
Internationally exposed companies remain more confident than their domestic peers. Lloyds’ latest Business Barometer shows overall confidence falling, even as hiring intentions improve and overseas-facing businesses report stronger demand.

Securonix appoints Toby Weiss to lead its AI security push. The former Fiery chief executive will oversee the company’s next phase as SOCs move from alert management towards AI-powered execution.

Europe’s AI progress is accelerating, but adoption remains unevenly distributed. Accenture’s AI Progress Barometer shows large companies closing the gap with North America while smaller European businesses fall further behind.

CBI warns private sector momentum is weakening across sectors again. The latest Growth Indicator shows expectations at their weakest since September 2022, with services, distribution, and manufacturing all under pressure.

Volkswagen’s restructuring pressure is now a test of industrial governance. Management has told employee representatives current job cuts are insufficient, sharpening tensions around factories, labour power, and Europe’s automotive transition.

Business travel planning is becoming a resilience issue for employers. Sophie Fleming, Global Head of Trainline Business, argues that rail should be embedded into everyday decision-making, not kept as a fallback when disruption hits.

The UK skills gap is widening as workplaces change faster. Arden University research and Acas dispute data point to a labour market under pressure from technology, retraining gaps, and weak conflict-resolution capability.

Remote working has become a retention issue for UK employers. King’s College London research finds fathers increasingly view home working as part of family infrastructure, despite continuing career penalties around visibility.

UK boards are favouring proven chiefs under uncertainty and pressure. Heidrick & Struggles says the CEO route is narrowing, with finance backgrounds, international appointments, and later-career moves dominating.

Iris London has added senior operational depth to leadership team. The creative agency has appointed Ali Proctor-Walsh as head of operations and Vicci Whitlow as head of production.