Category: 3. Business

  • ING announces changes to Executive Board and Management Board Banking

    ING announces changes to Executive Board and Management Board Banking

    Amsterdam,

    ING announced today that Ljiljana Čortan will be appointed head of Wholesale Banking and succeed Andrew Bester no later than at the day of the Annual General Meeting in April 2026. Ljiljana is currently chief risk officer (CRO), member of the Executive Board and the Management Board Banking and will continue in these roles until the changes take effect, at which point she will step down from the Executive Board of ING Groep N.V.

    Ljiljana joined ING and took on her current role in 2021. She has more than 25 years of international banking experience in various positions in risk, corporate banking, strategy and business development, among others as head of Corporate and Investment Banking Strategy for Central and Eastern Europe and global head of Financial Institutions, Banks and Sovereigns at UniCredit. Before joining ING, she was a member of the Management Board and CRO at HypoVereinsbank, a subsidiary of UniCredit Germany.

    Steven van Rijswijk, CEO of ING, commented: “I am pleased that we have an excellent internal successor with a strong track record of execution and leadership; she is well suited to lead our Wholesale Banking business. Ljiljana knows the business and organisation very well and has a great understanding of the many opportunities we have to further strengthen, diversify and grow our business.”

    “I would like to thank Andrew for his contributions during the last five years and his leadership of Wholesale Banking. Under his leadership, the foundations of our Wholesale Bank have strengthened significantly. His focus on client value, scaling up our business and attention to an inclusive culture have been highly valued. Andrew has positioned our wholesale bank well for further growth over the coming years.”

    Ljiljana Čortan (left) and Andrew Bester (right)

    Ljiljana Čortan said: “I look forward to taking up the leadership of our Wholesale Banking business. In my role as CRO and through the many contacts I have had with our colleagues and clients, I have seen the dedication and expertise we have, and I believe we have all the necessary elements to realise our full potential. I look forward to working with our teams to deliver on the next phase of our strategy to become the best European Wholesale bank. I would like to thank Andrew for our cooperation over the years, and I look forward to continuing that for the coming months.”
    Andrew Bester joined ING in April 2021 with more than 30 years of experience in banking and professional services including executive roles at Lloyds, Standard Chartered and Co-operative Bank.

    Andrew said: “After a fulfilling and rewarding time at ING, it is time to step down from the Management Board and return to my UK home base to start the non-executive phase of my career. It has been a pleasure to help shape the bank to what it is today. I am grateful for the support, trust and collaboration shown by our clients. Thank you also to my fellow board members and all ING colleagues who have made my time so enjoyable. I look forward to continuing our good work in the coming months and in supporting an orderly handover to my board colleague Ljiljana.”

    The appointment of Ljiljana Čortan as head of Wholesale Banking is subject to regulatory approval. The search for a successor as CRO has been initiated, and announcements will be made in due course.

    Note for editors

    More on investor information, go to the investor relations section on this site.

    For news updates, go to the newsroom on this site or via X (@ING_news feed).

    For ING photos such as board members, buildings, go to Flickr.

    ING PROFILE

    ING is a global financial institution with a strong European base, offering banking services through its operating company ING Bank. The purpose of ING Bank is: empowering people to stay a step ahead in life and in business. ING Bank’s more than 60,000 employees offer retail and wholesale banking services to customers in over 100 countries.

    ING Group shares are listed on the exchanges of Amsterdam (INGA NA, INGA.AS), Brussels and on the New York Stock Exchange (ADRs: ING US, ING.N).

    ING aims to put sustainability at the heart of what we do. Our policies and actions are assessed by independent research and ratings providers, which give updates on them annually. ING’s ESG rating by MSCI was reconfirmed by MSCI as ‘AA’ in August 2024 for the fifth year. As of December 2023, in Sustainalytics’ view, ING’s management of ESG material risk is ‘Strong’. Our current ESG Risk Rating, is 17.2 (Low Risk). ING Group shares are also included in major sustainability and ESG index products of leading providers. Here are some examples: Euronext, STOXX, Morningstar and FTSE Russell. Society is transitioning to a low-carbon economy. So are our clients, and so is ING. We finance a lot of sustainable activities, but we still finance more that’s not. Follow our progress on ing.com/climate.

    Important legal information

    Elements of this press release contain or may contain information about ING Groep N.V. and/ or ING Bank N.V. within the meaning of Article 7(1) to (4) of EU Regulation No 596/2014 (‘Market Abuse Regulation’).

    ING Group’s annual accounts are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (‘IFRS- EU’). In preparing the financial information in this document, except as described otherwise, the same accounting principles are applied as in the 2024 ING Group consolidated annual accounts. All figures in this document are unaudited. Small differences are possible in the tables due to rounding.

    Certain of the statements contained herein are not historical facts, including, without limitation, certain statements made of future expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on management’s current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Actual results, performance or events may differ materially from those in such statements due to a number of factors, including, without limitation: (1) changes in general economic conditions and customer behaviour, in particular economic conditions in ING’s core markets, including changes affecting currency exchange rates and the regional and global economic impact of the invasion of Russia into Ukraine and related international response measures (2) changes affecting interest rate levels (3) any default of a major market participant and related market disruption (4) changes in performance of financial markets, including in Europe and developing markets (5) fiscal uncertainty in Europe and the United States (6) discontinuation of or changes in ‘benchmark’ indices (7) inflation and deflation in our principal markets (8) changes in conditions in the credit and capital markets generally, including changes in borrower and counterparty creditworthiness (9) failures of banks falling under the scope of state compensation schemes (10) non- compliance with or changes in laws and regulations, including those concerning financial services, financial economic crimes and tax laws, and the interpretation and application thereof (11) geopolitical risks, political instabilities and policies and actions of governmental and regulatory authorities, including in connection with the invasion of Russia into Ukraine and the related international response measures (12) legal and regulatory risks in certain countries with less developed legal and regulatory frameworks (13) prudential supervision and regulations, including in relation to stress tests and regulatory restrictions on dividends and distributions (also among members of the group) (14) ING’s ability to meet minimum capital and other prudential regulatory requirements (15) changes in regulation of US commodities and derivatives businesses of ING and its customers (16) application of bank recovery and resolution regimes, including write down and conversion powers in relation to our securities (17) outcome of current and future litigation, enforcement proceedings, investigations or other regulatory actions, including claims by customers or stakeholders who feel misled or treated unfairly, and other conduct issues (18) changes in tax laws and regulations and risks of non-compliance or investigation in connection with tax laws, including FATCA (19) operational and IT risks, such as system disruptions or failures, breaches of security, cyber-attacks, human error, changes in operational practices or inadequate controls including in respect of third parties with which we do business and including any risks as a result of incomplete, inaccurate, or otherwise flawed outputs from the algorithms and data sets utilized in artificial intelligence (20) risks and challenges related to cybercrime including the effects of cyberattacks and changes in legislation and regulation related to cybersecurity and data privacy, including such risks and challenges as a consequence of the use of emerging technologies, such as advanced forms of artificial intelligence and quantum computing (21) changes in general competitive factors, including ability to increase or maintain market share (22) inability to protect our intellectual property and infringement claims by third parties (23) inability of counterparties to meet financial obligations or ability to enforce rights against such counterparties (24) changes in credit ratings (25) business, operational, regulatory, reputation, transition and other risks and challenges in connection with climate change, diversity, equity and inclusion and other ESG-related matters, including data gathering and reporting and also including managing the conflicting laws and requirements of governments, regulators and authorities with respect to these topics (26) inability to attract and retain key personnel (27) future liabilities under defined benefit retirement plans (28) failure to manage business risks, including in connection with use of models, use of derivatives, or maintaining appropriate policies and guidelines (29) changes in capital and credit markets, including interbank funding, as well as customer deposits, which provide the liquidity and capital required to fund our operations, and (30) the other risks and uncertainties detailed in the most recent annual report of ING Groep N.V. (including the Risk Factors contained therein) and ING’s more recent disclosures, including press releases, which are available on www.ING.com.

    This document may contain ESG-related material that has been prepared by ING on the basis of publicly available information, internally developed data and other third-party sources believed to be reliable. ING has not sought to independently verify information obtained from public and third-party sources and makes no representations or warranties as to accuracy, completeness, reasonableness or reliability of such information.
    Materiality, as used in the context of ESG, is distinct from, and should not be confused with, such term as defined in the Market Abuse Regulation or as defined for Securities and Exchange Commission (‘SEC’) reporting purposes. Any issues identified as material for purposes of ESG in this document are therefore not necessarily material as defined in the Market Abuse Regulation or for SEC reporting purposes. In addition, there is currently no single, globally recognized set of accepted definitions in assessing whether activities are “green” or “sustainable.” Without limiting any of the statements contained herein, we make no representation or warranty as to whether any of our securities constitutes a green or sustainable security or conforms to present or future investor expectations or objectives for green or sustainable investing. For information on characteristics of a security, use of proceeds, a description of applicable project(s) and/or any other relevant information, please reference the offering documents for such security.

    This document may contain inactive textual addresses to internet websites operated by us and third parties. Reference to such websites is made for information purposes only, and information found at such websites is not incorporated by reference into this document. ING does not make any representation or warranty with respect to the accuracy or completeness of, or take any responsibility for, any information found at any websites operated by third parties. ING specifically disclaims any liability with respect to any information found at websites operated by third parties. ING cannot guarantee that websites operated by third parties remain available following the publication of this document, or that any information found at such websites will not change following the filing of this document. Many of those factors are beyond ING’s control.

    Any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of ING speak only as of the date they are made, and ING assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or for any other reason.

    This document does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, any securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction.


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  • Tietoevry’s Interim Report 3/2025

    Tietoevry’s Interim Report 3/2025

    Tietoevry Corporation     INTERIM REPORT 23 October 2025    9:00 a.m. (EEST)
     

    • Organic growth 4%, or -1% eliminating the revenue related to a court ruling in Tietoevry Banking
    • Tietoevry Care and Industry back to growth
    • Adjusted operating margin 19.3% (12.8%), or 15.2% eliminating the court ruling effect in Tietoevry Banking
    • Improved profitability in all businesses
    • Cost optimization progressing towards the 2026 target of EUR 115 million – run-rate savings of EUR 75 million achieved by the end of the third quarter​
    • The divestment of the Tech Services business completed during the quarter

    The divestment of Tietoevry Tech Services was completed on 2 September. The business has been presented as a discontinued operation as from the first quarter of 2025. The financial information presented in this report concerns continuing operations, unless otherwise stated. The comparative information has been restated accordingly.

    The full interim report with tables is available at the end of this release.
     

     

    7–9/2025

    7–9/2024

    1–9/2025

    1–9/2024

    Revenue, EUR million

     454.2

     436.3

     1 388.1

     1 407.6

         Organic growth1), %

     4

     -1

     -1

     0

         Acquisitions and divestments, %

     0

     1

     0

     3

         Foreign exchange rates, % 

     0

     -1

     0

     -1

    Total growth, %

     4

     0

     -1

     2

    Organic growth adjusted for working days4), %

     4

     -2

     -1

     1

    Operating profit/loss (EBIT), EUR million

     56.5

     35.5

     16.4

     108.3

    Operating margin (EBIT), %

     12.4

     8.1

     1.2

     7.7

    Adjusted2) operating profit (EBITA3)), EUR million

     87.8

     55.9

     181.3

     167.0

    Adjusted2) operating margin (EBITA3)), %

     19.3

     12.8

     13.1

     11.9

    Cash flow from operating activities, EUR million5)

     44.7

     58.2

     193.4

     198.1

    Interest-bearing net debt, EUR million5)

     551.9

     900.5

     551.9

     900.5

     

    Full-year outlook for 2025 updated on 15 September

    Tietoevry expects its organic1) growth to be in the range of -2% to 0% (revenue in 2024: EUR  1 879.5 million). The company estimates its full-year adjusted operating margin2) (adjusted EBITA3)) to be 12.7–13.3% (12.0% in 2024).

    The profitability outlook includes a negative IFRS 5-related impact of approximately 1.1 percentage points on the adjusted operating margin (EBITA) due to the Tech Services divestment. The impact comprises the costs that the company was not able to allocate to discontinued operations prior to the closing of the divestment on 2 September, and transition services income after that date.

    1) Adjusted for currency effects, acquisitions and divestments
    2) Adjustment items include restructuring costs, capital gains/losses, impairment charges and other items affecting comparability
    3) Profit before interests, taxes, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, goodwill and other intangible asset impairment
    4) Company estimate
    5) Cash flows combine the continuing and the discontinued operations; balance sheet comparative information not restated.

    CEO comment by Endre Rangnes 

    Progressing with execution of our strategic priorities: customer first, growth and lean cost structure

    “Our third-quarter performance was healthy with early signs of margin recovery. Our organic growth totalled 4% and adjusted operating margin 19.3% – this development was largely driven by revenue related to a court ruling in Tietoevry Banking. When eliminating the positive contribution of this revenue, underlying growth remained at -1%. On a positive note, our underlying margin improved to 15.2% from 12.8% year-on-year, with higher profitability in all businesses, following the execution of our cost optimization efforts. Tietoevry Care and Tietoevry Industry turned to growth whereas revenue development in Tietoevry Create remained negative due to continued challenging market conditions.

    Following the successful divestment of Tietoevry Tech Services during the quarter, we are now fully focused on executing our strategic priorities. This marks a pivotal phase for the company, where we are driving forward with a sharpened emphasis on customer centricity, growth and a lean cost structure – anchored by a strong execution mindset.

    To accelerate commercial impact, we have launched a comprehensive sales focus programme across business units. This initiative includes a new sales governance model, better aligning demand and supply of competencies for the benefit of our customers, as well as harmonization of CRM systems and targeted sales training. These efforts are designed to reinforce customer trust, strengthen the sales pipeline and enhance incentive effectiveness. Furthermore, our AI programme will help us adopt the best practices of embedding AI in both offerings and sales – and provide AI tools to improve internal productivity.

    We are actively transforming our business profile to support sustainable growth and improved profitability. Our strategic focus is on expanding cloud-native and AI-enabled solutions. Our ambition for growth is higher than our current performance, and we are pursuing international expansion for our proven Nordic software solutions. Early market responses – such as our latest win in Catalonia, Spain – are encouraging, though we expect the full impact to materialize over time due to longer lead cycles in new markets. We remain confident in our direction and committed to delivering long-term value for our customers and shareholders.

    Our cost optimization programmes introduced earlier this year are progressing as planned towards the EUR 115 million target by the end of 2026. We achieved run-rate savings of EUR 75 million by the end of the third quarter – well in line with the ambition for this year.​

    We are excited to introduce the next chapter of the company as well as our business plans at our Capital Markets Day in November. Reflecting on the active dialogue I have had with investors and across our stakeholder groups in the past months, we can be proud of our strong foundation, which comprises our long-term customer relations, relevant and renowned partners, market-leading vertical software assets, innovation capabilities and our talented people. This existing foundation combined with our clear strategy and relentless execution are the cornerstones of our future success.”

    Financial performance by segment

     

     

    Revenue,

    EUR million

    Revenue,

    EUR million

    Growth, %

    Organic growth, %

    Adjusted operating

    profit,

    EUR million

    Adjusted operating

    profit,

    EUR million

    Adjusted operating

    margin, %

    Adjusted operating

    margin, %

     

    7–9/2025

    7–9/2024

    7–9/2025

    7–9/2024

    7–9/2025

    7–9/2024

    Tietoevry Create

     184.3

    190.9

     -3 

     -3 

     23.6

    23.0

     12.8 

     12.1 

    Tietoevry Banking

     157.4

    137.9

     14 

     14 

     43.8

    18.3

     27.8 

     13.3 

    Tietoevry Care

     54.8

    53.3

     3 

     2 

     17.4

    16.8

     31.7 

     31.6 

    Tietoevry Industry

     64.0

    61.7

     4 

     3 

     12.4

    10.1

     19.4 

     16.3 

    Eliminations and non-allocated costs

     -6.3

    -7.5

     — 

     — 

     -9.4

    -12.4

     — 

     — 

    Group total

     454.2

    436.3

     4 

     4 

     87.8

    55.9

     19.3 

     12.8 

     

    For further information, please contact:

    Tomi Hyryläinen, Chief Financial Officer, tel. +358 50 555 0363, tomi.hyrylainen (at) tietoevry.com

    Tommi Järvenpää, Head of Investor Relations, tel. +358 40 576 0288, tommi.jarvenpaa (at) tietoevry.com

    A webcast for analysts and media will be held on 23 October at 10.00 a.m. EEST (9.00 a.m. CEST, 8.00 a.m. UK time). Endre Rangnes, President and CEO, and Tomi Hyryläinen, CFO, will present the results online in English. The presentation can be followed on Tietoevry’s website.

    To take part in the questions and answers session after the presentation you will need to dial in by phone. You can access the teleconference by registering on this link. After registration you will be provided phone numbers, user ID and a conference ID to access the conference.

    The event is recorded and it will be available on demand later during the day. Tietoevry publishes its financial information in English and Finnish.

    Tietoevry Corporation

     

    DISTRIBUTION

    Nasdaq Helsinki

    Nasdaq Stockholm

    Oslo Børs

    Principal Media

    Tietoevry is a leading software and digital engineering services company with global market reach and capabilities. We provide customers across different industries with mission-critical solutions through our specialized software businesses* Tietoevry Care, Tietoevry Banking and Tietoevry Industry, as well as our digital engineering business Tietoevry Create. Our around 15 000 talented vertical software, design, cloud and AI experts are dedicated to empowering our customers to succeed and innovate with latest technology.

    Tietoevry’s annual revenue is approximately EUR 2 billion. The company’s shares are listed on the NASDAQ exchange in Helsinki and Stockholm, as well as on Oslo Børs. www.tietoevry.com

     

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  • Nexans Acquires Electro Cables to Enhance Market Position

    Nexans Acquires Electro Cables to Enhance Market Position

    • Electro Cables is a Canadian player in low-voltage cable systems, delivering high-performance and service-focused solutions.
    • Strong strategic complement to Nexans’ Canadian portfolio, offering attractive growth perspectives and a robust profitability profile.

    Nexans announces the signature of an agreement to acquire 100% of the share capital of Electro Cables Inc. (“Electro Cables”).

    Founded in 1985 and headquartered in Trenton, Ontario, Canada, Electro Cables is a family-owned business specializing in low-voltage cables. The company is recognized for its strong expertise in high added value solutions in adjacent to cable businesses and is supported by a robust technology platform that fully complements Nexans’ positioning in Canada. Operating through its two industrial sites,  with potential for future expansion, Electro Cables serves fast growing markets such as (i) specialized projects linked to infrastructure, data centers, gigafactories, powered transportation infrastructure, renewables and (ii) critical buildings, particularly in healthcare. With approximately c.€125 million current sales for the last twelve months ending July 2025 and a team of around 200 employees, Electro Cables has demonstrated attractive growth and robust profitability.

    This acquisition allows Nexans to further strengthen and complement its activity portfolio in Canada, enhancing its position in a very dynamic market while optimizing local supply chain efficiency. It also paves the way for valuable synergies driven by Nexans’ expanded local presence and the rollout of its proven proprietary SHIFT program while enhancing innovation. The acquisition will be fully financed in cash, leveraging Nexans’ strong balance sheet and is expected to be EPS accretive from year one.


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  • Yinson GreenTech launches next generation Hydromover 2.0 and secures landmark electric vessel deployments in the UAE

    Yinson GreenTech launches next generation Hydromover 2.0 and secures landmark electric vessel deployments in the UAE

    Yinson GreenTech, a leading green technology solutions provider, has unveiled the Hydromover 2.0 through its marine electrification solutions business, marinEV. The all-new vessel boasts longer range, faster charging time and larger cargo capacity, while integrating the next wave of digitalisation and electrification technology in maritime operations, setting a new benchmark for zero-emissions cargo transfers in ports worldwide.

     

    Building on the success of the Hydromover prototype, Singapore’s first fully electric cargo vessel launched in November 2023, the latest Hydromover 2.0 introduces multiple key features, including increased energy storage capacity, an advanced hull form that minimises drag, and a redesigned electrical architecture to reduce power loss. These improvements translate into a threefold increase in range that can cover all anchorages within Singapore’s port limits. Fully charged in under two hours, the vessel ensures high uptime and reliability for daily operations. The Hydromover 2.0 also boasts 25% more cargo capacity and a 75% larger deck space, supporting greater cargo consolidation, efficiency, and flexibility in port operations. 

     

    The Hydromover 2.0 also represents a major step forward in Yinson GreenTech’s vision to combine electrification and digitalisation in maritime operations. Beyond its zero-emission propulsion, the vessel fully integrates marinEV’s Marine Digital Platform, enabling real-time analytics, route optimisation, automated vessel management, and data-driven decision-making. This powerful combination of clean energy and smart technology positions the Hydromover 2.0 as a catalyst for transforming traditional port operations into connected, efficient, and intelligent ecosystems – setting a new benchmark for sustainable maritime logistics in Singapore and globally. See Annex A for detailed specifications.

     

    At the launch event, Yinson GreenTech signed its first bareboat charter agreements with Yacht International UAE, marking a significant milestone in the vessel’s entry into the maritime market. Deliveries of the Hydromover 2.0 vessels to United Arab Emirates (UAE) are expected to be completed by mid-2026. Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was executed between Yinson GreenTech, Yacht International UAE, and Wilhelmsen Port Services to grow the adoption of electric vessels in ports throughout the UAE.

     

    Jan-Viggo Johansen, Managing Director of marinEV, said:

    “The all-new Hydromover 2.0 sets unprecedented standards for the modern maritime industry. At the same time, the signing of new agreements in the UAE marks a pivotal step forward for marinEV and Yinson GreenTech. Together, these milestones demonstrate our ability to move beyond innovation and into real-world deployment – taking proven electric vessel technology, connected IoT systems, and integrated digital platforms from Singapore to new markets. They reinforce our commitment to transforming port operations through the combined power of electrification and digitalisation, and to shaping a smarter, cleaner, and more connected maritime future.”

     

    Prakash Vakkayil Bhaskaran, Chief Executive Officer of Yacht International LLC, commented:

    “The launch of the Hydromover 2.0 marks a defining moment for the UAE maritime sector and for Yacht International. As operator of a fleet of 15 offshore support vessels & now one of the first operators to deploy fully electric vessels in the region, we are proud to contribute directly to the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 vision and Green Mobility initiatives. This project demonstrates that sustainable innovation and commercial efficiency can move hand in hand, setting a new benchmark for clean, smart, and responsible marine operations in our waters. This is more than a vessel launch — it is a statement of intent. The Hydromover 2.0 represents our commitment to shaping the next generation of marine logistics, powered by technology, data, and responsibility to our environment.”

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  • Frozen housing benefit see families plunged into homelessness

    Frozen housing benefit see families plunged into homelessness

    Meghan OwenLondon work and money correspondent

    BBC A woman with long dark brown hair. She is wearing a green coat and looking at the cameraBBC

    Esther Planas lives in Hackney, which has one of the biggest shortfalls between local rents and local house allowance rates

    Rents across England continue to rise as the numbers of households in temporary accommodation across the country are at a record high.

    Meanwhile, the amount of housing benefit private renters can claim – the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) – remains frozen – as it has been for most of the past decade.

    Housing sector organisations, including landlords and homeless charities, are urging the government to unfreeze LHA, fearful that it’s driving more renters into homelessness.

    Artist Esther Planas, 65, rents a one-bedroom flat in Hackney, east London and claims Universal Credit (UC).

    She fears she is just one small rent rise away from homelessness.

    “It’s like you’re in quicksand. Nothing is stable under your feet. Things mutate all the time. Rents are crazy, and nothing is out there to protect you.”

    In 2023, Esther applied for homelessness after her landlord tried to rise her rent by £500 a month, which she couldn’t afford.

    Hackney Council mediated and the rent rise was reduced to £200 a month – something Esther’s local housing allowance only just covers – but she fears it could happen again.

    “I am really scared because for the moment, they’re letting me be… [but] if my rent was risen again I would have to claim homelessness.”

    The Resolution Foundation think tank estimates that Hackney has the largest cash shortfall in London – at £350 a month – between the Local Housing Allowance rate and local rents, according to analysis of the latest data.

    The foundation’s analysis omits four boroughs with the highest rents – which are calculated differently – and some boroughs don’t fall cleanly into LHA boundaries.

    A woman with a cream short-sleeved top looks at the camera. She has black hair and brown eyes

    Alicia Walker, Shelter’s assistant director of activism and advocacy, is calling for the government to unfreeze LHA rates

    Forty organisations have sent a joint-sector letter to the government, calling for LHA rates to be unfrozen.

    Alice Walker, Shelter’s assistant director of activism and advocacy, says “people have to choose between eating and having a roof over their heads. There are far too many people stuck in temporary accommodation because they can’t afford to pay their rent.”

    According to research by Crisis, as of November 2024, almost half (48%) of the 1.6 million private rented households in receipt of UC had a shortfall between the support they received and their rent, and fewer than three in every 100 privately rented properties listed in England were affordable for people on housing benefit

    Jenna Fassa from Hackney Food Bank says the increasing shortfall between LHA and local rents is driving more people to use their services.

    “We see a large number of working people. It’s not unusual for us to see professions like nurses, the occasional firefighter, policemen – key-worker roles who can’t afford the rents in Hackney.

    “It’s not unusual for our visitors to be living in mouldy, damp and draughty conditions or small buildings where there isn’t enough space.”

    The National Residential Landlords Association has also joined calls to unfreeze the LHA rate.

    Chief executive Ben Beadle said: “If the government is serious about improving access to rented housing, it has to unfreeze the Local Housing Allowance. It cannot be right that a system designed to support rental costs is failing to reflect rents as they actually are.”

    However, renters’ groups including the Renters’ Reform Coalition are calling for the government to focus on capping rent increases.

    Jae Vail from the London Renters Union warns that “we cannot allow private landlords to profiteer and collect billions more pounds of public money every year”.

    People at a food bank

    Hackney Food Bank is seeing more working people using its services, with a 20% increase in clients in the past year

    LHA rates were increased to the 30th percentile of local market rents in April 2024, at a cost of about £7bn over five years across Britain.

    A spokesperson for the government said it was tackling rising rents and the housing shortage with its commitment to build 1.5 million homes, including “the biggest boost to social and affordable housing in a generation.”

    “We’re also putting more money in people’s pockets by uprating benefits, making Universal Credit deductions fairer, and helping people move out of poverty and into good, secure jobs as part of our Plan for Change.”

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  • Sodexo Fiscal 2025 results in line with revised guidance; Fiscal 2026 as a transition year laying foundation for the future

    Sodexo Fiscal 2025 results in line with revised guidance; Fiscal 2026 as a transition year laying foundation for the future

    Over the past four years, we have repositioned Sodexo as a pure-play food and services company. We have streamlined our portfolio, sharpened our focus on core activities, whilst continuing the transformation of our operating model. These efforts have set a strong foundation for sustainable performance.

    Our Fiscal 2025 results reflect both the progress achieved and the operational challenges we faced, particularly in the U.S. For Fiscal 2026, we remain laser-focused on addressing these challenges, with clear action plans already underway.

    The appointment of Thierry Delaporte as Chief Executive Officer marks the opening of a new chapter for Sodexo, with commercial acceleration and rigorous execution being our key priorities. I am confident that our new governance structure will support the Group’s next stage of development and long-term success.

    I want to sincerely thank all Sodexo teams for their dedication and commitment. Their engagement has been essential in driving change and positioning the Group strongly for the future.
     

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  • Renault Group 2025 Q3 revenue up +6.8% 2025 financial outlook confirmed

    Renault Group 2025 Q3 revenue up +6.8% 2025 financial outlook confirmed

    “In a highly challenging environment, we continue to capitalize on our compelling and competitive line-up – spanning electric, ICE, and hybrid vehicles – driving a 6.8% increase in Group revenue this quarter. We also benefited from the strong performance of Mobilize Financial Services, our financial captive, which remains a strategic asset for both current operations and the Group’s long-term ambitions. With the target to be the best in what we can control, we remain fully committed to our value over volume strategy, while maintaining strong focus on executing our cost-reduction roadmap. We confirm our full-year guidance, targeting a Group operating margin around 6.5% and free cash flow between €1.0bn and €1.5bn. In parallel, we are actively shaping our next mid-term plan, designed to accelerate the Group’s transformation and unlock future opportunities.” said Duncan Minto, Chief Financial Officer of Renault Group.

    Boulogne-Billancourt, France, October 23, 2025

    Commercial results highlights

    In 2025 Q3, Renault Group achieved a 9.8% increase in registrations compared to the same period in 2024, with a total of 529,486 vehicles sold. Both international and European sales contributed to this performance, up 14.9% and 7.5% respectively. In Europe[4], passenger cars sales grew by 10.9%, outperforming a market up 7.5%, while LCV sales have shown improvement sequentially, yet remaining 7.1% below 2024 Q3. All brands were up (PC, Europe): Renault +5.5%, Dacia +16.1%, Alpine +306.4%.

    During the first nine months of 2025, Group sales were up 3.8% reaching 1,698,964 vehicles, with the three brands growing. In Europe, PC sales were up 6.9% for a total of 1,003,085 vehicles sold. In the international market, Renault brand sales (PC+LCV) were up in Latam (+17.3%), South Korea (+213.7%) and Morocco (+46.3%), confirming the success of its International Game Plan.

    Renault Group maintained its strategy:

    • Value over volume commercial policy:
      • retail sales accounted for 58.4% of total sales in the five[5] main European countries (nearly 17 points above the market), with sequential improvement in Q3 at 63.8% of total sales (20 points above the market). 3 vehicles were in the top 10 retail sales in Europe: Sandero, Duster, and Clio.
      • residual values remained globally stable for both Renault and Dacia brands at the end of September 2025 compared to last year, being 5 to 11 points[6] above main competitors in the five main European countries.
    • Electrification[7] acceleration: 

    In the first nine months, Renault Group electrified vehicle sales rose by 58.6%, now representing 43.9% of total sales.
    In 2025 Q3, Renault Group’s electrified vehicle mix reached 44.0% of the total sales up 10.8 points compared to 2024 Q3.

      • EV: Over the first nine months, Renault Group EV share increased by more than 5 points to reach 12.7%.  Renault 5 E-Tech was the B-segment EV leader in Europe.
        In 2025 Q3, Renault Group EV sales grew by 122.1% compared to 2024 Q3, reaching 13.5% of sales.
      • Hybrid (HEV): Over the first nine months, Renault Group HEV share increased by more than
        8 points to reach 30.4%. This increase is due to Renault and Dacia brands’ successful hybrid line-up. Renault Group remained second for hybrid (HEV) vehicles in Europe.
        In 2025 Q3, Renault Group HEV sales grew by 25.0% compared to 2024 Q3.

    Renault Brand

    In the first nine months of 2025, Renault sold 1,169,806 vehicles worldwide, marking a +3.8% increase, compared to the same period last year. In Europe[8], Renault PC recorded a +7.5% increase, the second-highest growth among top fifteen automotive brands, with 546,314 vehicles sold. The brand’s PC market share rose by +0.3 points reaching 5.5%. Renault International Game Plan continues to deliver strong results, with +15.6% growth (PC+LCV) in the international market compared to last year.

    In 2025 Q3, Renault delivered a strong performance, with 361,575 vehicles sold, a 6.6% growth compared to 2024 Q3. 

    Internationally[9], Renault grew in its strategic regions, posting a +14.2% increase overall. In Latin America, the brand rose by 6.8% thanks to Kardian with further momentum expected from the upcoming launch of Boreal in Brazil this November. In South Korea, Grand Koleos made the brand grow by 54.7% compared to 2024 Q3. In Morocco, Renault achieved a +42.6% growth, with 9,258 vehicles sold, again supported by Kardian’s success.

    In Europe, the brand grew by 1.8% (PC+LCV) thanks to a 5.5% PC growth and a LCV performance (-7.0%) showing signs of recovery following a challenging first half[10] of the year. Growth was especially high in Germany (+27.9%) and in Spain (+11.9%).

    Renault electrified[11] vehicles accounted for 60.0% of the brand sales (+9.6 points vs. 2024 Q3). Renault EV sales surged by +84.7%, to reach more than 20% of Q3 sales (+8.7 points vs. 2024 Q3) thanks to Renault 5 E-Tech, the B-segment EV leader in Europe, and Scenic E-Tech, the C-segment EV leader in France. Hybrid sales rose by +4.4%, thanks to Symbioz, the best-selling Renault hybrid, to reach 37.9% of the brand sales. Renault was the second brand for hybrid vehicles in Europe.

    Over the first nine months, Renault EV sales were up 65.8% compared to the same period in 2024. Renault EV mix reached 17.4%, up 6.1 points compared to the same period in 2024.

    Dacia Brand

    In the first 9 months of 2025, Dacia brand sold 521,387 vehicles worldwide, up 4.1% compared to the same period in 2024. In Europe, with 449,634 passenger cars sold (+5.3%), the brand maintained its 9th position in the passenger cars market. It gained one place and was ranked 2nd on the European podium for passenger cars sold to retail customers, the brand’s core customer base.

    2025 Q3 marked an acceleration for Dacia with 165,451 vehicles sold (+16.2%), a strong increase compared to the first two quarters of 2025. The brand posted a solid growth in the majority of European markets, with remarkable performances in Germany (+23.6%), Spain (+19.3%) and Belgium–Luxembourg (+37.5%). This momentum was largely driven by the success of Bigster, the second best-selling C-SUV since June in Europe on the retail market, which recorded 22,353 registrations during Q3 and more than 39,700 since the beginning of the year. It also registered more than 55,000 orders since its launch. Dacia Sandero confirms its success by being the best-selling vehicle in Europe, all distribution channels combined, with 66,233 units sold in Q3 and 218,089 units since January.

    With Duster and Bigster, Dacia is accelerating the pace of its electrification[11]. Hybrid sales more than doubled, now accounting for 20.9% of the brand’s Q3 sales (+9.1 points vs. 2024 Q3). Over the first nine months, Dacia’s hybrid sales jumped by 170.0%.

    Alpine Brand

    In the first 9 months of 2025, Alpine sales more than doubled compared to the same period in 2024, to reach 7,394 vehicles.

    In 2025 Q3, Alpine recorded 2,344 registrations, compared to 625 registrations in 2024 Q3. The A290, the recently launched electric sports city car, is now available in almost all of the brand’s countries, totaling 1,845 registrations over the period. The United Kingdom becomes the second largest market for the A290 after France. In addition, Alpine will soon open orders for the A390, its new electric sport fastback. The A110 maintained a solid momentum even if the orders of the current generation of A110   will close in the coming months before the arrival of the next generation 100% electric.

    Third quarter revenue

    Group revenue for 2025 Q3 amounted to €11,426 million, up 6.8% compared to 2024 Q3. At constant exchange rates[12], Group revenue was up 8.5%.

    Automotive revenue reached €9,816 million, up 5.0% compared to 2024 Q3. It included -1.8 points of negative exchange rates effect (-€167 million) mainly related to the devaluation of the Argentinean peso, the Turkish lira, the Brazilian real and the Korean won. At constant exchange rates1, it increased by 6.8%. This evolution was mainly explained by the following:

    • A positive volume effect of +3.2 points. The 9.8% increase in registrations was partly offset by a higher destocking of the independent dealer network over the quarter compared to 2024 Q3 (destocking by 72k units in 2024 Q3 vs. 98k units in 2025 Q3).
    • A positive geographic mix of +1.0 point, notably explained by lower sales in Brazil in 2025 Q3 due to a focus on the most profitable channels combined with a high comparison base in 2024 Q3.
    • A positive product mix effect of +0.9 points explained by the performance of both Renault and Dacia models mostly Bigster and Renault 5 E-Tech. The lower product mix effect compared to the previous quarters is mostly explained by the annualization impact of the launches from the previous year. Product mix in Q4 should be higher, benefiting from a stronger contribution of Bigster and Renault 5 E-Tech, and the ramp-up of Renault 4 E-Tech.
    • A negative price effect of -0.8 points mainly due to the market conditions in Europe that remain challenging with commercial pressure. Some of the negative currency impacts were offset by price increases. As part of its value over volume policy, the Group maintains, in its pricing approach, a strong focus on residual values, which is a key competitive factor for the Group’s long-term performance.
    • A positive sales to partners effect of +1.6 points, notably driven by programs with our partners and the impact of the integration of RNAIPL (Renault Nissan Automotive India Private Ltd) into the consolidation perimeter. On August 1st, 2025, Renault Group completed the acquisition of the 51% stake in the Chennai plant (RNAIPL), previously held by Nissan.
    • A positive ”Othereffect of +0.9 points, primarily related to the performance of Retail Renault Group (RRG) activity.

    Mobility Services contributed €23 million to 2025 Q3 Group revenue compared to €14 million in 2024 Q3.

    Mobilize Financial Services posted revenue of €1,587 million in 2025 Q3, up 18.4% compared to 2024 Q3, due to higher interest rates and to the increase of average performing assets (at €59.5 billion) which improved by 5.3% compared to 2024 Q3.

    As of September 30, 2025, total inventories (including the independent network) represented 538,000 vehicles, a level in line with the normal seasonal evolution:

    • Group inventories at 219,000 vehicles
    • Independent dealer inventories at 319,000 vehicles

    Looking forward into Q4, the Group expects the restocking at independent dealers to be well below the one recorded in 2024 Q4.

    The high single-digit growth of the order intake in 2025 Q3 year-on-year is fueling the orderbook in Europe, which stood at 1.6 months at the end of September given the strong forward sales expected in Q4.  

    2025 FY financial outlook

    Renault Group confirms its 2025 financial outlook, updated on July 15, 2025:

    • Group operating margin around 6.5%
    • Free cash flow between €1.0 billion and €1.5 billion

    Renault Group’s consolidated revenue

    Total Renault Group PC + LCV1 sales by brand 

    Renault Group’s top 15 markets at the end of September 2025

    2025 Q3 Revenue Conference

    Link to follow the conference on October 23, 2025, from 8:00am CEST and available in replay: 2025 Q3 conference streaming


    [1] In order to analyze the variation in consolidated revenue at constant exchange rates, Renault Group recalculates the revenue for the current period by applying average exchange rates of the previous period.

    [3] Unless otherwise specified, rankings are expressed over the first 9 months of the year.

    [5] France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and United Kingdom

    [6] 22 main brands PC segment, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and United Kingdom

    [7] Scope: EV, HEV and PHEV passenger cars in Europe. Provisional data at the end of September 2025 based on the following European markets: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Irlande, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom

    [10]  2025 H1 Renault LCV sales declining by 29.9% vs. 2024 H1

    [11] Scope: EV, HEV and PHEV passenger cars in Europe. Provisional data at the end of September 2025 based on the following European markets: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Irlande, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom

    [12] In order to analyze the variation in consolidated revenue at constant exchange rates, Renault Group recalculates the revenue for the current period by applying average exchange rates of the previous period.

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  • ‘Your new website sucks’: Bureau of Meteorology redesign is lightning rod for heated criticism | Australia weather

    ‘Your new website sucks’: Bureau of Meteorology redesign is lightning rod for heated criticism | Australia weather

    It was designed to be clean and clear, but the Bureau of Meteorology’s new website has come in for criticism for being confusing, clunky and “really, really bad”.

    After years of development, the government site, which has 2.6bn page views a year, was relaunched on Wednesday, its homepage giving users a snapshot of weather in capital cities around the country and latest news updates from the bureau.

    Rain radars, weather maps, MetEye, industry pages, specialised forecasts and historical data can be found via tabs and buttons on the main page, some of which link back to the former site while pages are still being migrated across.

    The first redesign in 12 years, according to the bureau’s senior meteorologist, Andrea Peace, has raised the ire of some users, who quickly took to social media to tell the bureau just what they thought of the change.

    One Facebook user commented on a BoM post, saying: “Give us our site back. We don’t want this new one.”

    A member of the Whingers Forster Tuncurry group said: “Hate it with a capital ‘H’ … what the hell were they thinking?”

    Another user said: “I think I will go back to the old fashioned weather … look out the window and then wear a coat, take an umbrella and hope for the best … much better than this ‘new’ forecast page.”

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    Thomas Hinterdorfer: Extreme Weather Chaser wrote to the bureau via a social media post: “Your new website sucks … The website is clunky, extremely difficult to navigate.”

    A Reddit user who accessed the site’s beta page before the launch said the site had been “dumbed down”.

    A farm owner from Glen Innes in New South Wales, who asked for her name to be withheld, told Guardian Australia the change was a “step backwards”.

    “What the new site says to me is, if you live in the city and want to find out what temperature it is, it’s dead easy,” she said.

    “But we are weather nuts and we like to be able to see more in-depth information. This site is really, really bad.”

    Perhaps her biggest gripe was that it now takes three clicks to access water and land data that is crucial to farmers – with the last click redirecting her to the “excellent” agriculture and natural resources management page within the old site.

    “If they change that, too, it will really be a retrograde step,” she said.

    Among the less common positive comments was praise for the site’s simplicity and its consolidated location data.

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    “I had 2 bookmarks for the radar map and my local forecast, now it’s all on the one page and I can delete one of my bookmarks,” one user wrote.

    Peace said the new interface was “very much about trying to make it clean and simple”, as well as being customisable and more secure, accessible and stable than the old – and would continue to be developed with community input.

    “The legacy site had over 72,000 pages. It had limited search functionality, there was no way to customise it,” she said.

    “It is going to take some time for people to get used to the new website … most things are there, it’s just about finding the new way.”

    Some of the old site’s pages are yet to be mapped on to the new site, she said, while others will not be brought across. One popular feature on the app, its predicted rain radar, will be integrated to the new site “in time”.

    “We know that people are very passionate about the weather,” she said. “People feel real ownership of the bureau’s website – and so we did expect that there would be some challenges for people to adapt to this change. We just hope that each time someone uses it, they’ll find something new.”

    The overhaul has been a long time coming. The bureau’s annual report of 2018-19 referred to a new website being built for the agency. In its 2022-23 annual report, the agency said it would complete public beta testing of its new website the following year.

    In 2022, the bureau caused a storm of controversy online when it said it should no longer be referred to by its acronym but by its full name in the first instance and “the Bureau” thereafter.

    Additional reporting by Graham Readfearn

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