
Digital growth depends on trust built on fragile foundations. Dan Bridges, Technical Director – International at Dropzone AI, argues that growth demands digital trust, but architectures were built for a more trusting era — leaving security operations struggling to keep pace with AI-driven threats and an always-on risk landscape.

AI-first organisations integrate literacy across culture and leadership. Alex Rumble, AI Ambassador & CMO at HTEC, argues that sustainable AI adoption depends on organisational architecture, leadership capability, and diversity — not pilot programmes or cost-cutting exercises.

AI’s business promise is cooling as leaders confront implementation reality. Cian Clarke, Head of AI at Nearform, argues organisations must move beyond hype, rethink model strategy, and build durable systems grounded in real data and operational discipline.

Quantum computing is arriving faster than many organisations are prepared for. Rob O’Connor, EMEA CISO at Insight, explains why accelerating quantum advances threaten existing encryption models, how “harvest now, decrypt later” attacks raise immediate risks, and what practical steps businesses should take now to protect long-term data security.

Working parents face rising burnout pressures employers can no longer. Onebright’s Dr Julia Lyons outlines how organisations can recognise parental burnout and take practical steps to support working parents before stress escalates into longer-term absence or disengagement.

Email marketing remains a vital channel for brands in 2026. Russ Wilmot, Co-founder and Director of Acquirz, explores how evolving technologies, audience behaviour, and AI-driven tools are transforming campaign performance this year.

2026 will be the year of grown-up innovation. Cyrus Vantoch-Wood, Founder at Insurgent, forecasts a global shift from spectacle to substance — from performative sustainability to pragmatic regeneration — as companies rebuild purpose, value, and continuity in a world demanding competence over conjecture.

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.

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.