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Associated Press
21-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Business Reporter: Proactive workforce planning
Investing in the agility and resilience of the future STEM workforce LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, July 21, 2025 / / -- In an article published on Business Reporter, Timo Lehne, CEO of global STEM workforce consultancy SThree talks about the findings of the company's recent research regarding how proactive workforce planning and strategic partnerships with educators can help businesses sustain a continuous pipeline of STEM talent. The global STEM sector is facing a persistent and growing skills gap, threatening to stall progress in critical areas like AI, green energy and biotechnology. The research has also shown that even top-performing countries face structural challenges. The UK, for example, ranks eighth globally for its foundational and specialised education but is lagging behind in innovation output. Forward-looking organisations, however, are already shifting their approach. As an international STEM workforce consultancy, SThree is seeing successful companies invest not just in filling vacancies but in building adaptable, future-ready ecosystems. That involves proactive workforce planning, recognising transferable skills and embracing talent from non-traditional backgrounds such as sector switchers and self-taught developers. Industry leaders also take an active part in co-creating the talent pipeline, building strategic partnerships with universities and training providers and supporting non-traditional pathways such as bootcamps and apprenticeships while also adopting skills-based hiring models. To remain competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape, companies must invest in internal upskilling and embrace diversity too. Innovation can only flourish when businesses are built on resilient, agile teams prepared to tackle tomorrow's challenges. To learn more about how to ensure unbroken access to a pool of STEM talent, read the article. About Business Reporter Business Reporter is an award-winning company producing supplements published in The Guardian and City AM, as well as content published on Business Reporter online hubs on Business Insider Germany and Le Figaro, delivering news and analysis on issues affecting the international business community. It also hosts conferences, debates, breakfast meetings and exclusive summits. About SThree SThree is a global STEM workforce consultancy, which partners with forward-looking organisations to build the resilient, skilled STEM workforces needed for a business to thrive in a changing world. SThree partners with its clients to shape strategy, build expert teams and deliver end-to-end project solutions through its seven specialist brands. Each brand brings deep sector knowledge to high-demand fields such as life sciences, tech and engineering, energy, digital and creative and financial services. Business Reporter Press + +44 20 8349 6488 email us here Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
The Independent
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
The smarter vehicle tech that's keeping British fleets safer on the road
Brigade Electronics is a Business Reporter client In an age of expanding cities and increasing delivery demands, keeping people safe around commercial vehicles has become a vital concern. A British company, Brigade Electronics, is at the forefront of efforts to reduce risks through practical technology that supports drivers and empowers safer decisions on the road. From its headquarters in Kent, Brigade has spent nearly 50 years improving commercial vehicle safety. What began with a reversing alarm inspired by one spotted in Tokyo in 1976 has grown into a global operation, employing more than 300 people and selling products in over 80 countries. Brigade's mission is rooted in a belief that safety is everyone's responsibility – and that positive outcomes come from aligning the best of human judgment with the right technology. 'Technology alone can't make roads safe,' says Managing Director Philip Hanson-Abbott. 'But it can help people make safer choices. The goal is to support the skill and judgement of drivers and fleet managers.' Vision Zero: a shared ambition Brigade's work contributes to Vision Zero, the global initiative working towards a future with no serious injuries or fatalities involving vehicles. It's an ambitious goal – but one Brigade sees as achievable with the right tools and attitudes in place. 'Vision Zero is about collaboration,' says Hanson-Abbott. 'We all have a part to play – from drivers and operators to fleet managers and councils. Our job is to make sure people have the information and confidence they need to act safely.' Brigade's products are designed to address real-world risks, such as blind spots around large vehicles or moments of distraction during long shifts. Its camera and sensor systems give drivers better visibility and timely warnings, helping them manoeuvre with more confidence and less stress, especially in busy urban environments. Smart tools, not just smart tech Recent advances in artificial intelligence have enabled Brigade to take a leap forward. Older sensor systems often triggered false alerts – treating a lamp post the same as a cyclist, for example. Over time, this could overwhelm drivers and lead to warning fatigue. AI systems now provide targeted alerts only when there's a meaningful risk. A cyclist in a blind spot triggers a visual warning; audible alarms only sound if a collision seems imminent. It's a more focused, less stressful experience for drivers – and one that enhances their awareness, rather than distracts from it. The same approach powers Brigade's driver fatigue and distraction monitoring. Cameras track signs of inattention and deliver alerts when needed. These tools aren't about surveillance – they're there to help drivers stay sharp and supported. 'Drivers carry a huge responsibility,' says Hanson-Abbott. 'We're not here to take over – we're here to give them the tools to do their jobs as safely and effectively as possible.' Insights that prevent, not just report Brigade's technology offers fleet managers a more proactive role in safety. Its video telematics and multi-camera systems deliver real-time data and video insight – not only recording what happened but helping to prevent it altogether. By analysing trends, behaviours and near misses, managers can address issues early, tailor driver support and improve fleet efficiency across the board. Brigade is investing heavily in an upgraded telematics platform, positioning it as a core component of its future offering and long-term growth strategy. Built on a tradition of innovation Brigade's influence stretches well beyond its own products. Many of the technologies it developed decades ago – such as blind spot detection systems and rear-view cameras – have now been mandated across the EU for all new vehicles. The team sees this not as an endpoint, but as encouragement to keep moving forward. 'We've always had followers, but we focus on leading,' says Hanson-Abbott. 'By innovating continually, we move the conversation forward and help shape the standards of tomorrow.' The company's achievements in international growth have earned it both the Queen's Award and the King's Award for Enterprise – recognition, Hanson-Abbott says, of the team's hard work and its commitment to improving safety, globally. A safer road ahead As talk of self-driving vehicles grows louder, Brigade remains grounded. Full autonomy in open environments may be years if not decades away. In the meantime, practical, intelligent solutions can make a meaningful difference now. 'Safety is about more than technology,' says Hanson-Abbott. 'It's about people – drivers, families, pedestrians. Our systems don't replace responsibility; they reinforce it. And if we all take steps together, we really can move towards a future where everyone feels safer around commercial vehicles.'
The Independent
16-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Bridging loans forecast to hit £12 billion in 2025
West One Loans is a Business Reporter client Bridging loans are booming as borrowers seek speed, flexibility and short-term funding. Bridging lending saw record levels of growth in 2024, with data from the Bridging & Lending Developers Association (BDLA) showing that bridging completions hit a new record high of £2.30 billion during the final quarter of last year. The sector continues to boom, following a Q4 performance that saw the total loan book exceed £10 billion for the first time, with this figure forecast to hit £12.2 billion in 2025. This marked a 28.6 per cent increase on the previous quarter alone, pushing total completions to £7.34 billion for the year – up from £5.76 billion in 2023. Based on historic market trend data, West One Loans forecasts that this figure could hit £9.46 billion in 2025. As a result, the size of overall loan books exceeded £10 billion for the first time (£10.3 billion), with West One Loans also forecasting that this figure could top £12.2 billion by the end of the year. So what are the benefits of bridging? West One Loans has looked at the top seven reasons behind the current bridging sector boom. Speed and opportunity The most important factor is speed, with bridging loans taking an average of 38 days to arrange in Q4 2024. This provides an ideal solution for those who need to make quick decisions in order to take advantage of the opportunities on offer in the current market – for example, purchasing uninhabitable properties that a traditional lender may not finance. Flexible lending criteria and multiple uses Bridging lenders put a greater focus on asset value and exit strategy rather than credit history, and are not bound by the same laborious application and approval processes of conventional lenders. Bridging lending can also be used for multiple reasons, such as business needs, tax liabilities, debt consolidation or refurbishment. Short-term solutions Bridging finance is ideal for covering financial gaps and is ideal for scenarios where funding is needed for a purchase or renovation before an existing property can be sold. Higher LTV ratios Some bridging lenders offer up to 75 per cent loan-to-value, making it a far easier path to obtain significant funding. Customisable terms As with the flexible lending criteria, borrowers are able to negotiate terms to suit their individual needs, from custom interest payments to the repayment schedule itself. Again, this provides the flexibility that many borrowers require when it comes to traversing what has become an increasingly difficult landscape. Multiple users Bridging is accessible to a wide range of borrowers, from homeowners and property developers to landlords and business owners. This accessibility and the ability to tailor a bridging loan to the individual needs of the borrower is a driving factor behind the current boom. Exit strategies can reduce risk Finally, a well-planned exit strategy can make bridging a safe and effective solution, whether it's refinancing or selling a property. 'We've seen an incredible level of growth across the bridging sector over the past year, and this really highlights the vital role the sector plays within the UK property market, particularly as the landscape has become increasingly more turbulent and interest rates have climbed,' says Co-Head of Short-Term Finance at West One Loans, Thomas Cantor. 'It's fair to say that bridging has very much become a mainstream product and a vital tool in a developer's armoury. 'This is down to the many benefits the sector offers, not least the speed and flexibility a bridging loan can offer when securing short-term finance, as well as the fact that there are no early repayment penalties. 'It's these benefits that are enabling everyone, from property developers to landlords and homeowners to business owners, to progress with their plans without the restrictions that come via a more conventional lender – and we only anticipate that this current trend will intensify over the coming year.' Data tables and sources
The Independent
16-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Why bridging loans can help boost new-build profits
West One Loans is a Business Reporter client New-build prices are outpacing labour and material costs, boosting profitability – and bridging finance can help developers capitalise on rising market demand. New homes are increasingly outstripping the material and labour costs of building them, making it increasingly profitable to create new supply. The analysis comes from West One Loans, a leading provider of property finance and specialist mortgages. The finance provider found that new build prices have surged by a staggering 42.0 per cent in the past three years. In comparison, the cost of materials has risen by 8.5 per cent in three years, while labour costs have increased by 17.8 per cent over the same period. Bridging and development opportunities Given that labour and construction cost increases are steadier than the value of the final property, there could be an opportunity to use alternative forms of finance to make a healthy return. One such example is bridging and development finance, which can be used to develop or refurbish a property, effectively bringing it to a state where it can be mortgaged and potentially sold. Based on how prices are surging, it seems likely developers could make back the cost of labour and materials quickly. 2024 a bumper year for new builds Last year alone there was a huge spike in the price of new build prices, as they rose by 28.8 per cent compared with minor increases to materials and labour, which ticked up by 1.3 per cent and 4.8 per cent respectively. Over the preceding two years new build house price increases were steadier, but it all adds up, especially as material costs have barely changed, with an increase of 1.2 per cent between 2022 and 2024. 'The nation's housebuilders have had to contend with a turbulent landscape in recent years, not least due to increasing interest rates, high material costs and increases to labour costs, all driving up the sums required to break ground and deliver new homes to market,' says Co-Head of Short-Term Finance at West One Loans, Thomas Cantor. 'However, at the same time, we've seen the value of new-build homes also climb – and by substantially more versus the cost increases seen in materials and labour, demonstrating that the new-build sector remains a very profitable endeavour for those who can negotiate the challenges it poses. 'No surprise, then, that we've seen a greater reliance from the nation's housebuilders with respect to specialist finance products – with bridging, in particular, proving a crucial tool that allows them to negotiate any unforeseen cost increases and push on with their development plans. 'With buyer demand now on the up and new-build values remaining robust, we expect to see more housebuilders utilise the full range of weapons within the specialist finance arsenal over the coming year, in order to bring more homes to market and capitalise on this improving market sentiment.'
The Independent
02-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Soaring overheads and complex data are overwhelming retailers – but AI can solve both problems
BigCommerce is a Business Reporter client Online retailers today face challenges on all fronts. For starters, the millions of customer interactions that occur each day on their platforms generates enormous volumes of data for them to process. If they are unable to effectively process that data, their platform struggles – and they suffer. The same goes for trends, which come and go quicker than ever. Brands are expected to predict how customer expectations will change in the coming week, month, even year – and then respond to that. But there is a third challenge: cost. Seldom has there been a time in recent history when overheads for companies are so great. Interest rates are high, advertising is expensive and consumers are more careful with their spending. The upshot is that retailers have to ensure they're on top of unprecedented amounts of data and can act on trends at a moment when margins are slim, and when many are still using clunky legacy technology. In a rapidly changing market, those who don't lose out. Making sense of the data AI-powered tools that are designed to process volumes of data at speed have taken a good deal of the data management burden off their shoulders. But these tools are only as good as the raw data they receive. If it is messy and poorly structured, even the most advanced tools will struggle to produce a coherent output that can be used to accurately forecast trends or understand how customers interact with a platform. Moreover, if one company uses multiple AI tools then there is the risk that data will become even more complex, with too many channels being operated. A Catch-22 for retailers The task is therefore to reduce costs and reduce complexity. But at this point, brands often get stuck: after all, to reduce complexity requires investing in new data processing technologies, many of which are expensive. Reducing complexity therefore surely increases costs. This was the Catch-22 that BigCommerce wanted to tackle when it developed Feedonomics – an AI-powered product feed management that helps businesses scale their digital reach. 'Feedonomics acts as the connective tissue between systems of record and revenue-generating endpoints,' says Sharon Gee, SVP of Product for AI at BigCommerce. 'We aggregate and normalise product data, enrich it with performance-optimised attributes and dynamically syndicate it to the right channels – whether that's Google, Meta, TikTok, Amazon or emerging AI-discovery platforms.' Unlike fragmented setups with multiple AI tools and inconsistent data, Feedonomics enables businesses to cleanse, harmonise and distribute high-quality product information across all channels. With the use of its advanced AI data processing tools, Feedonomics empowers retailers to enrich their listings, automatically categorise products on places such as Google Shopping, tailor content for specific channels and connect with external AI platforms for deeper optimisation, all while maintaining data control. The fact that it plugs into existing online marketplaces such as Tiktok and Google Shopping means that retailers don't have to spend big on overhauling their tech stack. And it works in synergy with BigCommerce's main offering: reducing complexity. Transformative solutions Brands today have a wealth of needs, but BigCommerce's tools are designed to support them through these. Implementation project managers support replatforming, for instance, and solution architects help by designing and documenting your store's business and technical requirements. BigCommerce also has people that work specifically on roadmapping for the long-term. 'We know clients have complex needs, but that's okay because we're now set up to help them,' says Lucile Pegorier, Manager, Demand Generation, EMEA at BigCommerce. All told, the benefits of using its solutions are many: cost savings, increased competitiveness, quicker time to market, improved conversions. In fact, brands that use BigCommerce see a 211 per cent ROI in less than eight months. All told, given how broad and complex the combination of factors impacting on retail success are today, these solutions aren't merely beneficial; they are potentially lifesaving.
