Business & Technology
WorkNest launches Secure division with Pentest People
WorkNest has launched WorkNest Secure, a new division bringing together Pentest People and Bulletproof under a single cyber security and compliance business.
The new unit creates a dedicated cyber security, information security and data protection arm within the wider group following the integration of the two businesses.
Combined services
WorkNest Secure will provide services including penetration testing, incident response, outsourced Data Protection Officer support, GDPR compliance advice, virtual Chief Information Security Officer services and certification support for ISO 27001, PCI DSS, Cyber Essentials and DORA.
The division will sit alongside WorkNest People within the group, which is part of Axiom GRC. WorkNest says the business employs more than 800 people and serves more than 50,000 customers across 10 countries.
The unit is intended to provide organisations with a single access point for security and compliance support. It will work with businesses of different sizes, either alongside internal teams or as a fully outsourced provider.
Integrated platform
Pentest People and Bulletproof were brought together in 2025 and have now been placed under the WorkNest Secure brand. The division combines consultant-led support with the GuardNest platform, which provides vulnerability management, threat intelligence and compliance tools.
The model is designed to give customers ongoing visibility into threats and compliance issues throughout a contract rather than relying on one-off reports. It also aims to translate technical security information into practical actions for clients.
Kirsty Fowler leads the division as Managing Director, WorkNest Secure.
“WorkNest Secure brings together the strengths of Pentest People and Bulletproof into a single, focused cybersecurity and compliance division. It reflects the investment we’ve made and our long-term commitment to helping organisations manage cyber risk in a practical and effective way,” said Fowler.
“The addition of Pentest People following our acquisition of Bulletproof and IMSM demonstrates our ambition to become an international leader in the Governance, Risk and Compliance market, delivering tech-led compliance to SMEs alongside leading enterprise SaaS solutions,” added Fowler.
“Our approach focuses on building genuine partnerships with our customers. By combining the right people, accessible technology and clear, pragmatic advice, we help organisations make confident, informed decisions about their security,” added Fowler.
Market demand
The launch expands WorkNest’s presence in a market where employers and regulated businesses face growing scrutiny over cyber resilience, data handling and governance controls. It also gives the group a clearer structure for selling security and compliance services alongside its existing employment law, HR, health and safety and compliance offerings.
For customers already using the wider WorkNest business, the reorganisation brings together services that had previously operated across recently integrated companies. For WorkNest, it creates a simpler brand structure for advisory and technical services that had been operating under separate names.
Broader strategy
GuardNest, the platform attached to the division, is positioned as the technology layer supporting those services. It gives organisations real-time visibility over vulnerabilities, threat intelligence and compliance tasks.
The creation of specialist divisions under the WorkNest name also reflects how business services groups are reshaping acquired businesses into broader governance, risk and compliance offerings. In this case, legal, people, safety and cyber services have been brought together under one group structure while retaining separate operating brands for distinct areas of work.
WorkNest Secure is focused on helping organisations identify, manage and mitigate security risks through a team of accredited professionals.
Jayden, 13 launched Jay’s Bakes from his home in Taunton Road in Bicester on Saturday, June 20.
His late nan, a keen baker herself, was the inspiration behind his passion, as well as time spent helping his uncle with his catering business.
Over the last 18 months he has honed his skills by preparing sweat treats every day after school.
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Determined to turn his hobby into something more, Jayden spent two and a half months researching requirements, gaining his Level 2 food hygiene certificate and officially registering his business, mostly without adult intervention.
After four days of preparation, the business officially launched.
Customers were treated to a wide selection of homemade goods, including M&M cookies, Kinder brownies, Biscoff cookies, Victoria sponge trays, lemon drizzle cups and viral ‘dot cakes’.
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His Kinder brownies proved particularly popular, and by the end of the day he had sold out of everything, taking £210.
Despite feeling “excited and a bit nervous” beforehand, Jayden said the opening was a success, with a strong turnout and positive feedback shared on social media.
His favourite moment came when he officially opened the shed by cutting the ribbon.
Supported by his mum, stepdad, grandparents and uncle, Jayden first began selling from a table in May before building and painting his now-signature blue cake shed.
He now plans to continue baking and selling regularly, bringing his creations to the local community.
Lidl has been given planning permission to build its ninth supermarket in Oxfordshire, despite concerns over flooding.
Aldi opened in Didcot in 2015 and has a supermarket at the Jubilee Way roundabout but shoppers in the town have had to wait over a decade for Lidl to follow.
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South Oxfordshire District Council has now backed plans by the German retailer for a new supermarket in Abingdon Road.
Former Didcot mayor Mocky Khan said: “This give the residents of Didcot more choice, especially when you consider the cost of living environment we have at the moment.
“The town is growing with more new homes being built, and with more growth it’s good to have a wide variety of supermarkets to fit all budgets,”
The plans for the new supermarket were first submitted in 2024.
Didcot Town Council previously objected to the scheme, on the grounds of a lack of flood risk mitigation measures, along with the county council who said there was “insufficient information”.
The town council noted there are “several flooding incidents in the area, especially when the Marsh Bridge water pumps fail”.
But in a report by planning officers granting permission to the supermarket, those issues have now been addressed by Lidl.
The officers said the proposals “largely accord” with the policies around planning, and more can be done to “break up” the car park with greenery.
Planning officers chose to let Lidl build the new supermarket subject to conditions.
They said in a report: “Balanced against this policy conflict is the fact that this is a previously developed site, which is currently in a dilapidated state.
“The proposals represent a significant improvement on the current underutilisation of the site and on its appearance.
“The National Planning Policy Framework and Local Plan set out significant support for the reuse of previously developed land.
“As stated in the applicant’s planning statement, there have been previous enquiries as to the redevelopment of the site that have not come to fruition.
“Given this, finding a viable use for the site is a clear benefit which I consider to be of substantial benefit.”
Thirty-four residents had objected to Lidl’s plans, highlighting concerns over extra traffic, there being no need for another supermarket in the town and there being more appropriate locations to build in their view.
Didcot already has an Aldi store just off Broadway and a Sainsbury’s, M&S Foodhall and Asda.
The nearest Lidl to the proposed site are in Lupton Road, Wallingford, and Marcham Road in Abingdon.
Three people wrote in to support the new Lidl, recognising the benefits of a discount food store and the further jobs it will create.
Lidl has said its proposals for a Didcot supermarket would deliver 40 full-time equivalent jobs as well as further employment during the construction phase.
No opening date was given by the retailer, while the developer is currently on site progressing with the enabling works.
A spokesman said: “We’ve seen demand for our affordable, high-quality products continue to rise in Oxfordshire, and we are committed to serving more communities in the area.
“Our new store will create around 40 new jobs and build on our continued growth.
“We’re excited to be a step closer to opening this store and thank everyone who has supported us on our journey so far.”
It also said the £12m investment would work with the 6,300 new homes allocated to be built, as per the local plan.
Dalcour Maclaren, a specialist in utilities and infrastructure, announced the news on June 22, following a detailed assessment of its operations, including governance, employee wellbeing, environmental impact, and social responsibility.
James Neil, CEO of Dalcour Maclaren, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Dalcour Maclaren.
“B Corp status gives us the official badge that recognises everything that matters most to us in our culture, our values, and how we make decisions for our people and our clients. We thrive on doing things differently at DM and B Corp absolutely endorses this.”
The certification means the company meets rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.
Dalcour Maclaren now joins more than 10,000 B Corps worldwide and over 2,600 in the UK, including well-known names such as The Guardian, Innocent Drinks, Patagonia, and The Big Issue.
Chris Turner, CEO of B Lab UK, said: “Welcoming Dalcour Maclaren to the B Corp community is hugely exciting. Its commitment to doing business differently will be an inspiration to others and will help spread the notion that success in business is as much about people and planet as it is profit.”
Dalcour Maclaren operates across the UK and Ireland, supporting major projects in energy, water, transport, and digital infrastructure. The company’s services include land, planning, environment, stakeholder engagement, and geospatial services.
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