Search Results for: business

UK can become a “pioneer of responsible AI innovation” but must boost business uptake and confidence, new research reveals

Stuart Mitchell

Nearly half of SMEs (43%) do not plan to innovate with AI in the next year, largely because of a lack of confidence among business owners in the safeguards in place to protect society — according to new research by the UK’s data and marketing industry trade body. Ahead of the inaugural UK AI Safety Summit, which ran from 1-2 November, the UK Government has been urged by industry to grasp its unique opportunity to become a global pioneer in responsible AI innovation. Of those SMEs who do plan to…

Unlocking untapped potential: LSB launches report on financing for ethnic minority-led businesses

Stuart Mitchell

The Lending Standards Board (LSB) has recently announced the release of its latest inclusion report, ‘Increasing Access to Finance for Ethnic Minority Led Businesses’. The report, launched at an event in London last night, represents the third instalment of the LSB’s series on inclusion. It highlights the barriers faced by ethnic minority led businesses and underscores the crucial role that financial institutions play in unlocking the untapped potential. Ethnic minority entrepreneurs, including those from Black, Asian, and other minority groups, contribute an estimated £25 billion to the UK economy annually,…

Plunkett Foundation release annual state of the sector report ‘Community Ownership: A Better Form of Business’

Stuart Mitchell

The community business sector has been negatively impacted by inflation and rising costs; however, new research from the Plunkett Foundation shows that community businesses continue to put people first. Even though as many as 1 in 3 businesses are concerned about the next 12 months, over 50% of the network have awarded cost of living pay rises to staff. 64% of community businesses with tenants offered rent reductions and extensions. Whilst two thirds of businesses have absorbed price rises to maintain affordability of products and services for their community. The…

COP28 Business & Philanthropy Climate Forum unveils key Partners, uniting to drive global climate action

Stuart Mitchell

The inaugural COP28 Business & Philanthropy Climate Forum, hosted by the COP28 Presidency on 1 and 2 December 2023 in parallel with the world leaders World Climate Action Summit, has announced key partnerships with leading global organizations, joining forces to drive global climate and nature action.  The Forum will convene 500 business and philanthropy leaders alongside policymakers to accelerate solutions and drive bolder results. This first of a kind multi-stakeholder engagement strategy for climate and nature is driven by the UAE’s ambition to host an inclusive climate conference that marshals…

IFC and Sony Partner to Support Growth of Creative Businesses in Africa

Stuart Mitchell

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and Sony Group Corporation, recently announced the signing of a cooperation agreement to identify investment opportunities in companies in the creative industries in Africa in order to support new economic opportunities and create jobs. Under this agreement, IFC and Sony will work together to identify investment opportunities with a particular focus on seed and early-stage start-ups. Priority sectors for cooperation will include film, music, animation studios, post-production services, fashion, sports and technology and platforms supporting the creative ecosystem. This partnership leverages Sony’s…