Vilnius-Based Food Supply Marketplace Saltz Raises €20 Million Series A, Plans 100+ Hires as It Expands Across Europe
Vilnius‑based Saltz secured a €20 million Series A round led by the EBRD, aiming to accelerate its pan‑European food‑supply marketplace. The funding will fund expansion into new markets, broaden supplier offerings, and support hiring over 100 staff by 2026. Saltz’s platform consolidates catalogs, ordering, payments and logistics, replacing fragmented manual processes for professional kitchens. The company now operates in 20 countries and targets cross‑border trade efficiency and transparency across Europe and beyond.
Management Has Been a Casualty of AI. Now the Tech Is Reviving It.
AI agents are reshaping corporate hierarchies, prompting a resurgence of managerial roles focused on technical oversight rather than traditional soft‑skill supervision. Companies like McKinsey are hunting for "5Xers"—deep specialists who can also juggle multiple responsibilities—to steer these autonomous systems. The...
QNB Türkiye’s Yeliz Ataay Arıkök: Hitting SF Milestones
Yeliz Ataay Arıkök explains that sustainable finance in Turkey is accelerating thanks to regulatory alignment, rising climate‑related risks, and strong corporate demand, especially from renewable energy and heavy‑industry players. Leveraging QNB Group’s deep balance sheet and international market access, QNB...
African Bank Appoints New Chief Executive
African Bank has named Zweli Manyathi as its new chief executive as the lender moves into a consolidation phase after years of expansion and acquisitions. Current CEO Kennedy Bungane steps down after five years leading the Excelerate 25 transformation that diversified...
Why China Won’t Hit Back over Indonesia’s US Trade Deal
Indonesia and the United States signed the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) on Feb. 19, imposing a 19% tariff ceiling and a clause to mirror U.S. restrictions on third parties, primarily aimed at curbing Chinese trans‑shipments. Beijing responded with its usual...
Place Audit Orders in Public Domain to Boost Trust: CIC to NFRA
The Central Information Commission (CIC) has directed the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) to publish all orders, circulars, and policy decisions affecting audit practices on its website. The recommendation emerged from an RTI appeal concerning auditors' right to legal representation...
West Asia Tensions Pose Twin Challenges for Indian Paper Industry
West Asian geopolitical tensions are creating a dual challenge for India’s paper sector by driving up energy costs and threatening key export markets. In FY24‑25, the industry shipped $980 million of paper and paperboard, with roughly $290 million (30%) destined for West...
AWE Staff to Strike over Redundancy Plans
Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) staff will strike on 12 and 26 March after the Prospect union reported that redundancy plans have risen to 800 jobs, up from an earlier target of 400‑500. The union says AWE failed to provide sufficient...
Managing Backup Withholding Risk in Tax Compliance
Backup withholding obliges payers to retain 24% of reportable payments when a payee’s Taxpayer Identification Number cannot be verified or the IRS issues a directive. Failure to apply the withholding exposes the payer to personal liability for the shortfall. The...
Sports Investing Insights From Ian Charles, Theo Epstein, Josh Harris, José E. Feliciano
At PEI Group’s NEXUS 2026, private‑equity veterans Ian Charles (Arctos), Theo Epstein (26North), Josh Harris (Clearlake) and José E. Feliciano shared their outlook on sports investing. They highlighted accelerating franchise valuations, the premium placed on media‑rights and data‑analytics assets, and...
Britain Faces a Trillion-Dollar Tech Challenge
TechUK and TheCityUK hosted a summit urging UK tech firms to stay and scale domestically, targeting the nation’s first trillion‑dollar technology company by 2035. The Industrial Strategy calls for unprecedented capital inflows, with up to £190 bn of private funds expected...
Why Visibility Has Become the New Test of Leadership
In professional‑service firms, quiet excellence has given way to visible leadership. Partners now must demonstrate impact through LinkedIn posts, client reviews, and internal dashboards, turning transparency into a credibility metric. MIT Sloan’s research identifies three levers—internal recognition, external reputation, and...
Should the CIO, CFO or CEO Hold the Kill Switch on AI?
The article debates which C‑level executive should pull the kill switch on a failing AI initiative. While the CFO typically decides based on missed ROI and rising costs, the CIO steps in when technical feasibility or data readiness falters, and...
Uncovered Records Reveal the Hidden Costs of Waymo Robotaxis on San Francisco Streets
San Francisco’s Transit Management Center has documented a rise in Waymo robotaxi incidents, including illegal lane changes, stalled vehicles, and near‑misses that can delay buses and emergency responders for up to an hour. The city created a dedicated "Driverless Car...
King & Prince Seafood Names Steve Yung CEO
King & Prince Seafood announced that longtime CEO Michael Alexander will retire after 15 years of service, effective April 17, 2026. Steve Yung will succeed him as president and chief executive officer on April 20, 2026. The company emphasized that...
IT Governance as a Prerequisite for Zero-Trust Identity Architecture
Organizations are increasingly turning to zero‑trust identity architecture to counter sophisticated cyber threats, but the model’s success hinges on strong IT governance. A recent study shows firms with mature governance are 32% more likely to prevent identity‑related breaches, while 74%...
A Slew of Negative News Has Anxious Clients Calling Their Advisors. Here Is How They Are Responding
Recent market turbulence—VIX up more than 50%, oil above $100, and a drop in February jobs—has pushed the S&P 500 down over 2% in a week. Wealth managers are fielding anxious client calls, emphasizing that diversification across sectors and asset classes...
Mantle Names Kim Hayashi as New CEO
Mantle 3D Systems has appointed Kim Hayashi as its new chief executive officer, succeeding founder Ted Sorom after a decade at the helm. Hayashi, who joined Mantle in 2018 and most recently served as vice president of product and process...
Jenoptik Acquires Lithuanian ITS Business
Jenoptik’s Smart Mobility Solutions has acquired a Lithuanian intelligent‑transport‑system (ITS) business, integrating it with its long‑time partner Fima. The deal designates Fima’s Latvian subsidiary as a regional hub for sales, service and project management across the Baltics. The combined entity...
Interio by Godrej Estimates Projects Business Revenue to Top ₹1,100 Crore in FY26
Interio by Godrej projects its workspace‑solutions business to exceed ₹1,100 crore in FY26, buoyed by strong demand for turnkey interiors across banking, corporate and infrastructure sectors. The firm recently delivered a 75,000 sq ft fit‑out for State Bank of India’s head office in...
Rolls-Royce Shares Slide as FTSE 100 Plunges Amid Iran War
Rolls‑Royce shares slumped up to five per cent at the open, later stabilising at a three‑per‑cent loss, as the Iran‑Israel conflict sparked broader market anxiety. The FTSE 100 fell about 1.5 per cent, driven by concerns over disrupted air routes over Azerbaijan...
Orbán–Zelensky Clash Deepens After Cash Seizure, Pipeline Dispute, and Kremlin Interference Fears
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly threatened Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán after Budapest blocked the EU's €90 bn loan package for Kyiv. The dispute escalated over the shutdown of the Soviet‑era Druzhba oil pipeline, which Hungary claims Kyiv is withholding for...
GB News Hires Chief Revenue Officer to ‘Close Gap’ Between Audience Growth and Advertiser Take-Up
GB News has appointed Ross Sergeant as chief revenue officer to bridge the gap between its rapidly expanding audience and advertising sales. Sergeant arrives from Allwyn, where he served as global media director, and brings experience from Asahi, Diageo and...
THG Ingenuity Launches Gift With Purchase Channel
THG Ingenuity has launched an external Gift‑With‑Purchase (GWP) channel, extending its proven retail‑media solution to third‑party brands. The service integrates curated gifting offers into key moments of the shopper journey across beauty, nutrition and lifestyle sites. Early campaigns on LOOKFANTASTIC...
Mercedes-Benz Settles Case over Alleged US Union-Busting
Mercedes‑Benz settled an NLRB case over alleged union‑busting at its Alabama plant, agreeing to post a notice that it will not threaten closure, relocation, benefits loss, or surveillance of workers. The settlement closes the fallout from a May 2024 vote...
Australia, Saudi Arabia, Europe Compete for SA’s Tech Skills
South African ICT and engineering talent is attracting heightened interest from abroad, with international job ads rising from 1.6% in 2021 to 2.2% in 2025. Australia remains the top recruiter, focusing on engineers and technicians, while Saudi Arabia’s demand surged...
Kalshi Taps Brazil’s XP to Take Prediction Markets Global
Kalshi has teamed up with Brazil's leading brokerage XP Inc. to launch regulated prediction‑market contracts outside the United States. XP will handle local distribution, client relationships, and regulatory coordination, while Kalshi supplies the trading technology, market design, and risk‑management tools....
CPO, Zepz | Empathy to Enterprise Value: The Modern HR Mandate Must Stretch Beyond 'Employee Concierge'
As companies transition from startup to scale‑up, HR must shift from informal, proximity‑driven culture to a structured operating framework. The article argues that empathy alone cannot sustain large workforces; it needs to be codified in systems, rhythms, and fair processes....
SA Start-Up Aims to Help Business Side-Step ‘Innovation Theatre’ Using AI
South African start‑up Otinga, founded in June 2023, reports over 275% year‑on‑year growth by delivering AI‑driven transformation through rapid, execution‑focused programmes. The firm positions itself against “innovation theatre”, emphasizing disciplined governance, clear business ownership, and measurable outcomes rather than speculative pilots....
BuytoGive Launches £500,000 Funding Round
BuytoGive, a UK e‑commerce marketplace that converts regular online purchases into charitable donations, announced a £500,000 seed round, the first half of a £1 million raise at a £3 million pre‑money valuation. The company recently secured access to 1.2 million products via a...
Valero Offers $850MM Debt Instrument Sale
Valero Energy priced an $850 million senior note offering due 2036 with a 5.15% coupon, set to close Tuesday. The net proceeds will refinance higher‑cost 2026 debt, including 7.65% debentures and 3.4% senior notes. In 2025 the refiner achieved a record...
Why Financial Crime Risk Assessments Matter for Governance
Financial crime risk assessments are positioned as the cornerstone of a bank’s AML and CTF framework, providing both diagnostic insight and a roadmap for control enhancements. Regulators treat them as the structural foundation of compliance, while board members rely on...
Government Borrowing Costs Mount on Fears of Inflation Spike
Government gilt yields spiked on Monday as oil prices surged nearly 30%, reigniting fears of higher inflation and prolonged interest‑rate hikes. The 10‑year gilt rose 14 basis points, while the two‑year jumped over 23 basis points, reflecting market expectations that...
UK Businesses Urged to Prepare for EU Agri-Food Trade Reset
The UK government is urging food and farming firms to ready themselves for a new Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement with the EU, slated to cut paperwork and inspections that have hampered trade since Brexit. Ministers say the deal could...
New Briefing Note: PSD3 and PSR: From Provisional Agreement to 2026 Readiness
The European Commission has reached a provisional agreement on the Payment Services Directive 3 (PSD3) and the accompanying Payment Services Regulation (PSR), setting a roadmap toward full implementation by 2026. The new rules broaden the definition of payment service providers, tighten...
Tim Cook Says Apple Meetings Are Full of Arguments. That’s the Point
Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed that the company’s meetings are deliberately filled with arguments and debate, rather than seeking quick consensus. He explained that this culture forces every detail to be scrutinized, turning disagreement into a source of stronger ideas....
Local Businesses and Employees Shine at BEST Awards
Bridgend’s Employability Bridgend team celebrated the first‑year results of its BEST (Bridgend Employer Support Training) programme at the BEST Awards on 18 February 2026. The initiative placed 50 local job‑seekers with employers, and 40 remain in their roles after six months of...
Oman Orders Early Salary Payments for Employees Ahead of Eid
Oman has mandated early salary payments for both public and private‑sector workers ahead of Eid al‑Fitr 2026. Government entities must enter payroll data by 8 March, obtain audit approval by 15 March, and disburse salaries on 17 March, while private employers are required...
Interview: Nick Pearson, CIO, Ricoh Europe
Nick Pearson joined Ricoh Europe as CIO in December 2023, stepping into a newly created board‑level role to steer the company’s shift from a hardware‑centric, asset‑based model to a services‑focused business. He oversees a federated IT organisation that supports 17,000 employees,...
My Employee Is Sobbing at Her Desk Every Week
A manager is struggling with an employee, Brenda, who cries frequently at her desk, often without clear triggers. Brenda’s emotional volatility is disrupting team productivity as the company approaches a high‑demand period. While she is receiving therapy, the manager wants...
Women in Advertising Are Closing Every Gap They Can. The Pay Gap Persists Anyway
A new study of 900+ U.S. advertising professionals finds women earn about 5% less than men, rising to 8% for mothers, even after adjusting for education, experience, hours, geography and agency type. The research, led by Jess Watts with UCLA...
Navi Technologies Swings to Red with Rs 126 Cr Loss in FY25
Navi Technologies posted an Rs 126 crore loss for FY25, a marked improvement from the Rs 358.5 crore loss a year earlier, despite an 18% jump in revenue to Rs 2,565 crore. Interest income, which makes up 85% of total revenue, rose 21% while other income...
Latitude59 Opens Applications for Its Pitch Competition Tallinn, Estonia
Latitude59, a leading Nordic tech event, has opened applications for its 2026 pitch competition, inviting early‑stage startups worldwide to pitch on the Tallinn main stage. The 2025 edition saw €675,000 invested, with winners like MarkeDroid and Luna Robotics later raising...
Oil Prices Could Push Canadian Grocery Inflation Higher
Oil prices have breached $90 a barrel and could climb toward $100, reviving a pattern where energy spikes precede grocery inflation in Canada by six to nine months. Historical data shows each major oil surge lifts food price inflation by...
After Taking a Breather, Why Japan Stocks Could Keep Rising
Japan’s equity market has paused as the Iran‑Israel conflict lifts oil and gas prices, pulling TOPIX and the Nikkei down about 4% after strong YTD gains. Analysts argue the market remains fairly valued, with forward earnings multiples around 17.5×, and...
Mortgage and Refinance Interest Rates Today, March 9, 2026: Moving Higher with Bond Market Anxiety
Mortgage rates rose on March 9, with the average 30‑year fixed climbing to 5.98% and the 15‑year fixed to 5.50%, driven by bond market anxiety from Middle East tensions and a weak jobs report. Refinance rates are higher, with the 30‑year...
How Generative UI Cut Our Development Time From Months to Weeks
A company implemented a generative UI system for its customer‑service dashboard, shrinking development time from three months to two weeks. The solution combines a curated component library, context analysis, an AI‑driven composition engine, and a rendering layer to assemble interfaces...
CVSense Launches AI Recruitment Platform to Help Companies Reduce Costly Hiring Mistakes
CVSense, a UK‑registered AI recruitment platform founded by Nigerian entrepreneurs, launched to address the massive CV overload and costly mis‑hires plaguing firms in Nigeria and beyond. The service replaces crude keyword‑based ATS filters with contextual AI that reads, scores, and...
Why Do Banks Fail? Study Finds Insolvency Is the True Killer
A new NBER study of over 4,000 bank runs from 1863‑1934 finds that insolvency, not liquidity, is the primary driver of bank failures. Solvent institutions rarely collapsed even when faced with massive withdrawals, while loss‑making banks turned runs into terminal...
Gong Cha Takes Control of 170 US Franchises
Gong cha has purchased the rights to 170 U.S. franchise locations, spanning thirteen states, to bring those territories under direct company control. The move is part of a broader plan to standardize operations, strengthen supply chains, and accelerate the brand’s...