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Jim Howe Named as President of FASTSIGNS® by Parent Company Propelled Brands®

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The Leading Sign, Graphics and Visual Communications Franchise Poised for New Growth and Innovation with Howe at the Helm

CARROLLTON, Texas, March 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — FASTSIGNS®, the leading sign, graphics and visual communications franchise, announced today the appointment of Jim Howe, former president of Propelled Brands’ company NerdsToGo®, as president of FASTSIGNS, effective immediately. 

“Jim is the perfect fit to lead FASTSIGNS, bringing his strategic vision and deep expertise in franchising to drive the brand’s objectives and large-scale initiatives forward,” said Catherine Monson, CEO of Propelled Brands. “I’ve witnessed Jim’s positive impact firsthand across the Propelled Brands network for over a decade, and I’m honored to appoint him to this role.”

Howe brings more than 30 years of franchising experience to his new role, including 11 years as vice president, leading operations and franchise support at FASTSIGNS. Most recently, he served as president of NerdsToGo®, the managed IT services brand for small businesses under the Propelled Brands® umbrella. During his tenure, Howe demonstrated exceptional brand stewardship, leading NerdsToGo’s transformation into a Managed Service Provider (MSP), positioning him for success in his new role as FASTSIGNS president.

“It’s an incredible honor to return to FASTSIGNS as president,” said Howe. “Having been part of the brand’s journey for over a decade, I’m eager to build on its legacy of innovation and drive continued growth by empowering our franchisees and strengthening our network.”

As president of FASTSIGNS, Howe will be responsible for increasing franchisee profitability through effective leadership, innovation, new revenue streams, and operational efficiencies, as well as driving growth in the number of franchise locations. He will focus on franchisee/franchisor collaboration, sharing best practices, optimizing processes, increasing franchisee profitability and satisfaction, as well as deepening customer relationships to bring the brand promise to life.

About FASTSIGNS®

FASTSIGNS® is the leader in the custom signs and visual solutions industry. With 40 years of experience, FASTSIGNS helps customers bring their vision to life and achieve more than they ever thought possible. As the largest service-oriented business within the Propelled Brands® family, FASTSIGNS spans over 785 independently owned and operated centers across the United States, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, Canada, Chile, Grand Cayman, Malta, the Dominican Republic and Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVE®).

FASTSIGNS is frequently recognized for franchisee satisfaction and with awards that include being ranked #1 in its category on ENTREPRENEUR’s highly competitive Franchise 500® List in 2025 for the ninth consecutive year, and being named a 2024 Best-in-Category Franchise by Franchise Business Review for the sixth consecutive year.

For more information or to learn about opportunities, visit fastsigns.com or contact Mark Jameson (mark.jameson@propelledbrands.com or call 214.346.5679).

About Propelled Brands®

Propelled Brands® is a multi-brand platform company dedicated to accelerating the growth of service-oriented businesses with an unrelenting focus on franchising best practices and franchisee profitability and satisfaction. We have a robust franchise business model that provides a clear growth trajectory for the unique position, purpose and momentum of each brand. While there are many paths to success, there’s only one direction we know: forward. Our portfolio includes highly recognized and award winning brands: FASTSIGNS®, MY SALON Suite®, Camp Bow Wow® and NerdsToGo®. Propelled Brands is looking to partner with other service-oriented franchise concepts.

For more information or to learn about opportunities, visit propelledbrands.com or contact Mark Jameson (mark.jameson@propelledbrands.com or call 214.346.5679).

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SOURCE FASTSIGNS International, Inc.

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Sungrow Launches PowerMatrix, Redefining System-Level PV-Storage Integration

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HEFEI, China, April 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sungrow, the globally leading PV inverter and energy storage system (ESS) provider, unveiled its next-generation PowerMatrix system for renewable energy applications, alongside a newly released technical white paper, at the Global Renewable Energy Summit (GRES) 2026.

At the event, Sungrow also unveiled the Matrix Inverter, the core product enabling the PowerMatrix system. The PowerMatrix system further integrates the MPPT Booster and the PowerTitan 3.0 energy storage system.

PowerMatrix: Redefining Power Systems for the Renewable Era
Solar PV is rapidly becoming a major power source, with global installations projected by BloombergNEF to reach approximately 655 GW in 2025. As renewable penetration increases, power systems are facing growing challenges in balancing supply and demand while maintaining system stability under dynamic operating conditions. However, existing power systems were not originally designed to effectively address these evolving challenges.

To bridge this gap, PowerMatrix establishes a new system paradigm for renewable energy systems. Built on five core innovations—multi-port topology, native PV-storage integration, distributed control, reconfigurable energy paths, and source-level grid-forming—it integrates PV, storage, grid, and loads into a unified, multi-node energy network, where energy can be dynamically routed, balanced, and optimized in real time.

As a result, this system-level redesign enhances system stability, improves cost efficiency, and increases energy efficiency across the entire power chain.

Stability Redefinition: From Compensated Stability to Inherent Stability
PowerMatrix ensures a stable, continuous power supply through coordinated multi-node operation. It supports high PV DC/AC ratios, high ESS capacity, and around 3,000 full-load hours annually.

In operation, the system ensures continuous power delivery under dynamic conditions through multi-path redundancy and dynamic reconfiguration, with node-level fault isolation allowing unaffected units to remain in service.

At the sub-array level, each unit operates as an independent solar-plus-storage system with grid-forming capability, supporting both grid-connected and islanded operation.

The system delivers millisecond-level response, including 10 ms voltage stabilization and 5 ms inertia response, significantly improving system resilience and recovery performance.

Cost Redefinition: System-Level BOS Reduction
The PowerMatrix enables system-level cost optimization beyond conventional equipment-level cost reduction. By consolidating functions previously distributed across separate devices and system layers, it reduces system complexity and engineering requirements, while enabling more flexible system expansion and cost optimization throughout the project lifecycle.

In a reference system designed for 1 GW of rated grid connection capacity, 8 GWh of installed ESS capacity, and 3,000 annual full-load operating hours in China, the PowerMatrix reduces total CAPEX by approximately $120 million compared to a conventional AC-coupled architecture, with savings across substation & transmission cable, ESS equipment, PV equipment, and other system components.

From an investment perspective, phased deployment and scalable expansion allow capacity to be built in line with project needs rather than requiring full upfront build-out, thereby reducing upfront capital pressure and better aligning investment with project development and demand growth.

Efficiency Redefinition: Full-Link Energy Optimization
The PowerMatrix enhances energy efficiency across the full energy chain:

PV Side: A high-density MPPT architecture with up to 28 MPPTs per MW enables finer string-level optimization, reducing mismatch losses under shading, orientation differences, and module aging conditions, and improving overall energy yield.Storage Side: Cell-to-plant SOC balancing increases usable energy capacity by approximately 8%.Conversion and Delivery: Direct PV-to-storage charging reduces multi-stage power conversion, improving energy transfer efficiency by up to 5%.

In addition, source-level grid-forming capability further enhances grid adaptability, supporting higher renewable penetration and reducing curtailment.

Scalable Across Applications
The PowerMatrix is designed for utility-scale, commercial and industrial (C&I), mining microgrid, and AI data center applications, to deliver a unified, scalable energy system capable of adapting to diverse operational requirements. Its system-level optimization enhances energy reliability, efficiency, and controllability across different use cases, supporting both grid-connected and off-grid scenarios.

“As renewable energy continues to grow as a dominant power source, the energy system is placing higher demands on the coordination and stability of solar and storage technologies,” said Lee Zhang, Sungrow Vice President and President of the Utility PV Inverter Business Unit. “Through the PowerMatrix, we aim to help advance this shift from standalone equipment integration to deeply coordinated system design, enabling solar-plus-storage to serve as an intelligent hub for future energy systems and making renewable energy a stable and dependable source of power.”

About Sungrow
Sungrow, a global leader in renewable energy technology, has pioneered sustainable power solutions for over 29 years. As of Dec 2025, Sungrow has installed over 1000 GW of power electronic converters worldwide. The company is recognized as the world’s most bankable PV inverter and energy storage company (BloombergNEF). Its innovations power clean energy projects across the globe, supported by a network of 520 service outlets guaranteeing excellent customer experiences. At Sungrow, we’re committed to bridging to a sustainable future through cutting-edge technology and unparalleled service. For more information, please visit: www.sungrowpower.com/en

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Zurich launches Global Capability Center in Hyderabad to power next-gen tech and AI

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HYDERABAD, India, April 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) today announced the launch of a new Global Capability Center in Hyderabad, reinforcing its focus on advancing technology and AI capabilities to transform insurance.

Zurich has appointed Amit Kalra as Head of Zurich Capability Centers, effective 1 July 2026. Based in India, he will shape the Group’s Capability Center strategy and oversee all locations globally. He will also lead the establishment and expansion of the Hyderabad center, supporting Zurich’s broader technology and AI ambitions. Mr. Kalra brings extensive experience in building and leading global capability centers as strategic enablers for complex, international organizations.

Cara Morton, CEO Zurich Global Businesses & Operations, said: “India is a key talent market for Zurich, and Hyderabad stands out for its depth of engineering expertise and innovation. This center reflects a shift in how we build for the future, strengthening our global technology and AI capabilities while giving highly skilled professionals the opportunity to work on solutions that make a real impact for our customers around the world.”

The Hyderabad center will act as a strategic extension of Zurich’s global operating model, with end–to–end ownership across engineering, data and core business operations. From day one, the center will embed AI–enabled ways of working into how solutions are designed, delivered and scaled across the Group. Designed as a purpose-built environment, the center allows Zurich to build modern, technology and AI–led capabilities without legacy constraints.

As the center grows, Zurich will recruit specialists across cloud and platform engineering, data and AI, application development, cybersecurity and quality engineering. Teams will be responsible for the full lifecycle of their solutions – from design, to build, to execution – and will contribute directly to global platforms and solutions.

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London’s Top Restaurants Named at Inaugural OpenTable Awards, Including New ‘Icons’

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OpenTable unveils its first-ever Restaurant Awards winners, including the new ‘Icons’* list spotlighting the restaurants defining London dining todayWinners include BRUTTO for the Icons list, Singburi for Opening of the Year and The Plimsoll for Gastropub of the Year

LONDON, April 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — London’s dining powerhouses have been revealed, as OpenTable names the favourite restaurants shaping the city’s food scene at its first-ever OpenTable Restaurant Awards. The winners span across three categories; OpenTable Icons*, Restaurateurs’ Choice,** and People’s Choice.** 

Hosted by Chef and social media personality, Poppy O’Toole, the awards took place on 27th April high in the London skyline at Landing Forty Two, welcoming key figures from the food, drink, and hospitality industry.

At the centre of the Awards is OpenTable’s new ‘Icons’*, 26 culinary landmarks shaping London’s dining culture. Spanning long-standing institutions, MICHELIN-starred restaurants and modern favourites, the list was hand-selected by an OpenTable-appointed panel of critics and industry experts who live and breathe the city’s food scene.

The 2026 OpenTable London Icons:

64 Goodge Street | Andrew Edmunds | Blacklock Soho | Bouchon Racine | Brawn | BRUTTO | Chez Bruce | CORE by Clare Smyth | Da Terra | Darjeeling Express | Donia | Hawksmoor St Pancras | Humble Chicken | JUNO Omakase | MAMBOW | Moro | Portland | Restaurant Gordon Ramsay | Rita’s | Scott’s Mayfair | St. JOHN Smithfield | The Clove Club | The Ledbury | The Plimsoll | The Quality Chop House | Trinity

OpenTable Icons has a designation within the website and app, making it easier for diners to discover and book the ‘of the moment’ restaurants. 

Beyond the Icons list, the awards honoured standout performers across categories voted for by diners and hospitality professionals.

The People’s Choice (Voted by Diners):

Bucket List: The LedburyGastropub of the Year: The PlimsollOpening of the Year: SingburiNeighbourhood Gem: St. JOHN SmithfieldStandout Service: Rita’s

The Restaurateurs’ Choice (Voted by the Industry):

Everyday Hero: David Moore, Pied à TerreUp & Coming: Dara Klein, Tiella Trattoria & BarInnovation Award: Three SheetsImpact Award: BubalaRestaurant Design: Berners Tavern

Awards host Poppy O’Toole said, “It was a privilege to celebrate the chefs, front-of-house teams and restaurateurs whose passion keeps London’s dining culture so vibrant. From neighbourhood gems to destination dining rooms, the OpenTable Restaurant Awards winners show the breadth, creativity and resilience of the city’s restaurant scene today.” 

“Our first-ever OpenTable Restaurant Awards winners are the places defining London’s culture right now, setting global standards and creating experiences that stay with diners long after they leave,” said Laure Bornet, Senior Vice President of International Growth at OpenTable. “At a time of real pressure for the industry, celebrating and backing the people and places raising the bar matters more than ever, and we’re proud to champion these standout spots to diners.”

The Icons were selected by a panel of judges including: Adam Hyman, Owner of CODE Hospitality and The Good Food Guide, Ben Benton and Freddy Clode, Hosts of The Go-To Food Podcast; Ben Lippett, Cook and Food Writer; Jenny Lau, Writer and Community Chef; Jimi Famurewa, Food Writer, Restaurant Critic and Broadcaster; Lorraine Copes, Founder and CEO of Be Inclusive Hospitality and Seema Pankhania, Food Content Creator and Author. 

You can find the full list of Icons here and award winners linked here. A selection of high-res imagery is available here

NOTES TO EDITORS

*OpenTable Icon Methodology: The ‘Icon’ designation and associated restaurant nominations are determined by an OpenTable-appointed industry panel via a qualitative assessment of a pre-determined shortlist. This shortlist is generated through a combination of data-informed insights (diner reviews, ratings, and platform signals) and expert input from local specialists. This process represents a subjective assessment rather than an objective ranking or exhaustive list. Eligibility is merit-based and requires no purchase or commercial participation, and payment to OpenTable does not influence the likelihood of nomination or selection. All selections are discretionary, final, and binding. 

**OpenTable Restaurant Awards Terms & Conditions: https://www.opentable.co.uk/c/awards-london/terms/ 

About OpenTable:

OpenTable, a global leader in restaurant tech and part of Booking Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), helps more than 65,000 restaurants worldwide fill 1.9 billion seats a year. OpenTable’s world-class technology empowers restaurants to focus on what matters most – their team, their guests, and their bottom line – while enabling diners to discover and book the perfect restaurant for every occasion. 

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