Business strategy stories - Page 4

CFOs are funnelling 2026 budgets into tech, AI and sales, while easing back on hiring, HR spending and rapid pay growth.

AI is reshaping PR, but leaders warn the winners in 2026 will be those who keep strategic communications firmly human-led.

AI-powered tools are rapidly reshaping UK retail as most shoppers embrace chat-based assistants and retailers ramp up investment for 2026.

AI rollouts are lifting UK staff engagement, but new research warns unapproved 'shadow AI' use is outpacing employers' controls.

Avanade has appointed Chris Howarth as CEO, succeeding Rodrigo Caserta, who departs after 11 years to lead SME and channel for Microsoft.

Zendesk promotes Craig Flower to chief operating officer, tasking him with accelerating its AI-first customer service and operations strategy.

Mercury Analytics says AI will turn open-ended feedback into measurable insight by 2026, reshaping how organisations use qualitative data.

LG posts record 2025 revenue of AUD 88.6 trillion but operating profit slips on U.S. tariffs, EV slowdown and one-off restructuring costs.

Analytic Partners named a Leader in Forrester's 2026 marketing measurement Wave after topping current offering and scoring highly on strategy.

Midlands software firm Point74 appoints Rob Sinclair as CEO to spearhead UK and international growth of its food lifecycle platform.

JCDecaux has overhauled its ANZ leadership, hiring three senior executives to lead sales, product and strategy across the region.

Testlio launches LeoInsights AI to turn fragmented QA metrics into executive-ready insights on risk, release velocity and testing investment.

Hubtel IT boosts staff by 25% and targets GBP £2.5m turnover as it ramps up AI and cyber security services for UK small businesses.

Kick ICT has appointed Steven Brown as chief executive, succeeding retiring founder Tom O'Hara as the group targets its next growth phase.

Bolt Insights predicts AI-driven, real-time insight, dynamic personas and a new strategist role for researchers will redefine the sector by 2026.

Canon has named Peter Saak to head its renamed Integrated Printing & Services Group in EMEA, sharpening focus on services-led print.

ITRS snaps up French DEM specialist IP-Label, adding 310-plus enterprise clients and bolstering its observability footprint across Europe.

Forrester flags cooler optimism for 2026 tech budgets as leaders juggle AI-driven investment plans with rising geopolitical and cyber risks.

Security teams are moving from gatekeepers to strategic partners, with ROI and integration now central to security investment decisions.

Global enterprises now see AI less as a cost cutter and more as a revenue engine, with agentic tools and Chief AI Officers rising in boardrooms.