Author: Emma Yates, head of intellectual property, rradar

From 1st April 2026, official UK trade mark fees will increase for the first time in decades, with rises averaging around 25% across many services.

For large corporates, this may be absorbed into existing legal budgets.

For small and medium-sized businesses, particularly those in consumer, retail, or manufacturing sectors, it should be a prompt to review how seriously brand protection is being treated.

Author: Jonathan Symcox

A regional growth initiative has rebranded as it looks to scale up and cement the UK as the ‘gender smart’ investment capital of the world.

The Whole Point, formerly known as The Lifted Project, is a UK-wide, government-aligned initiative to increase funding to women-led businesses. 

Using data-driven insights to highlight the benefits of backing women, five regional boards are already established in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds, Liverpool and Newcastle.

Now in its next phase of growth, The Whole Point is building on the 4,000+ hours of support it has already delivered and the 350 women-led businesses it has helped, alongside securing Lloyds Banking Group as a founding national sponsor.

Chaired by co-founder Zandra Moore MBE, the project is a delivery and insight partner for the government’s Invest in Women Taskforce’s national data taxonomy project, aiming to create a consistent definition of women-led businesses across UK funders, lenders and the government to achieve comparable data.

Near-Life has unveiled a significant upgrade to its scenario-based authoring tool at MediaCity’s Immersive Technology Hub – introducing integrated AI-assisted authoring capabilities designed to enhance behavioural simulation and decision-based training.

Near-Life is a platform for learning teams to create high quality interactive video and VR simulations that scale role-play, improve real-world decisions, and reduce organisational risk.

At the core of the update is a new integrated AI-assisted tool that enables users to create immersive experiences simply by describing what they want to build. Learning teams can generate structured branching scenarios, interactive simulations and immersive role-play experiences more efficiently. Using prompt-based inputs, creators can accelerate scenario design and media production while retaining full editorial control over logic, dialogue and assessment.

The upgrade also introduces powerful new media generation capabilities, including batch image creation, AI-assisted 2D video generation and high-quality 360-degree imagery from text prompts.

The development of the upgraded platform has been supported through innovation funding from Greater Manchester’s Business Growth Hub, alongside backing from MediaCity’s Immersive Technology Hub.

Pro:Direct Sport has opened its first PD:FC concept store in Manchester, marking the launch of a new flagship retail format for the football specialist.

The two-floor, 9,180 sq ft unit on New Cathedral Street in Manchester Arndale gives the online brand an immersive physical space which it hopes will give football fans an experience that bridges stadium performance and street culture.

Sam Baldock, chief of brand at PRO:DIRECT Sport, said: “Manchester is the beating heart of football culture – a city where the game’s history, passion, and future collide. Launching our new PD:FC concept here is about more than opening a store; it’s about creating a space that lives and breathes football and its culture.

“A place where players and fans can connect with the very best the sport has to offer. This is our home for the football inspired community in the Manchester area – from the streets to the stadiums – and we can’t wait to welcome everyone through the doors.”

HICX, a supplier management platform, has appointed Michael Fulthorpe as senior vice president of sales and Carly Spicer as vice president of marketing.

They join CEO Dafydd Llewellyn, who assumed the role last September, as part of a planned series of executive leadership hires designed to support HICX’s next phase of growth.

Spicer brings more than 20 years of experience leading global go-to-market strategies, demand generation programmes and high-performing marketing teams. She has held senior roles at leading technology companies, including Plantronics (HP Poly) and Tech Data, and brings deep expertise across marketing operations, pipeline development and post-acquisition integration.

Fulthorpe joins HICX with extensive experience in enterprise software sales, having held senior roles at Autodesk, insightsoftware, IRIS and Sage.

Crowdcube, the private market investment platform, has launched its first transaction as part of its private securities market partnership with London Stock Exchange Group, using a TPEIC structure developed by TPE.

Through this structure, eligible investors can access economic exposure to Oxford Science Enterprises, the investment firm and venture builder operating in partnership with Oxford University. OSE’s portfolio spans AI, life sciences and deep technology emerging from Oxford’s research ecosystem.

TPEICs are designed to operate alongside established market infrastructure, enabling private-company exposures to be traded through permissioned auctions using exchange-connected systems, while the underlying companies remain private. 

ECI Partners, a mid-market private equity firm, is strengthening its team with two new appointments: Marijn Pangemanan joins as investment director and Scarlett Salamon joins as investor relations analyst.

Pangemanan joins ECI Partners from private equity firm KLAR Partners, where he was an investment professional, building the firm’s UK and European footprint. Pangemanan has held board roles across portfolio companies in the UK, Germany and Sweden.

Salamon will be working in ECI’s investor relations team. She was previously an investment banking analyst in UBS’s Private Funds Group, where she advised institutional clients on fundraising across European private equity.

Preventr Services Group, a London-based fire protection specialist, has secured a £10m growth lending facility to support its national expansion and acquisition strategy.

An initial £6.2m has funded the acquisition of Passive Fire Safety Solutions, strengthening the group’s installation and compliance capability. The remaining facility provides headroom for further acquisitions and investment in AI-led operational improvements.

The deal was backed by Growth Lending and introduced by Langdon Capital.

Listed investor Kelso has increased its stake in The Works.

It has increased its stake in the specialist retailer of books and crafting equipment from 6.6% to 7%.

Kelso now holds 4,375,900 shares in The Works purchased at an average price of 33.2p. As at 20 February 2026, The Works had a market capitalisation of c.£22.6m.

Kelso believes that The Works is one of the most undervalued companies on the UK stock market. Through its portfolio of 500 stores, the company generated revenue of £277m in the year to April 2025, with EBITDA pre-IFRS 16 of £9.5m, a 58% year-on-year increase.

For the year to April 2026, EBITDA is expected to grow by a further 15% to £11.0m, in line with company guidance. At the April 2025 year end, The Works reported net cash of £4.1m, and market expectations are that it will increase to at least £5.0m by the end of the current financial year, following significant investment in its store roll-out programme.

Despite this continued improvement in performance, driven by strong operational management, The Works is currently trading on an EV/EBITDA multiple of just 1.65x and a revenue multiple of 0.05x, based on the April 2026 forecast net cash position and current-year EBITDA guidance.

Kelso has written to the Board of The Works this morning outlining several constructive proposals aimed at closing this clear valuation gap.

Author: Jonathan Symcox

OakNorth Bank plc has appointed Gergely Zaborszky as CFO to succeed Rajesh Gupta.

Zaborszky will join the firm in July 2026 as Gupta, who has spent more than five years at OakNorth, retires.

Zaborszky, who will also join the board, is currently CFO at Virgin Money UK PLC, where he has spent the past six years.

Author: Jonathan Symcox

A former unicorn company making a name for itself by stockpiling Bitcoin has acquired Bristol-based Squarebird Agency.

Founded in 2009 and based in Guildford, The Smarter Web Company PLC offers website design and development alongside marketing services for “affordable” prices.

It hit the headlines after floating on Aquis in April 2025 with a valuation of £3.7m before quickly becoming the highest-valued stock on that exchange by some distance – and even broke a £1bn market cap at one point, briefly giving it unicorn status. 

However its market cap has dropped dramatically since that moment and currently stands at £147m, with a share price of around 32 pence.

Since 2023 the company has adopted a policy of accepting payment in Bitcoin as it “believes that Bitcoin forms a core part of the future of the global financial system”.

More pertinently, it is also “exploring opportunities through organic growth and corporate acquisitions is pioneering the adoption of a Bitcoin Treasury Policy into its strategy”.

Now it has moved to acquire Squarebird, a web design and digital marketing agency, for £1.7 million as  part of ‘10-year plan’.

Author: Jonathan Symcox

A co-founder of online fashion giant Asos has died in Thailand.

Quentin Griffiths has been named by Thai police as the man found dead following a fall from an 18-storey apartment block in the eastern seaside city of Pattaya on 9th February.

Griffiths, 58, was a long-term resident on the 17th floor. Police said initial investigations suggested suicide as Griffiths was by himself, his room was locked and there was no evidence of a break-in.

An autopsy did not reveal any evidence of foul play, they added.

Griffiths was involved in two ongoing court cases that might have caused him stress, police told the BBC.

Separated from his second wife, a Thai national, he had reportedly been engaged in a legal dispute with her over a business they ran together.

JD Sports Fashion plc intends to return £200m of capital to shareholders through share buybacks in FY27.

The programme will commence immediately and initially involve the purchase of ordinary shares of £0.0005 each in the company with an aggregate value of up to £100m, and is expected to complete no later than the close of the company’s first half of FY27, 31st July 2026.

Thereafter, the company intends to enter into arrangements to commence the second tranche of the programme in the sum of up to £100m.

Author: Chris Maguire

John Goold knows a thing or two about investing.

He’s the CEO of activist investor Kelso Group Holdings, which has invested in the likes of THG and NCC Group.

Last week Kelso announced to the stock market its latest investment in CVS Group UK – which came hot on the heels of their investment in the over-50s group Saga.

Their investment in Saga saw a near 45 per cent rise in their outlay in the first six weeks.

In a fascinating insights piece, Goold explains their approach to investment – and why he thinks the best is yet to come.

Author: Chris Maguire

A Manchester startup founded by THG’s former chief people officer to identify and develop overlooked talent for the tech industry has closed.

Ashley Ramrachia launched Academy in 2020 after helping grow THG from 50 to 5,000 people ahead of its IPO in 2020.

Academy helped build a talent and leadership infrastructure for the tech industry and raised £5m from LocalGlobe.

According to Ramrachia: “1,000+ overlooked people moved from warehouses, call centres and caring roles into serious technology and data jobs. 60 per cent women, 60 per cent minority ethnic. The best representation outcomes in technology, globally.”

The startup also partnered with HSBC, Ocado and IAG to prove the model could scale beyond one company.

However, Ramrachia has revealed: “The Academy chapter is closed.”

He told BusinessCloud he turned down two offers to sell Academy because it would have entailed remaining with the business.

UKAI, the UK’s trade association for the AI industry, has appointed global communications agency Centropy PR as its agency of record. 

The group, which represents companies of all sizes with an interest in AI, from startups to industry leaders, supports firms by ensuring their voices are heard in policy matters. UKAI works closely with the UK Government and regulators, making sure that AI policies foster innovation and business growth particularly for British AI businesses.

Recent events include policy sessions with Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Peter Kyle MP and Darren Jones MP, the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister.

Centropy will provide a full suite of communications services to UKAI, including media strategy, journalist relations, event support, and policy guidance. The agency, founded in 2017 counts FTSE and Nasdaq listed global tech brands in its portfolio, with offices in London and San Diego and a global team of 20 PR staff.

Author: Adam Kudryl, director of legal strategy and operations & head of corporate, Harper James

For many founders, the question of exit starts quietly. It might be prompted by a conversation with an adviser, a sense that the business has reached its natural next stage, or a growing awareness that the end of the tax year is approaching.

What often surprises business owners is that selling to a third party is not the only way to step back or take value out of a company. In reality, there are several routes to exit, and some of the most effective do not require an external buyer at all.

The key is understanding your options early and choosing a path that fits your business, your people and your personal goals, rather than rushing towards the most obvious outcome.

Alloyed, a leading developer and manufacturer of advanced metallic components, has received £1 million in funding from the ATI Programme to accelerate the development of a next-generation nickel-based superalloy designed for additive manufacturing.

Able to withstand temperatures of 1000°C, the superalloy could be a vital component for the ultra-efficient jet engines of the future.

This has been undertaken in collaboration with ITP Aero, a world-leading engine components manufacturer for big brands like Rolls Royce and Airbus, and Cranfield University.

Last year Alloyed announced a £37m Series B fundraise to expand its manufacturing facilities in the UK and Seattle.

In recent months, Alloyed has designed, tested and built two new microturbines – the A300N turbine and a much larger A1100 turbine – for use in drones using 3D-printed techniques, reducing production time from several years to a matter of weeks to strengthen the UK’s sovereign security capabilities with a near shore supply chain.

Author: Chris Maguire

Roxanne Hamedi was the fifth candidate to be fired by Lord Sugar in The Apprentice after her team lost a task to create and market a bottled water brand.

Aberdeen-based Hamedi is a registered pharmacist and the CEO of beauty hair brand Browtasia, which she launched three years ago following her own experiences with brow loss and thinning hair.

As the sub-team leader for the branding element, Hamedi failed to impress Lord Sugar and was shown the exit door.

She told her 33k Instagram followers it was first time she’d ever been sacked. “I didn’t really expect it,” she said. “It came out of the blue.”

There are now 15 candidates vying for Lord Sugar’s £250k investment and mentorship.

Tech giants OpenAI and Microsoft are the latest to join an initiative spearheaded by the UK’s AI Security Institute (AISI) – encouraging trust and public confidence in AI as it rewires public services and drives national renewal.

Announced by Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and AI Minister Kanishka Narayan as the AI Impact Summit in India draws to a close, the news bolsters the work of AISI’s Alignment Project which was first announced last summer.

£27 million will now be made available through the fund, supporting research efforts to ensure AI systems work as they’re supposed to, with £5.6 million coming from OpenAI, and additional support from Microsoft and others.

Cementing the UK’s position as a world leader in frontier AI research, today also sees the first Alignment Project grants awarded to 60 projects from across 8 countries, with a second round due to open this summer.

AI alignment refers to the effort of steering advanced AI systems to reliably act as we intend them to, without unintentional or harmful behaviours. It involves developing methods that prevent such unsafe behaviours as AI systems become more capable. Progress on alignment is something that will boost confidence and trust in AI, ultimately supporting the adoption of systems which are increasing productivity, slashing medical scan times for patients, and unlocking new jobs for communities up and down the country.

Without continued progress in alignment research, increasingly powerful AI models could act in ways that are difficult to anticipate or control – which could pose challenges for global safety and governance.