Repair Week 2026: Why Fixing Things Is Big Business in the UK

Repair Week 2026 is more than a feel-good environmental campaign. For UK entrepreneurs, sole traders and high street independents, it represents a genuine commercial opportunity.

As households continue to feel financial pressure, consumers are increasingly asking a simple question: Can this be repaired instead of replaced? 

The answer, more often than not, is yes, and that shift in mindset is opening doors for smart businesses.

What Is Repair Week?

The Restart Project is one of the driving forces behind Repair Week in the UK. The annual initiative encourages people to extend the life of everyday items, from clothing and electricals to furniture and small appliances, instead of sending them to landfill.

It aligns with broader sustainability goals and growing awareness around waste reduction. But for business owners, the key takeaway is this: demand for repair services is rising.

Why Repair Is Gaining Momentum in 2026

1. The Cost-of-Living Factor

Consumers are cautious with spending. Replacing a washing machine, mobile phone or winter coat isn’t always feasible. Repairing it for a fraction of the price makes financial sense.

2. Sustainability Expectations

Customers now expect businesses to demonstrate environmental responsibility. Offering repair services signals that your company supports circular economy principles rather than disposable consumption.

3. Legislative Pressure

New waste and recycling regulations in the UK are pushing both households and businesses towards better waste management practices. Repair naturally fits within that framework by reducing overall waste output.

Opportunities for Small Businesses

Repair Week isn’t just for repair cafés and hobbyists. It offers practical openings across sectors.

Retailers

If you sell products, especially clothing, electronics or homewares, consider:

In-store repair desks

Partnerships with local repair specialists

Hosting “repair clinics” during the week

Offering spare parts or repair kits

This builds trust and repeat custom.

Trades and Skilled Professionals

Tailors, cobblers, IT technicians, appliance engineers and furniture restorers can use Repair Week as a marketing hook:

Publish educational content on social media

Offer limited-time repair discounts

Demonstrate before-and-after transformations

Collect customer testimonials

It positions you as both expert and community-minded.

Hospitality and Events

Why not host a Repair Week networking evening? A library, local café or micropub could bring together sustainability-minded entrepreneurs and tradespeople. There’s strong crossover with the growing microbusiness scene across the UK.

Marketing Angles for Repair Week 2026

For readers of That’s Business, here are practical ways to capitalise:

Create a Repair Week landing page optimised for local SEO

Share case studies of successful repairs

Highlight cost savings versus replacement

Emphasise environmental impact reduction

Use email marketing to promote special offers

Search interest around repair spikes during awareness campaigns. Being visible at the right time matters.

The Circular Economy Advantage

Repair isn’t anti-growth, it’s smart growth.

Businesses that embrace repair often unlock:

Stronger customer loyalty

Higher lifetime value per customer

Reduced product returns

New revenue streams from servicing and maintenance

Large brands are slowly catching up, but independent businesses can move faster and communicate more authentically.

Long-Term Strategy Beyond the Week

Repair Week 2026 should not be a one-off marketing stunt. Consider embedding repair into your wider business model:

Offer extended service plans

Provide repairability information at point of sale

Train staff to discuss maintenance

Introduce refurbishment resale programmes

In a competitive marketplace, differentiation matters. Supporting repair is both commercially and ethically persuasive.

Repair Week 2026 reflects a cultural shift in the UK economy. Consumers want durability, transparency and value for money. Businesses that respond proactively will not only contribute to waste reduction, they’ll strengthen their brand, build resilience and tap into a growing demand.

Sometimes growth doesn’t come from selling something new. It comes from helping customers keep what they already have.

https://therestartproject.org

Repair Week takes place 2-8 March 2026.

SocialBox.Biz Urges London Firms to "Call Before You Scrap It"

As the UK faces a staggering £15 billion annual cost for replacing potentially still reusable items, SocialBox.Biz has issued a critical update to its "Call Before You Scrap It" campaign in alignment with Repair Week 2026 (2-8 March).

With new research from ReLondon revealing that 335 million reusable items are binned every year, SocialBox.Biz is specifically calling on companies in the City of Westminster, London Borough of Camden, City of London and also across the UK to intercept surplus IT, specifically Windows 10 laptops and MacBooks, before they are sent for energy-intensive recycling and IT disposals.

Bridging the Purpose Gap: Impact Plans for 2026

Recognizing that not every company has immediate surplus hardware, SocialBox.Biz has launched Impact Plans. 

These allow businesses without access to physical items to still increase their social impact and reduce Scope 3 emissions by sponsoring the refurbishment and distribution of technology to those who are in need.

“Repair Week 2026 is about making reusing instead of scrapping the norm,” the SocialBox.Biz team told That's Business.

“By choosing to re-use Windows 10 laptops rather than scrapping them, companies can provide a lifeline for the elderly, and the homeless moving into permanent accommodation whilst meeting their CSR mandates.”

What is the "Call Before You Scrap It" Advantage?

Secure Transition: SocialBox.Biz provides certified data-wiping, ensuring "scrapping" is no longer the only option for sensitive corporate data.

Scope 3 Reduction: Re-using and Re-homing existing tech with SocialBoxBiz is the most effective way for London firms to slash supply chain emissions compared to purchasing new

As Repair Week expands to cities like Greater Manchester, Liverpool, and Cardiff, SocialBox.Biz is ready to help UK businesses turn their old tech into engines of social impact.

"Don't let your impact be shredded," urges SocialBox.Biz. "Call us first at 0843 289 5722 before you call the scrap companies."

Case studies and the benefits of reusing before recycling and IT disposal:

https://www.socialbox.biz/news-posts

https://www.socialbox.biz/reuse-before-recycling

FACTFILE

SocialBox.Biz is a London-based Community Interest Company (CIC) dedicated to digital inclusion. Through tech reuse and Impact Plans, they help companies achieve measurable social and environmental goals.

Repair Week:

Taking place 2-8 March 2026, Repair Week is a nationwide campaign founded by ReLondon to encourage repair, reuse, and the circular economy.

https://relondon.gov.uk/resources/toolkit-london-repair-week-2026-partner-guide

CIBSE NABERS UK Energy for office ratings recognised by the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard

CIBSE Certification is delighted to announce NABERS UK Energy for Office ratings, certified by CIBSE and administered through its wholly owned subsidiary CIBSE Certification, may now meet the operational energy requirements of the UK Net Zero Buildings Standard (UKNZCBS), as defined in Annex C of the Standard.

Since taking on the role of NABERS UK administrator in 2024, CIBSE has worked closely with NABERS and the Better Buildings Partnership (BBP) to drive the decarbonisation of buildings through the rapidly expanding NABERS UK Energy for Office scheme. 

This recognition marks a significant milestone for the scheme, reinforcing its role as a trusted benchmark for operational energy performance.

Over the past months, the CIBSE Certification team and the UKNZCBS team have collaborated to ensure NABERS UK certified ratings align with the operational requirements of the Standard. Their joint efforts have been successful, ensuring that NABERS UK Energy for Office certifications - including the prestigious 4.5★ rating - may now be used to demonstrate compliance with UKNZCBS operational energy requirements for existing offices.

Kieran O’Brien, Director of CIBSE Certification, told That's Business: “We are thrilled NABERS UK Energy for Office ratings are recognised under the UK Net Zero Buildings Standard. 

"We believe this demonstrates the credibility and robustness of the scheme, providing building owners, occupiers and investors with confidence that their operational energy performance meets one of the highest sustainability standards in the UK. 

"It’s another step forward in CIBSE’s mission to support the decarbonisation of buildings and a net-zero built environment.”

The recognition of NABERS UK by UKNZCBS highlights the scheme’s growing influence in driving sustainable, low-carbon office buildings across the UK, providing a clear pathway for organisations seeking to measure, improve and validate their operational energy performance.

For more information on NABERS UK Energy for Office ratings, please visit 

https://www.cibsecertification.co.uk/nabers-uk

Action to Tackle Fraudulent Asbestos Surveyors Defrauding Householders and Businesses and Threatening Health

The British Occupational Hygiene Society, the leading awarding organisation for professionals involved in the identification, protection and analysis of asbestos is leading a national initiative to drive out criminals from the asbestos surveying industry.

Asbestos, a substance found in hundreds of thousands of UK buildings becomes cancer causing when it is disturbed, resulting in around 5,000 preventable deaths a year. 

Identifying the presence of asbestos requires specialist knowledge to safely survey, identify likely places where is present and to safely take samples.

However, around 100 companies in the UK are offering asbestos survey services without any training or qualification or using fraudulent certifications. The result is seriously endangering the health of householders and often goes hand-in-hand with sharp business practice and unlawful and dangerous removal practices.

BOHS has been assisting trading standards and a separate investigation by the Daily Mail newspaper to bring fraudulent asbestos surveyors to justice.

Responding to a national initiative, announced this week to tackle qualifications fraud Ofqual’s action plan for the prevention of qualification fraud – GOV.UK, BOHS is announcing the launch of several initiatives aimed at keeping businesses and homeowners safe from this criminal enterprise.

A national Register of Qualified Asbestos Surveyors is being launched, in consultation with the Royal Society for Public Health, which also awards in this area. The register will go live next month to enable individual surveyors to have their qualifications checked by those using their services, their employers and regulators. 

The scheme runs alongside work being done by ARCA, the asbestos contractors trade body, to ensure asbestos surveyors using the CSCS scheme have validated qualifications when working on construction sites. It also underpins the national quality scheme run by UKAS to accredit asbestos surveying companies.

Asbestos surveyors will have six months to verify their qualifications and have the opportunity to join a voluntary complaints scheme run by the professional body for asbestos experts, the Faculty of Asbestos Assessment and Management (FAAM). Verified surveyors will be able to use a logo, with an embedded verification QR code to provide clients with assurance of certification.

FAAM will also be issuing a “buyer’s guide” in March, aimed at helping businesses and individuals make procurement decisions to minimize risk and help them comply with the law.

In addition, FAAM will issue a standards statement, which outlines the competences and skills required to undertake safe and effective surveys, bringing together regulatory guidance and standards to help businesses, lawyers and insurers have a clear understanding of the professional standard of competence and care for contracts and in the case of claims in negligence.

BOHS CEO, Professor Kevin Bampton told That's Business: “Last year the scale of fraud on homeowners had got to the extent that a Google search was more likely to offer you a scam provider than a legitimate one. You can’t see, smell or taste whether asbestos is present, but the health consequences of disturbing it can be very significant and it can be a blight on property. 

"Criminals have been exploiting a loophole in the law that puts the burden on the building owner to manage asbestos. By preying on fear and the difficulty in detecting the substance, they have been ripping off businesses and home-owners and putting their health at risk.”

He continues, “As the awarding organisation for those who have been trained in this complex area, we feel the need to do more to make the public aware of the risks. 

"We have to be clear that surveying a building for the presence of asbestos is a highly complex task and a qualification on its own is not enough. But without doubt, you should never employ a surveyor without a valid BOHS P402 or RSPH Level 3 Survey qualification.”

BOHS has been the leading awarding body for asbestos surveyors for decades, but recent years have seen an alarming growth in criminal activity, including the falsification of certificates. BOHS is a charity and registration including the cost of the complaints scheme and administration of the logo verification will cost each surveyor only £20.

“We strongly advocate that people use UKAS accredited surveying firms, but also recognize that there are excellent surveyors who are not in that scheme. 

"As the professional body, FAAM want to ensure that those who have a duty to manage asbestos can access the appropriate level of professional advice and guidance. 

"Our three-fold approach to tackle qualifications fraud, help intelligent procurement and make a clear statement of minimum standards of competence aims to help deliver this. We want to avoid as many unnecessary deaths and reduce criminal activity as far as we can.”

https://www.bohs.org

Neil Jurd OBE Delivers Leadership Training to Gurkha Welfare Trust charity leaders in Nepal – Senior Leaders Embrace Online Platform and Book

Former Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment (QOGLR) veteran Neil Jurd OBE has just returned from leading a high-impact leadership workshop at the Gurkha Welfare Trust's annual training conference in Pokhara. 

The two-day session, delivered to some seventy senior leaders including medical staff and former Gurkha officers, focused on practical tools from his bestselling book The Leadership Book, in which Jurd writes that ‘quite simply, good leadership makes the world a better place’. 

He also covered some of the ideas in his popular TEDx talk "Pause & Allow.”

Feedback was immediate and powerful: "Incredibly energising," Field Director Johnny Fenn told That's Business.

"The energy, clarity, and real-world wisdom Neil brought left everyone inspired, and we're already putting it into practice."

Fifteen senior Gurkha Welfare Trust leaders now have 12-month access to Jurd's engaging and popular Leader-Connect.co.uk online learning platform, where they are already diving into courses, videos, and podcasts. 

"Lots of them told me how useful it was - they are one of the most engaged groups on the platform," Jurd said. "They're busy people working in hard to reach locations around Nepal, so remote, flexible learning fits their lives perfectly."

To support the group, Jurd provided one hundred discounted copies of the highly reviewed The Leadership Book and substantially reduced access to the platform, ensuring long-term impact for the charity's teams in Nepal and beyond.

Leader-Connect's reach is growing fast: educational trusts including Abingdon Learning at Dallam School in Cumbria, and teams from the University of Sheffield, are already using the platform for professional development, proving its value across sectors.

Jurd's credentials:  A former Sandhurst instructor, he commanded 94 Squadron, QOGLR, in Iraq from 2006–2007, where he was injured on operations. He is an ‘Entrepreneur in Residence’ at Lancaster University Management School and fellow of the Institute of Leadership. 

Awarded the OBE in 2021 for leadership development with young people, he now channels that experience into helping leaders in education, charities and business to build resilient, high-performing teams.

"Leadership isn't complicated," Jurd said. "It's simple and involves easy to learn behaviours and tools, ones that are easy to remember and apply and that work under pressure. Seeing highly capable and experienced Gurkha leaders light up with these ideas? That's why I do this."

Leader-Connect offers practical leadership training through an online platform, bestselling book The Leadership Book, and face-to-face workshops. Founded by Neil Jurd OBE, it helps managers, educators, and teams turn potential into performance, but without the fluff.

Leader Connect: Revolutionising Leadership Training for Educators – Affordable, Remote, and Built by Neil Jurd OBE

Tired of costly, time-guzzling CPD that never really quite fits? Leader Connect (leader-connect.co.uk) is the online platform schools, trusts and universities are buzzing about delivering top-tier leadership development straight to teachers' and headteachers' laptops, no travel required.

Created by Neil Jurd OBE, former Army lieutenant colonel(PICTURED), TEDx speaker, and author of the bestseller The Leadership Book, this platform turns real-world expertise into flexible, bite-sized courses. 

For just £25-£35 each, educators get masterclasses on building high-performing teams, equality and inclusion, tackling fear in schools, and leading through change, all backed by Neil's interviews with education stars like Glyn Potts MBE DL (headteacher insights), Rachel Diss (EDI in schools), and Dr. Brian Gregory (managing pressure). 

There is also content from a wide range of other experts including Headteacher Dr Victoria Carr, former RAF combat helicopter pilot Sarah Furness and mindfulness expert Maude Hirst. 

Trusted by Abingdon Learning Trust, University of Sheffield's leadership programmes, and more, Leader-Connect is ideal for remote training: watch videos, join podcasts, use the free leadership profiler, download tools, anytime, anywhere. 

No more annoying half-day absences; just practical wins that boost morale, retention, and pupil outcomes.  

It's proving very useful in Nepal where the Gurkha Welfare Trust have 15 senior leaders in remote locations across the mountainous country using the platform.  

"Leadership in education isn't theory, it's daily reality," Neil told That's Businesss. "We've made it accessible, fun, and stupidly good value. Headteachers tell us it's transforming how they lead."

With fresh content weekly, including school-specific sessions, Leader Connect is the smart way to upskill your staff without breaking the budget. Perfect for trusts, academies, and universities wanting measurable impact.

Thriving through uncertainty: Europe’s underwriting leaders gather in London to redefine profitability

Over 200 senior underwriting leaders from Europe’s leading insurers will gather in London on June 9 for The Underwriting Network: London, the industry’s premier closed-door meeting dedicated to underwriting strategy and profitability.

Held at One Moorgate Place, the event will bring together chief underwriting officers and senior decision-makers responsible for portfolio performance, risk appetite and underwriting transformation at a time of heightened economic uncertainty and competitive pressure.

As underwriting remains the cornerstone of insurance performance, market participants are navigating a complex environment shaped by softening conditions, geopolitical volatility, emerging risks, environmental challenges and capital constraints. 

Against this backdrop, underwriting leaders are being challenged to maintain discipline while responding to increasing demands for growth and innovation.

Building on the success of previous editions, The Underwriting Network: London 2026 will provide a focused platform for Europe’s most senior underwriters to examine how profitability can be sustained through collaboration, data-driven decision-making and operational resilience. Unlike broader industry conferences, the invitation-only format ensures highly targeted discussion among peers facing similar strategic challenges.

The one-day agenda explores how underwriting teams can balance pricing discipline with expansion ambitions, strengthen broker collaboration and adapt operating models as automation and artificial intelligence reshape the underwriting function. Discussions will also address regulatory pressures, distribution disruption and the evolving role of alternative capital and MGAs in shaping market dynamics.

Sessions throughout the day will examine key industry priorities, including managing profitability in a soft market, integrating AI while preserving underwriting expertise, modernising market connectivity, improving pricing through better data governance and preparing underwriters to assess emerging risks such as AI liability, cyber exposure and energy transition challenges.

Senior leaders from organisations including SCOR, AXA XL, Allianz, Liberty Specialty Markets, Swiss Re and PartnerRe will contribute to discussions exploring how underwriting organisations can adapt to an increasingly complex risk landscape.

Delegates will benefit from:

Exclusive networking with Europe’s most senior underwriting leaders in an invitation-only environment.

A focused agenda addressing underwriting profitability, discipline, and performance.

Interactive roundtables, Oxford-style debates and workshops designed for practical engagement rather than traditional panel sessions.

A highly curated audience of chief underwriting officers and senior underwriters from top-tier insurers.

A confidential setting enabling open discussion of market challenges and strategic priorities.

The opportunity to customise participation through multiple breakout discussions and networking spaces across the venue.

Key speakers will include:

Marie Biggas – Chief Underwriting Officer, SCOR Business Solutions and Fac

Mike Gosselin – Chief Underwriting Officer for UK & Lloyd’s, AXA XL

Adam Lloyd – Chief Underwriting Officer, Allianz

Henry Nelson – Chief Underwriting Officer, Liberty Specialty Markets

Andrea Scascighini – Chief Underwriting Officer – Casualty, Swiss Re

Nicolas Georgy – Chief Underwriting Officer P&C EMEA, PartnerRe

Michael Wrightman – Chief Underwriting Officer, Berkley Re UK Limited

Tony Tarquini – Founder & CEO, 5189 Limited

Helen Raff, Director, Event Portfolio, Intelligent Insurer, told That's Business: “Underwriting remains at the heart of a resilient and sustainable insurance market, but the environment in which underwriters operate is becoming increasingly complex. 

"This event brings together senior leaders from across the industry to examine how disciplined underwriting, improved data insight and closer collaboration can help firms respond to emerging risks while maintaining long-term profitability and confidence in the market.”

Featuring chief underwriting officers from across Europe, the event combines keynote discussions, collaborative workshops and structured roundtables addressing topics ranging from underwriting discipline and AI adoption to distribution strategy, product innovation, data governance and talent development.

Run by Intelligent Insurer, the leading digital hub for senior re/insurance executives, brokers and carriers, the event equips underwriting leaders with the insights, connections and practical strategies needed to strengthen performance and profitability in an increasingly uncertain market.

For more information and to apply for an invitation, visit The Underwriting Network: London https://events.newton.media/Underwriting-Network-2026

Pulse Joins Forces with Binq to Enable Seamless Embedded Lending in the UK

Pulse, a top embedded credit and SaaS company, has announced a new strategic partnership with Binq, a UK-based AI-powered business marketplace and app.

The partnership brings together Pulse's transformative embedded lending infrastructure, Binq's growing SME marketplace, and tailored funding solutions from Nucleus Commercial Finance to deliver faster, more intelligent access to finance for small businesses across the UK.

Through this collaboration, Pulse will power the underlying technology that enables real-time credit decisioning and impeccable lending journeys, while Nucleus Commercial Finance provides reliable and timely funding. 

Binq will serve as the aggregation and distribution platform, allowing SMEs to explore and access multiple funding options directly through its app and marketplace experience. This strategic partnership is designed to remove friction from business lending and significantly reduce the time it takes for SMEs to secure critical funding.

For many small businesses, accessing funding remains slow, manual, and fragmented. By integrating Pulse's API-first intelligence and data orchestration capabilities, Binq users will be able to receive near-instant eligibility assessments, complete loan applications in minutes, and access a wider range of bespoke funding options through Nucleus. 

The result is a more efficient, convenient and digital lending process for borrowers, and improved data quality and risk assessment for lenders.

Jamie Stewart, CEO of Binq, told That's Business: "Being able to access the right funding at the right time is essential for SMEs, helping them to bridge cashflow, boost inventory or invest in growth. But funding from traditional and high-street banks can often be too complicated and slow.

!Our partnership with Pulse and Nucleus removes those barriers and means business owners can see an even wider range of fast, flexible and hassle-free funding options with Binq."

Yasmine Holliday, Head of Partnerships at Nucleus Commercial Finance, commented: “Pulse's embedded lending technology will empower Binq to deliver funding in a way that is both scalable and highly responsive. 

"Partnering with Binq allows us to extend our reach and provide even more SMEs with faster access to Nucleus's bespoke funding solutions through a reputable marketplace."

Chirag Shah, CEO, Pulse, added: "At Pulse, we focus on embedding seamless, intelligent, digital credit journeys directly into platforms that SMEs already use. Our partnership with Binq, alongside Nucleus as funding provider, brings together technology, distribution, and capital to create a smarter, faster way for UK businesses to access finance."

https://mypulse.io

Entrepreneurs at Lancaster University Team Up: Fear as Fuel for Business Success

Two entrepreneurs shaping the next generation at Lancaster University Management School have released an insightful interview on how fear, often seen as a hurdle, can actually propel leaders and startups forward.

Neil Jurd OBE, founder of Leader Connect (a successful leadership training platform) and Entrepreneur in Residence/Honorary Teaching Fellow at LUMS, sits down with Dr Brian Gregory, Senior Teaching Fellow in Entrepreneurship and Strategy, and Director of the university's Entrepreneurs in Residence programme, in a new Leader-Connect podcast/video.

Brian, who left school at 16 and built Safety Management (UK) into a leading fire safety firm before transitioning to academia, shares insights from his 2025 PhD, "Heart-centred Networks: Powered by the Brain and Driven by the Heart." The research shows fear sharpens focus in uncertain markets, while "unrequited reciprocity," giving support without strings, creates resilient networks that spark innovation and growth.

Neil, who runs Leader Connect delivering practical courses to thousands, ties it to everyday business: "Brian's work proves what I've seen running my company, acknowledge fear, build trust through real help, and watch momentum build."

Brian adds: "In entrepreneurship, fear signals opportunity. Heart-centred connections turn it into advantage—something I learned scaling my own ventures."

The 49-minute chat (January 2026 release) previews Brian's upcoming course on emotional intelligence for founders. Free to watch: https://leader-connect.co.uk/videos/interview-with-brian-gregory

Synpulse appoints Marcel Loetscher as Senior Partner and Joel Smith as Partner, strengthening global leadership in Commercial Insurance and Reinsurance

Marcel Loetscher 

Synpulse, a leading financial service consultancy has announced the promotion of Marcel Loetscher to Senior Partner and Joel Smith to Partner within its Commercial Insurance, Reinsurance, ILS and Delegated Authority (CRID) practice. 

These appointments come at a time where insurers and reinsurers are reassessing their operating models due to mounting cost pressure and the demand for efficiency grows. At the same time, rapid advances in technology - especially agentic AI - are creating new opportunities to transform underwriting, claims, and finance.

Marcel Loetscher promoted to Senior Partner

Marcel Loetscher has been with Synpulse for nearly 16 years and is based in New York. He played a key role in launching Synpulse’s U.S. operation by opening its New York office in 2012, and now leads the firm’s activities across North America. 

Marcel also heads Synpulse’s global commercial insurance and reinsurance practice, steering strategy and delivery across the U.S., Canada and global markets.

Marcel helps clients navigate an increasingly complex risk landscape shaped by climate volatility, wildfires and social inflation. He uses agentic AI to create practical and measurable impact so clients can modernize their operations and move from reacting to disruption to guiding it.

Marcel told That's Business: “I'm honoured to step into this role alongside an exceptional team at a pivotal moment for our clients. 

!Together we will harness agentic AI and deep industry expertise to build stronger, future-ready insurance and reinsurance operations.”

Joel Smith promoted to Partner

Joel Smith

Joel Smith, based in Zurich, has been appointed partner after nearly ten years at Synpulse. Over the course of his career, Joel has supported major reinsurers and ILS fund managers through significant operational and technology transformations and has played an important role in shaping CRID’s global capabilities.

Across the market, companies are reassessing their operating models for strategic, market cycle, and technology driven reasons. 

This is increasing the focus on efficiency, productivity, and new ways to deliver sustained value to cedents and investors. At the same time, recent advances in Generative AI are creating entirely new possibilities for how core processes can be executed.

For the industry, this represents one of the most exciting shifts in decades. Commenting on his appointment, Joel said: “I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity. This is a fascinating time to be working within the space of reinsurance and transformation, with technology and evolving operating models creating entirely new possibilities for our clients. I look forward to continuing to build capabilities with our teams, supporting our clients as they make their operations fit-for-future, and contributing to Synpulse’s growth story in this anniversary year.”

Konrad Niggli, CEO and Managing Partner of Synpulse, commented: “These promotions reflect the strength of our people and the ambition that defines Synpulse. Marcel and Joel have shown exceptional leadership in helping our clients navigate an industry undergoing profound change, while advancing the capabilities and culture that set Synpulse apart. Their appointments reinforce our commitment to combining deep industry expertise with the potential of agentic AI to help commercial insurers and reinsurers to build the future with confidence.”

For further information visit www.synpulse.com.

New National Conference Launched in Response to Growing Demands for Employee Resource Groups to Demonstrate Strategic Impact

A brand-new conference designed to elevate the work of employee networks, resource groups and forums, and those who lead them, is launching in April 2026 in London.

ERG Blueprint, created by iCAN (the Inclusion and Cultural Awareness Network) and people intelligence company Howlett Brown, is a one-day, in-person conference aimed at professionals shaping the future of employee impact and workplace inclusion.

Taking place on Tuesday 28 April 2026 at Leonardo Royal St Paul’s hotel, the conference will bring together ERG leaders, HR and DEI professionals, Executive Sponsors and workplace inclusion advocates from across the UK. 

It will be hosted by TV personality AJ Odudu and feature high profile speakers like Richard Etienne (The Introvert Space), Charlene Brown of Howlett Brown and We Are The City’s Vanessa Vallely.

At a time when employee networks are needed more than ever to mitigate the national decline of employee engagement, as well as facing increasing pressure to demonstrate impact, navigate political tension, and align with shifting business priorities, ERG Blueprint offers future-proofing strategies, practical guidance, real-world insights, and renewed purpose.

“Employee networks are powerful engines for change – but the people running them are often under-resourced, under-supported, and expected to deliver extraordinary impact,” Ajay Mistry, Co-Chair of iCAN told That's Business.

“This conference is designed to change that - giving leaders the tools, strategy and support they need to succeed.”

What to Expect?

ERG Blueprint will offer a series of high-impact sessions on everything from future-proofing ERG strategies and structure, to influence, conflict navigation, data, branding, and resilience. 

Highlights include:

Identifying Challenges and Barriers Workshop

Framing the Value of ERGs for Chairs, Members, DEI Leads and Sponsors

Influence and Persuasion Workshop

Identifying Challenges, Barriers & Solutions Workshop

The day will also explore why ERGs matter and the challenges of leading through turbulent times, while also offering interactive workshops to help networks define their unique value points and capture their impact through better metrics.

“We know network leaders sit at the intersection of culture, strategy, and lived experience, making them the true catalysts of inclusion and belonging,” said Charlene Brown, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Howlett Brown. 

“They aren't merely volunteers, they are also strategists, influencers and connectors. This conference equips network leaders to future-proof their networks, scale their impact, and deliver measurable value aligned to organisational purpose.”

Who Should Attend?

The ERG Blueprint conference is designed for:

ERG Chairs, Co-Chairs and core team members

HR and DEI Professionals embedding networks into organisational strategy

Executive Sponsors advocating for inclusion from the top

Aspiring ERG Founders, leaders and members

Stakeholder groups, partners and consultants working alongside employee networks

Join Them

The conference is open to all sectors and is designed to foster cross-industry learning and collaboration.

Tickets are now available at: https://erg-blueprint.co.uk

FACTFILE:

iCAN (Insurance Cultural Awareness Network) is the UK’s leading independent multicultural inclusion network for the insurance sector, with over 13,000 members worldwide. ERG Blueprint marks its latest cross-industry initiative to support practical, inclusive change.

Howlett Brown is a people intelligence company, specialising in investigations, culture, sustainability, business intelligence, diversity, equity, equality and inclusion (DEEI), workplace training communications, conflict resolution, crisis, and people advisory solutions. Howlett Brown exists to help organisations build an environment where their integrity, inclusion and purpose thrive and their people risk is low.

Westwing celebrates its launch in the United Kingdom

Westwing, Europe’s #1 Beautiful Living e-commerce brand, continues its European expansion with the launch of a new market, the United Kingdom. 

Founded in 2011 by Delia Lachance together with four co-founders, Westwing was built on the idea of combining inspirational content with a curated Home & Living e-commerce experience.

Today, the company has evolved into Europe’s leading premium destination for design-focused Home & Living products. With this strategic step, Westwing makes its curated offering accessible to a broader European customer base.

The decision to launch in the UK reflects the market's strong potential for a premium Home & Living brand. 

As the second‑largest online Home & Living market in Europe after Germany, the UK is highly competitive and shaped by consumers who actively browse and seek interior inspiration. 

British Design Lovers appreciate craftsmanship and the combination of beauty and functionality, an approach embodied by the Westwing Collection, which is carefully designed in‑house. 

With 80% of British shoppers now prioritising quality, the market presents substantial opportunities for premiumisation.

“Entering the UK marks an important milestone for Westwing’s ambition to become the Superbrand in Design. British Design Lovers have a deep appreciation for quality and self-expression, values that lie at the heart of our brand. We are delighted to bring our world of Beautiful Living to one of Europe’s most influential design markets to reach even more customers”, Andreas Hoerning, CEO of Westwing told That's Business.

Although offline retail still dominates the Home & Living sector in the UK, the shift towards online shopping is accelerating, creating the perfect environment for Westwing as a true love brand in e-commerce, operating as a digital-first brand across its European markets. 

Against this backdrop, Westwing’s mission extends well beyond furniture: it is about fostering a sense of identity and providing solutions that cater to the needs of the modern British consumer. By focusing on fresh, international and emotionally aspirational content with a local twist, Westwing is uniquely positioned to fill this space.

The launch means design lovers in the UK now have access to a thoughtfully curated selection of premium furniture, décor and lifestyle inspiration from the Westwing Collection - featuring a ten-year quality guarantee - to selected local partner brands from the UK as well as international partner brands like Kartell, Le Creuset, Trudon, Louis Poulsen and Georg Jensen.

As part of its comprehensive market entry, Westwing is launching its full range of services. These include the Westwing Design Service, which provides personalised interior planning with in-house designers and realistic 3D concepts, supporting customers from inspiration to completion, as well as the dedicated B2B offering for professional clients, alongside the Westwing Delivery and Assembly Service.

westwing.de

TPP Signals AI Breakthrough — Wealth Management’s Comfort Zone About to Be Shattered?

The wealth management industry has enjoyed decades of comfortable margins, predictable fee structures and very little genuine disruption.

That comfort may be ending.

High-performance investment platform TPP, already known for benchmark-beating returns and an increasingly vocal investor base is preparing what could be the most significant shake-up the sector has seen in years.

Sources close to the firm confirm an AI-powered investment engine, internally developed and stress-tested over the past nine months, is nearing potential release.

And if early data proves sustainable, incumbents should be paying attention.

A Platform That’s Already Been Stealing Share

TPP is not a start-up chasing headlines.

Over the past 5½ years, the firm has quietly built a track record most traditional houses would struggle to match:

31.2% net of fees in 2025

20%+ annualised returns over five years

High retention

Strong organic referrals

Consistent monthly growth

While legacy firms defend fee structures and navigate regulatory drag, TPP has positioned itself as a performance-first alternative.

Investors have noticed.

Now, the firm appears ready to accelerate.

“We Think This Industry Needs a Shock”

Co-founder Lane Clark does not hide his view of the current landscape. Lane Clark told That's Business: “Let’s be honest. The traditional wealth model hasn’t meaningfully evolved in decades. Layered fees. Underwhelming performance. Defensive narratives. Investors deserve better.”

Clark confirms that TPP has been building three AI-driven investment strategies behind closed doors.

“We didn’t want hype. We wanted data. For nine months we’ve been tracking live performance. The numbers have been exceptional 28% average return, 93% accuracy on positioning decisions, zero down months, and a maximum drawdown of just 6%.”

If validated through extended live testing, those metrics would place the system among the most compelling risk-adjusted strategies currently available to retail and high-net-worth investors.

Clark continued: “We won’t release anything unless it meets our standard. But what we’re seeing is potentially transformational.”

Not Another Robo Adviser

According to insiders, this is not a passive allocation model dressed up with AI branding.

AI Investor (powered by TPP) is described as:

A risk-aware decision engine

Adaptive but not reactive

Systematic without being blindly automated

Designed to step back when conditions deteriorate

Designed to press when opportunity improves

It does not chase noise.

It does not panic.

It does not anchor to ego.

In Clark’s words: “This isn’t artificial intelligence for marketing purposes. It’s applied discipline. It behaves differently to our core strategies, but early signs suggest it may rival them.”

If AI Can Move Tech Stocks, What Happens When It Hits Wealth Management?

Recent AI-related announcements have moved entire sectors, software, legal, media, professional services, often on speculation alone.

Wealth management has remained relatively insulated.

But that insulation may be fragile.

If a high-performance platform with an existing loyal investor base introduces a credible AI execution framework with measurable results, fee-heavy incumbents may face uncomfortable comparisons.

Industry observers note that TPP already commands strong word-of-mouth advocacy among performance-focused investors.

Any expansion could amplify that momentum.

“Get Ready.”

Clark’s closing message to the market is direct: “We didn’t build TPP to blend in. We built it to outperform and to challenge an outdated model. If this product does what we believe it can do, it won’t be incremental. It will be meaningful.”

To existing clients: “You’ve been asking for another allocation opportunity. We hear you. Hold tight.”

A Cult Following, And a Ready Market

TPP has built what some describe as a “cult-like” following among performance-driven investors disillusioned with high-fee advisory models.

Client referrals reportedly account for a significant portion of new inflows, and demand for additional allocation capacity has grown steadily.

Clark acknowledges the anticipation: “Our existing clients have been asking when we’ll release another product. We’ve been very selective. But we’re close. 

"We just need to decide whether to launch these AI strategies on our platform or as a standalone product. TPP is already changing the game. The AI investment strategies look every bit as good as our platform, but they're very very different. I'm buzzing just thinking about how we can launch these when the timing is right.”

Further details are expected soon.

For incumbents, the question may not be if change is coming, but how quickly they will need to respond.

For further information on TPP please visit their website on www.tppglobal.io

Endowments Investing Challenge shortlist reflects diverse response to impact-focused investor demands

The UK charitable foundations and supporting organisations behind the future generations-focused Endowments Investing Challenge today announced their five shortlisted investment service providers and say they reflect a broad range of responses from the investment industry.

The shortlisted organisations are EdenTree Investment Management, Foresight, Octopus Capital, Tribe Impact Capital, and Triodos Investment Management.

The five organisations were selected from 60 applications, representing 55 investment service providers in seven countries, three continents, and reporting total assets under management of over £11 trillion. The shortlist is now competing for an investment mandate of up to £50 million.

They will present their portfolios at a live event at London’s Barbican Centre on 25 March, when the audience will vote for a winner.

“The number of applications shows us that despite turbulent times for sustainable investment strategies, there are firms responding to the demand from mission-aligned investors to create a portfolio that prioritises positive long-term impact,” James Anthony, Social Investment Portfolio Manager at Friends Provident Foundation, told That's Business.

The Endowments Investing Challenge was developed to find an investment service provider to develop a portfolio that puts the needs of future generations first. Seven young people - a Future Generations Panel – have been part of the process throughout, helping to shape the request for proposals and assessments and voting for a winner at the live event.

“The Endowments Investing Challenge is an opportunity to be innovative with how this money is invested, by taking the experiences of young people truly seriously,” said Jayden, one of the members of the panel.

May, another panel member, added: "We’ve reached a strong consensus about the changes we want to see. The economy needs to change, and we’ve built confidence in how our experiences as young people can help make that change happen.”

Sarah Benioff, Chief Executive of Cripplegate Foundation, said: “ A shift is underway. More and more investors are looking for intentional impact from their capital – alongside transparency, inclusivity, and long‑term thinking. This is a moment for investment service providers to rise to the challenge and deliver a balance of impact, financial performance, scalability, and the expertise needed to make it happen.”

Responses from the shortlist

Andy Clark, CEO, EdenTree Investment Management, commented: “At EdenTree we believe investment should build a bridge to a fairer future. The Endowments Investing Challenge provides a unique opportunity to truly listen to the needs and concerns of the next generation. By partnering with the Big Issue Group to prioritise long-term positive impact, we hope to harness this opportunity to accelerate a more just, inclusive and resilient society while delivering lasting value for generations to come.”

Seb Beloe, Managing Director at Foresight, said: “Our Sustainable and Impact strategies were built with investors like the Endowments Investing Challenge foundations firmly in mind. Our commitment is to serve our investors who want their capital to work hard in delivering competitive financial returns by helping to create a more sustainable global economy. We’re excited about the opportunity to work closely with the foundations and to advance this shared mission together.”

Jack Burnham, Head of Affordable Housing at Octopus Capital, said: “Rising demand and a shortage of affordable homes are creating one of the UK’s most urgent challenges, but to accelerate the delivery of affordable homes, the sector needs long-term patient capital. That’s exactly where endowments can play a vital role and where our Fund is well placed to provide mission-aligned investment opportunities.”

Cate Quentin, Head of Wealth Management at Tribe Impact Capital, said: “At Tribe, we know capital is one of the most powerful forces shaping our future. Impact investing ensures that influence is used intentionally, delivering returns while addressing real-world challenges. The most exciting part of this process is seeing younger voices genuinely influence that investment thinking. When future generations help shape capital allocation, we create strategies that are inherently more resilient, relevant, and aligned with lasting positive change.”

Sjoerd Rozing, CFA, Portfolio Manager Triodos Future Generations Fund, commented: “One in three people worldwide is under 18, yet their interests are too often overlooked as stakeholders. It's time we put their needs at the heart of investing to secure a thriving future for all. The Endowments Investing Challenge brings vital awareness to this urgent issue, and we look forward to joining the event and sharing insights.”

https://friendsprovidentfoundation.org

How to Solve the £23 billion trade-in gap? It's Alchemy!

New research learns 90% of UK consumers of electronic devices have either traded-in before or are open to the idea of trading-in in the future.

• But the full potential of this demand is unfulfilled as over a third of electronics consumers were not offered a trade-in option at the point of their last purchase.

• This represents significant unrealised trade-in value, even in categories like mobile, traditionally seen as a well-establish trade-in market, given that 64% of smartphones were neither traded-in nor recycled, leaving value on the table for manufacturers, retailers and telcos.

Alchemy, the world’s leading and fastest-growing circular tech company, today releases the first instalment of a major new research campaign which explores the consumer electronics trade-in landscape across the UK. Conducted in partnership with CCS Insights, the opening findings reveal a clear disconnect between consumer demand for trade-in programmes and their availability at the point of purchase.

Consumers in the UK are holding approximately £23.47 billion in unrealised trade-in value from unused devices, value that brands, retailers and telcos could unlock through more accessible, stronger programmes.

Every year, around one billion smartphones globally reach the end of their first useful life without being traded in. The reason is two-fold: firstly, although the number of OEMs, retailers and telcos offering smartphone trade-in programmes is constantly expanding, only 57% of UK consumers surveyed were offered trade-in in their most recent smartphone purchase. Secondly, only 44% of consumers actually traded-in their phone.

Alchemy’s research, a survey of more than 1,000 UK consumers, uncovered multiple compelling reasons why OEMs, retailers and telcos should invest in developing programmes and unlock the revenue growth potential presented by trade-in:

• Early upgrade: 64% of UK consumers say a compelling trade-in offer would prompt them to replace their smartphone earlier, shortening upgrade cycles by seven months on average.

• Premium upgrade: 70% would upgrade to a more premium smartphone model if offered a trade-in value greater than £200+, encouraging upgrades to higher end models.

• Increased basket: Trade-in also acts as an upsell trigger – 54% say affordability through trade-in would prompt them to add more accessories or extended warranties to their basket.

• Increased loyalty: 86% of respondents are more likely to remain loyal and purchase their next smartphone from the same retailer or brand given a competitive trade-in value, showing a strong correlation between trade-in programmes and customer loyalty.

The research also delved into the main consumer barriers that prevent trade-in from reaching its full potential. Despite strong interest in trade-in programmes, fair valuation is cited as the primary obstacle by UK consumers, with 34% expressing this as a concern, while 26% worry about data security when trading in devices. Finally, awareness gaps persist – 18% of consumers are unaware that older models still have trade-in value for example – leaving significant value on the table for brands, retailers and end users.

Non-mobile sectors also remain behind the curve, equating to billions in potential revenue and a missed opportunity to make premium technology more affordable and accessible across the wider consumer electronics industry. Household appliance industries achieved the lowest trade-in uptake, with just 18% of consumers participating in trade-in programmes for kitchen appliances and 8% for floorcare products. Despite this, 64% of consumers in these segments express an intention to trade-in in the future, showing the significant opportunity presented by trade-in even in categories not traditionally associated with strong trade-in programmes.

Stephen Wise, Director Global Marketing at Alchemy, told That's Business: "We've known for a while that consumers want trade-in options, but this research shows just how much money brands are leaving on the table by not offering them. When over a third of UK shoppers aren't even being asked if they want to trade-in at the point of purchase, that's a massive missed opportunity not just for revenue and loyalty, which keeps customers coming back, but for the planet too as millions of usable devices end up scrapped instead of recirculated."

"The numbers are clear: people will stick with brands that make trade-in easy and rewarding. And when they do trade-in, they're more likely to upgrade to better devices, add accessories, and replace their tech more regularly. It's a win for everyone, brands get loyal customers and greater customer lifetime value, consumers get access to better tech at more affordable prices, and devices stay in use longer instead of sitting in drawers or ending up in landfill."

Ben Wood, Chief Analyst at CCS Insight, added: “This research reinforces the momentum we’re seeing across global consumer tech buying behaviour. Trade in has moved from niche to mainstream, but the next step is consistency. For manufacturers and retailers, clear offers and transparent processes will be essential to convert intent into action and meet the huge consumer appetite identified in this study.”

From OEM, retailer and telco perspectives, brand leaders see trade‑in as far more than an ESG initiative, it’s becoming a proven growth and loyalty engine. As one household appliance manufacturer explained, “trade‑in is an acquisition tool for us, it’s how we bring new customers into our ecosystem.” 

Others emphasised retention benefits, noting that “those who trade-in with us remain more loyal and are likely to come back and buy again in future.”

The opening findings of Alchemy’s research indicate a market ready for scale: consumers motivated by value and simplicity, and brands recognising that trade-in delivers measurable commercial and environmental returns.

For the full insight report, please visit https://www.wearealchemy.com/research-and-insights or contact Alchemy to learn more: https://www.wearealchemy.com/contact

Professor Wendy Loretto appointed Head of Adam Smith Business School

Professor Wendy Loretto has been appointed as the new Head and Dean of the prestigious Adam Smith Business School at the University of Glasgow, marking a significant leadership appointment for one of the UK’s leading triple-accredited business schools.

Professor Loretto joins from the University of Edinburgh Business School, where she was Professor of Organisational Behaviour and former Dean. 

She will take up her new role at the Adam Smith Business School on 20 April.

Professor Loretto told That's Business: “It’s an honour and privilege to be taking on this role. 

"While we are all aware of the current challenging environment for Higher Education, I welcome the ambition and energy of Adam Smith Business School, and am excited to enhance its global visibility and recognition and to help realise the full potential of the collective talent of colleagues within it.”

An internationally recognised scholar in the field of work and ageing, Professor Loretto’s research focuses on age and employment, particularly the experiences of mid-to-later life workers across Europe. Her work explores how gender, age and health intersect to shape work and retirement outcomes. 

Her research is widely published in leading academic journals and is known for its strong emphasis on real-world impact. She is currently developing AI-led solutions to support healthy ageing in the workplace.

Professor Sara Carter, Vice-Principal and Head of the College of Social Sciences, told us: “We are very much looking forward to Professor Wendy Loretto joining us as Head of our acclaimed Adam Smith Business School. 

"Professor Loretto brings a wealth of experience to the role, and we are confident that she will play an instrumental role in building the School’s global reputation and rankings.”

Professor Loretto brings extensive senior leadership experience, having previously served as Deputy Dean, Director of Research, REF Director and Director of Undergraduate Programmes. She is Chair of the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the Business Graduates Association (BGA) and serves on multiple international boards and advisory committees.

Named after pioneering economist Adam Smith, the Adam Smith Business School holds the prestigious “triple crown” of accreditation from AACSB International, European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) and AMBA, placing it among an elite group of business schools worldwide.