Business London Press

Half of adults want more effort from partners on Valentine’s Day

News

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14/02/2023

Half of adults want more effort from partners on Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day has been dubbed a waste of money with novelty mugs and cheap underwear amongst the worst presents.

More than half of the 2,015 adults polled, said their partner should make more effort, rather than splurge on presents they don’t even want.

Respondents reported the rubbish gifts they had received included ‘wrong’ perfume, socks, candles and even, a car mat.

But while most said the day of lovers is a waste of time, one in three said they’d be gutted if their better half did nothing to celebrate.

Travel together

The research by Railcard.co.uk, found that one in five said a trip away would be the best romantic gesture with the Lake District top destination in the UK.

Relationship expert and coach, Sarah Louise Ryan, said: “Couples who travel together often end up more fulfilled and happier in their relationship.

“There are many reasons for this; inclusive of the fact it encourages communication and can deepen feelings of commitment as they plan their trips ahead of time, looking towards the future.

“Travel allows more opportunities for romance and time outside of the day-to-day routine, meaning romantic sparks can be reignited.

“Where flowers and chocolates can play a part, this Valentine’s Day I’d encourage all couples to carve out some time to book and experience a romantic getaway, whether for a day trip or a long weekend.”

The study also found 36% had considered a trip together as a way to rekindle a floundering relationship.

FT 1000 Recognition Confirms The SaaSy People as One of Europe’s Fastest Growing Companies

News Desk

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04/03/2026

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FT 1000 Recognition Confirms The SaaSy People as One of Europe’s Fastest Growing Companies

The SaaSy People has earned a place in the Financial Times FT 1000: Europe’s Fastest Growing Companies 2026, ranking #441. The business operates as a SaaS consultancy, outsourced BPO provider and Customer Success partner across the UK and US.

Produced by the Financial Times alongside Statista, the FT 1000 ranks companies according to compound annual revenue growth from 2021 to 2024. Now marking its tenth year, the list highlights firms that have achieved notable, largely organic expansion during a period of economic uncertainty.

Operating through four distinct service divisions, The SaaSy People delivers SaaS implementations, migrations and enhancements through SaaSy Platforms & Technical Services; BPO support under SaaSy Customer Support; outsourced Customer Success via SaaSy Retention-as-a-Service; and bespoke, onshore development work through SaaSy Development. The company maintains advanced partner status with Intercom, monday.com, Zendesk and Vonage. It has also received recognition as Solution Partner of the Year at Intercom’s Global Sales Kickoff and EMEA Partner of the Year from monday.com.

Reece Couchman, CEO and Founder of The SaaSy People said: “Being recognised in the FT 1000 is a reflection of the work our entire team puts in every single day. The late nights, the tricky implementations, the tough client conversations, the thousands of customer interactions handled brilliantly on behalf of our clients – this is the result of all of that. We’re doing big things, and cracking the FT 1000 top 500 is proof that our multi-solution model works.”

This latest milestone follows rapid growth across multiple markets, with the company broadening its client base in the UK, US and Europe and securing high-profile enterprise contracts. Its AI-powered practice, centred on Intercom’s Fin AI agent, has played a significant role as businesses increasingly adopt automation in customer engagement.

The full FT 1000 2026 ranking is available on the FT website. A printed FT publication will be available on 26 March 2026.

Onit Logistics Gains Position on Crown Commercial Service RM6354 Logistics Framework

Business

News Desk

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04/03/2026

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Onit Logistics Gains Position on Crown Commercial Service RM6354 Logistics Framework

Onit Logistics Group Ltd has been confirmed as a named supplier on Crown Commercial Service’s RM6354 Courier, Distribution, Storage and Specialist Solutions framework.

Under Lot 3a: Collection and Delivery Services, the company can now supply same-day courier and specialist logistics services directly to public sector customers through the framework. This provides a recognised and compliant route for accessing time-critical logistics support across the UK.

For the Southampton-headquartered provider, the appointment marks a significant achievement, building on years of service to public sector supply networks.

Justin Moore, Chief Executive Officer of Onit Logistics Group Lt shared: “We’ve supported the public sector since Onit’s inception, so to be recognised as a named supplier makes us immensely proud.

“Our team has vast experience in end-to-end logistics and supply chain solution design. We’re looking forward to further applying these skills to help solve challenges, reduce service pressures and create cost efficiencies for the public sector.”

“As a supplier on this framework, we can provide our services to all public sector organisations.”

Crown Commercial Service exists to help public bodies obtain strong commercial outcomes when buying routine goods and services. In the 2024/25 financial year, CCS delivered commercial benefits totalling £5.3 billion, supporting the delivery of effective public services and value for taxpayers.

The framework has been designed to make procurement more straightforward, while ensuring participating suppliers meet clear standards for delivery performance, compliance and cost control.

Inclusion means contracting authorities can engage pre-approved providers able to deliver specialist logistics services in a variety of operational contexts.

Onit Logistics offers urgent courier services, logistics coordination and supply chain solutions for sectors where dependable and prompt delivery is essential.

The company’s cross-functional model combines operational know-how with tailored planning to address complex distribution requirements.

Framework structures such as this are vital in helping public sector organisations procure efficiently while preserving transparency and fair competition.

By joining the Courier, Distribution, Storage and Specialist Solutions framework, Onit Logistics reinforces its ability to meet the evolving logistics needs of public sector organisations throughout the UK.

End of Interest-Free Period Drives Help to Buy Valuation Demand in 2026

Finance

News Desk

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03/03/2026

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End of Interest-Free Period Drives Help to Buy Valuation Demand in 2026

A surge in valuation instructions is emerging as the interest-free phase on many equity loans reaches its end, affecting homeowners and property professionals alike.

Those who joined the Help to Buy scheme during 2020 and 2021 are now at a turning point. The expiry of the five-year interest-free term forces a choice between selling, remortgaging or absorbing additional interest, with a RICS valuation required in every case.

This timing is leading to a clear rise in valuation work at the start of 2026, with thousands of households reviewing their financial options.

The Clock Strikes Five

When the Help to Buy equity loan scheme operated in England, the government lent first-time buyers between 5% and 20% of the value of a new-build property, up to 40% in London, interest-free for the first five years. After that, according to official government guidance on GOV.UK, interest begins at 1.75% of the original loan amount and rises every April in line with the Consumer Price Index plus 2% (for the 2021–2023 scheme) or the Retail Price Index plus 1% (for the earlier 2013–2021 scheme).

Crucially, these charges do not contribute to paying down the loan itself. They are purely interest, and they compound annually. For a homeowner who borrowed £50,000 under the scheme, the first year of interest alone amounts to £875, a cost that will increase every year thereafter.

It is this trajectory that is now prompting action. Homeowners who completed purchases in 2020 and 2021, years that saw significant Help to Buy activity, particularly as buyers rushed to meet scheme deadlines, are now either already in year six or approaching it. For many, remortgaging to repay the equity loan before interest escalates has become the preferred strategy. For others, selling is the more practical route. Either way, a formal valuation is the unavoidable first step.

Why a RICS Valuation Is Mandatory

This is a point that catches some homeowners off guard. Unlike a standard estate agent appraisal or an online automated valuation, repaying a Help to Buy equity loan requires an independent valuation from a surveyor registered with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

The reason is straightforward: repayment is calculated as a percentage of the property’s current market value, not the original purchase price. If a homeowner initially bought a property for £250,000 with a 20% equity loan (£50,000), but the property is now worth £300,000, they would owe 20% of £300,000, that is, £60,000. The government’s stake moves with the market, in both directions.

This is why the valuation must be conducted by a qualified RICS surveyor and submitted as part of the formal repayment process through Homes England’s appointed mortgage administrator. Estate agent valuations, however well-intentioned, are not accepted. Online estimates are not accepted. Only a signed RICS report qualifies.

There is also a time constraint that many homeowners are unaware of: RICS Help to Buy valuations are only valid for three months. If a sale or remortgage does not complete within that window, the valuation expires and a new one must be commissioned at additional cost.

The Market Backdrop: What Prices Mean for Repayment

The current state of the housing market adds another layer of financial consideration for Help to Buy borrowers.

According to the Office for National Statistics, average UK house prices rose by 2.4% in the year to December 2025, reaching £270,000. In England specifically, the annual increase stands at 1.7%, bringing the average to £292,000. However, the picture is uneven. London recorded a year-on-year fall of 1%, while regions such as Northern Ireland and Wales have seen considerably stronger growth.

For Help to Buy borrowers, these variations matter directly. Rising prices mean a higher repayment figure; softening prices, as seen in parts of southern England, may offer some relief. As Zoopla’s February 2026 House Price Index noted, southern England has seen prices broadly unchanged over the past 12 months, with affordability pressures and increased supply keeping growth subdued.

Nationwide, meanwhile, forecasts house price growth of between 2% and 4% across 2026, modest, but still enough to mean that homeowners who delay their decision may face a higher repayment figure further down the line.

Valuation Demand Is Rising, and Timelines Matter

The volume of Help to Buy valuation enquiries has increased noticeably in recent months, reflecting the concentration of purchases made during the peak activity years of the scheme.

Jack Purdie, COO and Co-Founder of Find My Surveyor, which connects homeowners with accredited RICS surveyors, says the trend is clear: “We’re seeing a genuine uptick in Help to Buy valuation enquiries in early 2026. It’s consistent with what we’d expect given the volume of completions that happened in 2020 and 2021, those homeowners are now at or approaching their five-year point and need to start moving.”

The concern, he adds, is that some homeowners may not appreciate how tightly timed the process needs to be. “A lot of people don’t realise that their RICS valuation is only valid for three months. If there are delays in the remortgage process, and mortgage applications can take considerable time, that window can close before completion. That means instructing a new survey and paying again. Planning ahead avoids all of that.”

In certain regions and at peak periods, surveyor availability may also become a consideration. A surge in enquiries concentrated around particular anniversary dates could create short-term capacity pressure, particularly in areas where Help to Buy take-up was highest.

What Homeowners Should Do Now

For anyone approaching their five-year Help to Buy anniversary, the advice from housing professionals is consistent: begin the process earlier than feels necessary.

The key steps are:

Check your anniversary date. The five-year interest-free period runs from the date of completion, not the date of application. Interest begins at the start of year six, so knowing the exact milestone is the starting point.

Speak to a mortgage broker. If remortgaging to repay the equity loan, understanding borrowing capacity in the current rate environment is essential before commissioning a valuation. Mortgage rates have been gradually improving, with the Bank of England having made four cuts during 2025 and further reductions anticipated in 2026, which may improve affordability for borrowers looking to absorb the equity loan into their mainstream mortgage.

Commission the RICS valuation at the right time. Given the three-month validity window, timing the survey to align with the likely completion date of a remortgage or sale is critical. Homeowners arranging a RICS Help to Buy valuation should factor in how long their mortgage or conveyancing process is likely to take before instructing the surveyor.

“Planning early prevents unnecessary delays or duplicate fees,” says Purdie. “The process isn’t complicated, but it does require coordination. Homeowners who leave it to the last minute risk the valuation expiring before they complete, and that’s an avoidable cost.”

A Predictable Pressure Point

The current surge in Help to Buy valuation demand is, in one sense, entirely predictable. The scheme’s five-year structure always meant that 2026 would see significant activity as a large cohort of purchases came of age simultaneously. What makes it newsworthy is the scale of that cohort and the financial stakes involved, particularly against a backdrop of modest house price growth and evolving mortgage market conditions.

For homeowners, the message is clear: the five-year point is not just a milestone, it is a decision point with real financial consequences. Getting the valuation right, and getting it at the right time, is the first step in navigating it well.

DVLA blocks more than 400 ‘26’ registrations as playful number plates gain popularity

Automotive

News Desk

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02/03/2026

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DVLA blocks more than 400 ‘26’ registrations as playful number plates gain popularity

Ahead of the March 2026 release, the DVLA has removed over 400 registration combinations from circulation.

The yearly list of prohibited plates has appeared alongside new evidence of changing buyer behaviour, based on figures from Swansea registration specialist Plates4Less.

Antony Clark, Marketing Manager at Plates4Less said: “When the DVLA banned list comes out, it always grabs headlines but what we’re seeing in the data is that drivers don’t give up when they can’t get the obvious rude versions, they simply get more inventive.

“The appetite for funny and slightly cheeky private plates has grown significantly, and nearly a quarter of buyers now want something that isn’t necessarily deeply personal to themselves.”

The newly issued banned list for the upcoming ‘26’ registration series includes combinations considered inappropriate or potentially offensive for display on UK roads.

Analysis of more than 10 million searches conducted on the company’s website during 2025 indicates growing demand for registrations that prioritise humour, wordplay and creativity rather than traditional name-based personalisation.

The company reports that approximately 22% of all searches were for non-personalised combinations, rising from 15% recorded in 2024.

The findings suggest that an increasing number of buyers are seeking private plates designed to entertain or attract attention while remaining compliant with DVLA regulations.

Plates4Less also reports that searches containing explicit swear words are now carried out by an average of nearly 50 verified buyers per day, reflecting heightened interest in borderline or suggestive combinations that remain legally permissible.

Plates4Less has published the complete list of prohibited 26 registrations on their website, which also includes examples of acceptable novelty-style plates.

Beyond humour or individuality, private number plates can obscure a vehicle’s age, broaden resale appeal compared with highly personalised name plates, and offer a distinct alternative to standard-issued registrations.

Plates4Less states that the shift reflects wider cultural trends among UK motorists, particularly small business owners and tradespeople who use vehicle branding as a form of informal marketing.

The DVLA reviews registration combinations before each biannual release to prevent combinations deemed offensive, discriminatory or inappropriate from entering circulation.

The ‘26’ series will appear on new vehicles registered from March 2026 across England, Scotland and Wales.

The financial risks of postponing a medical practice exit

News Desk

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02/03/2026

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The financial risks of postponing a medical practice exit

UK practice owners often hope that waiting will lead to improved trading and higher sale prices. Verilo, a specialist healthcare broker, cautions that delaying a transaction can introduce hidden financial pressures that ultimately reduce both value and choice.

Private healthcare activity continues to grow, but the wider business backdrop is becoming more demanding.

ONS statistics show 63,205 firms closed during Quarter 3 of 2025, while 73,450 new businesses were formed.

Insolvency Service figures reveal a 15% annual rise in company insolvencies in May 2025, placing levels above 2024 and close to the highs recorded in 2023.

According to Verilo, the cost of waiting is rarely obvious at first glance.

Many practices still report consistent income and patient demand, which can give the impression that there is no urgency to act.

However, sustaining that stability increasingly requires higher spending or ongoing reinvestment to meet rising operational standards. The effect accumulates gradually.

Margins tighten, capital commitments grow and owners must work harder to maintain existing performance.

By the time financial strain appears clearly in accounts, the buyer pool may have shrunk and bargaining power diminished.

Healthcare remains comparatively resilient, but leaving decisions until problems are visible can reduce strategic options.

Tax changes are also affecting owner-operators.

The Autumn Budget’s increase in dividend tax lowers take-home income, and adjustments to cost treatment mean retaining ownership may no longer deliver the same financial benefit.

With operating costs rising, some practitioners are reconsidering whether to invest further or sell while valuations remain supported.

Joshua Catlett, founder of Verilo, believes the pace of change in private healthcare is reshaping timing decisions.

“We’re at a point where private healthcare is evolving fast. Practices that are positioning for growth are investing in technology, automation, and AI, expanding into multidisciplinary models and upgrading facilities. That takes capital. It’s becoming harder for small independents to keep pace without meaningfully increasing investment.”

The growing presence of consolidators and private equity-backed buyers is lifting competitive standards.

Their investment in infrastructure, recruitment and systems increases the pressure on smaller practices.

Verilo notes that these organisations can be attractive acquirers, but their scale also raises the threshold for remaining competitive.

Catlett says this is altering traditional thinking.

“In the past, waiting another year often meant stronger trading and a higher valuation. Today, owners are weighing the cost of investing for future growth against the option of exiting while their practice is strong and demand is high. A planned sale can give them more control, buyer choice, and a cleaner negotiation.”

An increasing number of transactions now allow clinicians to continue practising after the sale, with larger partners supplying capital and operational support.

Catlett regards this as evidence of a maturing market.

“Private healthcare is professionalising. Owners now have viable options to exit on strength, rather than waiting until the business needs major investment or faces strategic pressure.”

National offsite housing plan targets one million affordable homes by 2032

Property

News Desk

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27/02/2026

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National offsite housing plan targets one million affordable homes by 2032

A UK-based housing manufacturer has put forward a proposal to deliver one million affordable homes within seven years, presenting the plan as a workable response to the Government’s struggling target of 1.5 million homes.

Recent data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government indicates that around 196,500 homes were added to England’s housing supply across 2024 and 2025.

Current projections suggest that, if construction continues at the present pace, overall delivery could fall well short of the 1.5 million goal.

Low Carbon Construction Plc’s newly released strategy promotes a manufacturing-led approach to housing at national scale, arguing that conventional construction alone cannot close the gap because of workforce shortages, supply chain limitations and delays within the planning system.

Bridgette Farrow, Main Board Director of Low Carbon Construction Plc, said the intention was to move the debate from whether the target is achievable to how it can be delivered.

“The ambition to build 1.5 million homes reflects the scale of the housing crisis,” she said. “But the delivery trajectory is already faltering. If we continue building at current rates, the shortfall will be significant as the numbers show.

“Without structural change in how homes are approved, funded and constructed, output levels will not meet the target first outlined by the Labour Party. The industry simply does not have the current capacity to accelerate at the pace required.”

The Hampshire-headquartered company describes itself as a next-generation national housebuilder aiming to challenge established methods through its proprietary Offsite/Onsite construction system.

It states that the model combines factory-produced components, standardised layouts and coordinated on-site assembly, enabling high-volume delivery while maintaining compliance with technical and environmental standards. The process is intended to enhance quality control, reduce delays and ensure consistent adherence to building regulations.

Under the plan, the company would prioritise the delivery of one million affordable homes through a network of new towns and urban expansion schemes.

The proposal includes 75 to 100 large new communities across the country and a further 100 to 200 smaller urban extensions, supported by up to 1,000 mobile assembly facilities operating simultaneously.

Each development would include schools, transport infrastructure, renewable energy provision, employment space and accessible public areas alongside housing.

The strategy recommends that major housing schemes should be designated as projects of national importance, allowing planning decisions to be handled by the Planning Inspectorate rather than solely by local authorities.

This mechanism is intended to accelerate approvals and enable multiple large developments to proceed at the same time.

Low Carbon Construction Plc says its homes meet Technical Housing Standards, Nationally Described Space Standards and Part M accessibility requirements, and are designed in line with Future Homes Standard principles and the UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard.

The company reports that around 180 UK organisations have already indicated support for the proposal, with further discussions taking place with infrastructure providers, lenders and commercial partners.

Rising number of AI video commissions reported by London production company BearJam

AI
Business

News Desk

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27/02/2026

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Rising number of AI video commissions reported by London production company BearJam

BearJam has seen a strong rise in requests for AI-generated video content, increasing from one project in April 2025 to twelve by January 2026.

The award-winning London company offers both traditional filming and AI-based production and works with clients across a variety of sectors.

AI-related briefs were rare at the start of the period, but demand grew steadily through 2025, with the most rapid growth occurring towards the end of the year.

Conventional video commissions have remained consistent, showing that AI services are being added alongside existing production rather than replacing them.

Industry data reflects a similar pattern. According to Fiverr’s Fall 2025 Business Trends Index, demand for freelancers with AI video expertise rose by 66% in the six months before December 2025.

This growth indicates that businesses are moving beyond experimentation and embedding AI video into their operational planning.

The availability of generative AI tools is also changing perceptions of cost, allowing more organisations to use video as part of their communications.

These developments are influencing how production teams structure their services and allocate resources.

Tristan Harrison, MD at BearJam, says, “This surge has signalled a sharp shift from experimentation to real-world adoption, and we’re having to resource our team accordingly.”

The rise of AI-driven briefs is prompting agencies to reassess their traditional production models.

At BearJam, this has included:

Signing AI-specialist film directors
Recruiting additional full-time AI artists and creative technologists
Rise in visual effects compositors

AI tools are now being used to support initial ideation, refine messaging frameworks, and explore audience insights before campaigns enter full production.

BearJam has also recently produced fully AI-generated videos, including an AI car advertisement and various other campaigns and promos, with no or significantly reduced need for traditional shoots.

This means the AI approach can now enable quicker development, greater alignment between strategy and execution, and reduced risk of misdirected creative investment.

The production company says the trend reflects wider changes across the marketing and creative industries, as brands seek more efficient ways to compete in saturated digital environments.

“AI is no longer a test-and-learn tool for many businesses,” added Harrison. “It’s becoming a standard component of how campaigns are scoped, evaluated, and delivered. Agencies that don’t adapt could fall behind.”

While AI continues to play a growing role, BearJam emphasises that human expertise remains central to successful creative production.

“Combining this technology with expert creatives is essential to creating fast, smart, and seamless video, without it being mechanical and lifeless. Strategic oversight, brand understanding, and creative judgement stay with the humans to make sure AI-informed briefs translate into effective real-world campaigns.”

The team at BearJam expects demand for AI video briefs to continue to play a major role throughout 2026 and is excited to see how it will reshape the video production landscape.

The GPT Lab founder recognised with Brand of the Future honour for AI project solutions

News Desk

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26/02/2026

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Lidia Plartus, founder of The GPT Lab, has received a ‘Brand of the Future’ award for her work helping consultants and entrepreneurs apply artificial intelligence within project environments.

Her consultancy brings together two decades of experience in transformation programmes and business analysis with AI-enabled tools designed to reduce administrative workloads, recover time and increase delivery output without additional staffing.

The Big Business Events award acknowledges her support for project professionals adopting AI, including the creation of intelligent project manager profiles and the integration of automation into structured workflows to improve efficiency.

Her expertise centres on connecting organisational objectives with technological capability.

“My background is in projects and transformations but more specifically bridging the gap between business and technology,” she said.

“Too often, business talks business, IT talks IT, and neither of them talk each other’s language.”

Following redundancy and major personal changes, she established her own business to create a sustainable career.

“I was made redundant, in a volatile job market which provided its own opportunities. After a couple of short contracts in the construction industry, I sussed out within a year that the job market is not something I can rely on, so I decided I had to figure out what I am going to do as a business to sustain myself.”

“It turns out 50-year-olds like me, have been almost written off by employers so I decided to build my own AI agency.

“My family unit was disintegrating at the same time, my husband left to be with somebody else, and I did not have a stable income. I had to sell the house and decided to focus on building my AI business.”

She views her previous experience in systems, tooling and organisational change as central to her current work.

“It is a complete new chapter from all perspectives, but it is building on skills I already have – I understand technology, I understand software, I understand tooling, I understand change and transformation, the way people work, and how technology and people can achieve synergies.”

Lidia cautions against adopting AI without proper preparation.

“Everybody is running towards automations and agentic AI but they are not actually mastering the fundamentals,” she added.

“From experience with other projects and other transformations I have managed, if you do not cover the foundations, gaps will show later on in unpredictable ways, creating chaos rather than seamlessly achieving results.

“With AI, you either get too scared and get left behind or you run too fast and you run into problems. It is like riding a bicycle – at first you have your stabilisers and it is when you get the confidence that you are able to go fast.”

She stresses that strong processes must come before advanced tools.

“I have been an analyst for 20 years and I see issues before they happen – the issue I see is that people are going for these fancy tools before they are ready and they are not going to work for them,” said Lidia.

“No complex technology will solve a broken system. You must fix those first. A simple tool that solves a problem is better than a complex tool that creates problems.”

For more information and to contact Lidia, visit her LinkedIn profile or email [email protected]

KindLink unveils contactless donation app turning smartphones into tap-to-donate tools

News Desk

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26/02/2026

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KindLink unveils contactless donation app turning smartphones into tap-to-donate tools

With charities reporting a 73% fall in street fundraising linked to the decline of cash, KindLink has introduced a new Contactless Fundraising App that converts any NFC-enabled mobile phone into a secure tap-to-donate device.

The platform enables volunteers and staff to receive instant, cashless contributions through their phones, removing the need for physical payment terminals and simplifying the giving process for supporters.

As fundraising activity continues to move towards digital channels, the app is designed to help organisations reach donors in more locations while strengthening engagement and improving fundraising outcomes.

“We created the KindLink Contactless Fundraising App to make fundraising technology accessible,” said Iskren Kulev, CEO of KindLink. “Fundraisers are on the street right now, missing donations simply because people don’t carry cash. With our tool, this barrier is removed, turning every phone into a secure donation device – no hardware to buy, no complex setup. We want to make giving easy, secure, and impactful, while freeing up charities to do what they do best.”

Relevance of Contactless Options for Fundraising

As cash use continues to decline globally, charities are seeking alternatives that meet donor expectations for convenience and security. The KindLink Contactless Fundraising App addresses this shift by providing a reliable, mobile-first solution that empowers charities to capture donations at events or even in virtual settings.

With fewer than 12% of UK donations now made in cash, and 73% of charities reporting a drop in street donations, the need for accessible, digital fundraising tools has never been greater. Over 70% of supporters under 44 expect to give via mobile wallets, signalling a major shift toward contactless giving.

KindLink’s solution bridges this gap by helping charities meet donors where they are and transforming every tap into an opportunity to give.

Tied to Industry Trends

The move towards digital payments is accelerating, with contactless transactions becoming a preferred method for consumers worldwide. By embracing this trend, KindLink equips charities with the tools they need to remain competitive, adaptable, and donor-friendly in a changing financial landscape.

Crucially, a tap-to-give journey removes friction at busy moments (events, street fundraising, receptions), meets donors’ mobile-first expectations, and complements existing QR and online campaigns — all with enterprise-grade security and compliance built in. This innovation reflects a broader transformation in the non-profit sector, where technology plays an essential role in sustaining impact.

How The KindLink Contactless Fundraising App Works

The KindLink Contactless Fundraising App provides charities with a simple and secure way to accept donations by turning any NFC-enabled smartphone into a powerful Tap-to-Give device.

Fundraisers simply download the free app, choose the charity and campaign they want to support, and start accepting contactless donations – donors just tap their card or phone directly on the fundraiser’s device.

The process is quick and intuitive, with no cash handling or lengthy sign-up steps, so supporters can contribute in just a few taps. Unlike traditional card readers, the KindLink app requires no additional hardware. Fundraisers can accept contactless credit or debit card payments directly through their smartphone’s built-in NFC technology. Donations can be made via Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other digital wallets, making the process fast, secure, and fully compliant with PCI-DSS standards.

The app also automates Gift Aid claims, allowing charities to increase donations by up to 25% with one click, while ensuring all data remains GDPR-compliant.

With KindLink’s all-in-one platform, every donation is automatically recorded in the charity’s CRM, connected to the right campaign, and instantly available for real-time reporting and insights.

Key Features:

The app integrates seamlessly with KindLink’s wider non-profit CRM platform, meaning that donations are automatically tracked and linked to donor profiles and projects. Charities can create customised campaigns, monitor real-time performance, and access detailed reporting, making fundraising more transparent and efficient.

Additional features include branded donation pages, multi-currency support, and compatibility across various digital wallets, ensuring flexibility for both donors and organisations.

Other notable features include:

Secure “Tap-to-Give” screens that can be locked for safe use by volunteers or third-party fundraisers.
Pre-set donation options that fundraisers can customise (e.g., £5, £10, £15).
Repetitive donation flow for a pre-set amount, built in securely, allowing for faster user journey, ideal for quick event entrance and open unmanned spaces e.g. galleries and museums.
Automatic “Thank You” messages and digital receipts for donors, with optional Gift Aid prompts.
Access for multiple users, including charity staff, volunteers, fundraising agencies, and corporate partners.

Pricing

As part of its launch, KindLink is offering all Premium-tier charities a free upgrade to the Expert plan for six months, giving them immediate access to the Contactless Fundraising App. New charities can also try the platform with a seven-day free trial. The app itself is free for fundraisers to use, with charities paying just £30 per month for the Expert plan.

Transactions are processed using PCI-DSS-compliant gateways, with standard bank fees of 1.5% + 25p for UK cards and no added KindLink commission, ensuring 100% of donations reach the intended cause.

About KindLink’s Mission

KindLink was founded with the vision of helping non-profits thrive in a digital environment by providing the tools they need to manage fundraising, donor relationships, and impact reporting in one integrated platform.

Beyond being a fundraising solution, KindLink serves as a complete ecosystem where charities can build stronger connections with their supporters, demonstrate transparency, and showcase the real-world outcomes of their work.

The platform combines CRM capabilities with project management features, allowing organisations to streamline operations and dedicate more time to their mission.

The introduction of the Contactless Fundraising App is a natural extension of this mission, further enabling charities to adapt to shifting donor behaviours and ensure sustainability in an increasingly cashless world.

Through continuous innovation, KindLink empowers charities of all sizes to engage their communities and ultimately drive greater social impact on a global scale.

KindLink also stands out for its affordability and transparency, offering some of the lowest bank processing fees on the market and no hidden platform charges.

Its mission is clear – to make powerful, affordable technology available to every organisation striving to make a difference.

Furthermore, KindLink.com also makes it easier for businesses to make contributions with a variety of CSR-related products and solutions.

What This Launch Means for the Future of Giving

The launch of the Contactless Fundraising App shows KindLink’s commitment to equipping charities with the digital solutions needed to thrive in an evolving landscape.

As donor expectations continue to shift towards convenience, transparency, and mobile-first experiences, KindLink will remain focused on expanding its platform with tools that simplify operations and strengthen engagement.

This latest app provides charities with greater flexibility in how they collect donations and signals the company’s broader vision of shaping the future of charitable organisations.

By empowering every volunteer, fundraiser, and corporate partner to collect donations anywhere, KindLink is redefining accessibility in fundraising, bridging technology and compassion to drive lasting social impact.

UK schools gain new wellbeing accreditation recognising pupil and staff support

Education

News Desk

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26/02/2026

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UK schools gain new wellbeing accreditation recognising pupil and staff support

Schools across the country can now achieve formal recognition for prioritising wellbeing, with the introduction of the Well School accreditation, which places pupil and staff welfare alongside academic attainment and safeguarding as indicators of success.

The Youth Sport Trust has announced the first group of schools to receive Well School status, signalling a change in how school performance may be assessed. The framework allows wellbeing to be evidenced as a core strategic objective rather than an informal element of school culture.

The accreditation offers a clear structure for assessing and demonstrating wellbeing practice using standards comparable to those applied to attainment and safeguarding. Designed to fit within existing systems, it avoids creating additional workload. External peer review and a transparent rating scale enable school leaders to show progress to parents and governors while embedding wellbeing into whole-school planning and accountability.

In the first 3 months since its launch, over 40 schools have applied for their Well Schools Accreditation, with seven already peer reviewed and awarded. The first accredited schools are:

High Tunstall College of Science, Hartlepool
Hayle Academy, Hayle
Crown Hills Community and Sports College, Leicester
Oasis Blakenhale Junior School, Birmingham
Manchester Communication Academy, Manchester
Kensington Primary School, Newham
Clare Mount Specialist Sports College, Wirral

Supporting schools through increasing sector pressures

The milestone comes as school leaders face mounting pressure around workforce sustainability, attendance and inclusion, yet growing evidence highlights that prioritising wellbeing has a critical role in improving educational outcomes.

In particular, insights from the Well School pilot showed teachers at participating case study schools reported:

Lower levels of emotional exhaustion
Significantly lower levels of depersonalisation/cynicism
High levels of feelings of teacher efficacy in engaging pupils
High level of job satisfaction

A YouGov survey of more than 1,000 parents, guardians and carers, co-funded by #BeeWell and the Youth Sport Trust in April 2025, found that 66% of parents selected pupil wellbeing as an important consideration when selecting a secondary school, more so than other factors such as school location (62%), facilities (61%), school culture and ethos (56%) and Ofsted rating (52%). Notably, only 43% of parents cited exam results as a key factor in their decision.

Moving wellbeing from intention to sustained action

The fore core areas for measurement in the Well School Accreditation are:

Well Culture: Culture of belonging with health and wellbeing at the heart of the school.
Lead Well: Staff and pupils are empowered to shape and lead their school’s wellbeing approach
Move Well: Every pupil is physically and mentally prepared for learning and life
Live Well: Every pupil has opportunities and skills to thrive in school and beyond

Attendees to Youth Sport Trust Conference 2026 will have access to sessions delivered by Beacon Well Schools exploring the journey to accreditation, along with practical insights and examples.

Ali Oliver MBE, Youth Sport Trust CEO, said: “Schools are facing immense pressure every day, from workforce challenges to rising pupil needs. Children today are also facing pressures unknown to previous generations, sedentary lifestyles and the constant influence of social media and excessive screen time. If we do not adjust our approaches, we will see increasing consequences for young people’s education and development.

“Prioritising wellbeing in school culture is one of the most powerful ways to intervene, yet it remains an under-used resource. The Well Check helps schools review their provision and be signposted to practical school-led solutions, and Well School accreditation celebrates and validates schools taking action and demonstrates to parents, carers and their community a forward-thinking approach. Our research shows what schools do to promote wellbeing is a major factor in parental choice when it comes to their child’s school. When pupils and staff feel supported, safe and valued, engagement rises, behaviour improves, and children are given the best chance to thrive both academically and personally.”

Find out more about the Well School movement and accreditation here.

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