HLAS

New guidance published for the construction sector to improve the security and resilience of their business against cyber threats The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has partnered with the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) to produce guidance to help small-to-medium sized construction businesses protect themselves from cyber-attacks. Recent high profile cyber-attacks against the construction industry illustrate how businesses of all sizes are being targeted by criminals. As the industry continues to embrace and adopt new digital ways of working, it is more important than ever to understand how you might be vulnerable to cyber-attacks, and what you can do to [...]

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has published new guidance on processing of personal data captured by video surveillance systems The guidance provides organisations in the public and private sectors with: information on new applications of video surveillance technologies guidance on using these technologies in accordance with the data protection laws Technologies covered in the guidance include: traditional closed circuit television (CCTV) automatic number plate recognition body worn video facial recognition technology drones technologies such as smart doorbells and dash cams Organisations using surveillance systems that process the personal data of identifiable individuals need to comply with the UK General Data [...]

Textiles 2030 is a new initiative for fashion and textiles companies in the UK. WRAP are working with major clothing, home textiles, sportswear and workwear retailers, alongside the UK re-use and recycling sector to transform the entire supply chain of textiles. Textiles 2030 targets include: cut carbon by 50% + to align with a 1.5°C global target cut water by 30% create and deliver a circular textiles roadmap for the UK Why should my business get involved? there is a climate imperative UK Government plans to legislate the industry customers prefer brands with sustainability values investors expect evidence of sustainability [...]

Tourism For All is offering a new free short course, ‘So what makes you think you are not accessible?’, which shows how the initial steps in improving accessibility can be easier than you think. Whether you want to grow your business or just maintain it at its current level, you should think about the welcome and service you can provide to customers with access needs. Making some adjustments may help you to address your customers’ access needs and keep providing them with a great experience! See:   So what makes you think you are not accessible? (tourismforall.org.uk)

Then ask us for a copy of our guide called “57 Ways to Grow Your Business”! Our publication is packed full of bright ideas for the Serious Entrepreneur and starts with the four basics of growth. All the ideas in this guide ultimately revolve around four basic insights about growing a business. You can: Increase the number of customers Increase the number of times each one does business with you Increase the average value of each transaction Increase your own effectiveness and efficiency Here are some other business principles that we explore in the guide: What you can measure you can [...]

Households and businesses across England are set to benefit from greener heating as a £288 million government funding scheme is opened – boosting the roll out of next generation heat network projects as part of cutting emissions. Schemes that will deliver clean heating to homes, offices, commercial and public buildings will be able to apply for grants to the Green Heat Network Fund over the next 3 years, allowing more towns and cities across England to take up this tried and tested technology. The fund is expected to reduce carbon emissions equivalent to taking 5.6 million cars off the road for a [...]

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) are carrying out a call for views as part of a review of the designs system to make sure it remains fit for the future. The designs system enables rights holders to protect designs and enforce their rights. The IPO are seeking views and evidence from users of the system so that they can ensure the UK’s designs framework works for the businesses, consumers and professionals that use it. This will help them better understand how they can make the most of new opportunities and flexibilities now that the UK has left the EU. The [...]

The UK and Japan will strengthen their cooperation on efforts to diversify the technology used in telecoms networks. Two nations agree to closer cooperation to solve global telecoms supply chain issues Includes commitment to more information sharing on innovative ways to build networks Will support R&D collaboration on future tech such as Open RAN and 6G The UK Minister for Digital Infrastructure Julia Lopez and Japan’s Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Yuji Sasaki met in London on Friday morning. They agreed several joint initiatives to support efforts to reduce the global overreliance on a small number [...]

Opportunity for innovative UK female business leaders to collaborate with the Netherlands on Agri-Tech solutions. Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, has opened another GBIP to give up to 15 innovative female-led businesses a chance to explore the Agri-Tech opportunities with the Netherlands. The programme is structured around three main phases: Getting ready for the market - you'll get a chance to attend a pre-activity briefing workshop to build knowledge and understanding of the market and potential opportunities. Visiting the market - you'll get a chance to explore the innovation opportunities with the Netherlands first-hand, over the course [...]