Business News Round Up (02/05/2025)
Scottish hydrogen projects get £3.4m boost
Eleven projects designed to accelerate Scotland’s hydrogen economy are set to benefit from a share of £3.4 million in Scottish Government funding. According to the government, the investment will help develop green hydrogen production across the country, improve the hydrogen supply chain, and enhance hydrogen transport and storage infrastructure. Among the initiatives awarded funding is the Sustainable Fuels Orkney project, led by the European Marine Energy Centre, which won £375,000, and the Protium Green Solution’s Lanark Hydrogen Island scheme, with £450,619 in funding. Of the £3.4 million in total funding, more than £1.5 million is being allocated to just two organisations. The funding follows the Scottish Government’s invitation in September last year for hydrogen projects to apply for match-funding grant awards of up to 50%, to a maximum value of £2 million.
https://www.digit.fyi/scottish-hydrogen-projects-get-3-4m-boost
RSM: Businesses should regularly review cyber controls as thread of attack continues to increase
Earlier this month the government launched its National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) Cyber Governance Code of Practice, providing organisations with clear guidance and best practice on managing cyber risks. Sheila Pancholi, technology risk partner, RSM UK said: “These recent attacks on retailers serve as a warning to all businesses to continuously assess and tighten up their cyber security measures. Organisations are accountable for effective governance, cyber controls, resilience, and importantly robust plans to respond effectively to cyber incidents. The first line of defence against cyberattacks is often employees, so it’s important to also ensure staff are regularly trained and educated on cyber risks and how to spot attempts to access systems via increasingly sophisticated phishing emails (e.g. ClickFix Phish), or links to bogus websites.”
Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership unveils 10-year growth strategy
The Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership (HIREP)’s Regional Economic Strategy 2025-2035 presents a vision of a thriving, resilient and inclusive region in 2035. Aligning with the goals of member organisations, the strategy addresses the challenges affecting the region’s businesses and communities, including high cost of living, population and connectivity. It sets out the importance of regional-scale collaborative actions necessary to address those challenges while capitalising on ‘once-in-a-generation’ opportunities that could deliver thousands of jobs and millions of pounds into the economy. Informed by research, analysis, stakeholder surveys and a consultation, it spells out a commitment to deliver high quality, affordable housing as well as enhanced transport and digital infrastructure. There’s a focus on renewable energy and the need to maximise economic and community benefits while driving the region’s transition to net zero emissions.
Greater Manchester is now emerging as a ‘globally leading’ AI hub
Greater Manchester is on course to become one of Europe’s leading hubs for AI innovation, with AI companies in the region now valued at $4.2bn – more than five times their valuation in 2020. That’s according to a new AI Catalyst report released this week by not-for-profit organisation Turing Innovation Catalyst, highlighting how Greater Manchester now ranks 13th in Europe for AI talent, with companies employing 13,500 AI professionals. And this figure is predicted to rise to 25,000 in the next ten years. The report also highlights that, with the right support and investment, the city region’s AI ecosystem has the potential to be worth $15bn by 2035, increasing the number of AI jobs to 25,000 and achieving an economic impact contribution of $25bn GVA.
https://www.prolificnorth.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-is-now-emerging-as-a-globally-leading-ai-hub