The UK will become the first country in the world to bring in age-verification for online pornography when the measures come into force on 15 July 2019.

The CMA has published provisional findings in its inquiry into Thermo Fisher’s proposed purchase of Gatan from Roper Technology.

Thermo Fisher manufactures, among other things, high-tech electron microscopes used for scientific research. Gatan produces highly-specialised “peripherals” or add-ons, such as filters and cameras, which are used in the operation of microscopes by customers such as UK universities and research institutions.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched a Phase 2 inquiry on 7 January 2019 after initial competition concerns led to the proposed merger being referred to a Group of independent panel members at the CMA for an in-depth investigation.

In its provisional findings, the Group has found that the proposed deal may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition in all the relevant markets in the UK, enhance Thermo Fisher’s already strong market position, and lead to higher prices or lower quality for customers using electron microscopes. Additionally, the merger may leave Thermo Fisher with insufficient competition in the markets for certain peripherals, as Gatan is currently one of only a small number of competitors in the supply of these instruments.

The CMA is asking for views on these provisional findings by Wednesday 8 May 2019 and will assess all the evidence before making a final decision. The CMA has also published a Remedies Notice setting out the actions which it might take to remedy the problems identified in the provisional findings report and is asking for comments on possible remedies by Wednesday 1 May 2019.

The statutory deadline for the CMA’s final report is 23 June 2019.

More information is available on the Thermo Fisher Scientific / Roper Technologies case page .

Companies House has begun a transformation programme which will change the way we work and the way we offer services to our customers. Digital services will play an essential role in this transformation.

To promote Companies House as a digital employer, we held 2 open days to talk about upcoming roles in our digital teams. It was also an opportunity to show how we work and the projects that we’re currently working on.

Over 300 people registered to attend the sessions at our office in Cardiff. The sessions aimed to attract people already working in digital areas, as well as those looking for a new challenge or change in career. Colleagues from our digital teams were on hand to discuss their roles and the use of agile principles and scrum methodology to deliver our services.

There were also talks from our executive team about our vision for the future. They spoke about how our digital teams focus on meeting customer needs, and how this translates into a collaborative and open culture where we challenge ourselves to deliver the best services we can.

As well as learning more about the work that we do, it was a great opportunity for people to see what it’s like to work at Companies House. Attendees were able to find out more about workplace benefits like mobile and flexible working, and our subsidised gym and canteen. They were also taken on tours of the building to see the working environment and facilities for themselves.

Reflecting on the event, Ross Maude, Director of Digital, said:

The digital open days were an opportunity for people to get a better understanding of the fantastic work happening here at Companies House. I was really impressed with the talented people who came, reflecting the deep pool of talent that we have across the UK.

It was also an opportunity to see the brilliant people we have working here representing everything our cultural change is aspiring to achieve. I’m confident that people went away from the event with a better sense of the amazing things we’re doing here at Companies House and, just as importantly, what a brilliant place this is to work.

We’ll be advertising vacancies in our digital teams over the next few months. These will include roles in product management, user research, interaction design, software development, testing, architecture, DevOps and infrastructure.

If you’d like to find out more about upcoming digital opportunities, you can search for jobs at Companies House on the Civil Service Jobs website. If you have the skills and experience we’re looking for, we want you to be part of our ambitious programme of change.

Indian-owned global business process management (BPM) firm, Firstsource Solutions, yesterday (Monday 15 April) announced a further £1m investment into its Northern Irish operations.

The company will expand its presence in the region, unveiling a new hub in the city centre, following a £1 million investment and refurbishment of ‘Olive Tree House’, Fountain Street.

The new 600-seat call centre will be home to 150 existing staff and has the potential to create up to 450 new local jobs, to service new business wins, expanding on the 1800 people the business employs in Northern Ireland. Olive Tree House will provide customer support for Sky customers in the Republic of Ireland.

The business was supported by the Department for International Trade during its investment, providing them with market intelligence, as well as supporting their engagement with local councils and on property site visits.

The business’s expansion follows a period of continued growth for the company, and forms part of the business’s wider ambition to win new business in the region and strengthen their existing client base.

Graham Stuart MP, Minister for Investment said:

I’m delighted a global business like Firstsource continues to see the UK as their destination of choice in Europe. Their new investment will help support jobs and drive growth at home and abroad, as their business goes from strength to strength.

This investment signals a strong vote of confidence in the Northern Irish economy and my department will continue to work hard to ensure the benefits of global investment are felt in every part of the country, and the UK maintains its position as the top destination for FDI in Europe.

The announcement presents another success story for the region, which attracted 28 FDI projects, between 2017-18 creating 1,622 new jobs.

Sean Canning, Chief Operational Officer, Customer Management, Firstsource Solutions said:

Northern Ireland has always been a key part of our business strategy. Belfast was the first UK centre to open outside the company’s Mumbai headquarters in 2006.

This significant investment will enable us to support and upskill local talent, offer career progression, win new business and continue to support existing clients with world class customer management.

Belfast is a vibrant city and has grown considerably since Firstsource began operating here. The recent City Deal, which will deliver £350 million of government funding to the region will play a key role in harnessing further investment, create employability, upskill and grow the local economy. Undoubtedly this vision of growth is encouraging global companies to continue to invest here.

Firstsource is one of the UK’s top 10 contact centre provers and works across the Banking, Financial Services & Insurance, Telecommunications & Media, Utilities and Healthcare sectors.

The business is one of Northern Ireland’s largest private employers with close to 2,000 staff operating across Belfast and Derry/ Londonderry. Northern Ireland staff work with major household names including Sky UK & ROI, Now TV, GiffGaff, Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulster Bank.