Industry news

New research suggests that the rise of the gig economy may be limited as workers look for more stable employment. A recent survey would suggest that only 13% of workers would consider a job in the gig economy. Clear salaries, benefits and career progression remain the key factors supporting a stable job. Join the GSA for the Future of Work in the Digital Age Conference this May, click here to learn more.

The Global Sourcing Association (GSA) is today calling on the sourcing industry not to overlook the growing threat of cyber-attacks amidst the tsunamic push for digital enablement currently sweeping the industry. John McAfee and Dr David Bray will keynote at the UK Symposium in June to highlight how the acceleration towards becoming digitally enabled must not be pursued at the expense of putting in place the proper safeguards against potential cyber threats.

To read the full press release, click here and book your place today.

The cost of cyber-crime on the value of a firm’s shares has been calculated in a report by CGI Global and Oxford Economics, the damage is calculated to be a permanent fall of 1.8% after a breach. 87% of FTSE 100 companies now state that cyber security is a ‘principal risk’ and increasingly investors take into account cyber security readiness before investing. The GSA are focusing on cyber security at their Symposium this June, click here to learn more.

Leading global business process outsourcing and customer experience expert Webhelp, has announced plans to expand its business with the addition of a new site in the capital of Latvia, Riga. With 40% of the population in Latvia speaking fluent Russian, this move allows Webhelp to offer an additional non-European language capability from a base in the EU. To read the full story, click here.

Related news: Webhelp Acquires Ocon Office Concept GmbH

Heathrow airport reported its best monthly cargo growth for over five years as volumes increased by nearly 13%. Mexico, Brazil and India were the big growth markets for trading volumes as the UK government prepares for Brexit negotiations.

Related news: Best of Brexit

The UK unemployment rate has remained at 4.7% however inflation is beginning to wipe out wage growth. The ONS said in a statement: "Average weekly earnings for employees increased by 2.3% including bonuses and by 2.2% excluding bonuses, compared with a year earlier. "However, adjusted for inflation, average weekly earnings grew by 0.2% including bonuses and by 0.1% excluding bonuses, over the year, the slowest rate of growth since 2014." You can read more here.

Related news: UK Inflation Holds Steady

Innovate Finance, the fintech industry body backed by the City of London is moving from Canary Wharf to the heart of the City. Innovative technology is at the forefront of the future of London enterprise with plans for faster broadband part of a plan to bring Fintech to the City. Increasingly tech giants are moving to the City as rents in the traditional tech hub of Shoreditch have risen. The GSA is hosting a Future of Work in the Digital Age Conference in Manchester which embraces innovative technology and its impact on work. Click here to learn more.

Related news: London Still Fintech King

City police commissioner Ian Dyson warned firms of the increasing threat of cyber criminals yesterday at the Innovate Finance Global Summit. He reported that estimates suggest only 10% of cyber-crime is reported with many firms worried about the damage to their reputation. Join the GSA at the symposium to hear John McAfee discuss cyber security and it's increasing role in business. Click here to find out more.

Related news: Huge Hack Highlights Security

Carillion have been awarded a contract worth up to £200 million by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation to build soft facilities management services. The contract will see Carillion provide services at 87 defence sites across the South-East region. To learn more, click here.

Related news: Supplier Management and Retaining Talent Key for Procurement Sector

Cognizant announced that it has been selected by ABN AMRO Clearing, a clearing firm, as its strategic partner to cloud-enable its global IT infrastructure and lay the foundation for digital transformation. This will enable AACB to increase operational resilience and application availability, enhance speed and agility in managing market volatility, and lower capital investment and operating costs.

Related news: Cognizant Delivers Strong Underlying Growth