Business & Technology
AVK named among UK’s Best Managed Companies for 2026
AVK has been named among the UK’s Best Managed Companies for 2026 in an award run by Deloitte Private.
The recognition places AVK among private businesses assessed on strategy, culture and commitment, capabilities and innovation, and governance and financial performance. It comes during a period of expansion for the company, which supplies power systems for data centres and other organisations in the UK and Europe.
The UK Best Managed Companies programme is in its second year in Britain and is already established in more than 45 territories. It focuses on privately owned businesses, assessing their overall management performance and contribution to industry and the wider economy.
Recent milestones include the launch of what AVK described as Europe’s first microgrid for a data centre and the introduction of its PowerPods units, which combine critical electrical infrastructure in a transportable format. The company has also been expanding its operations and engineering base across the UK and Europe.
The award comes as data centre operators face rising pressure to secure electricity supply for new facilities, particularly as artificial intelligence workloads increase demand for computing power. That has created opportunities for companies involved in backup power, grid connections and on-site energy systems.
Ben Pritchard, Chief Executive Officer of AVK, linked the award to the company’s workforce and growth strategy.
“We are thrilled to be recognised as one of the UK’s best managed private companies. This award belongs to every member of the AVK team. Their expertise, dedication and engineering excellence have driven our growth and made us the partner of choice for the operators building the UK and Europe’s digital infrastructure,” Pritchard said.
He added that the judging process had compared the business with leading private companies in other markets.
“To have our strategy, our culture and our capabilities benchmarked against some of the best private companies in the world, and acknowledged by Deloitte Private and the Best Managed Companies judges in this way, is a proud moment for the business. It reflects the disciplined way we have scaled while keeping our people and our customers at the centre of everything we do,” he said.
Awards Criteria
Independent judges reviewed applicants against four pillars: strategy, culture and commitment, capabilities and innovation, and governance and financial performance. The scheme is designed to recognise management quality rather than a single product launch or financial result.
Deloitte Private said the programme highlights the role private companies play in investment, employment and economic growth. It also provides a framework for management teams to measure themselves against peers.
Claire Evans, Deloitte Private Partner and UK Best Managed Companies Leader, outlined the rationale behind the awards.
“The Best Managed Companies programme celebrates the passion, resilience and focus on sustainable growth that are hallmarks of the UK’s leading private businesses. These businesses are purpose-driven, disciplined and industry-leading. They are confidently navigating the future and setting an inspiring standard for success among private businesses in the UK,” Evans said.
Market Demand
AVK operates in a market shaped by the rapid build-out of digital infrastructure. Developers of large data centres have been looking for ways to bring capacity online faster while dealing with grid constraints, planning complexity and resilience requirements.
That has increased interest in modular and pre-engineered electrical systems that can be delivered with less on-site construction. It has also pushed energy suppliers and engineering groups to offer more integrated approaches to generation, storage and distribution.
Across the UK and Europe, governments and businesses are also weighing the energy implications of digital growth. New server capacity for cloud computing and AI has raised concerns about power availability, costs and the pace at which electricity networks can support major projects.
In that environment, companies serving the sector are under pressure to show they can manage growth while maintaining delivery standards and financial discipline. The Best Managed Companies recognition points to those broader management questions as much as to market momentum.
The programme was established in Canada in 1993 and now operates across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific. In the UK, it aims to identify private businesses that combine organisational performance with sustained development across several parts of the business.
For AVK, the recognition adds to a period in which power infrastructure for data centres has moved closer to the centre of the technology investment story in Britain and continental Europe.
Duke Property Ltd, which runs the Duke of Cambridge bar on Little Clarendon Street, entered Creditors Voluntary Liquidation on July 28.
This is a a liquidation procedure that enables a company to be wound up by resolution of the members of the company instead of by a court order.
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A statement said: “Notice is given that at a General Meeting of the Company, duly convened and held at the place and on the date given above, a special resolution was passed that the company be wound up voluntarily; and an ordinary resolution was passed appointing the Liquidator for the purposes of the winding-up.”
The liquidators appointed were from Fortis Insolvency, with Daniel Taylor of the firm stating that the economic climate over the last few years has provided “major challenges”.
He said: “It is always difficult when an individual or company faces insolvency, as one failure often impacts on others around them either directly or indirectly. From suppliers to employees to finance providers to HMRC, there is always a wider consequence.
“The economic climate over the last few years has provided several major challenges to businesses, and the fall-out continues to be encountered.
“We know that this business is not alone in what it has faced over recent trading periods, and suspect that there are more economic consequences yet to be felt.”
The Duke of Cambridge has also been approached for comment.
The company’s latest accounts, to May 31, 2025, show creditors falling within a year worth over £58,000 and an average of three employees, less than half the number from the year before.
READ MORE: Oxfordshire construction firm being wound up with £75K debts
On its website, the Duke of Cambridge describes itself as “Oxford’s leading cocktail bar” and says its has been open since 1981.
It adds: “Located in the bohemian district of Jericho, the bar is always bursting with atmosphere at the weekends with a more chilled vibe during the week.
“Fresh ingredients, cool interiors and friendly staff give The Duke genuine character and style.”
In addition it said that it is “currently closed for a refurbishment following a break in”, with Google also reporting the cocktail bar as closed.
It added that it would be “reopening soon”.
JOSEPH GABRIEL LAGONSIN
News Editor
Nearly half of UK adults have used artificial intelligence tools during their online shopping journey, according to a survey of 2,000 people commissioned by price comparison group Idealo.
The research found that 46% of UK shoppers had used AI tools while shopping online, and 19% said they consulted AI every day. It also suggested that 75% believe AI will significantly change how people shop in future.
Consumers appear most comfortable using AI at the research stage rather than letting it handle a full transaction. While 74% of AI users said the technology provides useful recommendations, only 41% said they would trust it to complete an entire shopping journey from product discovery to purchase.
The figures point to a gap between interest in AI shopping tools and confidence in them. Nearly a third of respondents, 29%, said AI helps them save time when shopping online, while 33% said they use it to summarise product features.
More than half, 54%, said AI can help them make better purchasing decisions overall. Yet a sizeable minority still prefer established habits, with 35% saying they would rather compare prices using traditional methods.
Trust issues
Concerns over privacy and reliability were central to the findings. Data privacy was the biggest worry overall, cited by 53% of consumers using AI-powered platforms.
At the same time, 42% said they were concerned AI tools could surface unreliable offers or direct them to fake retailers. Another 34% worried about inaccurate recommendations, while 19% viewed AI as a broader risk to society.
The results suggest shoppers are willing to use chatbots and other AI tools as a starting point for research, recommendations and price checks, but many remain cautious about the quality of the information they receive. That could matter for retailers and technology groups trying to make AI a bigger part of eCommerce.
The survey was commissioned after Idealo launched a ChatGPT app aimed at helping consumers with shopping-related searches. The findings suggest AI is becoming embedded in how many people look for products and deals, even as trust remains unsettled.
Nike Herzog-Osikominu, UK country manager at Idealo, commented on the shift in behaviour and the limits of consumer confidence.
“AI is rapidly becoming part of how people shop, particularly when it comes to researching products, comparing prices and finding the best deals. Consumers clearly see the value in having an assistant that can help them save time and make more informed purchasing decisions.
“At the same time, our research shows that trust remains the biggest barrier to wider adoption. While shoppers are increasingly turning to AI for recommendations, many still want reassurance that the prices, products and retailers being presented are accurate and reliable.
“As AI becomes a more common starting point for online shopping, consumers will expect greater transparency around where recommendations come from and whether offers can be trusted. The platforms that succeed will be the ones that combine convenience with credibility,” Herzog-Osikominu said.
The findings add to the wider debate about how quickly consumers will accept AI-led services in day-to-day purchasing. Although many respondents said the technology is useful, the lower level of trust in handing over the full buying process suggests adoption may depend as much on confidence and verification as on convenience.
Price comparison emerged as one of the clearest areas where respondents see value in AI tools. Even so, concerns that automated systems could point shoppers towards fake retailers or misleading offers highlight the commercial risk for platforms that fail to establish reliability.
Herzog-Osikominu also linked that issue to Idealo’s role in the market.
“This is exactly where Idealo adds value – by combining the convenience of AI-powered shopping with trusted price comparison, transparent retailer information and reliable product data, helping consumers make more confident purchasing decisions,” Herzog-Osikominu said.
The Lord Kitchener in Bampton Road, Curbridge closed down in August 2022, but was relaunched last month to the public.
Paul and Lianne Newton purchased the property from Greene King in 2024, free of lease, and set about organising an extensive refurbishment.
Mr Newton said: “We’ve been blown away by the support we’ve received so far.
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“We’ve already taken bookings for a wedding reception, and we’re receiving enquiries for events and private parties right through into 2027.
“It’s been an incredible start.”
The roadside oak-beamed pub dates from the early 18th century when it was known as the Herd of Swine.
The village social club was based there, and it supported local charities.
Military veteran Mr Newton now wants to turn it into a welcoming hub at the heart of the community.
It reopened on Wednesday July 15, but the couple say there are still some final touches to be done.
Mr Newton explained: “We knew there would always be more to do, but we wanted to get open, welcome people in and build a fantastic team.”
Included in that team is head chef James Brooks, who brings more than 30 years experience as a professional cook to the Lord Kitchener.
The menu is inspired by the vibrant flavours of the Mediterranean, showcasing fresh ingredients and complemented by carefully selected drink pairings.
Food includes Pamboli sandwiches, tapas, burgers, fish and chips and Argentinian grill steak.
“We’re learning every day,” said Mr Newton, “adapting and continually improving as we bring our vision to life”.
He added: “Our goal is to create a place where everyone feels welcome and enjoys spending time.
“We’re incredibly grateful for everyone’s support, patience and encouragement as we continue to grow.
“We’re excited about the future of The Lord Kitchener and look forward to creating something truly special that the whole Curbridge community can be proud of.”
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Local councillor Liam Mackenzie said after it opened: “Great to see the Lord Kitchener reopen in Curbridge a couple of weeks ago, bringing the number of pubs in the Ducklington Ward from 1 to 2!
“The only question now – where else needs a new pub?!”
Curbridge and Lew Parish Council owns a one-acre field alongside the pub called the Lord Kitchener Field.
In the early 2000s the pub was owned by Oxford-based brewery Morrells, which Greene King bought.
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