Latest news with #MarkWebster
BBC News
15 hours ago
- BBC News
Cleveland Police's deputy chief constable to take top job
A deputy chief constable is to step up into her force's top job, it has been Fuller has been named as the preferred candidate to replace Cleveland Police Chief Constable Mark Webster when he retires next Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Matt Storey said the selection followed a rigorous recruitment and assessment process ahead of a confirmation hearing to be held on 20 Webster became the force's seventh top officer in less than a decade when he was appointed in February 2022 and helped lift it out of special measures. The organisation covers areas including Hartlepool, Redcar, Stockton and Fuller began her policing career in the neighbouring Durham force in 1999 where she became its first female senior investigating was appointed Cleveland's assistant chief constable in 2022 and then deputy chief constable the following said she "demonstrates a clear passion for making the Cleveland area safer and her current leadership role has given her an excellent understanding of the challenges the area faces". He praised Mr Webster, who he described as having led with "dedication, professionalism and focus", turning the force into "one of the most improved in the country".His retirement comes after 34 years in was tasked with turning around Cleveland's fortunes, with HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services warning it had been "putting the public at risk".In September 2023, the watchdog said Cleveland had made "significant improvements in its approach to preventing crime and antisocial behaviour", meaning oversight arrangements could be brought to a in February this year the PCC said he would conduct a "deep dive" after inspectors found serious failings in the force's child safeguarding efforts. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Forbes
05-05-2025
- Forbes
Should You Say Please And Thank You To ChatGPT?
Should you say please and thank you to ChatGPT? Being polite to ChatGPT is costing OpenAI tens of millions of dollars in computing power, the company's CEO Sam Altman said on social media last week, calling the money 'well spent.' A significant number of users are saying please and thank you to the AI tool in their chats. But are the niceties necessary? I've spent hundreds of hours talking to AI models over the past year, sharing my best prompts with entrepreneurs. I've tested different approaches to see what works best. As founder of Coachvox AI, I know that the relationship between humans and AI is never straightforward. Especially when it comes to manners, which are drilled into us as kids. But is being polite a good use of your time with ChatGPT? When you're juggling client calls, strategy sessions, and growing your business, time is your most valuable asset. Every unnecessary word you type is a micro-drain on your productivity. But many of us can't shake the habit of treating AI like a person. A recent survey by Future, the publisher that owns TechRadar, found that around 70% of AI users are polite to AI systems. In the UK, that number reaches 71%, while for American users it's 67%. The majority do it simply because "it's the right thing to do." Some people, like Reddit user jayinfidel, take politeness to an extreme: "I even ask if it has time for me before we start a convo. What is wrong with me?" Others maintain their manners out of jokingly admitted fear, including 18% of the people surveyed, who are banking on their previous politeness as a means of survival when AI overpowers the human race. Founder of Authority Hacker Mark Webster confesses, "Being British I'd hate for anyone or any machine to think I'm impolite. And on the off chance AI takes over the world, it might help." But does saying please and thank you actually make AI perform better? There is growing evidence that being polite-using words like "please" and "thank you" when interacting with ChatGPT and similar AI models can lead to better responses. Multiple studies and user experiments have found that polite prompts are more likely to yield higher-quality, more detailed, and better-formatted answers compared to blunt or rude requests. However, the improvement is not because the AI has feelings. Polite phrasing often provides more context and mirrors the style of human communication found in its training data, which tends to produce richer responses. Notably, research shows that "moderate politeness" works best. Excessive flattery or formality can actually reduce response quality. AI systems don't have feelings to hurt or egos to stroke. They're powerful tools designed to help you, not colleagues requiring social niceties. If you're being clear with your prompting, the specific words 'please' and 'thank you' might be surplus to requirements. Copywriter Rebecca Nelson, whose work uses extensive psychology-based AI systems, puts it perfectly: "Thankfully, AI unlike humans doesn't have complicated emotions that you need to tend to. Use it to free up your schedule, save time and put your energy elsewhere. Save your Ps and Qs for your barista." Nelson's prompts are detailed and logical without being overly polite. When you're building a business, every keystroke counts. Those extra words add up. If you're using AI multiple times daily, those pleasantries could be costing you hours each month. Engineering consultant Jed Tabaczynski shared: "I generally don't say please or thank you in my prompts, it just feels like apologizing to a spreadsheet for quality of data or giving it pep talks to get more accurate calculations." One Reddit user agrees, "I also don't thank my refrigerator for keeping my drinks cold." AI doesn't work harder because you're nice. It doesn't feel appreciated when you say thanks. It doesn't remember your manners from one conversation to the next. Some successful entrepreneurs aren't thinking about the output of ChatGPT when they are saying please and thank you in the chat. Instead, they find value in treating AI with respect. They see it as maintaining a habit that serves them elsewhere. Sam Floy, head of partnerships at WorkflowGPT, explains, "I say please because I often use AI for tasks that I'd otherwise use an intern for. I'd always say 'Please can you...' to a person I ask to help me with a task and I find that starting that way helps me write and frame clearer requests." One Reddit user said their politeness is "not wasted because it continues to build and support my habit of politeness and that's never a waste." Others, like business coach Willo Sana, take it even further: "I feel so heard and supported by ChatGPT. I'm saying thank you to her all the time and giving her major props for being so amazing!" For some, politeness creates a relationship framework that helps them engage more effectively with the tool. Parent coach Martijn Reintjes admits, "When I'm working and use Chad as a 'colleague' I can't help to be polite. It's not so much about saying please all the time, it's more about expressing my gratitude for some insights or good work." Your approach to AI should maximize your results with minimum friction. While AI doesn't have feelings to hurt, there's a definite connection between politeness and effectiveness, including all-important output: Clarity matters more than courtesy. Polite language often includes complete sentences and better context, which naturally helps AI models understand what you want. When you frame requests clearly, you get better answers. A calm tone keeps the focus on your goal rather than creating ambiguity. Treating the exchange like a real conversation can guide ChatGPT to respond more helpfully, even if the please and thank you parts are unnecessary. But don't mistake correlation for causation. If your politeness helps you frame better prompts, keep it. If direct commands get you cleaner results faster, go with that. The best approach is the one that serves your success. Choose what works for you and stick with it.
Cision Canada
01-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
STREAM SYSTEMS APPOINTS MARK WEBSTER CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
NEW YORK, May 1, 2025 /CNW/ -- Stream Systems LLC has appointed Mark Webster as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective April 28, 2025. Webster assumes CEO duties previously performed by Founder Michael Cammarata, who remains as Stream's Executive Chairman of the Board and Head of Trading and Brokerage Services. The appointment is a key part of Stream's future-looking goal of becoming a leading platform provider for fully-electronic trading of foreign exchange options and swaps. "I am excited to help drive this innovative company to its next phase of development," Webster said. "Michael Cammarata founded Stream with the vision of making what is still mostly a voice brokerage business fully electronic, and I believe Stream has the technology, the management, the business partners and the customer relationships needed to make that vision a reality. I am committed to seeing that happen." Webster comes to Stream after 17 years as Executive Managing Director and General Manager of BGC Financial, LP, operating in New York, London, and Hong Kong. Prior to that, Webster was CEO, Asia Pacific and Middle East, of ICAP plc. "Stream has grown to the point that it has become impossible for me to do all the work of a CEO while also focusing on trading to generate the revenues we need to fund our growth," Cammarata said. "Mark joining our firm, first as an investor and now as our CEO, was exactly what we needed to be able to make the jump to full electronic trading. We are all very excited for the future." Stream was founded in 2019 by Cammarata, a leading foreign exchange broker, anticipating that peer-to-peer electronic trading of foreign exchange options and swaps was the wave of the future. FXO is one of the last financial markets still dominated by voice brokerage, and even now less than half of trades are executed without an intermediary broker. Stream has developed and owns a fully electronic trading platform, which streams prices and will permit FXO traders at major banks and other institutions to execute trades without a voice broker. The next phase of Stream's development is deploy the platform to its customers, who include 7 of the 9 leading liquidity providers in the FXO space. Mark Webster began as a broker for Tullet and Tokyo Ltd. in 1981, first in London and then managing various trading desks in London and Sydney, Australia. From 1993 to 2004, Webster served as a Director, Managing Director, and regional CEO at ICAP in London and Sydney. From 2005 through 2021, he served as Executive Managing Director and General Manager for BGC Partners in Sydney, New York, London and Hong Kong. Webster has a diploma in economics and business from Buckingham New University, London, and is licensed by regulators in the US, UK and Asia. Stream Systems is a cutting-edge fintech platform specializing in currency options trading solutions. The Stream platform empowers institutional and buy-side clients to navigate FX volatility through innovative products and seamless execution. Stream Systems is backed by top-tier investors and deploys its platform through its subsidiary, LPSFX LLC, a CFTC-licensed broker and member of the National Futures Association . For further information, contact:
Broadcast Pro
29-01-2025
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
BeIN Media Group extends ATP Tour broadcast rights in MENA until 2028
Global sports network to air all ATP Masters 1000, ATP 500 and Nitto ATP Finals until 2028 as part of contract renewal that further strengthens relationship between beIN and elite men's tennis tour. BeIN Media Group has renewed its exclusive agreement with ATP Media, securing the ATP Tour broadcast rights across 24 countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) through 2028. The partnership, which began in 2014, ensures that beIN Sports will continue delivering comprehensive coverage of the ATP Tour, including all ATP Masters 1000 and ATP 500 events, selected ATP 250 tournaments and the season-ending Nitto ATP Finals. The ATP Tour features the world's top tennis players competing in over 60 events across more than 30 countries each season. Under the extended agreement, beIN Sports will not only provide exclusive coverage in the MENA region but also serve subscribers in Australia and Southeast Asia, where it holds additional broadcast rights. Commenting on the agreement, Mohammad Al-Subaie, CEO of beIN MENA, said: 'We are proud of our decade-long partnership with ATP Media that has brought millions of viewers across the MENA region some of the best tennis action in the world. As the undisputed home of tennis in the region, beIN Sports has long been committed to providing unrivalled coverage of both men's and women's tennis across our network of channels to nurture the growing passion for the sport in the region. We look forward to continuing working with ATP Media and the ATP and other major sporting organisations to inspire the next generation of fans for years to come.' Mark Webster, CEO of ATP Media, added: 'It was a very easy decision for us to renew our long-standing partnership with beIN Sports in the MENA region. beIN Sports has continually demonstrated many of the same values ATP Media strives for in terms of a pursuit of excellence and innovation to ensure that the ATP Tour is seen in the best possible light by its millions of fans around the world. We look forward to continuing to work with beIN Sports over the coming years.' Notably, beIN Sports is the only network in the region with exclusive rights to both the ATP and WTA Tours, as well as all four Grand Slams. Earlier this month, the company also extended its exclusive rights to the Australian Open in MENA until 2029, reinforcing its stronghold in tennis broadcasting.
Zawya
29-01-2025
- Business
- Zawya
BeIN MEDIA GROUP extends ATP Tour rights deal across MENA until 2028
DOHA – beIN MEDIA GROUP ('beIN'), the global sports, entertainment and media group, has renewed its exclusive agreement with ATP Media, the broadcast arm of the ATP Tour, for its ATP Tour broadcast rights in 24 countries across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) until 2028. The renewed agreement, which started in 2014, ensures that the company's flagship sports channels, beIN SPORTS, continue to deliver unparalleled coverage of the ATP Tour, including all ATP Masters 1000 events, all ATP 500 events, certain ATP 250 events and the season-ending Nitto ATP Finals. The ATP Tour features the world's best players competing across more than 60 events in 30-plus countries every season. beIN SPORTS will bring all the top ATP Tour action to the MENA region, as well as to subscribers in Australia and Southeast Asia, where the network also holds exclusive broadcast rights. Mohammad Al-Subaie, CEO of beIN MENA, said: 'We are proud of our decade long partnership with ATP Media that has brought millions of viewers across the MENA region some of the best tennis action in the world. As the undisputed home of tennis in the region, beIN SPORTS has long been committed to providing unrivalled coverage of both men's and women's tennis across our network of channels to nurture the growing passion for the sport in the region. We look forward to continuing working with ATP Media and the ATP and other major sporting organisations to inspire the next generation of fans for years to come.' Mark Webster, CEO of ATP Media, said: 'It was a very easy decision for us to renew our long-standing partnership with beIN SPORTS in the MENA region. beIN SPORTS has continually demonstrated many of the same values ATP Media strives for in terms of a pursuit of excellence and innovation to ensure that the ATP Tour is seen in the best possible light by its millions of fans around the world. We look forward to continuing to work with beIN SPORTS over the coming years.' With the ATP Tour remaining a part of beIN SPORTS' extensive sports portfolio, this agreement solidifies its position as the leading destination for tennis fans in the region. beIN SPORTS is the only broadcaster in MENA with exclusive rights to both the ATP and WTA Tours, alongside all the other Grand Slams. Earlier this month, beIN also announced the extension of its exclusive rights to the Australian Open in MENA through to 2029. About beIN MEDIA GROUP beIN MEDIA GROUP is a leading independent global media group and one of the foremost sports & entertainment networks in the world. The group distributes and produces an unrivalled array of entertainment, live sport and major international events across 5 continents, 40 countries and in 9 different languages spanning Europe, North America, Asia, Australasia and the Middle East & North Africa (MENA). beIN MEDIA GROUP's flagship sports network, beIN SPORTS, holds the single largest portfolio of sports rights of any global broadcaster; and through its iconic MIRAMAX film studio, beIN holds an extensive library of Hollywood blockbusters while having a growing presence in series and movies production and distribution, as well as in the digital space. beIN MEDIA GROUP acquired Digiturk, the leading pay-tv operator in Türkiye, in August 2016, and in 2022 launched its premium OTT service, TOD, across MENA and Türkiye. For more information on beIN MEDIA GROUP, please contact: mediaoffice@ About the ATP The ATP's mission is to serve tennis. As a governing body of the ATP Tour and Challenger Tour we entertain a billion global fans, showcase the world's greatest players at prestigious tournaments, and inspire the game's next generation. From the United Cup in Australia, to Europe, the Americas and Asia, the stars of the game battle for titles and PIF ATP Rankings points at ATP Masters 1000, 500 and 250 events, and Grand Slams. All roads lead to the Nitto ATP Finals, our prestigious season finale held in Turin, Italy. Featuring only the season's best 8 singles players and doubles teams, the tournament sees the crowning of the year-end ATP World No. 1, presented by PIF, the ultimate achievement in tennis. For more information, please visit About ATP Media As the broadcast arm of the ATP Tour, ATP Media was formed in 2001 as Tennis Properties Limited; providing the centralised exploitation of media rights across the ATP Tour, host broadcast production for the Nitto ATP Finals, Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, ATP Masters 1000s and world feed production for the ATP 500s and, more recently, the ATP 250s. ATP Media has unrivalled access and expertise in the full-service broadcast production of men's professional tennis with an end to end solution for global broadcasters incorporating: rights sales, multi-platform production, a global fibre distribution network and a market leading digital archive. For more information, please visit
