Law & Finance – Northern Ireland Connected https://niconnected.co.uk Hopping Across Northern Ireland From Hub To Hub Sat, 26 Sep 2026 05:40:39 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.2 MPs back calls for tighter regulation in funeral sector in major boost for campaigners https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/26/mps-back-calls-for-tighter-regulation-in-funeral-sector-in-major-boost-for-campaigners/ https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/26/mps-back-calls-for-tighter-regulation-in-funeral-sector-in-major-boost-for-campaigners/?noamp=mobile#respond Sat, 26 Sep 2026 05:40:39 +0000 https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/26/mps-back-calls-for-tighter-regulation-in-funeral-sector-in-major-boost-for-campaigners/ A national campaign to raise standards in the funeral sector has secured cross-party political backing from three MPs.
 
The Funeral Officiant Authority (FOA), was launched in May by experienced celebrants Sacha Mulligan and Michelle Harvey, to vet and standardise funeral celebrants and ministers across the UK.
 
The FOA is fighting to introduce clearer professional standards for those conducting funeral ceremonies across the UK, and their work comes in the wake of a string of scandals.
 
These include the shocking case of Robert Bush who was recently jailed after admitting 67 offences, including 30 of preventing the lawful burial of a body.
 
At present there is no formal regulation preventing individuals from conducting funeral ceremonies without recognised training, vetting or accountability processes.
 
Now, in a major step forward, the FOA’s campaign has now secured the support of four MPs.
 
They include Mark Sewards, the Labour MP for Leeds and West Morley who has spoken publicly about this issue many times in the past.
He said: “Bereaved families deserve to know that everyone involved in their loved one’s funeral will act with care and professionalism. Any work that gives families greater peace of mind is welcome, which is why I support the Funeral Officiant Authority’s efforts to strengthen safeguards and transparency among funeral celebrants and officiants. As I continue to press the Government for full regulation of the funeral sector, the FOA’s work can improve standards and protect families.”
 
Those comments were echoed by Simon Hoare, Conservative MP for North Dorset. He said: “It is now abundantly clear that the status quo of a non regulated funeral and mortuary sector is untenable.  As a Government Minister I saw first hand the horror of the failures in Hull. Working with colleagues across the Commons we are pressing hard for speedy regulation. The Government is listening and the Prime Minister has said action is needed.  So, the question is not whether but when. Speed is of the essence if public confidence is to be maintained. That is what the campaigns are all about.”
 
The campaign is also being backed by  Louie French, MP for Old Bexley, Sidcup and Welling and  The Shadow Minister of State for Culture, Media and Sport. He said:  “Families should be able to have confidence that the person conducting a loved one’s funeral is properly trained, vetted and accountable. The FOA’s work to raise standards and strengthen safeguards is an important step towards giving bereaved families the professionalism and reassurance they deserve at an incredibly difficult time.”
 
Gareth Bacon, Conservative MP for Orpington, has also backed the campaign. He said: “This is a time of great vulnerability, and a celebrant enters a bereaved person’s home where they have sensitive information disclosed to them to enable them to understand the deceased person and their family and friends. This raises safeguarding issues. 
“I would lend my support to a form of registration for celebrants and I am reassured to know that this is also the aim of professional Celebrants and Funeral Directors.”
 
Commenting on the MPs support, the FOA said: “We’re hugely grateful that Mark, Simon, Louie and Gareth are backing our calls to raise standards across the sector. “The Funeral Officiant Authority (FOA) is dedicated to helping families find trusted, professional officiants to deliver meaningful and personal funeral services.
“Through its carefully maintained database, the FOA is committed to supporting families with dignity, care, and professionalism during life’s most difficult moments.”
 
]]> https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/26/mps-back-calls-for-tighter-regulation-in-funeral-sector-in-major-boost-for-campaigners/feed/ 0 SUSTAINABILITY A CORE TENET OF MORE THAN ONE IN THREE SMALL BUSINESSES – FOUNDERS EXPLAIN WHY https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/24/sustainability-a-core-tenet-of-more-than-one-in-three-small-businesses-founders-explain-why/ https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/24/sustainability-a-core-tenet-of-more-than-one-in-three-small-businesses-founders-explain-why/?noamp=mobile#respond Thu, 24 Sep 2026 05:27:59 +0000 https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/24/sustainability-a-core-tenet-of-more-than-one-in-three-small-businesses-founders-explain-why/

One in three small businesses in the UK (31%) holds sustainability at the core of their business culture and planning, according to new market research conducted by Novuna Business Finance. A further 38% say they are taking practical steps to do their bit on sustainability this year.

 

In contrast to some governments and many larger businesses that have been seen to dial down their commitment to Net Zero in recent years, the latest research reveals that sustainability continues to inform decision-making in smaller ventures, impacting elements from vision and business culture to operational processes and customer engagement. 

 

To get a clearer picture of the concerns and motivations which influence these trends, the Novuna Sustainable Business Podcast sat down with three very different small businesses, each showing what sustainability looks like in practice. Their stories feature in the podcast’s 12th season, and have been collated into a new report offering valuable insight into how UK small businesses are continuing to survive in today’s difficult financial climate, while still keeping sustainability at the heart of what they do:

 

·      Construction company Lambert Home Builds and sustainable building advocate Eco Renovation Home discussed how their small businesses help clients across the country make their homes fit for the future – and cut energy consumption and carbon emissions in the process.

·      Experiential design agency YourScene shared how their sustainability mission began at COP26, the steps they have taken towards lowering carbon emissions and their journey to becoming a certified B Corp.

·      Artisan coffee company Blue Turaco described his mission to change how Ugandan coffee is seen in the UK – and help other coffee growers implement sustainable farming practices.

 

Key findings by industry:

 

Construction:

–       Natural materials aren’t just a better choice for the planet – As extreme heat becomes the norm each summer, natural construction materials are a much better choice than synthetic for maintaining comfortable internal temperatures. 

–       Education is key – The next generation of builders need to be made aware of the benefits of sustainable construction and materials, rather than continuing to learn outdated methods

 

Events and experiences

–       Progress over perfection – Humans are social animals, but in-person events will always necessitate travel (and the carbon emissions which come with it). Mitigating that impact is more important than shutting down the industry all together

–       B Corp benefits – Becoming a certified B Corp can be a game-changer. The process is challenging, but many small businesses are already fulfilling some of the requirements

 

Food and drink supply

–       Finance must play a part – Sustainable farming practices are a must, but the farmers who adopt them must be paid fairly in order to continue to farm sustainably

–       Forging a path – Many small businesses are breaking new ground, not just for their own success, but for the next generation

 

Small business owners’ concerns around the environment also inform their approach to adopting new technology. Where many larger businesses are wholeheartedly integrating AI into their processes, Novuna Business Finance’s recent nationally representative survey of small businesses across the UK shows that nationally, only three in 10 UK small business owners (31%) say they are using AI to support their enterprises. 22% of those small business owners cite the technology’s energy and natural resource consumption as a worry. 

 

Commenting on the new report, Jo Morris, Head of Insight at Novuna Business Finance, said: “The work small businesses do is often incredibly personal. They meet their clients face-to-face, day in, day out, and an owners’ personal approach to sustainability often influences decisions across the business at large. Taking the time to sit down with these business leaders is therefore a vital part of our mission to support the sector in a meaningful way. 

 

“At Novuna Business Finance, these insights shape how we support businesses. Our conversations continue to show that sustainability means different things to different organisations depending on their priorities, customers and ambitions. That’s why we take a flexible, practical approach, adapting the support we provide to help each business achieve its own goals.”

 

All episodes in series 1-12 of the Novuna Sustainable Business Podcast are available to listen to here: https://www.novuna.co.uk/business-finance/resource-centre/the-sustainable-business-podcast/

 

For information on the podcast guests visit:

Lambert Home Builds – lamberthomebuilds.com

Eco Renovation Home – ecorenovationhome.com

Blue Turaco – blueturacocoffee.com

YourScene –  http://www.yourscene.co/

 
]]> https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/24/sustainability-a-core-tenet-of-more-than-one-in-three-small-businesses-founders-explain-why/feed/ 0 WIRRAL COUPLE OPEN GROUNDBREAKING DUBAI-INSPIRED RECOVERY STUDIO! https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/16/wirral-couple-open-groundbreaking-dubai-inspired-recovery-studio/ https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/16/wirral-couple-open-groundbreaking-dubai-inspired-recovery-studio/?noamp=mobile#respond Wed, 16 Sep 2026 19:46:41 +0000 https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/16/wirral-couple-open-groundbreaking-dubai-inspired-recovery-studio/ A Wirral couple have brought a taste of Dubai’s cutting-edge fitness and recovery scene to New Brighton with the opening of a new movement and recovery studio — the first of its kind in the area.

Mike and Abbi Levenson are the husband-and-wife team behind ELIO, a new concept on Seabank Road combining red and near-infrared light technology with specialist equipment designed around movement, exercise and recovery. The studio, at Unit 1, 118 Seabank Road, features infrared body rollers, a vacuum treadmill and a lie-down vacuum bike, offering an experience very different from a conventional gym or spa.

TO BOOK OR FIND OUT MORE VISIT THE WEBSITE

And while the equipment is attracting interest from people involved in sport and exercise who are looking to support their recovery, Mike and Abbi are keen to stress that ELIO has been created for everyone — including people who might normally feel uncomfortable stepping inside a gym.

The idea began, somewhat unexpectedly, with a red light face mask. Abbi said: “It actually started just over two years ago, when I bought myself a red light face mask. I used it consistently for around six months and noticed such a difference in my skin that it sparked a real curiosity about red light and what else it could be used for.”

TO BOOK OR FIND OUT MORE VISIT THE WEBSITE

That curiosity quickly grew. Abbi began researching red light technology for the whole body and, during her searches, discovered specialist body rollers. The problem was that she couldn’t find anywhere locally where she could try the type of equipment she was reading about. She said: “I was intrigued and began looking into where I could actually travel to try the machines myself, since there was nothing like it locally at the time.”

It was then that Mike became involved and the idea began evolving from personal curiosity into a potential business. The couple were attracted to the concept for different reasons. With a background in sports coaching, Mike immediately saw the potential appeal of the recovery side of the experience for active people and those involved in sport.

TO BOOK OR FIND OUT MORE VISIT THE WEBSITE

Abbi, meanwhile, has spent years working as cabin crew — so knows only too well the feeling of finishing a long day with tired and heavy legs. Between them, they realised the concept could have a much wider appeal than simply serious gym-goers. Then came the trip which changed everything. Last year Mike and Abbi travelled to Dubai specifically to try some of the specialist machines they had been researching.

“We were blown away by the experience,” Abbi said. “We came home thinking, ‘Why isn’t there anything like this back home?’ That’s really when ELIO started to become a reality.” Now that idea has arrived on the Wirral coast. ELIO brings several technologies together under one roof, including infrared body rollers, a vacuum treadmill and a lie-down vacuum bike.

TO BOOK OR FIND OUT MORE VISIT THE WEBSITE

The machines combine different forms of movement with red and near-infrared light technology, while the studio also has a strong focus on lower-body recovery. For people who exercise regularly, that could mean incorporating an ELIO session into their wider recovery routine after training. Others may be attracted by the exercise element of the equipment, including those whose goals include increasing activity, burning calories or managing their weight.

But you certainly don’t need to be an athlete to walk through the door. That accessibility is central to what Mike and Abbi have tried to create. Mike said: “We know life gets in the way, everyone is at a different fitness level and gyms can feel daunting. So from the start, we wanted ELIO to feel different — not a gym, not a spa, but something in between.“

TO BOOK OR FIND OUT MORE VISIT THE WEBSITE

Among the standout equipment at the New Brighton studio are the infrared body rollers, designed to provide a different kind of recovery experience for the body. There is also a vacuum treadmill, combining walking-based exercise with specialist vacuum technology and red and near-infrared light, and a lie-down vacuum bike, providing another lower-body movement option in a supported position.

The combination means customers can visit for very different reasons. Some will be active sportspeople looking to add something new to their recovery routine, while others may simply want to get moving, unwind after spending hours on their feet or experience technology they are unlikely to have encountered in a conventional gym. The concept is deliberately positioned somewhere between fitness and wellness — without expecting customers to arrive with a particular level of experience or ability.

TO BOOK OR FIND OUT MORE VISIT THE WEBSITE

The feedback so far has been incredible. Mike explains: “We’ve had marathon runners and athletes in, who have said that it’s a game changer whilst in recovery — it means they can work out still rather than have days aching and doing nothing. We’ve also had someone in with Chrone’s disease who has been able to ride a bike for the first time in years and someone who has had pain relief from sciatica.”

From an experiment with a red light face mask at home to a trip thousands of miles away in search of technology they couldn’t find locally, Mike and Abbi have now brought the concept full circle — creating the very place on the Wirral that they once went looking for themselves. ELIO opened in September 2026 and welcome both website bookings and walk ins.

ELIO / Unit 1, 118 Seabank Road, New Brighton, CH45 1HF

TO BOOK OR FIND OUT MORE VISIT THE WEBSITE

For more info visit the WEBSITE

Follow ELIO on FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM

]]> https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/16/wirral-couple-open-groundbreaking-dubai-inspired-recovery-studio/feed/ 0 Signal sharing between Microsoft and Google takes down $66 million fraud marketplace https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/16/signal-sharing-between-microsoft-and-google-takes-down-66-million-fraud-marketplace/ https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/16/signal-sharing-between-microsoft-and-google-takes-down-66-million-fraud-marketplace/?noamp=mobile#respond Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:58:30 +0000 https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/16/signal-sharing-between-microsoft-and-google-takes-down-66-million-fraud-marketplace/

Signal sharing between Microsoft and Google has taken down RedVDS, a criminal marketplace linked to more than $66 million in reported US fraud losses. The exchange ran through the Global Signal Exchange (GSE), a non-profit platform that lets trusted organisations share threat data securely. In a second case run through the same platform, Google’s intelligence helped Microsoft shut down a scam campaign impersonating its own brand.

Fraud and scam networks are inherently fragmented. Criminals spread their operations across domains, cloud infrastructure, communication platforms and payment systems, so no single organisation ever sees the complete picture. GSE was built to close that gap, giving trusted organisations a secure, fast way to share what they know.

In January 2026, Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit, the team that investigates and takes legal action against cybercrime, disrupted RedVDS. The service sold cybercriminals access to virtual machines running unlicensed software, for as little as $24 a month. Attacks linked to it compromised more than 191,000 Microsoft email accounts across over 130,000 organisations between September and December 2025. Microsoft went to court in the US and UK to seize the marketplace’s web domains, then shared its threat data with Google through GSE. Google used that data to identify and suspend related accounts on its own platforms. German law enforcement seized RedVDS’s main server, and Europol acted against servers used by its customers across Europe. By February, active RedVDS servers had fallen by more than 95 per cent.

Emily Taylor, CEO at Oxford Information Labs and Co-Founder of the Global Signal Exchange, said: “Fraud does not respect company boundaries, and no single organisation ever sees the whole picture. That is exactly why we built GSE: to give trusted partners a secure way to share what they know, quickly. These two cases are a good example of GSE doing exactly what it was designed to do.”

In a separate case, Google identified a tech support scam impersonating Microsoft, targeting victims in English, Japanese and French and referred the matter to US law enforcement. It shared around 300 indicators of compromise, the digital fingerprints of an attack, including malicious domains and URLs, with Microsoft through GSE. Microsoft confirmed the scale of the abuse of its own brand, shut down the infrastructure behind the campaign, and referred the case to law enforcement in the United States.

Both companies say they intend to keep sharing intelligence through GSE as new fraud campaigns emerge.

]]> https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/16/signal-sharing-between-microsoft-and-google-takes-down-66-million-fraud-marketplace/feed/ 0 We’ve Built a Multi-Billion-Pound Industry Full of People Who Fell Into It https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/15/weve-built-a-multi-billion-pound-industry-full-of-people-who-fell-into-it/ https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/15/weve-built-a-multi-billion-pound-industry-full-of-people-who-fell-into-it/?noamp=mobile#respond Tue, 15 Sep 2026 06:24:50 +0000 https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/15/weve-built-a-multi-billion-pound-industry-full-of-people-who-fell-into-it/ The events industry needs to do more to turn itself into a visible career choice for the next generation, according to Event Industry News podcast host James Dickson, speaking in the opening episode of the new Talking People with Paul Borg podcast.

Dickson joins Paul Borg, General Manager of Crowne Plaza Newcastle, for the first episode of the series when it drops this week (16th September). The series aims to put the people behind events and hospitality at the centre of the conversation.

Having interviewed hundreds of event professionals during more than a decade hosting the Event Industry News podcast, James reflects on his own unconventional route into events and a challenge that continues to face the sector. “We’ve built a multi-billion-pound industry, that is built largely from people who have fallen into (it) by accident,” he says.

For James, the opportunity is to identify relevant skills much earlier and show young people that events can provide a deliberate career pathway rather than something they discover later in life.

He points to young gamers as an example. Many already understand PCs, graphics cards, cameras, live streaming and switching between feeds, without necessarily recognising that those skills could translate directly into careers in event AV and video production. “All the skills are there,” James tells Paul. “Imagine what could happen if we could identify those young people and give them some additional training at a young age.”

The conversation also turns to AI and its implications for employment. Here, James shares the example of a global events agency that has recruited a senior employee specifically to oversee the rollout and application of AI, suggesting that the technology could create new professions as well as change existing ones.

For Paul Borg, these are the conversations Talking People has been created to uncover. The new series looks beyond job titles and businesses to explore careers, experiences and ideas through the people working across events and hospitality.

Episode One sets the tone with a conversation spanning career pathways, technology, AI and the changing skills the industry needs. Appropriately for an opening episode about an industry many people enter unexpectedly, Dickson admits that his own podcast career began almost by accident too. More than a decade and hundreds of conversations later, it has given him a particularly broad view of the people who make the industry tick.

Episode One of Talking People with Paul Borg, featuring James Dickson, is available now. Listen to Episode One / Spotify / apple Podcasts.

]]> https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/15/weve-built-a-multi-billion-pound-industry-full-of-people-who-fell-into-it/feed/ 0 WIRRAL ARTIST SELECTED FOR PRESTIGIOUS VISUAL ART OPEN EXHIBITION https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/12/wirral-artist-selected-for-prestigious-visual-art-open-exhibition/ https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/12/wirral-artist-selected-for-prestigious-visual-art-open-exhibition/?noamp=mobile#respond Sat, 12 Sep 2026 13:38:41 +0000 https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/12/wirral-artist-selected-for-prestigious-visual-art-open-exhibition/ Wirral artist Clare Chinnery is set to showcase her work in London this October after being selected from thousands of entrants for the prestigious VAA Visual Art Open Exhibition 2026.

The Wirral-based artist has been shortlisted with her striking floral work, The Heart That Sheds the Brightest Light, which will be exhibited as part of the major event celebrating contemporary visual art. The selection marks an exciting milestone for Clare, whose distinctive work has already been exhibited extensively and can be found in private collections around the world.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR CLARE TO WIN THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD OR CLICK HERE TO VISIT CLARE’S WEBSITE

Clare’s unmistakable style has been described as “floral punk art” and she combines traditional oil painting with spray paint to create bold, atmospheric works that offer a contemporary and unconventional take on floral imagery. Her unique abstract practice explores light, shape and form, taking inspiration from Dutch Vanitas still-life paintings while transforming their traditional themes through her own energetic, modern approach.

The result is work that feels simultaneously familiar and rebellious, with flowers emerging through layers of colour, texture and abstraction. On Thursday 8th October, she travels to the Visual Art Open to showcase The Heart That Sheds the Brightest Light at one of the UK’s most prestigious exhibitions in what is a huge achievement for the artist, having been hand-picked from thousands of artists who entered the competition.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR CLARE TO WIN THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD OR CLICK HERE TO VISIT CLARE’S WEBSITE

Clare said: “It’s an honour to be shortlisted for such a prestigious event and I still can’t believe it! The piece itself is inspired by the dark drama of 17th-century Dutch floral painting, the piece explores the tension between darkness and light, beauty and impermanence. Richly layered and expressive, the flowers emerge from the shadows with an intensity that feels mysterious yet evocative.”

She continues: “The painting draws on the tradition of Vanitas and Memento Mori, where beautiful still-life paintings served as reminders of the fleeting nature of life. Flowers, despite their beauty, are temporary; they bloom, fade and eventually disappear. I’m interested in that contrast – the fragility and impermanence of life alongside its beauty and intensity. It is ultimately a celebration of colour, light and the fleeting moments of beauty that make life so precious.”

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR CLARE TO WIN THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD OR CLICK HERE TO VISIT CLARE’S WEBSITE

Clare lives and works in Wirral and studied Fine Art Painting at Liverpool John Moores University, where she developed her abstract style, initially concentrating predominantly on abstract landscapes. Her practice has continued to evolve since then, with flowers becoming an increasingly important subject within her work.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR CLARE TO WIN THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD OR CLICK HERE TO VISIT CLARE’S WEBSITE

Clare’s paintings have subsequently travelled far beyond Merseyside. Her work has been exhibited internationally and is now held in collections in the UK, China, the USA and New Zealand. Closer to home, she has exhibited at numerous respected galleries and exhibitions, including the Williamson Art Gallery and The Atkinson, as well as Manchester Art Fair, The Discerning Eye Exhibition, Seventh Circle Gallery in Birmingham and Terrace Gallery in London.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR CLARE TO WIN THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD OR CLICK HERE TO VISIT CLARE’S WEBSITE

Her selection for the Visual Art Open, however, represents one of the most significant moments of her career so far. Visitors to the Visual Art Open will have the chance to see Clare’s shortlisted piece, The Heart That Sheds the Brightest Light. The stunning floral work brings together many of the elements that have come to define Clare’s art — abstraction, flowers, dramatic contrasts and her unusual combination of oil and spray paint.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR CLARE TO WIN THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD OR CLICK HERE TO VISIT CLARE’S WEBSITE

Being selected for the Visual Art Open places the Wirral artist among a highly competitive field of contemporary artists and gives her work a prominent platform in London. For an artist whose career and distinctive visual language were developed on Merseyside, it also represents another opportunity to take Wirral creativity to a much wider audience.

Clare Chinnery / Visual Art Open

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR CLARE TO WIN THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD OR CLICK HERE TO VISIT CLARE’S WEBSITE

Follow Clare on FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM

]]> https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/12/wirral-artist-selected-for-prestigious-visual-art-open-exhibition/feed/ 0 FOUR-YEAR PEAK IN PERCENTAGE OF CONTRACTING SMALL BUSINESSES INVESTING IN GROWTH PLANS TO TURN AROUND FORTUNES THIS AUTUMN https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/08/four-year-peak-in-percentage-of-contracting-small-businesses-investing-in-growth-plans-to-turn-around-fortunes-this-autumn/ https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/08/four-year-peak-in-percentage-of-contracting-small-businesses-investing-in-growth-plans-to-turn-around-fortunes-this-autumn/?noamp=mobile#respond Tue, 08 Sep 2026 20:07:16 +0000 https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/08/four-year-peak-in-percentage-of-contracting-small-businesses-investing-in-growth-plans-to-turn-around-fortunes-this-autumn/ Despite a 12-year low in the percentage of small businesses predicting growth over the summer months (24%), two in three enterprises say they are working hard on plans to secure future growth – and there is a four-year peak in the percentage of contracting businesses working on turnaround plans – according to research from Novuna Business Finance.

 

Nationally, two in three small business owners (66%) said they are working on initiatives to secure growth in the future – with year-on-year rises in the percentage of enterprises focusing on keeping fixed costs down (62%, up from 58% last year), improving cashflow (34%, up from 31%) and managing late payment (26%, up from 24%). Other growth projects that small business owners are prioritising include: investing in new equipment (16%), expanding into new overseas markets (16%), hiring new staff (15%) and reassessing their funding arrangements (13%).

 

Significantly, the Novuna Business Finance data reveals that 69% of those small businesses that forecast contraction between July and September are working on growth plans in an attempt to turn around their growth forecasts in the final months of the year. The percentage of contracting businesses working on turnaround plans stands at a four-year high.

  

By industry sector, small business owners in manufacturing (84%), media (75%), construction (73%) and retail (71%) are most likely to be working on new growth initiatives – with figures all up on this time last year. Across 11 industry sectors surveyed, there has been a year-on-year increase in the percentage of small businesses working on initiatives to secure future growth.

 

Jo Morris, Head of Insight at Novuna Business Finance commented: “After a very challenging summer trading period, which saw small business growth outlook fall to a record low, this research may offer hope of improving business confidence heading into the autumn months. The data conveys a real sense of resilience across the SME community. Even at a time when market conditions have  been challenging, two in three are taking steps to strengthen their business for the future. The fact that so many businesses experiencing contraction over the summer are investing time and resources to improve their outlook presents a basis for confidence for the months ahead.

 

“Many small businesses are focusing on measures to manage late payments and to protect cash flow, whilst others are investing in new machinery and looking at efficiency gains that can help improve profitability. At Novuna Business Finance, we continue  to support established businesses by helping them finance essential assets, enabling them to preserve cash flow and ease pressure on other areas of their budget. Taking a flexible approach gives small businesses greater scope to plan ahead and invest in opportunities that power future growth.”

 

Novuna Business Finance provides funding solutions to SMEs and large businesses across the UK, including asset finance, stocking finance, block discounting and sustainable project finance. 

]]> https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/08/four-year-peak-in-percentage-of-contracting-small-businesses-investing-in-growth-plans-to-turn-around-fortunes-this-autumn/feed/ 0 Former Sheffield plasterer launches first iPhone app at 61 after using AI to bring his idea to life https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/05/former-sheffield-plasterer-launches-first-iphone-app-at-61-after-using-ai-to-bring-his-idea-to-life/ https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/05/former-sheffield-plasterer-launches-first-iphone-app-at-61-after-using-ai-to-bring-his-idea-to-life/?noamp=mobile#respond Sat, 05 Sep 2026 06:22:11 +0000 https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/05/former-sheffield-plasterer-launches-first-iphone-app-at-61-after-using-ai-to-bring-his-idea-to-life/ HeyUp: Daily Movement Breaks turns television, home-office and everyday screen time into opportunities for short, equipment-free movement breaks.

SHEFFIELD, England — 22 August 2026 — Michael “Mick” O’Neil Brown, a Sheffield-born former plasterer with no previous software-development experience, has launched an iPhone app designed to help people incorporate short, manageable movement breaks into everyday life.

Mick, who turns 62 on 1 October, grew up around Sheffield’s Hyde Park Flats. He delivered newspapers there and worked in a local shop as a teenager, attended City School, and spent ten years working as a plasterer before leaving Sheffield for Canada at 27.

His new app, HeyUp: Daily Movement Breaks, takes its name from the familiar Yorkshire greeting. Although Mick spent more than 30 years in Canada and now lives in Thailand with his wife, Darlene, his connection to Sheffield has remained strong. His mother still lives in the city.

The Yorkshire identity is also built into the experience. When a movement break is ready, users can choose a spoken “Ey up!” alert, in addition to a gentle chime or a silent on-screen notification.

 

“The Yorkshire connection isn’t just in the name. When it’s time to get moving, the app can actually call out ‘Ey up!’ It is a little piece of Sheffield built into HeyUp wherever in the world you happen to be.”

— Mick Brown, founder of HeyUp

A practical idea born from experience

HeyUp was inspired by Mick’s experience of getting older and finding practical ways to remain active without always relying on a gym. In his mid-50s, he noticed that he was gaining weight and losing muscle. He became increasingly conscious of the role strength can play in mobility, confidence and independence later in life.

Part of the idea developed while Mick and Darlene were staying in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, without access to a gym. They exercised together using bodyweight movements such as push-ups, sit-ups and squats. By remaining consistent and gradually completing more repetitions, Mick noticed himself becoming stronger.

During a later hotel stay, they added another element: a phone timer prompting them to stop periodically for a short round of movement. That combination—accessible exercises, regular reminders, gradual progress and accountability—became the foundation of HeyUp.

 

“We weren’t finding another hour in the day or looking for a gym. We were using a few minutes that were already there. I could see myself getting stronger by remaining consistent and progressively doing more, and I realised the same approach could help other people get moving.”

— Mick Brown, founder of HeyUp

Turning screen time into move time

HeyUp is designed around three familiar situations: watching television, working from home and going about daily life. Users choose their situation, how frequently they want a movement reminder and how long they want the overall session to continue. They then select an exercise and a manageable repetition target.

Options include wall push-ups, knee push-ups, squats, seated squats, seated leg raises and seated arm raises. No gym, weights or specialist equipment are required. The app uses the iPhone camera to count completed repetitions and records progress without requiring the user to count manually. Body-pose detection happens privately on the device; camera footage is not recorded, stored or uploaded.

A person watching a two-hour film, for example, could complete two wall push-ups every 30 minutes. That would add eight intentional repetitions to time that might otherwise have been completely sedentary. Someone completing five repetitions every 30 minutes during a four-hour session would accumulate 40 repetitions.

 

“Most of us know we should move more, but remembering and remaining consistent are often the difficult parts. HeyUp acts like an accountability partner. It reminds you, counts for you and shows you what you have accomplished. You can begin with two repetitions if that is right for you and build from there.”

— Mick Brown, founder of HeyUp

A first-time founder, assisted by AI

Mick first considered the idea more than a year ago. The original concept focused entirely on television and carried the working name FlexFlix. He assumed that turning it into a real app would require a substantial budget and a conventional development team. Rapid advances in generative AI and “vibe coding” changed what appeared possible.

Codex and Claude helped generate and refine the code while Mick supplied the concept, product decisions, direction and testing, and worked through Apple’s development process. He created a working version in approximately one intensive week.

 

“I’m not claiming that I suddenly became a traditional programmer or wrote all the code myself. AI helped generate the code, but I had to bring the idea, make the decisions, test it and learn how all the pieces fitted together. I worked on it night and day.”

— Mick Brown, founder of HeyUp

After moving to Canada, Mick’s career included telecommunications sales with Bell Canada and work as a realtor. More recently, he has pursued projects involving entrepreneurship, apps, AI and digital marketing. He jokingly refers to his habit of learning online as attending “YouTube University”.

His route from Sheffield paperboy and plasterer to first-time app founder approaching 62 is part of the broader message he wants HeyUp to represent.

 

“It is not too late to begin something new. That applies to building an app and it applies to movement. Start where you are, do what is manageable and keep showing up. I just want to get people moving.”

— Mick Brown, founder of HeyUp

Availability and pricing

HeyUp launched on the Apple App Store on 26 July 2026. Its free plan provides three movement breaks every week indefinitely, with no subscription required. UK Pro pricing is £6.99 monthly or £39.99 annually. Through 31 August 2026, a limited-time Founder’s Lifetime purchase is available in the UK for £59.99, providing permanent Pro access with one payment rather than an ongoing subscription. A seven-day Pro trial is also available. App Store prices vary by country and region.

Download HeyUp: Daily Movement Breaks from the Apple App Store, or visit heyup.fit.

About HeyUp

HeyUp: Daily Movement Breaks is an iPhone wellness and movement-reminder app created by Sheffield-born founder Michael “Mick” O’Neil Brown. It helps users place short, equipment-free movement breaks into television time, home working and everyday routines. Users choose a schedule, exercise and repetition target; HeyUp provides reminders, counts repetitions using private on-device body-pose detection, and records progress. HeyUp is a general wellness app and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

]]> https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/05/former-sheffield-plasterer-launches-first-iphone-app-at-61-after-using-ai-to-bring-his-idea-to-life/feed/ 0 GLOBAL SIGNAL EXCHANGE FORGES STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH NEWLY-FORMED JAPAN ANTI-SCAM ALLIANCE https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/04/global-signal-exchange-forges-strategic-partnership-with-newly-formed-japan-anti-scam-alliance/ https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/04/global-signal-exchange-forges-strategic-partnership-with-newly-formed-japan-anti-scam-alliance/?noamp=mobile#respond Fri, 04 Sep 2026 16:00:11 +0000 https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/04/global-signal-exchange-forges-strategic-partnership-with-newly-formed-japan-anti-scam-alliance/ Building on significant milestones with law enforcement communities over the last year in the UK and Singapore, the newly formed Japan Anti-Scam Alliance has today committed to partnering with the Global Signal Exchange (GSE), as part of the global fightback against online scammers. 

The Japan Anti-Scam Alliance (JASA) is a public-private group launched on 26 August 2026 – supported by Big tech and the Japanese banks – to fight online fraud in Japan.

Speaking at the Anti-Scam Conference Japan 2026 – in session with the Yasuhiro Hanashi, Member of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party’s Research Commission on Public Order, Counter-Terrorism, and Cybercrime Countermeasures – GSE co-founder Lucien Taylor addressed delegates on the theme of international cross-sector co-operation, highlighting the GSE’s track record working on successful projects with law enforcement agencies, building a shared commitment to strengthening global public-private partnership against online scams. 

Supported by co-founder Google – and powered by Oxford Information Labs (OXIL) – the GSE brings together public and private sector organisations worldwide to share abuse data and threat signals in real time, enabling faster disruption of criminal activity. Tracking more than 1 Billion threat signals in real time, the GSE is a not-for-profit that allows its community members – including technology leaders such as Google, Meta and Microsoft – to pool intelligence and act at speed and scale. This global collaboration is designed to make online scams less profitable and less effective.

–Lucien Taylor, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at GSE comments: “Through GSE, we are building an international community with a shared commitment to advancing international information-sharing and collaboration – and this year’s Anti-Scam Conference in Japan was another step forward in this journey, and we look forward to working closely together with The Japan Anti-Scam Alliance (JASA), which will do much to replace fragmentation with a more joined-up approach to real-time data sharing and collaboration. The conference has done much to help build a strong cross-industry, private-public shield for the digital space and GSE will continue to work with its community members and partners to drive significant and decisive action that turns the tables on the scammers.”

For more information, visit: https://www.globalsignalexchange.org

]]> https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/04/global-signal-exchange-forges-strategic-partnership-with-newly-formed-japan-anti-scam-alliance/feed/ 0 PERONI NASTRO AZZURRO 0.0% LEADS NO & LOW CATEGORY GROWTH, NOW INTRODUCING A NEW FLAVOURED ALCOHOL-FREE BEER https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/04/peroni-nastro-azzurro-0-0-leads-no-low-category-growth-now-introducing-a-new-flavoured-alcohol-free-beer/ https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/04/peroni-nastro-azzurro-0-0-leads-no-low-category-growth-now-introducing-a-new-flavoured-alcohol-free-beer/?noamp=mobile#respond Fri, 04 Sep 2026 07:40:04 +0000 https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/04/peroni-nastro-azzurro-0-0-leads-no-low-category-growth-now-introducing-a-new-flavoured-alcohol-free-beer/
  • Limone di Sicilia (Sicilian lemon) and Arancia Rossa (Italian blood orange) mark  Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0%’s first flavoured alcohol-free beer launches in the UK ● UK flavoured beer value sales have increased by £3.1M YoY, demonstrating a  major opportunity for UK retailers1
  • Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% is the leading contributor to no and low-alcohol  growth in the UK and commands a +21% price premium versus the wider category 
    • Research from Time Out and Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0%’s new report indicates  that Gen Z and Millennials of legal drinking age are driving a major shift toward  more mindful, selective drinking habits, with 3 in 4 saying they now make  

    everyday choices more intentionally3 

    • Backed by over £1m of marketing investment that includes sampling, social,  influencer and retailer support, Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% Limone di Sicilia and  Arancia Rossa will bring more choice, distinctiveness and premiumisation to the  market 

    Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0%, the leading contributor to no and low-alcohol growth in the UK,4is  bringing more choice, distinctiveness and premiumisation to the market by launching two  flavoured alcohol-free beers in Sicilian lemon and Italian blood orange varieties – Limone di  Sicilia and Arancia Rossa.  

    Positioned as a premium, stylish alternative to other alcohol-free beers, Peroni Nastro Azzurro  0.0% flavours are refreshing and uncompromising in taste, delivering a lively sip of Italy. With  new research commissioned by Asahi UK revealing that 92% of 18–27-year-olds and 89% of  millennials and would be likely to purchase a flavoured alcohol-free beer,5 Peroni Nastro  Azzurro 0.0% flavours tap directly into emerging demands of the modern consumer. 

    Available in 4x330ml packs, with an RRP of £5.50, Limone di Sicilia (Sicilian lemon) and  Arancia Rossa (Italian blood orange) will be listed in selected Tesco stores from 24th February.  

    The launch will be supported by over £1m of marketing investment, which includes social and  influencer activity, presence at events such as American Express presents BST Festival, and a  partnership with Time Out. 

    According to Time Out x Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% ‘s new report, Gen Z and Millennials of  legal drinking age are driving a major shift toward more mindful, selective drinking habits, with 3  in 4 saying they now make everyday choices more intentionally. This behavioural shift is  transforming 0.0% drinking occasions, with younger consumers choosing alcohol‑free options  more often across dinners, picnics, social activities and wellness‑focused spaces. Crucially for  the category, taste is the #1 motivator for these drinkers and they are keen to try fruity, citrus‑led  0.0% lagers, highlighting a clear demand for premium, flavour‑forward alcohol‑free options.  These findings reinforce the opportunity for Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% Limone di Sicilia and  Arancia Rossa as the brand continues to be at the forefront of the no‑ and low‑alcohol segment. 

    Asahi UK will distribute over 500,000 samples to consumers via in-store activity, digital  promotions, a partnership with HelloFresh and by linking with new occasions, such as running  clubs. Consumers will also receive samples, offers and discounts via the Club Peroni loyalty  programme.  

    Moderation remains one of the most important UK household consumption priorities, with 54%  of drinkers moderating their alcohol consumption.6 Health, keeping things balanced, and flavour  are the top three category drivers for consumers choosing alcohol-free beer.

    Rob Hobart, Marketing Director for Asahi UK, said: “The launch of Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0%  Limone di Sicilia and Arancia Rossa represents a step-change for flavoured alcohol-free beer in  the UK and marks our commitment as a globally recognised brand in driving the alcohol-free  category forward.” 

    “With Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% generating a price premium of +21% vs the wider category,8 we know that the brand is the right choice for retailers who are looking to drive sales and profits  from alcohol-free, the fastest-growing segment of the beer market 9.” 

    The alcohol-free beer category appeals to all legal drinking age groups. However, Gen Z and  Millennials demonstrate more habitual consumption of alcohol-free beer, with over 40% of  consumers drinking it on a weekly basis. Consumer sentiment toward flavoured alcohol-free  beer is highly positive, with 77% of overall consumers indicating they are likely to purchase, and  interest strongest among younger consumer generations. Therefore, the launch of Peroni  Nastro Azzurro 0.0% Limone di Sicilia and Arancia Rossa represents a compelling opportunity  to bring innovation to the category, engaging a diverse range of drinkers and establishing new  consumption rituals.10

    ]]>     https://niconnected.co.uk/2026/09/04/peroni-nastro-azzurro-0-0-leads-no-low-category-growth-now-introducing-a-new-flavoured-alcohol-free-beer/feed/ 0