
A third of UK employees feel uninspired at work. O.C. Tanner’s latest Global Culture Report finds a significant “inspiration gap” between employees’ ambitions and workplace reality, linking it to falling engagement, slower innovation, and weaker productivity across British organisations.

Samsung officially names TM Roh as co-chief executive officer. The appointment reinstates a dual-leadership model at Samsung Electronics, dividing oversight between its mobile and semiconductor divisions. The move underscores the company’s intent to strengthen governance and sustain competitiveness across its consumer technology and component businesses amid a shifting global market.

Europe is eyeing stakes in Australian resource ventures. The European Union has announced plans to invest directly in Australian critical-minerals operations to secure key supply for its green transition, Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič said following talks in Melbourne with Australia’s Resources Minister Madeleine King.

US employers added more jobs than expected in September. The 119,000 payroll gain came alongside a rise in unemployment to 4.4 percent, signalling a labour market that remains steady but not overheating. For the Federal Reserve, the figures strengthen the case for patience before adjusting interest rates.

Technology has blurred the boundaries of the workday. Bryan Stallings, Chief Evangelist at Lucid, warns that constant connectivity has created an ‘infinite workday’ — one where interruptions, late-night meetings, and reactive communication are eroding psychological safety. A cultural reset is needed to restore focus, clarity, and humane productivity.

Upgrading connected tech could add nine days of productivity. A BT Business report suggests better connectivity could offset the average sick leave lost per UK worker and ease workplace stress by 2030, as companies invest in AI and cloud-enabled tools to improve efficiency, retention, and wellbeing.

Energy jargon is emerging as a new cost pressure for UK SMEs. Research from Valda Energy shows that more than half of small businesses struggle to understand key terms — a knowledge gap now linked to higher billing confusion and increased payment risks.

UK Finance CEO warns against bank tax hikes in Budget. David Postings cautions that increasing taxes on banks could harm London’s competitiveness and economic growth. He emphasises the financial sector’s role in job creation and tax contributions.

Lloyds Banking Group has agreed to acquire London fintech Curve for a reported £120 million. The move marks the bank’s latest step in expanding its digital payments and wallet capabilities, aiming to integrate Curve’s card-consolidation technology into its mobile platform by mid-2026, subject to regulatory approval.

Older consumers hold extraordinary spending power in the UK economy. iStock’s Jacqueline Bourke outlines how small businesses can connect with the over-65 audience through authentic, inclusive visual storytelling and reveals practical ways to strengthen engagement, challenge stereotypes, and build long-term brand trust.