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.

Investing in low-carbon commodities can boost returns by 22%

Investing in low-carbon metals and agricultural commodities can boost returns by up to 22%, according to new research from emlyon business school.

Investing in these commodities can also reduce a portfolio’s carbon footprint, combining stronger returns with lower environmental impact. With the researchers stating that gold and silver in particular are both much lower carbon investments than other metals.

The findings come from research by Guillaume Coqueret, Professor of Finance and Data Science at emlyon business school, alongside Bertrand Travin, also a professor at emlyon business school, and Yuxin Zhou, PhD Candidate at emlyon business school & Université Lyon.

The researchers aimed to understand the impact of investing in green commodities, as previous studies have largely focused on green-related companies rather than commodities.

They measured the greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption of these commodities over a set period, comparing them with traditional commodities. Investment returns over the same period were then analysed to assess both environmental and financial performance.

The researchers found shifting part of a portfolio toward low-carbon commodities does not hurt returns and can improve risk-adjusted performance. When low-carbon commodities represent 20 percent of a portfolio, investor welfare - measured by certainty equivalent returns - can rise by up to 22 percent.

A portfolio weighted toward green agricultural commodities cuts greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent compared with a standard commodities portfolio, while low-carbon metals can reduce emissions by up to 80%.

Combined with green stocks and bonds, these commodities can significantly shrink a portfolio’s carbon footprint while improving diversification and performance.

“Our study shows that sustainable commodities can be a win-win: better for the planet and better for investors,” says Professor Coqueret told That's Business.

“Investors can improve returns and reduce emissions at the same time, without compromising performance.”

The research also found that sustainability is not yet priced into commodity markets, meaning green commodities do not automatically cost more or yield less, creating an opportunity for investors to align financial and environmental goals.

“By including low-carbon commodities in portfolios, investors can encourage producers to adopt greener practices while improving their own returns,” adds Professor Travin.

The findings highlight the untapped potential of sustainable commodity investing, offering a pathway to stronger financial performance and a smaller environmental footprint. For portfolio managers, investing in these commodities makes sense both financially and environmentally.

https://em-lyon.com/en

How to Edit and Create Videos Using YouTube Studio

A practical guide for small businesses and content creators

If you’re running a small business, academy, shop or blog network, video is no longer optional. It builds trust, boosts discoverability, and gives your audience a reason to stay connected. 

The good news? You don’t need expensive software to get started.

YouTube Studio offers a surprisingly capable set of tools to upload, edit, optimise and analyse your videos, all within your browser.

Here’s how to use it effectively for business growth.

1. Getting Started: Uploading Your Video

Log into your YouTube account.

Click your profile icon and open YouTube Studio.

Select Create → Upload videos.

Drag and drop your file.

You’ll then enter the Details screen, where the business magic begins.

Optimise for Search (SEO Basics)

For a business-focused channel:

Use clear, keyword-rich titles.

Write descriptions that explain who the video is for.

Add relevant tags (supporting, not stuffing).

Create a custom thumbnail that looks professional and branded.

Tip: Think like a customer searching for a solution, not like a filmmaker naming an art project.

2. Basic Editing Inside YouTube Studio

Once uploaded, open your video and click Editor in the left menu.

You can:

✂ Trim & Cut Sections

Remove mistakes, awkward pauses or off-topic tangents without re-uploading.

🎵 Add Music

Use royalty-free tracks from YouTube’s Audio Library.

🔲 Blur Faces or Areas

Helpful if filming in public or protecting customer privacy.

🔗 Add End Screens

Promote:

Another video

A playlist

Your website

A subscribe button

For business owners, end screens are critical. They turn viewers into subscribers or customers.

3. Using Playlists Strategically

Playlists aren’t just organisation tools, they’re sales funnels.

For example:

“How-To Tutorials”

“Client Case Studies”

“Product Demonstrations”

“Behind the Scenes”

When one video ends, the next plays automatically, increasing watch time and authority.

4. Creating Shorts for Reach

YouTube Studio also supports Shorts (vertical videos under 60 seconds).

Shorts are excellent for:

Quick tips

Product highlights

Customer testimonials

Event snippets

They often reach non-subscribers more easily than long-form content.

5. Analytics: Where Businesses Win

Inside the Analytics tab you can track:

Watch time

Audience retention

Traffic sources

Click-through rate

Subscriber growth

If viewers drop off after 30 seconds, tighten your intros.

If search is your main traffic source, double down on keyword-led videos.

Treat it like market research, because that’s exactly what it is.

6. Adding Chapters for Professional Polish

Use timestamps in your description to create chapters:

00:00 Introduction  

01:20 Why This Matters  

03:45 Step-by-Step Guide  

08:10 Key Takeaways  

This improves user experience and can boost visibility in search results.

7. Consistency Over Perfection

You don’t need cinema-level production. Businesses grow on:

Clarity

Consistency

Value

A steady schedule, even one video per week, builds momentum.

YouTube Studio gives SMEs and creators a powerful, free toolkit for producing and refining video content. Used strategically, it becomes more than an editor, it becomes a marketing engine.

If your business isn’t using video yet, the barrier to entry has never been lower.

Mould Remediation Goes Digital: UKAME Launches Online Membership Platform with Industry-First Verification Badges and AI-Powered Compliance Tools

As Awaab's Law forces landlords to act on damp and mould within days, UKAME launches the mould industry's first fully digital membership platform, featuring verifiable digital badges for trained technicians, an AI tool built on international remediation standards, and ready-to-use health and safety documentation.

The platform gives housing providers a way to instantly verify that the specialist at their door is actually qualified to be there.

The UK Academy of Mould Experts (UKAME) has launched a first-of-its-kind digital membership platform for the mould remediation industry, introducing technology-driven tools designed to professionalise a sector under intense regulatory and public scrutiny.

At its core is a problem that's dogged the industry for years: when a housing association, landlord, or homeowner hires a mould remediation specialist, there has been no quick, reliable way to check whether that person is genuinely trained and competent. 

With Awaab's Law now compelling social landlords to remediate damp and mould within strict timeframes and the Renters' Rights Bill set to extend similar obligations to the private sector — the demand for qualified specialists has surged. But so has the number of untrained operators entering the market.

"The biggest question housing providers ask us is: 'How do I know this contractor is actually qualified?' Until now, there hasn't been a good answer. A PDF certificate in someone's email is easy to fake and impossible to verify at speed. We've built something that solves that problem instantly."

— Tom, Founder, UKAME

Digital verification badges: a first for the industry

The centrepiece of the UKAME platform is a verifiable digital badge system for trained mould remediation technicians. Each badge is linked to the individual's training record and membership status, and can be checked in real time by anyone, a housing association procurement officer, a landlord, or a member of the public. If a technician's training has lapsed or their membership is inactive, the badge reflects that immediately.

This addresses a critical gap in the current market. While other training bodies issue certificates, those certificates are static documents with no live verification. UKAME's digital badge is dynamic: it confirms not just that someone was trained at some point in the past, but that they are currently a member in good standing with up-to-date qualifications. 

For housing providers operating under the tight deadlines of Awaab's Law, this instant verification removes a significant layer of risk from their contractor selection process.

AI-powered compliance tool built on international standards

The platform also features an AI-powered tool that allows members to query technical questions drawn from the IICRC S520 Standard for Professional Mold Remediation, the globally recognised benchmark for the sector. The tool provides practitioners with on-demand access to guidance on containment procedures, PPE requirements, spore behaviour, moisture mapping protocols, and remediation methodology, grounded in the science rather than guesswork.

For an industry where there are currently no UK-specific mould remediation guidelines or acceptable exposure limits, this represents a significant step forward. Practitioners working on site can access authoritative, standards-based answers in seconds, whether they need to confirm a containment protocol mid-job or check the correct approach for a category of water damage they haven't encountered before.

"There are no UK-specific standards for mould remediation. The IICRC S520 is the closest thing the global industry has to a rulebook, but it's a dense technical document that most practitioners don't have to hand. Our AI tool puts that knowledge in every member's pocket. It doesn't replace training, it reinforces it, every day on site," Tom, Founder, UKAME told That's Business.

Health and safety resources that close the compliance gap

Beyond training and verification, the platform equips members with practical health and safety documentation including RAMS (Risk Assessment and Method Statements) templates, COSHH assessment guidance, and other compliance resources specifically tailored to mould remediation work. 

Mould species appear on the HSE's Approved List of Biological Agents as Hazard Group 2 human pathogens, meaning remediation work carries genuine health risks that require proper documentation and controls, yet many operators in the market currently work without adequate RAMS in place.

For corporate members operating remediation teams, the platform provides a centralised way to manage training records, ensure team members maintain current qualifications, and access the documentation needed to demonstrate compliance to housing providers and insurers.

Why now?: the regulatory moment

The platform launches during a period of unprecedented regulatory change for the UK housing sector. Awaab's Law, which came into force in October 2025, requires social landlords to investigate damp and mould hazards within 10 working days and complete remediation within five.

The legislation was introduced following the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak from prolonged mould exposure in his Rochdale home. 

Phase two of the law in 2026 will expand to cover additional hazards, and the Renters' Rights Bill will extend equivalent protections to private tenants.

The scale of the challenge is vast. Government data suggests up to 6.5 million UK households are affected by damp and mould. 

A 2025 Health Equals survey found that 28% of people across the UK report living in homes with damp, mould, or cold. 

The Housing Ombudsman received over 16,000 complaints about damp and mould between 2019 and 2024, with the issue now representing half of all casework. 

For housing providers facing this volume of demand, having a digital tool to instantly verify contractor competence is not a luxury, it's rapidly becoming a necessity.

"We're not just offering a membership card. We're giving the industry digital infrastructure it's never had — live verification, AI-powered standards guidance, and the health and safety documentation that should be non-negotiable for anyone working with Hazard Group 2 biological agents. Every other serious trade has moved in this direction. It's time mould remediation caught up."

What the membership includes

UKAME membership is available in two tiers. Individual Membership is designed for sole practitioners and employed technicians, and provides access to the digital badge, AI compliance tool, RAMS templates and health and safety resources, discounted CPD training rates (including 50% off refresher courses), and listing in the UKAME professional directory. 

Corporate Membership, aimed at companies with remediation teams, adds 25% off all training across the team, centralised training record management, and enhanced directory visibility. Both tiers include quarterly member communications with regulatory updates and industry guidance.

Membership is open now at mouldexperts.org.uk.

Infinigate UKI and OpenOrigins Partner to bring verifiable media authentication to the UK&I channel

Justin Griffiths

Infinigate UK & Ireland, the value-added distributor specialising in cybersecurity, secure networks and secure cloud has today announced a new vendor partnership with OpenOrigins, a decentralised authentication platform designed to verify the authenticity of digital media and help organisations combat deepfakes and AI-generated content.

The partnership will initially focus on UK & Ireland, enabling Infinigate’s channel community to address an urgent and fast-growing challenge around establishing trust in the images and videos used across their organisation.

Industry analysts expect deepfakes to become mainstream in 2026, with the threat shifting from reputational damage to direct financial gain by criminals. 

As a result, organisations are increasing their investment in deepfake detection technologies, with spending predicted to rise by 40% in 2026 across industries and use cases. (forrester.com)

For channel partners, OpenOrigins opens up a practical, high-value conversation across a broad set of use cases, including:

Corporate communications and brand protection

Fraud prevention and evidential integrity workflows

Media and content production

Identity and trust assurance scenarios where visual proof matters

Ari Abelson, Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer at OpenOrigins, told That's Business: “Safeguarding non-synthetic content by establishing provable provenance has become essential to protect businesses from corporate fraud.

"OpenOrigins’ approach overcomes the limitations of AI detectors and other reactive solutions that are no longer able to meet the escalating challenge. Partnering with a cybersecurity specialist such as Infinigate fits perfectly with our intent to build trust and security back into the Internet."

Justin Griffiths, RVP Infinigate UK&I, added: “OpenOrigins brings a smart and absolutely dependable way to protect data integrity at a time when authenticity is becoming a board-level concern. Together, we’ll help our partners take a provenance-led approach to trusted media, backed by the enablement, technical support and route-to-market services they expect from Infinigate, while unlocking new growth opportunities.”

FACTFILE:

The Infinigate Group, the leading technology platform and trusted advisor in Cybersecurity, Cloud & Network Infrastructure sets itself apart for its deep technical expertise, delivering locally tailored solutions and services to SMB and enterprise customers across EMEA and ANZ. Relying on a strong central supply chain and an extensive portfolio of leading-edge solutions, Infinigate sparks growth for vendor and channel partners.

For additional information please visit www.infinigate.com

OpenOrigins is building the trust layer for the internet, giving authentic people and media a permanent, verifiable path in the AI-driven internet. Powered by Cambium, a novel Internet-scale provenance protocol, we enable any digital asset to prove its origin independently of custody, distribution, or storage. This ensures authenticity persists wherever data travels across the digital world. For more information, please visit https://www.openorigins.com.

eurochange Wins ‘Best Currency Travel Card’ at the Moneynet Awards

eurochange, the UK’s specialist currency exchange provider, has begun the year on a high by winning Moneynet Awards’ Best Currency Travel Card.

Recognising the brand’s commitment to innovation, value and customer experience in the travel money sector, the award celebrates the eurochange Travel Money Card, which is powered by Mastercard®. 

This prepaid travel money card provides customers with a secure, convenient and cost-effective way to manage money abroad, and judges highlighted its ease of use and suitability for today’s traveller.

Andrew Haggar, Founder and CEO of Moneynet, told That's Business: “eurochange impressed our judges with a travel card proposition that combines strong value with simplicity and reliability. 

"In a crowded market, their product stands out for delivering a seamless experience that genuinely meets the needs of modern travellers.”

The Moneynet Award adds to a series of prestigious accolades for eurochange in recent months, reflecting excellence across customer service, operational performance and workplace culture. These include:

Good Business Pays’ 2025 Fast Payer Award, recognising strong payment practices and supplier relationships.

Bronze for Best Retailer for Forex/Travel Money at the British Travel Awards 2025.

SME News Business Elite Awards’ Best Foreign Exchange Provider 2025 and Customer Service & Employee Wellbeing Excellence 2025.

Commenting on the continued recognition, Charles Stewart, Managing Director eurochange & Leading Western Union Owned Stores in Europe, told us: “We are so pleased to receive this award, reflecting our focus on delivering a travel money card that offers real value, simplicity and trust for customers, supported by a strong partnership with Mastercard.

"It’s superb to see this, alongside our wider work across the business, recognised by multiple industry bodies.”

The annual Moneynet awards recognise the top personal finance providers and products from the previous twelve months. They are noted for celebrating the foreign currency providers, banks, building societies and credit card companies that have gone that extra mile and delivered great deals for consumers.

This latest recognition further strengthens eurochange’s position as a trusted provider of travel money solutions for customers across the UK and, as part of the Western Union family, beyond.

eurochange.co.uk