Guidance: Strategy and Delivery Plan Guidance: Mega Projects
The UK government has issued new guidance requiring Senior Responsible Owners and Accounting Officers to develop, approve, and publish a Strategy and Delivery Plan (SDP) for any project designated as a Mega Project. The SDP framework aligns with the Treasury’s Green Book and the five‑case model, embedding value‑for‑money and risk‑management principles. It also references NISTA assurance standards to ensure consistent project setup and oversight. Published on 26 March 2026, the guidance formalises the governance, budgeting, and transparency expectations for large‑scale public initiatives.
What’s Next for Cuba?
The Trump administration has imposed a de facto blockade on Cuba’s fuel imports, plunging the island into a deep economic and humanitarian crisis. President Donald Trump repeatedly declares the Cuban regime’s “imminent demise” yet offers no concrete roadmap for post‑regime governance....
RPA Matters, but AI Changes How Automation Works
RPA remains a proven method for automating repetitive, rule‑driven tasks such as data entry and invoice processing. However, the rise of generative AI and large language models is pushing vendors toward “intelligent automation” that can handle unstructured inputs and adapt...
IMI Media Academy Appoints Chantal Saliba, Khalid Al Hosani to Leadership Positions
IMI Media Academy announced two senior appointments: Chantal Saliba as Academy Media and Training Director and Khalid Al Hosani as Academy Operations Director. The academy, which delivered over 800 training hours in 2025 and has trained more than 1,000 professionals, aims...
Presenting? Your Hands Point the Way
A recent Harvard Business Review article highlights that hand gestures, especially the “illustrator” style, make speakers more persuasive and understandable. Two studies cited show that using hands to visually represent concepts boosts audience comprehension and perceived credibility. Professor Michael Maslanka...
Hiring: Why It’s So Slow and What Might Speed It Up
A GoodTime survey of 504 senior talent‑acquisition leaders found that 90% of companies missed their hiring goals, with AI‑generated fake candidates identified as the top hiring threat for 2026. Gartner warns that AI has turned recruiting into an arms race,...
Faces of Facilities: Stephen Odom on Trades-Based Leadership
Stephen Odom, a senior facilities manager at Papa John’s, leverages two decades of mechanical‑trade experience to oversee roughly 250 restaurant sites. He argues that deep technical knowledge improves contractor management, asset data collection, and rapid problem solving under pressure. Odom highlights...
Wall Street Bonuses Hit an All-Time Record in 2025—But the Outlook for 2026 Is Already Darkening
Wall Street’s securities industry posted a record $49.2 billion bonus pool in 2025, a 9% rise over the prior year, while average bonuses climbed to $246,900. Pretax profits surged 30% to $65.1 billion, driven by strong trading, underwriting and asset‑management fees. Despite...
Pony AI Breaks Even, Aims to Launch Robotaxis in 20 Cities
Pony AI reported its first profitable quarter, posting a net income of $75.5 million for the three months ended December. The company’s full‑year loss shrank 72 % to $76.8 million, while revenue grew 20 % to $90 million. The profit stemmed primarily from an early‑stage...
ITE and BDx Data Centers Partner on Talent Development for Singapore's Digital Infrastructure Sector
The Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and BDx Data Centers have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create a talent pipeline for Singapore’s digital infrastructure sector. The partnership will give ITE students hands‑on training at BDx’s AI‑ready SIN1 data‑center, embedding...
![[Industry News] DIVA Agency Launches New Community and Creator Division Dedicated to Fan Engagement, Creator Partnerships and Community Building](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://mcvuk.com/wp-content/uploads/div.png)
[Industry News] DIVA Agency Launches New Community and Creator Division Dedicated to Fan Engagement, Creator Partnerships and Community Building
Diva Agency is launching a dedicated Creator and Community division in March 2026, led by Charlotte Willis, who grew the firm’s influencer business by 300% in 2025. The new team will serve the agency’s global games and entertainment clients, acting as...
COSCO Resumes Gulf Bookings
China’s state‑backed COSCO Shipping Lines announced it will resume new bookings for standard freight containers from the Far East to the Gulf, covering the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Iraq. The decision reverses a March 4 suspension triggered by...
Asylum-Seeker Health Staff Gain Right to Work in NHS
From 26 March 2026 asylum‑seeking doctors, nurses and other qualified health professionals who have waited at least 12 months for an initial asylum decision will be allowed to work in any role listed on the Appendix Skilled Occupations at RQF level 6 or above,...
Uber Discontinues Shuttle in Delhi NCR, Shifts Focus to B2B Employee Transport Services
Uber announced the discontinuation of its Shuttle bus service in Delhi NCR, effective March 27, marking the exit of its bus‑based commute offering from India’s last remaining market. The move follows similar shutdowns in Mumbai and Hyderabad, which were attributed...
HAVAS Red Middle East Launches CRed to Bridge Brands and the Creator Economy
HAVAS Red Middle East has launched CRed, a new creator‑marketing practice that integrates the agency’s PR, influencer and experiential capabilities. CRed aims to shift brand‑creator collaborations from short‑term transactions to long‑term, credibility‑driven partnerships rooted in regional culture. The service will...
Tribunal Rules in Favour of Addison Lee Drivers over Compensation
An employment tribunal in Watford ruled in favour of over 900 Addison Lee drivers, confirming they are workers entitled to minimum wage, holiday pay and other employment rights. The judgment establishes the principles for calculating compensation, which lawyers estimate will...
The Biggest Winners and Losers of the Tariff War as AI-Related Trade Skyrockets
The McKinsey Global Institute report finds that despite record‑high U.S. tariffs, global trade expanded faster than the world economy in 2025, with AI‑related shipments accounting for roughly one‑third of that growth. U.S.–China trade fell about 30%, wiping out $130 bn in...
Iran War: Why a Trump Climbdown Won’t Save Asia’s Economies
A year after President Trump’s trade assault, Asian economies escaped tariff fallout thanks to market pressure and AI‑driven growth, but the Iran‑Israel war has reignited a severe energy shock. Goldman Sachs warns that soaring oil and LNG prices could derail...
Pentathlon Ventures Closes Fund II at Rs 255 Cr
Pentathlon Ventures closed its second fund at Rs 255 crore (≈ $31 million), targeting 16–20 seed‑stage B2B tech startups. The fund expands its focus to enterprise AI transformation, fintech, healthtech, cybersecurity, logistics and manufacturing. Backed by family offices, HNIs and entrepreneurs across India, the...
What Qualities Matter Most in Radio’s Next Generation of Leaders?
Radio Ink surveyed the Top 20 leaders in radio to uncover the traits they deem essential for the next generation of executives. The consensus emphasizes a deep love for radio, strong character, and a blend of creativity, curiosity, and collaboration....
Budapest Boasts Minimal Wage Gaps Between Women and Men
Budapest’s public transport operator BKV announced that its 2025 gender pay analysis shows an average hourly wage gap of –6.8% and a median gap of –7.3%, indicating women earn slightly more than men. Bonus distribution is similarly balanced, with a...
Hyundai Plots US Model Expansion, Doubled Sales in China
Hyundai announced a $26 bn investment to launch 36 new models in North America by 2030, up from the current 25, and to localise production of a midsize pickup and long‑range EVs exceeding 600 miles. The automaker also aims to more...
Foxtale Signs Tilak Varma as Brand Ambassador
Foxtale has appointed Indian cricketer Tilak Varma as the face of its sunscreen line, extending the ‘Play On Till The Sun’s Gone’ campaign. The partnership highlights a shift toward using young athletes to influence grooming and skincare habits. The campaign...
THG Shares Soar as It Swings Back to Profit in ‘Coming of Age Moment’
THG plc announced a return to profitability for 2025, reporting after‑tax profit of $68.7 million versus a $414 million loss the prior year. The turnaround was driven by a $131 million cash inflow from the sale of its ingredients unit Claremont and a...
Co-Op CEO to Step Down as the Group Swings to a Loss in 2025
Co‑op Group CEO Shirine Khoury‑Haq will step down after four years, with interim successor Kate Allum appointed. The change follows an underlying pre‑tax loss of £125 million (about $160 million) for the year to 3 January 2026, after revenue fell 2.3% and a...
Malaysia Targets Intra-Asia Travel as Middle East Tensions Reshape Demand
Amid rising Middle East tensions, Malaysia is reshaping its tourism strategy to capture intra‑Asian travel demand. The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry is redirecting the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign toward Asian source markets and exploring transit routes that avoid Middle Eastern...
Keventers Names Shaurya Prabhat as CEO to Drive Next Growth Phase
Heritage milk‑shake chain Keventers appointed long‑time executive Shaurya Prabhat as CEO, targeting rapid expansion with 70 new outlets this year and a plan to triple its footprint in three years while courting Gen Z through a refreshed menu. Prabhat, who...
Al Dhannah City Picks Entourage to Lead Destination Marketing and Communications
Entourage, a leading creative agency in the Middle East, has been hired to spearhead destination marketing, brand positioning, and integrated communications for Al Dhannah City. The agency will craft a differentiated identity and a structured roadmap covering brand strategy, narrative development, and...
Royal Mail | Are Your Targets Driving Performance - or Encouraging Employee Misdirection?
Royal Mail postal workers allege they were instructed to conceal undelivered mail to make delivery targets appear met. The company defended its performance‑measurement system, but an employee described the practice as embarrassing and deceitful. The claims surfaced alongside a LinkedIn...
FTE Founder Update: A Heartfelt Goodbye as FTE Enters an Exciting New Era in Our 20th Anniversary Year
Future Travel Experience (FTE) marks its 20th anniversary as founder Daniel Coleman steps back from daily operations, handing the reins to new Managing Director Max Gosney. Coleman praised the global platform that connects thousands of aviation leaders and highlighted its...
IWD Voices: Kaveri Khullar – ‘Confidence Should Not Be a Prerequisite for Participation’
Kaveri Khullar, speaking for International Women’s Day, argues that confidence should emerge from participation rather than be a prerequisite for it. She highlights a persistent gap in female allyship, noting that women often focus on delivering results instead of uplifting...
Barclays Sees 13–14 Million Bpd Oil Supply Loss From Prolonged Hormuz Disruption
Barclays estimates that a prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz would remove 13‑14 million barrels per day from global oil supply, representing roughly 13% of projected 2026 demand. The bank warns that if the disruption extends into late April, Brent...
Zero-Trust on OKE: How to Actually Secure Your Clusters With Terraform
The article outlines a Terraform‑driven approach to building a zero‑trust Oracle Kubernetes Engine (OKE) cluster. It replaces overlay networking with OCI VCN‑Native CNI, deploys a private control plane without a public IP, and enables AMD SEV confidential computing for memory...
ProSiebenSat.1 Makes More Sales; 2025 Revenue Down 6%
ProSiebenSat.1 Media announced the divestiture of its rental‑car comparison site billiger‑mietwagen.de and the motorhome platform CamperDays to investors led by Pivotum Capital. The undisclosed‑price deals are slated to close by the end of April and have already been incorporated into...
IWD Voices: Indu Mehta – ‘When Balance Is Maintained, Fairness Becomes Sustainable Rather Than Situational’
Indu Mehta emphasizes that maintaining balance in organizations turns fairness into a sustainable principle rather than a situational response. She argues current workplace policies on harassment and safety are often too rigid, failing to reflect modern women’s lived realities. Mehta...
Elkann Calls 2025 a “Year of Reckoning” For Stellantis
Stellantis chairman John Elkann labeled 2025 a “year of reckoning” after the automaker posted a $25.8 bn loss, driven by $28.9 bn of balance‑sheet charges tied to an over‑ambitious electrification push. The losses exposed misaligned product strategy, strained dealer relations and costly...
GM Mexico Workers Face April Strike Deadline in Wage Dispute
SINTTIA, representing nearly 7,000 workers at GM’s Silao plant, has tabled a 10% wage increase for the 2026‑2028 contract after initially demanding 20%. A worker vote is set for April 9‑10, with a strike deadline of April 15 if negotiations stall. Silao...
L&T Tech to Sell Smart World Portfolio to AM Group-Backed AMI Paradigm Solutions
Indian engineering services firm L&T Technology Services announced the sale of its Smart World & Communication (SWC) portfolio to AMI Paradigm Solutions, a joint venture backed by renewable‑energy conglomerate AM Group and digital infrastructure developer ParadigmIT. The transaction transfers L&T’s...
EDI Needs to Move Past ‘Fashions’, Committee Hears
The Women and Equalities Committee heard that equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives are increasingly treated as corporate fashions rather than strategic imperatives. Experts such as the CIPD chief executive and academics urged a shift toward collective inclusion, cultural change...
The FRC’s “Evolution” – A Practical Pivot or a Return to Soft Regulation?
The UK Financial Reporting Council is moving from its post‑Carillion enforcement stance to a risk‑based, proportionate supervisory model. In its 2023 audit quality reviews, 77% of audits were rated good or needing limited improvement, rising to 82% among the Big...
Above Digital Shifts Focus to Outcomes-Driven Performance Marketing in 2026
Dubai‑based Above Digital is pivoting from ecommerce to an outcomes‑driven performance‑marketing model that emphasizes revenue‑focused campaigns for service‑based firms, B2B brands, the aesthetics sector and events. The agency is de‑prioritising vanity metrics, instead tracking lead‑to‑sale conversion and actual revenue impact,...
Vail Resorts CEO Says It’s Time to Think Beyond the $1,000 Ski Pass that Helped Build the Empire
Vail Resorts endured a harsh 2025‑26 season as Colorado snowfall fell 60% below normal, driving an 11.9% drop in visits and a 4.7% revenue decline despite its $1,000‑plus Epic Pass model. Returning CEO Rob Katz says the company must revamp...
Leadership, Not Managers, More Likely To Drive Employees Away, BioSpace Finds
A BioSpace survey of U.S. life‑science professionals shows 15% are looking for new jobs because they are unhappy with company leadership, compared with 9.1% citing dissatisfaction with their direct manager. Respect for CEOs remains flat at roughly 80%, while respect...
Forest Essentials Bets on ‘Slow Beauty’ with New Campaign
Forest Essentials launched the "Take Your Time" campaign, positioning Ayurveda‑based rituals and deliberate pacing at the core of its skincare narrative. The year‑long effort spans cinematic films, retail experiences, and in‑store activations that showcase slower, ritual‑centric beauty routines. Founder Mira...
How to Scale Consignment Management Beyond 100+ Consignors
Caroline Desmond explains that retail POS systems, designed for single‑owner inventory, break down when a store exceeds 100 consignors. As intake volumes rise, staff spend more time on manual ownership assignments, payout calculations, and answering basic seller queries. The article...
Kubernetes Fleet Management for the Rest of Us: How to Stay Sane if You Run ‘a Little Bit of Everything’
Enterprises now run a heterogeneous mix of permanent, burstable and edge Kubernetes clusters, plus occasional Docker hosts, creating a "multi‑everything" landscape. This diversity fuels configuration drift, fragmented access controls, and bespoke upgrade processes that scale linearly with each new environment....
Keventers Appoints Shaurya Prabhat as CEO
Keventers has promoted long‑time executive Shaurya Prabhat to chief executive officer, succeeding founder Agastya Dalmia. Prabhat, who joined the dairy‑drink chain in 2017 and most recently served as director and chief strategy officer, brings experience from The Smart Cube and...
Zydus Launches Glucon-D Recharge, Signs Milind Soman
Zydus Wellness has launched Glucon‑D Recharge, a glucose‑and‑electrolyte drink that expands the Glucon‑D brand into the performance‑hydration market. The product is offered in ready‑to‑drink bottles and sachets, with a no‑added‑sugar variant for low‑calorie users. Milind Soman has been signed as...
Public Contracts to Favour Firms that Deliver Jobs and Apprenticeships
The UK government has introduced new procurement rules requiring firms bidding for public contracts to demonstrate job creation, apprenticeships and local economic benefits. Contracts over £5 million (≈$6.4 million) will be assessed for social‑value commitments, and a Public Interest Test will apply...
Revealed: Women Sell Themselves £9,000 Short Before They Even Apply for Jobs
JobLeads analysis shows UK women apply for jobs with salaries about $11,400 lower than men. Women’s upper salary expectations are $131,500 versus $149,900 for men, a 12% gap. Women also apply to roles with median $77,300 pay compared with $88,800...