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.

New AI capability from Zutec turns building records into real-time decision support

News Desk

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18/02/2026

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New AI capability from Zutec turns building records into real-time decision support

Zutec has launched Building AI – Powered by Zutec, an embedded artificial intelligence layer within its Building Document Management system that enables property owners to convert stored building data into reliable, actionable insight.

The technology allows asset owners to access precise answers drawn from their existing documentation, supporting quicker decision-making across operations and compliance.

Despite years of effort capturing manuals, technical drawings, certificates and asset data, many organisations have struggled to use this information effectively due to fragmented storage and limited search capability.

The beta release introduces a query-based interface that transforms static records into a live intelligence resource while maintaining strict data governance.

Users can retrieve cited information instantly without transferring data outside the Zutec environment, preserving security and auditability.

Emily Hopson-Hill, Managing Director and Chief Operating and Strategy Officer at Zutec, said: “Building AI – Powered by Zutec, delivers practical, usable intelligence where it matters most – from the building information our asset owner customers already rely on within their current Building Document Management solution. With this solution we’ve focused on immediate, practical value, providing AI specifically built and trained on building data to support decision-making, maintenance, compliance, safety and overall day-to-day operations. By providing instant access to information normally buried deep within documents, we can help asset owners manage complex property portfolios while significantly increasing productivity and reducing risk.”

Unlike general-purpose AI tools, Zutec’s first AI-enabled solution is designed specifically for the realities of building data and asset management, allowing users to search for documents, search within a document or search for information across an asset register/building. Every response is:

Grounded in validated documents, unique to each customer’s building.
Fully cited and audit-ready.
Generated entirely within Zutec’s secure platform, with data never leaving the governed environment.

Steve Holtom, Head of Maintenance at Keble College, University of Oxford, stated: “Managing a large, college estate is simpler with Zutec’s Building AI. It delivers fast, accurate access to drawings, manufacturer information, and commissioning data quickly and with confidence.”

By entering natural language queries, users can locate technical details, warranty information or document lists within seconds, alongside the source references.

The functionality integrates with existing BDM workflows and is particularly suited to safety-critical environments, regulatory reporting, maintenance planning and portfolio oversight.

It also supports golden thread information management for higher-risk residential buildings and allows digital handover data to be incorporated at the start of a building’s lifecycle.

The release represents Zutec’s first AI-driven intelligence product, with further tools planned across compliance, safety and operational performance.

“Ultimately, this is about operational intelligence you can trust,” added Emily Hopson-Hill. “This new solution sets the foundation for long-term innovation, while ensuring our asset owner customers benefit today in a secure, scalable way.”

About Zutec

Zutec is a provider of cloud-based and AI-enabled construction and property management software with more than two decades of experience in transforming the way contractors, housebuilders, developers and asset owners manage and access building data.

Its solutions sit under four solutions families for document management, quality management, handover management and asset management, providing one digital ecosystem to connect the dots in building digitisation across the building lifecycle. To find out more, please visit the new Zutec website: www.zutec.com.

Strategic Alliance Between Raeon and Hidria Creates End-to-End Pathway for Custom Battery Scale-Up

News Desk

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18/02/2026

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Strategic Alliance Between Raeon and Hidria Creates End-to-End Pathway for Custom Battery Scale-Up

Collaboration enables Raeon customers to move from prototype and low-volume production in the UK to industrial-scale output in Europe.
Integrated manufacturing route designed to remove barriers between development and mass production.
Target markets include defence, marine, advanced mobility, off-highway machinery and specialist automotive programmes.
FloLock™ technology supports rapid deployment of tailored battery systems using a wide range of chemistries and formats.

Raeon has announced a new investment-backed partnership with Hidria, the European industrial technology company within the Gonvarri Industries group, strengthening its ability to support customers at every stage of battery production.

The announcement, made on World Battery Day, is intended to resolve the scaling challenges faced by manufacturers producing specialist electric vehicles and equipment.

Tom Brooks, COO and co-founder of Raeon said: “Historically, manufacturers in sectors like Marine Defence, Motorsport, and Niche Automotive have faced a binary choice: force-fit standard “off-the-shelf” modules that compromise vehicle performance, or pay unpalatable costs in non-recurring costs for bespoke mass-market solutions that become uncompetitive as battery technology evolves.

“This partnership offers a solution and avoids the need to compromise.”

Raeon’s FloLock™ encapsulation architecture enables the delivery of production-grade battery packs at low and medium volumes from its UK headquarters. The platform is chemistry-agnostic, allowing integration of LTO, Sodium Ion, NMC and LFP cells without retooling. Through the collaboration with Hidria, these designs can transition directly into large-scale European manufacturing.

Tom Brooks added: “We built Raeon to tackle the problem of battery cost and lead time. We set out to answer ‘how do lower volume vehicle manufacturers access their perfect battery without spending millions on development and waiting years and years?

“Whether you’re building 10 high-performance restomods or 500 autonomous defence vehicles, you need a battery that is optimised for your specific requirements – rarely does an ‘off-the-shelf’ battery tick all the boxes. This partnership with Hidria allows us to support our existing and future customers from their first production batch right through to global mass-market scale.”

The partnership focuses on sectors where reliability and custom engineering are essential and where standardised battery solutions are unsuitable.

Customers will benefit from an integrated production pathway, beginning with flexible UK manufacturing and progressing to Hidria’s high-volume European operations, which currently supply major OEM programmes.

Boštjan Berginc, Corporate Innovation and R&D Director at Hidria, commented: “At Hidria, we are committed to sustainable growth and technological excellence. Raeon’s innovative approach to battery assembly unlocks a vast new range of sectors for us, from electric forklifts to electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. Together, we offer a complete lifecycle solution: agile, custom manufacturing in the UK backed by the industrial scale and financial stability of Gonvarri Industries in Europe.”

The model also helps manufacturers meet UK–EU trade requirements by ensuring that high-value battery assembly takes place within regional supply chains while maintaining access to global cell technologies.

For further information on bespoke battery development at all production volumes, contact [email protected].

How struggling hospitality businesses can pivot into food brand start-ups

Helen Greaney

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17/02/2026

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Matt Harris’s career journey has had its fair share of pit stops and twists and turns. From race-track engineering to a street-food ambulance to supermarket shelves, he is now the North London foodie founder behind the UK’s first ultrasonic pickles.

After being awarded a scholarship to race NASCAR in the US, Matt Harris thought he was on the cusp of a professional motorsport career. But when the 2008 recession hit, sponsorship collapsed and Harris completed just eight laps before his dream abruptly ended.

Today, as the hospitality sector faces an ongoing crisis, he shares his advice for those looking to diversify and channel a passion for food into a unique product.

1. Know you’re in the best place to improve and innovate

“Spend time thinking about the skills you have and how you can transfer them. As restaurateurs and chefs, we are obsessive about what we do. We engineer new ideas every day. This can be applied to a new business venture. Often working in hospitality, we do a range of jobs and wear many hats, this is also the job of a start-up founder.”

“My own unlikely entrepreneurial journey can be traced directly back to my racing days. I always approached racing holistically. I needed to understand how the engineers think, how the car works, and how countless variables interact. Food works the same way – every component affects the final performance. I can’t help but analyse and tweak until it’s perfect.”

2. Be driven by telling food stories in a different way

“When my career as a racing car driver ended, I embraced travel and realised it was the stories behind the food that really inspired me. I think its this drive that connects the hospitality industry and start-up food production. I did have a year travelling in the Deep South, where he fell in love with barbecue, fried chicken and the craftsmanship behind them, from the materials used in smokers to the weight and heat retention of cast-iron pans.”

3. Use the flex in hospitality industry to test your product ideas

“I did reluctantly take a job in media sales, but the pull of food didn’t go away. One night, after a few drinks, I impulsively bought an old ambulance on eBay and converted it into a street-food truck. The menu changed constantly as I tinkered with recipes using the same scientific mindset I once applied to race cars.

“My breakthrough came with chipbuffalo wings, a chipotle–buffalo hybrid that won Best Wings in London at Wingfest. This success led me to found Thunderbird, now a 15-site fried chicken chain. But one problem persisted: I couldn’t find a pickle good enough to accompany my chicken. Everything on the market was too sweet, too soft or too one-dimensional. I needed something with backbone – crunch, clarity, and proper flavour.”

4. Embrace culinary experimentation to find your niche

“Working in the restaurant industry means we get to know ingredients inside and out, and ideas can emerge from being immersed in processes, pop-up events, ingredient sourcing and realising where there is room to do things better.”

“My own inspiration for creating the perfect dill pickle came from asking a couple of simple questions. What are pickles? Answer, vegetables in delicious liquid. Who makes the most delicious liquids? Cocktail mixologists. After watching bartenders use ultrasound to rapidly infuse spirits with fruits and herbs online, I bought an ultrasound generator on Amazon and began experimenting in my kitchen.

“Ultrasound waves create microscopic bubbles in liquid, a process called cavitation. When these bubbles collapse, they release high-energy microbursts that shatter flavour from the herbs and spices, accelerating the release of aromatic compounds, and extracting the deliciousness that flavours our pickle brine.”

5. Use your foodie network to scale production

“I use my own kitchen in North London to produce a tonne of pickles a week. But whether you work in or own a restaurant, or are set up at home, the hospitality sector does have a spirit of generosity. Perhaps you know someone who can let you use their kitchens out-of-hours, especially if you’re developing a product that could supply their business?”

“What began as an experiment has grown into a thriving production operation. Alongside our restaurant partners and independent delis, Pickle Project has now secured a retail listing with Ocado, its first major entry into mainstream grocery.”

Pickle Project’s Sweet Dill Pickle Chips now retail at £6 in Ocado and have already been awarded two stars in the Great Taste Awards 2025.

Creator-First Social Platform Luupli Moves to Institutional Seed Stage After Strong Beta Growth

Technology

News Desk

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17/02/2026

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Creator-First Social Platform Luupli Moves to Institutional Seed Stage After Strong Beta Growth

Luupli has begun an institutional seed raise after securing $600,000 in early pre-seed funding, marking the next phase in the growth of its collaborative social technology platform.

The initial capital, provided by angels, friends and family, enabled the company to bring its beta product to market. Since launch, the app has reached 42,000 total installs and maintains strong user reviews across both major mobile ecosystems.

As the creator economy accelerates towards an estimated $480 billion valuation by 2027, Luupli is targeting a structural role within the sector by enabling co-creation, shared ownership and improved monetisation pathways, particularly for users in emerging markets.

Current milestones include:

Non-dilutive support: Access to over $1 million in startup credits from Nvidia Inception, Google for Startups, Microsoft for Startups, GitHub, Mixpanel and Founderpass.
Grassroots validation: $600K raised from personal networks provided the foundation for early product development and market entry.
Early traction: 42,000 organic installs achieved without paid campaigns, demonstrating strong product-market resonance.
High user satisfaction: App ratings of 5.0 on Apple and 4.6 on Google Play indicate positive user experience and engagement.

The platform is designed to move away from attention-driven models and instead promote collaborative discovery and shared revenue opportunities.

Its proprietary Luups feature enables creators to produce content collectively. In Ghana, users are already using the tool to develop episodic collaborative micro-drama, an emerging content format native to the platform’s architecture.

“The fact that angels, friends and family invested in Luupli before we had traction speaks volumes about the belief in our mission,” said Degraft Osei Kwame Jnr, Co-founder & CEO. “We’re building a platform where collaboration—not competition—drives discovery and income. We invite investors to help us democratize the creator economy for the $480-billion market ahead.”

Additional development includes an AI-based creation tool and music generator aimed at enabling royalty-free production with full IP ownership, alongside a localised payments system designed to reduce foreign exchange barriers and streamline creator payouts.

The founding team combines operational, people-management and product expertise. Degraft Osei Kwame Jnr brings more than 15 years’ leadership experience across supply chain and hospitality sectors, including award-winning sustainability programmes. Sid Pednekar previously supported organisational effectiveness at TikTok for a workforce of 7,000 across multiple regions, and Cletus Osei-Kwame specialises in building and scaling digital platforms.

Together, the leadership team aims to deliver scalable infrastructure that embeds creation, ownership and monetisation into a single ecosystem.

Luupli is currently offering limited participation in its seed round to institutional investors. Enquiries can be directed to [email protected], and the platform is available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play, with further information at Luupli.com.

Four Wins for BearJam at 2026 Lens Awards Highlight Cinematic Approach and AI Innovation

News Desk

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16/02/2026

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Four Wins for BearJam at 2026 Lens Awards Highlight Cinematic Approach and AI Innovation

BearJam has been honoured with four awards at the 2026 Lens Awards, marking a major moment for the independent video production company as it continues to build momentum within the branded content and corporate film industry.

At the London ceremony hosted at The Brewery, the company was recognised with:

Bronze in Best Documentary Style Video for its collaboration with Company of Cooks
Silver in Best Use of Artificial Intelligence for a project with SD Worx
Silver in Best Use of Video in the Food and Beverage Sector for work with Company of Cooks
Gold in Best Use of Video in the Property, Construction, and Facilities Management Sector for a Landsec production

The films that secured the awards can be viewed online, with judges highlighting BearJam’s strong visual storytelling, polished cinematic style and forward-thinking use of AI tools.

Descriptions of the winning entries and details about the judging process are included in the Lens Awards 2026 Winners Book. The results reinforce BearJam’s position as a creative partner delivering high-impact content across a broad range of sectors.

Achieving recognition in four distinct categories is a significant accomplishment for an independent studio.

James Hilditch, Founder and Creative Director at BearJam, says, “To be shortlisted for four awards was exciting. To win all four, including a Gold, is something I’m genuinely proud of. What I loved most was celebrating with the people behind the work. I enjoy every part of the production journey, from the first scribbled idea to the final touches in post, and an awards night feels like the perfect way to celebrate that process together as a team.”

The Lens Awards are among the most established annual programmes celebrating excellence in corporate video and communications.

The initiative is run by Communicate Magazine. Rebecca Pardon, the editor, said in the Winners Book, “Now in its sixth year, the Lens Awards for Corporate Video exists to help navigate this unsteady terrain. This year’s programme celebrates more than ingenuity, but also monitors the pulse of an industry in flux. Each entry is a snapshot of ambition, as well as a testament to the skill required to combine creativity with strategy.

We hope the Lens Awards offers both inspiration and insight, and serves as a reminder that corporate communications need not only be technical and serious, but also cinematic, provocative and memorable. Congratulations to all the winners!”

New Research Shows How Far UK Audiences Go for Live Entertainment

News Desk

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13/02/2026

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New Research Shows How Far UK Audiences Go for Live Entertainment

Whether it is the excitement of a sold-out concert or the anticipation before a theatre performance begins, live events continue to captivate audiences across Britain.

A survey involving 2,000 participants nationwide, commissioned by Bauer Media Outdoor UK and carried out by OnePoll, indicates that people across the country attend numerous events annually and are willing to travel well beyond their local area to do so.

The findings underline the growing influence of experiential tourism, demonstrating how live entertainment sustains cultural vibrancy while offering brands the chance to engage audiences during their journeys to events.

Speaking on behalf of Bauer Media Outdoor, Marketing Director Ben Hope, says: “Live experiences are now a major driver of movement, spend and energy in towns and cities across the UK. Music, sport and cultural events don’t just fill venues, they create ripple effects across transport networks, high streets and local businesses.

As more audiences travel for shared experiences, particularly outside London, brands have an opportunity to connect with people in the moments they’re actively exploring and engaging with places. Out of Home plays a role in that ecosystem, reaching people in real-world environments while supporting the public infrastructure that helps these destinations thrive.”

Key findings

Nearly 10% of Brits are attending 10 or more live events a year
Almost half (44%) of Brits are willing to travel to another part of the UK to attend music festivals and gigs
40% of people are willing to travel to another part of the UK to attend live sporting events
Just under a quarter (24%) of Brits are willing to travel to another part of the UK to attend regional cultural events
The majority of survey respondents travel to events by car (79%)
Nearly a fifth of respondents (19%) would travel as far as 50 miles to attend an event – the equivalent of Manchester to Leeds by car
The most common range of money spent by an individual attending an event is £101-£150
A third of people expect to spend the bulk of their budget on tickets (33%), followed by accommodation (27%), and then travel (16%)
When looking specifically at people from the North East of England, 31% of survey respondents from this region spend more on accommodation than anything else
39% of people remember noticing Out of Home advertising when travelling to a public event
35% of people consider Out of Home advertising to be the most noticeable when attending an event away from home
A third of tourists agreed that Out of Home advertising “adds to the atmosphere and excitement of attending a major show”
Over a third (36%) of eventgoers from the North East think that their home region offers the best experiences and events
Opinions are split on whether there are enough cultural events taking place outside London. 30% think there is the right amount, 27% think there are not enough, 12% think there are more than enough, and 31% are not sure

Phoenix Arts Club Provides Lifeline to Performers After Greek Street Live Shutdown

News Desk

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12/02/2026

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Phoenix Arts Club Provides Lifeline to Performers After Greek Street Live Shutdown

Another chapter in London’s struggling cabaret and live music scene has closed, with The Room Where It Happens at Greek Street Live ceasing operations last week. The sudden announcement left numerous performers, including pianists, hosts, singing waiters and musical theatre artists, without regular employment.

The loss reflects a continuing pattern across the capital, where venues that once nurtured cabaret and theatrical performance are vanishing. In recent years, audiences have seen the closure of The Theatre Café, Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club, Nightjar Soho, Haus of Cabaret, Proud Embankment, The Windmill, Café de Paris and, imminently, Banana Cabaret.

Determined to counter the impact, The Phoenix Arts Club has announced it will become the new long-term home for the team behind The Room Where It Happens Showtunes Singalong. The move preserves jobs for affected performers while sustaining an important element of London’s musical theatre community.

From Saturday 14 February, audiences can experience Sing Out, Louise!, a refreshed late-night musical theatre piano singalong created by the team previously behind Overtures Piano Bar and The Room Where It Happens. The show will run Wednesday through Sunday evenings, beginning at 10.30pm, with plans to shift to a 9pm start time as scheduling allows.

Tickets are priced at £10 on the door, while a £10 monthly membership option offers savings for frequent visitors. Seats can be reserved in advance at https://phoenixartsclub.com/events/sing-out-louise-showtunes-singalong/

Colin Savage, Creative Director of The Phoenix Arts Club, said: “London is losing spaces that give performers regular, paid work – particularly those working in musical theatre, cabaret and live music. The Phoenix Arts Club has been part of that ecosystem since 1988, and it felt essential that we stepped in. This is about keeping artists working and audiences connected to live performance.”

Dave Cribb, who previously produced and programmed the Showtunes Singalong at The Room Where It Happens, added: “This isn’t just about one show – it’s about an entire community of musicians and singers who rely on these spaces. With so many venues closing, London risks losing something culturally distinctive. I’m hugely grateful that The Phoenix Arts Club is giving us a place to continue, rather than seeing this work disappear altogether.”

By welcoming the production into its programme, The Phoenix Arts Club ensures that displaced performers retain a West End stage, helping to sustain live cabaret and musical theatre at a time when such opportunities are increasingly under threat.

EE Reinvents Trade-In as Integrated Marketplace Feature to Support Tech Expansion

News Desk

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12/02/2026

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EE Reinvents Trade-In as Integrated Marketplace Feature to Support Tech Expansion

UK mobile network builds scalable trade-in capability into core customer journey, supporting omnichannel growth across technology and gaming

EE has repositioned trade-in as a central feature of its marketplace platform, embedding the functionality directly into its purchasing flow and creating a scalable framework designed to underpin its continued expansion into technology and gaming sectors.

The development addresses a growing consumer trend: many households retain unused devices rather than monetising them through trade-in schemes. Against a backdrop of rising living costs and increasing sustainability expectations, EE recognised the opportunity to deliver a unified experience where customers can both upgrade and trade in devices within a single journey.

Rather than layering a separate trade-in service on top of its systems, EE redesigned its infrastructure to make trade-in native to its marketplace environment. This approach reduces friction for customers while providing the business with real-time visibility over volumes, valuations and commission performance across multiple categories.

EE’s digital product and architecture teams identified that trade-in shares structural similarities with product returns, encompassing device collection, logistics coordination and financial reconciliation.

Working alongside Marketplacer, its marketplace platform partner, EE assessed whether existing returns and marketplace processes could be adapted for trade-in. A successful proof of concept demonstrated that the company could manage device catalogues, intake and settlement using current workflows, avoiding costly one-off integrations.

“Once we realised trade-in could follow the same pattern as returns, everything clicked,” said Nagendra Kanakapura, Consumer Tribe Architect at EE. “It gave us a fast, low-risk path forward and allowed us to move with confidence.”

The solution was implemented at pace. An initial core team expanded into more than ten squads operating simultaneously, enabling EE to roll out the feature across both its app and website while retaining strong governance over delivery.

At launch, the trade-in platform supported six device categories, ensuring a consistent digital experience. Customers receive instant quotes during checkout, with the trade-in value automatically deducted from their purchase price, streamlining the upgrade process.

“We saw trade-in as a way to make upgrading easier for customers, while supporting our expansion into new tech categories,” said Daniel Boulton, Digital Product Manager at EE.

“To do that, we needed a solution that could scale quickly and integrate directly into the customer journey.”

From a commercial perspective, the embedded model provides enhanced data transparency. EE can now track trade-in performance across its product portfolio, supporting informed decisions around inventory management, pricing and customer engagement strategies.

The approach also aligns with environmental objectives by encouraging refurbishment and responsible recycling while recapturing value from unused household technology.

By making trade-in a fundamental marketplace capability rather than an external add-on, EE has established a model that can scale across channels and new product areas. Plans are in place to broaden device coverage and introduce the service into assisted retail environments, strengthening omnichannel integration.

The initiative illustrates how retailers can leverage existing platform architecture to accelerate innovation while reducing implementation risk. By adapting workflows already embedded within its systems, EE delivered a new service without the delays associated with fully bespoke development.

For marketplace operators, the case underscores the importance of flexible system design. Infrastructure originally supporting returns and third-party seller operations has been repurposed to power a consumer-facing trade-in function, enabling faster deployment and sustained operational oversight.

With trade-in now live across digital touchpoints and fully integrated into the purchase journey, EE has reinforced its broader strategic ambitions in technology and gaming. The scalable structure ensures responsiveness as consumer behaviours evolve and additional product categories are introduced.

The model also enhances loyalty potential, as customers engaging in trade-in are demonstrating clear upgrade intent and deeper engagement with EE’s expanding ecosystem.

For further details, read the full EE trade-in case study.

Tradesman Saver accelerates growth with new sub-brands and refreshed identity

News Desk

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11/02/2026

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Tradesman Saver accelerates growth with new sub-brands and refreshed identity

Tradesman Saver, one of the UK’s leading providers of insurance to tradespeople, has kickstarted ambitious growth plans for 2026 by expanding its services alongside the reveal of new branding.

Already well-established in the construction sector, Tradesman Saver has now launched four sub-brands – Electrician Saver, Carpenter Save, Cleaner Saver, and Professional Saver – to cater for more people operating in various lines of work.

The expansion of its services coincides with an update to the Tradesman Saver branding, featuring a more refined visual identity that reflects the modern, professional business it is today and creating a stronger, more relatable connection with its customers.

Launched 18 years ago, Tradesman Saver became one of the first specialist insurance providers to offer a digital end-to-end experience for customers, enabling them to quote, buy and renew entirely online and at a time that suits them. After hitting the 10,000 customer mark in 2019, the brand continued to expand and in 2024 was acquired by Jensten, a leading broking and underwriting group, with the aim of achieving further growth. Having recently announced its own acquisition by leading global private equity firm Bain Capital, Jensten has invested significantly in Tradesman Saver’s digital presence to reach even more customers.

Dean Laming (pictured), managing director for Tradesman Saver, said: “We’ve always had a clear goal to become a leading provider of specialist insurance in the UK, particularly within the construction sector. To achieve that, we knew we needed greater investment and the ability to scale at pace, which is why the acquisition by Jensten in 2024 was such an important milestone for us.

“As the business has evolved, our brand needed to evolve with it. The launch of these targeted sub-brands for key trades and professions shows we’re serious about supporting more of the UK’s workforce, while our refreshed look and feel is a sign of our ability to compete effectively amongst established brands. We have real credibility and confidence embedded in the business today.”

Tradesman Saver’s unique, value-led offering to customers goes beyond basic insurance requirements, with 24-hour access to legal support, free mental health counselling services, and accidental death and overseas work cover provided as standard.

Dean added: “While price plays an important role in customer buying decisions, the cheapest policy doesn’t always deliver the right level of cover. What matters most is having insurance that provides comprehensive protection, backed by a professional partner who understands the unique challenges and working environments faced by tradespeople and other professions.

“Our focus has always been on delivering value, not just low prices, ensuring customers have the protection they need for every part of their work. These recent changes in the business make a clear statement about our commitment to quality, clarity and specialist cover that goes above and beyond to help those who need it.”

Find out more about Tradesman Saver here.

Engage Employee Summit 2026 Brings the Future of HR and Engagement to London

Events
HR

News Desk

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11/02/2026

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Engage Employee Summit 2026 Brings the Future of HR and Engagement to London

Engage Business Media has announced the return of the Engage Employee Summit in 2026, bringing together senior leaders from HR, internal communications and employee engagement for two days of learning and collaboration. The free-to-attend event will be held on 20–21 May 2026 at Evolution London.

Now in its 11th year, the Summit will expand its format to accommodate a growing audience, with more than 3,000 professionals expected to attend. The event will feature 250 speakers, 120 exhibitors and six dedicated topic stages alongside the main stage, creating a comprehensive platform focused on the evolving world of work.

The Summit programme is shaped around a central theme of human-centred organisations, where technology supports rather than replaces the employee experience. Day One examines current challenges facing organisations, from engagement fatigue and skills shortages to changing leadership demands and the realities of managing hybrid and frontline teams.

Across both days, attendees will engage with practical case studies, open discussions and evidence-based insights designed to highlight what is delivering results in practice. Day Two looks ahead to emerging trends, including AI adoption, workforce flexibility, new career models and shifting expectations around wellbeing, reward and communication.

The sessions will explore how organisations can adapt their structures and strategies while maintaining trust, capability and resilience. Delegates will also have access to a dedicated Summit app, providing tools for networking, accessing live content and interacting directly with sessions and speakers.

The Engage Employee Summit will feature six topic stages, alongside a high-impact main stage, covering the critical levers of modern workforce strategy:

Organisational Culture & HR Leadership – exploring culture, trust, employee voice and the changing identity of HR, including leadership in an AI-enabled workplace and culture in a borderless world.
Talent, Skills & Workforce Evolution – for talent and workforce leaders focused on dynamic skills strategies, hiring decisions, retention under pressure and predictive workforce planning.
Internal Communications & Employee Voice – aimed at internal communicators and engagement specialists working to cut through the noise, elevate employee voice and prove impact through measurement and insight.
Communication & the Connected Workplace – focused on reaching deskless and dispersed teams, digital engagement and redefining what “connected” really means at work in hybrid and frontline settings.
Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion – examining mental health, resilience, psychological safety, financial wellbeing and inclusion as a cultural foundation, as well as the next era of employer-supported wellbeing.
Reward, Recognition & Future Benefits – for reward and benefits leaders designing human-centred, data-informed strategies, from recognition that truly works to personalised benefits and the evolving reward value exchange.

Across these stages, delegates will access cutting-edge insights, practical tools and actionable strategies spanning leadership, talent, communication, wellbeing, reward and the digital workplace.

As part of the agenda and exhibition, the Summit will host 120 leading employee engagement and HR software providers, integrated as strategic sponsors and partners. These organisations will showcase how technology can enable culture, communication, listening, wellbeing, reward and recognition at scale, helping senior leaders translate strategic ambition into operational reality.

Throughout the two days, sponsors will deliver live demonstrations, product walk-throughs and case studies aligned to the Summit themes, illustrating how platforms are being used to strengthen connection, measure sentiment and drive meaningful behaviour change. Positioned at the heart of the exhibition, they will offer consultative conversations, practical tools and proof-of-concept examples to help attendees accelerate transformation in their own organisations.

The 2026 Summit is shaped by the Engage Employee Advisory Board, a group of senior leaders whose expertise and insight ensure the programme reflects the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing employee engagement professionals.

Featured speakers for 2026 include HR, internal communications, reward, wellbeing and talent leaders from brands such as Google, Visa, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Bupa, British Airways, Heathrow, Gymshark, Jaguar Land Rover, Diageo, the NHS, PwC UK, Starbucks, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Lloyds Banking Group, Standard Chartered and many more. Their sessions will spotlight real-world case studies, measurable outcomes and replicable approaches that delegates can adapt within their own contexts.

The Engage Employee Summit is designed for senior leaders responsible for people, culture and transformation, including:

CPOs, CHROs and senior people leaders shaping culture and organisational transformation

Internal comms and engagement specialists who shape the stories employees hear every day
HR, people and culture leaders driving healthier, more equitable employee experiences
Wellbeing and inclusion leaders aligning support, equity and lived experience with organisational purpose
Reward and benefits leaders redefining value, recognition and benefits for the modern workforce
Talent leaders accountable for attracting, developing and retaining critical skills in dynamic labour markets

Delegates will leave with new perspectives, proven frameworks and practical tools to strengthen satisfaction, performance, loyalty and overall employee experience at individual, team and organisational level.

Hosted at Evolution London, the Summit benefits from a state-of-the-art venue supported by the latest AV technology. The space is optimised for learning, networking and business development, with turnkey exhibitor solutions and premium branding opportunities for partners.

Networking is built into the event design, with:

Topic-led roundtables for focused peer-to-peer discussion and knowledge-sharing
An AI-powered meetings programme and concierge service to facilitate tailored 1–2–1 meetings with senior professionals
An interactive event app enabling delegates to connect, access live content and engage with speakers and sessions in real time
A Summit Party after Day One, combining networking with entertainment to help delegates reset ahead of an energised Day Two

The Engage Employee Summit offers an all-access pass free of charge for approved senior HR and employee engagement professionals, including access to:

Six topic stages and main stage keynotes
Interactive interviews and panel debates
Pre-arranged one-to-one meetings, focus groups and roundtables
Full use of the event networking app

Registrations are subject to approval and are not available for suppliers or vendors.

Travel together

1. Know you’re in the best place to improve and innovate

2. Be driven by telling food stories in a different way

3. Use the flex in hospitality industry to test your product ideas

4. Embrace culinary experimentation to find your niche

5. Use your foodie network to scale production

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