WJ
William Jones
Business & Economy · United Kingdom
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IBTimes UK
Aug 2026
When AI Characters Start Answering Back
Character-based AI platforms such as Chai AI are shifting artificial intelligence from productivity tools toward interactive storytelling, role-playing and companionship. Users create personalities with names, traits and backstories, then participate in conversations that make them co-authors of evolving narratives. Chai AI reported 1 million daily active users in 2025, more than $55 million in funding, approximately $80 million in annual recurring revenue in the first quarter of 2026 and a $2.4 billion valuation. The same persistent, emotionally engaging interactions raise concerns about privacy, age protections, unsafe advice, vulnerable disclosures and emotional dependency. A 2024 Belgian investigation initially linked a suicide report to Chai AI, though later reporting clarified that the case involved ChatGPT. As conversational characters become a form of social infrastructure, their effects may extend beyond entertainment while blurring the boundary between fiction and relationship.
IBTimes UK
Aug 2026
What Leaving Corporate Life Taught Esther Wilhelm About Success and Freedom
Esther Wilhelm left a successful corporate marketing career after concluding that its salary, status, and benefits had become a “golden cage.” After initially approaching network marketing with skepticism, she joined the field part time, developed an independent professional identity alongside her husband Falko Krismayr, and later moved into it full time. Her experience led to the creation of Network Marketing Mastery, an educational platform. She argues that financial security should not automatically dictate life choices, while acknowledging that network marketing involves risk and is not appropriate for everyone.
IBTimes UK
Aug 2026
When the Contract Becomes Code: Inside Eeshan Agarwal's Quiet Revolution in Enterprise Platform Engineering
Eeshan Agarwal is portrayed as a key architect of Vanta's billing, entitlement, identity, and access systems. His approach treats commercial contracts as executable product logic, ensuring that pricing, permissions, provisioning, and customer environments remain aligned. At Vanta, he developed abstractions that supported the company's shift to consumption-based pricing and redesigned authentication around SSO, SAML, and SCIM. The article argues that separating billing from feature access is essential for maintaining auditable security and compliance controls. Agarwal now also judges cybersecurity awards, speaks at engineering conferences, and advises enterprise software founders in India.
IBTimes UK
Aug 2026
How Pia Mikhael Built a Content Model for the AI Era Before the AI Era Showed Up
Pia Mikhael, founder and editor-in-chief of Saasy Media, developed a practitioner-led B2B SaaS content model based on operator authorship, measurable business outcomes and educationally honest structures. Drawing on her background in paid media, she argues that content should be written by people who have performed the work and should serve a specific funnel or revenue objective. Her approach has been used by companies including Triple Whale, Social Snowball, Rivo and Rho, with reported results including more than 1,500 leads, over $180,000 in pipeline and significant organic-traffic growth. The piece argues that the model has become especially relevant as AI-generated search reduces conventional organic traffic and favors genuinely useful content over keyword-driven articles.
IBTimes UK
Aug 2026
Will Nationalisation Fix Thames Water?
Nationalising Thames Water would not eliminate its debt or infrastructure problems and could cost taxpayers at least £4 billion for a temporary rescue, or around £23 billion for long-term public ownership, plus substantial upgrade costs. The article argues that public ownership could delay restructuring, risk losing essential staff and suppliers, and leave taxpayers responsible for environmental breaches. It instead endorses a private-sector proposal from the London & Valley Water consortium, which would write off approximately £9.4 billion of debt, provide comparable new financing and prohibit dividends until 2035. Although private ownership contributed to Thames Water's underinvestment and declining performance, the piece concludes that the consortium's plan is currently the most credible route to improving infrastructure, reducing sewage discharges and protecting value for customers.
IBTimes UK
Aug 2026
Your Investment Account Is Living in the Wrong Decade, Says New Market Trading CEO
Tokenized real-world assets such as Treasuries, private credit and money-market funds are expanding rapidly, while most investors still hold them through traditional custodians and brokerage systems. Frank Hepworth, CEO of New Market Trading, argues that legacy wealth-management platforms offer limited access not mainly because of curation, but because their systems cannot reconcile onchain assets efficiently. Ethereum’s ERC-4337 account-abstraction standard enables clients to retain custody through smart-contract wallets while granting managers limited, revocable permissions. Institutional initiatives, including the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation’s tokenized trading pilot, suggest that onchain assets are gaining traction, but regulatory clarity, recovery mechanisms and investor trust remain unresolved obstacles to self-custodied investment accounts.
IBTimes UK
Jul 2026
Complicated and Probably Expensive: Andy Burnham Is Right About Nationalising Britain's Water
Nationalising Britain's water companies could cost roughly £100 billion to £144 billion, while meeting wider infrastructure needs may require up to £290 billion by 2050. Thames Water's debt and liquidity problems make intervention urgent, but bringing it into public ownership could involve about £23 billion in creditor compensation, £20 billion in infrastructure investment, or at least £4 billion under temporary administration. The policy would also risk legal disputes, higher borrowing costs and pressure on already-constrained public finances. Although water-sector reform is necessary because of sewage and environmental concerns, competing commitments such as housing and major infrastructure projects make a gradual, pragmatic approach more viable than immediate full nationalisation.
IBTimes UK
Jul 2026
The Wembley Night That Rewrote a Sponsorship Deal
Global Next Trade expanded its sponsorship agreement with Queensberry Promotions from an initial eight-event schedule to a minimum of 15 events through the remainder of 2026. The Usyk–Dubois heavyweight bout at Wembley Stadium in July 2025 served as a major test of the partnership’s branding visibility, audience reach and hospitality value. The revised deal includes increased in-ring branding and enhanced hospitality access, with events planned in Manchester, London and Dublin.
IBTimes UK
Jul 2026
Tanzania's Stability Is Becoming Its Strongest Investment Case
Tanzania is portrayed as an increasingly attractive frontier-market investment destination because of relatively stable inflation, monetary policy, fiscal management and political conditions. While Kenya faces protests and high debt-servicing costs, South Africa struggles with weak growth and unemployment, and Ethiopia remains constrained by debt restructuring, Tanzania is expanding domestic revenue, digitising tax administration and funding a larger budget without relying as heavily on external borrowing. A potential $42 billion LNG project led by Shell and Equinor, alongside port, rail and logistics investment, could further strengthen growth, although infrastructure, productivity and tax-implementation challenges remain.
IBTimes UK
Jul 2026
UK Visa Portal Helps Explain What Travellers Should Know About UK ETA Approval
The UK’s expanding Electronic Travel Authorisation programme is prompting more travellers to seek help with eligibility, application accuracy, photographs, passport details and processing concerns. No private service can guarantee faster approval because decisions are made solely by the UK Home Office, but assistance providers may help reduce avoidable errors and offer multilingual, mobile-friendly and round-the-clock support. UK Visa Portal is presented as an independent service catering especially to first-time, older, non-English-speaking, last-minute and family travellers, with transparency about fees and the scope of its assistance emphasized.
IBTimes UK
Jul 2026
Martyn's Law Explained: UK Venues Face £18 Million Fines If They Fail to Meet New Anti-Terror Rules
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act, known as Martyn's Law, received Royal Assent in April 2025 and will require publicly accessible UK venues to adopt counter-terrorism measures. Standard-tier premises accommodating 200–799 people must train staff in emergency procedures, while enhanced-tier venues for 800 or more people must conduct detailed risk assessments, implement measures such as surveillance and access control, and appoint a senior compliance lead. Non-compliance may result in restriction notices and fines of up to £18 million or 5% of worldwide revenue, whichever is greater. Venues are using the implementation period to upgrade infrastructure, documentation and communications systems, with Dahua Technology, Alertus Technologies and other providers offering security and emergency-notification support.
IBTimes UK
Jul 2026
Black Sheep Coffee founders Eirik Holth and Gabriel Shohet are rewriting the rules of the coffee industry
Black Sheep Coffee, founded by Eirik Holth and Gabriel Shohet, is expanding its specialty-grade 100% Robusta coffee concept from the UK to the United States, establishing locations in Texas and Florida with further plans for the Southeast. The company’s distinct approach—built on direct relationships with growers, unique store design, and a diversified menu including matcha and Norwegian waffles—has supported rapid growth without institutional investment. A recent franchise agreement and disciplined operational model position the brand to double its global footprint within 18 months.
IBTimes UK
Jul 2026
Burnham Should Not Fall for the Thames Water Nationalisation Trap
Warnings are issued that nationalising Thames Water would impose heavy fiscal burdens on the state, destabilise investor confidence and contradict Andy Burnham’s agenda of decentralisation. With the company burdened by nearly £20 billion in debt and limited public funds available, the alternative rescue plan offered by London & Valley Water is presented as the only viable route, involving substantial debt write-offs, new equity investment and a halt to dividends. The text argues that nationalisation would strain public finances, repeat past costly interventions and undermine political credibility, urging a private‑sector solution to stabilise the utility.
IBTimes UK
Jul 2026
David Natroshvili on Why Simplicity Is the Hardest Thing to Protect When You're Growing Fast
SPRIBE founder David Natroshvili emphasizes simplicity as the core principle guiding the company’s rapid global expansion. He argues that growth often introduces unnecessary complexity across product design and organizational processes, and maintaining clarity requires ongoing discipline. SPRIBE’s development of titles like Aviator and Pilot Chicken follows a consistent philosophy of fast, intuitive gameplay, with complexity confined to backend configuration rather than the player experience. As the company scales across multiple countries, Natroshvili focuses on clear communication, empowered teams, and decision-making frameworks that prevent organizational slowdown. He views simplicity as an active, continuous commitment essential to sustaining innovation and performance during expansion.
IBTimes UK
Jul 2026
Microsoft admits deleting 25-year-old account despite owner verification, erasing thousands in games and personal photos
A hacked Microsoft account belonging to Dutch streamer Joshua Khane was permanently deleted despite Microsoft confirming he was the legitimate owner, wiping decades of digital game purchases, emails, documents and personal photos stored in OneDrive. Microsoft said its security policies prevented restoring the account once a hacker had changed recovery information. The case has intensified debate over digital ownership and consumer protections, especially following a similar dispute in Brazil where a court forced Microsoft to restore a compromised account. Cybersecurity experts urge the use of stronger authentication and offline backups as calls grow for clearer safeguards around digital purchases and cloud‑stored personal data.
IBTimes UK
Jul 2026
Russian school shooter who killed nine marries in prison
A life‑sentenced school shooter, Ilnaz Galyaviev, married an 18‑year‑old journalism student, Diana, during a brief civil ceremony inside Russia’s Black Dolphin prison. Their relationship began through letters she sent him at age 14 and continued through years of correspondence. The marriage has prompted public debate about psychological attraction to violent offenders. Galyaviev remains imprisoned for the 2021 Kazan school attack that killed nine people and injured 24, with strict prison rules limiting contact between the newlyweds.
IBTimes UK
Jul 2026
FIFA World Cup Trophy Facts: How Much It's Worth, Who Made It, and Who Gets to Keep It
The FIFA World Cup Trophy contains nearly 5 kilograms of 18‑carat gold valued at about $713,000, though broader estimates place its total worth near $20 million. Designed by Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga and introduced in 1974, the trophy is retained permanently by FIFA, with winning teams receiving a gold‑plated replica. Strict handling rules permit only past winners, officials, and heads of state to touch the original. Details of the trophy’s construction, historical background, and the fate of its predecessor, the Jules Rimet Trophy, are outlined, along with the tradition of engraving winners on the base and the limited remaining space for future entries.
IBTimes UK
Jul 2026
Donald Trump Accused of Using Lindsey Graham's Alleged 'Closeted Sexuality' to Keep Him Politically Loyal
Allegations from biographer Michael Wolff have renewed debate over whether Donald Trump used rumors about Lindsey Graham’s alleged sexuality to maintain the senator’s political loyalty. Wolff asserted that speculation about Graham’s private life was widely known in Washington and suggested Trump viewed this as leverage, though he provided no evidence. The article reviews Graham’s shift from Trump critic to staunch ally and notes that pressures faced by earlier generations of politicians may have shaped personal privacy decisions. No proof has been presented that Trump used blackmail or that Graham’s political actions were influenced by such information.
IBTimes UK
Jul 2026
Trump Sparks Firestorm With Map Depicting US Expansion Into Canada, Greenland and Venezuela
An edited map shared by Donald Trump suggesting US expansion into Canada, Greenland and Venezuela revived years of controversial statements about territorial ambitions. The post brought renewed scrutiny to his repeated claims about Canada becoming a US state, his longstanding interest in acquiring Greenland, suggestions of overseeing or incorporating Venezuela after political turmoil, and calls for regaining control of the Panama Canal. Leaders in Canada, Denmark, Greenland, Venezuela and Panama dismissed the ideas, warning of violations of sovereignty and international law. The incident highlighted growing international pushback and the influence of symbolic political messaging on diplomatic tensions.
IBTimes UK
Jul 2026
New Amsterdam Vodka Redesign: An Award-Winning Packaging Refresh for a Leading Spirits Brand
New Amsterdam Vodka introduced a major packaging redesign led by forceMAJEURE, featuring a bold midnight‑blue aesthetic, an elevated cityscape graphic and a refined vertical wordmark to modernize the brand and unify its visual system. Guided by Creative Director Michelle Mak with contributions from designers including Tim Devereaux and Tianyun Jiang, the project translated strategic goals into a cohesive identity. The refresh earned multiple industry awards, reflecting strong design execution and craftsmanship.
IBTimes UK
Jul 2026
Why Trust May Become the UK's Most Valuable Business Asset in the AI Economy
Artificial intelligence is accelerating corporate evaluation by enabling rapid analysis of publicly available business information, making trust and transparent governance increasingly important competitive assets. Strengthened UK regulations, including reforms to Companies House, aim to enhance the reliability of corporate data. With machine-readable reputation shaping commercial relationships, organisations that prioritise accurate filings, consistent governance and transparent leadership are positioned to gain confidence, attract investment and secure long-term success.
IBTimes UK
Jul 2026
Newly leaked emails show Todd Blanche spearheading Trump’s DOJ revenge push
Leaked emails show acting attorney general Todd Blanche actively directing Donald Trump’s anti‑weaponisation agenda inside the Justice Department, including reassigning senior lawyers and approving controversial legal actions targeting Trump critics such as James Comey, Jack Smith and Alvin Bragg. The documents indicate Blanche’s deep involvement in politically charged decisions, undermining his portrayal as a moderating force. More than 1,200 former DOJ officials have urged the Senate to reject his nomination as attorney general, arguing the correspondence reveals corruption and politicization, while supporters claim he stabilizes the department. The leaks raise concerns over whether Blanche has used the DOJ to pursue presidential retaliation as he heads into a Senate confirmation hearing.
IBTimes UK
Jul 2026
Laid-Off Meta Employee Gets 60 Days to Leave After 14 Years in the US, Says It Is a 'Gut-Wrenching' Experience
A longtime Meta employee on an H-1B visa was forced to leave the United States after losing his job, highlighting the vulnerabilities faced by skilled immigrants whose legal status depends on employer sponsorship. His experience underscores how layoffs across major technology companies have intensified pressure on foreign workers constrained by a 60‑day grace period and years-long green card backlogs. The situation has renewed criticism of the U.S. employment-based immigration system, particularly for Indian nationals who remain in temporary status for more than a decade.
IBTimes UK
Jul 2026
Justin Fulcher on why healthcare infrastructure is harder to build than healthcare technology
Healthcare technology often proves easier to build than the institutional infrastructure required to deploy it at scale, with compliance, integration, and workflow alignment forming the real barriers to adoption. Justin Fulcher’s work with RingMD emphasized building regulatory and operational foundations early, enabling rapid deployment and large-scale contracts such as the Indian Health Service telehealth expansion. His later government roles revealed similar structural constraints in federal systems, where outdated processes limit technological capability. Durable healthcare progress depends on closing the gap between technological innovation and the institutional systems that must support it.
IBTimes UK
Jul 2026
Russian soldier reportedly dies after fellow troops used sex toy in fatal assault
A Russian soldier identified as Dmitry Poloymov allegedly died after being restrained and assaulted for days by fellow servicemen, according to an investigation by independent outlet ASTRA. The report claims the assault involved severe hazing culminating in fatal injuries caused by a sex toy, and that commanders attempted a cover‑up by sending the two suspected attackers on a high‑risk frontline mission, resulting in one death and one serious injury. Military documents reportedly cited heart failure as the cause of death, raising questions from relatives. The case highlights longstanding issues of hazing, abuse, and unlawful punishment within the Russian armed forces during the war in Ukraine amid limited transparency and wartime reporting restrictions.
IBTimes UK
Jul 2026
'You Loved Every Second': Influencer Alleges Secret Past With Lindsey Graham After Senator Dies at 71
Jesse James Rose drew widespread attention after posting Instagram Stories accusing Lindsey Graham of past private encounters soon after his death. Her claims, which were not supported by evidence or independently verified, prompted extensive online debate over their timing and implications. Graham, a longtime Republican senator and foreign policy figure, died from an aortic dissection. While the allegations dominated social media discussion, political leaders issued tributes acknowledging his decades of public service and international support.
IBTimes UK
Jul 2026
Arnica: Operational Chaos, Not Hackers, Is the Biggest AI Coding Risk Today
AI-generated code is creating operational risk for enterprises as development teams struggle to govern rapidly increasing volumes of machine-produced software. Arnica CEO Nir Valtman warns that insufficient visibility and review capacity lead to production incidents more often than malicious AI-driven attacks. At the OWASP AppSec EU conference, practitioners expressed strong awareness of AI security challenges but noted that governance tools have not kept pace with adoption. Demand for better oversight is being driven by engineering teams facing overwhelming review cycles, even as regulations evolve. Valtman argues that governance must shift earlier in the development process and be embedded into AI specifications to prevent recurring code issues. As AI becomes integral to software creation, effective governance will become a standard requirement for demonstrating secure development practices.
IBTimes UK
Jul 2026
Rupin Banker & Strategic Global Alliance: Why Emerging Economies Need Capital That Understands Growth
Rupin Banker argues that emerging economies such as India and Indonesia need long‑term, patient capital to unlock large‑scale infrastructure development. He maintains that excessive focus on short‑term risks obscures strong long‑term fundamentals in markets with rising populations, increasing industrial capacity and significant infrastructure gaps. Strategic Global Alliance, founded by Banker and Ishtiaq Khan, works to structure credible projects that attract institutional investors by providing clarity, execution certainty and alignment between public and private stakeholders. Banker emphasizes that infrastructure underpins economic competitiveness and that effective investment should build capacity rather than simply fund projects. He contends that India and Indonesia are central to future global growth, and that investment challenges present opportunities for investors prepared to engage with long‑term development and national priorities.
IBTimes UK
Jul 2026
Ana Gonzalez Galindo on the Business of Beating Loneliness
Loneliness is increasingly recognised as a public‑health and economic issue, with rising global impact intensified by the pandemic and modern social routines. Early community platforms often failed because they required users to organise activities themselves and offered limited safety, compatibility and meaningful connection. Friendly Together, founded by Ana Gonzalez Galindo, aims to reduce those barriers by pre-arranging activities, vetting partners and matching participants by interests and life stages, with a focus on couples and families. The platform has grown to more than 1,000 users since its 2025 launch. Stigma and vulnerability remain the toughest obstacles, but the company seeks to address them through curated experiences and an emphasis on shared openness.
IBTimes UK
Jun 2026
US Decarbonisation Firm Utility Global Hires Industry Veteran to Drive European Hydrogen Push
Utility Global appointed Robert Nijssen as vice president of business development for Europe to advance its hydrogen deployment strategy. The company sees Europe as a key market where policy ambition outpaces operational projects, creating opportunities for technologies that integrate into existing industrial infrastructure. Its H2Gen system produces low‑carbon hydrogen and concentrated CO2 on site, aimed at improving project bankability for investors by avoiding reliance on future infrastructure. Nijssen is targeting commercial agreements with industrial operators in countries including Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and France, backed by Ara Partners’ investment and strengthened by recent external recognition. The company aims to convert technical capability into scalable commercial deployment across hard‑to‑abate sectors.
IBTimes UK
Jun 2026
When Profit Isn't Enough: Why Ankur Ghosh Walks Away from Investments That Compromise Principles
Ankur Ghosh emphasizes that investment decisions at SSV Capital prioritize governance, transparency, and long‑term credibility over short‑term financial gains. Deals with strong financial potential are rejected when they conflict with ethical or operational standards, reflecting a philosophy centered on people, planet, and sustainable prosperity. Reputation, discipline, and consistency are presented as essential to building durable partnerships and achieving resilient growth.
IBTimes UK
Jun 2026
Musicians Are Heading to Istanbul for a New Nose – Here is Why
Istanbul has become a leading destination for musicians and other artists seeking rhinoplasty due to significantly lower costs, bundled medical-travel packages, and the city's cultural appeal. Shifting attitudes toward cosmetic procedures have reduced stigma within the music world, transforming surgery into a practical and openly acknowledged choice. The trend reflects broader acceptance of aesthetic alteration and contrasts with earlier expectations of authenticity in music culture.
IBTimes UK
Jun 2026
Inside Morpho's Mode of Operation: The Three Priorities Behind Building Products That Deserve to Exist
Josh Fairbairn outlines Morpho’s manufacturing philosophy in its Mode of Operation letter, emphasizing building fewer, higher‑quality products, strengthening its platform, and expanding internal brands. The company focuses on rigorous early‑stage engineering, component control, and design for manufacturability to prevent downstream failures. Morpho’s approach aligns with China’s evolution into a sophisticated manufacturing hub, prioritizing capability and product excellence over cost‑cutting. The firm continues expanding its development capabilities while maintaining a commitment to helping founders create products built to high standards.
IBTimes UK
Jun 2026
ITA Business Consultants Highlights a Practical, Year-Round Approach to Tax and Business Advisory Support
ITA Business Consultants promotes a proactive, year‑round approach to tax and business advisory support, encouraging clients to move beyond last‑minute filing and adopt stronger financial organisation and planning habits. The firm highlights the benefits of consistent guidance that connects tax matters to everyday business operations, improves readiness, and reduces avoidable stress. Emphasising clear communication, accessibility, and alignment between tax planning and broader administrative processes, the company positions its online platform as a central resource for individuals and businesses seeking ongoing financial support and more informed decision‑making.
IBTimes UK
Jun 2026
Volodymyr Nosov becomes co-owner of Spyker as the iconic Dutch automaker joins W Group
Volodymyr Nosov acquired a significant stake in luxury automaker Spyker, bringing the brand into the W Group ecosystem as part of a broader shift from fintech into premium manufacturing. The partnership aims to revive Spyker, supported by the launch of Spyker Digital to integrate blockchain-based ownership and digital infrastructure into the automotive experience. Spyker’s comeback is marked by the debut of the new C8 Preliator XXV, reflecting both enhanced performance and renewed global ambitions.
IBTimes UK
Jun 2026
Why the 'Move Abroad' Dream Ends in a Ticket Back Home for Many: Interview With Roman Tsuper, Managing Partner at Relogate
Roman Tsuper discusses the rising number of migrants returning home and businesses reversing relocations, attributing failures to poor planning, legal obstacles and assimilation challenges. Drawing from his own transition from Russian Big Tech to co-founding Relogate, he explains how shifting immigration policies in the UK, France and the US create uncertainty for skilled professionals and companies seeking global expansion. Relogate supports clients through long-term legal, operational and business-setup processes, acting as both advisory and community during their first years abroad. Tsuper notes that successful relocation requires adaptability, structured planning and continuous guidance in a rapidly changing global mobility environment.
IBTimes UK
Jun 2026
How a French Executive Engineered a $1 Billion Cross-Border Luxury Pipeline, and Why She Is Now Targeting Yachting
French executive Ninon Maillefer engineered a $1 billion transatlantic luxury real‑estate referral network linking thousands of brokers and is now applying the same structured, data‑driven model to global yachting. Her approach addresses systemic gaps between American and European luxury markets through centralized qualification, CRM‑driven interoperability, and cross‑sell pathways across real estate, yachting, aviation, and family‑office services. Rising international demand for European luxury assets, driven by tax planning, currency conditions, and expanded residency programs, is accelerating year‑round acquisitions. Maillefer’s strategy emphasizes cross‑Atlantic coordination, curated multi‑vertical deal environments, and distribution architecture designed to capture growth in an industry long resistant to systematization.
IBTimes UK
Jun 2026
Blue Chip, Grey Chip: How an Old Trade Pattern Is Quietly Reshaping the Modern Asset Economy
A growing portion of contemporary art trading has shifted away from public auctions into a private, opaque system described as the grey chip market, where works by living artists circulate through referral networks and freeport storage without public price discovery. The model allows valuations to exist only within private transaction contexts, exemplified by the withdrawal of Jet Le Parti’s work after bids far exceeded its auction estimate. Freeports and private channels enable long‑term holding and transfer outside visible market structures. Analysts highlight Le Parti as an example of an artist building an alternative infrastructure of advisory services, storage practices and private-market tooling. The shift signals a decoupling of visibility and value, with certain collectors now treating invisibility as a strategic asset amid speculative pressures and engineered pricing in the public auction market.
IBTimes UK
May 2026
Rayo Withanage Delivers Stellar Returns
Rayo Withanage is credited with delivering more than 300 percent IRR and exceeding a billion‑dollar valuation across a portfolio backed by institutional investors. Building on his earlier leadership of EMP Global and BMB Group, his recent work emphasizes impact‑driven investment across artificial intelligence, tokenization platforms, and large‑scale sustainable industry hubs. Investments include AI platforms for government decision support, tokenization systems for Commonwealth nations, and sovereign‑scale sustainable development infrastructure. With significant new capital commitments and rising global interest, he is positioned to expand influence across emerging markets and impact finance over the coming decade.
IBTimes UK
May 2026
Millie Hanson on How The Old Marketing Playbook Is Dead
Millie Hanson argues that traditional B2B marketing structures are becoming obsolete as founder-led storytelling and operator-led marketing models rise in importance. She describes how Virio uses executive content and AI-supported workflows to convert founder visibility into measurable pipeline and revenue. LinkedIn remains a key channel but is rapidly saturating, making early action critical for founders. Hanson highlights the increasing demand for operators who can blend narrative skill, AI capability, and commercial strategy, noting rising compensation in the field. She emphasizes that while AI accelerates research and drafting, human judgment remains essential for effective storytelling. Her approach illustrates a scalable alternative to conventional marketing funnels, positioning narrative-driven systems as core commercial engines for modern B2B companies.
IBTimes UK
May 2026
Why Dock Management Has Become a Supply Chain Blind Spot
Dock management is highlighted as a critical yet often overlooked point where warehouse, transport and supplier operations converge, with many companies still relying on manual processes that create delays and inefficiencies. A C3 Solutions survey shows rising concern about labour strain, poor visibility and limited system integration, despite strong interest in automation. The report finds that real‑time yard visibility, system integration and scalability are increasingly important, but most organisations lack concrete plans to modernise. Improved dock scheduling is positioned as essential for reducing disruption, enhancing sustainability and improving driver experience, underscoring growing recognition that dock operations are central to overall supply chain performance.
IBTimes UK
May 2026
Dental Implant Treatment: Five Critical Factors That Shape a Confident Smile
Dental implant treatment outcomes depend on a structured medical approach grounded in bone assessment, digital planning, hygiene, clinical experience and long-term follow-up. Proper evaluation of bone structure and personalised digital planning ensure safe placement and functional results, while diligent hygiene and regular check-ups protect long-term stability. Experienced clinicians guide patients through appropriate treatment timelines and procedures, especially when travelling for care. Istanbul’s Medicana Health Group is presented as a reliable option for international patients due to its clinical infrastructure and specialist expertise, offering medically grounded implant treatment focused on comfort, function and long-term success.
IBTimes UK
Apr 2026
Rethinking Governance, Risk, and Compliance in a Constantly Changing Environment
Traditional governance, risk, and compliance models are struggling to keep pace with evolving cyber threats, regulatory pressure, and rapid technological change, leading to inefficient assessments, fragmented reporting, and limited real‑time visibility. Integrated GRC models centralize controls, risks, assessments, and reporting to reduce duplication, improve data quality, and enable continuous oversight rather than periodic, audit‑driven cycles. Unified control libraries, automation, and standardized workflows enhance consistency and allow organizations to focus on risk trends and control effectiveness. Linking metrics to risks improves decision‑making and resource prioritization. As organizations face ongoing technological and regulatory shifts, integrated GRC approaches provide clearer visibility, reduce fatigue for subject‑matter experts, and support more proactive risk management aligned with business performance.
IBTimes UK
Apr 2026
Vikram Sodhi: The Mining Investor Behind IIT Kharagpur's New AI Centre
Mining investor Vikram Sodhi has partnered with IIT Kharagpur to launch a Centre of Excellence focused on AI‑enabled geological and mining systems, funded with INR 15 crore over five years. Sodhi’s experience overseeing gold mining operations in Latin America shaped the initiative, aimed at advancing machine‑learning applications in exploration and mining workflows. The centre integrates multiple mining‑related disciplines, follows a faculty‑led governance model supported by industry data and field access, and draws inspiration from international research institutions. Sodhi frames the project as a strategic investment in India’s capacity to develop mining intelligence independently, supported by personal ties to IIT Kharagpur and his broader philanthropic and academic engagements.
IBTimes UK
Apr 2026
At Atlanta AI Week, the Hype Stayed Home
Speakers at Atlanta AI Week emphasised practical AI deployment rather than hype, highlighting governance, reliability, and workflow restructuring as keys to progress. Panelists from Microsoft, UPS, and Adobe described how organisations are advancing by focusing on infrastructure, monitoring, and clear decision‑making processes. The event reflected Atlanta’s growing role as a centre for applied technology, with attendees prioritising execution and realistic assessments over predictions or grand narratives.
IBTimes UK
Apr 2026
The Team You Build Is the Culture You Keep
Emphasizes that organizational culture is shaped by the people hired, as each team member reinforces or undermines desired standards. Warns that prioritizing talent over alignment creates friction that erodes culture. Argues that lasting culture depends on clear standards, difficult decisions, and maintaining a team whose behaviors reflect shared values and accountability.
IBTimes UK
Apr 2026
Bernice Fernandes is the Architect Behind East Africa's Fastest Growing Women's Leadership Ecosystem
Women entrepreneurs across East Africa face persistent barriers to leadership and access to capital despite high business ownership rates. Bernice Fernandes created Accelerate Women to provide structural leadership and financial infrastructure that links women founders to investors, corporate networks, and governance systems. The platform integrates training, mentorship, and direct financing pathways, serving more than 5,000 women and partnering with major international institutions. Expansion into Tanzania, Kenya, and the United States and plans for a digital platform aim to scale access to AI, investment education, and global networks. The initiative demonstrates how systems-level solutions can unlock the potential of women-led enterprises in emerging markets.
IBTimes UK
Apr 2026
The Engineer Who Thinks in First Principles: How Shrivant Bhartia Builds Systems That Scale
Shrivant Bhartia is profiled for his first‑principles engineering approach, shaped through roles at Inhabitr, Amount, and now as founding software engineer at Pump. His experience ranges from building scalable fintech systems with high reliability requirements to leading development of AI‑driven cloud cost‑optimization infrastructure. Bhartia emphasizes clarity, long‑term thinking, and thoughtful decision‑making, applying these principles to both system design and team leadership as he builds technology capable of operating at global scale.
IBTimes UK
Apr 2026
Eduard Khemchan's Approach to Navigating Market Cycles Without Overexposure
Eduard Khemchan emphasizes navigating market cycles through disciplined capital allocation that avoids overexposure. His strategy focuses on liquidity preservation, gradual exposure pacing, and evaluating opportunities based on structural durability rather than market momentum. By maintaining flexibility during contractions and resisting psychological pressures to overreact during expansions or declines, the approach prioritizes balanced positioning across sectors, including technology and real‐economy components. The framework adapts exposure within defined limits while remaining stable across varying market conditions, reducing vulnerability and enhancing resilience.
IBTimes UK
Apr 2026
The Engineer Who Builds Companies the Way He Builds Machines
AIR emphasizes deep integration across acquired engineering companies, prioritizing cultural alignment and shared value creation over traditional financial metrics. Under Darragh de Stonndún’s leadership, the company applies collaborative engineering resources across global teams to support manufacturers in highly demanding industries such as life sciences, medical devices, and semiconductors. The approach focuses on solving critical production challenges, especially in labor‑constrained environments, while ensuring long‑term operational improvement and continuity of expertise. The company’s success is measured by durable organizational capability and customer trust rather than acquisition pace or scale.
IBTimes UK
Apr 2026
Stefania Lo Gatto on What Real Leadership Looks Like in Direct Sales
Stefania Lo Gatto emphasizes responsibility-based leadership in direct sales, shaped through years of building international teams and developing scalable systems. Her approach centers on clarity, consistency, and protecting the interests of team members, prioritizing sustainable structures over short-term momentum. As a senior leader with JIFU, she supports its subscription model focused on long-term development and stability. Her broader work as an author and speaker promotes professional standards in an evolving industry and encourages women seeking financial independence and confidence. The piece highlights leadership as a commitment to guiding others through uncertainty and sustaining success through trust and accountability.
IBTimes UK
Apr 2026
The Next Breakthrough in Chronic Pain May Come From AI–and This Startup Wants to Lead It
A clinical-stage biotech company, Analgesia.ai, aims to reshape non-opioid pain treatment by leveraging a unique seven-year clinical dataset to build an AI-driven platform for designing new topical analgesics. Its first drug candidate has shown strong clinical results, including significant pain reduction and long-lasting relief without major side effects. The company is advancing toward Phase II trials while using its proprietary data to generate additional drug candidates, creating both a commercial asset and a scalable AI platform. UK investors may benefit from substantial tax incentives under the Enterprise Investment Scheme, though eligibility ends after the company raises £20 million. Positioned within a vast and underserved pain relief market, Analgesia.ai seeks to capitalize on growing demand for safer, more effective alternatives to opioids while retaining long-term value through its AI engine.
IBTimes UK
Apr 2026
Why AI-First Teams Are Rethinking CRM With Attio
AI‑first teams are moving away from traditional CRMs as fragmented data and manual workflows limit decision‑making. Attio positions itself as an AI‑native platform built around flexible data models and a contextual architecture that unifies structured and unstructured information. Automated data capture, enrichment, and deduplication reduce manual entry, while a natural language interface allows users to query and act on information conversationally. Integrated call recording and searchable transcripts make customer conversations accessible and actionable. The system combines record‑keeping, contextual understanding, and automated action to support faster, more adaptive business operations aligned with modern AI‑driven workflows.