London-based social and community networking app Cliq has secured a major seven-figure investment as it looks to accelerate international growth.

Founded in 2023, the platform is designed to help people connect through shared interests and meet in person, positioning itself as an alternative to traditional social media.

The business has grown to more than 100,000 users, with activity spanning the UK, US, Australia and Bali, and has achieved this growth without spending on marketing.

The latest funding round, backed by VC Artesian alongside a family office and angel investors, will be used to scale the business globally.

Qualitative analytics startup WholeSum has secured £730,000 in funding to support product development, team expansion and early enterprise deployments.

The investment combines grant backing from Women TechEU with a pre-seed round led by Twin Path Ventures, alongside strategic angels from companies including JustPark, ClearScore and Prolific.

The company’s platform uses a hybrid AI approach to turn large volumes of free-text data into auditable, quantified insights that integrate directly into existing analytics workflows.

Author: Patrick Killeen

Deloitte has confirmed plans to relocate its Birmingham office to One Centenary Way, taking a significant space in one of the city’s newest and most prominent commercial buildings.

The professional services giant will occupy the seventh and eighth floors of One Centenary Way, totalling around 46,000 sq ft, with staff expected to move into the building in autumn 2026.

The London-headquartered firm is currently based at 4 Brindleyplace and employs more than 1,000 people across the Midlands, which remains one of its largest UK regions outside of the capital.

The move forms part of a wider programme of office relocations by the business across the UK over the past two years, with recent moves completed in cities including Aberdeen, Belfast, Bristol and Manchester.

The ‘Big Four’ member said the Birmingham relocation underlines its long-term commitment to growth in the region.

South Wales technology firm de Novo Solutions has promoted Helen Crisostomo to vice president of business development as it continues to scale its commercial operations.

Since joining the business from Oracle in 2024, she has played a key role in strengthening sales and marketing structures and supporting sustainable revenue growth.

In her new role, Crisostomo will lead the execution of the firm’s commercial growth strategy, including developing partnerships, driving pipeline performance and overseeing go-to-market activity.

The promotion comes as the Langstone-based company builds on a period of rapid growth and national recognition within the UK technology sector, earning 8th place in the 2025 Sunday Times 100 Fastest Growing Companies and 13th in Deloitte’s UK Technology Fast 50.

Author: Chris Maguire

Ruben Amorim’s exit from Manchester United was as ruthless as it was predictable.

His fate was sealed the moment he told Sunday’s post-match media conference at Leeds that he came to Manchester United to ‘be the manager, not to be the coach’.

Amorim demanded to be able to do his job without interference and yesterday’s extraordinary outburst had the feel of a ‘back me or sack me’ ultimatum to it.

The 40-year-old has been at the centre of a growing power struggle behind the scenes at the Old Trafford club – and there was only going to be one winner.

At 10.08am today the club’s official website confirmed Amorim had departed his role as head coach after 14 months in charge.

However, his departure leaves more questions than answers at the cash-strapped club.

Specialist recruiter Pineapple Recruitment has broadened its offering with the launch of a new finance and HR recruitment division.

The expansion will see the Worcestershire-based firm support employers with permanent and interim hires across senior finance, accounting, payroll and HR roles.

The new division is being led by finance and HR recruitment specialist Joanna Pennell, who will build a dedicated team to work with both existing and new clients.

Pineapple Recruitment is best known for its work in the hospitality and catering sectors and said the move reflects growing demand from businesses for specialist expertise in finance and people-focused roles.

Technology group Avoira is set to mark its 50th anniversary in 2026, celebrating five decades of supporting organisations across the UK with mission-critical communications and IT solutions.

Founded in 1976 as Pennine Communications, the Bury-based business has evolved through organic growth and acquisitions into an integrated provider spanning AV, unified communications, managed IT, cyber security and AI-driven analytics.

Now employing around 150 people, it delivers end-to-end technology for public and private sector customers under its “One Avoira” model.

To mark the milestone, the company is also expanding its social value initiatives, including donating 50 Amazon Alexa devices to Age Concern to help tackle digital isolation.

Cybersecurity distributor Distology has struck a new partnership with US-listed security firm Tenable as it looks to strengthen its exposure management offering.

The agreement will see the Manchester-based firm add Tenable’s exposure management platform to its portfolio, giving UK and EMEA channel partners access to technology designed to assess and prioritise security risks across IT, cloud, identity and operational technology environments.

Tenable is listed on Nasdaq and was named a Leader in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Exposure Assessment Platforms.

Distology operates across the EMEA region as a specialist distributor of cybersecurity products and services, working with both established and emerging vendors.

The company was founded in 2014 and has been led by BusinessCloud Northern Leader Hayley Roberts since 2015.

Workplace training specialist Multiverse has posted a year of rapid revenue growth, but losses at the business continued to deepen as investment levels remained high.

The London-based company, founded in 2016 by Euan Blair, reported a 36.3% rise in annual revenues to £79.6 million, up from £58.4m the previous year. 

The growth was driven by rising demand from organisations seeking to use AI and data more effectively to improve productivity.

Despite the strong top-line performance, pre-tax losses widened to £63.3m, compared with £60.6m in the prior year. 

Administrative costs rose sharply from £106.1m to £129.3m as the business continued to invest in its platform, curriculum development and commercial teams. 

As a result, accumulated losses at the company have now reached £178.3m.

Operating losses also increased slightly, moving from £63.7m to £64.6m over the period. 

London-based digital health company MedPal AI, which combines AI-driven wellness technology with automated pharmacy services, has reported strong month-on-month growth alongside a major regulatory milestone in the weight management market.

During December 2025, the MedTech processed 33,433 prescriptions, a 16% increase on November’s 28,789, despite the shortened Christmas trading period.

The growth was supported by the continued rollout of its NHS distance selling pharmacy contract and rising demand for its private weight loss service, delivered through its AI-enabled pharmacy operation.

The update follows FDA approval of Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy pill, the first oral GLP-1 treatment for weight loss, which the business believes could further accelerate uptake across its AI-powered health and prescription platforms.

Its share price is up 6.67% today to 5.33p.

Scottish energy and infrastructure group Global has posted a strong uplift in both revenues and profits as it outlined ambitious growth plans.

The business increased turnover to £330 million in the year to 2024/25, up from £253m, while EBITDA rose from £23m to £34m, driven by robust trading and the impact of a planned asset disposal and strategic restructure.

During the period, the firm sold its stake in the Port of Nigg to long-term partners Mitsui and MOL, a move that strengthened its balance sheet.

Global is now targeting revenue growth from around £300m to £500m within the next three years through a mix of organic expansion and acquisitions.

Lancashire is seeking to build on its defence and security expertise as it prepares a bid for up to £20 million from the government’s Local Innovation Partnership Fund.

The proposal will showcase the county’s capabilities in areas such as advanced manufacturing, engineering and cyber resilience, alongside its role in supporting critical national infrastructure.

Key assets including BAE Systems’ Samlesbury and Warton sites, as well as innovation clusters across Blackpool, Blackburn with Darwen and Thornton-Cleveleys, will form the backbone of the pitch.

The Lancashire Combined County Authority is leading the bid in partnership with universities, major employers and supply-chain firms ahead of submission deadlines later this year.

Emovis has secured a significant new base in Leeds after agreeing a long-term lease at a landmark city centre building with a rich retail heritage.

The Florida-headquartered firm, which delivers toll-based mobility solutions across Europe and the US, has taken more than 12,000 sq ft at Broad Gate on a ten-year deal, with the transaction handled by Knight Frank’s Leeds team.

The building began life as a department store in the early 20th century and has since been transformed into a major mixed-use destination, offering Grade A office accommodation alongside retail space.

It is already home to a range of high-profile occupiers from financial services, professional services and education.

Author: Patrick Killeen

Built Cybernetics has strengthened its smart buildings offer with the acquisition of London-based interior design firm Work.Place.Create.

The AIM-listed group’s full-service architecture business, Aukett Swanke, has acquired 100% of Work.Place.Create Limited (WPC), which provides interior design services to corporate clients, primarily across London and the South East.

The deal is designed to complement Aukett Swanke’s existing client base and deepen its interiors capability.

As part of the acquisition, WPC will be fully integrated into Aukett Swanke and its founder, Nick Viner, has joined the board as director responsible for interiors.

Author: Chris Maguire

Private equity investor LDC has exited its investment in a Rochdale manufacturer of body-worn cameras at a 3.3x multiple following a sale to Arcus Infrastructure Partners.

Wireless CCTV – known as WCCTV – first secured a £30m investment from LDC in 2021 for a minority stake in the business to accelerate the firm’s growth ambitions.

WCCTV is a full-service, specialised leasing provider of managed re-deployable video surveillance assets for temporary security and monitoring solutions in the UK and the US and has been acquired by Arcus Infrastructure Partners.

Following LDC’s backing of founder Tim Williams and CEO David Gilbertson in 2021, WCCTV has almost doubled its workforce and grown revenue three-fold to £50m over a five-year period, expanding rapidly in its domestic and US market and launching a suite of innovative new products and services.

In April 2025, the business relocated to a new purpose-built 40,000 sq. ft head office in Rochdale, LDC’s exit was led by investment director Richard Ibbett and head of the North West and partner Dale Alderson.

David Gilbertson, chief executive officer of WCCTV, said: “LDC backed our vision and ambition for the business five years ago and have been a collaborative and trusted partner ever since.”

Author: Jonathan Symcox

Fiinu Plc has taken legal action against the former leaders of Everfex, which it acquired last year, after replacing them.

In August the firm returned to the junior AIM market in London after completing a reverse takeover of Everfex P.S.A., the owner of Polish currency-hedging specialist Stały Kurs, which reported an unaudited operating profit of around £1.3 million in 2024. 

However it has since replaced its leaders Karol Oleksa and Marta Oleksa, with Fiinu CEO Marko Sjoblom appointed to the same position within the new Polish subsidiary and Adam Narczewski as a senior executive officer, acting under delegated authority from Sjoblom. 

The company has served formal non-compete breach notices against Karol Oleksa and Marta Oleksa. The case is currently at the pre-trial stage.

Author: Patrick Killeen

A new fund aiming to support early-stage technology businesses has been unveiled by a team of celebrities, bringing together figures from the worlds of entertainment, sport and investment.

The Artists Collective has launched after operating in stealth for several months, during which time it has already backed 20 startups.

The portfolio includes co-investments alongside major global funds such as Andreessen Horowitz, Accel and Seedcamp.

Set up by Fergus and Ruari Bell, the brothers behind athlete-focused investment vehicle Players Fund, the initiative builds on a model that has previously attracted high-profile supporters including England cricket captain Ben Stokes and Bayern Munich star Serge Gnabry.

A number of well-known figures are involved in the project, including comedian Jack Whitehall, TV presenter Maya Jama, actor Daniel Kaluuya, musician Tom Grennan and broadcaster Roman Kemp.

Author: Patrick Killeen

London-listed Auction Technology Group has rejected a series of “unsolicited, opportunistic and highly conditional” approaches from FitzWalter Capital Limited, its largest shareholder, about a possible cash offer for the shares it does not already own.

The firm, which is also headquartered in the capital, said its board has unanimously rejected 11 proposals since 11th September 2025, including the latest approach on 23rd December 2025 at 360p per share, arguing they “fundamentally undervalue” the business and its prospects.

Its board has said that it is time for FitzWalter either to make a fairer proposal or otherwise allow the business to continue to move forward.

Author: Jonathan Symcox

The CEO of the world’s biggest technology trade show has slammed the UK government over a lack of support for its technology startups.

The annual four-day CES show begins this week in Las Vegas and Gary Shapiro, who has criticised previous UK governments for failing to send companies there in past years, has put the boot in again.

CES expects to welcome 100,000 visitors who are keen to experience the latest developments in technology.

SkinBioTherapeutics has appointed Alyson Levett as a non-executive director and chair of its audit committee.

The AIM-listed life science company focused on skin health has also promoted Emily Bertram from group finance director to CFO, and also to its board.

Current NED Danielle Bekker has stepped down from the board but will continue to support as an external advisor.

Levett has over 20 years C-suite financial experience, culminating in being CFO at the strategy software company, i-nexus where she stayed for a decade taking it onto AIM in a successful IPO in 2018.