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Business Disability Forum has opened nominations for its 2026 Disability Smart Impact Awards. The rebranded awards, announced on 3 December, highlight organisations and individuals creating measurable change for disabled employees and consumers through inclusive practice and innovation.
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Pantheon Regeneration secures investment from Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund. The funding will support the expansion of Pantheon’s ecological restoration projects, which aim to revive biodiversity and remove carbon from the atmosphere, enhancing their capacity to deliver landscape-scale climate solutions and carbon credits.
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Eight North of England startups have secured investment through PraeSeed. The six-week accelerator, backed by the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II and PXN Ventures, has invested £200,000 in each company, taking total funding to £3 million and expanding its support for Northern innovation.
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Half of Gen Z workers face criticism due to stereotypes. A report by Kahoot reveals that nearly 50% of young UK workers experience workplace criticism, leading to stress. Judgements often stem from their passion, informal language, or attempts to set boundaries, causing some to consider quitting.
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London ranks second globally for tech innovation, Zurich leads. The latest Z/Yen Smart Centres Index highlights London’s tech prowess, surpassing San Francisco. Zurich tops the list, while Singapore climbs to third. Oxford and Cambridge remain key players, bolstered by university spin-offs.
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The FCA proposes new rules for ESG ratings providers. The Financial Conduct Authority aims to enhance transparency, governance, and conflict management in the ESG ratings sector, building on international recommendations to improve market trust and support the UK’s sustainable finance ambitions.
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AI meets fragrance discovery in Jo Malone’s latest innovation. The Estée Lauder Companies and Jo Malone London have unveiled an AI-powered Scent Adviser experience designed to recreate the brand’s signature in-store consultation online, helping consumers find their ideal fragrance through natural language interaction.
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Three in four disabled UK shoppers face digital barriers. New AccessiWay research shows accessibility issues are driving customers away during key sales periods, with calls for stronger regulation and inclusion on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
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London’s new AI lab aims to lead global research efforts. The five-year collaboration will focus on foundational AI research in safety, reliability, and societal impact, combining Imperial’s academic strength with Thomson Reuters’ applied expertise in large-scale systems.
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Company claims that platform predicts human behaviour with 85%+ accuracy. Developed over two years of applied research, the platform interprets signals across media to generate behavioural foresight for businesses in sectors from retail to healthcare.