Author: V. Alure

BDO’s UK network member is poised to merge with its Irish sister firm, as it positions itself for its own regional consolidation. BDO has confirmed the two companies have now exchanged contracts, following a successful partner vote for the proposed merger. Brian McEnery, managing partner at BDO Ireland, commented, “We have worked side-by-side for decades on cross-border engagements, client collaborations and talent exchanges. We know each other well and this shared history gives us confidence that we can build something even stronger together.” Like many peers – including the previously mentioned Moore – BDO is a network of partnerships that are…

The traditional consulting model is facing once-in-a-generation turbulence, according to Nick Pye. The Mangrove Consulting managing partner argues that the old pyramid of a few partners on top, supported by juniors, may be made obsolete by AI. In the past year, the world’s biggest global consulting firms have quietly reduced graduate intakes. Some studies suggest that more than half of graduate roles now require AI skills, while McKinsey & Company tests new recruits on their AI capabilities. Whether junior consultants should learn how to use these tools is a given – what is more pertinent is what a consultant role…

Ellen Cooper-Williams has joined BIP’s UK wing, as a senior manager. She arrives as the firm works to enhance its learning, capability and people-centred change expertise across the public sector. Commenting on her appointment, Cooper-Williams said, “I’m excited to join BIP UK and to work alongside colleagues who are deeply committed to delivering meaningful, people-centred change across the public sector. Embedding learning and capability as a strategic driver of transformation is something I’m passionate about, and I’m looking forward to contributing to work that helps clients deliver sustainable outcomes.” Headquartered in Italy, BIP is one of Europe’s larger management consultancy…

AI image used for representative purposes Russia’s foreign ministry firmly claimed on Wednesday that it has “no reason to believe” that India changed its stance on purchasing Russian oil, despite US claims suggesting otherwise. The ministry emphasised that the oil trade benefits both nations and helps maintain global energy market stability, while dismissing recent statements by US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio about India agreeing to stop Russian oil imports.”We have no reason to believe that India has changed its position on buying Russian hydrocarbons. India’s purchase of Russian hydrocarbons benefits both countries and helps maintain…

Reducing uncertainty is one of the quickest methods to make when you onboard a new supplier, distributor, contractor, or a marketplace merchant. The classification of industries does not sound very complicated, yet it affects the risk quietly. The industry of a company may influence the exposure to fraud, the regulation, the risk of payment, and the reputational risk as well. It is at this point that a SIC Code and NAICS codes would be helpful. They offer a standard method to classify the business activity in order that your group can evaluate what a vendor purports to do with what…

It looks unlikely that the U.S. would try destroying Iranian oil infrastructure because the Trump administration has talked about bringing energy prices down, says strategist Source link #oil #hitting #barrel #signal #rising #U.S.Iran #tensions

Introduction Healthcare providers, business associates, and digital health organizations manage large volumes of sensitive electronic protected health information (ePHI). Protecting this information is both an ethical responsibility and a regulatory requirement under the HIPAA Security Rule, which mandates administrative, physical, and technical safeguards. As regulatory expectations continue to evolve and cybersecurity risks increase, organizations are increasingly relying on specialized software tools to structure and document their compliance programs. Selecting an appropriate HIPAA compliance platform requires careful evaluation. Not every system offers the same level of support for risk management, policy administration, audit readiness, or ongoing monitoring. Asking the right questions…

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a Wednesday court testimony that he reached out to Apple CEO Tim Cook to discuss the “wellbeing of teens and kids.”The comments came after the defense lawyer Paul Schmidt pointed to an email exchange between Zuckerberg and Cook from February 2018. “I thought there were opportunities that our company and Apple could be doing and I wanted to talk to Tim about that,” Zuckerberg said.The email exchange was part of a broader portrayal by the defense attorney to show jury members that Zuckerberg was more proactive about the safety of young Instagram users than…

The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) new risk-based premium (RBP) framework for deposit insurance is expected to strengthen the Indian banking system by promoting prudent risk management and offering cost advantages to well-managed banks, according to a report by ICRA.The framework, set to replace the existing flat premium system, links deposit insurance costs to banks’ risk profiles and operational track records. This differential pricing is designed to reward stronger banks with lower premiums, while encouraging weaker banks to improve governance and risk practices. Stronger banks likely to see profitability gainsICRA estimates that the revised norms could improve the return on…

Prenetics Global Limited (NASDAQ: PRE), a health sciences company, reported record financial results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year of 2025. The company achieved a transformational surge in revenue, underpinned by the rapid scaling of its new consumer health brand and the completion of a multi-stage strategic divestment program. Following the release, management highlighted a clear path toward profitability, supported by a robust balance sheet and zero debt. The company’s focus has shifted entirely toward the premium nutrition and longevity markets after exiting its non-core clinical genomics and low-margin business units. Strategic Transformation and Core Growth Drivers The…