
UK employers are choosing flexibility as permanent hiring weakens again. KPMG and REC data shows permanent placements falling while temporary hiring rises, reflecting caution over cost, demand, and uncertainty.

MPs say Britain must overhaul how investment reaches growing companies. A new Commons report warns that low investment, weak scale-up finance, and fragmented public institutions are holding back productivity and long-term growth.

Lovell Renew Central has appointed Andy Webster as commercial lead. The move follows a 27% increase in staff over 12 months, as the refurbishment and retrofit specialist expands its Midlands project pipeline.

Keepit hires James Dwyer to lead its global revenue operations. The appointment comes as SaaS dependence, regulatory demands, and AI-driven risk keep data resilience and recovery high on the corporate agenda.

Boards need new leadership criteria for a changed business era. Starfish Search founder and CEO Juliet Taylor examines why digital fluency, systems thinking, and generational transition now belong on every board agenda.

A new study puts certainty theatre’s economic cost at £20bn. Research from Uncertainty Experts says leaders still reward the performance of decisiveness over admitting doubt, with middle managers most likely to fake confidence.

Accelerated exits are exposing succession weaknesses across privately held businesses. Amy Speake, CEO of Holmes Noble, argues that tax-driven timetable changes are forcing founders towards earlier exits before internal successors are ready, raising leadership risk for boards, investors, and acquirers.

Innovation drives growth, but many boards still resist backing it. Conor McNicholas, Impact Director at Magnetic, argues that shared language, leadership commitment, and better data can help companies assess innovation more confidently, and turn boardroom tension into measurable growth.

Manufacturers must build leaders internally as management pipelines start thinning. Andy Turner, managing director of SEW-EURODRIVE UK & Ireland, talks about how Gen Z’s lack of interest in white collar roles, alongside UK industry’s over reliance on external recruitment, is stifling growth and development.

Greener business travel depends on better systems, not individual effort. Sophie Fleming, Global Head of Trainline Business, argues SMEs need simpler, rail-first booking tools and clearer emissions data to turn sustainability goals into everyday travel decisions.