real-world incentives has closed a £150,000 phase one pre-seed funding round.
Alongside the fundraise, London-based incentifi has also appointed James Hardy as an investor and strategic advisor.
Hardy brings experience from senior finance roles at Deliveroo and is now co-founder and COO at tailored supplements company Bioniq, which has scaled to Series B and counts Cristiano Ronaldo among its backers.
The funding will support the firm’s first pilots with employers, including independently owned Specsavers practices, testing how rewards tied to movement and healthier routines can boost staff wellbeing while unlocking tangible lifestyle value such as cheaper holidays.
The company is now preparing a £500,000 next-stage raise, with SEIS assurance in place, alongside a closed pilot programme and soft launch focused on iteration and employer feedback.
Author: Patrick Killeen
Green Economy, part of The Growth Company, has appointed Stuart Roberts as associate director as it expands its national presence.
Roberts brings more than 15 years’ experience across business development, sustainability consultancy, the built environment, commercial energy solutions and education.
In the role, he will lead business development, grow the Greater Manchester firm’s consultancy and commercial services, as well as oversee strategic partnerships supporting green tech development and public-sector policy delivery.
Green Economy provides end-to-end support to businesses as the UK decarbonises.
The business looks to help organisations cut emissions while also supporting growth across the green technologies and services supply chain.
Author: Patrick Killeen
AI-powered credit technology company Abound has expanded into the UK mortgage market after acquiring Ahauz, a specialist lender focused on shared equity mortgages.
Under the deal, which is Abound’s first acquisition, Ahauz will continue operating with its existing specialist focus, while gaining access to Abound’s capital and its AI-led underwriting approach.
This uses Open Banking data (with customer consent) to assess affordability beyond traditional credit scoring models.
The London-based FinTech said the move is aimed at building a broader suite of homeowner finance products, giving borrowers access to more flexible mortgage and loan options designed to better reflect real household circumstances.
BDO has strengthened its North West forensic and valuations services team with the return of Dan Turner, who joins the firm’s Manchester office as a partner.
Turner, who began his career at BDO, brings extensive experience in forensic accounting, valuation work, commercial litigation and international arbitration after roles at HKA, PwC, FTI Consulting and Grant Thornton, including eight years in the UAE.
The hire comes alongside the appointment of valuations specialist Michael Wong in the Midlands.
It follows a wider wave of senior progression across the North West, with 231 promotions, including two new partners.
Nourished, the flagship brand from British HealthTech scale-up Rem3dy Health, has launched its personalised nutrition gummies in selected Boots stores.
Customers can use the brand’s AI-powered “Find Your Formula” quiz online, with an in-store rollout across six flagship locations throughout January and February, including its first retail launch in Ireland.
The products are made using Rem3dy Health’s proprietary UK-developed 3D printing technology, allowing up to seven active ingredients to be combined into a single gummy.
Founder and CEO Melissa Snover said the Boots partnership will help simplify supplement shopping for consumers who are often overwhelmed by traditional vitamin aisles.
Start Up Loans, part of the British Business Bank, has delivered more than £250 million in funding to over 25,000 entrepreneurs across London since the programme launched in 2012.
In 2025 so far, founders in the capital have taken out 1,500 loans worth £20m, showing strong demand for early-stage finance.
Hackney tops the table as London’s most entrepreneurial borough by volume of loans, ahead of Lambeth and Lewisham, while the City of London ranks last with just 19 loans worth £212,400.
The programme also continues to back underrepresented founders in the capital, with 42% of loans going to women and 44% to black, Asian and other ethnic minority founders, alongside strong take-up from both Gen Z and over-50 entrepreneurs.
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