LOS ANGELES, Feb. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BlackLine, Inc. (Nasdaq: BL), the future-ready platform for the Office of the CFO, has announced the winners of its 2025 Global and Regional Partner Awards, celebrating firms that have shown exceptional dedication to customer success, innovation, and transformative growth. This year’s honorees are recognized for their deep expertise, strong collaboration, and commitment to setting new standards of excellence in finance transformation. “Our partners play a vital ...

Deloitte has outlined plans for a major regional combination under a new Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) enterprise, bringing together member practices with combined revenues of €20bn. The new structure, called Deloitte EMEA, is scheduled to come into effect on 1 June 2026. The combined entity will include 16 companies from the region. They will coordinate more closely under the new framework, with each retaining responsibility for the services it provides in its own jurisdiction. Together, the p ...

Engine by Starling, the Software-as-a-Service arm of Starling Group, has entered into an agreement with SBS Bank, a mutual bank based in New Zealand. This marks Engine’s fourth international contract. SBS Bank, which has transitioned from its beginnings as a building society, is set to update its core banking infrastructure using Engine’s cloud-based platform. The move will introduce digital onboarding, fraud protection tools, and standard banking features such as card controls and spending analysis vi ...

Investment Rating - The report indicates a cautious but positive outlook for the UK office market, with a focus on Grade A space and a potential increase in investment activity in 2026 [5][11]. Core Insights - The UK office market showed resilience in 2025, with a total take-up of 5 million sq ft, slightly below 2024 levels but in line with the five-year average [6]. - Demand for Grade A office space remains strong, accounting for 61% of total take-up, driven by the Financial and Professional Services sector [6]. - The overall vacancy rate reached 14.1% in Q4 2025, with Grade A vacancy slightly increasing to 3.4%, indicating a competitive market for premium space [6]. - Investment volumes in the UK regional cities totaled £916 million in 2025, down 38% from the ten-year average, but the second half of the year saw increased activity [12]. - Prime rents across the UK regional cities rose by 3% annually, with the average now at £41 per sq ft, reflecting strong demand for quality office space [6][12]. Summary by Sections Leasing Overview - Total take-up for 2025 was 5,021,202 sq ft, which is a 5% decrease compared to the five-year average [4]. - Active demand at year-end was 3.9 million sq ft, with Financial and Professional Services leading at 43% [6]. - The development pipeline remains constrained, with only 1.7 million sq ft under construction [6]. Investment Overview - Investment volumes reached £916 million in 2025, which is 28% below 2024 levels [12]. - The second half of 2025 accounted for 60% of total investment activity, indicating a shift in buyer and seller pricing expectations [11]. - Prime office yields remained stable, ranging from 6.50% to 10.00% across various cities, highlighting the relative value outside London [12]. Leading Markets - **Aberdeen**: Total take-up was 294,709 sq ft, with Grade A vacancy at 1.7% [21]. - **Birmingham**: Annual take-up reached 651,507 sq ft, with a strong demand for Grade A space [27]. - **Bristol**: Total take-up was 604,119 sq ft, with a notable increase in demand for fitted space [33]. - **Cardiff**: Annual take-up was 289,808 sq ft, with a tightening supply of Grade A space [39]. - **Edinburgh**: Total take-up was 371,659 sq ft, with Grade A vacancy at 7.0% [45]. - **Glasgow**: Total take-up reached 471,753 sq ft, with a strong demand for prime offices [52]. - **Leeds**: Annual take-up was 632,790 sq ft, with a focus on high-quality workspace [59]. - **Manchester**: Total take-up was 1,059,264 sq ft, with a significant flight to quality [65]. - **Newcastle**: Total take-up was 458,893 sq ft, with a strong demand for modern, amenity-rich spaces [72]. - **Sheffield**: Total take-up was 192,399 sq ft, with a focus on refurbishment projects [76].

Synopsys Appoints Former Deloitte Executive Peter Shimer to Board of Directors and Announces Board Transitions [Accessibility Statement] Skip NavigationSUNNYVALE, Calif., Feb. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- [Synopsys], Inc. (NASDAQ: SNPS) today announced the appointment of Peter A. Shimer to its board of directors. Shimer brings four decades of experience at international public accounting firm Deloitte where he held numerous executive roles, including serving as its interim chief executive officer (CEO). During ...

Core Insights - Walmart is investing in its workforce by providing free AI training to its 1.6 million employees, contrasting with other companies that have used AI as a reason for job cuts [1][2] - The training includes an eight-hour course on AI fundamentals, developed in partnership with Google's AI Professional Certification, aimed at both frontline and corporate staff in the U.S. and Canada [2] - Only 5% of workers are considered "AI fluent," highlighting a significant skills gap, with only 40% of U.S. workers currently using AI in their jobs [3] Group 1: Training Initiative - Walmart's initiative aims to equip employees with AI skills to prepare them for a future that is increasingly automated and digitized [4] - The training is part of a broader trend among major employers, including Verizon and Deloitte, to provide access to AI education [2] - The goal is not just productivity but also talent retention, as employees with AI skills may qualify for higher-paying roles [5] Group 2: Industry Context - The widening skills gap represents both a risk and a responsibility for employers, as stated by Walmart's chief people officer [4] - Corporate leaders acknowledge AI's disruptive potential, with Walmart executives believing that while AI will change every job, it will not necessarily eliminate them [6] - Workers who are AI fluent are found to be 4.5 times more likely to receive higher wages, emphasizing the importance of bridging the skills gap [3]

Core Insights - Bank of America is launching an art consulting service aimed at wealthy clients, responding to increased demand for art as collateral for loans [1] - Deloitte estimates that ultra-high net worth clients held approximately $2.56 trillion in art in 2024, with projections reaching $3.5 trillion by 2030 [1] - The demand for art-based loans has risen, with around 70% of wealth managers reporting increased interest, generating $2.3 billion in revenue [1] Group 1 - The new art consulting service will assist clients in selecting art that aligns with their tastes while considering potential value appreciation [1] - The service is a response to changing tastes and the emergence of new collectors, including heirs and new investors [1] - Art is increasingly viewed as property that can be used as collateral rather than a traditional asset class within investment portfolios [1] Group 2 - Bank of America possesses one of the largest art-based credit portfolios, allowing clients to leverage their art collections without needing to sell them for liquidity [1] - The art consulting initiative is part of a broader trend in the art market, which is experiencing significant changes and new long-term trends [1]

Andrew Wishart, from Berenberg, said: “Parts of the inflation basket most sensitive to labour costs remain a little too high for comfort. As a result, March may prove too soon for the next rate reduction.”Despite market expectations of a rate cut in March rising, several economists have said the Bank of England will hold off on lowering borrowing costs until April.The FTSE 100 rose 1.1pc to 10,671.72, powered higher by gains in mining stocks.London-listed stocks have continued to climb higher, as slowing in ...

the largest global professional services network serving our clients in the markets that are most important to them. Bringing more than 180 years of service, our network of member firms spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte's approximately 470,000 people worldwide connect for impact at [www.deloitte.com].Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee ("DTTL"), its network of member firms, and their related entities. D ...

Core Insights - The City of Atlanta is modernizing its constituent services by expanding its partnership with Oracle and Deloitte, selecting Oracle Permitting and Licensing (OPAL) to enhance city planning, zoning, permitting, code enforcement, and inspections [1] - This initiative aims to streamline citizen services, reduce processing times, and support economic growth in Atlanta, which is projected to see a 30% population increase by 2050 [1] - The implementation of Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications has already led to increased productivity, cost reductions, and improved financial controls, with expected savings of $17.5 million over a 10-year period [1] Group 1: Project Overview - The City of Atlanta is adopting a unified IT approach by consolidating permitting within existing cloud infrastructure, which will minimize disparate systems and reduce maintenance overhead [1] - The project aims to enhance transparency and tracking for staff, businesses, and residents, automate reviews and workflows, and minimize approval bottlenecks [1] - Mayor Andre Dickens emphasized the project's importance in delivering affordable housing and creating inclusive neighborhoods [1] Group 2: Technology and Partnerships - Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications, including ERP, EPM, and HCM, are being utilized to improve financial reporting, planning, and HR processes, providing a comprehensive suite of AI-powered applications [1] - Deloitte has been a trusted advisor to the City of Atlanta for nearly nine years, leading the implementation of the current ATLcloud ERP solution, which positions them well for the new permitting system [1] - The collaboration between Deloitte and Oracle aims to leverage government and AI expertise to create a community-centric, data-driven approach for operational excellence [1]