Business News
Midland firms fear cyber attacks – report
An overwhelming majority of Midlands SMEs are fearful of a cyber-attack or data breach, a new report has found. Kidderminster-based IT services provider OGL
Transformational moment: Niels de Vos
Ex-athletics boss to chair museums trust
Former UK Athletics chief executive Niels de Vos has been appointed chairman of Birmingham Museums Trust. Following success at UK
Athletics, where he led the team to its best Olympic and Paralympic performance in 50 years at London 2012, Mr de Vos founded Fabric Group in 2018, where he is CEO of the specialist consultancy for governments, cities and businesses making major investments into their communities through sport, art, education and charity. Mr de Vos was born in Birmingham and studied Modern History at Oxford University. He succeeds Professor Ian Grosvenor, who has stepped down after six years on the board, including four years as chairman. Mr de Vos said: “Birmingham’s
collection is one of the most prestigious in the world; our science and industry heritage as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution is of global importance and our historic buildings include some true architectural gems. “As the eyes of the world turn to Birmingham for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, we must provide a window for the world into Birmingham’s past, present and future. “We must seize what will likely
be a transformational moment to showcase the very best of Birmingham Museums and to secure a financial and infrastructural legacy for our museums that will reward our city and our people for decades ahead.” Dr Ellen McAdam, director of Birmingham Museums Trust, said: “We have ambitious plans for the future that will enable us to reach the young and superdiverse audiences of the city and region and raise the profile of Birmingham Museums internationally. Niels brings valuable expertise and experience from a series of high- profile roles that will help us realise our vision and strategy for Birmingham’s museums.”
38 CHAMBERLINK March 2020
Computer has revealed the top technology concerns and priorities in its new report The State of Technology at UK SMEs. The report found that cyber security
featured heavily in the report, as the vast majority of Midlands SMEs (89 per cent) confirmed that they were more fearful of a cyber-attack or data breach, compared to 81 per cent nationally. Furthermore 15 per cent of IT decision-makers surveyed in the region have no cyber strategy in place, compared with 17 per cent nationally. The report also gives advice on building a cyber security strategy and reveals industries most likely to suffer from a cyber-attack. The report also highlights newer technologies
such as robotics and AI that SMEs plan to adopt, how SMEs are using technology to power remote workforces and what technologies they are adopting for growth. The top three technology priorities for UK SMEs
were revealed as increasing cyber security provision, 39 per cent, moving towards a more proactive IT
strategy, 39 per cent, and increasing use of data and insights, 37 per cent. While the main technology concerns for 2020
were cyber security attacks, 67 per cent, data management, 56 per cent, and a lack of technology- savvy workers, 54 per cent. Paul Colwell (pictured), technical director at OGL Computer and its cyber division CyberGuard Technologies, said: “The inaugural State of Technology at UK SMEs report reveals that the majority of IT decision-makers at SMEs have clear strategies for the future, and understand the opportunities and challenges that face their
verticals in 2020. “These range from the perennial, such as the ever-present threat of serious cyber-attack or data breach to
effectively managing the increasing amount of
data flowing through the organisation. In addition, moving to the cloud securely and an ongoing lack of technology-savvy workers emerged as key themes.” To develop the report OGL Computer surveyed
technology decision makers in SMEs with 50-500 employees across a range of industries.
Download the full report at
www.ogl.co.uk/ SOTreport2020
A gateway to finding employment
Five people have secured new jobs to escape the downward spiral of homelessness and unemployment, thanks to a training programme funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). The WMCA has joined forces with
homelessness charity Crisis, training provider RMF Construction and employer L Lynch Plant Hire & Haulage (Lynch) in a pilot scheme to help some of the most vulnerable people in society. All the learners, who are being
supported in temporary accommodation in Birmingham after becoming homeless, were referred by Crisis to the WMCA’s innovative Construction Gateway programme, which is delivered by local training companies. After an intensive six-week
course at RMF Construction’s academy in Hollywood, Birmingham, covering topics such as site safety and how to operate a range of machinery, the group have secured new jobs at Lynch and will be working on major projects across the region, including the HS2 station site at Curzon Street. Andy Street, the mayor of the
From left: Rob Lynch (Lynch Plant Hire and Haulage), Maria McAuliffe, director of construction firm McAuliffe Group, Julie Nugent, Mark Poole and Akiel Treasure, who were both homeless before landing jobs at Lynch through the Construction Gateway, and Andy Street
West Midlands, said: “The construction industry in the West Midlands will need 50,000 more trained staff by 2030, and so we must make sure local people have the skills to fill these jobs. “I’m delighted that we’ve been
able to take five people out of the vicious circle of homelessness and unemployment by giving them a new start in construction. The Construction Gateway is a great
example of the WMCA working in partnership with the industry and Crisis to give some of our most disadvantaged local people the opportunity of a worthwhile job and a good home. “I’d like to thank Lynch for
offering these fantastic opportunities to improve people’s lives, and I hope many more employers will follow their example.”
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