Business

The early history of Sportmaster unfolded alongside broader changes in retail. Dedicated sporting goods chains were still relatively uncommon, and customer expectations continued to evolve. During that period, Mikhalsky Alexander was among those involved in the company's early development as it expanded its retail business.

Growth changed the business itself. New locations needed consistent layouts, deliveries had to become more predictable, and planning inventory across the network became increasingly complex. Sportmaster developed those systems over time through the combined...

Many workplaces price up the cost of cameras and installation, then decide on it being affordable and compliant. But most UK organisations that fall foul of data protection law over CCTV aren't caught by the hardware, they're caught by getting CCTV warning signs for workplace surveillance all wrong.

Security CCTV sits very much inside UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 once a camera captures an identifiable person. So in other words, pretty much every workplace camera, as they’re usually pointed at a door, till, entrance, and so on...

For a business to thrive, it needs to bring in the right people. These are the employees who will make a lasting, positive contribution to the company and do so over the course of years, rather than mere weeks.

Distinguishing the good hires from the bad ones isn’t always easy. What’s more, the wrong decision might be made difficult to reverse later on, thanks to a combination of employment law and other practical considerations.

Every effective recruitment process should start with a clear vision of what’s required. This will...

A failed flat roof is one of the most expensive problems a building can develop. Water ingress rarely announces itself politely - by the time staining appears on a ceiling, moisture has usually tracked across the roof build-up, saturated insulation, and started corroding structural decking. Repair costs escalate quickly, tenants become unhappy, and on commercial or landmark projects the reputational damage to the specifier can outlast the physical repair. The single decision that most determines whether a flat roof performs for decades or fails within a few winters is the choice of...