Opencast | B Corp™

Forbes has today shared the 10 most powerful data trends that it believes will transform business in 2025 – and it’s no surprise to see the growing impact of #AI at the top of the list. It predicts that tools like #ChatGPT will continue to revolutionise how we extract value from data – allowing anyone to receive instant insights from complex datasets, regardless of their expertise.   Unlocking value from data for business and people alike was the focus of a fascinating Opencast | B Corp™ debate this summer. The session, part of the 2024 TechNExt festival, brought together innovators and leaders in the data space to share ideas on how data can be better harnessed in ways that are outcome-focused, agile and deliver the value we need. Thanks for the excellent contributions to the data debate from technology director and utilities expert Laura Cameron, Bluesmith Information Systems Director Stuart Edmondson and Opencast | B Corp™ Head of Product Delivery Andrew McMurray. The session was moderated by Opencast Chief Technology Officer Lee Foster. We look back and share session highlights: https://lnkd.in/eyDXK9-d

Today is National Internet Day – a celebration of the very first internet transmission ever, sent on 29 October 1969 💻 Earlier this year, Opencast | B Corp™’s Head of Security Services Rosalind Grindrod shared an introduction to online safeguarding for parents and caregivers, teachers and educators. Rosalind shared this as part of Safer Internet Day, which raises awareness of a safer and better internet for all, especially for children and young people. Watch now 👉 https://lnkd.in/eDRF9bpb

The Opencast | B Corp™ team enjoyed a brilliant evening at the 2024 North East STEM Awards ceremony at Newcastle's Crowne Plaza on Friday. We’re proud to have been named as a finalist in the 'most inspirational North East technology employer' award category, recognising our team's three-pronged approach to supporting STEM in the region, with: 💫 Community partnerships with non-profits and schools, including a laptop donations programme 💫 Hands-on experience with internships and work experience offering exposure to tech careers 💫 Tech community thought leadership including through Dynamo North East, Tech Talent Engine and the annual TechNExt festival. Congratulations to award winner AECOM and fellow finalists Sage and DXC Technology, as well as to all the other winners and finalists 👏

Renewable energy start-up Swarm was founded with a vision to make homeowners’ lives easier, greener and cheaper through technology. Taking an innovative technology product to market can take a year or more. Swarm wanted to accelerate that process. Opencast | B Corp™ has helped turn Swarm’s vision into a technical reality, embedding a full-service team into the business to help speed market entry of an automated home energy product that works across renewable devices – and accelerates payback on consumer investment in renewables. An innovative and flexible partnership has helped Swarm to deliver: ✅ Automated decisions on home energy ✅ A scalable product and service ✅ Compliance with cybersecurity regulations ✅ A cheaper, faster route to market ✅ Up to £300 savings on home energy bills ✅ Up to 20 new North East jobs. Swarm Co-Founder and Chief Executive Anthony Piggott said: "With Opencast's tech expertise and our knowledge of the energy sector, we knew we would have the ability to make something really exciting: one app to control every aspect of energy in the home." Read our case study and download your free copy 👉 https://bit.ly/3YAvaCI

Cybersecurity experts from the UK's regional cyber clusters convened at Opencast | B Corp™’s Newcastle HQ today, for the UKC3 - UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration Pan Cluster 6 event. Seventeen UKC3-recognised cyber clusters came together to connect, collaborate and drive forward digital change.   We’re delighted that Opencast | B Corp™ can provide a space where meaningful conversations and impactful collaborations can happen on this vital agenda. Explore the importance of clusters in cybersecurity 👉 https://bit.ly/3YyJMCC

Opencast | B Corp™’s Service Design Practice Lead Ute Schauberger is leading a ‘Design for Care in the Digital Age’ module at Usher Institute, The University of Edinburgh, as part of its new masters course in Digital Transformation in Health and Social Care. A dozen Opencast UCD expert speakers have also been sharing their wisdom and experience with students as part of the course module. Ute explains “It has been a great opportunity to reflect on what I have learnt about understanding humans and designing services over the last decade. To share what continues to inspire and drive me.” Explore the thinking behind the module in Ute's blog 👉 https://bit.ly/4e2hvIW

At the start of 2024 we kicked off a network of educators, employers and impact organisations in the North East who are using the Skills Builder Partnership Universal framework (https://lnkd.in/gYxQkjDj) to focus on supporting people of all ages to build the Essential Skills they need to thrive in lifelong careers. It was a energising event, and the NE network is growing with new schools, colleges, employers and impact organisations joining the Skills Builder Partnership. Now we're a couple of years into our journey at Opencast | B Corp™ we get a lot of other employers asking us: - How we are using Essential Skills in our approach to learning & development - How we are using the common language of Essential Skills to make our job adverts clearer & more inclusive - How we interview for Essential Skills So we're holding an event to cover these topics and more with our Skills Builder Partnership colleagues Thursday 21st Nov 11.30 - 14.30 at our Opencast | B Corp™ HQ in Hoults Yard This event is designed for business leaders, People and Learning professionals, and anyone passionate about enhancing skills development in the region.  We will explore how the partnership and the Skills Builder Universal Framework is creating internal impact at Opencast and welcome other businesses in the region who are beginning their skills builder journey to unlock their people’s potential. Come along to find out more, sign up here: https://lnkd.in/g3Uw88_D Emma Crighton Ciara Slack Victoria Reilly Jill McKinney Amanda Parry Rob Baker, FCIPD, MAPP Maureen Brown Dr. Elouise Leonard-Cross Dr Rachael Skews, CPsychol Gareth Whalley

Vote for Opencast | B Corp™ today in Dynamo North East's Dynamites Awards people's choice poll 🗳️ We're shortlisted for a 2024 Dynamites Award for our work on equality, diversity and inclusion - and our co-founder Charlie Hoult is also a finalist for 2024 'tech champion'. It's great to have recognition by our peers in the North East region in both of these categories. Polling in the Dynamites people's choice award closes today (Friday 18 October) and you can cast your vote now 👉 https://bit.ly/4hchXHy Looking forward to Dynamo North East's Dynamites Awards ceremony in Newcastle on Thursday 21 November.

Trigger warning: violence against women Our people took part in Active Bystanding Training, delivered by Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office. The training programme empowered participants to recognise, challenge, and safely intervene in situations involving harassment, abuse, or violence towards women and girls. We’re proud to be the first private sector business to take part in the programme, in promoting women’s safety and standing against violence towards women and girls. Opencast | B Corp™ Head of People Engagement and Inclusion Sheena Widdowfield shared: “The ongoing epidemic of violence against women needs action and this programme is a key part of the movement to change that. Opencast is proud to have some involvement in this, and we’re looking forward to seeing the broader spotlight grow for this subject matter to be heard, far and wide.” Thank you to Kai Javed, Women’s Safety in Public Places Project Lead, for inviting us to take part 🤍

Our people took part in military style training and team challenges as part of The Army Business Challenge Day 💪 The event, hosted by Army Headquarters North at Albemarle Barracks, Northumberland, gave insight into the type of work both regular soldiers and army reserves do. The day challenged and enhanced participants communication, leadership, team building, mental resilience and problem-solving skills. Thank you to Opencast | B Corp™ Client Relationship Director Richard Handley for bringing our people together for this fun and challenging day of outdoor activities. Rich spent his early career within the British Army and leads Opencast’s work across the ex-forces community and to make us a forces-friendly employer. Opencast is committed to the Armed Forces Covenant and proud to currently hold the Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award. Well done to Opencast | B Corp™ Army Challenge participants: Christopher Wilson, Sarah Purvis (Woodhall), Melanie Irving, Anoop Tripathi, Liam Treacy, Thomas Moore, Simon Walters, Chaitali Prakash Tanawade, Lucy Price, Alana Rocks and Andrew Burnip 👏