Latest news with #EdJames
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Winners revealed: Mena Banking Excellence Corporate & Investment Awards 2025
The Mena Banking Excellence – Corporate & Investment Awards 2025 brought together senior executives from across the region to celebrate the most impactful advancements in institutional banking at Dubai's One&Only Royal Mirage. Organised by GlobalData's MEED unit, the awards recognised banks that improved cross-border access to capital, strengthened risk frameworks and contributed to regional development initiatives. This year's most entered categories were Mena Sustainable Bank of the Year, Best for Transaction Banking Services and Best Digital Transformation Initiative, highlighting the sector's increasing focus on sustainability, integrated systems and strategic modernisation. 'This year's winners showed a deliberate shift towards addressing systemic challenges in institutional banking,' said Sarah Rizvi, banking and finance editor at MEED. 'From environmental, social and governance (ESG) frameworks and Islamic finance structures to transaction banking upgrades, the winners focused on building long-term resilience into their operating models.' The full list of winners is available here. 'Corporate and investment banks are under pressure to deliver capital-efficient growth while adapting to changing client demands,' said Ed James, head of content and analysis at MEED. 'The strongest performers are investing in scalable platforms, embedding ESG into risk processes, and enhancing service delivery for regional and global clients.' The awards followed MEED's CXO Leadership Think Tanks, a high-level, closed-door forum that convened senior executives to explore strategies around cyber resilience, regulatory complexity and institutional growth in a volatile economic environment. In April, MEED recognised standout achievements in retail, digital and SME banking at the 16th annual RBI Asia Trailblazer and MENA Banking Excellence Awards. The winners—drawn from across the GCC, Levant and North Africa—were profiled in the June 2025 Banking Excellence Special Report, available to download via this link. A full summary of insights and award case studies will be featured in the Banking Excellence Special Report: Corporate & Investment 2025, which will be published in August. "Winners revealed: Mena Banking Excellence Corporate & Investment Awards 2025" was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

Associated Press
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Wimbledon Debenture Tickets Highlights New Developments Being Introduced for the 2025 Tournament
06/12/2025, Hungerford RG17 7HD // PRODIGY: Feature Story // Wimbledon is an iconic and historic spectacle in the sporting world, but like many major events, it has evolved over the years to respond to changing demands, technologies, and standards. This year, possibly one of the biggest changes to the tournament is the introduction of electronic line calling alongside updates to the schedule of play. The experts in debenture ticketing, Wimbledon Debenture Tickets, have summarised some of the changes spectators will see at the 2025 Championships, ensuring regular guests and first-time attendees are fully informed about what they can expect. The Introduction of Electronic Line Calling at Wimbledon 2025 After 147 years of Wimbledon line judges, the All England Club is adopting Live Electronic Line Calling, or Live ELC, at The Championships. The technology will officiate across all match courts throughout Qualifying and Championship games and replace umpires in calling shots that are out or at fault. Ed James from Wimbledon Debenture Tickets explains, ' Live ELC is now being widely used in professional tennis, across the US Open, the Australian Open and the Men's ATP Tour from this year onward. It's therefore not surprising that this technology is being introduced at Wimbledon, leaving the French Open the only major contest still reliant on line judges. The positive from a player's perspective is that the experience at Wimbledon will now echo those of other elite events on tour while retaining the tradition and prestige that the tournament represents. Spectators can rest assured that Live ELC is being adopted following extensive testing, which has verified that the line calling technology and ball tracking are accurate and reliable.' Following the announcement, the All England Club reiterated the important role line umpires have played at The Championships for so many years and expressed its thanks for their commitment, service, and contributions. Live ELC is intended to improve precision in line calls and promote fair play and match officiation. Although some Wimbledon guests may be sad to see a change in tradition, it is widely considered a beneficial move in embracing innovation and ensuring fair and consistent calls at the tournament. Changes to the Final Weekend Schedule at Wimbledon Another adjustment has been unveiled in the provisional schedule for the final weekend of play. The gentlemen's and ladies' doubles finals will begin at 1 p.m., and the singles finals for both men and women will follow at 4 p.m., played on the second Saturday and Sunday of the event. Semi-finals singles matches and mixed doubles finals are unchanged. Still, the reforms to the schedule have been created to improve both player and spectator experiences, with less uncertainty over match times for doubles players and allowing fans to immerse themselves in the Wimbledon atmosphere as it builds towards the singles finals. Ed clarifies that ' The schedule changes will undoubtedly mean the singles finals are a climax to a thrilling day of play, but another advantage is that this recognises how Wimbledon has become a global phenomenon and an international sporting event. We've seen enormous demand fordebenture ticketsfrom overseas guests, particularly for the sought-after final days of play, but recognise that many fans may be unable to attend in person or hope to watch the matches broadcast live in other countries. The slightly later match times enable tennis fans in the US, for example, to tune into the singles finals at 11 a.m. Eastern Time or an earlier 8 a.m. for those in Pacific Daylight Time regions. This means as many people as possible will have the opportunity to watch in real-time and see the singles champions being crowned.' Assistance With Wimbledon Seating and Travel Plans for Overseas Spectators Ed adds, ' If you are hoping to attend Wimbledon 2025 and will be travelling to the UK, we recommend getting in touch with the Wimbledon Debenture Tickets team. We regularly assist guests with travel arrangements, hotel accommodation, and London travel plans and offer generous discounts with our hospitality partners to ensure international spectators have a fantastic Wimbledon experience.' Wimbledon Debenture Tickets is the number one supplier of debenture packages, with 23 years of experience. The company offers access to guaranteed debenture seating throughout The Championships, including ticketing for Centre Court, No.1 Court and the Finals. Prospective guests interested in securing debenture tickets can contact the team directly for further information or book tickets online through the Wimbledon Debenture Tickets site. Read more about Wimbledon Debenture Tickets - Experienced Provider, Wimbledon Debenture Tickets, Shares Advice to Help Tennis Fans Make Informed Buying Decisions About Wimbledon Debenture Tickets Wimbledon Debenture Tickets provide the best seats on Centre Court and No. 1 Court which offer unrivalled views of the tennis every day of The Championships. All our debenture tickets are official and guaranteed. We have more than 20 years' experience as debenture holders and had over 3,000 happy clients attending Wimbledon in 2024! Media Contact: Ed James Managing Director 01488 649 770 Source published by Submit Press Release >> Wimbledon Debenture Tickets Highlights New Developments Being Introduced for the 2025 Tournament


The Courier
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
Carnoustie crime writer Ed James hails AI ‘theft' decision
Angus crime writer Ed James has hailed safeguards for artists from tech company theft as a victory for 'ethical AI development'. The former Carnoustie High pupil has joined other writers and musicians in the battle against their work being illicitly mined for artificial intelligence purposes. Stars including Paul McCartney and Elton John have urged the Prime Minister to take steps to protect the work of the country's creative talents. Ed, whose real name is James Thompson, recently launched the seventh book in his popular DCI Rob Marshall series. It coincided with the discovery his entire body of work was in a dataset used to train a tech giant's AI model. Fife author Marion Todd has also aired fears over the impact it could have on her career. This week, an amendment to the Data Bill, tabled to protect creatives from having work used to train AI models without recompense, was passed by the House of Lords. The Bill will now return to the Commons, with the amendment by former Bridget Jones film series producer, Baroness Beeban Kidron, inserted. Former IT consultant Mr James is hopeful the amendment to the Data (Use and Access) Bill will be supported by MPs in the Commons. 'I fully support the amendment because I believe creators should have the right to control how their work is used,' he said. 'Especially when it's being used to train technologies which may later compete with them, without consent or compensation,' said James, who has sold more than 2.5 million copies of his books. 'Whilst I welcome AI technology as a valuable research tool, that benefit shouldn't come at the cost of losing ownership over the content that I and others have created.' However, Mr James says the key consideration is fairness. 'Protecting copyright isn't about resisting innovation, but about ensuring AI is developed ethically.' He says that should mean proper credit and compensation for the human imagination which has been used to train it. Mr James believes authors who agree to have their work used should obtain a licence fee from tech companies plus a royalty when their works are meaningfully used to answer user prompts.


Zawya
15-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi to build 180,000 hotel rooms, serviced apartments for FIFA World Cup
Saudi Arabia is planning to build more than 180,000 hotel rooms and serviced apartments by 2034 as part of its ambitious infrastructure drive to host the FIFA World Cup, it was revealed on Wednesday. On the concluding day of MEED's Saudi Giga Projects Summit 2025, the day's agenda focused on the projects transforming the kingdom's urban landscape, with stadiums, transport networks, and hospitality infrastructure all undergoing rapid expansion. Ed James, Head of Content & Research at MEED, opened the day's agenda with a keynote presentation on the kingdom's stadium infrastructure programme, which is scaling rapidly to support the FIFA World Cup 2034, AFC Asian Cup 2027, Riyadh Expo 2030, and the 2029 Asian Winter Games. James captured the significance of these projects: 'Saudi Arabia's giga projects are not just about breaking ground, they are about redefining how cities, infrastructure, and communities are built for the long term. This is a transformative moment, setting new global benchmarks for sustainability, digitalization, and resilience.' A panel on 'Delivering Priority Event-Driven Projects' explored innovations in modular construction, immersive LED integration, and climate-adaptive designs shaping stadium venues like the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium. Fatemeh Hosseini of Populous revealed that research into climate performance has led to design features capable of reducing surface temperatures by up to 8°C, significantly cutting energy consumption from air conditioning. Terry Fetters, Vice President at Parsons and Project Director of the Riyadh Metro, delivered an in-depth look at one of Saudi Arabia's most ambitious urban mobility undertakings. Since its launch, the Riyadh Metro has transported 18 million passengers in just its first 75 days of operation, with 10 million rides on the Blue Line alone. 'It has become the spine of Riyadh,' said Fetters, noting the system's impact on urban accessibility, congestion reduction, and sustainability. Fetters recognised the project's success in navigating logistical challenges, including managing a workforce that peaked at 63,000 people. Built in just over a decade, the Riyadh Metro is now a global benchmark for mega transport projects. The Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC) also presented on its expanding portfolio, highlighting 10.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions saved annually and over $12 billion in private investment attracted since launch. In a significant milestone for the Kingdom's digital transformation, Germany's €14 billion Nemetschek Group officially entered the Saudi Arabian market at the Summit. The expansion was formalised through four MoU signings with Saudi partners NESMA, Building Smart, Wakecap, and Concerted Solutions, bringing Nemetschek's global AEC/O software portfolio closer to one of the world's most ambitious construction markets. This move strengthens Saudi Arabia's push for integrated digital solutions in architecture, engineering, and construction. As MEED's Saudi Giga Project Summit concludes for 2025, the momentum was unmistakable. Saudi Arabia's giga projects are not just breaking ground, they're breaking records. - TradeArabia News Service Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (


Mid East Info
14-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Saudi Arabia to Build Over 180,000 Hotel and Serviced Apartments by 2034 to Host FIFA World Cup - Middle East Business News and Information
MEED's Saudi Giga Project Summit showcases key developments in infrastructure, digitalization, and investment milestones Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – May 2025: Saudi Arabia is planning to build more than 180,000 hotel and serviced apartments by 2034 as part of its ambitious infrastructure drive to host the FIFA World Cup. On the concluding day of MEED's Saudi Giga Projects Summit 2025, the day's agenda focus on the projects transforming the Kingdom's urban landscape, with stadiums, transport networks, and hospitality infrastructure all undergoing rapid expansion. Ed James, MEED, opened the day's agenda with a keynote presentation on the Kingdom's stadium infrastructure programme, which is scaling rapidly to support the FIFA World Cup 2034, AFC Asian Cup 2027, Riyadh Expo 2030, and the 2029 Asian Winter Games. Ed James, Head of Content & Research at MEED, captured the significance of these projects: 'Saudi Arabia's giga projects are not just about breaking ground, they are about redefining how cities, infrastructure, and communities are built for the long term. This is a transformative moment, setting new global benchmarks for sustainability, digitalization, and resilience.' A panel on 'Delivering Priority Event-Driven Projects' explored innovations in modular construction, immersive LED integration, and climate-adaptive designs shaping stadium venues like the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium. Fatemeh Hosseini of Populous revealed that research into climate performance has led to design features capable of reducing surface temperatures by up to 8°C, significantly cutting energy consumption from air conditioning. Terry Fetters, Vice President at Parsons and Project Director of the Riyadh Metro, delivered an in-depth look at one of Saudi Arabia's most ambitious urban mobility undertakings. Since its launch, the Riyadh Metro has transported 18 million passengers in just its first 75 days of operation, with 10 million rides on the Blue Line alone. 'It has become the spine of Riyadh,' said Fetters, noting the system's impact on urban accessibility, congestion reduction, and sustainability. Fetters recognised the project's success in navigating logistical challenges, including managing a workforce that peaked at 63,000 people. Built in just over a decade, the Riyadh Metro is now a global benchmark for mega transport projects. The Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC) also presented on its expanding portfolio, highlighting 10.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions saved annually and over $12 billion in private investment attracted since launch. In a significant milestone for the Kingdom's digital transformation, Germany's €14 billion Nemetschek Group officially entered the Saudi Arabian market at the Summit. The expansion was formalized through four MoU signings with Saudi partners NESMA, Building Smart, Wakecap, and Concerted Solutions, bringing Nemetschek's global AEC/O software portfolio closer to one of the world's most ambitious construction markets. This move strengthens Saudi Arabia's push for integrated digital solutions in architecture, engineering, and construction. As MEED's Saudi Giga Project Summit concludes for 2025, the momentum was unmistakable. Saudi Arabia's giga projects are not just breaking ground, they're breaking records. About MEED: MEED is the Middle East's leading business intelligence and events platform. Since 1957, it has delivered essential news, analysis, and data on the region's biggest projects, economies, and business trends. MEED Events convene decision-makers, project leaders, and innovators to shape the future of the region through curated summits, awards, and insight-led