Birmingham's Crimson expands AI apprenticeship opportunities as West Midlands tech sector continues to grow

As artificial intelligence and data-driven technologies reshape the workplace, one Birmingham-based company is making sure the next generation of digital professionals has the opportunity to build the skills employers need.

Digital transformation consultancy Crimson has opened applications for the latest intake of its apprenticeship Academy, offering aspiring technology specialists the chance to launch careers in AI, automation and data engineering while working on real-world projects.

Since the Academy was launched in 2019, Crimson has supported 33 apprentices through structured training programmes that combine recognised qualifications with practical experience. Many of those apprentices have gone on to secure consulting, technical and client-facing roles within the business, demonstrating how apprenticeships can provide an effective alternative to the traditional university route.

The timing is significant. The West Midlands has become one of the UK's leading technology regions, boasting the fastest-growing and highest concentration of digital companies outside London. As organisations continue investing in artificial intelligence, automation and advanced data solutions, demand for skilled professionals is increasing rapidly.

Crimson's Academy has been designed to help meet that demand by giving apprentices the opportunity to work alongside experienced Microsoft specialists on AI-powered transformation projects for both public and private sector clients. Participants gain valuable hands-on experience while developing the technical and professional skills needed for long-term careers in one of Britain's fastest-growing industries.

Cat Halstead, Change and Transformation Director at Crimson, believes investing in local talent has never been more important. 

Cat told That's Business: "The technology sector is evolving rapidly, particularly with the growth of AI and data-driven services, and we need to ensure people have opportunities to develop the skills required for these careers.

"Through the Crimson Academy, we're helping people gain practical experience, earn recognised qualifications and build successful careers in technology while contributing to meaningful transformation projects."

The Academy is currently recruiting for two apprenticeship pathways: Data Engineer Apprentice – Digital Native and AI Automation Apprentice – Digital Native. Both programmes are aimed at people taking their first steps into the technology sector, regardless of whether they have chosen not to attend university or are looking for a more practical route into employment.

Former apprentice Loren Thomas, who joined the Academy in 2020 as a Software Testing Apprentice, credits the programme with transforming both personal confidence and career prospects.

"My apprenticeship gave me the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally," Loren said. "It opened doors, broadened my experience and gave me the confidence to pursue a career I'm passionate about."

With applications now open, Crimson hopes to attract talented people from across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands who are eager to play a part in the region's thriving digital economy. As businesses continue embracing AI and automation, initiatives like the Crimson Academy are helping ensure the workforce develops alongside the technology itself.

AI Licences Alone Won't Transform Your Business, Says New Consultancy

For many businesses, investing in artificial intelligence has started with buying AI-powered software licences. But a new consultancy believes that's only the beginning, warning that companies risk missing out on significant financial savings if they stop there.

Boxtree Consulting has launched with a clear message for UK businesses: simply purchasing AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot is not the same as having an AI strategy. 

According to the Birmingham-based consultancy, the biggest opportunities lie in transforming everyday business processes rather than simply improving individual productivity.

Founded by operational transformation specialist Max Pardo-Roques,(PICTURED) Boxtree combines Lean principles, originally developed through Toyota's renowned production system, with modern AI technology to identify repetitive manual tasks that can be automated. 

These include activities such as invoice processing, data entry, scheduling, compliance checks and other administrative work that quietly consumes thousands of staff hours each year.

The company argues that many organisations have embraced AI on the surface, using it to draft emails or improve marketing content, while leaving their most time-consuming and expensive workflows untouched.

Pardo-Roques believes this is where businesses are overlooking substantial savings.

He told That's Business that many chief executives, finance directors and operations leaders believe they have implemented AI because staff have access to AI assistants. In reality, he argues, true transformation only begins when organisations redesign the processes where most operational costs occur.

Recent research suggests many UK businesses still have some way to go. Analysis of Office for National Statistics data found that fewer than three in ten UK businesses employing under 50 people were using AI in 2025, compared with 44 per cent of organisations employing more than 250 staff. Meanwhile, the Government's AI Champion for Advanced Manufacturing has warned that many firms remain stuck in a "pilot trap", experimenting with AI without deploying it at scale.

Boxtree's approach is deliberately practical. Every client engagement begins with a Lean diagnostic that maps business processes and identifies waste in financial terms. Projects only move forward if they are expected to generate savings that exceed implementation costs during the first year.

The consultancy is confident enough in its approach to guarantee every project will be cost-neutral within its first year, with an overall target of delivering a five-to-one return on investment.

Rather than replacing existing software, Boxtree focuses on embedding AI into the systems businesses already use, reducing disruption while improving efficiency.

Serving organisations across manufacturing, logistics, professional services and other operations-intensive sectors, Boxtree believes the next stage of the UK's AI journey will not be driven by software licences alone, but by businesses willing to rethink how work gets done.

https://boxtreeconsulting.co.uk

RentDocs Launches All-in-One Compliance Platform for UK Landlords

RentDocs.co.uk has launched a cloud-based property management platform helping UK landlords manage compliance, tenancy agreements, documents and rent administration from one secure dashboard.

With major changes to rental legislation on the horizon, UK landlords are facing increasing pressure to keep up with compliance requirements while managing their day-to-day responsibilities. 

A new British software platform, RentDocs.co.uk, aims to make that task significantly easier by bringing every aspect of rental administration together in one secure, cloud-based system.

Launched this month, RentDocs has been designed specifically for the UK rental market and provides landlords with a single platform to manage tenancy documents, compliance, rent administration and tenant communications. 

As the Renters' Rights Act introduces new legal obligations across the private rented sector, the software offers a practical way for landlords to stay organised and compliant.

Rather than relying on multiple spreadsheets, document folders and separate applications, landlords can use RentDocs to oversee their entire portfolio from one central dashboard.

Among its key features is the ability to generate tenancy agreements that comply with current 2026 legislation. The platform also securely stores essential statutory documents, including Gas Safety Certificates, Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs), while automatically reminding landlords when certificates are approaching their expiry dates.

RentDocs also allows landlords to create and distribute complete tenancy packs by email or SMS, ensuring tenants receive all the legally required documentation. Every document sent is recorded, creating a comprehensive audit trail that confirms both delivery and access—an increasingly important safeguard should disputes arise.

A live Property Health Score gives landlords an instant overview of the compliance status of each property, while integrated rent reminders help monitor payments and reduce overdue accounts.

According to founder C. Loui Yilmaz, the platform was developed in response to the growing administrative burden placed on landlords.

"Landlords are expected to comply with an increasing number of legal requirements while managing properties, tenants and documentation," he told That's Business. 

"Our aim was to build software that removes complexity. Instead of using multiple apps, spreadsheets and folders, landlords can manage everything from one secure platform."

The software has been built around UK legislation and is designed to evolve alongside future regulatory changes, helping landlords remain compliant as new rules are introduced.

Looking ahead, RentDocs plans to introduce additional features including AI-powered landlord assistance, electronic signatures, maintenance management tools, contractor portals and accounting integrations.

Available across England, Wales and Scotland, RentDocs supports the different tenancy agreement requirements that apply in each nation, making it a flexible solution for landlords managing portfolios of any size.

How to Run a Mini Beer Festival in Your Pub, Hotel or Bar

Discover how pubs, hotels and bars can organise a successful mini beer festival with guest ales, food pairings, brewery partnerships and smart promotion to boost sales.

For many pubs, hotels and bars, a beer festival conjures up images of marquees, dozens of casks, live bands and months of planning.

In reality, a successful beer festival can be much smaller, easier to organise and far more profitable than many licensees realise.

A well-planned mini beer festival can attract new customers, encourage repeat visits and generate additional food and drink sales, all without requiring a huge investment.

Why a mini beer festival works

Customers increasingly enjoy trying something different. While many drinkers have their favourite pint, they are often happy to sample limited edition ales, local craft beers, ciders or speciality lagers when given the opportunity.

By offering a carefully selected range of guest beers over a weekend or even a single evening, venues can create a genuine event that gives customers a reason to visit.

It also provides excellent opportunities to promote local breweries and support independent producers.

Keep it simple

Rather than attempting to offer 30 or 40 beers, consider stocking between six and twelve carefully chosen drinks.

These could include:

Local cask ales

Craft IPAs

Golden ales

Stouts and porters

Fruit beers

Premium lagers

Traditional ciders

Having a balanced selection ensures there is something for experienced beer enthusiasts as well as casual drinkers.

Work with breweries

Many independent breweries are keen to support local events.

They may be able to provide:

Branded glasses

Pump clips

Promotional materials

Tasting notes

Brewery representatives for meet-the-brewer sessions

Some breweries may even help promote the event through their own social media channels, increasing its reach.

Offer tasting flights

Not everyone wants to drink several full pints.

Serving tasting paddles or third-pint flights allows customers to sample several beers responsibly while increasing overall sales.

Providing tasting cards describing each beer's style, strength and flavour profile also enhances the customer experience.

Pair beer with food

One of the biggest opportunities is linking the festival with your kitchen.

Simple pairings might include:

Steak pie with a rich porter

Fish and chips with a golden ale

Burgers with an American IPA

Cheese boards matched with local bitters

Chocolate desserts paired with stouts

Food and drink pairings can significantly increase average spend per customer.

Create a festival atmosphere

A mini beer festival doesn't need expensive entertainment.

Consider:

Live acoustic music

Quiz nights

Brewery talks

Beer tasting sessions

Homebrew demonstrations

Charity raffles

These activities encourage customers to stay longer and create a memorable experience.

Promote early

Begin promoting the festival several weeks beforehand using:

Facebook and Instagram

Posters inside the venue

Local community groups

Email newsletters

Local newspapers and bloggers

Your own website

Regular updates introducing individual beers can build anticipation.

Encourage responsible drinking

Beer festivals should always promote sensible alcohol consumption.

Offer plenty of soft drinks, alcohol-free beers and food throughout the event. Ensure staff understand responsible retailing and provide information about public transport or local taxi services where appropriate.

Make it an annual event

If your first mini beer festival proves successful, consider making it a regular feature.

Seasonal festivals focusing on spring ales, summer craft beers, autumn harvest brews or winter stouts give customers something to look forward to each year while strengthening your venue's reputation.

The best beer festivals are not necessarily the biggest. With careful planning, good promotion and a welcoming atmosphere, even a modest event can become a highlight of the local calendar, attracting new customers, supporting local breweries and delivering a healthy boost to wet and food sales.

KeySIM Launches Flexible Pay-As-You-Go IoT SIM Pricing for UK Businesses

KeySIM has unveiled new pay-as-you-go IoT SIM pricing for UK businesses, offering multi-network connectivity, no minimum contracts and flexible data plans for connected devices across the UK and Europe.

UK-based IoT connectivity provider KeySIM has introduced a new pricing structure aimed at businesses deploying more than 100 Internet of Things (IoT) SIM cards, offering a flexible pay-as-you-go alternative to traditional connectivity contracts.

The new tariffs are designed to help organisations reduce unnecessary costs while providing reliable multi-network connectivity for everything from CCTV systems and industrial automation to environmental monitoring and remote networking.

Under the new commercial offering, UK businesses can access multi-network IoT SIM cards for a monthly rental of just £1.50 per SIM. Mobile data is charged at £0.0025 per megabyte on a true pay-as-you-go basis, ensuring customers only pay for the data they actually consume. 

Businesses requiring connectivity across both the UK and Europe can opt for KeySIM's UK and European service, priced at £3.25 per SIM per month, with European data charged at £0.008 per megabyte.

Unlike many traditional IoT connectivity packages, KeySIM imposes no minimum contract terms, allowing customers to cancel SIMs whenever required. UK voice calls and SMS messages are both charged at £0.05 per minute or message.

A key feature of the service is its multi-network capability. KeySIM's IoT SIM cards connect to all four major UK mobile networks, Vodafone, O2, EE and Three, helping businesses maintain connectivity by automatically selecting the strongest available signal.

The company says its unsteered SIM technology provides an important advantage over many conventional IoT SIMs, which often prioritise a preferred network and can experience unnecessary disconnections. For organisations that require greater control, customers also have the option to manually steer SIMs to a preferred network during planned maintenance, local outages or service disruptions.

KeySIM also offers optional fixed IP addresses, enabling secure remote access to CCTV installations, telemetry systems, industrial equipment, routers and other connected devices.

Founder Graham Robinson said the new pricing reflects the company's continued growth and commitment to transparent, technically robust IoT connectivity.

He told That's Business: "The launch of these new tariffs comes at an exciting time for KeySIM," he said. "The business now supports more than 500 customers and, during June 2026 alone, transited more than 10 million megabytes of data across our platform. These milestones reinforce our commitment to delivering transparent, flexible and technically robust IoT SIM connectivity for businesses throughout the UK and Europe."

The financial benefits of the model are already being realised by customers. Irish security specialist CSC Security Consultants switched from a pooled data arrangement to KeySIM in 2022 after discovering that around 27 per cent of the mobile data it had been purchasing was never actually used.

Managing Director Declan Cassin said the move had significantly reduced unnecessary expenditure while also delivering excellent technical support. He added that KeySIM successfully integrated the firm's CCTV connectivity into its RE Monitoring Centre, providing secure monitoring capabilities for its camera systems.

As businesses continue to expand their use of connected devices across multiple sectors, demand for flexible, usage-based connectivity is increasing rapidly. KeySIM's latest pricing is aimed squarely at organisations looking to scale their IoT deployments without being tied into long-term contracts or paying for unused data.

https://www.keysim.co.uk

That's Technology: Infinigate Appoints Kai Grunwitz as Chief Growth O...

That's Technology: Infinigate Appoints Kai Grunwitz as Chief Growth O...: The Infinigate Group has strengthened its executive leadership team with the appointment of Kai Grunwitz (PICTURED) as Chief Growth Officer ...

LendingCrowd Recognised Among Scotland's Fastest Growing Businesses

LendingCrowd has added another major accolade to its growing list of achievements after being named in the inaugural Sunday Times Scotland Fast 50, which celebrates the fastest growing businesses in Scotland.

The Edinburgh-based financial technology (fintech) lender earned its place alongside some of the country's most innovative companies after demonstrating exceptional growth over the past two years. To qualify for the list, businesses were required to achieve average annual revenue growth of at least 20%, before a judging panel selected the final 50 companies.

The recognition follows another milestone for LendingCrowd, which was recently named Scotland's fastest growing technology company in The Sunday Times 100 Tech 2026. Together, the awards underline the company's continued expansion as it strengthens its position in the UK's SME lending market.

Founder and Chief Executive Stuart Lunn welcomed the latest recognition, telling That's Buisiness: "This is a fantastic result for LendingCrowd as we continue on our mission to be the trusted source of affordable finance for SMEs across Britain."

LendingCrowd has built its reputation by providing straightforward, affordable finance to established small and medium-sized enterprises that can often struggle to secure funding through traditional high street banks. By combining modern financial technology with experienced credit decision-making, the company aims to make business borrowing faster, simpler and more accessible.

Since its launch in 2014, the lender has expanded significantly. Originally established as a peer-to-peer lending platform, LendingCrowd completed its transition to institutional funding in 2022. The move enabled the business to increase its lending capacity and support a greater number of growing companies across Britain.

Today, LendingCrowd offers business loans ranging from £75,000 to £500,000, with repayment terms of up to five years. Fixed interest rates and the flexibility to make early repayments or overpayments without penalties are designed to provide businesses with a more predictable and affordable alternative to short-term borrowing.

The company has now delivered more than £600 million in loans to British SMEs, highlighting both the scale of its operations and its long-term commitment to supporting business growth.

Recognition in the Sunday Times Scotland Fast 50 also builds on LendingCrowd's impressive track record in other industry rankings. 

The company has appeared several times in the annual Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50, most recently in 2025 when it was named Scotland's fastest growing technology business. 

It also secured 28th place in Deloitte's EMEA Technology Fast 500, ranking it among the fastest growing technology companies across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

For Britain's SMEs, the continued success of companies such as LendingCrowd demonstrates how fintech innovation is helping to broaden access to business finance while supporting economic growth across the UK.

https://www.lendingcrowd.com