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Consumer confidence rose to −17 in December, matching August’s peak. The latest GfK data shows small but broad-based gains in household sentiment, with every measure improving as inflation continues to ease. But the overall reading remains negative, reflecting a cautious outlook into early 2026.
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ByteDance signs binding deal to form TikTok US joint venture. The Chinese owner of TikTok has agreed to transfer operational control of its American app to a newly formed joint venture with US and international investors, aiming to satisfy regulatory concerns and prevent a potential nationwide ban.
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Business Quarter Issue 2 closes 2025 with perspective for leaders. The Q4 edition reflects on a demanding year marked by complexity. It examines leadership craft, organisational resilience, market discipline, and shifting expectations. All with an eye on planning calmly for 2026. Without easy answers, but with clarity and intent intact.
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Customer engagement in the financial sector is evolving at speed. Jon Burghart, Chief Revenue Officer at AnywhereNow, examines how legacy systems, fragmented data, and overstretched teams are redefining how banks serve their customers. The winners will be those who unify people, technology, and data into one strategy.
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Glance’s new report shows trust matters most in 2026. The customer experience specialist’s latest data reveals that, despite rapid AI adoption, consumers continue to prize clarity and resolution over speed — with trust emerging as the defining measure of successful service interactions.
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Mason Infotech projects 50% revenue growth this year. The Nottingham-based IT managed service provider credits its expansion to surging client demand for cybersecurity and AI-driven support, as it strengthens its leadership team and extends its reach into new sectors and regions.
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The Bank of England is expected to lower interest rates to 3.75 per cent on Thursday. The move, likely backed by a narrow majority, follows a sharper-than-forecast fall in inflation and mounting evidence of a cooling UK economy. Markets are watching closely for signs of further easing into 2026.
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George Osborne joins OpenAI to lead global AI strategies. Osborne, former UK chancellor, assumes his new role in January, leading OpenAI’s international efforts to collaborate with governments on AI infrastructure and policies, promoting democratic principles in technology deployment.
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SThree faces challenges amid a weakening UK jobs market. The recruitment firm reported a 26% decline in UK fees during Q4, contributing to a 12% drop in group net fees. Despite this, SThree anticipates meeting its £25m pre-tax profit target.
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Monzo CEO TS Anil departs amid boardroom dispute over IPO. Reports suggest Anil clashed with Monzo’s board regarding the timing of a public listing, leading to his surprise departure. Diana Layfield, a former Google executive, will succeed him.
