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MCA AWARDS FINALISTS DEMONSTRATE HOW CONSULTING IS DRIVING UK GROWTH AND INNOVATION

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The MCA Awards 2025 highlight the vital role of consulting in shaping the future of industries, businesses, and public services and helping clients drive innovation and growth across the UK and the worldThis year, 50 finalist firms have made it to the interview stages, backed by leading 100 clients. 85 individuals are also through to the finalist roundThere are 22 awards categories for both individuals and projects as well as Best New Consultancy, Times Consultant of the Year and Project of the YearAmong the finalists, 50% are SMEs, highlighting the diverse expertise in digital technology, artificial intelligence, and people management advisory services across the UK’s consulting industry

LONDON, May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Management Consultancies Association (MCA) has announced the finalists for the MCA Awards 2025, celebrating the achievements in management consulting that drive innovation and growth across numerous business sectors, both in the UK and internationally. This year’s awards highlight the transformative efforts of consulting firms and individuals committed to tackling complex challenges, delivering sustainable growth and positively impacting society.

Judging interviews will take place next month with consulting firms joining client leaders from brands including Bupa, Whitbread, Warner Brothers, AstraZeneca, Tesco, Volkswagen and Sainsburys.  More than 60 independent judges from diverse industries will ensure a fair and comprehensive evaluation of the entries.

The MCA Awards projects underscore the consulting sector’s crucial role in driving growth for the UK economy, enhancing business efficiencies, and fostering innovation. They also highlight the sector’s importance as a trusted advisor during uncertain times. Notable examples include PwC’s collaboration with veterinary care group IVC Evidensia (IVCE) on a technology transformation, which supported teams in 2800 clinics worldwide, boosting operational efficiencies and facilitating growth and acquisitions and 4C Associates partnership with Bourne Leisure, a leading holiday home and hotel business, which unlocked £21m in savings while improving efficiency, sustainability, and guest experience. SME consultancy Sharing in Growth worked with Maher, a machining company, to achieve strategic and operational improvements, resulting in a threefold increase in aerospace sector sales. Additionally, Gate One revamped Whitbread’s Premier Inn reservation platform, enhancing bookings, revenue, and business resilience.

Tamzen Isacsson, Chief Executive of the Management Consultancies Association, of said

“Consulting is at the forefront of driving growth and innovation for clients, and this year’s MCA Awards finalists exemplify the diverse and impactful work being delivered across various sectors in the UK and globally. We are thrilled to see the breadth of projects represented across different categories and are proud that over 100 leading client organisations are partnering with consulting firms to showcase the true value of consulting to the economy and society. The countdown to the finals has begun, and we look forward to celebrating the achievements of all project teams and individuals.”

Consulting advisory work on the safe deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) is in high demand across many sectors, as highlighted by numerous successful MCA Awards case studies. In the Technology Transformation category, EY’s collaboration with Diageo on transforming its digital supply chain with data, AI, and technology enhancements stands out. This project unlocked significant financial benefits while drastically reducing Diageo’s water and carbon footprint.

In the Change and Transformation in the Public Sector category, Capgemini Invent partnered with the Cabinet Office to accelerate AI adoption across the UK Government. This initiative ensures that AI enhances public services and positions the UK as a leader in secure, ethical, effective AI.

The sector’s role in driving digital technology enhancements is evident across various categories and finalist projects. In the Performance Improvement in the Private Sector category, Atkins Réalis optimised data collection about the M25, Britain’s busiest motorway, using new Geographic Information System tools. This work reduced disruptions, minimised risks to maintenance teams, and cut road maintenance costs for Connect Plus Services. In the public sector, Moorhouse Consulting collaborated with Network Rail to enhance safety and efficiency across 20,000 miles of track using innovative technology, resulting in improved reliability and efficiency. Additionally, PwC worked with Homes England to implement a new digital system for efficient grant applications, accelerating the allocation of £6 million in funding to support social housing.

Other finalist projects show how the very best of private sector expertise can deliver better frontline services for taxpayers. Examples include Capita which assisted the North West London Integrated Care System (ICS) by centralising fragmented staffing offices and procurement systems, achieving £12.6 million in annual savings, which were reinvested back into patient care. KPMG meanwhile supported the NHS Federated Data Platform, positively impacting over 1 million patients across England while, in the Technology Transformation category, GHD Consulting consolidated thousands of Defra data sources to facilitate the rapid and efficient provision of £50 million in targeted support to farmers most affected by the 2024 winter flooding. 

Other brilliant examples of consulting work in the public sector include BJSS who worked with Natural Resources Wales to create the Flood Warning Information Service for Wales, reducing flood alert times from 10 minutes to 30 seconds and deployed with 98% delivery success rate during Storm Bert. (Performance Improvement in the Public Sector) and Inner Circle Consulting worked with Liverpool Adult Social Care Services to help deliver £8.9 million in annual cost avoidance against a backdrop of acute financial pressures in social care. (Performance Improvement in the Public Sector).

Consultancies also contribute to broader societal benefits through their work with clients. In the ‘Best Use of Thought Leadership’ category, Deloitte partnered with the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales to highlight the benefits of investing in early childhood development. Inner Circle Consulting, working with the London Homes Coalition, identified a skills gap, projecting a shortfall of 2,600 workers needed for social housing plans. Additionally, CF, commissioned by the Alzheimer’s Society, calculated the total cost of dementia in the UK to be £42 billion in 2024, projected to rise to £90 billion by 2040, with over 63% of these costs borne by patients and their families. The study emphasised the urgent need for early diagnosis, increased support for unpaid carers, robust social care, and improved data capture, leading to a government commitment to raising diagnosis rate targets.

The UK is also a global power in consulting and this is reflected in the ‘International’ category which includes projects by PwC, KPMG, and Mott MacDonald. BAE Systems Digital Intelligence boosted cyber resilience in the Indian and Pacific regions, while PwC transformed Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Railway Capital Works division to upgrade and extend the rail system for 9.5 million daily passengers.

Clients are continuing to look for consulting support to help them meet targets for net-zero and emissions as well as regulatory requirements. This is evident in the Sustainability category where finalists include Capgemini who collaborated with the Driver and Vehicles Standards Agency (DVLA) to reduce 3,694 tonnes of CO2 emissions over five years by transitioning parts of its fleet to electric vehicles. Deloitte partnered with Cisco to develop a Sustainability Data Foundation that tracks detailed carbon footprint information for over 65,000 products while in Greater Manchester, CBRE implemented an ESG framework that evaluates potential development sites for acquisition across 35 metrics, reflecting best practices in sustainable development and social value, contributing to the region’s economic development.

The MCA Awards celebrate exceptional individuals across ten categories, including Apprentice of the Year, Technology Consultant of the Year, and Team Leader of the Year. Simon Dale, a finalist for Technology Consultant of the Year, has enhanced BJSS’ data capability with a new data service framework. Charith Abeyrantne from Deloitte, noted in the Experienced Leader Award, is recognised for this role in helping clients to responsibly scale Generative AI and AI in their organisations, following his previous career as a teacher.

In total, PwC have 27 projects and individuals going through to the finalist stage, followed by KPMG (26), EY (16) and Deloitte (12). Small firms also have a number of finalists including Inner Circle Consulting (5) and IMPOWER (4). In the category for Best New Consultancy, a total of four consultancy firms are included.  

The MCA Awards 2025 will culminate in a ceremony hosted by Clare Balding CBE at the Grosvenor Hotel this autumn while a reception for the finalists will take place at Lancaster House. Full details including information on ticket and table bookings for the event taking place at the Grosvenor House in London can be found at www.mca.org.uk/mca-awards.

A full list of finalists is available at www.mca.org.uk/mca-awards/finalists-2025 

For sponsorship details please contact Natalie Mendez, Natalie.Mendez@mca.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

The Management Consultancies Association (MCA):

The MCA is the representative body for the UK’s leading management consulting firms. For nearly 70 years, the MCA has been the voice of the consulting industry, promoting the value of consulting to business, the public sector, media commentators and the general public. The MCA’s mission is to promote the value of management consultancy for the economy and society as a whole. The MCA’s member companies comprise over 50% of the UK consulting industry and work with the vast majority of the top FTSE 100 companies and almost all parts of the public sector. The UK consulting industry is amongst the best in the world and a vital part of the business landscape.

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Galaxy Digital Inc. Announces Pricing of $3.507 Billion of Senior Secured Notes

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NEW YORK, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Galaxy Digital Inc. (NASDAQ: GLXY) (“Galaxy” or the “Company”), a global leader in digital assets and data center infrastructure, today announced that its indirect wholly owned subsidiary, Galaxy Helios Data Centers II LLC (the “Issuer”), has priced a $3.507 billion private offering (the “Offering”) of 9.875% senior secured notes due 2031 (the “Notes”). The Offering is expected to close on July 28, 2026, subject to market and other conditions.

The Issuer intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to finance a portion of the development and construction of two buildings containing eight data halls with a combined total of 400 megawatts (“MW”) of utility capacity and 260 MW of critical IT capacity (the “Project”) to be built on an approximately 260-acre property in Dickens County, Texas and to fund debt service reserves.

The Notes will bear interest at a rate of 9.875% per annum payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year, beginning on February 1, 2027 and will mature on August 1, 2031. The Notes will amortize at a rate of 4.00% per annum of the original principal amount subject to adjustment, with amortization payments payable semi-annually with the first payment date to occur at least ten months after the completion of the Project.

The Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Galaxy Helios II LLC, a wholly owned direct subsidiary of the Issuer (the “Guarantor”), and will constitute the senior secured obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantor. The Notes and related note guarantee will be secured by first-priority liens on (i) substantially all assets of the Issuer and the Guarantor, other than certain excluded property and (ii) all equity interests of the Issuer held by the direct parent company of the Issuer.

The Offering is subject to market and other conditions, and there can be no assurance as to whether, when or on what terms the Offering may be completed.

The Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction, and the Notes may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws. The Notes will be offered only to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A under the Securities Act and outside the United States to non-U.S. persons in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy the Notes, nor shall there be any sale of the Notes in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About Galaxy

Galaxy Digital Inc. (Nasdaq: GLXY) is a global leader in digital assets and data center infrastructure, delivering solutions that accelerate progress in finance and artificial intelligence. Our digital assets platform offers institutional access to trading, advisory, asset management, staking, self-custody, and tokenization technology. In addition, we develop and operate cutting-edge data center infrastructure to power AI and HPC workloads. Our 1.63 GW Helios campus in Texas positions Galaxy among the largest and fastest-growing data center developers in North America. The Company is headquartered in New York City, with offices across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements, including statements relating to the completion, size and timing of the Offering, the terms of the Notes and the intended use of proceeds. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and includes this statement for purposes of complying with these safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements represent the Company’s current expectations regarding future events and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements. Among those risks and uncertainties are market conditions, including market interest rates, the satisfaction of the closing conditions related to the Offering and risks relating to the Company’s business, including those described in periodic reports that the Company files from time to time with the SEC. The Issuer may not consummate the proposed Offering described in this press release and, if the proposed Offering is consummated, cannot provide any assurances regarding the final terms of the Offering or the Notes or its ability to effectively apply the net proceeds as described above. The forward-looking statements included in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update the statements included in this press release for subsequent developments, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

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SOURCE Galaxy Digital Inc.

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The Finish Line that Changed China: Retracing the Long March to Yan’an

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BEIJING, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from China.org.cn on the Long March, and what it means for China today:

 

Every journey has a destination.

But some destinations become the beginning of something even greater.

This is Yan’an.

Over 90 years ago, an army of soldiers embarked from Yudu, Jiangxi Province, on a journey that would go down in history.

They crossed snow-capped mountains, vast grasslands and raging rivers, eventually arriving in northern Shaanxi.

Across this grueling 12,500-kilometer journey, they wrote a magnificent epic in human history with willpower and courage.

Here, their Long March came to a victorious end. But a new chapter of history was only beginning.

In Yan’an, the Red Army found time to recover and rebuild, and the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China regrouped, gathering strength for the next chapter.

Here, new ideas were debated, new strategies were shaped, and a vision for China’s future gradually took form.

Today, while preserving its revolutionary legacy, Yan’an has grown into a vibrant, modern city — with a greener environment, thriving industries and happier lives for its people.

Nearly 90 years ago, American journalist Edgar Snow came to northern Shaanxi, seeking to uncover a story that few outside China knew. He later chronicled it in his book “Red Star Over China,” which carried the story of the Long March to the world.

Today, people from around the world are once again retracing those steps.

As part of China International Communications Group (CICG)’s “Together on the Long March” international communication project, participants have spent more than a month retracing the route across six key regions.

From Jiangxi to Shaanxi, they followed the Red Army’s journey and witnessed the remarkable changes that have taken place along the way.

I asked them one simple question: What does this journey mean to you?

Zhavier Harris, marketing and communications manager at the Springfield Urban League, said conversations with local residents and descendants of the Red Army made history feel far more immediate than he had expected.

He said history isn’t as distant as we often think. “We’re only one or two generations from these great sacrifices that led to the development and the greatness that we see from the Communist Party of China and China as a whole.”

David Ferguson, honorary chief English editor at Foreign Languages Press under CICG and a recipient of the 2021 Chinese Government Friendship Award, said the journey deepened his understanding of the Long March.

He said the journey helped him understand not only the historical facts, but also what the Red Army endured. “If you see the Long March merely as a military campaign, it ended in Yan’an. But as a spirit, it has never truly come to an end.”

We came to retrace history. We leave with something more: a deeper understanding of China’s past, a clearer view of its present, and perhaps a greater appreciation for the stories that connect us across cultures.

Edgar Snow called the Long March “an Odyssey unequalled in modern times.” He believed that what sustained it was a flame — consisting of an undimmed ardor, an undying hope and an amazing revolutionary optimism.

Ninety years later, that flame still burns.

Passed down through generations, the spirit of the Long March continues to light China’s path forward.

And as it crosses borders and cultures, it offers the world a glimpse of a nation defined by resilience, perseverance and an enduring drive to move forward.

China Mosaic
http://www.china.org.cn/video/node_7230027.htm 

The Finish Line that Changed China: Retracing the Long March to Yan’an
http://www.china.org.cn/video/2026-07/23/content_118614941.shtml

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SOURCE China.org.cn

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Visa and Lianlian Advance Trusted B2B Agentic Commerce Through LoopXPay’s First Live B2B Agentic Transaction

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First live B2B agentic transaction in Greater China highlights how AI-enabled commerce can help SMBs streamline purchasing and payments, supported by Visa’s Agentic Directory for trusted AI agent interactions

SINGAPORE, July 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in digital payments, and Lianlian DigiTech Co., Ltd. (“Lianlian”), an AI-native global financial infrastructure provider, today announced the first live B2B agentic transaction completed using LoopXPay, Lianlian’s AI agent. 

Small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) often lack dedicated procurement teams and spend valuable time sourcing, purchasing and making payments themselves. In the transaction, the LoopXPay agent was used to source a product sample from a supplier and complete the purchase in a single workflow. The agent identified the purchasing requirement, recommended suitable suppliers, compared options, placed the order and securely executed the payment within a single workflow, while operating within pre-defined spending controls and approval parameters.

The milestone highlights how AI-powered commerce experiences can help SMBs simplify purchasing and payment activities while maintaining appropriate controls and oversight. By enabling AI agents to operate within pre-defined spending parameters and approval controls, businesses can reduce manual effort while retaining visibility into commercial decision-making.

As AI agents become more involved in purchasing and payment activities, businesses will require confidence that transactions are being executed by verified participants, within approved parameters and with appropriate oversight. Capabilities aligned with Visa’s Trusted Agent Protocol can help provide the identity, transparency and controls needed to support these interactions.

As part of the collaboration, LoopXPay has been registered in Visa’s Agentic Directory, enabling participating businesses and merchants to identify verified AI agents within the ecosystem. Supporting the implementation of Visa’s Trusted Agent Protocol, the Agentic Directory helps provide greater transparency into agent-driven interactions and confidence that participating agents have met Visa’s requirements.

“AI-powered commerce experiences can help businesses simplify purchasing and payments while maintaining the controls and oversight they require,” said Darren Parslow, Global Head, Visa Commercial Solutions, Visa. “For SMBs, that means less complexity in managing day-to-day commercial activities and more time focused on growth. As businesses increasingly look to embed intelligence into purchasing and payment experiences, trust will become a critical enabler of adoption. Through our collaboration with Lianlian, we are helping advance the trusted foundations that businesses will need to participate in this next era of commerce with confidence.”

Building on this milestone, Visa and Lianlian are exploring how AI agents can support a broader range of commercial activities, including procurement, digital advertising optimisation and B2B platform payments, helping advance trusted commerce through greater efficiency, transparency and control.

Zhang Zhengyu, Founder, Chairman of the Board and CEO, Lianlian DigiTech, said, “AI is reshaping the entire commercial value chain, where a growing number of business activities will be autonomously executed by AI agents, with payments serving as the critical infrastructure connecting them to global commerce. Leveraging its experience in global cross-border payments, compliance, as well as payment network, LianLian is actively building AI-native financial infrastructure, delivering an integrated suite of capabilities for the Agent Economy, spanning identity verification, transaction authorisation, intelligent payment, and global fund settlement. Through this collaboration with Visa, we aim to combine Lianlian’s AI-native capabilities with Visa’s trusted global network and commercial payment expertise to help businesses transact more securely, intelligently and efficiently in an increasingly agent-driven commerce environment.”

About Visa

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, sellers, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.

About Lianlian

Lianlian DigiTech Co., Ltd. (“Lianlian DigiTech” or “Lianlian”) was founded in 2009 and listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2024 (stock code: 2598.HK). As China’s leading global provider of digital and intelligent payment services, Lianlian adheres to its mission of “Connecting the world, empowering global commerce” and pursues an “AI-Native + Globalization” strategy. The Company is committed to building a trusted global intelligent financial infrastructure, enabling seamless connectivity between Chinese enterprises and global businesses.  As of now, Lianlian has established a global licensing portfolio comprising 68 payment licenses and related qualifications, and holds a VATP license issued by the Hong Kong SFC. It supports services in more than 200 countries and regions and enables transaction settlement in over 140 currencies, connecting over 180 global e-commerce platforms and serving a cumulative total of over 13.3 million customers. Learn more at www.lianlian.com.

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SOURCE Visa Worldwide Pte. Limited

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