Author: Sam Allcock

Morgan Sindall Construction has officially handed over a newly developed wheeled sports area to Brighton & Hove City Council, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing Hove Beach Park project. Located adjacent to Hove Lagoon, the new facility is designed to cater to the community’s diverse sporting needs and is set to feature a range of dedicated sports spaces, including a 600-square-metre roller area, a new skate park, and a 150-metre-long BMX pump track. The initiative aims to create an inclusive environment for users of all ages and abilities, whether they enjoy rollerblading, skating, or skateboarding. The new Hove Beach…

Ulster Unionist peer Lord Rogan has urged the UK government to strengthen its ties with Taiwan, particularly in light of China’s recent military exercises in the region. Speaking in the House of Lords today, Lord Rogan emphasised the need for closer cooperation, including potential visits from senior government ministers, as tensions escalate between Taiwan and China. The call for enhanced relations comes on the heels of a series of air and sea military drills conducted by China near Taiwan, coinciding with a planned trip to Beijing by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy. Lord Rogan expressed his concern, stating, “The Chinese…

Whitbread PLC, the UK’s largest hotel business and owner of the Premier Inn brand, has started construction on its latest hotel project in Manchester. The new 10-storey, 229-bedroom Premier Inn is being built on Rochdale Road, just north of Manchester city centre, in the iconic Northern Quarter. The construction will be led by GMI Construction Group, which was appointed as the principal contractor in July 2024. The Rochdale Road project is part of Whitbread’s strategic investment in Manchester, where the hotel chain is expanding its presence in under-served areas. The new Premier Inn will feature the company’s latest room designs,…

Manchester-based software company Open ECX has announced a series of new appointments as it expands into a range of sectors, following significant business wins across industries including hospitality, food and beverage, healthcare, and construction. The company, which specialises in cloud-based software that automates business transactions, is experiencing increased demand for its order-to-cash and procure-to-pay technology, prompting a raft of new roles within its commercial and operations teams. Open ECX’s recent expansion includes securing contracts with high-profile clients and forging strategic partnerships with industry leaders. To support its growing operations, the company has appointed Joseph Smith, Rachel Kirby, and Lucy Murphy…

Italian-American scientist Dario Crosetto is set to present his groundbreaking cancer detection technology at the IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference (NSS-MIC-RTSD) in Tampa, Florida. The conference, considered one of the most prestigious events in particle physics and medical imaging, will host around 2,000 scientists from across the globe. Crosetto, whose work focuses on particle detection and early cancer diagnosis, expressed his appreciation to the event organisers for supporting what he describes as “Transparency in Science.” His six research papers, approved by the conference reviewers, are scheduled for presentation on October 31, 2024, with Crosetto allocated nearly two…

Billions of pounds worth of investments in emerging growth sectors, including artificial intelligence (AI), life sciences, and infrastructure, have been unveiled at the UK government’s inaugural International Investment Summit in London. The summit, held at the historic Guildhall, convened world-leading CEOs, investors, and government ministers to discuss significant investment opportunities in the UK. The event aims to reinforce the government’s commitment to securing investment as a pathway to economic growth, job creation, and improved living standards. Prime Minister’s keynote speech highlighted the government’s recent achievements, securing tens of billions in investments within just 100 days of taking office. He asserted…

Specialist background screening firm Sterling has raised concerns about the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) by job applicants, warning that the increasing sophistication of these tools is exposing businesses to significant risks. According to the company, the rise of AI-generated CVs, as well as the use of deepfake technology and synthetic identities, is creating a new wave of challenges for employers. As AI technology becomes more advanced, job seekers are reportedly using it not only to enhance their CVs and applications but also to create fabricated personas and manipulate documents. Sterling’s experts caution that this trend is particularly concerning…

A report commissioned by energy supplier OVO has revealed that the UK could collectively save £5.6 billion on energy bills if all homes eligible for solar panels were to have them installed. The study, conducted by the Building Research Establishment (BRE), found that almost half (48%) of the nation’s housing stock is suitable for solar panels but currently lacks them. The report suggests that installing solar panels on these 13.7 million homes could generate 28.5 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity, significantly cutting carbon emissions by 14.8 million tonnes. This reduction is equivalent to taking over half of the UK’s petrol…

The UK Government is launching a new strategy aimed at reducing the use of single-use medical devices in the NHS, helping to tackle waste and save millions of pounds each year. The Design for Life Roadmap, announced by Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting, is set to overhaul current practices and encourage the use of reusable, remanufactured medical technology (MedTech), while reducing the country’s reliance on imported products. Currently, the NHS produces 156,000 tonnes of clinical waste annually in England, a significant portion of which comes from disposable devices such as walking aids, surgical instruments, and specialised equipment like…

A pioneering collaboration between Cytosurge AG and Lexogen is set to enhance the field of live-cell sequencing, enabling scientists to study living cells in unprecedented detail. The partnership combines Cytosurge’s FluidFM® OMNIUM platform with Lexogen’s LUTHOR HD kit, providing researchers with a seamless workflow for live-cell transcriptomics studies. Live-cell sequencing, or Live-seq, is a transformative technology developed by researchers at ETH Zurich and EPFL in Switzerland. It allows for the sequencing of a cell’s RNA while preserving its viability, a significant departure from traditional methods that destroy the cell during sampling. The new approach is expected to open up new…

The South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC), in partnership with Definition Health, is showcasing the potential of digital health solutions in the NHS by successfully implementing a remote surgical care pathway. This innovative approach has significantly improved patient safety, clinical efficiency, and environmental sustainability in post-operative care. SWLEOC’s efforts have been recognised at the HSJ Patient Safety Awards 2024, where the centre won accolades for both the Virtual or Remote Care Initiative of the Year and the Safety Improvement through Technology Award. The centre also received a commendation for Patient Safety in Elective Recovery, highlighting its commitment to enhancing…

ep Assets, a subsidiary of energy transition company ep Group, has announced a partnership with Pixii AS, a global leader in distributed battery energy storage and power conversion technology. This collaboration aims to facilitate Pixii’s entry into the UK market, enhancing distributed energy solutions for homes and businesses. Recognised as Norway’s fastest-growing tech company in 2023, Pixii AS has developed a fully integrated and modular technology that allows users to optimise both existing and new solar installations. The company’s innovative solutions also support fast electric vehicle (EV) charging, enabling users to reduce energy costs and create additional revenue streams through participation…