A perfect storm is brewing in the cybersecurity sector where an increase in cyber threats is compounded by a major skills shortage and lack of women representation.  Cyberattacks can shut down infrastructure, close businesses, drain bank accounts, and more. Protecting systems and data from sophisticated hackers has never been so important, and the value of the global cybersecurity market is predicted to reach an eye-popping £340 billion in 2030.   Despite the industry’s apparent wealth, a worrying dearth of cybersecurity professionals, especially women, currently exists. A mere 24% of the global cybersecurity workforce are women.  From recruitment challenges to the gender pay gap, cybersecurity services…

UK Finance has launched a new site including a step-by-step digital guide and FAQ to support charities and other voluntary organisations open and manage bank accounts. The new site also includes a free Account Finder tool, to help organisations in the voluntary sector find the best account for their needs. The launch of the site is the final step of a project run by UK Finance to deepen understanding of the specific issues felt by charity bank account customers. UK Finance has worked with charitable organisations, members and regulators to develop the digital guide to help improve how community accounts…

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, the traditional linear career path is becoming increasingly a thing of the past. Instead, portfolio careers, characterised by a diverse range of roles, projects and income streams, is gaining increasing momentum, especially among women. Susannah Schofield, OBE, Director General of the Direct Selling Association, has been a champion for women and young people in business for many years [Susannah was awarded an OBE for her work in this area in the 2015 Queen’s Honours List]  and has witnessed first-hand the transformative impact of portfolio careers on women’s lives, including her own. As we continue…

  New research has found that 17 per cent of under 45-year-olds have been persuaded to spend more than they’d originally planned to by digital displays in stores. The survey, commissioned by Saturn Visual Solutions and carried out by OnePoll, asked 2,000 UK-based, adult full-time and part-time workers how they felt about modern stores that have interactive displays and screens showing product information and videos. Nearly a quarter of 18 to 24-year-olds (24%) admitted that they’d been persuaded to spend more than they’d originally planned to whilst in a store with digital displays. The figure went down to 19 per cent with 25…

In today’s job market, apprenticeships offer a practical alternative to traditional education. They provide real-world experience combined with academic learning, benefiting both apprentices and employers. Apprentices gain valuable skills and qualifications while earning a wage, which helps them build successful careers. Employers can develop a skilled workforce in a cost-effective way, tailored to their specific needs, leading to increased productivity and innovation. In this article Lanes Careers explore the benefits of apprenticeships, explaining why they are a smart choice for individuals looking to advance their careers and for companies aiming to build a strong and loyal workforce. From addressing the…

Research from business intelligence consultancy Catalyst BI has found that 18% of organisations processing personal data struggle to understand ICO regulatory guidance. The data was collected using the UK Business Data Survey, which also revealed that a combined 21% of SMEs found it difficult to understand regulatory guidance published by the ICO. Becky Stables, data management expert at Catalyst BI explains where your business is going wrong in terms of GDPR compliance and how to avoid the most common mistakes that could cost SMEs time and money. “There are 5.51 million SMEs in the UK, which make up 99.9% of private sector businesses, but they often struggle with GDPR compliance due to a…

Over the coming weeks and months most of the country will be scrutinising what Labour has to offer the UK in terms of growth for the country and how they will tackle major issues, such as the cost-of-living crisis and the underfunded NHS. And with the UK facing a mental health crisis like never before, Bertrand Stern-Gillet, CEO at Health Assured, looks at how the new government plans to address this. “Labour has said they will be putting mental health on the same level at physical health. 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health challenge of some kind…

Following the news of the recent E. coli outbreak in the UK, where 288 confirmed cases were reported in 2024, businesses are facing increasing pressure to uphold stringent food safety protocol.  Sam Roberts, Food Retail lead at mpro5, discusses the digitised platforms retailers and caterers can implement to manage, log, and track food safety reporting. Harrowing reports of the recent UK E. coli outbreak have forced UK retailers and caterers to rethink their food safety processes, with the UK Health Security Agency reporting that a member of the public passed away from the outbreak in June. In 2024 there has been 288 confirmed cases of E. coli…

Lara Fox, MD of Objective, a data analytics specialist, is seeing an uplift in the number of businesses enquiring about how to effectively use AI, data analytics and software to help them grow their business. In this article she debunks the myths around AI and analytics software and shares tangible and workable tips for businesses on how to embrace the benefits. Buzzwords such as AI, generative AI, natural language processing (NLP), data analytics solutions have been around for a while now. But what do these words mean, what do they do and how can we use them in business to help…

In the UK, it’s estimated that a staggering 80% of SMEs are underinsured. With this in mind, James Barwell – Insurance Director at Bionic – has prepared  a guide on how SMEs can make sure they are fully covered.  “Estimating the value of business assets and understanding policies can be exceedingly difficult and is something many small business owners try to navigate alone. But unfortunately when estimates are inaccurate it could lead to an insurance package that doesn’t cover all business assets. This is called underinsurance and it can lead SMEs being out of pocket if they make a claim or a claim…

Whilst most shareholders in small and medium businesses will hope the situation never arises, many shareholders (particularly minority shareholders) do find themselves being treated badly. A lot of them do not have shareholders’ agreements in place but there are ways to protect their position and steps that can be taken if negotiation fails. In this article Richard Gore and Claire Boucher, both Partners at Temple Bright, discuss how shareholders can protect themselves from unreasonable behaviour by other shareholders and directors. They detail what the terminology relating to a company means and how shareholders can go about trying to protect their…

VistaPrint, the print and design partner to millions of small businesses around the world, have recently partnered with Paris Commerces,  a company from the city of Paris, which acts on a daily basis in favour of local commerce, to launch the ultimate Paris City Guide to Small Business ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics. With 11.3 million visitors expected to go to Paris during the Olympics this summer, this local guide allows tourists to choose between three unique routes which meander through Paris’ iconic cobblestone streets, enticing explorers to visit an assortment of small delicatessens, bookstores, fashion and artisans along the way. The…

Devotees of Filofax, the Rolls-Royce of paper-based personal organisers and time planners, are about to be offered the best of both worlds with the launch of a revolutionary new digital Reminder App which allows them to plan on paper and review on their phones. The venerable UK-based time management company, which celebrated its centenary in 2021, is bringing its massively popular Filofax diary, with its ring binder and refill pages, into the digital age with easy-to-use QR code technology. It means that the handy-sized diaries, which contain a wealth of information and are still the preferred option for millions of people, will now…

Amidst escalating economic and environmental challenges, SMEs are at a crossroads. A new report delves into the dilemma SMEs face: how to balance sustainability with financial stability. With 71% of SMEs in the last 12 months viewing sustainability as an opportunity to diversify and grow their business, the report explores how green initiatives can help reduce carbon footprint but also drive business growth and remain competitive. The Report by Novuna Business Finance – The Small Business Perspective on Sustainability: Investment, Cost or Burden – provides valuable insight learnt from the real-life experiences of small business owners with each story revealing insight…

With the EU AI Act due to start coming into effect in the next few weeks, businesses cannot avoid addressing this new regulation, or else they’ll risk paying hefty fines of up to €35 million. But that’s not all, with the new UK Labour government planning to tighten AI rules further, businesses will need to ensure they are prepared to comply. In light of this, Keith Fenner, SVP and GM EMEA at Diligent, a leading GRC SaaS company, discusses the risks and opportunities that the AI Act will bring to businesses, as well as the next steps they should take to…

Steve Whitmarsh, chief executive officer of Henley-in-Arden based Multifleet Vehicle Management, which trades as runyourfleet, was privileged to meet King Charles at a ceremony for winners of The King’s Award for Enterprise at Windsor Castle. The invitation came after runyourfleet was recognised for its innovation in developing its unique online platform for fleet management. runyourfleet launched the platform in 2021 and was one of only 252 organisations nationally to be recognised with a prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise, and just one of 59 businesses to be recognised for innovation. Mr Whitmarsh said it was a great honour to be invited and…