Alexandra Leonards

London, United Kingdom

Freelance journalist writing in-depth features on a range of subjects, from current affairs and culture, to healthcare, technology and logistics.

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Articles

ABB to spin off robotics arm as separate company

1 week ago | nationaltechnology.co.uk | Alexandra Leonards

ABB has announced plans to spin off its robotics arm as a separately listed business. The global technology giant, which specialises in electrification and automation, said that a decision on proposals for 100 per cent spin-off will be made at its annual general meeting next year. The company's intention is for the new business to trade as a separately listed company during the second quarter of next year.
BMW and MINI introduce embedded motor vehicle insurance for Irish customers

1 week ago | retail-systems.com | Alexandra Leonards

Auto giants BMW and MINI have launched embedded motor vehicle insurance for customers in Ireland. The automakers partnered with insurTech firm Qover on the rollout of the new platform.
UK financial watchdog to axe ‘unnecessary’ data reporting for 16,000 firms

1 week ago | fstech.co.uk | Alexandra Leonards

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has said that it will remove “unnecessary” data reporting for 16,000 UK firms. The regulator said that it has identified three regular returns as viable for decommissioning, which are: Form G: The Retail Investment Adviser Complaints Notifications Form; FSA039: Client Money and Assets; and Section F RMAR.
eBay expands global payments with Checkout.com partnership

1 week ago | retail-systems.com | Alexandra Leonards

eBay has partnered with digital payments platform Checkout.com. The partnership will see the e-commerce giant expand its global payment platform capabilities. eBay said the move would improve customer experience and drive operational efficiencies. With more than 2.3 billion live listings, the company is one of the world’s largest online marketplaces.
Starling launches tech business in US

1 week ago | fstech.co.uk | Alexandra Leonards

Starling Bank’s Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) arm has launched its first overseas subsidiary in the US. The subsidiary will act as a platform from which Engine by Starling, a cloud-native, SaaS banking platform for the development of digital banks, can expand in the North American market. Starling said that the US is a key market for its technology business because it is home to around 4,000 mid-tier banks, community banks, and credit unions.
Sports Direct to launch in Australia and New Zealand

1 week ago | retail-systems.com | Alexandra Leonards

Frasers Group has announced plans to launch Sports Direct across Australia and New Zealand. As part of the move, the retail giant is has entered a long-term strategic retail agreement with Accent Group. Accent Group has a significant presence in Australasia, where it is a retailer and distributor of premium lifestyle and sports footwear with over 900 stores and 12 distributed brands.
JP Morgan launches GBP-denominated blockchain deposit accounts

1 week ago | fstech.co.uk | Alexandra Leonards

Kinexys by JP Morgan, the bank’s blockchain business unit, has announced the launch of its new GBP-denominated blockchain deposit accounts. The new accounts, launched on Kinexys Digital Payments (KDP) at the firm’s London branch, are one of the first blockchain products of this kind in the UK.
More than ‘two-thirds’ of rural shops experience retail crime in past 12 months

1 week ago | retail-systems.com | Alexandra Leonards

Over two-thirds of rural shops have experienced retail crime over the past year, according to a new study. Research from the National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society (NFU Mutual) shows that across the 12 months to March 2025, 67 per cent of rural retailers suffered a crime, with more than half of those hit more than three times over the period.
Shein ‘secures FCA approval’ for London IPO

2 weeks ago | retail-systems.com | Alexandra Leonards

Chinese fast-fashion giant Shein has reportedly received permission from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for its planned London initial public offering (IPO). The move was confirmed by two people familiar with the matter, according to a report by Reuters. The sources said that the retailer will also need approval from Chinese regulators before the public listing goes ahead.
90% of Bank of America employees use AI-driven virtual assistant

2 weeks ago | fstech.co.uk | Alexandra Leonards

Bank of America has revealed that 90 per cent of its 213,000 strong workforce are using an AI assistant to improve efficiency. The bank first launched what it describes as the "first widely adopted AI-driven virtual assistant" in 2018 within its mobile app. 'Erica' was then expanded in 2020 for the organisation's employees, with the technology rapidly adopted during the pandemic by staff who needed help in areas such as mobile device password reset and device activation.