In 1977 West Germany, women did not have the right to work unless they had their husband’s permission. This meant that women who were the heir to their family business could not necessarily be one if they did not have their husband’s permission. Japan has an unusual way of dealing with the so-called ‘problem’ of running a family business without a male successor- they simply adopt a son. Kazunori Kaneko of the consultancy Business Succession Center says that about 10% of the family businesses that do not have a male heir adopt a son. In more recent times, the 2016…

Ferrari North Europe has been invited to join the “National Apprenticeship Week Supporters Club,” which highlights organisations dedicated to continuous professional development through diverse and impactful apprenticeship programmes. Between 10 – 16 February, all 15 UK-based Ferrari Dealerships will open their workshop doors to host a range of events, giving young people a chance to learn about potential opportunities through the “Ferrari North Europe Apprenticeship Programme”, now in its 15th year. The 15 Ferrari dealerships taking part in this activity are as follows: Dealership Date of Activity Carrs, Exeter Friday 14 February Charles Hurst, Belfast Saturday 15 February Dick Lovett,…

Have you ever gone through a whole night worrying about your new job, tossing and turning while your over-worked mind broods over a million things all at once: how well will you perform in your new job or if the new colleagues will respond to you well or are you good enough for the job. It’s pretty scary stuff- walking through the double-sliding doors on your first day, and there it is- that shrinking fear clouding your mind from thinking clearly and positively. But it’s normal to feel high levels of anxiety in situations like this because 1) your about…

Companies developing AI – from consumer apps to systems underpinning public services – will be able to better protect themselves from growing cyber security threats under steps set out by the UK government. The steps announced today under a new Code of Practice will give businesses and public services the confidence they need to harness AI’s transformative potential safely – supporting the government’s Plan for Change as the technology drives forward improvements to public services, turbocharges productivity, and drives growth across the economy.  With cyber attacks or breaches affecting half of businesses in the last 12 months, safeguarding AI systems is crucial as adoption accelerates across the economy.…

Local councils are picking up the AI mantle to help unleash this revolutionary technology across the UK – to turbocharge the Plan for Change and deliver a decade of national renewal. The latest transparency data – published by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) – shows that councils are wasting no time in putting the weight of the public sector behind AI and finding new and innovative ways to make it work for working people. It shows that AI is being used to identify when a pensioner has had a fall, to stop people fall into rent arrears,…

The UK government is launching a GOV.UK Wallet and App to simplify access to services and documents like digital driver’s licences, alongside reforms to public sector technology to save £45 billion and drive efficiency and growth. Brits will be given the option to use a digital version of their driver’s licence from their phone to easily prove their age when buying age restricted items online and in person – as well as proving their right to drive. A mobile driver’s licence will be one of the first digital documents in a GOV.UK Wallet launched later this year and will ultimately…

If you’ve started the new year with a technology upgrade, don’t forget you can donate any old and unused devices to Wolves Tech Aid. The initiative, led by City of Wolverhampton Council, accepts laptops, tablets, mobile phones and desktop computers and puts them back into use for school pupils and others in the community. Donating is easy – just drop devices off with staff at any library in the city. All personal data is wiped before donated kit is redistributed. More than 1,600 devices have been recycled by Wolves Tech Aid since the not for profit project began…

The functionality of Škoda’s voice assistant Laura has been significantly expanded thanks to the integration of Chat Pro from technology partner Cerence Inc.. Alongside previously available sources of information, the Chat Pro function is now directly connected to the advanced AI tool ChatGPT to answer questions beyond the scope of Laura’s original knowledge. The feature is now available in Škoda Enyaq family models with the new 4.0 software version released for the 2024 model year, the new-generation Škoda Superb and Kodiaq as well as the updated Škoda Octavia. User and car data are secure at all times. ChatGPT and…

one of the UK’s largest and leading electric vehicle (EV) charging networks, is proud to announce its partnership with celebrated British Paralympian long jumper and sprinter Olivia Breen. The three-time Paralympian and double Commonwealth Games champion will serve as an official Osprey Ambassador, supporting its mission of providing accessible and inclusive charging for all EV drivers. As the first UK charge point operator (CPO) to build accessibly designed public charging EV hubs, and an active supporter of accessibility standards such as BSI PAS1899, Osprey has long been at the forefront of establishing accessibility standards and best practices within the…

Cutting edge businesses, in locations including Scotland and Nottingham, are set to benefit from a share of £30 million to be at the forefront of designing and testing innovative technology of the future that will modernise our energy system and store renewable energy for later use. Capturing and storing energy for use when and where it is needed will play an essential role in powering more of Britain from Britain and increasing the country’s energy security. The funding announced today will support these businesses testing and preparing their technologies to be ready for the energy market, encouraging private investment and…