
Currency volatility is rising, forcing businesses to rethink FX risk. Thanim Islam, Head of FX Analysis at Equals Money, explains how structured hedging, scenario planning, and faster treasury decisions can help companies protect margins as sterling and global interest-rate paths diverge.

CISOs must link cyber risk to business performance and profit. Thom Langford, CTO EMEA at Rapid7, argues that security leaders must translate technical metrics into financial and operational terms, helping boards understand how cyber incidents affect revenue, resilience, and long-term strategic decision-making.

New ISO standard aids climate adaptation efforts for organisations. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has introduced ISO 14092:2026 to assist organisations, including local governments, in developing and implementing climate adaptation plans, addressing fragmented efforts and enhancing access to adaptation finance.

NatWest plans to reach 50,000 people through expanded financial education. The UK bank will scale its Financial Foundations programme in 2026, delivering free workplace and community-based financial education sessions through employers, local organisations, and housing groups as part of its wider UK growth strategy.

IMed Group has appointed Spencer Keegan to lead talent acquisition. The regulatory consultancy is expanding recruitment services alongside international growth, adding permanent and contract hiring capabilities to support medical and health technology clients across Europe and beyond.

Calling someone “old” for IT struggles isn’t age discrimination. The tribunal ruled on Farah Janjua’s case against Harvey Jones Ltd, where a colleague’s comment about her IT skills didn’t meet the legal threshold for age discrimination.

A gap in financial confidence is blocking UK entrepreneurs. Nearly two in five small business owners don’t know if they’re profitable, as Xero’s new Financial Confidence Taskforce urges a government rethink on financial literacy to make entrepreneurship an aspirational and attainable career path.

AI has become accessible to small businesses almost overnight. Yet as Kelly Salter, Commercial Director at names.co.uk (part of team.blue), explains, many still struggle with skills gaps, confidence, and trust. Bridging this divide requires practical guidance and mindset change — helping small businesses see AI as a partner, not a threat.

HMRC is intensifying its scrutiny of fast growing UK companies. Francesca Titus, barrister and white-collar crime partner at McGuireWoods, warns that expanding enforcement powers, AI-led investigations, and new criminal offences are raising the stakes. For scale-ups, proactive compliance is now essential — before HMRC comes knocking.

UK SMEs may finally have reason for cautious optimism. Rory Crisp-Jones of Jones & Co Finance argues that the Autumn Budget has provided long-awaited stability and renewed incentives to invest — from full expensing and a new 40% First-Year Allowance to a steady 25% corporation tax rate — shifting the balance towards growth.