Government drops AI copyright opt-out plan after industry backlash March 18, 2026 The government has scrapped its preferred proposal to allow AI firms to train on copyrighted material by default, as it shifts its approach after sustained opposition from the UK’s creative sector. In a report published on Tuesday morning, ministers confirmed they are U-turning from the proposed ‘opt-out’ model, which would have allowed developers to use [...]
Shepherd Neame braces for energy price shock as Iran war drives up costs March 18, 2026 Shepherd Neame has become the latest pub company to express concern over the spectre of rising energy costs after the war in Iran sent the price of oil soaring. The Kent-based brewer, pub and hotel group, which is listed on the Aquis stock exchange, said its energy was “heavily hedged” into the next financial year [...]
Smarsh Unleashes AI Agents to Reduce Corporate Legal Discovery Costs by 75% March 18, 2026 New AI agents accelerate legal discovery, suppress surveillance noise, and transform idle communications data into a defensible engine for global compliance
ActiveCampaign is First to Launch AI that Acts, Not Just Answers at Spring Innovation Keynote March 18, 2026 New proactive, agent-to-user AI and personalization bring enterprise-grade marketing intelligence to small and mid-size businesses
The world is not waiting for Britain on AI March 18, 2026 Without a pro-innovation framework that keep pace with our competitors, British start-ups will fall behind Today, the government will update Parliament on its position on the difficult issue of AI and copyright. It is critical that produces a pro-innovation framework which at minimum keeps pace with our international competitors. Without one, British startups are put [...]
Borrowing can make a country rich… until it doesn’t March 18, 2026 Debt can fund investment. But when it is used to pay for today’s consumption rather than tomorrow’s growth, the bill becomes unbearable, says Martin Beck At a personal level, millions borrow to buy their first home, start a business or invest in education. Used wisely, debt allows people to bring forward opportunities that would otherwise [...]
Treasury reforms to banks ombudsman threaten independence, MPs warn March 18, 2026 The Treasury’s reforms to the banks ombudsman threaten to upend the body’s independence, a group of influential MPs have warned. The government revealed its overhaul proposals for the financial ombudsman service (FOS) on Tuesday in a bid to curb concerns it had behaved as a “quasi-regulator”. But a fresh letter to City minister Lucy Rigby [...]
City AM Awards 2026: Meet the Finalists March 18, 2026 And the nominees are…. Personality of the Year Greg Jackson CBE The entrepreneur and CEO of Octopus Energy has become one of the UK’s most prominent business leaders, known for his straight talking and punchy views across a range of topics including UK entrepreneurship, the business environment, capital markets and, of course, energy. In August [...]
Epassi Appoints Three Senior Leaders to Accelerate European Growth March 18, 2026 Epassi Group, a leading European multi-benefits technology platform, today announced the appointments of Phil Jones as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), Ross Seychell as Chief People Officer (CPeO), and Cho Hwang as Chief Technology Officer (CTO), strengthening its leadership team as the company enters its next phase of expansion. Cho Hwang joined Epassi on December 1, [...]
Ex Titan Wealth chief executive is back to tackle the market once more March 18, 2026 The former chief executive of Titan Wealth has launched a new wealth management business in a bid to modernise the traditional market. Derek Miles, who is also the former chief executive of Aspira, launched Nine Edge Wealth on Wednesday with co-founder Kyle Augustin, who was previously chief executive at Fintel IQ. Jo Blake, also formerly [...]