Partners

• LTM and OVHcloud announced a strategic partnership on June 30 in Roubaix, France, to deploy sovereign AI solutions across Europe. • The collaboration leverages OVHcloud's position as a European cloud leader and LTM's expertise as a business creativity partner for large enterprises. • This partnership matters as it enables the delivery of sovereign cloud and AI infrastructure, ensuring data residency and security within European borders.

Twelve countries with a free trade agreement with Brussels have their quota reduced by just one-thirdBusiness live – latest updatesThe EU has halved the amount of duty-free steel it will accept from abroad, but has agreed to higher levels of imports for 12 trading partners including the UK.The curbs are designed to reduce cheap Chinese steel coming into the bloc. However, 12 countries with a free trade agreement (FTA) with Brussels, including the UK, have had their quota reduced by just one-third. Continue reading...

Increase comes after seven-year campaign by mothers of victims for a change in the minimum sentence for domestic murderOffenders who kill their current or ex-partner face spending an extra 10 years behind bars, with a new minimum sentence of 25 years in England and Wales, under plans announced by David Lammy.The increase, announced by the justice secretary on Monday, comes after a seven-year campaign by mothers of victims for a change in the minimum sentence for domestic murder. Continue reading...

• Deloitte, PwC, and EY in India have each surpassed 1,000 partners, fueled by rapid expansion in technology consulting. • This surge in headcount is straining the traditional partnership model, as firms struggle to maintain effective governance across increasingly diverse business lines. • The growth necessitates a shift in leadership capabilities, requiring partners to integrate AI and manage constant organizational reinvention to remain competitive.

• Bespoke Partners, an executive search firm specializing in private equity portfolio companies, has released its 1H2026 Software & SaaS Talent Market Update. • The report analyzes the "AI Reckoning," focusing on how artificial intelligence disruption is fundamentally reshaping leadership requirements for software and SaaS firms. • This update is significant as it highlights the evolving skill sets needed for executives to navigate AI-driven shifts within private equity-backed environments.

• V47 Entertainment and COL Group have partnered through VIRTUE Asia to develop brand-funded microdramas and vertical entertainment across Southeast Asia. • The collaboration targets key ASEAN markets, including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam. • This initiative leverages COL Group's expertise in the microdrama format and its FlareFlow platform, which currently serves 33 million registered users globally.

• VivaTech 2026 celebrated its 10th anniversary as Europe's largest technology conference, attracting a record-breaking crowd of over 200,000 attendees. • The event focused heavily on artificial intelligence, digital sovereignty, and the growth of startups through global innovation partnerships. • Germany was designated as the Country of the Year, highlighting its leadership in industrial technology, engineering, manufacturing, and startup development.

• Santander has expanded artificial intelligence access to its entire global workforce of 185,000 employees. • The bank forecasts that the integration of AI will generate more than €1 billion in business value between 2026 and 2028. • This strategic move highlights the financial sector's increasing reliance on AI to drive operational efficiency and revenue growth.