JANA Investment Advisers (JANA), Australia’s largest independently owned investment advisory firm, has reinforced its commitment to sustainable investing, after taking part in the recently concluded 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28). With a three-decade-long legacy of delivering superior long-term investment results, JANA has set its sights on systemic change through its innovative investment stewardship initiative. Recognising the urgency of addressing climate change and nurturing a low-carbon economy, JANA emphasises the critical role of institutional investors in driving sustainable practices across the financial landscape. JANA’s profound understanding of the interconnection between environmental and social factors and long-term financial…
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Almost half (47%) of finance and accounting managers are planning to increase headcount next year, but the latest data suggests that employers need to offer more than pay rises to attract professionals. That’s according to new research by specialist recruitment firm, Robert Half. The company’s 2024 Salary Guide – which analyses and reports on market salaries, hiring trends, and skills requirements across the UK – revealed that salaries have increased for finance and accounting professions as employers address a combination of skills shortages and the rising cost of living. The highest average increase was seen in the Accounting Operations (9.6%)…
As we step into 2024, the UK energy landscape will continue to undergo changes as businesses strive to be more sustainable and energy efficient. From legislative compliance to carbon reduction goals, several key energy and carbon management initiatives are set to shape your business operations. In this blog, TEAM Energy’s Head of Consultancy, Timothy Holman, will explore five crucial actions to keep an eye on throughout the year. New additions to the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme, a pillar in the UK’s commitment to energy efficiency, is continuing to evolve. With the publication of the…
The aura of moral goodness coming from within charitable organisations can blind their employees and volunteers, according to new research from the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM). Lead researcher, Dr Isabel de Bruin found that people in charities’ can glorify their charities’ noble goals, noble values, and noble people. This self-glorification can lead to unethical behaviour, which she terms as the “NGO halo effect”. A survey conducted with 256 employees of various charities across the globe in 2023 showed that respondents strongly believed their cause to be ‘sacred’, ‘extraordinarily important’, and felt deeply connected to it. Interviews also…
Coastal Trends Often considered an opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of busy life, coastal trends are offering homeowners the chance to retreat to a calming home inspired by the palettes and stress-free lifestyle of beach living. It’s remained popular due to its uncomplicated principles of neutral tones with maximum airy and spacial impact. We look at seven ways to incorporate this theme into home design. Light and airy left: Impressive Soft Oak Medium from £27.99 per m2, right Muse, Sandstone from £32.49 per m2, Quick-Step, quick-step.co.uk To truly create a light and airy aesthetic, avoid overcomplicating the space…
Snap Fitness is a fitness brand taking a more holistic approach to wellness in order to empower individuals of all backgrounds to discover the transformative effects of exercise. Shifting away from being “just a gym”, the franchised fitness operator, which has more than 1,000 clubs around the world, has strategically adapted its focus to emphasize the transformative effects of exercise on overall quality of life. The move was instigated by the entire global fitness sector undergoing something of a momentum shift following the COVID-19 pandemic. “Towards the end of the pandemic, we did extensive consumer insight work, as it was…
Brands perceived as caring and friendly receive more reports after product incidents. However, instead of vengeful complaints, consumers report more helpful feedback so the brand can fix the problem, finds new research from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. Anshu Suri, Assistant Professor of Marketing from UCD Smurfit School, alongside colleagues from Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill University and Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee, analysed reports of harm incidents by car owners and found that a 1% increase in brand warmth is associated with a 27% increase in the number of reports a car brand receives…
iStorage, renowned worldwide as the foremost authority in hardware-encrypted portable data storage and cloud encryption solutions, unveiled their latest innovation. Celebrated for their user-friendly PIN-protected devices and unparalleled security measures, iStorage consistently leads the industry by years. Now, they have once again pushed boundaries with the introduction of a groundbreaking 24TB drive. Since its debut, the diskAshur DT2 has established itself as the benchmark, being the premier PIN-protected, hardware-encrypted HDD worldwide. It boasts a pioneering secure microprocessor, certified to Common Criteria EAL5+ standards, endorsed by government accreditation schemes such as NCSC CPA, FIPS 140-2 Level 3, NLNCSA BSPA and NATO…
Global Momentum and Demand for VAST Data Establishes Company as the Market Leader for Deep Learning and AI Infrastructure VAST Data, the AI data platform company, announced today that it has secured $118 million in Series E funding, led by Fidelity Management & Research Company and accompanied by New Enterprise Associates (NEA), BOND Capital and Drive Capital. The funding will advance VAST Data’s mission to deliver a new category of infrastructure that puts data at the centre of how systems think, react, and discover. This breakthrough will empower organisations to effectively address their most pressing data challenges, enabling unprecedented advancements…
Mark Bower-Easton, Head of Distribution at Oxford Capital, shares the common reasons businesses fail to secure VC funding: Lack of scalability: “Venture capitalists gravitate towards highly scalable business models poised for rapid growth. Lack of scalability and growth potential raises concerns for venture capitalists aiming for investments in businesses targeting expansive, growing markets to yield substantial returns. Businesses dependent on manual processes or possessing limited geographic reach, thus struggling to accommodate growth without significant bottlenecks, do not align with venture capitalist investment objectives.” Unproven market demand: “We prioritise opportunities backed by solid evidence of customer interest and market validation. Insufficiently refined…