Business & Technology
Northumbrian Water signs three-year Aiimi AI data deal
SOFIAH NICHOLE SALIVIO
News Editor
Northumbrian Water has launched a three-year partnership with Aiimi focused on AI and data work linked to the utility’s AMP8 programme.
The agreement expands a relationship built over several years and will centre on bespoke tools and data products for water and wastewater operations. Delivered through an Insights and Analytics framework, the work is intended to support operational improvements, compliance and environmental goals.
Northumbrian Water serves 4.7 million customers and is entering a new investment period as water companies face scrutiny over pollution, storm overflows and service resilience. Against that backdrop, the programme will explore how AI and machine learning can be applied to practical operational issues across the network.
Projects under consideration include tools to help maintain water quality compliance, make better use of live water quality data and improve maintenance scheduling. The partnership will also cover data governance to support wider AI use across the organisation.
A recent data-focused workshop brought together data scientists from Aiimi, Northumbrian Water and other partners to analyse storm overflow data. The exercise examined how machine learning could improve reporting and help prioritise investment across those assets.
The partnership builds on earlier work between the two organisations, including support for a refreshed Digital and Data Strategy at Northumbrian Water. That five-year strategy sets out how the utility plans to use digital systems, data assets and AI to improve services and reduce environmental impact during AMP8, which runs from April 2025 to March 2030.
The programme also coincides with the arrival of Martin Jackson as chief information officer at Northumbrian Water. He was appointed to lead the next phase of the company’s digital transformation, with data and analytics playing a bigger role in managing infrastructure and customer service.
For Aiimi, the agreement strengthens its position in the UK water sector. It has worked with Anglian Water, Yorkshire Water and Northumbrian Water, while its technology and services have also been used by Severn Trent, United Utilities and Ofwat. The company specialises in AI, data analysis and information governance.
The announcement comes as utilities face pressure to adapt to more volatile weather patterns and tighter environmental expectations. Water companies are also looking for ways to target AMP8 investment more effectively, particularly in areas such as overflow management, compliance and network resilience.
Steve Salvin set out Aiimi’s view of the challenge facing the sector.
“Water companies are being asked to do more with less amidst increased service demand and grave climate change. These challenges must be met with innovative, data-driven digital solutions that can truly unlock the power of AI. We’ve already laid the groundwork for this in our Digital and Data Strategy work with Northumbrian Water. Now, it’s time to get to work on bringing the strategy to life though bespoke products developed in collaboration with the water company. This new partnership puts Northumbrian Water at the forefront of the sector’s digital, data and AI transformation, as well as cementing Aiimi’s reputation as the go-to partner for innovative, forward-thinking water companies,” said Steve Salvin, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Aiimi.
The partnership forms part of Northumbrian Water’s broader investment programme across infrastructure and services. The utility sees digital systems, data use and AI as central to delivering that work more effectively during the current regulatory cycle.
“Northumbrian Water are delivering an ambitious programme of investment in our infrastructure and services throughout AMP8. Our leading digital, data and AI capabilities are key in achieving this, enabling the organisation to deliver for our customers at greater speed and scale. Through this latest partnership with Aiimi, we’re putting our digital plan into action; working together to build data-driven solutions aimed at delivering more resilient and sustainable water and wastewater services,” said Martin Jackson, Chief Information Officer at Northumbrian Water.
Kacper Konstanczak, who leads intelligence and analytics at the company, said the relationship with Aiimi had already helped shape internal data functions as the utility expands its use of analytics.
“Aiimi has been a trusted Data partner to Northumbrian Water Group for over five years. Their utilities sector expertise and broad capabilities – from strategy to data and AI engineering – have been key to supporting our innovation agenda and instrumental in helping us evolve our operating model to support the rapid growth of our Intelligence & Analytics function. As organisations seek to leverage the true power of their data and unlock the possibilities of AI, we’re pleased to be setting an industry standard on how this can be done safely, effectively and impactfully,” said Konstanczak.
Business & Technology
UK bike manufacturer on brink of £30m collapse after 139 years
The company behind bikemaker Raleigh, which was founded 139 years ago and has supplied bikes to the UK’s cycling city of Oxford over the years, has filed to appoint administrators.
Accell UK and Ireland, part of Netherlands-based Accell Group, filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators as the wider group kickstarted insolvency proceedings.
This follows a difficult spell for Nottinghamshire-based Raleigh, which confirmed job cuts in 2024 before reporting a £30m loss in financial accounts published the following year.
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The boss of Accell said it was a “deeply sad and frustrating situation” and that it had “tirelessly explored” every option for the future of the cycling business.
The company bought Raleigh in 2012 for around 100 million US dollars (£74 million), adding to its roster of bike brands throughout Europe including Haibike, Winora and Ghost.
Raleigh was founded in Nottingham in 1887 and was well-known for its Chopper model, which featured extended handlebars and is now part of its “retro” range.
It no longer manufactures bikes from Nottingham, and its head office has moved to Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, while the company has shifted to selling electric bikes under Accell’s ownership.
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Accell went through a restructuring in February, securing additional funding from shareholders and lenders and reducing debts.
The group said it had since “explored every possible avenue” for its future, including discussions with potential buyers, but that it had not been possible to find a solution which means the business can continue operating.
It has therefore initiated insolvency proceedings in the Netherlands.
Accell’s chief executive Jonas Nilsson said: “This is a deeply sad and frustrating situation given all the hard work and everything we have achieved, with the support of shareholders and lenders, to restructure Accell’s operations and finances.
“It is an especially difficult moment for our employees, creditors, customers, suppliers, and partners.
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“Every realistic option for the future of the business has been tirelessly explored, and none have resulted in a solution to continue the Group in its current form.
“Our immediate focus is to support an orderly process, provide clarity wherever possible, and work with the relevant court-appointed administrators to preserve viable activities and employment where circumstances allow.”
At its 1970s height, Raleigh employed more than 13,000 people across the UK, with around 8,000 working at its various Triumph Road sites in Nottingham.
The former factory land later became the University of Nottingham’s Jubilee Campus.
Raleigh subsequently moved its headquarters to Church Street in Eastwood, before leaving that site and relocating to Durban House in 2024.
Business & Technology
Rosa’s Thai is giving away 4000 free Pad Thais to students
Celebrating both GCSE and A-Level Results Days, the chain will offer the popular dish to students who buy one of its bubble teas.
The free offer is available at all 42 Rosa’s Thai restaurants across England and Wales.
To avail of the free noodles, students need to register on Rosa’s Thai website for a unique code, which they should present at the restaurant together with a copy of their results.
Rosa’s Thai has a new range of bubble tea flavours, including Ube-Taro, Matcha-Coconut, Mango Sticky Rice, and Milo Chocolate Milk, as well as favourites like Home-brewed Thai Tea with Tapioca, and Lychee Mango with mango boba.
Students can sign up for their free Pad Thai at rosasthai.com/result-day-free-pad-thai and find their nearest restaurant at rosasthai.com/locations.
Business & Technology
Historic coin company enters administration after 20 years
The London Mint Office, which distributes commemorative coins and medals, appointed administrators on July 31 after 20 years in business.
The company’s website now displays a message confirming the appointment of Michael Magnay and Jonny Marston of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP as joint administrators.
A spokesman for Alvarez and Marsal said: “On July 31 2026, Michael Magnay and Jonny Marston of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP were appointed as Joint Administrators of The London Mint Office Limited in administration (the “Company”).
“Regrettably, the Company’s liquidity challenges have led to a number of immediate redundancies. We are supporting the affected employees through the redundancy process.
What Happens When a Company Goes Into Administration?
“The affairs, business and property of the Company are being managed by the Joint Administrators who act as agents of the Company and without personal liability.”
The announcement confirms that it is no longer possible to purchase coins or medals through the company’s website.
The London Mint Office operates a distribution centre in Tonypandy, Rhondda Cynon Taf, where it employs a significant number of people.
Administration is a formal insolvency process triggered when a business cannot meet its financial obligations.
An insolvency practitioner is appointed to manage the company’s affairs and may attempt to restructure the business or sell off assets to repay creditors.
What happens when a company goes into Liquidation?
Founded in 2006, The London Mint Office describes itself as “one of the UK’s most trusted suppliers of historic, commemorative, and collector coins.”
It is part of Samlerhuset AS, a Norwegian company based near Oslo and one of Europe’s largest distributors of commemorative coins and medals.
Samlerhuset’s website states that it offers “provide a wide range of coins from ancient to modern, originating from virtually every country in the world.”
The London Mint Office has advised anyone with an interest in the company’s assets to contact the administrators at INS_THLMOL@alvarezandmarsal.com.
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