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Business Quarter Magazine
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The definitive resource for C-suite executives and business leaders navigating today’s complex, fast-paced global economy. Get the leading edge.
CIPD welcomes the Government’s six-month compromise on unfair dismissal rights under the Employment Rights Bill — but says more clarity is needed on zero-hours and union reforms. #EmploymentRights #HR #Business
ERB compromise is welcomed — but more must be done
The Government has revised the Employment Rights Bill following negotiations. The CIPD has welcomed the decision to set the unfair dismissal qualifying period at six months, describing it as a “workable approach” for employers — while warning that further clarity is needed on other aspects of the bill.
businessquarter.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Crypto may have been seen by many boards as volatile at best. Now, it's making a more positive comeback.

Our latest feature with Bitpace CEO Anil Öncü explores how stablecoins and tokenised cash are moving from speculation to the settlement layer of cross-border business payments.
How crypto is quietly rewiring business payments
Boardrooms used to treat crypto as something radioactive and remote. Today, the conversation is shifting to settlement speed, cost, and compliance. As cross-border payment volumes soar and regulation matures, stablecoins and tokenised cash are quietly being tested as the new pipes of global trade, not the latest speculative bet anymore.
businessquarter.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Searches for “fake business reviews” are up 1,026% this year — a sign SMEs must take reputation protection seriously.
Fake review searches surge as SMEs face new threat
Global searches for fake business reviews rose more than 1,000%. A sharp rise in global searches for “fake business reviews” — up 1,026% year-on-year — has prompted warnings that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly exposed to fabricated ratings, malicious feedback, and AI-generated review manipulation.
businessquarter.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 11:12 AM
S&A Academy urges UK employers to act fast before £14k per-employee leadership funding disappears in 2026. Final L7 enrolments now open. #Leadership #Development #HR #Apprenticeships
Businesses urged to act before leadership training funding ends
S&A Academy urges leadership training enrolment before L7 funding disappears. The national training provider has called on company leaders and HR departments to register employees before government support worth £14,000 per person is withdrawn in 2026, warning the change could restrict access to senior management development across UK industries.
businessquarter.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 9:43 AM
The Autumn Budget was sold as “stability” — but advisers tell us that it loads more tax and complexity onto business owners, investors, and high earners, with only a narrow window to plan.

Our latest feature unpacks what the changes mean for SMEs, succession, and growth.
Autumn Budget stability puts UK business owners on the hook
Stability was the Chancellor's watchword, but business heard strain instead. Advisers across law and accountancy say the Autumn Budget leans heavily on tax rises for owners, investors, and high earners, while offering only narrow windows and targeted reliefs for those prepared to plan ahead. Businesses face greater complexity and pressure.
businessquarter.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 8:25 AM
The UK government has altered its proposal to provide unfair dismissal protection from day one for new employees, following resistance from the House of Lords and industry warnings.
Labour reverses stance on workers’ rights pledge
Government revises plan on unfair dismissal protection for new staff. The UK government has altered its proposal to provide unfair dismissal protection from day one for new employees, following resistance from the House of Lords and industry warnings. Protection will now apply after six months of employment.
businessquarter.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 8:02 AM
One in three Brits say they can’t keep their smart tech connected — even as 12.8 million plan new purchases this Black Friday. #SmartTech #BlackFriday #Connectivity
Millions plan smart tech buys today — but struggle to stay connected
12.8mn Brits plan to buy smart tech on Black Friday. EE research shows one in three consumers struggle to keep devices connected, as the UK’s appetite for wireless gadgets grows faster than their ability to sync them.
businessquarter.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 7:17 AM
JP Morgan plans to build a major new tower in London, injecting £10bn into the local economy and creating 7,800 jobs.
JP Morgan bets £10bn on UK banks
JP Morgan plans to build a major new tower in London. The project will inject £10bn into the local economy and create 7,800 jobs, establishing the bank's largest European presence. It further supports 38,000 jobs and contributes £7.5bn to the economy.
businessquarter.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 3:02 PM
If your marketing isn’t delivering, your teams might not be aligned. Julia Payne argues that the real growth unlock comes when marketing, sales, and operations unite under RevOps. #MarketingStrategy #RevOps #BusinessGrowth
The real reason your marketing strategy isn’t delivering results
Modern marketing failure isn’t about effort, but alignment. Julia Payne, Founder of CMO Fractional Services, explores how organisational silos between marketing, sales, and operations quietly erode growth. True success, she argues, comes from unified teams, shared metrics, and a RevOps mindset that places marketing at the business’s core.
businessquarter.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Waracle moves into Europe with its acquisition of Bulgaria’s HackSoft, expanding its digital engineering footprint beyond the UK. #Acquisitions #DigitalTransformation
Waracle expands into Europe with HackSoft acquisition
Waracle expands into Europe with HackSoft acquisition. The Scottish digital consultancy has acquired Sofia-based HackSoft, marking its first move beyond the UK and expanding its capabilities in software engineering, product development, and data services across multiple sectors.
businessquarter.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Eight in ten UK SMEs expect stronger holiday sales this year, with 38% coming from outside Europe — and e-commerce festivals driving growth. #UKBusiness #SME #Ecommerce
UK SMEs expect holiday sales surge, FedEx finds
Eight out of ten UK SMEs predict higher holiday sales. New FedEx research shows strong international optimism, with 38% of festive sales expected from outside Europe. UK businesses say global e-commerce events are crucial to their performance this season.
businessquarter.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Autumn Budget 2025 lands with higher taxes, calm markets, and a split business verdict. From the OBR leak to mansion tax, EV support, and youth jobs, we round up how UK business leaders are reacting in the first hours after the Chancellor’s statement. #AutumnBudget2025 #ukhousing #ukeconomy
The highs, lows and reaction to the Autumn Budget 2025
Rachel Reeves has delivered a tax-heavy Autumn Budget for business. Markets have taken the measures in their stride, but leaders now face a higher, more complex tax burden and big questions about investment, skills, and productivity that our BQX deep-dive will unpack in full, as they plan for 2026 ahead.
businessquarter.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 4:54 PM
The Autumn Budget was messy before it even began thanks to an unprecedented OBR leak. But beyond that, there's a lot for leaders to get into.

Our latest BQ Executive piece cuts through the noise to show UK leaders what you must do before 2029.

buff.ly/8pu8wIS
November 26, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Friendly fraud is set to jump 25% between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday, says ACI Worldwide — with average disputed transactions now worth $291. #eCommerce #Payments #RetailTech #BlackFriday #CyberMonday
Friendly fraud expected to surge 25% over US holiday weekend
Friendly fraud cases are set to rise 25% this weekend. ACI Worldwide warns that retailers could face record levels of transaction disputes between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday, with the average fraudulent claim now worth $291 — a 21% year-on-year increase.
businessquarter.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Bryt Energy’s new Birmingham HQ has achieved a SKA Silver rating for sustainable design — a milestone in its long-term emissions strategy. #Sustainability #Workplace
Bryt Energy earns SKA Silver rating for sustainable Birmingham office
Bryt Energy’s new Birmingham office has earned SKA Silver certification. Located at Bruntwood SciTech’s Cornerblock, the workspace was designed with sustainability and employee wellbeing in mind — from recycled materials to energy-efficient systems — marking a key step in the company’s long-term environmental strategy.
businessquarter.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Hyland expands its Content Innovation Cloud with new AI and automation features, advancing intelligent content management and seamless cloud integrations across Salesforce, Workday, and more. #AI #DigitalTransformation #EnterpriseTech
Hyland advances AI-led content automation for enterprises
Hyland expands its Content Innovation Cloud with new AI capabilities. The company’s latest updates enhance automation, integration, and content intelligence across platforms, aiming to accelerate enterprise digital transformation and operational efficiency.
businessquarter.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 10:14 AM
OpenAI’s internal forecast points to 220 million paying ChatGPT users by 2030 — a scale that could rival Netflix and Spotify. #AI #OpenAI #GenerativeAI
OpenAI forecasts 220 million paid users by 2030
OpenAI could reach 220 million paying ChatGPT users by 2030. The projection, reported by The Information, signals the company’s shift from early adoption to mass-scale monetisation, positioning its generative AI tools among the world’s largest paid digital services.
businessquarter.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Eli Lilly’s $1 trillion valuation marks a new era for big #pharma. Our latest feature explores how GLP-1 drugs are remaking big pharma, and what “less but better” consumption could mean for the #foodindustry.
buff.ly/77AzhJr
November 26, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Comcast’s $1.5mn fine over a vendor breach highlights the growing need for proactive vendor-risk management. Experts say oversight of third-party security can no longer take a backseat. #CyberSecurity #SupplyChain #DataGovernance
Vendor risk management under spotlight after Comcast fine
Comcast’s $1.5mn vendor data breach fine reignites focus on security. Experts warn that effective vendor risk management and continuous oversight are now central to data-protection compliance and business continuity worldwide.
businessquarter.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 8:15 AM
US posts a $284bn budget deficit for October, as the Treasury says shutdown-related delays skewed the monthly figure. #USTreasury #BudgetDeficit #Economy
US budget deficit rises to $284bn in October amid shutdown disruption
US budget deficit rises to $284bn in October. Treasury data shows the early fiscal shortfall driven by delayed receipts and higher interest payments following a temporary government shutdown.
businessquarter.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Just Climate secures $375 million for natural climate solutions. The investment aims to transform land use to achieve global net zero goals while ensuring attractive returns, marking a significant increase in assets for the strategy this year.
Just Climate raises $375m for climate solutions
Just Climate secures $375 million for natural climate solutions. The investment aims to transform land use to achieve global net zero goals while ensuring attractive returns, marking a significant increase in assets for the strategy this year.
businessquarter.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 4:26 PM
How do you turn a three-item menu and a single sauce into a global cult brand? Inside Swiss Butter founder Eddy Massaad’s systems-first, feeling-led approach to minimalist dining — from Beirut to Dubai, London, and Madrid.
#Hospitality #Entrepreneurship
Eddy Massaad: The minimalist restaurateur rewriting global comfort dining
A single sauce became Swiss Butter’s global organising principle overnight. Founder Eddy Massaad turned a three-item menu and an obsession with systems, feeling, and design into a minimalist dining brand that stretches from Beirut to Dubai, London, and Madrid, built on comfort, honesty, and the discipline of doing things properly.
businessquarter.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 1:02 PM
New CEMS report says overreliance on AI could erode key leadership skills. The call to future leaders is to think first, prompt second. #AI #Leadership #FutureOfWork #GenAI
CEMS warns AI could dull the edge of human leadership
New report warns AI overreliance could erode curiosity, ethics, and critical thinking.
businessquarter.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Four in five UK businesses say they’re too slow to act amid rising costs and policy uncertainty. Menzies warns that “wait and see” decision-making is now stalling growth. #UKBusiness #Leadership #Agility
80% of UK businesses face agility crisis amid budget uncertainty
Four in five UK companies are struggling to adapt. As fiscal pressures mount ahead of the Autumn Budget, new research from accountancy firm Menzies suggests that decision-making inertia is stalling growth, with many businesses missing key opportunities due to slow responses and short-term thinking.
businessquarter.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 9:14 AM