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Just added to Grosvenor Technology's website, some great news about an impressive strengthening of its Access Control Team:-

"Insights | Access Control

Strengthening the Grosvenor Technology Team

Introducing Barry Westgate and Diane Burton.

Colin Leatherbarrow

Managing Director

At Grosvenor Technology, we believe in bringing together top talent to drive our company’s growth and success. We are thrilled to announce the addition of two exceptional professionals to our Access Control Team: Barry Westgate, joining as Regional Sales Manager, and Diane Burton, taking on the role of Internal Sales Administrator. Their experience and unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction make them valuable assets to our organisation.

Barry Westgate: Customer Experience led Sales Professional

With over 20 years of experience in the security industry, Barry Westgate has built a reputation as a seasoned professional. His previous roles at Zenitel, Commend, and Intratone, as well as his time as an independent Consultant, have honed his skills and industry knowledge.

Grosvenor’s trusted name in the industry and the powerful sense of teamwork and positive culture within the company attracted Barry to the role. Barry commented “I was very impressed with UK Sales Manager, Keith Chapman and Managing Director, Colin Leatherbarrow’s determination to elevate the access control division to new heights.” The emphasis on building relationships and fostering growth through partnerships aligned perfectly with Barry’s background and skill set.

Barry’s primary goal in his new position is to expand Grosvenor Technology’s presence and market share in his territory, the Southeast of England. He plans to achieve this by engaging with a group of partner companies, comprised of Security Integrators who share the company’s commitment to access control standards, quality, and reliability. By fostering true partnerships that benefit all stakeholders, including end users, Barry aims to drive sustainable growth.

His key responsibilities at Grosvenor Technology include customer support and liaison, accurate and timely quotations, record keeping, site visits, solution presentations, and representing the company at trade shows. Barry’s mission is to increase revenue in his region while ensuring exceptional customer experiences.

Furthermore, Barry is committed to supporting a structured partner network that rewards the loyalty and expertise of customers. This initiative will enhance collaboration, mutual growth, and the delivery of innovative solutions. He passionately believes in putting clients at the heart of everything he does, creating a consistently positive customer experience at every touchpoint. With his experience and skills, Barry is eager to drive Grosvenor Technology’s presence and make a significant impact on the company’s future. ..."

https://www.grosvenortechnology.com/insights/strengthening-the-grosvenor-technology-tea

This week BBC News is focusing on AI, in a sign of just how important this new technology is:-

"UK needs culture shift to become AI superpower - DeepMind co-founder

20 hours ago

By Zoe Kleinman

Technology editor

The co-founder of leading AI firm DeepMind, which started as a UK company and was sold to Google, says the UK should encourage more risk taking if it wants to become an AI superpower.

Mustafa Suleyman added that he does not regret selling DeepMind to the US giant in 2014.

"The US market is not only huge, but also more predisposed to taking big shots," he told the BBC.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wants the UK to be a global hub for AI.

He has pledged £1bn in funding over the next 10 years, and founded a UK taskforce with a remit of maximising the benefits of the tech while keeping it safe.

This week BBC News is focusing on AI, how the technology affects our lives and what impacts it may have in the near future.

Mr Suleyman said the UK had "every chance" of becoming an AI superpower and praised its research facilities, but added there were not the same opportunities for businesses to grow as there are in the US. ...

"The truth is, the US market is not only huge, but also more predisposed to big risk taking, taking big shots and having big funding rounds." ...

DeepMind is often held up as one of the most successful AI companies to be grown in the UK.

It was sold to Google in 2014, for a reported $400m. The price paid was not made public. ...

UK challenge

Mustafa Suleyman's views represent one of the challenges facing Ian Hogarth, a British entrepreneur and investor who has been appointed to lead the UK's AI taskforce.

He took up the position five weeks ago. ..."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-66166236

America is obviously the place to be for the best AI business growth.

So this 'Double-A' combination - America & AI - is a very attractive one: potentially almost like a 'fourth emergency service' for investors' portfolios.

With NWT being 'The NEWmarket Knight of The Street'.

"The power of AI in workforce management: unlocking productivity and efficiency ...

... Undoubtedly, AI is having a transformative impact on the workforce management space, as it is across the entire business spectrum. Spending on AI tech is likely to soar in the coming years, with Wall Street investors seeing it as ‘the next big thing’. That’s good news for businesses keen to harness the full power of AI in their workforce management platform to deliver further enhanced analytics, advanced workforce planning, and more.

Grosvenor partners with a range of leading software channel partners who integrate their software – and all of the AI you’ll need – onto our devices.

So, when you invest in our hardware, you can choose the software that works for your business, ensuring you benefit from an all-encompassing solution that streamlines HR processes, saves time, and gives you the edge.

Find out more about our human capital management solutions here."

https://newmarksecurity.com/insights/the-power-of-ai-in-workforce-management-unlocking-productivity-and-efficiency/

https://newmarksecurity.com/insights/

"The power of AI in workforce management: unlocking productivity and efficiency ...

Optimised scheduling

AI-powered scheduling management systems utilise advanced algorithms and machine learning techniques to optimise schedule generation. These intelligent systems consider factors like employee availability, skills, preferences, workload, and business requirements to ensure scheduling works for the organisation and its people. AI blends historical data with real-time information, creating schedules that maximise operational efficiency.

Data-led decision-making

AI enables intelligent decision-making in workforce management by analysing large amounts, resulting in actionable insights. By harnessing AI algorithms and machine learning, enterprises are better placed to make informed decisions based on real-time information and historical data. AI empowers organisations to optimise performance, reduce costs, and improve worker satisfaction.

Cost reduction

AI contributes to workforce management by optimising how organisations utilise their people. By automating scheduling processes, enterprises can minimise manual errors, reduce overtime costs, and optimise staff deployment based on demand patterns. AI algorithms identify areas of improvement, such as excessive overtime or overstaffing, enabling businesses to make data-driven decisions that lead to cost savings.

Productivity gains

One of the central promises of AI in the business world is to help organisations find ways to improve their productivity levels. AI systems can allocate workforces more effectively through intelligent data analysis and considering factors such as employee availability, skills, and workload. This means fewer scheduling conflicts, reducing the chances of understaffing or overstaffing, and improved employee and customer satisfaction.

Compliance and regulation

Juggling the schedules of hundreds, if not thousands, of employees, is demanding work. Organisations must consider often complicated and lengthy workplace regulations, union laws, and other restrictions. AI is taking much of that complexity out. The technology can provide alerts and recommendations to ensure businesses adhere to company guidelines and workplace regulations.

Competitive advantage

AI-powered software empowers organisations to make faster, more accurate decisions, adapt to changing market conditions, and scale their workforce to meet customer demands. This ability to respond quickly and effectively to workforce challenges can set organisations apart from their competitors. ..."

https://newmarksecurity.com/insights/the-power-of-ai-in-workforce-management-unlocking-productivity-and-efficiency/

https://newmarksecurity.com/insights/

NWT's updated website has also added a new article, categorised under "Grosvenor "Technology" (though not currently featured on GT's own website).

And it's another A1 article; this one on AI (artificial intelligence) - the first NWT-GT article specifically on this subject.

Which is very timely, to help highlight what an excellent and overlooked AI play NWT is.

"Insights

The power of AI in workforce management: unlocking productivity and efficiency

2023 is shaping up to be the year of AI. It seems scarcely believable that the current version of ChatGPT is less than nine months old. Very few technologies have become so widely used in such little time. Indeed, the AI platform can claim to be the fastest-growing application of all time, registering 100 million active users just two months after its launch.

By comparison, it took TikTok nine months to reach 100 million and Instagram two and a half years to get there. Google and Facebook took about five years each to reach 100 million users, although this was a vastly differing digital landscape.

There is an expectation that the next few years will see a generational shift. A recent report from Goldman Sachs says that AI could replace the equivalent of 300 million full-time jobs but will also drive millions more new roles and a productivity boom.

To illustrate the seismic effect AI is predicted to have, a 2022 AI report by PwC valued the potential contribution to the global economy driven by AI could reach $15.6 trillion by 2030. And as much as 14.5% of North America’s GDP could be directly influenced by AI over the same period.

AI is not a new concept, of course. It is already responsible for a significant impact in the workforce management industry, in particular, aiding enterprises to optimise performance, costs and worker happiness, while also achieving critical efficiencies.

Here, we highlight some of the major benefits that AI is having on the workforce management sector and give examples of how it might help your business operations. ..."

https://newmarksecurity.com/insights/the-power-of-ai-in-workforce-management-unlocking-productivity-and-efficiency/

https://newmarksecurity.com/insights/

Nice to know that NWT listen to investor feedback; I posted this here in February:-

Hedgehog100 Posts: 3,038 Price: 46.00 No Opinion

RE: Social Media (lack of) 8 Feb 2023 18:38

" ... Though I still can't see any links from NWT'S website to GT's & Safetell's."

https://www.lse.co.uk/ShareChat.html?ShareTicker=NWT&share=Newmark-Security&page=7

NWT has again just significantly refreshed and updated its website (having previously done so in December).

And it again it looks an improvement to me: a bit better organised, with some good new material, and very clean & fresh looking.

It also has links to the Grosvenor Technology and Safetell websites, which it didn't previously.

Here's a sample of some of the new material:-

"To the Investor

We know that as an investor, you’re looking for opportunities to grow your portfolio and maximise your returns with recurring growth. Newmark Security consistently delivers such an opportunity. We provide a sound investment for the present day with an increasingly strong position in the future as demand substantially grows.

Our wide range of cutting-edge products provide secure cloud control of personnel access, time keeping and identity data at work while maintaining a seamless operation, entirely safe environment with tightly secured data.

Our experienced, highly-skilled team of specialists develop our devices, software and the supporting services that elevate our offering over and above others on the market.

It’s their depth of knowledge that means we know our markets very well, and we really do understand the needs of our customers and their industries.

Newmark Security plc

Five Minute Pitch TV"

https://newmarksecurity.com/

"Searchlight Capital buys UK asset manager Gresham for £470mn

Shares in London-listed group soar more than 50% after agreeing to takeover by US investment firm

Arjun Neil Alim and Sally Hickey in London 5 HOURS AGO

US investment firm Searchlight Capital has agreed to buy UK asset manager Gresham House in a £470mn deal, betting on sustained demand for renewable energy assets that the UK group is increasingly focused on.

Gresham House manages about £8bn and invests mainly in sustainable assets such as battery storage infrastructure.

Under the terms of the agreement announced on Monday, Gresham House investors will receive £11.05 in cash, a 63 per cent premium to where the group’s shares closed on Friday. Gresham House shares surged more than 50 per cent on Monday. ..."

https://www.ft.com/content/67a49bc4-a768-48af-87bf-b9c522a0e8d0

NWT'S NUMEROUS WINNING TAILWINDS DRIVING GROWTH

1. Multiple strong technological growth drivers:-

• Artificial intelligence (AI).

• Robotic process automation (RPA).

• Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity.

• Cloud-based services.

• Biometric solutions.

• Wireless systems.

2. Multiple strong business growth drivers:-

• Environmental-social-governance (ESG) demands.

• Efficiency (time, money) demands.

• Data & information demands.

• Pandemic-stimulated transitions (remote-monitoring, touchless technology).

• Post-pandemic business recovery.

• Strong US dollar, compared to sterling.

3. Multiple strong regulatory growth drivers:-

• Biometric data privacy requirement.

• Time clocks obligation.

• Automatic doors safety standards & annual maintenance.

• Fire doors safety standards & annual maintenance.

• Protect Duty legislation.

4. Multiple strong corporate growth drivers:-

• Top new management at both NWT subsidiaries appointed in 2022.

• Multi-million pound R&D investment in recent years.

• New SaaS and ClaaS (software/clocks as a service) business momentum.

• Large American business & growth momentum with top partners.

Many of these drivers are of course inter-connected, feeding into and strengthening each other; e.g. energy-saving saves money.

And they are driving a greater proportion of higher margin, recurring, and technology business for NWT.

"FTC’s New Biometric Policy Statement Articulates New Governance Standards and an

Expansive View of Biometric Data

JULY 13, 2023

BIOMETRICS, FTC, POLICY

On May 18, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) issued its 2023 Policy Statement on Biometric Information and Section 5 of the FTC Act (the “Policy Statement”) describing the agency’s concerns about these fast-proliferating technologies and articulating a set of compliance obligations for businesses that develop or use biometric technologies. ...

Use reasonable data security practices. The Policy Statement includes familiar statements that businesses should implement “reasonable privacy and data security measures,” and specifically calls out the need for access controls and technical measures such as making timely updates for both hardware and software systems to ensure they are operating effectively and not putting consumers at risk. ...

Additionally, the Policy Statement identifies the need to have appropriate training for employees and contractors whose job duties involve interacting with biometric information, citing recent enforcement actions where the agency has alleged the failure to provide such training constituted an “unfair” practice.

The Policy Statement makes clear that biometric technologies are on the FTC’s radar and that the FTC expects businesses to take a proactive approach when evaluating and addressing the unique risks with biometric information. Businesses should evaluate whether and where biometric data is used (including if not used to identify individuals), make sure appropriate biometric disclosures and policies are in place (including under state biometric privacy laws), and integrate regular risk assessments into biometric privacy compliance programs."

https://datamatters.sidley.com/2023/07/13/ftcs-new-biometric-policy-statement-articulates-new-governance-standards-and-an-expansive-view-of-biometric-data/

This new American biometric data policy should strongly underpin the demand for GT's products & services in the USA.

Organisations concerned are in effect being ordered to update their systems regularly, as well as ensuring that their employees are well-versed in their usage ... and providing such guidance is an area in which Grosvenor Technology is absolutely first class.

Hedgehog100 Posts: 3,032 Price: 5.25 Strong Buy

RE: Dial Square Investments (DSI) Shell Proposed 'Green' RTO at Big Premium30 Mar 2023 15:17

"If ARA's post-RTO enlarged equity is under £30M., then it would no longer be eligible for the Main Market.

It would probably therefore list on AIM, and I don't see why this couldn't be via a direct transfer, with no full delisting in between. ..."

https://www.lse.co.uk/ShareChat.html?ShareTicker=ARA&share=Aura-Renew-Acq&page=2

This is what the shell ELEG seems to be proposing; ELEG floated last year, and suspended for a RTO last week:-

7th Jul 2023 8:00 am PRN Proposed RTO

"Heads of Terms signed

Proposed Reverse Takeover and Suspension of Listing

Reverse Takeover

ELEG is pleased to announce that as of 6th July 2023 it has entered into a non-binding heads of terms to acquire (through a reverse takeover subject to regulatory and shareholder approval and due diligence) all the outstanding shares in 3radical Limited ("3radical") in an all-share transaction ("Transaction").

The Transaction is in line with ELEG's strategy set out at the time of its IPO last year. On completion of the Transaction, ELEG's intention is to cancel its listing on the Standard List and seek admission of its ordinary share capital, as enlarged following completion of the Transaction, to trading on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange ("Admission").

The heads of terms place an initial valuation on 3radical of £3 million, subject to adjustments.

Suspension of Listing

The Transaction, once completed, would constitute a reverse takeover under the Listing Rules. As ELEG is not yet able to provide full disclosure under Listing Rule 5.6.15, it has requested from the Financial Conduct Authority, and been granted, a suspension of listing in its shares with immediate effect pending either the issue of an announcement providing further details on the Transaction, the publication of a prospectus, or an announcement that the Transaction is not proceeding. ..."

https://www.lse.co.uk/rns/ELEG/proposed-rto-nq9sjzex464lvng.html

7th Jul 2023 8:00 am PRN Proposed RTO

Heads of Terms signed

Proposed Reverse Takeover and Suspension of Listing

Reverse Takeover

ELEG is pleased to announce that as of 6th July 2023 it has entered into a non-binding heads of terms to acquire (through a reverse takeover subject to regulatory and shareholder approval and due diligence) all the outstanding shares in 3radical Limited ("3radical") in an all-share transaction ("Transaction").

The Transaction is in line with ELEG's strategy set out at the time of its IPO last year. On completion of the Transaction, ELEG's intention is to cancel its listing on the Standard List and seek admission of its ordinary share capital, as enlarged following completion of the Transaction, to trading on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange ("Admission").

The heads of terms place an initial valuation on 3radical of £3 million, subject to adjustments.

Suspension of Listing

The Transaction, once completed, would constitute a reverse takeover under the Listing Rules. As ELEG is not yet able to provide full disclosure under Listing Rule 5.6.15, it has requested from the Financial Conduct Authority, and been granted, a suspension of listing in its shares with immediate effect pending either the issue of an announcement providing further details on the Transaction, the publication of a prospectus, or an announcement that the Transaction is not proceeding. Any restoration of the listing prior to Admission is subject to the approval of the Financial Conduct Authority. The parties are committed to seeking a successful completion of the Transaction as soon as practicable, but there can be no absolute certainty that the Transaction will take place. ...

https://www.lse.co.uk/rns/ELEG/proposed-rto-nq9sjzex464lvng.html

GT's partnership with MHR is a sign of GT's 'best of breed' status, and the exceptional effectiveness of its solutions:-

"21 January 2022

... At MHR we're heavily focused on innovation and delivering systems that meet the needs of customers now and in the future. With a 98% customer retention rate it's probably fair to say we're getting it right ...

We look to partner with best of breed solutions providers to deliver our market-leading functionality. ...

Grosvenor Technology HCM terminals integrate with iTrent's paid, flexi-time and rostering modules, automating work patterns, resulting in streamlined, simplified time-saving processes. Long manual processes - often prone to error - are confined to history. ..."

https://mhrglobal.com/uk/en/blog/itrent-integrations-deliver-additional-value-mhr-customers

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”

― Leonardo da Vinci

14th Jul 2023 7:00 am RNS Final Results

Results for the year ended 31 March 2023

TMT Acquisition, (LSE: TMTA), the investment business established to pursue opportunities in the technology, media and telecom sector, today announces its results for the year ended 31 March 2023.

Financial Highlights

• Net cash and financial assets as at 31 March 2023 of £ 4,749,604 (2022: net cash of £4,804,060)

• Net assets as at 31 March 2023 of £4,717,188 (2022: £4,777,275)

• Operating loss and loss before tax of £60,087 (2022: £101,532)

• Basic and diluted loss per share of 0.22 pence (2022: 0.74 pence)

Harry Hyman, Chairman of TMT Acquisition, commented:

"We are proactively engaged with suitable targets and have identified at least one opportunity. We have been engaged with businesses within the TMT sector that are both disruptive digitally enabled media and technology businesses in the financial services and regulated sectors."

"When assessing these opportunities, we have been focused on attractive ‎revenue growth and a clear pathway to high quality earnings."

... In addition, and as detailed in the prospectus at the time of listing, the range of characteristics for the target company, include:

• Management's track record of creating shareholder value;

• Management's deep industry knowledge and relationships;

• Long term growth prospects and attractive competitive dynamics;

• Leading market positions;

• Quality of earning, including recurring/repeat revenue streams, operational leverage and ability to generate strong free cash flow; and

• Key market criteria to include but not limited to opportunities for value accretive acquisitions to create end-to-end solutions; acceleration in growth from new products and services or new markets; and accelerating the execution of their go-to-market strategy.

On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank all our shareholders for their continued support. We have identified at least one acquisition opportunity and look forward to updating the market in due course. ...

https://www.lse.co.uk/rns/TMTA/final-results-juizxn44xbuam8y.html

LSE % Gainers Top Lists

EPIC Name %

SPMU Spiritus Mundi +60%

After finishing second yesterday, today SPMU is the top riser: up another 3p, to 8p: market cap. £3.94M.

For ARA, this market cap. would equate to a s.p. of 37.5p.

As well as Simon Thompson of the "Investors Chronicle", NWT looks just made for "Small Company Sharewatch", the top-rated tipsheet:-

"Fast growing small companies provide big profits for well informed investors each year. Quite often, a share price takes off and it's surprising that nobody had thought of it before. Here at The Small Company Sharewatch (SCWC), we specialise in discovering exactly those kind of companies before they become widely followed. Each issue gives in depth analysis of individual shares backed up by our company meetings."

https://www.scsw.co.uk/

But whichever press tipster tips the new, transformed NWT first will benefit from the 'bragging rights' of having been the earliest, as well as probably enjoying the lower tip price.

When MHR partnered with GT two and a quarter years ago, MHR announced it on their website:-

"15 April 2021

A new partnership between MHR International and Grosvenor Technology gives customers a better way to manage their workforce

We are pleased to announce a new partnership between Grosvenor Technology and MHR

... Grosvenor Technology is renowned for providing workforce management solutions. ..."

https://mhrglobal.com/uk/en/news/new-partnership-between-mhr-and-grosvenor-technology

But it wasn't RNSed by NWT ... whereas most other very small cap. penny shares probably would have RNSed such a partnership.

This is a sign of NWT's success, and of its somewhat self-effacing investment promotion.

Which is quite a contrast to many AIM shares, where the reverse seems to be the case: i.e. over-promotion to investors, but under-delivering.

Top-performing small cap. fund RKW is attracting considerable attention.

And one of its success secrets is portfolio concentration.

If you're too diversified, then if you've identified an outstanding investment opportunity - like NWT - its impact for you won't really do you justice.

22nd Jun 2023 7:00 am RNS Full Year Results to 31 March 2023

"21.4% NAV growth

Rockwood Strategic plc (AIM: RKW) is pleased to announce its audited results for the year ended 31 March 2023.

Highlights

• NAV Total Return performance in the twelve months to 31 March 2023 of 21.4% to 1959.56p per share which compares to declines in the FTSE Small Cap (ex-ITs) of 15.7%. The positive Total Shareholder Return of the Company in this period was 28.2%.

• NAV Total Return performance in the three years to 31 March 2023 of 116.9% which compares to the FTSE Small Cap (ex-ITs) of 49.6%. The Company's Total Shareholder Return in this period was 139.4% ...

Noel Lamb, Chairman of Rockwood Strategic plc, commented:

"The portfolio has delivered another year of excellent NAV growth whilst the Manager has been actively initiating new investments to seed future returns. Since the period end the discount to Net Asset Value has been eliminated for the very first time and we have begun to grow the strategy through new share issuance. This differentiated, active strategy is attracting significant attention, generating sector and market leading performance and offering investors a proven approach to delivering returns despite a challenging external environment."

Richard Staveley, Fund Manager, Harwood Capital LLP said:

"We are delighted the strategy has navigated market conditions so well. We believe this is due to our portfolio concentration, the operational and strategic progress delivered by most of the investee companies and recognition of the great value some of our holdings represented. The vast majority of investments remain deeply undervalued providing us with confidence regarding future NAV growth potential. We remain heavily engaged with our investee companies and have initiated a range of new investments during the year which we expect to at least meet our 3-5 year target returns and thus fulfil our objective of compounding wealth for Rockwood's shareholders long-term." ..."

https://www.lse.co.uk/rns/RKW/full-year-results-to-31-march-2023-02sw9rb2vj87v4y.html

"ARA: 5.75p, market cap. ££603,750.; cash 31.12.23 £809K."

Amendment:-

That should of course say 31.12.22.

And ARA's cash burn is very low, so the cash shouldn't have diminished much in the interim.

LSE % Gainers

Top Lists

EPIC Name %

IIG Intuitive Investm... +68%

SPMU Spiritus Mundi +43%

Today's top two risers are an investment company (IIG) & a shell (SPMU).

And compare SPMU to ARA:-

Spiritus Mundi Share Price (SPMU)

https://www.lse.co.uk/SharePrice.html?shareprice=SPMU&share=Spiritus-Mundi

SPMU: 5p, market cap. £2.47M.; cash 31.3.23 £739,812.

ARA: 5.75p, market cap. ££603,750.; cash 31.12.23 £809K.