The Royal Navy’s experimental vessel, XV Patrick Blackett, has embarked on a crucial phase of its development – sea acceptance trials. This marks a significant milestone for NavyX, the Royal Navy’s innovation and autonomy team, as it prepares to test and evaluate the vessel’s capabilities and onboard technologies. The XV Patrick Blackett is a unique platform designed to support the development and testing of cutting-edge technologies for naval applications. Equipped with state-of-the-art sensors, communication systems, and autonomous capabilities, the vessel will serve as a laboratory for experimentation and innovation. During the sea acceptance trials, the vessel will undergo rigorous testing to ensure that its systems and equipment are functioning as intended. This includes evaluating its navigation systems, propulsion systems, and communication capabilities. Additionally, the team will assess the vessel’s ability to operate autonomously and interact with other naval assets. The successful completion of these trials will pave the way for the XV Patrick Blackett to begin its mission of supporting the Royal Navy’s technological advancements. The vessel will be used to test and evaluate a wide range of technologies, including unmanned aerial vehicles, autonomous underwater vehicles, and advanced sensors. By leveraging the capabilities of the XV Patrick Blackett, NavyX aims…
A consortium of three leading construction firms, McAleer & Rushe, John Sisk & Son, and McLaren, has been awarded a £600 million contract to redevelop a former biscuit factory in Bermondsey, South London. The project will deliver 1,624 new homes, along with a range of amenities for residents. The redevelopment will transform the brownfield site into a vibrant residential community, featuring modern apartments, communal spaces, and sustainable features. The first homes are expected to be completed in autumn 2025, with the entire project anticipated to be finished by late 2027. McAleer & Rushe will oversee the construction of two separate developments, including a five-building complex with 359 homes and a 20-story tower with 225 homes. John Sisk & Son will build a pair of residential towers, totaling 472 market-rent homes. McLaren will redevelop a portion of the former Peek Frean packing factory, incorporating commercial space and 230 residential units. The project is being funded by a £600 million debt facility from a consortium of lenders, including Standard Chartered Bank, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation, and Emirates NBD. The redevelopment of the Bermondsey site marks a significant milestone in the regeneration of the area. The project is expected to…
BT Group’s Digital Unit has announced the launch of GenAI Gateway, an innovative internal platform designed to harness the power of large language models (LLMs) from providers such as Anthropic, Meta, Claude, Cohere, and Amazon. Built in collaboration with AWS and utilizing Amazon Bedrock, Amazon SageMaker, and AWS Professional Services capabilities, GenAI Gateway provides secure, private access to a range of natural-language processing and large language models. This platform is a critical tool for BT Group as it embeds AI into its business operations. The GenAI Gateway addresses the challenges associated with ad-hoc use of LLMs, including cost control, security, privacy, and model performance. By centralizing LLM management, GenAI Gateway helps BT Group optimize resource allocation, reduce risks, and ensure ethical AI usage. The platform offers several key benefits: GenAI Gateway is one of several key enablers for BT Group’s AI-enabled enterprise strategy. It will be used in conjunction with BT Group’s “data fabric” data management platform to enforce governing policies for data usage, access control, and data sovereignty restrictions. The GenAI Gateway is now live with initial beta use cases, including summarizing engineering notes for Openreach teams and supporting contract analysis for the Group’s Business, legal, and procurement teams….
CIL Management Consultants, a leading growth strategy consulting firm, has proudly become a certified B Corporation™. This recognition reflects CIL’s dedication to making a positive impact on society and the environment, and reinforces its commitment to responsible governance and transparency as part of the global B Corp community. Founded in 1986, CIL is a dedicated strategy consulting firm that partners with management teams and investors to identify and prioritize growth opportunities across diverse sectors. Driven by its core values of excellence, integrity, and supportiveness, CIL offers a dynamic and engaging work environment for both clients and employees. B Corp certification is a global standard for sustainable business, awarded to companies that meet rigorous social and environmental performance standards. It signifies a company’s commitment to using its business as a force for good, considering all stakeholders, including employees, customers, suppliers, communities, and the environment. Certified companies must publicly disclose their performance against the B Impact Assessment, a rigorous assessment tool that measures a company’s social and environmental impact. B Corps must also legally commit to considering all stakeholders in their decision-making processes. Achieving B Corp certification demonstrates a company’s dedication to sustainability and ethical business practices, providing a competitive advantage and…
The Greater London Authority (GLA) has today approved the All England Club’s applications to transform the former Wimbledon Park Golf Course. Deborah Jevans, Chair of the All England Club, commented: “We are delighted that the Greater London Authority has resolved to approve our applications to transform the former Wimbledon Park Golf Course. “Our proposals will deliver 27 acres of newly accessible parkland for the community and enable us to bring the Qualifying Competition for The Championships onsite, with all of the substantial economic and employment opportunities this presents. “Every stage of this project will be delivered with a meticulous attention to detail and the utmost respect for both our neighbours and the environment. “We look forward to working with all parties to bring this vision to life, delivering one of London’s greatest sporting transformations since the 2012 Games, and securing Wimbledon’s future at the pinnacle of world sport.” Jules Pipe CBE, Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration, and the Fire Service, praised the plans, stating, “These plans for the site of a former private golf course will bring significant benefits to the local area, the wider capital, and the UK economy. Providing increased access to open green space, sport, new parkland,…
Asda has partnered with HSBC UK to introduce a new sustainability-linked enhancement to its Supply Chain Finance scheme. This innovative scheme aims to incentivize suppliers to adopt better sustainability practices. Launching in January 2025, the voluntary scheme will offer over 250 Asda suppliers access to three tiers of enhanced financing rates. Suppliers who disclose their ESG performance data, set sustainability targets, and take action to achieve those goals will be eligible for preferential terms. The sustainability data platform EcoVadis will assess supplier performance, with a particular focus on decarbonization and other ESG elements. Strong performance will be rewarded with the most favorable financing rates. Asda’s Supply Chain Finance program with HSBC UK has been in place for over a decade. This new sustainability enhancement demonstrates both parties’ commitment to supporting sustainable practices within the supply chain. Asda already requires its largest suppliers to share sustainability data through the EcoVadis assessment platform. By incorporating sustainability into the financing scheme, Asda is encouraging greater transparency and driving positive change within its supply chain. Michael Gleeson, Chief Financial Officer at Asda, said: “As we continue to drive progress towards our own decarbonisation and ESG targets, supporting and engaging with suppliers forms a crucial…
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced plans to invest £8 billion in the UK over the next five years. This investment will be used to build, operate, and maintain data centers across the country, supporting growth and productivity in various sectors. AWS’s investment is estimated to contribute £14 billion to the UK’s GDP and support an average of 14,000 full-time equivalent jobs annually in local businesses. This investment builds upon AWS’s existing presence in the UK, with over £3 billion invested since 2020. Organizations of all sizes and industries are leveraging AWS to reduce costs, become more agile, and innovate faster. Customers such as AstraZeneca, Cancer Research UK, Deliveroo, easyJet, EDF, and many others are using AWS to enhance their operations and compete in the global market. The UK government has welcomed this investment, recognizing its potential to boost economic growth and create jobs. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, and Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle, have expressed their support for AWS’s commitment to the UK’s digital economy. Tanuja Randery, Vice President and Managing Director of AWS EMEA, emphasized the importance of cloud computing and AI in driving innovation and productivity. She highlighted the potential benefits for UK businesses of all…
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has secured a significant £10 billion investment from Blackstone, a leading global investment firm, during his visit to New York. This investment will drive economic growth and create thousands of jobs in the North East of England. The investment will fund the construction of Europe’s largest AI data center in Blyth, Northumberland. This project is expected to create over 4,000 jobs, including 1,200 roles dedicated to the construction of the site. The data center will store the vast amount of data required to power AI systems. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “The number one mission of my government is to grow our economy, so that hard-working British people reap the benefits – and more foreign investment is a crucial part of that plan.New investment such as the one we’ve announced with Blackstone today is a huge vote of confidence in the UK and it proves that Britain is back as a major player on the global stage and we’re open for business.” Blackstone’s commitment to the UK extends beyond this investment. The company plans to invest £110 million in a fund to support skills training and transport infrastructure in the area. Jon Gray, President and Chief…
Microsoft UK has announced the appointment of Amanda Sleight as its new General Manager for the UK Public Sector business, effective January 1, 2025. Sleight brings over 25 years of experience leading high-performing teams in technology companies, including SAP and AWS. Prior to joining Microsoft UK, she led the Commercial Services team at AWS. Returning to Microsoft, where she spent 17 years in various roles, Sleight will be responsible for leading Microsoft’s strategic partnership with the UK Government. The company aims to leverage technology and AI to transform citizen services and support the government’s goals of growth, efficiency, and innovation. Welcoming the appointment, Clare Barclay, CEO, Microsoft UK, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Amanda back to Microsoft UK. “We have an incredible opportunity as a strategic partner to the UK Government to help transform citizen services through technology and AI to help realise the ambitions of growth, efficiency, and innovation.” Microsoft research has demonstrated the potential of AI to significantly improve efficiency and productivity in the public sector. By automating routine tasks, employees can save valuable time and focus on higher-value activities. Local councils across the UK are already adopting AI tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot and Azure OpenAI to…
The 2GW subsea cable, spanning over 500 kilometers, will be the UK’s largest electricity transmission project to date. Delivered by SSEN Transmission and National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), EGL2 will provide enough clean energy to power approximately two million homes. The project received final approval from Ofgem, which accelerated the process to enable an earlier start to construction. EGL2 is expected to be fully operational by 2029. Chair of SSEN Transmission’s Board Gregor Alexander said: “EGL2 will play a major role in bolstering energy security and contributing to net zero targets, but it will also generate jobs and provide a legacy to local communities here in the north-east of Scotland, where our teams are already supporting local environmental initiatives.” Akshay Kaul, Ofgem Director General for Infrastructure Group, stated: “Today is a historic occasion. Not only is construction starting on EGL2, Britain’s biggest ever electricity transmission project, but we’re also standing here two years earlier than we might have been thanks to Ofgem’s fast track new process which cuts red tape to get consumers across the country connected to renewable energy more quickly.” Offshore Delivery Director for National Grid Zac Richardson commented: “EGL2 is the first of four currently proposed 2GW…
