NUWAVE Communications has integrated Tollring’s Analytics 365 Call Analytics into its unified communications offering, adding analytics to the services it supplies through its partner network.

The integration is intended to give customers more visibility into how unified communications systems are used and how they perform. NUWAVE works with carrier partners, service providers and channel partners across the UK, Europe, North America and other international markets.

The agreement centres on Analytics 365 Call Analytics, which tracks and assesses communications activity across platforms including Microsoft Teams, Webex and Zoom. NUWAVE plans to embed the software throughout the lifecycle of its unified communications services rather than offer it as a standalone tool.

The move reflects growing demand from businesses for clearer reporting on communications platforms used across multiple systems and geographies. Providers are also under pressure to demonstrate ongoing value after initial deployment, particularly as cloud-based communications become more common in larger organisations and the public sector.

Under the arrangement, NUWAVE plans to make the analytics offering available through its iPILOT platform and wider partner programmes. This will allow partners to provide ongoing services based on usage and performance data alongside the original communications deployment.

Mark Bunnell, chief operating officer at NUWAVE Communications, linked the partnership to the rise of Microsoft Teams and other cloud services in the UK market.

“This partnership is particularly relevant in the UK market, where adoption of Microsoft Teams and cloud-based communications continues to accelerate across enterprise and public sector organisations. This collaboration strengthens our ability to support UK partners and customers with data-driven insights that improve operational efficiency and long-term value.

“We selected Tollring because they are a proven leader in turning communications data into actionable business intelligence. Tollring’s approach aligns closely with how we view the future of unified communications. It’s not just about enabling voice, it’s about delivering the visibility and insights needed to continuously optimise performance, user experience and business outcomes.

“As businesses increasingly demand greater visibility, compliance and performance insight from their UC environments, analytics is becoming a critical component of modern deployments,” Bunnell said.

Partner focus

The integration is also intended to support NUWAVE’s channel strategy. Partners will be able to use data generated by Analytics 365 to develop additional services and strengthen customer relationships through ongoing monitoring and advice.

This reflects a wider shift in the unified communications market, where providers are looking beyond deployment and connectivity towards recurring service models tied to management, reporting and operational oversight. In that context, analytics tools can help resellers and carriers identify trends in call activity, user adoption and service performance.

Tollring develops cloud software focused on communications analytics, call centre analytics, conversation analysis, voice recording, fraud protection and scam detection. The company sells both directly and through channel partners and says its products are used by more than 22,000 businesses globally.

NUWAVE has been active in business communications services for more than 25 years and supports service providers offering Microsoft Teams, Zoom Phone and Webex Calling. Its iPILOT platform is designed to help carriers and partners deliver multi-platform unified communications services to channel partners and end customers.

UK demand

The UK is likely to be a key market for the combined offer because of strong adoption of Teams and broader migration to cloud-based communications. For organisations running several communications platforms at once, analytics has become more important as IT teams seek a clearer view of employee usage, call performance and operational issues.

For partners selling and supporting these systems, the ability to package analytics with unified communications could also create a new source of recurring revenue. NUWAVE said adding Tollring’s software would help position analytics as a core part of communications delivery rather than an optional extra.

The product will be supported through NUWAVE Academy training and broader partner programmes, with the analytics layer integrated into service delivery through the channel.

LK Bennett, founded back in the 90s, entered administration in January, with John Noon and Mark Firmin of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP appointed joint administrators.

Immediately following their appointment, the LK Bennett brand and related intellectual property were sold to US firm Gordon Brothers, which also owns Laura Ashley and Poundland.

However, LK Bennett’s nine stand-alone and 13 concession stores were not included in the deal, leaving them at risk of closing.

Its website explains: “The LK Bennett stores were not included in the transaction and continue to trade under the Administration.”

All LK Bennett stores “are now closed”

All LK Bennett stores have now closed, according to the retailer’s website.

In an Instagram post on Saturday (April 25), the fashion retailer said: “We’re nearly at the end.

“With only 2 days remaining, tomorrow is your last moment to shop our collections in-store with everything up to 90% off.”

“Our boutiques will remain open today as long as stock lasts, but once it’s gone, our doors will close.”

But it appears all stock has been sold, as the LK Bennett website reads: “Website and stores are now closed.”

Full list of LK Bennett stores

The full list of LK Bennett stores that have closed is:

Stand-alone stores

• Lower Guildhall Mall (Bluewater)
• Canary Wharf (London)
• Eastgate Square Shopping Centre (Chester)
• Duke of York Square (London)
• Harrogate
• Knightsbridge (London)
• New Bond Street (London)
• Richmond
• White City Westfield (London)

Concession stores

• Arnotts (Dublin)
• The Bentall Centre (Kingston upon Thames)
• Brown Thomas (Dublin)
• De Gruchy (Jersey)
• Hoopers (Tunbridge Wells)
• Hoopers (Wilmslow)
• Jarrold (Norwich)
• John Lewis (Edinburgh)
• John Lewis (High Wycombe)
• John Lewis – Oxford Street (London)
• John Lewis (Manchester)
• John Lewis (Oxford)
• John Lewis (Cheadle)

‘Very sad day’ – shoppers react to closure of LK Bennett stores

Shoppers were quick to react to the closure of the remaining LK Bennett stores, taking to the Instagram post to share their thoughts.

One person commented: “Very sad day indeed. I will miss the lovely collection and the staff who was always attentive no matter which boutique you shopped.”

Another added: “Very sad day for the high street and more importantly the staff who have worked their shoes! Off- good luck to all of you.”

Other major UK companies that have closed or entered administration in 2026

It has been a tough start to 2026 for the UK high street, with a wide range of businesses entering administration or closing down.

Major high street retailers have been forced to close stores, including:

Several other retailers have fallen into administration, including:

Meanwhile, four UK travel companies have closed in 2026:

EcoJet Airlines, billed as “the world’s first Electric Airline”, also entered liquidation after just three years, resulting in the cancellation of all planned flights.

What has a nose, wings and runs off of hydrogen? Ecojet 😎 pic.twitter.com/y8QGiBdFe2

— ecotricity (@ecotricity) July 17, 2023

UK delivery company Yodel is set to be phased out over the coming months after being acquired by InPost.

It’s also been reported that Morrisons is looking to sell some of its in-store pharmacies as it continues to cut costs.

It’s not been all bad news for the UK high street, with several major brands announcing new store openings for 2026, including Aldi, M&S, and Superdrug.

Are you saddened by the closure of all LK Bennett stores? Let us know in the comments below.

NMITE has secured accreditation from the Institution of Engineering and Technology for its BEng and MEng Integrated Engineering degrees, giving the Hereford institution recognition from one of the world’s largest engineering bodies.

The accreditation covers NMITE’s integrated engineering courses and places them on the IET and Engineering Council UK databases. Under the UK framework for professional engineering competence, the MEng programme fully satisfies the academic requirements for eventual registration as a Chartered Engineer, while the BEng programme partially satisfies them.

The decision marks a significant step for the specialist higher education provider, which welcomed its first students in 2021. It follows a detailed assessment by the IET, which has more than 157,000 members across 148 countries.

Professional route

For students and graduates, the main practical effect is formal recognition of their degrees and a clearer route towards Chartered Engineer status. In UK engineering, accreditation is a key benchmark because it confirms that a programme meets the standards for academic preparation in the profession.

NMITE has built its model around hands-on learning and close links with employers. More than 220 students have enrolled to date, with over 90 modules delivered and partnerships in place with more than 80 industry organisations.

James Newby, President and Chief Executive of NMITE, highlighted the scrutiny involved in the process and praised the IET for its willingness to look beyond the innovation, rigorously “test the product” and show the foresight to endorse “the country’s newest and most innovative university”.

Jesse Norman, Co-Founder and Chair of NMITE, said the decision reflected the standing of the institution’s graduates. “As this accreditation confirms, NMITE students are highly trained technical engineers, fully the equal of graduates from the UK’s leading universities. But studying at NMITE has also developed their practical skills, emotional resilience and work-readiness.

“This accreditation sends a clear signal to employers, companies and the wider higher education sector: NMITE’s distinctive, hands-on model delivers graduates of the highest academic and professional quality.”

Growth path

The accreditation adds to a series of milestones for NMITE as it expands its place in the UK higher education sector. In 2023, the institution received New Degree Awarding Powers from the Office for Students, allowing it to award its own taught degrees.

Founded in Hereford, NMITE was set up to offer an alternative approach to engineering education, bringing together multiple engineering disciplines with project-based learning. Its development has included the opening of a second campus, student accommodation and new courses beyond its original engineering programme.

Newby said the accreditation would have a direct effect on students’ prospects. “This news has genuine life-changing potential for our diverse intake of students. Gaining a degree accredited by the IET sets them on a path to Chartered Engineer status and that means they will be respected professionals with a life of professional fulfilment and economic security. For all of our students, this is a really big deal!”

An NMITE graduate working in industry also pointed to its effect on early career development. Elise Cummings, who works at Balfour Beatty, said the decision reflected several years of work across the institution and among its supporters.

“Following the news that NMITE has formally achieved IET accreditation for the Integrated Engineering programme, I feel incredibly proud. As someone who supported the institute from 2018 as a member of the Design Cohort and then graduated as part of the Pioneer Cohort last spring, this announcement marks a significant milestone in both NMITE’s and my own journey.

“The decision reflects all the efforts made so far to shape where NMITE is today, from students, colleagues, donors and others. This milestone represents further trust in the university from industry, which will continue to support my development as an NMITE engineer.”

The work to secure approval was led internally by Lucy Stonehouse, Quality Assurance Manager, who coordinated submissions across academic staff, students and professional teams. The IET reviewed whether the courses met the standards required under the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence and the Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes framework.

Stonehouse said: “The IET ran an extremely thorough process, and the workload has at times been enormous, but we gave them confidence in our programme and our team to merit the accreditation. This win for NMITE has been many months in the making and I am thrilled that I have, along with my colleagues, played a part in this achievement.”