NewzIntel.com

Category: European Union

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Enjoy the great outdoors this spring by becoming a Derby Parks volunteer

    Source: City of Derby

    As spring approaches, do you want to make new friends, get out in the fresh air, learn new skills or get a bit more exercise? You can do all this and more by becoming a Derby Parks Volunteer!

    Working closely with the Council’s Parks team, the volunteers carry out conservation work and improvements to parks and green spaces across the city to ensure they’re preserved for the public to enjoy.

    The group’s chairperson Peter Marshall, from Littleover, has been a member for almost 10 years. He went along to a session after hearing about the group from a friend and never looked back.

    Peter said:

    I had been retired for some time and my wife was volunteering at the Royal Derby. A friend told me he had been volunteering with a group at Sinfin Local Nature Reserve, doing all sorts of conservation and maintenance. I turned up for a session and have been volunteering ever since.

    I was made welcome by the group from the beginning and really enjoy being part of it, you get a sense of belonging. We have several long-term members who have clocked up over 10 years and are still going.

    There are so many benefits – it’s great to be outdoors, learn new skills and get some exercise. There’s a great variety of tasks to get involved with and you can do as much or as little as you can. It’s very satisfying to see what we’ve achieved at the end of the day. We also have plenty of breaks for tea and biscuits!

    A group of volunteers hard at work

    Peter added:

    Our tasks take us to parks and green spaces all around the city. I’ve discovered places that were unknown to me, even one quite close to where I live. Some of the projects I remember fondly are pond lining at Chaddesden Park, building bridges at Allestree Park and step building at Chellaston brick works.

    If it sounds like something you’d like to get involved with, come along and join us to try it for yourself. Anyone turning up on a task day will be joining a group of like-minded individuals from diverse backgrounds, all with a common aim.

    The volunteers have a dedicated task leader to link the group with the Council’s Parks team. Regular meetings take place to keep the group up to date with plans and developments across the parks.

    Councillor Ndukwe Onuoha, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Streetpride, Public Safety and Leisure, said:

    Derby’s parks are a treasure. Derby Parks Volunteers work closely with the Council’s teams to keep them vibrant and enjoyable spaces for everyone to enjoy. Why not come along and enjoy the great outdoors while making new friends? By lending a hand, you can help our green spaces thrive.

    To start out, new volunteers will need sturdy waterproof footwear and clothing to suit the season – volunteers work in all weathers! Volunteers are provided with all the necessary tools and PPE.

    For more information go to the Derby Parks Volunteers website or check out the group’s Facebook page.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Land Reform Bill must correct vast historic wrong

    Source: Scottish Greens

    26 Mar 2025 Climate

    Land is power.

    More in Climate

    The Scottish Government’s Land Reform Bill must advance efforts to overturn Scotland’s vastly unequal historic land ownership and allow more of our land to be managed in a way that delivers for people and planet, say the Scottish Greens.

    With the Bill set to be debated for the first time at Stage One today, Scottish Green MSP Ariane Burgess has urged the government to work with her and community campaigners to ensure it is as robust as possible.

    Ms Burgess is calling for meaningful powers to break up the big estates and empower communities to buy and transform the land around them. The Highlands and Islands MSP is also seeking changes that will ensure large estates are managed for the public’s benefit, including tackling the climate crisis.

    The Bill, which began as a result of the Bute House Agreement that brought the Greens into government, is meant to ensure large landowners are legally required to produce land management plans, and engage with local communities over how it is used, including on vital issues like restoring nature, and reducing the impacts of climate change.

    With half of Scotland’s land owned by less than 1% of people, our land distribution is some of the most unequal in Europe.

    Ms Burgess said:

    “Land is power, and this Bill has the potential to be a huge step forward for rural communities and in addressing the historic wrongs that continue to block the fairer distribution of Scotland’s land today.

    “Our country should belong to all of us. We need to ensure that landowners are using their land in ways that benefit our communities, our nature and our environment.

    “At its heart, land reform is about challenging power and empowering our communities. From our cities to our countryside and from our hills to our iconic rivers and our beautiful coastlines, huge swathes of Scotland are owned by a very small number of extremely wealthy people.

    “It is over 20 years since Scotland introduced community right to buy laws, but one of the biggest barriers to community ownership is the complex process for communities to register their interest to buy land when it becomes available. This includes small parcels of land that could be used for self-build housing, community orchards or new community enterprises.

    “That’s why it’s vital that this Bill goes much further in delivering robust powers that will allow us to break up big estates that come up for sale and to manage them for the wider public benefit.

    “These kinds of changes will make community ownership a far more viable and affordable option for many communities and give them more of a stake in their future.

    “By diversifying how we use our land we can tackle the impacts of climate change and nature loss and secure a thriving biodiversity and more rural jobs in Scotland.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Labour must tax wealthy, not cut vital services

    Source: Scottish Greens

    26 Mar 2025 Finance

    Austerity is a choice.

    More in Finance

    The UK Government’s Spring Statement will be a test of Labour’s morals, says Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater MSP.

    Ms Slater has urged the party to tax the super-rich with wealth taxes to boost our green industries, undo the cruel cuts that have been inflicted and build a fairer society for people and planet.

    According to research from the Tax Justice Network, a 1% annual wealth tax on net assets over £10 million could raise almost £10 billion a year while only impacting the richest 0.4% of the population.

    Polling from Oxfam shows that two-thirds of Scots back increasing taxes for the rich, which would raise far more money than any ‘savings’ made through cuts.

    Ms Slater said:

    “The assault on social security and public services is not inevitable. It is a political choice.

    “Labour is choosing to punch downwards and punish the most vulnerable rather than taxing the super-rich who have seen their incomes soaring while millions of people have been unable to make ends meet

    “This is one of the wealthiest societies there has ever been, but so much of that wealth is being hoarded by a small number of very rich people and corporations.

    “By properly taxing wealth, we can do far more to tackle poverty, improve healthcare, invest in public services and create better, happier and healthier communities.”

    Ms Slater added:

    “Labour promised change, but it was one of the most dishonest election campaigns in history.

    “You can’t undo the catastrophic impact of 14 years of Tory rule with even more cuts.

    “Every Labour MP faces a moral test. Will they back wealth taxes on the super rich, or will they back plans which they know will plunge even more of their constituents into poverty?”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: TRA widens review of UK’s steel defences

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    TRA widens review of UK’s steel defences

    The TRA has  expanded the scope of its review of the steel safeguard measure to ensure new concerns raised by the UK steel industry are fully considered.

    The TRA has today (Wednesday 26 March) expanded the scope of its review of the steel safeguard measure to ensure new concerns raised by the UK steel industry are fully considered. 

    UK Steel, the trade association for the UK steel industry, submitted evidence to the TRA earlier this month that there have been changes in circumstance that may warrant a change to the current tariff rate quotas imposed. The TRA has therefore decided to examine this new evidence as part of a review already underway into the developing countries excepted from the safeguard measure. This will mean a solution can be found in a timely and efficient manner. 

    UK Steel’s submission noted that the quotas of certain categories of steel (namely categories 4, 7 and 13) are being dominated and exhausted by individual countries. The TRA has also acquired other data which indicates that there are other categories whose residual quotas have been exhausted early in the quarter (categories 5, 16, 17 and 21).  

    The submission also noted that there has been a decline in global demand for steel, both in the UK and globally, including China, where demand has fallen by 3%. The submission points to a fall in demand in the UK, and notes that demand has contracted by 16% between 2018 and 2023. UK Steel claims that against this backdrop, the current safeguard measure does not offer adequate protection to UK industry.  

    The TRA will therefore consider whether the tariff rate quotas to which certain steel products are subject should be varied. 

    Once the TRA has concluded its review of the tariff rate quota, it will publish an intended recommendation, allow interested parties to comment, before submitting a final recommendation to the Secretary of Business and Trade.  

    As a result of the expanded matters being considered in the review, interested parties can now register their interest or provide updated submissions via the TRA’s public file before 9 April 2025. 

    Notes to editors: 

    • The Trade Remedies Authority is the UK body that investigates whether new trade remedy measures are needed to counter unfair import practices and unforeseen surges of imports.
    • Trade remedy investigations were carried out by the EU Commission on the UK’s behalf until the UK left the EU. A number of EU trade remedy measures of interest to UK producers were transitioned into UK law when the UK left the EU and the TRA has been reviewing these to assess whether they are suitable for UK needs.
    • UK industries concerned about imports have been able to submit applications for a new trade remedy measure since January 2021. These applications are considered by the TRA to see if there are grounds for an investigation.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: RSH publishes regulatory judgements for seven landlords

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    RSH publishes regulatory judgements for seven landlords

    The Regulator of Social Housing has today published regulatory judgements for seven housing associations.

    Following programmed inspections, Cross Keys Homes, LiveWest Homes, Midland Heart, and Thirteen Housing Group all received C1/G1/V1 gradings. Places for People Group received C1/G1/V2 gradings.

    As well as its G1/V2 gradings, Together Housing Group received a C2, meaning that there are some weaknesses in its delivery of the outcomes of the consumer standards and improvement is needed, specifically in relation to the outcomes in our Safety and Quality Standard.  

    Together Housing Group needs to demonstrate progress in the delivery of the remainder of its programme of physical inspections to fill remaining gaps in understanding the condition of its homes including on decent homes standard compliance.   

    RSH’s inspection also identified improvement needed in reporting arrangements for landlord health & safety in relation to the level of detail provided on remedial actions.  

    Cross Keys Homes was regraded from a V2 to V1 and RSH was assured that financial plans are consistent with, and support, its financial strategy. It retained its G1 grading. 

    Cross Keys also evidenced that it has an adequately funded business plan, sufficient security in place to support its financial plans, and forecasts that it will continue to meet its financial covenants under a wide range of adverse scenarios. 

    Following a two-year period of intensive engagement, RSH has now given Rochdale Boroughwide Housing a G2 grading for governance and removed a previous regulatory notice.  

    Through this engagement RSH has sought assurance that Rochdale Boroughwide Housing’s new leadership team has strengthened the way the organisation is run, to address the failings which led to Awaab Ishak’s tragic death and improve its service to tenants. 

    A G2 grading means Rochdale Boroughwide Housing meets RSH’s governance requirements overall but needs to make improvements to ensure progress continues. RSH will continue to actively engage with the provider and monitor its ongoing improvement plan.   

    RSH also removed regulatory notices for Babergh District Council and Mid-Suffolk District Council. 

    The other providers – LiveWest Homes, Midland Heart, Places for People Group and Thirteen Housing Group – retained their previous governance and financial viability gradings. 

    Kate Dodsworth, Chief of Regulatory Engagement at RSH, said: 

    “Even landlords which receive the highest gradings still have room for improvement. As we enter the second year of our inspection programme, we are looking for evidence of a proactive approach to meeting the outcomes of our standards. 

    “All landlords should aim for G1. Strong governance is fundamental to delivering more and better homes, improving services to tenants while having robust finances.” 

    Notes to Editors 

    1. On 1 April 2024 RSH introduced new consumer standards for social housing landlords, designed to drive long-term improvements in the sector. It also began a programme of inspections for all large social landlords (those with over 1,000 homes) over a four-year cycle. The changes are a result of the Social Housing Regulation Act 2023 and include stronger powers to hold landlords to account. More information about RSH’s approach is available in its document Reshaping Consumer Regulation. 

    2. More information about RSH’s responsive engagement, programmed inspections and consumer gradings is also available on its website. 

    3. RSH promotes a viable, efficient and well-governed social housing sector able to deliver more and better social homes. It does this by setting standards and carrying out robust regulation focusing on driving improvement in social landlords, including local authorities, and ensuring that housing associations are well-governed, financially viable and offer value for money. It takes appropriate action if the outcomes of the standards are not being delivered.

    4. For general enquiries email enquiries@rsh.gov.uk. For media enquiries please see our Media Enquiries page.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK House Price Index for January 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    UK House Price Index for January 2025

    The UK HPI shows house price changes for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

    The January data shows:

    • on average, house prices have risen by 0.2% since December 2024
    • there has been an annual price rise of 4.9% which makes the average property in the UK valued at £269,000

    England

    In England the January data shows, on average, house prices rose by 0.2% since December 2024. The annual price rise of 4.8% takes the average property value to £291,000.

    The regional data for England indicates that:

    • London experienced the most significant monthly increase with a movement of 2.3%
    • Yorkshire and the Humber saw the greatest monthly price fall, with a fall of -0.6%
    • the North East experienced the greatest annual price rise, up by 9.1%
    • London saw the lowest annual price growth, with a rise of 2.3%

    Price change by region for England

    Region Average price January 2025 Annual change % since January 2024 Monthly change % since December 2024
    East Midlands £241,000 6.2 -0.4
    East of England £339,000 3 -0.2
    London £564,000 2.3 2.3
    North East £161,000 9.1 -0.1
    North West £210,000 6.8 -0.1
    South East £386,000 4.5 0.5
    South West £307,000 2.7 0.1
    West Midlands £245,000 5.3 0
    Yorkshire and the Humber £203,000 5.9 -0.6

    Repossession sales by volume for England

    The lowest numbers of repossession sales in November 2024 were in the East Midlands and East of England.

    The highest number of repossession sales in November 2024 was in London.

    Repossession sales November 2024
    East Midlands 1
    East of England 1
    London 13
    North East 12
    North West 12
    South East 6
    South West 2
    West Midlands 7
    Yorkshire and the Humber 4
    England 61

    Average price by property type for England

    Property type January 2025 January 2024 Difference %
    Detached £473,000 £453,000 4.4
    Semi-detached £286,000 £270,000 5.9
    Terraced £242,000 £228,000 5.8
    Flat/maisonette £225,000 £221,000 2
    All £291,000 £278,000 4.8

    Funding and buyer status for England

    Transaction type Average price January 2025 Annual price change % since January 2024 Monthly price change % since December 2024
    Cash £278,000 4.1 0.2
    Mortgage £297,000 5.1 0.2
    First-time buyer £245,000 5.3 0.1
    Former owner occupier £354,000 4.2 0.4

    Building status for England

    Building status* Average price November 2024 Annual price change % since November 2023 Monthly price change % since October 2024
    New build £438,000 22.7 9.5
    Existing resold property £284,000 2.3 -0.7

    *Figures for the 2 most recent months are not being published because there are not enough new build transactions to give a meaningful result.

    London

    London shows, on average, house prices decreased by 2.3% since December 2024. House prices have shown an annual price increase of 2.3%, meaning the average price of a property is £564,000.

    Average price by property type for London

    Property type January 2025 January 2024 Difference %
    Detached £1,147,000 £1,115,000 2.9
    Semi-detached £714,000 £684,000 4.4
    Terraced £638,000 £613,000 4
    Flat/maisonette £449,000 £446,000 0.7
    All £564,000 £551,000 2.3

    Funding and buyer status for London

    Transaction type Average price January 2025 Annual price change % since January 2024 Monthly price change % since December 2024
    Cash £602,000 0.3 3.3
    Mortgage £556,000 2.9 2
    First-time buyer £484,000 2.4 1.9
    Former owner occupier £699,000 2.2 2.8

    Building status for London

    Building status* Average price November 2024 Annual price change % since November 2023 Monthly price change % since October 2024
    New build £590,000 18.7 8.6
    Existing resold property £550,000 0 -1.7

    *Figures for the 2 most recent months are not being published because there are not enough new build transactions to give a meaningful result.

    Wales

    Wales shows, on average, house prices rose by 0.9% since December 2024. An annual price increase of 6% takes the average property value to £210,000

    There were 4 repossession sales for Wales in October 2024.

    Average price by property type for Wales

    Property type January 2025 January 2024 Difference %
    Detached £331,000 £314,000 5.2
    Semi-detached £208,000 £195,000 6.5
    Terraced £166,000 £156,000 6.2
    Flat/maisonette £131,000 £125,000 5.1
    All £210,000 £198,000 6

    Funding and buyer status for Wales

    Transaction type Average price January 2025 Annual price change % since January 2024 Monthly price change % since December 2024
    Cash £210,000 5.6 1.5
    Mortgage £209,000 6.1 0.5
    First-time buyer £180,000 6.4 0.6
    Former owner occupier £251,000 5.5 1.1

    Building status for Wales

    Building status* Average price November 2024 Annual price change % since November 2023 Monthly price change % since October 2024
    New build £375,000 23.3 9.4
    Existing resold property £206,000 3 0.6

    *Figures for the 2 most recent months are not being published because there are not enough new build transactions to give a meaningful result.

    UK house prices

    UK house prices rose by 4.9% in the year to January 2025, up from the revised estimate of 4.6% in the 12 months to December 2024. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, average house prices in the UK increased by 0.2% between December 2024 and January 2025, compared with a decrease of 0.1% from the same period 12 months ago (December 2023 and January 2024).

    The UK Property Transactions Statistics showed that in January 2025, on a seasonally adjusted basis, the estimated number of transactions of residential properties with a value of £40,000 or greater was 95,000. This is 14.4% higher than a year ago (January 2024). Between December 2024 and January 2025, UK transactions decreased by 1% on a seasonally adjusted basis.

    House price monthly increase was highest in London where prices increased by 2.3% in the year to January 2025. The highest annual growth was in the the North East, where prices increased by 9.1% in the year to January 2025.

    See the economic statement.

    The UK HPI is based on completed housing transactions. Typically, a house purchase can take 6 to 8 weeks to reach completion. As with other indicators in the housing market, which typically fluctuate from month to month, it is important not to put too much weight on one month’s set of house price data.

    Access the full UK HPI

    Background

    1. We publish the UK House Price Index (HPI) on the second or third Wednesday of each month with Northern Ireland figures updated quarterly. We will publish the February 2025 UK HPI at 9:30am on Wednesday 16 April 2025. See calendar of release dates.
    2. We have made some changes to improve the accuracy of the UK HPI. We are not publishing average price and percentage change for new builds and existing resold property as done previously because there are not currently enough new build transactions to provide a reliable result. This means that in this month’s UK HPI reports, new builds and existing resold property are reported in line with the sales volumes currently available.
    3. The UK HPI revision period has been extended to 13 months, following a review of the revision policy (see calculating the UK HPI section 4.4). This ensures the data used is more comprehensive.
    4. Sales volume data is available by property status (new build and existing property) and funding status (cash and mortgage) in our downloadable data tables. Transactions that require us to create a new register, such as new builds, are more complex and require more time to process. Read revisions to the UK HPI data.
    5. Revision tables are available for England and Wales within the downloadable data in CSV format. See about the UK HPI for more information.
    6. HM Land Registry, Registers of Scotland, Land & Property Services/Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency and the Valuation Office Agency supply data for the UK HPI.
    7. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Land & Property Services/Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency calculate the UK HPI. It applies a hedonic regression model that uses the various sources of data on property price, including HM Land Registry’s Price Paid Dataset, and attributes to produce estimates of the change in house prices each month. Find out more about the methodology used from the ONS and Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency.
    8. We take the UK Property Transaction statistics  from the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) monthly estimates of the number of residential and non-residential property transactions in the UK and its constituent countries. The number of property transactions in the UK is highly seasonal, with more activity in the summer months and less in the winter. This regular annual pattern can sometimes mask the underlying movements and trends in the data series. HMRC presents the UK aggregate transaction figures on a seasonally adjusted basis. We make adjustments for both the time of year and the construction of the calendar, including corrections for the position of Easter and the number of trading days in a particular month.
    9. UK HPI seasonally adjusted series are calculated at regional and national levels only. See data tables.
    10. The first estimate for new build average price (April 2016 report) was based on a small sample which can cause volatility. A three-month moving average has been applied to the latest estimate to remove some of this volatility.
    11. The UK HPI reflects the final transaction price for sales of residential property. Using the geometric mean, it covers purchases at market value for owner-occupation and buy-to-let, excluding those purchases not at market value (such as re-mortgages), where the ‘price’ represents a valuation.
    12. HM Land Registry provides information on residential property transactions for England and Wales, collected as part of the official registration process for properties that are sold for full market value.
    13. The HM Land Registry dataset contains the sale price of the property, the date when the sale was completed, full address details, the type of property (detached, semi-detached, terraced or flat), if it is a newly built property or an established residential building and a variable to indicate if the property has been purchased as a financed transaction (using a mortgage) or as a non-financed transaction (cash purchase).
    14. Repossession sales data is based on the number of transactions lodged with HM Land Registry by lenders exercising their power of sale.
    15. For England, we show repossession sales volume recorded by government office region. For Wales, we provide repossession sales volume for the number of repossession sales.
    16. Repossession sales data is available from April 2016 in CSV format. Find out more information about repossession sales.
    17. We publish CSV files of the raw and cleansed aggregated data every month for England, Scotland and Wales. We publish Northern Ireland data on a quarterly basis. They are available for free use and re-use under the Open Government Licence.
    18. HM Land Registry is a government department created in 1862. Its vision is: “A world-leading property market as part of a thriving economy and a sustainable future.”
    19. HM Land Registry’s purpose is: “We protect your land ownership and provide services and data that underpin an efficient and informed property market.”
    20. HM Land Registry safeguards land and property ownership valued at £8 trillion, enabling over £1 trillion worth of personal and commercial lending to be secured against property across England and Wales. The Land Register contains more than 26.5 million titles showing evidence of ownership for more than 89% of the land mass of England and Wales.
    21. For further information about HM Land Registry visit www.gov.uk/land-registry.
    22. Follow us on @HMLandRegistry, our blog, LinkedIn and Facebook.

    Contact

    Press Office

    Trafalgar House
    1 Bedford Park
    Croydon
    CR0 2AQ

    Email HMLRPressOffice@landregistry.gov.uk

    Phone (Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5:30pm) 0300 006 3365

    Mobile (5:30pm to 8:30am weekdays, all weekend and public holidays) 07864 689 344

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Independent research shows high parent support for Ofsted’s report card proposals

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Independent research shows high parent support for Ofsted’s report card proposals

    YouGov surveyed parents on new inspection report cards and found a majority support Ofsted’s proposals. In a speech to Parentkind, Sir Martyn Oliver said the new approach will drive ever higher standards for children.

    • Two thirds (67%) of parents surveyed by YouGov said they prefer Ofsted’s proposed new report cards to current inspection reports
    • 86% of parents said it is easy to understand the information on the report cards and 84% found the use of colour coding useful
    • Two thirds of parents (66%) said they support Ofsted continuing to grade schools on a scale

    In tandem with the current consultation on improving education inspection, Ofsted recently commissioned YouGov to independently survey parents’ views of the proposals for report cards. In a speech to Parentkind today (26 March 2025), Ofsted’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, will describe the headline results.

    The online poll of 1,090 parents found that 79% of those surveyed said they already trust what Ofsted says about a school in inspection reports, and 66% support Ofsted continuing to grade schools on a scale (10% said they were opposed).

    On the proposals currently out for consultation, 78% of parents surveyed agreed the information in report cards would be useful to them, and the same proportion said the new cards would make it easy to compare schools. Meanwhile, 86% said report cards were easy to understand and 84% found the use of colour coding helpful. Overall, two thirds of participants (67%) said they prefer the new report cards over current inspection reports, while just 15% said they preferred the current reports.

    When asked which of the 11 proposed evaluation areas for schools they considered to be the most useful, approximately half of parents ranked behaviour and attitudes highest (51%), followed closely by personal development and well-being (48%), then safeguarding (41%) and achievement (35%).

    In his speech to Parentkind today, Ofsted’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, is expected to say:

    The changes we’re proposing will do things differently. We will report on a much wider range of areas. Things that matter to parents. Things like behaviour, achievement, attendance, teaching and the curriculum, leadership and governance, and inclusion – really looking in detail at how schools make sure their pupils all have a sense of belonging, especially those who are disadvantaged, vulnerable, or have special educational needs. For each area, parents will be able to see a clear grade, and a description of what we found when we inspected the school. 

    Report cards will help give a more balanced picture of schools. Because the best schools aren’t perfect and have areas where they could do better, and the schools which might be seen as ‘weaker’ will have aspects of their work that they do really well. In that way a school’s report card will be much closer to a child’s school report. Going back to my art teacher days, the one-word grade paints a monochrome picture of a school, we want to paint it in colour.

    Sir Martyn will conclude:

    Above all, we hope this approach will drive ever higher standards for children. It will give schools an independent and expert assessment of what they’re doing well and where they could improve. It will validate, assure, and celebrate their hard work, and shine a light on how they can do even better. 

    And it will help parents meaningfully engage with the school on the issues that need attention. Sometimes, it may validate your concerns, other times it may reassure you that an individual experience is not the norm.

    Of course, what I’ve set out today are our proposals, they are not set in stone. I’m sure there are things that could be better. Things we could refine. But we are encouraged that parents seem to support the broad approach that we have set out.

    The full results of the YouGov research will be published alongside Ofsted’s response to the consultation in early summer.

    Press office

    8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday 0300 013 0415

    Notes to editors

    1. Parentkind is one of the UK’s largest federated charities. It has supported parents and schools to build strong and supportive school communities for almost 70 years and has a network of more than 23,500 schools, parent teacher associations (PTAs) and parent councils.

    2. The total sample size for the survey was 1,090 parents. Fieldwork was undertaken between 5 to 11 March 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted by age, marital status, social grade, gender and region. It’s representative of all parents in England (aged 18+ and excluding parents in education).

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Problems to solve and crafts to create this Easter at The D-Day Story

    Source: City of Portsmouth

    This Easter, there’s a wide range of exciting activities for families to take part in down at The D-Day Story on Southsea seafront.

    Do you know your LCT from your BARV or your LCVP from your DUKW?  Find out this Easter – from hands-on experiments, to creative crafts, the museum’s family holiday activity programme is inspired by Landing Craft Tank (LCT) 7074, which is based outside the museum on Clarence Esplanade.

    Operation: Spies and Lies returns to the museum this Easter. Do you have what it takes to complete the challenges to find the mystery object? The challenge will take you around the museum, learning more about the objects and people involved in D-Day. Complete all the puzzles to claim your sticker and get an exclusive free D-Day backpack to take home.

    Plus you can also take part in our family trail Resist!, which is inspired by the French Resistance and their role during D-Day. Work together as a team to find and solve clues and puzzles on board LCT 7074 and throughout the museum. The trail is perfect for family groups and is  available every day, just ask at the front desk.

    Councillor Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council, said: “We are really pleased to be able to offer such a wealth of educational activities during the holidays at The D-Day Story. It’s the perfect opportunity to get the family together for some Easter fun.”

    Events will be running throughout the Easter break with all activities included in the admission price. No need to book, but sessions can be very popular, so visitors are advised to arrive early.

    Find out more about specific event days via our website: Events – The D-Day Story, Portsmouth

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: An autonomous Europe in times of geopolitical tension: the role of the financial system | Guest contribution in the Handelsblatt

    Source: Deutsche Bundesbank in English

    The world has been turned on its head and Germany’s economy is stagnating. But in times of geopolitical tensions, a strong German economy is critically important for an autonomous Europe. Public investment will rise sharply now that the special funds have been adopted. While this will unleash positive growth effects, it won’t be enough to significantly expand the economy over a medium to long-term horizon. The German economy itself needs to get match fit to compete internationally – by becoming more agile, more digitalised and more innovative. To achieve this, it is also going to require a great deal more private investment, and that means mobilising vast swathes of private capital. A strong European financial ecosystem is critically important for an autonomous Europe that can be relied on in turbulent geopolitical times.
    In this context, “autonomous” means a European real economy capable of obtaining funding via the European financial ecosystem and reducing its dependencies on non-European sources of capital. Bearing this in mind, a strong financial centre in Germany and Europe is crucially important, as is a more robust capital market culture.
    Germany’s potential growth – a measure of the country’s trend rate of growth – is languishing at a multi-year low. Compared with an average of 1.4% of gross domestic product (GDP) between 2011 and 2019, it is a mere 0.4% today.
    At the same time, Germany is Europe’s number one location for patent applications, and also ranks among the leading countries worldwide on this score – fifth, to be precise. However, much of Germany’s innovation is playing out in sectors characterised by lower growth potential, one of which is the automotive sector.
    What is more, China has emerged as more than just a strong rival in these middle technology sectors, as they are known. Overcapacities in the Chinese economy, including in the car industry, are also rippling out to the European market, exacerbating the competition and price wars further still.
    Why the United States is a high tech leader
    When it comes to high tech sectors boasting strong potential growth, there’s no getting around the United States. Much of this success is down to the fact that capital (including venture capital, which is all important for funding innovation) is far easier to mobilise in US markets. While 0.8% of GDP gets invested in venture capital in the United States, it is only 0.19% in Germany. Incentives would make sense here. In Italy, pension funds benefit from tax relief if they invest 5% or 10% in venture capital funds. Generally speaking, it is important to make it easier for firms to access financing via capital markets. Fingers crossed, then, that measures like the ones envisaged in Germany under the second Future Financing Act (Zukunftsfinanzierungsgesetz II) will be taken up again. These include, for example, making it easier for firms to go public and improving the general tax rules for investment in growth and innovation capital. 
    There are a great many growth markets offering a wealth of opportunities for German firms, like cleantech, pharmaceuticals, bioscience or artificial intelligence. In this respect, it is very welcome to see businesses, associations and government team up as part of the WIN Initiative (Growth and Innovation Capital for Germany) to channel up to €12 billion into the venture capital ecosystem. 
    Sweden: four times more IPOs than Germany
    But what Germany needs besides more venture capital activity is funded pensions. Sweden is a great example of how important this can be for capital markets. That Nordic country, with a population of roughly ten million, has seen 474 IPOs in total since 2015. Germany, with its much larger population, has had just 115. Sweden ranks first in the EU in the number of SME IPOs.
    This striking capital market culture is due, in part, to the country’s funded pension scheme, introduced back in the 1990s. Since its launch, Sweden’s AP7 pension fund has generated an average return of more than 10%. The Netherlands also has an adequate pension system, which is mainly built around capital-funded occupational pensions.
    There are many more countries I could mention that have taken similarly successful measures. A common feature is that two effects come about. First, as society ages, these models take the pressure off government budgets.
    Second, a country’s economy benefits from the capital market activities of its own population, which smooths the domestic funding of innovation and growth.
    German households were holding €9 trillion in capital at the end of last September – that’s a huge amount of potential investment. At present, though, only 17% of the population aged 14 and over hold shares, equity funds or ETFs.
    A strong capital market would benefit the domestic economy, the general public and government alike. It would enable the economy to be funded by the region, for the region, and add substantially to Europe’s autonomy. The general public would get better provision for their old age, one that is furthermore placed on a broader footing. Also, the pressure on government budgets would be reduced, which will be significant in view of the rising expenditure burden.
    In times of distinct geopolitical uncertainty, it is important for Germany and Europe to be autonomous. The capital market has a key role to play in this regard.

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: HUMAN Drives Momentum in EMEA with Key Leadership Appointments and Channel Expansion to Drive Growth

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, March 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HUMAN Security, a leading cybersecurity company committed to safeguarding every step of the customer’s online journey by defending against bots, fraud, and digital risk, today announced key leadership appointments and channel expansion to strengthen its commitment to clients and partners across the UK, France, and Germany. These investments underscore HUMAN’s dedication to further bolstering its go-to-market (GTM) strategy and expanding its regional presence in EMEA.

    “HUMAN’s commitment to EMEA is stronger than ever as we scale our operations and deepen our partnerships,” said Chris Scanlan, CRO at HUMAN. “With Mark Phillips, a long-standing HUMAN employee, promoted to Vice President of Sales, EMEA, and Bal Lakha joining as Head of Channel Partnerships, EMEA, we are accelerating our efforts to protect organisations from bots and fraud while delivering a seamless data journey and client experience. As we continue investing in our next growth stage, their expertise in cybersecurity sales and strategic alliances will be instrumental in strengthening our partner ecosystem, expanding our product capabilities, and driving impactful, scalable solutions for our clients across the region.”

    Mark Phillips, Vice President of Sales, EMEA, brings over 25 years of industry experience, including over two decades in cybersecurity. Phillips has a proven track record of success at leading security firms such as FireEye, Trend Micro, and Malwarebytes. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Global Sales Engineering at Bitdefender, leading worldwide technical sales initiatives. Phillips will oversee sales and presales teams across EMEA in his new role at HUMAN, shaping the region’s GTM strategy. With deep expertise and a commitment to innovation, he remains focused on empowering HUMAN’s customers and delivering impactful solutions that protect organisations across the EMEA region.

    Bal Lakha, Head of Channel Partnerships, EMEA, is an accomplished Global Sales and Partner Alliances leader with deep expertise in network security, managed security services, and partner management. Currently spearheading Channel Partnerships – EMEA at HUMAN, Lakha has held pivotal roles at FireEye, Forescout, and Cybereason, where he successfully drove strategic alliances and revenue growth. With proven performance in cybersecurity sales, he remains focused on building high-impact global partnerships and advancing innovative security solutions that strengthen HUMAN’s market presence.

    The leadership announcements come on the heels of several global milestones for HUMAN:

    • $50+ Million Growth Funding: This latest investment accelerates platform growth, integrating advanced AI techniques to enhance digital account protection and media security solutions, including defences against click fraud and advertising integrity for platforms, agencies, and brands.
    • Announced HUMAN Advantage Program: The new programme offers high rewards and margins through a three-tier structure, designed to stay in tune with evolving market economics and centered on three key factors: annualised bookings, training, and retention.
    • Recognition in The Forrester Wave™: Bot Management Software, Q3 2024: HUMAN was named a Leader, achieving top scores in nine categories, including “Detection Models,” “Mobile App and API Protection,” and “Vision.”
    • Voice of the Customer: HUMAN was ranked the #1 vendor in all G2 Grids for Bot Detection and Mitigation in both 2024 and 2025.

    The Human Defense Platform solves enterprise-wide pain points through its product offerings across the entire customer journey:

    • Advertising Protection: Protects programmatic inventory from bots, fraud, malvertising, and ad quality violations, ensuring brand reputation and revenue by fostering a trusted buying experience.
    • Application Protection: Protects against account takeover, scraping, transaction abuse, fake interactions, and client-side supply chain attacks by fostering a trusted application environment where users feel safe to interact and transact.
    • Account Protection: Protects accounts from automated credential stuffing and brute force account takeover attacks, fake accounts used by fraudsters to exploit platforms and services, and remediates accounts that have been compromised.

    HUMAN customers leveraging The Human Defense Platform include some of the world’s foremost online travel planning and booking services, top-tier e-commerce platforms, and global insurance leaders such as Allianz Technology. HUMAN’s solutions have earned widespread acclaim from major enterprises, including those in the railroad and transportation sectors, citing “great defence against bot attacks” and affirming that “HUMAN has a very good rate of identifying malicious requests.” An IT Security & Risk leader from the travel and hospitality industry states in a Gartner Peer Insights review that “HUMAN is one of the best anti bot protection service you can find”.

    About HUMAN
    HUMAN is a leading cybersecurity company committed to protecting the integrity of the digital world. We ensure that every digital interaction, transaction, and connection is authentic, secure, and human. The Human Defense Platform safeguards the entire customer journey with high-fidelity decision-making that defends against bots, fraud, and digital threats. Each week, HUMAN verifies 20 trillion digital interactions, providing unparalleled telemetry data to enable rapid, effective responses to even the most sophisticated threats. Recognised by our customers as a G2 Leader, HUMAN continues to set the standard in cybersecurity. To ensure your digital connections are trusted, visit www.humansecurity.com

    Contact information:
    Masha Krylova, Director of Communications
    press@humansecurity.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/deb9d109-f546-4c8a-b41b-74dad285775d

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Atos selected by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs as its future end user services provider

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release

    Atos selected by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs as its future end user services provider

    Five-year contract worth £150m to deliver transformational end user services to Defra’s 34,000 colleagues across the UK

    London, United Kingdom, March 26, 2025 – Atos, a global leader in digital transformation, today announces that it has been selected by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to transform service desk and end user services into a single coherent, agile service.

    The five-year contract, worth £150m, will improve quality and efficiency of DEFRA’s service desk, which manages 34,000 users, through continuous innovation of modern technologies including AI, ML, analytics and automation.

    The Atos solution will also make DEFRA’s service the most environmentally friendly and sustainable UK government digital workplace solution available today. Working with partners, Atos will repair, refurbish, remanufacture and re-issue hardware first, ensure minimal packaging and shipments for delivery and donate disused devices to charities and third-party social enterprises.

    Michael Herron, Head of UK&I, Atos Group, “We are delighted to be working with DEFRA on their end user services enabling their team to concentrate on the important work they deliver.”

    “We have a track-record of success in this area providing best-in-class services supported by cutting-edge technology platforms that focus on people, planet and productivity.”

    Atos provides end-to-end employee experience solutions through digital collaboration and productivity tools, as well as intelligent customer care services. Atos’ sustainable digital workplace suite includes more than 20 “Tech for Good” services and solutions, encompassing social value and accessibility criteria as well as data analytics and user interfaces.

    In March 2024, Gartner positioned Atos as a Leader in its 2024 Magic Quadrant for Outsourced Digital Workplace Services (ODWS) for the eighth consecutive year.

    ***

    About Atos

    Atos is a global leader in digital transformation with circa 78,000 employees and annual revenue of circa €10 billion. European number one in cybersecurity, cloud and high-performance computing, the Group provides tailored end-to-end solutions for all industries in 68 countries. A pioneer in decarbonization services and products, Atos is committed to a secure and decarbonized digital for its clients. Atos is a SE (Societas Europaea) and listed on Euronext Paris.

    The purpose of Atos is to help design the future of the information space. Its expertise and services support the development of knowledge, education and research in a multicultural approach and contribute to the development of scientific and technological excellence. Across the world, the Group enables its customers and employees, and members of societies at large to live, work and develop sustainably, in a safe and secure information space.

    Press contacts

    Global – Isabelle Grangé | isabelle.grange@atos.net | +33 (0) 6 64 56 74 88

    UK&I – Tessa David | tessa.david.external@atos.net | +44 (0)7947 755 911

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Information on changes to the Pubs Code Adjudicator’s website

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Information on changes to the Pubs Code Adjudicator’s website

    This information is from the PCA on upcoming changes to the website.

    In the coming weeks, the PCA will be making improvements to how we share news, updates, and important information. Subscribers may receive automated email notifications from gov.uk about these updates.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Shortlisting panel meet to review nominations for Portsmouth’s superstar educators

    Source: City of Portsmouth

    A group of education professionals in Portsmouth have come together to shortlist the city’s superstar educators in 11 award categories for the Teach Portsmouth Awards.

    The Teach Portsmouth Awards return on Thursday 12 June at Guildhall to celebrate the achievements of school and college staff. In December, parents/carers nominated educators as part of the people’s choice award category. Over 100 nominations were received, breaking a new record.
    In January, other award categories opened, with senior school staff nominating their colleagues.

    Councillor Nick Dorrington, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at Portsmouth City Council said:

    “The Teach Portsmouth Awards have reached an all-important milestone with local education professionals meeting to decide on a shortlist and winner in each category.

    “These professionals have worked as teachers, senior leaders, governors and early year’s specialists within the community and understand the education landscape. I can’t wait to celebrate everyone’s achievements at the event.”

    Five education professionals attended the shortlisting session to review the supporting statements for each category. Through discussion, each submission was scored against category criteria before a consensus was reached.

    Bernadette Castellano, membership secretary of the Portsmouth district and branch at the National Education Union (NEU) said:

    “I have been part of the shortlisting panel for the Teach Portsmouth Awards since the very beginning. Each entry is inspirational and worthy of an award, but we must whittle them down into a shortlist and overall winner.

    “We deliberated for some time to create a shortlist for each category. It is always so uplifting to be part of this event.”

    James Doherty, principal at UTC Portsmouth said:

    “It’s an absolute pleasure to be part of the shortlisting panel two years in a row. We carefully reviewed the submissions and have been struck by the incredible achievements of practitioners across the city. I look forward to attending the awards ceremony in June.”

    School and college staff who have been put forward for a long service award will not be shortlisted; they will automatically receive a trophy at the gala in recognition for 20 years of service.

    The shortlist for the Teach Portsmouth Awards will be revealed in May with the winners announced at the ceremony in June. For more information on the Teach Portsmouth Awards, please visit www.teachportsmouth.co.uk/awards.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK-Southeast Asia Tech Week 2025 in Manila

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    UK-Southeast Asia Tech Week 2025 in Manila

    The UK Government recently hosted UK-Southeast Asia Tech Week in Manila, driving innovation, collaboration and investment.

    His Majesty’s Ambassador Laure Beaufils (second from right) and His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner Martin Kent (rightmost) sign a Strategic Partnership with Fintech Alliance Philippines, represented by Martha Borja and Lito Villanueva, to enhance UK-Philippines cooperation in the fintech sector, driving financial inclusion and technological advancement.

    Under the theme “Bridging Boundaries, Building a Resilient, Innovative, and Inclusive Tech Ecosystem,” the event held from 24 to 25 March 2025 showcased British cutting-edge technology and expertise while fostering partnerships to strengthen the region’s tech landscape.

    His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific, Martin Kent led the delegation of 12 pioneering British artificial intelligence (AI) and data companies, exploring opportunities for collaboration with Philippine partners in the tech ecosystem. He stated:

    The UK is a global leader in science and technology, with our tech ecosystem worth US$1.2 trillion – the 3rd largest in the world after the US and China.

    I am delighted to lead this delegation of cutting-edge companies to Manila for UK-Southeast Asia Tech Week to represent the UK’s tech prowess. The UK is committed to building opportunities for mutual prosperity with the Philippines, and I look forward to the innovation and new partnerships that will unfold from this week.

    Companies including NCC Group, iProov and Revolut took centre stage during the UK Tech Showcase, demonstrating their latest innovations in cybersecurity, biometric authentication, and digital banking.

    Panel discussions on AI and cybersecurity were conducted, providing insights on latest trends, emerging threats and best practices. The discussions also underscored the need for collaboration to address common challenges.

    Furthering the UK and Philippine tech partnership, His Majesty’s Ambassador Laure Beaufils signed a Strategic Partnership with Fintech Alliance Philippines to enhance cooperation in the fintech sector, driving financial inclusion and technological advancement across the industry. She shared:

    The UK is proud to be a long-standing partner in the Philippines’ digital journey, supporting initiatives that foster innovation, improve cybersecurity resilience and develop a skilled tech workforce.

    British Embassy Manila and Kickstart Ventures, the Philippines’ largest corporate venture capital firm, also launched the UK Tech Growth Programme. This new collaboration is designed to match UK startups to receive potential investment from Kickstart Ventures through The Ayala Corporation Technology Innovation Venture Fund (ACTIVE Fund), the largest venture capital fund to come out of the Philippines.

    Kickstart Ventures Managing Partner and Co-Founder Minette Navarrete said:

    We recognise the vital role of forging partnerships beyond borders in fuelling innovation that benefits all– a commitment we take to heart at Kickstart. Our collaboration with the British Embassy is integral to this commitment, allowing us to lead transformative investments with UK startups and bring in tech-driven solutions that ensure mutual growth.

    Ambassador Beaufils added:

    Technology is not just about infrastructure—it’s about partnerships, trust, and shared progress. The UK is working hand in hand with the Philippines on this, supporting it to expand its tech ecosystem.

    UK-Southeast Asia Tech Week 2025 reaffirms the UK’s commitment to driving innovation, strengthening partnerships, and shaping a resilient and inclusive tech ecosystem across the region.

    The delegation includes British Companies Content Guru, CyberQ Group, Encompass, Intelligent AI Solutions, Kraken IM, Newcastle University, Open Data Institute, Smart Pension, Summatic, Sumsub, Synectics and Veracity Trust Network APAC.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK, Philippines hold 5th Climate Change and Environment Dialogue

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    World news story

    UK, Philippines hold 5th Climate Change and Environment Dialogue

    Bilateral cooperation on climate and environment is being strengthened through discussions on science, innovation, localisation, resilience, and finance.

    His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Laure Beaufils, and Environment Secretary and Official Representative of the President to the Climate Change Commission, Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga recently led the 5th UK-PH Climate Change and Environment (CCE) Dialogue to set the direction for the year, building on the successes of 2024.

    These saw UK support for the operationalisation of the Philippines’ National Adaptation Plan, mobilisation of institutional capital into renewable energy in the country through the Philippines Stock Exchange, funding to civil society across projects on biodiversity and coastal livelihoods and launching of key multi-stakeholder platforms tacking plastic pollution and blue carbon.

    Both countries agreed to establish a UK-led development partners coordination group for the localisation of climate analytics in provinces identified with high exposure to climate risks in the National Adaptation Plan, and the government’s Risk Resiliency Programme. Using the findings from pilot site of Negros Occidental, an investment platform will be developed to mobilise private capital for adaptation and resilience with a focus on climate-smart agriculture, innovative water management solutions and agroforestry projects.

    The Dialogue also agreed to ramp up support for the blue economy through the UK’s Blue Planet Fund. The new COAST (Climate and Ocean Adaptation and Sustainable Transition) programme will be rolled out in the Philippines this year, which seeks to deliver interventions that will strengthen marine protected areas, operationalise sustainable fisheries management, and promote blue carbon initiatives.

    Representatives reached an agreement to form a UK-DENR partnership mechanism to promote biodiversity and nature grants to local governments and communities that would not only support biodiversity conservation but also build resilience and provide long-term economic benefits for resource-dependent communities.

    Representatives also agreed to ramp up collaboration on climate and nature finance. Discussions covered expanding access to sustainable financing, catalysing private capital for climate change adaptation, and aligning financial strategies with climate risk assessments to develop more investment-ready portfolio for large-scale, long-term sustainability efforts.

    Ambassador Beaufils said:

    I am very proud of the progress we have made together. But we won’t rest on our laurels. We are ambitious for the future, and we will continue to deliver tangible results across adaptation, climate finance, science and research, and investments into renewable energy.

    Meanwhile, Secretary Loyzaga highlighted:

    Our Enhanced Partnership with the UK is a testament to our commitment as like-minded countries and large ocean nations to a future that is secured under a rules-based international order. The bi-annual reviews of our climate change joint work plan will allow us to align, calibrate, and adapt when we respond to geo strategic uncertainties that we actually face.

    The dialogue concluded with both countries signing a renewed partnership statement on climate and nature. The UK remains committed to supporting these efforts through expertise, financing, and advocacy for climate-vulnerable nations.

    The Dialogue was attended by high-level representatives from key agencies, including the DENR, Climate Change Commission, Department of Agriculture, Department of Finance, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Energy, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, National Economic and Development Authority, the Public-Private Partnership Center and the Department of Trade and Industry.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Sampo plc: Notice of the Annual General Meeting

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Sampo plc, stock exchange release, 26 March 2024 at 10:25 am EET

    Sampo plc: Notice of the Annual General Meeting

    Notice is given to the shareholders of Sampo plc of the Annual General Meeting to be held on Wednesday, 23 April 2025 at 2.00 pm (EEST) at the Helsinki Exhibition and Convention Centre’s Congress Wing, address Rautatieläisenkatu 3, FI-00520 Helsinki, Finland. The reception of persons who have registered for the meeting and serving of coffee prior to the meeting will start at 12.30 pm (EEST).

    Shareholders have the opportunity to exercise their voting rights also by voting in advance on certain matters on the agenda of the Annual General Meeting. In addition, shareholders may follow the meeting through a live webcast. The webcast begins on 23 April 2025 at 2.00 pm (EEST). Following the meeting through the webcast is not considered as participation in the Annual General Meeting or the exercising of shareholder rights. It is not possible to ask questions, make counterproposals, address the meeting otherwise or vote through the webcast. Shareholders who wish to follow the webcast can exercise their voting rights by voting in advance. To receive the link for the webcast, shareholders are required to register through the registration system. The instructions regarding the advance voting and registering for the webcast are presented in Section C.6-7 herein.

    A. Items on the agenda of the Annual General Meeting

    The information and proposals of agenda items 1 to 5 concerning the formal organisational matters of the Annual General Meeting are included in a separate organisational document published on Sampo’s website at www.sampo.com/agm, which document also constitutes a part of this notice. The document may be supplemented at the meeting with any information that is not available before the Annual General Meeting.

    At the Annual General Meeting, the following items will be considered:

    1. Opening of the meeting

    2. Calling the meeting to order

    3. Election of persons to scrutinise the minutes and to supervise the counting of votes

    4. Recording the legality of the meeting

    5. Recording the attendance at the meeting and adoption of the list of votes

    6. Presentation of the Financial Statements, Report of the Board of Directors, the Auditor’s Report and the Sustainability Reporting Assurance Report for the financial year 2024

    • Review by the Group CEO
    • Auditor’s Report and Sustainability Reporting Assurance Report presented by the Auditor and Sustainability Reporting Assurance Provider

    7. Adoption of the Financial Statements

    8. Resolution on the use of the profit shown on the balance sheet and the payment of dividend

    The Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting that a total dividend of EUR 0.34 per share be paid to all shares except for the shares held by Sampo plc on the dividend record date of 25 April 2025. The dividend will be paid to the shareholders registered in the Company’s shareholders’ register maintained by Euroclear Finland Oy as at the record date of 25 April 2025. The Board proposes that the dividends be paid on 6 May 2025.

    The issuer of the Swedish depository receipts shall ensure that the dividend is paid to the depository receipt holders registered in the securities depository and settlement register maintained by Euroclear Sweden AB as at the record date of 25 April 2025, which payment shall be made in Swedish Krona. The dividend payment for shares registered in the form of share entitlements book-entered in VP Securities A/S in Denmark as at the record date of 25 April 2025 will be administered by VP Securities A/S subsequent to receipt of the dividend from Euroclear Finland.

    9. Resolution on the discharge of the members of the Board of Directors and the CEO from liability for the financial year 2024

    10. Consideration of the Remuneration Report for Governing Bodies

    The Board of Directors proposes that the Remuneration Report for Governing Bodies for the financial year 2024 be adopted by the Annual General Meeting through an advisory resolution.

    The Remuneration Report for Governing Bodies is available on Sampo plc’s website at www.sampo.com/agm.

    11. Resolution on the remuneration of the members of the Board of Directors

    The Nomination and Remuneration Committee of the Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting that the following annual fees be paid to the members of the Board of Directors until the close of the next Annual General Meeting:

    • EUR 243,000 for the Chair of the Board (prev. EUR 235,000);
    • EUR 140,000 for the Vice Chair of the Board (prev. EUR 135,000);
    • EUR 108,000 for each member of the Board (prev. EUR 104,000);
    • EUR 30,000 for the Chair of the Audit Committee as an additional annual fee (prev. EUR 29,000); and
    • EUR 6,800 for each member of the Audit Committee as an additional annual fee (prev. EUR 6,600).

    A Board member must acquire Sampo plc A shares at the price paid in public trading with 50 per cent of his/her annual fee after the deduction of taxes, payments and potential statutory social and pension costs. Notwithstanding this, a Board member is not required to purchase any additional Sampo plc A shares if the Board member owns such amount of said shares that their value is equivalent to twice the respective Board member’s gross annual fee. The Company will pay any possible transfer tax related to the acquisition of the shares.

    12. Resolution on the number of members of the Board of Directors

    The Nomination and Remuneration Committee of the Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting that the number of Board members is decreased by one and that eight members be elected to the Board.

    13. Election of the members of the Board of Directors

    The Nomination and Remuneration Committee of the Board of Directors proposes that the current members of the Board Christian Clausen, Steve Langan, Risto Murto, Antti Mäkinen, Markus Rauramo, Astrid Stange and Annica Witschard be re-elected for a term continuing until the close of the next Annual General Meeting. Of the current members, Georg Ehrnrooth and Jannica Fagerholm are not available for re-election. The Committee proposes that Sara Mella be elected as a new member to the Board.

    All the proposed Board members have been determined to be independent of the Company and its major shareholders under the rules of the Finnish Corporate Governance Code 2025.

    The CVs of all persons proposed as Board members are available at www.sampo.com/agm.

    14. Resolution on the remuneration of the Auditor and the Sustainability Reporting Assurance Provider

    The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting that compensation be paid to the Company’s Auditor and to the Sustainability Reporting Assurance Provider against invoices approved by the Company.

    15. Election of the Auditor and the Sustainability Reporting Assurance Provider

    The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting that the Authorised Public Accountant Firm Deloitte Ltd be re-elected as the Company’s Auditor for the financial year 2025. If Deloitte Ltd is elected as Sampo plc’s Auditor, the firm has announced that APA ASA Jukka Vattulainen will continue as the auditor with principal responsibility.

    The Audit Committee also proposes to the Annual General Meeting that Authorised Sustainability Audit Firm Deloitte Ltd be re-elected as the Company’s Sustainability Reporting Assurance Provider for the financial year 2025. If Deloitte Ltd is elected as Sampo plc’s Sustainability Reporting Assurance Provider, the firm has announced that APA ASA Jukka Vattulainen will continue as the principal authorised sustainability auditor.

    16. Authorising the Board of Directors to decide on the repurchase of the Company’s own shares

    The Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting that the Annual General Meeting authorise the Board to resolve to repurchase, on one or several occasions, a maximum of 250,000,000 Sampo plc A shares. The maximum number of shares represents approximately 9.29 per cent of all outstanding A shares of the Company as of number of shares on the date of the Board’s proposal. The repurchased shares will be cancelled.

    The shares may be repurchased either through an offer to all shareholders on equal terms or through other means and otherwise than in proportion to the existing shareholdings of the Company’s shareholders (directed repurchase) if the Board of Directors deems that there are weighty financial reasons for such directed repurchase. Directed repurchases may be carried out, among others, through open market purchases, participation in accelerated book-building processes or through arranging reversed accelerated book-building processes.

    The purchase price per share shall be no more than:

    (i) the highest price paid for the Company’s shares in public trading on the day of the repurchase or the offer to repurchase the Company’s own shares, or alternatively,

    (ii) the average of the share prices (volume weighted average price on the regulated markets where the Company’s share is admitted to trading) during the five trading days preceding the repurchase or the offer to repurchase the Company’s own shares.

    The lowest purchase price per share shall be the price that is 20 per cent lower than the lowest price paid for the Company’s shares in public trading during the validity of this authorisation until the repurchase or the offer to repurchase the Company’s own shares.

    It is proposed that the authorisation be valid until the close of the next Annual General Meeting, however no longer than 18 months from the Annual General Meeting’s decision.

    17. Closing of the meeting  

    B. Documents of the Annual General Meeting

    The proposals for decisions on the items on the agenda of the Annual General Meeting and this notice are available on Sampo plc’s website at www.sampo.com/agm. The Financial Statements, the Report of the Board of Directors, the Auditor’s Report, the Sustainability Reporting Assurance Report and the Remuneration Report for Governing Bodies for the financial year 2024 are available on Sampo plc’s website at www.sampo.com/year2024. The proposals for decisions and the other above-mentioned documents are also available at the meeting. Copies of these documents and of this notice will be sent to shareholders upon request. The minutes of the meeting will be available at www.sampo.com/agm on 7 May 2025 at the latest.

    C. Instructions for the participants in the Annual General Meeting

    The registration for the Annual General Meeting and the advance voting will commence on 26 March 2025 at 3:00 pm (EET) and end on 14 April 2025 at 4.00 pm (EEST). For holders of Swedish depositary receipts, the registration for the Annual General Meeting will commence on 26 March 2025 at 3.00 pm (EET) and end on 14 April 2025 at 9.00 am (EEST). For Danish shareholders, the registration for the Annual General Meeting and the advance voting will commence on 26 March 2025 at 2:00 pm (CET) and end on 11 April 2025 at 3:00 pm (CEST), Instructions on the registration for the Annual General Meeting for shareholders wishing to participate in the meeting at the meeting venue are set out in Subsections 1, 2 and 3 below. Instructions for holders of nominee-registered shares are set out below under Subsection 4. Information on proxy documents and Suomi.fi authorisations are set out in Subsection 5 below. The instructions for advance voting are set out in Subsection 6 below. Instructions regarding the registration for the live webcast are set out in Subsection 7 below.

    In connection with the registration and advance voting, at least the following information is requested: the shareholder’s name, date of birth (except for shareholders with shares registered with VP Securities A/S in Denmark) or business ID, email address, telephone number and information on a possible authorised representative. Strong electronic identification is required for the registration on the Company’s website of shareholders, their authorised representatives and proxy representatives who are private persons by using Finnish, Swedish or Danish online banking IDs or mobile certificates. For shareholders that are Finnish legal persons, electronic registration requires providing the entity’s business ID and that the relevant authorised person uses strong electronic identification for the registration. For shareholders that are legal persons with shares registered with VP Securities A/S in Denmark, registration requires providing the entity’s business ID, name of the shareholder, name and birthdate of the authorised representative, and an email address, the entity’s address and telephone number as contact information.

    The personal data provided by the shareholders to the Company is only used in connection with the Annual General Meeting and the processing of related registrations.

    More information on registration for the meeting and advance voting is available until 14 April 2025 by phone from Innovatics Ltd at +358 10 2818 909 from Monday to Friday between 9.00 am and 12.00 noon and between 1.00 pm and 4.00 pm (EET/EEST).

    1. Shareholders registered with Euroclear Finland Oy in Finland

    Each shareholder who is on 9 April 2025 registered in the shareholders’ register of Sampo plc held by Euroclear Finland Oy has the right to participate in the Annual General Meeting. A shareholder whose shares are registered on their personal Finnish book-entry account is registered in the shareholders’ register of the Company.

    A shareholder who is registered in the Company’s shareholders’ register and who wishes to participate in the Annual General Meeting shall notify the Company thereof according to the instructions set out below.

    Notification of participation shall be made no later than by 4.00 pm (EEST) on Monday 14 April 2025

    a) On the Company’s website at www.sampo.com/agm

    b) By email to agm@innovatics.fi or regular mail to Innovatics Oy, Yhtiökokous / Sampo Oyj, Ratamestarinkatu 13 A, FI-00520 Helsinki, Finland.

    c) By telephone to Innovatics Ltd at +358 10 2818 909 from Monday to Friday between 9.00 am and 12.00 noon and between 1.00 pm and 4.00 pm (EET/EEST). When registering by phone, a shareholder cannot vote in advance.

    Registration must be received by 4.00 pm (EEST) on Monday 14 April 2025 irrespective of the registration method.

    2. Shareholders registered with VP Securities A/S in Denmark

    Each shareholder who is on 9 April 2025 registered in the shareholders’ register of Sampo plc held by VP Securities A/S (Euronext Securities Copenhagen) has the right to participate in the Annual General Meeting. Such shareholders who wish to participate in the Annual General Meeting shall notify Euronext thereof according to the instructions set out below.

    Notification of participation shall be made no later than by 3.00 pm (CEST) on Friday 11 April 2025

    a) On the Company’s website at www.sampo.com/agm

    b) By email to CPH-investor@euronext.com

    c) By telephone to Euronext at +45 4358 8866 from Monday to Friday between 9.00 am and 4.00 pm (CET/CEST). When registering by phone, a shareholder cannot vote in advance.

    Registration must be received by 3.00 pm (CEST) on Friday 11 April 2025 irrespective of the registration method.

    If you represent a legal entity/person, you must present proof of identification and rights of representation. Such identification may consist of a document that proves your authorisation to sign on behalf of the entity or a document that process you are part of the management of the entity.

    Shareholders whose shares are held in trust in Denmark and who wish to participate in the Annual General Meeting are advised to request their trustee for the necessary instructions regarding the registration and advance voting. The trustee shall register the shareholder according to the instructions above to Euronext Securities Copenhagen no later than 11 April 2025 at 3.00 pm (CEST).

    3. Holders of Swedish depository receipts

    Holders of Swedish depository receipts (SDRs) have the right to participate in the Annual General Meeting by virtue of shares represented by the SDRs based on which they would be entitled to be registered in the shareholders’ register of the Company held by Euroclear Finland Oy on 9 April 2025. In addition, the right to participate in the Annual General Meeting requires that the holder of SDRs has been registered, on the basis of such shares represented by the SDRs, into the temporary shareholders’ register held by Euroclear Finland Oy at the latest by 10.00 am (EEST) on 16 April 2025, and the request regarding such registration must be delivered to the issuer of the SDRs and all necessary actions taken at the latest by 9.00 am (EEST) on 14 April 2025. As regards holders of SDRs, this constitutes a due registration for the Annual General Meeting.

    A holder of SDRs is advised to request without delay necessary instructions regarding the registration in the temporary shareholders’ register of the Company, the issuing of proxy documents and voting instructions from their custodian bank which the holder of the SDRs has appointed to hold the SDRs on their account. Said custodian bank shall take necessary actions to the effect that a holder of SDRs who wants to participate in the Annual General Meeting is registered into the temporary shareholders’ register of the Company at the latest by 10.00 am (EEST) on 16 April 2025 and, if necessary, arrange for advance voting on behalf of the holders of SDRs before the end of the registration period.

    Further information on these matters can also be found on the Company’s website www.sampo.com/agm.

    4. Holders of nominee-registered shares

    Holders of nominee-registered shares have the right to participate in the Annual General Meeting by virtue of shares based on which they would be entitled to be registered in the shareholders’ register of the Company held by Euroclear Finland Oy on 9 April 2025. In addition, the right to participate in the Annual General Meeting requires that the shareholder has been registered on the basis of such shares into the temporary shareholders’ register held by Euroclear Finland Oy at the latest by 10.00 am (EEST) on 16 April 2025. As regards nominee-registered shares, this constitutes a due registration for the Annual General Meeting.

    A holder of nominee-registered shares is advised to request without delay necessary instructions regarding the registration in the temporary shareholders’ register of the Company, the issuing of proxy documents, voting instructions and registration and advance voting for the Annual General Meeting from their custodian bank. The custodian bank shall register a holder of nominee-registered shares who wants to participate in the Annual General Meeting into the temporary shareholders’ register of the Company at the latest by the date stated above and, if necessary, arrange for advance voting on behalf of the holder of nominee-registered shares before the end of the registration period for holders of nominee-registered shares.

    Further information on these matters can also be found on the Company’s website www.sampo.com/agm.

    5. Proxy representative and powers of attorney

    A shareholder may participate in the Annual General Meeting and exercise their rights at the meeting by way of proxy representation. A proxy representative may also vote in advance in accordance with the instructions provided herein. The proxy representative shall authenticate in the electronic registration service and advance voting (if applicable) personally with strong authentication, after which they will be able to register and vote in advance on behalf of the shareholder whom they represent.

    A proxy representative shall produce a dated proxy document or otherwise in a reliable manner demonstrate their right to represent the shareholder at the Annual General Meeting. Providing the right to represent can be done by using the suomi.fi e-authorizations service available in the electronic registration service.

    When a shareholder participates in the Annual General Meeting by means of several proxy representatives representing the shareholder with shares on different securities accounts, the shares by which each proxy representative represents the shareholder shall be identified in connection with the registration for the Annual General Meeting.

    Possible proxy documents shall be delivered primarily as an attachment as part of the electronic registration, or alternatively, through email to agm@innovatics.fi or as originals to the address Innovatics Oy, Yhtiökokous / Sampo Oyj, Ratamestarinkatu 13 A, FI-00520 Helsinki, Finland before the end of the registration period.

    Delivering of a proxy prior to the end of the registration period is considered as registration for the meeting if all required information for registration described above is given.

    Shareholders may also use the electronic Suomi.fi authorisation service instead of a traditional authorisation. In such case, the shareholder authorises a representative in the Suomi.fi service at www.suomi.fi/e-authorizations by using the category “Representation at a general meeting”. The representative shall in connection with the registration to Innovatics’ general meeting service identify oneself through strong electronic identification. After that, the electronic authorisation will be proofed automatically. Online banking credentials or a mobile certificate may be used for strong electronic identification. More information is available at www.suomi.fi/e-authorizations and Sampo plc’s website at www.sampo.com/agm.

    6. Advance voting

    Shareholders may vote in advance on certain items on the agenda of the Annual General Meeting.

    a. Shareholders with shares registered with Euroclear Finland Oy in Finland

    Each shareholder who is registered in the shareholders’ register of the Company maintained by Euroclear Finland Oy as described in Subsection 1 above may vote in advance on certain items on the agenda of the Annual General Meeting between 26 March 2025 at 3.00 pm (EET) and 14 April 2025 at 4.00 pm (EEST):

    a) On the Company’s website at www.sampo.com/agm

    b) By email by submitting the advance voting form available on the Company’s website or equivalent information to agm@innovatics.fi or regular mail to Innovatics Oy, Yhtiökokous / Sampo Oyj, Ratamestarinkatu 13 A, FI-00520 Helsinki, Finland.

    b. Shareholders with shares registered with VP Securities A/S in Denmark

    Each shareholder who is registered in the shareholders’ register of Sampo plc held by VP Securities A/S (Euronext Securities Copenhagen) as described in Subsection 2 above may vote in advance on certain items on the agenda of the Annual General Meeting between 26 March 2025 at 2.00 pm (EET) and 11 April 2025 at 3.00 pm (CEST):

    a) On the Company’s website at www.sampo.com/agm

    b) By email to CPH-investor@euronext.com

    Shareholders whose shares are held in trust in Denmark and who wish to vote in advance are advised to instruct the trustee to vote in advance on behalf of such shareholders by 3.00 pm (CEST) on 11 April 2025 at the latest according to the instructions set out in this notice.

    The advance votes must be received by the end of the advance voting period. The submission of votes by email or by regular mail before the end of the registration and advance voting period shall be regarded as registration for the General Meeting, provided that it contains the above information required for the registration.

    A shareholder who has voted in advance may request information under the Finnish Limited Liability Companies Act, request a vote at the Annual General Meeting or vote on a possible counterproposal if they are present or represented at the Annual General Meeting at the meeting venue.

    The agenda items subject to advance voting are deemed to be presented unchanged at the Annual General Meeting. Therefore, under agenda item 13, if any of the members proposed to be elected to the Board of Directors are unavailable for election to the Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting for any reason, the number of the proposed members unavailable for election will be automatically decreased from the number of the members of the Board of Directors to be elected, and the remaining candidates available for election will be elected in accordance with the proposal of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee.

    Instructions regarding the advance voting, and the terms related to the electronic advance voting are also available on the Company’s website at www.sampo.com/agm.

    7. Webcast

    A shareholder who is entitled to attend the Annual General Meeting may also follow the meeting via live webcast. Following the meeting through the webcast is not considered as participation in the Annual General Meeting or the exercising of shareholder rights. It is not possible to ask questions, make counterproposals, address the meeting otherwise or vote through the webcast. Webcast access to the Annual General Meeting will be provided through Inderes Oyj’s virtual general meeting service on the Videosync platform, which includes video and audio access to the General Meeting. Following the webcast does not require any paid software or downloads. In addition to an internet connection, following the webcast requires a computer, smartphone or tablet with speakers or headphones for sound. One of the following browsers is recommended: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, or Opera. It is advisable to log in to the meeting system well in advance of the meeting.

    The link and password for following the meeting via the webcast will be sent by e-mail and/or SMS to the e-mail address and/or mobile phone number provided at the time of registration to all those who have registered for the General Meeting no later than the day before the General Meeting.

    For more information on the general meeting service, additional instructions for proxies representing more than one shareholder, contact details of the service provider and instructions in case of possible disruptions can be found here: https://vagm.fi/support. A link to test the compatibility of your computer, smartphone or tablet with the network connection can be found here: https://demo.videosync.fi/agm-compatibility?language=en. It is recommended that you read the detailed instructions before the meeting. More information and instructions can also be found on the Company’s website at www.sampo.com/agm.

    8. Other instructions and information

    Pursuant to Chapter 5, Section 25 of the Finnish Limited Liability Companies Act, a shareholder who is present at the Annual General Meeting has the right to request information with respect to the items to be considered at the meeting.

    Any changes in the ownership of shares that have occurred after the record date of the Annual General Meeting do not affect the right to participate in nor the number of votes of the shareholder at the Annual General Meeting.

    On the date of this Notice of the Annual General Meeting the total number of shares in Sampo plc is 2,690,238,860 A shares, representing 2,690,238,860 votes, and 1,000,000 B shares, representing 5,000,000 votes, i.e. a total of 2,691,238,860 shares and 2,695,238,860 votes. At the Annual General Meeting, each A share carries one vote and each B share carries five votes.

    All of Sampo plc’s B shares are owned by a shareholder independent from the Company. Based on Sampo plc’s articles of association, each B share can be converted into an A share at the request of the holder of the B share. Subject to the Finnish Limited Liability Companies Act, the general meeting may resolve upon a directed acquisition of own shares, decide on the amendment of the articles of association to the effect that share classes are combined or otherwise reduce share class rights only provided such a proposal is supported by at least two thirds of the votes and shares, per share class, represented at the meeting. Thus, the authority to decide on the combination of Sampo plc’s share classes does not rest with the Company.

    Helsinki, 26 March 2025

    SAMPO PLC
    Board of Directors

    For further information, please contact:

    Sami Taipalus
    Head of Investor Relations
    tel. +358 10 516 0030

    Maria Silander
    Communications Manager, Media Relations
    tel. +358 10 516 0031

    Distribution:
    Nasdaq Helsinki
    Nasdaq Stockholm
    Nasdaq Copenhagen
    London Stock Exchange
    FIN-FSA
    The principal media
    www.sampo.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Ress Life Investments A/S publishes notice for Annual General Meeting

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

                                                                                                                            Ress Life Investments A/S
                                                                                                                            Nybrogade 12
                                                                                                                            1203 Copenhagen K
                                                                                                                             Denmark
                                                                                                                             CVR nr. 33593163
                                                                                                                             www.resslifeinvestments.com

    To: Nasdaq Copenhagen
    Date: 26 March 2025

    Corporate Announcement 11/2025

    Ress Life Investments A/S publishes notice for Annual General Meeting

    TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF RESS LIFE INVESTMENTS A/S

    In accordance with Article 9.8 of the Articles of Association, notice is hereby given of the Annual General Meeting of Ress Life Investments A/S (the “Company“) which will take place on Wednesday 16 April 2025 at 10.00 a.m. at Nybrogade 12, 1203 Copenhagen K, Denmark.

    Shareholders in the Company are invited to participate.

    Agenda for the Annual General Meeting:

    1)     Adoption of the annual report
    2)     Appropriation of profit or loss as recorded in the adopted annual report
    3)     Election of members of the Board of Directors
    4)     Approval of the Remuneration Report
    5)     Approval of remuneration for the Board of Directors for the financial year 2025
    6)     Appointment of auditor
    7)     Any other business

    COMPLETE PROPOSALS

    Re. item 1

    The Board of Directors proposes that the annual report be adopted.

    Re. item 2

    The Board of Directors proposes that the profit as recorded in the annual report as adopted by the general meeting should be distributed in accordance with the annual report.

    Re. item 3

    The Board of Directors proposes that Søren Andersen, Jeppe Buskov and Henrik Franck be re-elected to the Board of Directors.

    Mr Søren Andersen has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Company since August 2019. Mr Andersen is the managing director of Nordic I&P DK ApS, S.A. Consulting ApS, FPension A/S and NHMSA ApS. Mr Andersen currently is a board member of FPension A/S.

    Mr Jeppe Buskov has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Company since February 2014. Mr Buskov currently holds the position as chairman of the board of directors of Advokatfirmaet Kromann Reumert International A/S. Mr Buskov is a board member of KR 649 A/S.

    Mr Henrik Franck has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Company since April 2024. Mr Franck has 35 years of experience from the Asset Management Industry including 24 years in CIO positions.

    Re. item 4

    The Board of Directors proposes that the Remuneration Report attached to this notice be approved.

    Re. item 5

    The Board of Directors proposes the following remuneration for the Board of Directors for the financial year 2025:

    • Ordinary members will receive a basic remuneration of DKK 100,000
    • The chairman will receive a basic remuneration of DKK 215,000

    Re. item 6

    The Board of Directors proposes that Deloitte Statsautoriseret Revisionspartnerselskab should be re-elected as auditor. The Board of Directors has not been influenced by any third party and has not been bound by any third-party agreement, restricting the general meeting’s choice of auditor to certain auditors or audit firms.

    REGISTRATION, ADMISSION, PROXY AND POSTAL VOTE

    Registration date

    A shareholder’s right to participate in the general meeting and the number of votes, which the shareholder is entitled to cast, is determined in accordance with the number of shares held by such shareholder on 9 April 2025 (the registration date). The shares held by each shareholder are determined at the registration date on the basis of the shareholdings registered in the share register in accordance with any notices on shareholding received, but not yet registered, by the Company in the share register.

    Deadline for notice of attendance

    A shareholder or its proxy wishing to attend the general meeting must give notice of their participation to the Company no later than 11 April 2025, see Article 11.5 of the Articles of Association. Similarly, the shareholders’ advisor or the shareholders’ proxy’s advisor must give notice of their participation to the Company no later than 11 April 2025. Notice of participation may be given to the Company using the form attached as Appendix 1, which shall be sent, duly completed and signed, to Ress Life Investments A/S, Nybrogade 12, 1203 Copenhagen K, Denmark by letter or by email to RessLifeGroup@citco.com for receipt no later than 11 April 2025, 23:59 p.m.

    Proxy

    If you are prevented from attending the general meeting, you may appoint a proxy, e.g. the Board of Directors, to cast the votes carried by your shares. If you wish to appoint a proxy, please return the instrument of proxy form attached as Appendix 2, duly signed and dated, to Ress Life Investments A/S, Nybrogade 12, 1203 Copenhagen K, Denmark by letter or by email to RessLifeGroup@citco.com for receipt no later than 11 April 2025, 23:59 p.m.

    Postal vote

    You may also submit your votes by post before the date of the meeting. If you wish to vote by post, please fill in and return the postal vote form attached as Appendix 2, duly signed and dated, to Ress Life Investments A/S, Nybrogade 12, 1203 Copenhagen K, Denmark by letter or by email to RessLifeGroup@citco.com for receipt no later than 15 April 2025, 17:00 p.m.

    SHARE CAPITAL AND VOTING RIGHTS

    The Company’s share capital is EUR 87,873,500 divided into shares of EUR 500, cf. Article 3.1 of the Company’s Articles of Association. Pursuant to Article 11.1, each share of EUR 500 carries one (1) vote:

    Number of shares: 175,747
    Number of votes: 175,747

    AGENDA ETC.

    The agenda and the Annual Report for the period 1 January – 31 December 2024 will be available for inspection by the shareholders on all business days and within normal business hours at the office of the Company at Nybrogade 12, 1203 Copenhagen K, Denmark no later than 3 weeks before the general meeting.

    The following information will be made available at the Company’s website (http://resslifeinvestments.com/) not later than 3 weeks before the meeting:

    1. Notice convening the meeting.
    2. The total number of shares and voting rights as at the date of the notice.
    3. The documents to be submitted to the general meeting.
    4. The agenda and the full text of the proposals.
    5. The forms to be used for voting by proxy and by post, if relevant

    RIGHT TO INQUIRE

    At the general meeting, the management will answer questions from the shareholders on matters of relevance to the assessment of the Annual Report for the period 1 January – 31 December 2024, the Company’s position, and other questions to be addressed by the meeting.

    Questions related to this announcement can be made to the Company’s CEO Ketil Poul Petersen, email: ketilp.rli@gmail.com or to the Company’s AIF-manager, Resscapital AB, Gustaf Hagerud, email: gustaf.hagerud@resscapital.com.

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: 50th anniversary of the entry into force of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC): UK statement

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    50th anniversary of the entry into force of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC): UK statement

    David Riley, UK Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, gave this UK statement on the 50th anniversary of the BTWC’s entry into force.

    David Riley, UK Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.

    Today marks the 50th anniversary of the entry into force of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) – the first multilateral disarmament treaty to ban an entire category of weapons of mass destruction. As a founder of the convention, and for 50 years since, the UK has been at the forefront of efforts to ensure its effectiveness and collective action to eliminate the threat from biological weapons. 

    The BTWC’s role in preventing biological agents and toxins from being developed, produced, or used as weapons has been a critical element in our collective security over the last 50 years.   

    The BTWC’s call to action is that “no effort should be spared to minimise this risk.” This is as important now as it was 50 years ago. Threats posed by biological weapons have evolved and diversified. Rapid advances in science and technology offer potential benefits for societies but may also increase the threats posed by those intending to misuse the life sciences for hostile purposes. 

    The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the devastating impacts that an infectious disease outbreak can have on our societies and economies. It revealed significant gaps in global preparedness and response. It is in every country’s interest that the BTWC is effective and that its prohibitions continue to be upheld. 

    This requires collective action through the Convention. We need to strengthen international cooperation and review science and technology, as well as agree on stronger verification mechanisms to address potential risks. The current Working Group on the strengthening of the Convention provides an important way to achieve this. The UK fully supports the Brazilian Chair of the Working Group, Ambassador Frederico Meyer.

    The UK remains steadfast in its commitment to strengthen the BTWC and its implementation for the next 50 years and beyond. We call on all governments that have not yet joined the convention to do so without delay. Through collective action, we can prevent the use of these abhorrent weapons that violate every principle of humanity.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EU citizens most concerned with security and unity, survey shows

    Source: European Union 2

    The European Parliament’s Winter 2025 Eurobarometer survey, released today, highlights historic levels of approval for EU membership linked to peace and security.

    European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said: “Two thirds of Europeans want the EU to play a greater role in their protection. This is a clear call for action which we will answer. Europe needs to be stronger so that our citizens feel safer. The European Parliament will ensure that every proposal put forward is bold and ambitious enough to match the serious level of threat Europe faces. Europe must step up today, or it risks being stepped over tomorrow.”

    66% of EU citizens want the EU to take a more important role in protecting them against global crises and security risks. This view is particularly strong amongst younger respondents to the survey. At the national level, results for a stronger role of the EU range from 87% in Sweden to 47% in Romania and 44% in Poland.

    Almost three quarters of EU citizens (74%) believe their country has benefited from being a member of the EU. This is the highest result ever recorded in a Eurobarometer survey for this question since it was first asked in 1983. Fitting the current context, respondents mention the EU’s contribution to maintaining peace and strengthening security (35%) as the main reason why membership is considered beneficial.

    In addition, there is wide agreement among EU citizens that EU Member States should be more united to face current global challenges (89%) and that the European Union needs more means to deal with the challenges ahead (76%).

    Citizens expect the EU to strengthen security and defence and to enhance competitiveness

    In a rapidlychanging geopolitical environment, defence and security (36%) as well as competitiveness, economy and industry (32%) are identified as the areas on which the EU should focus most to reinforce its position in the world. These are also the topics that featured high on last week’s European Council with Parliament’s President calling for faster action and bolder ambition. While the results for defence and security have remained stable compared to February/March 2024, those for competitiveness, economy and industry have increased by five points. These two areas are followed by energy independence (27%), food security and agriculture (25%) and education and research (23%).

    Economic and security issues are also at the forefront when it comes to the topics citizens want the European Parliament to address as a priority. Four in ten Europeans mention inflation, rising prices and the cost of living (43%), followed by the EU’s defence and security (31%), the fight against poverty and social exclusion (31%) and support to the economy and the creation of new jobs (29%). Inflation, rising prices and the cost of living is a main priority across all age groups and with peak results recorded in Portugal (57%), France (56%), Slovakia (56%), Croatia (54%) and Estonia (54%).

    As shown by the EP’s previous survey, inflation and the cost of living had already played a major role as a driving force in the last European elections and the economic situation continues to be a main concern for many Europeans. A third (33%) expect their standard of living to decrease in the next five years, seven points more than in June-July 2024. This is the case for 53% of French respondents (+8 pp) and 47% of Germans (+15 pp).

    Peace and democracy remain EU core values

    Looking at the values Europeans would like the European Parliament to defend, peace (45%), democracy (32%) and the protection of human rights in the EU and worldwide (22%) come first. The results for this question have remained stable, underlining citizens steadfast support for the EU’s founding values and principles.

    Two-thirds of citizens support a stronger role for the EP

    As historic trend lines show, in moments of crisis citizens look to the EU for decisive actions and solutions. When the EU is perceived as coming together and delivering results, support indicators are high – which is currently the case.  50% of respondents have a positive image of the EU. In the last decade, this positive perception was only higher once (at 52%), in spring 2022 in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The positive image of the EP is stable at a high level (41%). A few months into the legislative term, over six in ten (62%) citizens would like to see the European Parliament play a more important role, a six- percentage point increase compared to February-March 2024, a few months before the June 2024 European elections.

    Full results can be found here.

    Background   

    The European Parliament’s Winter 2025 Eurobarometer survey was carried out between 09 January and 04 February 2025 in all 27 EU Member States. The survey was conducted face-to-face, with video interviews used additionally in Czechia, Denmark, Finland, Malta, Netherlands, and Sweden. 26.354 interviews were conducted in total and EU results are weighted according to the size of the population in each country.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Deutsches Forschungsnetz selects Nokia to accelerate scientific research with a high-capacity green IP network 

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release
    Deutsches Forschungsnetz selects Nokia to accelerate scientific research with a high-capacity green IP network 

    • IP network upgrade allows Deutsches Forschungsnetz e.V. (DFN) to provide seamless access to critical resources and facilitate faster and more efficient collaboration.
    • Expansion delivers interface speeds up to 800 Gigabits per second to meet future capacity growth
    • Modernized IP core network offers higher bandwidth, increased capacity and up to 75% reduced power consumption

    26 March 2025
    Espoo, Finland – Nokia has renewed and expanded DFN’s, the German National Research and Education Network, IP core router network in Germany. Nokia’s IP router solution will give DFN access to higher bandwidth, increased network capacity and reduce power consumption in its network up to 75%.

    The DFN Association offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to meet the evolving needs of the scientific research community. By providing high-throughput connectivity, DFN ensures that researchers can seamlessly access critical resources, such as supercomputers and large-scale data repositories, enabling faster and more efficient collaboration. This is particularly vital for projects that require extensive data transfers or collaboration with international research institutions.

    The DFN Association operates the national research and education network and develops the communication infrastructure for universities, research institutes and R&D companies across Germany, connecting approximately 850 locations throughout the country. It is considered one of the largest and most powerful non-commercial networks in the world with a total length of 10,250 km of optical fiber in the backbone and a multi-terabit core network spanning 65 core network locations.

    DFN selected Nokia to swap out existing equipment from another vendor and provide IP core network routers to ten locations in Germany. This upgrade will increase connectivity from DFN’s current 100G interfaces to 400G, with runway to further upgrade to 800G as demand warrants. Nokia deployed its scalable 7750 Service Routers which are based on the company’s FP5 routing silicon.

    The deal includes a full suite of professional services, training and technical consultancy throughout the deployment and operation. All existing DFN applications were successfully migrated into Nokia’s service routers ahead of deployment.

    “Nokia’s solution offered the performance and scalability we need for our IP core network in Germany, and the results speak for themselves. With the implemented solution, we are already equipped for 800G and can now further scale and expand our services according to the requirements of our participants in research and higher education in Germany. We are very satisfied with the collaboration with Nokia and the results achieved so far,” said Dr. Stefan Piger, Head of Network and Communication Services at DFN.

    “As the developer and operator of the communications infrastructure linking universities and research institutes in Germany, DFN plays a vital role in fostering growth for the broader scientific community across the country. This collaboration with world class research and education network underscores the value of our IP routing technology in providing a robust, agile and adaptable core network with the headroom to scale efficiently into the future”, added Matthieu Bourguignon, Senior Vice President, Europe, Network Infrastructure at Nokia.

    Multimedia, technical information and related news 
    Product Page: FP5 network processor
    Product Page: 7750 Service Router
    Web Page: Nokia Research and Education Networks

    About Nokia 
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, which is celebrating 100 years of innovation.

    With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

    About Deutsches Forschungsnetz e.V. – DFN
    The DFN Association is responsible for the operation and expansion of the German research network and related IT services. DFN operates and develops the communication infrastructure for research institutes in Germany. It connects universities, non-university research institutions and research-related commercial enterprises at around 850 locations throughout Germany.

    The science network has a total length of 10,250 km of optical fiber in the backbone and a multi-terabit core network spanning 65 core network locations; it is one of the largest and most powerful non-commercial communication networks in the world.

    DFN operates not only nationally but also connects to European and global scientific networks and the general Internet via high-performance exchange points.

    https://www.dfn.de/netz/

    Media inquiries
    Nokia Press Office
    Email: Press.Services@nokia.com

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Major £1.6 billion equipment contract to support British Defence jobs and boost Army readiness

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Major £1.6 billion equipment contract to support British Defence jobs and boost Army readiness

    British Army equipment, including tanks and armoured vehicles, will receive world-class maintenance and spare parts under a contract which supports 1,600 UK jobs. 

    • Significant contract update to provide kit maintenance and increased vehicle availability.   

    • Directly supports 1,600 defence jobs across the country, supporting a 6,000-strong business supply chain.   

    • Investment in British firm Babcock boosts defence as an engine for UK economic growth.    

    British Army equipment, including tanks and armoured vehicles, will receive world-class maintenance and spare parts under a contract which supports 1,600 UK jobs.    

    The five-year £1.6 billion contract extension with British defence firm Babcock will cover vital military assets including Challenger 2 tanks, 105mm artillery guns and Trojan armoured vehicles, ensuring they remain combat-ready to meet emerging threats.   

    The Service Provision and Transformation Contract will sustain 1,600 highly skilled jobs in locations across the UK, including over 400 in Telford and over 250 in Dorset. The investment follows the Prime Minister’s historic commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, recognising the critical importance of military readiness in an era of heightened global uncertainty.   

    Maintenance services will cover preventative maintenance, emergency repairs and spare parts management. It will also include digital transformation to improve fleet management efficiency, keeping more vehicles and equipment primed for soldiers to use – boosting national security and renewing Britain’s economy as we deliver on our Plan for Change.  

    The move to boost the readiness of British Army combat vehicles comes as the UK continues to lead planning efforts for a Coalition of Willing nations to help secure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Following the planning meeting attended by approximately 30 nations last week, further operational planning meetings will be led by UK Commander Joint Operations, General Nick Perry.   

    Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:  

    Tanks, armoured vehicles and kit are the backbone of the British Army. We are taking action to ensure the outstanding service men and women of our Armed Forces are properly equipped and ready to respond to ever-changing global threats.    

    Supported by largest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, this substantial investment with Babcock demonstrates how defence is an engine for growth: supporting businesses of all sizes and sustaining more than 1,600 good, well-paid jobs across Britain.

    National security is the bedrock of a successful economy and our Government’s Plan for Change.

    Babcock’s Chief Executive Officer, David Lockwood said: 

    In a period of increased global instability, more is being expected of our armed forces. This contract extension ensures that Babcock continues to provide the British Army with the tools to do its job, when and wherever they are needed. Our know-how, application of technology and extensive experience in the land domain help ensure that the British Army is ready to fight and win wars.

    While the Land Integrated Operating Services programme places future contracts, this deal will also support approximately 6,000 UK businesses throughout the wider supply chain, as well as 200 apprentices. These apprenticeships will offer valuable training and development opportunities in fields such as HGV maintenance and automotive refinishing, providing career paths in the defence sector for the next generation of skilled workers.   

    MOD Director Land Environment, Major General Lizzie Faithfull-Davies CBE said:    

    It has taken a lot of hard work to collaboratively deliver this SPTC Reframe contract amendment. I am delighted to renew our relationship with Babcock. With this amended contract, DE&S, the Army, and Babcock will now provide even better support to the in-Service platforms of our Armed forces; ensuring that the vehicles the Army will fight from are repaired, maintained, and ready whenever the Army need them.

    The work comes ahead of the Defence Industrial Strategy, which will bolster UK industry and provide more opportunities for defence to be an engine for economic growth. It follows a recent commitment to launch a new hub to provide small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with better access to the defence supply chain, and a commitment to set direct SME spending targets for the Ministry of Defence by June this year.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Outcome of the meetings of EU leaders on 20 March 2025 – 26-03-2025

    Source: European Parliament 2

    With the geopolitical situation evolving rapidly in the first months of 2025, EU leaders had already convened three times in advance of their regular March meeting. Next to competitiveness – originally due to be the central focus point – the spring European Council meeting covered issues including Ukraine, the Middle East and European defence. On competitiveness, the EU-27 outlined precise directions to accelerate the EU’s economic agenda, focusing on three priorities: cutting red tape, ensuring affordable energy and turning savings into investments. Following Hungary’s renewed refusal to agree to conclusions on Ukraine, a separate statement, ‘firmly supported by 26 Heads of State or Government’, was published, emphasising the EU’s commitment to provide further comprehensive support to Ukraine and to contribute to security guarantees. As European Council President António Costa intended, the meeting concluded in one day. It started with the customary speech by Parliament’s President, Roberta Metsola, who told EU leaders that Europe had ‘thrived on soft power’ for decades, but with the global order now changing, ‘Europe must position itself as a force to be reckoned with’. This requires ‘getting serious about our security, our readiness and our competitiveness’. There was a working lunch with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, and an exchange of views with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In the afternoon, a Euro Summit in inclusive format took place in the presence of European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde and Eurogroup President Paschal Donohoe. Over dinner, EU leaders held a first discussion on the next long-term EU budget and own resources.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Nokia expands collection of broadband applications for Service Providers to monetize the connected home

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press release
    Nokia expands collection of broadband applications for Service Providers to monetize the connected home

    • Nokia Corteca Marketplace provides Communication Service Providers (CSPs) with access to the largest collection of value-added applications for broadband devices.
    • CSPs can easily manage applications with Corteca via prpl lifecycle management (LCM) and TR-369 standard-based protocols.        
    • Developers and CSPs can use Nokia’s open-source Corteca Developer Toolkit to quickly develop new applications for home broadband devices.

    26 March 2025
    Amsterdam, Netherlands – Nokia today announced the launch of several new applications that help CSPs unlock new revenue opportunities and bolster end-user experiences. Nokia’s Corteca Marketplace has the largest collection of applications for broadband devices available today through a single platform.   The applications can help CSPs enhance customer experiences, improve the performance of broadband and Wi-Fi services, and generate new revenue streams.

    The full set of Corteca applications covers a variety of use cases, including diagnostics, VPN services, traffic optimization, speed tests, ad-blocking security, parental controls and more. Supporting both prpl LCM and the TR-369 User Services Platform (USP) protocol, the platform also makes managing in-home broadband gateways, Wi-Fi connectivity, and applications, easy, allowing operators to quickly install, uninstall or update any of the applications it delivers to customers. CSPs that want to develop their own applications can also use Nokia’s Corteca Developer Toolkit available on GitHub.

    New applications added to the Nokia Corteca Marketplace platform include:

    • Ookla speedtest: To analyze internet performance by measuring download/upload speeds, latency and jitter.
    • Device Anti-Theft asset security: Delivers a layer of monitoring and control, via penalization of services, for suspected stolen broadband devices that connect to the Corteca platform via external networks.
    • WTFast gaming optimization: AI-driven router technology that optimizes online gaming traffic.
    • AdGuard ad blocking: Network-wide blocking of ads and traffic tracking.
    • Blocky ad blocking: Open-source security suite providing ad and traffic tracking blocking in addition to malware protection.

    These new applications complement existing applications, such as Nokia Fingerprint, Nokia Broadband Compliance, Netduma Optima, Nokia FastMile FWA Controller, F-Secure Sense, Gryphon Home, M-Lab Speed Test and OpenVPN™ Client.

    “We decided to work with Nokia to make distribution of our technology for broadband providers much easier. We’re excited to offer WTFast in the Corteca platform, not only on new devices, but also devices already in footprint,” said Rob Bartlett, CEO and Founder, WTFast.

    “Integrating Optima with the Corteca platform has been a smooth process with tools and support readily available from the Nokia team. The intelligent Corteca architecture has meant that we can deliver all the Optima performance in an efficient containerized platform,” said Luke Barlow, CEO at Netduma.

    “Nokia’s Corteca Marketplace provides the most comprehensive suite of broadband device applications available today. Both cloud and device sides are based on standards, creating an open environment that lets operators avoid vendor lock-in.” said Justin Doucette, Head of WiFi, Fixed Networks at Nokia.

    Multimedia, technical information and related news 
    Product Page: Corteca Marketplace
    Product Page: Corteca Applications

    About Nokia 
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together. 

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, which is celebrating 100 years of innovation. 

    With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future. 

    Media inquiries 
    Nokia Press Office 
    Email: Press.Services@nokia.com  

    Follow us on social media 
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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: More broadcasts from the Moscow Zoo are now available on mos.ru

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    From March 26, during the zoo’s opening hours, users of the mos.ru portal will be able to see online what the Himalayan bears are doing on their walks, what the red panda is fed, and how the raccoons are having fun. Cameras are installed in the outdoor enclosures, and you can watch the video broadcasts daily.

    “With the launch of new broadcasts, more and more animals will become closer and more accessible to visitors of the mos.ru portal. You can watch our inhabitants during the zoo’s opening hours. Viewers can witness unique moments of feeding, games, training and social interaction between animals. This is not just an opportunity to watch rare and endangered species, but also a chance to immerse yourself in their world, understand the behavior and habits of animals,” said Svetlana Akulova, General Director of the Moscow Zoo.

    The broadcasts will allow you to observe for two Himalayan bears, female Fanya and male Vasya, living in the old territory of the zoo. They were taken from dealers at the end of 2022. The animals were in an extremely emaciated state, they were kept in cramped cages. Zoologists surrounded the clubfooted bears with round-the-clock care and developed an optimal diet for them. Gradually, the bears began to gain weight and recover. Now each of them lives in their own spacious enclosure. This year, Fanya went into hibernation for the first time in two years. Vasya needs more time to rebuild his biological rhythms; he did not sleep this winter.

    Nowadays, Himalayan bears are active during the daytime. In extreme cold or heat, the animals may go indoors.

    Thanks to the installed cameras it will be possible to observe andfor the red panda Ryzhik. The animal leads a predominantly crepuscular lifestyle. Ryzhik arrived in Moscow in the fall of 2015 from Poland. The male comes out of the house several times a day, mostly in the morning or early evening hours.

    Red pandas, also called fire foxes for their bright fur, are excellent tree climbers. However, they feed mainly on the ground. Although these animals are representatives of the order of predators, 95 percent of their diet consists of young leaves and bamboo shoots. The remaining five percent consists of various fruits, berries, mushrooms, bird eggs and even small rodents.

    Other inhabitants of the zoo, which can now be watched online on mos.ru, are: family of raccoons. This is Titi, a mother of many children, and her three children: Akim, Grusha, and the youngest, Shonya.

    There is a stream in the enclosure, in which the raccoons splash with visible pleasure, confirming their name. The animals are especially interested in the trees growing in the enclosure – the raccoons do not just climb them, they sleep high in the trees, curled up in a ball and from a distance resembling bird nests. There are many objects in their enclosure: ladders suspended between the trees, which the animals climb with pleasure, hollows in which they find many delicacies placed there by the zoo staff. In this way, the animals can use their abilities and demonstrate natural behavior when getting food.

    The Department of Information Technology added that video broadcasts are available to residents of the entire country. At the same time, users can not only watch their pets, but also learn more about the peculiarities of their life in their natural habitat.

    “Each animal on zoo.mos.ru has its own page, where you can not only watch a live broadcast from the enclosure, but also read interesting facts and get to know the animal better. Now the majority of visits are to the pages of everyone’s favorites – the little panda Katyusha and her parents Dindin and Zhui, the manul Timofey and the capybaras. You can watch the animals in real time from any device – a smartphone, tablet or computer,” said Boris Frolov, Deputy Head of the Department of Information Technology of the City of Moscow.

    Broadcasts from the Moscow Zoo enclosures have been launched on the mos.ru portal in the fall of 2024. Every day, visitors can observe the lives of the Pallas’s cat, giant pandas, lynxes, elephants, pygmy hippopotamuses, meerkats, honey badgers, capybaras and camelids, as well as gorillas and orangutans.

    Indian stingless bees appear at Moscow ZooSobyanin: Moscow Zoo takes first place in the world in species diversity

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/151793073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: DNO Bags Kjøttkake with a Bang

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Oslo, 26 March 2025 – DNO ASA, the Norwegian oil and gas operator, today announced an important oil and gas discovery in Northern North Sea license PL1182 S in which the Company holds a 40 percent operated interest.   

    The discovery was made in Paleocene injectite sandstones of excellent reservoir quality with preliminary estimates of gross recoverable resources in the range of 39 to 75 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe), with a mean of 55 MMboe.

    The Kjøttkake exploration well encountered a 41-meter oil column and a 9-meter gas column. A sidetrack drilled horizontally 1,350 meters westwards along the reservoir in the Sotra Formation confirmed the presence of the oil column throughout the discovery.

    “We are on a hot streak in Norway,” said Executive Chairman Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani. “Our latest and most exciting discovery this year, Kjøttkake, is close to existing infrastructure in the Troll-Gjøa area, and we will be relentless in pursuing its commercialization.”

    Located 27 kilometers northwest of the Troll C platform and 44 kilometers southwest of the Gjøa platform, Kjøttkake is DNO’s tenth discovery since 2021 in the Troll-Gjøa exploration and development hotspot, following Røver Nord, Kveikje, Ofelia, Røver Sør, Heisenberg, Carmen, Kyrre, Cuvette and Ringand.

    The Company has also racked up discoveries in other parts of the Norwegian Continental Shelf, including Norma (2023) and Othello (2024), both play-opening finds and both operated by DNO.  

    Partners in license PL1182 S include Aker BP ASA (30 percent), Concedo AS (15 percent) and Japex Norge AS (15 percent). The wells were drilled using the Deepsea Yantai rig.

    Following its exploration success, the Company has stepped up purchases of producing assets to balance its Norwegian portfolio and help fund coming developments. In early March, DNO announced the transformative acquisition of Sval Energi Group AS, which will increase North Sea 2P reserves from 48 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe) to 189 million boe post-closing and 2C resources from 144 million boe to 246 million boe (pro forma figures as of yearend 2024).

    The acquisition, which is expected to close by mid-year, will turn the North Sea into the biggest contributor to Company’s net production with some 60 percent of the total, with the balance coming predominantly from two operated fields, Tawke and Peshkabir, in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

    –

    For further information, please contact:
    Media: media@dno.no
    Investors: investor.relations@dno.no

    –

    DNO ASA is a Norwegian oil and gas operator active in the Middle East, the North Sea and West Africa. Founded in 1971 and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange, the Company holds stakes in onshore and offshore licenses at various stages of exploration, development and production in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, Norway, the United Kingdom, Côte d’Ivoire, Netherlands and Yemen. More information is available at www.dno.no

    This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Minister and cricketers face off in ‘Battle of the Buses’, as government pledges to get buses back on track through new bill

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Minister and cricketers face off in ‘Battle of the Buses’, as government pledges to get buses back on track through new bill

    We’re determined to ensure our bus services stay safe, inclusive and comfortable for all passengers.

    • Local Transport Minister took part in a precision time trial at First Bus’ ‘Battle of the Buses’, which saw participants learn more about the learner bus driver test
    • Simon Lightwood meets apprentice drivers and competes alongside Essex cricketers Matt Critchley and Paul Walters, to understand elements of the learner driver test
    • £1 billion investment and incoming Bus Services Bill set to boost local control and unlock transport links, getting the country moving to drive growth through our Plan for Change

    A ‘Battle of the Buses’ saw Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood, compete against pro cricketers to promote apprenticeships for the next generation of bus drivers, as the government accelerates journey to growth through our Plan for Change.

    Arranged by First Bus, one of the UK’s largest bus operators, the time trial event is designed to showcase the rigorous tests taken by learner bus drivers, emphasising the high skill level and rigorous standards expected of all staff.

    Minister Lightwood and pro-cricketers were put through their paces, tackling elements of the real-life driving test, including reversing, roundabouts and turning the bus without knocking over cones.

    Increasing opportunities for young people across the country is vital to drive up living standards and the government is supporting apprentices in the bus sector by including measures to enhance their training in the incoming Bus Services Bill.

    The event comes alongside £1 billion of investment to improve bus stop infrastructure, enhance bus service frequency and reliability and boost bus connectivity – and the incoming Bus Services Bill – which will deliver on the government’s Plan for Change by boosting local control of services, upskilling staff and better linking local people to job opportunities.

    The minister and Essex County cricketers, Paul Walter and Matt Critchley, were all scored on safety, speed, checking mirrors and using the correct turning signals. To understand the versatility required from learner drivers, they also took a 10-question theory test. Last week, the Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, also took part in the challenge, alongside Essex Women’s cricketers, Eva Gray, Cordelia Griffith and Kelly Castle.

    Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood, said: 

    Today has been a fantastic opportunity to better understand the commitment and skill required of our incredible bus driver apprentices up and down the country.  

    As the future of the industry, we’re determined to provide apprentice drivers with the skills they need to deal with challenges facing the bus sector and to ensure our bus services stay safe, inclusive and comfortable for all passengers.

    Delivering better bus services will ensure people have proper access to jobs and opportunities, putting more money in their pockets and powering growth in every corner of the country.

    As part of the incoming Bus Services Bill, all bus staff will get mandatory training on improving women’s safety by responding to anti-social behaviour and incidents of violence against women and girls. The bill will be introduced in the House of Commons shortly and will support the government’s mission to keep our streets safe by also giving local authorities new powers to crack down on offenders.  

    The bill will also hand control to local leaders to operate bus services to deliver the reliability that local people deserve, whether they choose to emulate the achievements of Manchester’s Bee Network by taking operations fully in house or work closely with operators to improve bus services, which has had great success in Cornwall.  

    Piers Marlow, Managing Director of First Bus East of England, said:

    This is a fantastic and fun challenge for our partners at Essex County Cricket and the Department for Transport, but it also highlights the incredible skill required to be a bus driver.

    At First Bus, we place a huge emphasis on training to ensure our drivers are equipped with the expertise and confidence to navigate our roads safely and efficiently. Events like this help to showcase the professionalism of our drivers and the importance of ongoing development across the industry.

    Paul Walter, Essex County Cricket Club all-rounder, said:

    The Battle of the Buses challenge was a lot of fun. I didn’t realise how tough driving a bus would be, it felt like something out of Top Gear, with the leaderboard, obstacles and the First Bus Stig.

    We’re all naturally competitive and it’s always good to get one over a teammate. I also really enjoyed going head-to-head with Critch [Matt Critchley] and I understand that Kelly, Cordelia and Eva got on great.

    Thank you to First Bus for having us down for the day.

    A measure is also included to push ahead with a bright, new and clean future for the sector, by ending the use of new diesel and petrol buses on English bus services by 2030, heralding a green new era for buses across the country,

    The government is ensuring that industry bosses and local leaders have a voice by hosting panel sessions, the first of which took in Sheffield on 13 March 2025. This discussion considered how British manufacturing of new zero emission buses will grow our regional economies and drive up quality of life, as outlined in the Plan for Change.  

    Local authorities are also currently being supported with £1 billion in bus service improvement funding, including £17.8 million for Essex County Council to maintain and improve bus services and enhance infrastructure. They are expected to outline their full plans for the funding in due course.

    Roads media enquiries

    Media enquiries 0300 7777 878

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    Updates to this page

    Published 26 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: GAM announces 2024 full year results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    26 March 2025

    PRESS RELEASE

    Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 Listing Rules:

    GAM announces 2024 full year results

    Strong progress in implementing turnaround strategy. GAM continues to target profitability in fiscal year 2026.

    Financial Highlights for Full Year 2024

    • IFRS net loss of CHF 70.9 million compared to CHF 82.1 million for FY 2023.
    • Underlying loss before tax of CHF 66.8 million compared to CHF 49.5 million for FY 2023.
    • AuM at CHF 16.3 billion compared to CHF 19.3 billion as at 31 December 2023.
    • Cost optimisation initiatives across the business resulted in a 20% decrease in underlying expenses compared to FY 2023. The full impact of these cost optimisation initiatives will be reflected in FY 2025 and beyond.
    • Successful CHF 100 million rights issue completed in November 2024, which resulted in our anchor shareholder, NJJ Holding SAS (through its holding in Rock Investment SAS (“Rock”)) becoming our majority shareholder.
    • The maturity of the existing CHF 100 million Rock loan facility has been extended until 31 December 2027.
    • GAM is now a highly scalable pure investment platform with strong global distribution capabilities focusing on three core areas to drive sustainable growth and profitability: Specialist Active Investing, Alternative Investing and Wealth Management.
    • GAM continues to target profitability in fiscal year 2026.

    Strategic Highlights

    • Launched GAM Alternatives, providing access to in-house and third-party alternative managers focusing on absolute return strategies and best-in-class talent.
    • A new, high performing and successful European Equity team joins GAM in 2025.
    • Partnering with Sun Hung Kai & Co. Ltd to drive growth and enhance our distribution capabilities across Greater China including Hong Kong, mainland China, Taiwan, and Macau.
    • In 2025, GAM will continue to partner with best-in-class external managers, to include the development of new products and the distribution of their own existing products to GAM clients.

    Elmar Zumbuehl, Group CEO at GAM said: “We have made strong progress in implementing GAM’s turnaround strategy and have now evolved into being a pure play investment management firm, but we are not finished yet. The cost optimisation initiatives implemented in 2024 will yield their full benefit in 2025 and beyond. While we stay focused on further cost optimisation, our main emphasis is growing our AuM and revenues as we continue our turnaround. With an unwavering commitment to our clients, and an expanding suite of innovative and distinctive products, we continue to build positive momentum and strengthen our market position. Backed by our majority shareholder, we continue to target profitability in fiscal year 2026 and remain focussed on delivering for our clients and all our stakeholders.”

    Summary Financials

    In 2024, we reported IFRS net loss after tax of CHF 70.9 million, compared with an IFRS net loss after tax of CHF 82.1 million in 2023. The loss in 2024 was mainly driven by the underlying net loss after tax of CHF 66.9 million.

    Please refer to the ‘Financial Results for FY 2024’ section later in this press release for full information.

    Financial Strength

    In November 2024, GAM completed its CHF 100 million fully underwritten ordinary capital increase by way of a rights issue to support the implementation of GAM’s strategy and provide long-term financial stability. Given Rock’s underwriting commitment, NJJ Holding SA (indirectly) is now the majority shareholder of GAM following the rights issue.

    The existing CHF 100 million Rock loan facility remains in place with its maturity extended to 31 December 2027.

    Strategy Update

    GAM’s strategy is designed to achieve sustainable growth and profitability by delivering best possible investment performance and exemplary service for our clients by focusing on our Investment and Wealth Management capabilities. The four pillars of our strategy remain:

    • Focusing on clients in existing core markets;
    • Amplifying and growing core active equity, fixed income and multi-asset strategies by investing in talent and product ideas;
    • Diversifying into new investment product areas and our Wealth Management offering by leveraging GAM’s heritage in active management, building strategic partnerships, and its alternatives and hedge funds platform; and
    • Enhancing effectiveness by reducing complexity.

    GAM is now focusing exclusively on its Investment (Specialist Active and Alternatives) and Wealth Management businesses, expanding its distribution reach and capabilities, amplifying its core active strategies, and diversifying into new product areas, including building out our higher margin alternatives capabilities.

    We have made strong progress throughout 2024 on our four-pillar strategy to transform GAM into a focused, client-centric, and profitable business.

    Focusing on clients

    Focusing on our clients in our existing core markets has been the most important way to rebuild GAM. In key markets where we have clients, but lack scalable distribution, we have, and will continue to, add partnerships to support our growth strategy and provide a broader range of client’s access to unparalleled investment expertise, opportunities, and exceptional outcomes across specialist active and alternative investment strategies.

    We established a strategic alliance with Sun Hung Kai & Co. Ltd. to grow our client base, distribute our products, and innovate our alternatives offering across the Greater China region, including Hong Kong, mainland China, Taiwan, and Macau.

    We have also enhanced our regional presence and client coverage by hiring new Heads of Distribution across Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Iberia, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and France to drive our local market presence. This significant investment into our client facing teams will enable GAM to provide clients with excellent local contacts, strong relationship management and access to unparalleled investment expertise targeting exceptional outcomes.

    We additionally expanded our client reach through opening a second US office in Miami to cover the US international and Latin American markets and we are close to gaining customary approvals to open our planned branches in Paris and Milan.

    Amplifying and growing core active equity, fixed income, and multi-asset strategies by investing in talent and product ideas

    We are enhancing our capabilities by recruiting first-class investment talent in alternatives, systematic and equities teams.

    We have established a multi-asset centre of excellence in a global team to optimise all our multi-asset investment capabilities, enhance client outcomes, and align with evolving market dynamics and client needs. The high quality and excellent performance of this team will allow GAM to grow its wealth management business.

    In February 2025, we announced the hiring of three high performing and successful European Equity team members from Janus Henderson Investors. These strategic hires underscore GAM’s steadfast dedication to providing clients with access to unparalleled investment expertise and exceptional outcomes. The team brings extensive experience, having managed over EUR 6.5 billion in European Equity funds on behalf of institutional and retail clients globally.

    In addition, we have strengthened our sustainability and stewardship practices, meeting the principles of the UK and Swiss Stewardship Codes. Today GAM released its 2024 Sustainability Report which is available at www.gam.com

    Diversifying into new investment products while expanding the wealth management offering by leveraging GAM’s heritage in active management, strategic partnerships, and its alternatives and hedge funds platform

    Randel Freeman joined GAM in 2024 as Co-head / Co-CIO of GAM Alternatives to build out our alternative investments platform to meet growing investor demand with differentiated offerings. In addition, in 2025, we hired two senior sales specialists with deep experience in Alternatives distribution.

    In 2024, we launched GAM funds to introduce and distribute Avenue Capital’s Sports Opportunities fund, plus partnered with Arcus Investment to distribute their Japanese long/short equities fund. GAM also partnered with world leading Trafigura Group’s subsidiary Galena Asset Management to manage the GAM Commodities fund providing best-in-class sector expertise. This provides our clients access to exclusive and attractive commodity investment opportunities.

    We are launching the GAM LSA Private Shares strategy in Europe to provide access for European clients to this award-winning evergreen, late-stage private equity fund.

    Throughout 2025, GAM will be assessing M&A opportunities to enhance existing offerings, attracting best-in-class long-term strategic partnerships, and recruiting top talent to our core business areas globally.

    Enhancing effectiveness by reducing complexity

    Following the transfer of our fund services business for third-party funds we also successfully transitioned our Luxembourg, Irish and Swiss fund management company (ManCo) activities to Apex Group and 1741 Group in Q4 2024. In addition, we consolidated our operations onto our cloud based SimCorp investment management platform. GAM now operates on a global platform that delivers operational efficiencies.

    These implementations pave the way to a much less complex operating model underpinning and delivering best outcomes for our clients.

    GAM is now a highly scalable global investment platform with strong global distribution capabilities focusing on three core areas to drive sustainable growth and profitability: Specialist Active Investing, Alternative Investing and Wealth Management.

    Business Areas

    GAM Investments is focused on three core business areas to drive sustainable growth and profitability:

    • GAM Specialist Active: Deep expertise, experience and specialisms unlocking core and niche returns in equities, fixed income, and multi-asset investing;
    • GAM Alternatives: Access to in-house and third-party alternative investment managers focusing on absolute return strategies and best-in-class talent; and
    • GAM Wealth Management: Multi-asset solutions with tailored portfolios for high-net-worth individuals, charities and trusts, utilising best-of-breed GAM and third-party products.

    These three core business areas share and benefit from GAM’s global platform and agile operating model and modern technology.

    Investment Performance

    GAM has continued to deliver strong overall investment performance across our diverse and distinctive products, with 64% of assets under management (AuM) outperforming their three-year benchmark and 89% outperforming their five-year benchmark, as at 31 December 2024. Despite some weaker short-term performance in equities, the longer-term 5-year performance remains strong.

    Percentage of GAM Fund AuM Outperforming Benchmark

        3 years 3 years 5 years 5 years
    Business Area Asset Class 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2023 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2023
    Specialist Active Fixed income 94% 98% 95% 91%
    Specialist Active Equity 1% 39% 79% 59%
    Alternatives Alternatives 60% 73% 75% 96%
    Total   64% 78% 89% 81%

    % of AuM in funds outperforming their benchmark (excluding mandates and segregated accounts) across our business areas. Three- and five-year investment performance based on applicable AuM of CHF 9.0 billion and CHF 9.0 billion, respectively.

    Compared to our peer group performance remained strong, 66% of AuM outperformed their three-year Morningstar peer group and 82% outperformed their five-year Morningstar peer group, as at 31 December 2024.

    Percentage of GAM Fund AuM Outperforming Morningstar Peer Group

        3 years 3 years 5 years 5 years
    Business Area Asset Class 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2023 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2023
    Specialist Active Fixed income 61% 53% 60% 50%
    Specialist Active Equity 20% 51% 89% 89%
    Alternatives Alternatives 91% 89% 95% 96%
    Total   66% 66% 82% 76%

    GAM continues to be recognised for its investment performance, including having been awarded the overall best European small group 2025 by Lipper. Four GAM funds (including two funds of our Swiss Equity strategy) won Lipper’s 2025 top performance awards across multiple countries. For the second time, at the Citywire Investment Performance Awards, GAM Multi-asset won the Best Large Firm Award. GAM won the Wealth Management PAM 2024 award for its growth portfolios. GAM’s Sustainable Climate Bond strategy won and was chosen as the best ESG Investment Fund in the Green, Social and Sustainability Bonds category at the ESG Investing Awards 2024. For further details on these and other awards please visit http://www.gam.com/awards.

    Assets Under Management and Net Flows by Business Area

    Total AuM were CHF 16.3 billion as at 31 December 2024, compared to CHF 19.3 billion as at 31 December 2023. Net outflows of CHF 4.4 billion were partially offset by positive market and foreign exchange movements of CHF 2.0 billion.

    Business Area Opening AuM
    1 Jan 2024    		 Net
    flows    		 Disposal(1) Market/FX
    movements    		 Closing AuM
    31 Dec 2024
    Specialist Active 17.5 (3.9) (0.6) 1.9 14.9
    Alternatives 0.9 (0.4)   – 0.5
    Wealth Management 0.9 (0.1)   0.1 0.9
    Total 19.3 (4.4) (0.6) 2.0 16.3
    (1) In the second half of 2024, the sale of the UK Equity Income Fund to Jupiter Asset Management completed and subsequently is reflected as a disposal. Therefore, net outflows of CHF 0.6 billion in 2024 have been reflected as a disposal.

    Financial Results for FY 2024

    The average management fee margin earned on investment management AuM in 2024 was 40.4 basis points, compared with the average margin for the financial year 2023 of 49.7 basis points. The change in average management fee margin primarily reflects the mix of assets under management across products and sub-advisory agreements with existing and new partners.

    Net management fees and commissions in 2024 totalled CHF 75.9 million, down from CHF 124.4 million in 2023 due primarily to the sale of the third-party fund services business in January 2024, lower average AuM and reduced average management fee margin in investment management.

    Underlying net performance fees totalled CHF 1.9 million, down from CHF 4.8 million in 2023.

    Underlying net other income/expenses includes net interest income and expenses, the impact of foreign exchange movements, net gains and losses on seed capital investments and hedging, as well as fund-related fees and service charges. In 2024, a net loss of CHF 2.3 million was recognised, compared with a CHF 0.4 million net loss in 2023. The 2024 net loss was mainly driven by the interest expenses incurred on the Rock Investment SAS loan facility and the impact of foreign exchange movements. The IFRS net other expense in 2024 amounts to CHF 4.4 million. The difference between the underlying and the IFRS net other expense of CHF 2.1 million mainly relates to a net foreign exchange loss on pension loan note offset by other income driven by the assignment of the UK property lease to a third party.

    Underlying personnel expenses decreased by 26% to CHF 76.6 million in 2024, compared with CHF 96.8 million in 2023. Fixed personnel costs decreased by 28%, driven by lower headcount. Headcount stood at 294 FTEs as at 31 December 2024, compared to 478 FTEs as at 31 December 2023. Variable compensation in 2024 fell to CHF 11.2 million from CHF 13.1 million in 2023, mainly driven by lower management and performance fees which impacted variable compensation arrangements. The underlying personnel expenses compares to IFRS personnel expenses of CHF 81.0 million. The difference between the underlying and the IFRS personnel expenses of CHF 4.4 million primarily relates to a reorganisation charge. (For further information, see note 6 of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements).

    Underlying general expenses in 2024 were CHF 52.1 million, down from CHF 65.0 million in 2023 due to cost optimisations initiatives across the business. This compares to IFRS general expenses of CHF 54.0 million. The difference between the underlying and the IFRS general expenses of CHF 1.9 million mainly relates to the Group’s reorganisation initiatives.

    Underlying depreciation and amortisation charges were CHF 13.8 million in 2024 compared to CHF 16.5 million in 2023. There is no difference between underlying and IFRS amounts.

    The underlying pre-tax loss in 2024 was CHF 66.8 million, compared to a CHF 49.5 million underlying pre-tax loss in 2023. The higher loss was driven mainly by lower net fee and commission income being only partially offset by lower personnel and general expenses. The underlying loss compares to an IFRS net loss before tax of CHF 69.6 million. The difference of CHF 2.8 million mainly relates to the remeasurement of the brand intangible, strategic initiative expenses and foreign exchange loss on pension loan note. (For further information, see note 6 of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements).

    The underlying income taxes in 2024 was a tax expense of CHF 0.1 million compared to a tax expense of CHF 0.3 million in 2023.

    Diluted underlying losses per share in 2024 was a negative CHF 0.25, compared to a negative of CHF 0.32 in 2023. This compares to a diluted IFRS earnings per share of negative CHF 0.27 in 2024. The difference between the diluted underlying and the diluted IFRS earnings per share of CHF 0.02 relates to the lower underlying net loss.

    Cash and cash equivalents as at 31 December 2024 were CHF 65.1 million, down from CHF 87.2 million as at 31 December 2023.This reduction was driven by the losses made by the Group partially offset by the proceeds received from the ordinary capital increase made by way of a rights offering in November 2024.

    Adjusted tangible equity as at 31 December 2024 was CHF 58.5 million, up from CHF 20.9 million as at 31 December 2023.The main contributor to this increase was ordinary capital increase by way of a rights issue that took place in November 2024. See page 17 of our Annual Report 2024 for full definition of adjusted tangible equity.

    The Board of Directors proposes to shareholders that no dividend will be paid for financial year 2024 given the underlying net loss in 2024.

    Outlook

    GAM continues to focus on implementing its strategy. Our priority is to achieve sustainable overall positive net inflows by rebuilding GAM’s distribution capabilities with a focus on our existing products and new product launches. The timeline for achieving these net inflows will be driven by our success in delivering our strategy, subject to market conditions. GAM continues to target profitability in fiscal year 2026.

    Additional information

    Results Centre | [FY2024 year report] | [FY2024 Investor presentation] | [FY2024 Investor workbook] | [2024 Sustainability Report] | [GAM corporate calendar]

    Investor Relations        
    Magdalena Czyzowska        
    T +44 (0) 207 917 2508            		 Media Relations        
    Colin Bennett        
    T +44 (0) 207 393 8544

    Visit us: www.gam.com
    Follow us: X and LinkedIn

    About GAM Investments

    GAM Investments is a highly scalable global investment platform with strong global distribution capabilities focusing on three core areas, Specialist Active Investing, Alternative Investing and Wealth Management, that is listed in Switzerland. It delivers distinctive and differentiated investment solutions across its Investment and Wealth Management businesses. Its purpose is to protect and enhance clients’ financial future. It attracts and empowers brightest minds to provide investment leadership, innovation and a positive impact on society and the environment. Total assets under management were CHF 16.3 billion as of 31 December 2024. GAM Investments has global distribution with offices in 14 countries and is geographically diverse with clients in almost every continent. Headquartered in Zurich, GAM Investments was founded in 1983 and its registered office is at Hardstrasse 201 Zurich, 8037 Switzerland. For more information about GAM Investments, please visit www.gam.com

    Other Important Information

    This release contains or may contain statements that constitute forward-looking statements. Words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “estimate”, “aim”, “project”, “forecast”, “risk”, “likely”, “intend”, “outlook”, “should”, “could”, “would”, “may”, “might”, “will”, “continue”, “plan”, “probability”, “indicative”, “seek”, “target”, “plan” and other similar expressions are intended to or may identify forward-looking statements.

    Any such statements in this release speak only as of the date hereof and are based on assumptions and contingencies subject to change without notice, as are statements about market and industry trends, projections, guidance, and estimates. Any forward-looking statements in this release are not indications, guarantees, assurances or predictions of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the person making such statements, its affiliates and its and their directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors and may involve significant elements of subjective judgement and assumptions as to future events which may or may not be correct and may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any such statements. You are strongly cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and no person accepts or assumes any liability in connection therewith.

    This release is not a financial product or investment advice, a recommendation to acquire, exchange or dispose of securities or accounting, legal or tax advice. It has been prepared without taking into account the objectives, legal, financial or tax situation and needs of individuals. Before making an investment decision, individuals should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to their own objectives, legal, financial and tax situation and needs and seek legal, tax and other advice as appropriate for their individual needs and jurisdiction.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Austria

    Source:

    There’s an ongoing threat of terrorism in Austria. There have been terrorist attacks and arrests relating to planned attacks. Most recently, there was an attack in Villach in February 2025. Be vigilant in public places and follow the advice of local authorities. Report anything suspicious to the police.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Belgium

    Source:

    There’s an ongoing threat of terrorism in Belgium. The threat level issued by Belgian authorities remains at level 3 of 4 – ‘Serious’ (see ‘Safety’). Crowded places, such as music and cultural events, festivals, tourist areas, shopping areas, transport hubs, major sporting events and other public areas, are possible targets. Be vigilant in public places and follow the advice of local authorities. There are temporary border controls in place to travel into France and Germany from Belgium (see ‘Travel’).

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: Mastery Made Easy: A First Look at HIKMICRO’s New Devices at JAGD & HUND 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DORTMUND, GERMANY, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HIKMICRO, a pioneering optics manufacturer, is set to unveil two groundbreaking thermal monoculars at JAGD & HUND Dortmund 2025, reinforcing its commitment to innovation in hunting technology. The FALCON 2.0 and CONDOR LRF 2.0 will be showcased at Germany’s Messe Dortmund from January 28 to February 2, 2025, embodying the company’s “Mastery Made Easy” philosophy.

    These new devices represent a significant leap forward in thermal hunting technology, focusing on one-handed operation and superior image quality. The FALCON 2.0 and CONDOR LRF 2.0 feature a highly sensitive 15mK thermal detector, capturing minute temperature differences and providing rich image details on a 0.49″ display.

    Both models offer precise laser rangefinding capabilities up to 1000 meters and incorporate HIKMICRO’s Shutterless Image System (HSIS) for continuous, uninterrupted viewing.

    Mr. Wang, HIKMICRO’s R&D expert, stated, “We have made comprehensive improvements to the FALCON and CONDOR models with ‘Mastery Performance’ and ‘One-handed, easy operation’ functions. We made these advancements while maintaining high image quality to provide the most comfortable observation, with usability enhancements delivering a simplified and intuitive operating experience.”

    The thermal monoculars boast an optimized 21700 battery, providing over six hours of operation time, and are compatible with external power banks. Both models feature a rear focus wheel and inline button arrangement for intuitive one-handed use, catering to hunters of all ages and handedness preferences.

    HIKMICRO equips the CONDOR LRF 2.0 series with an integral laser rangefinder and sculpts it to cradle the hand. Meanwhile, the FALCON 2.0 maintains a traditional cylindrical shape, and the FQ50L 2.0 model features an in-lens LRF module design. These ergonomic designs guarantee comfortable operation and reduced fatigue during extended use.

    Its commitment to user-centered innovation is evident in the development process of these thermal monoculars. The company conducted extensive market research and rigorous testing, including sending prototypes to professional hunters for real-life scenario evaluations. This meticulous method certifies that the final products meet the highest performance and usability standards.

    The new thermal monoculars also offer enhanced connectivity through the HIKMICRO Sight App, allowing users to live-view, browse and save captured images and videos, share with friends, upgrade products, and track after-sales information. This feature enhances the overall hunting experience and fosters a sense of community among users.

    Stefan Li, the company’s overseas director, emphasized the company’s vision: “We aim to keep blazing the trail by creating more precise, faster, and easier ways to help hunters master the mystery of the night. Our new FALCON 2.0 and CONDOR LRF 2.0 are testament to this commitment, providing hunters with the tools they need to enhance their skills and enjoy their passion to the fullest.“

    As HIKMICRO prepares to showcase these innovative devices at JAGD & HUND Dortmund 2025, the company continues to push the boundaries of thermal hunting technology while respecting traditional hunting values and expert craftsmanship.

    About HIKMICRO

    HIKMICRO is a world-leading optics brand committed to “Continually Make Crafted Confidence” for hunters. The company focuses on user-centered innovation, pushing the boundaries of technological performance while respecting traditional hunting values and expert craftsmanship. With a dedication to providing mastery solutions, HIKMICRO aims to make hunting easier and more rewarding for enthusiasts around the globe.

    Contact Information

    Contact: Lina Wang

    Brand: HIKMICRO

    Email Address: wanglina21@hikmicrotech.com

    Website: https://www.hikmicrotech.com/en/

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