Free Spirits appoints new COO to take the community for self-employed professionals to the next level
L&D Free Spirits |
Andy Candler has been appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Free Spirits and joins Founder Kim Ellis as business partner.
Andy Candler has been appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Free Spirits and joins Founder Kim Ellis as business partner.
Talvi is launching a raft of new features at Learning Live AI Edition 2026: 100% SCORM decryption, an MCP Server and an MCP Store, 95% lower AI token use, 'human in the loop' data cleaner and zero-hallucination cited answers from ringfenced content.
Donald H Taylor reflects on two days of debate at Learning Technologies 2026.
Behaviour change consultancy Acteon has released TikTok style training helping employees use AI safely, effectively and confidently.
Only 18% of Organisations Are Getting the AI–Talent Balance Right. As organisations race to embed artificial intelligence across their operations, recent research from Accenture suggests the vast majority are overlooking a critical factor: their people.
Now in its fourth edition, Totara’s Learning with IMPACT event returns to explore another essential L&D challenge. Each event connects hundreds of L&D professionals worldwide to discuss a different theme and hear talks from leaders across the industry.
CIPD labour market data shows employers prioritising productivity, workforce planning and AI adoption as confidence remains subdued.
The Learning Network's second mastery day of the year is nearly here, and it’s all about learning design. Join us for a day of hands-on workshops that’ll let you get stuck in to learn new - or improve your existing - learning design skills.
The Learning Technologies Thirty Under 30 programme recognises emerging talent in workplace learning. Emma Bijleveld from EY and Aiden Lancaster from McDonald's took time out to talk to Learning News.
Lars Hyland reflects on how the learning technology market is changing, the role of AI and what organisations still get wrong.
Totara provides learning technology for mission-critical enterprise environments. Learning News spoke to Totara at Learning Technologies 2026 about its platform, positioning and market demand.
Thrive provides and end-to-end enterprise learning solution connecting people, skills, learning, knowledge and technology in a single platform, focused on driving business results. At Learning Technologies 2026 Learning News spoke to Thrive's Cassie Gasson and Frankie Woodhead about its latest announcements, positioning and customer priorities.
Sponge is a people enablement agency, focused on creating engaging, high-impact digital learning experiences and complex organisational transformations. Learning News spoke to Sponge's Josh Cardoz at Learning Technologies 2026 about its approach, services and impact of AI on the creative sector.
Speexx provides business coaching and language training for global organisations. Learning News spoke to founder and CEO, Armin Hopp, Speexx at Learning Technologies 2026 about its platform, positioning and market demand.
Rise Up offers a learning platform focused on adaptive learning and accelerating time-to-skill. Learning News spoke to Rise Up at Learning Technologies 2026 about its platform and the launch of Forge, a personalised, AI performance coach.
Pluralsight provides technology skills development for the modern workforce and provides a vast catalogue of programmes and courses. Learning News spoke to Pluralsight's Faye Ellis at Learning Technologies 2026 about its latest offerings and demand for tech upskilling.
Omniplex Learning provides digital learning services and solutions across authoring, systems and bespoke content. Learning News spoke to Director of Presales, Himani Bailey, for the latest news from Omniplex.
Accreditation is gaining ground as buyers demand proof of impact. Netex was recently awarded LPI Gold Vendor Accreditation and, at LT2026, Learning News caught up with Netex's Ricardo Alvarez and the LPI's Ed Monk.
Netex Learning delivers learning solutions focused on content and ecosystem integration. Learning News spoke to Simon Riddlesden from Netex at Learning Technologies 2026 about its offering, positioning and market trends.
Mindtools Kineo provides digital learning solutions combining content, platforms and services and was formed from the coming together of the two prominent learning brands in 2025. Learning News spoke to Mindtools Kineo’s Ross Garner at Learning Technologies 2026, to find out more about the new combined business.
Rustici Software helps digital learning systems work together through standards and integration, xAPI and SCORM. Learning News spoke to MD Tammy Rutherford at Learning Technologies 2026 about Rustici Software's work and market trends.
Open LMS delivers open-source learning management solutions built on Moodle. Learning News spoke to Open LMS at Learning Technologies 2026 about the platform’s positioning and differentiation.
At Learning Technologies 2026 Learning News spoke to GP Strategies’ VP of Technology, Jeff Fissel, about the major shift in how learning content development is changing and the increasing derivative use cases GP is serving.
GP Strategies provides consulting, learning services and talent technology solutions and is recognised as a strategic leader in the digital learning market. Learning News spoke to GP Strategies at Learning Technologies 2026 about its approach, services and market trends.
Bridge LMS offers a learning platform focused on employee development and performance, positioned in the mid-market. Learning News spoke to Bridge at Learning Technologies 2026 about
Learning Pool provides workplace learning solutions designed to scale across organisations and is recognised a strategic leader in the digital learning market. Learning News spoke to Learning Pool at Learning Technologies 2026 about its platform, positioning and market priorities.
iSpring Solutions provides tools for creating engaging online courses quickly. Learning News spoke to Anna Poli from iSpring at Learning Technologies 2026 about its recent innovations.
Imparta specialises in sales performance and capability development solutions. Learning News spoke to Imparta’s founder, Richard Barkey, at Learning Technologies 2026 about its latest launch and AI innovations.
Fuse provides an all-in-one learning platform combining LMS and LXP capabilities. Learning News spoke to Fuse's founder, Steve Dineen, at Learning Technologies 2026 about its latest release and new AI coaching application, Lyra, announced at the show.
Cornerstone provides a unified talent platform for learning, skills and workforce management and is a strategic leader in the learning systems market. Learning News spoke to Cornerstone's Chief International Officer, Vincent Belliveau, at Learning Technologies 2026 about its latest developments.
Ciphr provides HR software and solutions supporting people management across recruitment, onboarding, HR processes, benefits, payroll, and learning. Learning News spoke to Chief Product Officer, Simon Witkiss, at HR Technologies 2026 about Ciphr’s offering and evolving customer needs.
Absorb Software provides a cloud-based learning management system for organisations of all sizes. Learning News spoke to Chief Growth Officer, Leslie Kelley, at Learning Technologies 2026 about the market and customer demand, and Absorb's evolution to a workforce performance platform.
Speexx achieved strong results in the G2 Spring 2026 Reports, earning 49 badges and securing six #1 rankings across language learning, coaching, and virtual classroom categories.
Cathy Hoy introduces a new index designed to measure learning maturity and benchmark impact.
Rebecca Trigg from Acteon Communication on how organisations are improving communication where clarity and performance are critical.
Training Orchestra provides software to manage instructor-led training at scale and is a specialist strategic leader in the learning systems market. Learning News spoke to Stephan Pineau from Training Orchestra at Learning Technologies 2026 about its platform, positioning and customer demand.
A partnership that puts science-based manager development at the heart of the UK's newest evidence-informed practice conference.
New training pathway combines qualifications, certifications and real-world experience
Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ: WDAY), the enterprise AI platform for managing people, money, and agents, today announced that the Sana Self-Service Agent from Workday is now available in Microsoft 365 Copilot. The new integration enables employees and managers to get answers to HR and finance questions and complete everyday tasks directly inside Microsoft 365, without switching apps, while organizations maintain the security, compliance, and control they expect from Workday.
Speexx has been named Best People Development Platform at the 2026 Global Brand Awards, marking a second consecutive win and reinforcing its position as a global leader in workforce development.
Learning leaders face rising expectations on impact, efficiency and alignment, with skills, data and performance at the centre. We ask vendors and commentators what matters most for L&D right now.
Abilitie has achieved the LPI Gold Standard accreditation, a prestigious recognition of its high-impact, technology-powered leadership programmes. The award highlights Abilitie’s commitment to measurable client outcomes, a strong partnership approach, and consistent quality of learning experience.
Mediazoo has topped the internal communications category in PRWeek’s Top 150 league table of UK agencies for the third consecutive year Internal comms revenue grew seven per cent year-on-year to £3.9m, more than twice that of its nearest competitor in the table The agency was also ranked in the top five for ESG communications in the same PRWeek Top 150 ranking, securing fourth place “Three years at number one, and almost twice the revenue of our nearest rival, says something about the appetite for internal communication that actually changes behaviour. That is the work we are built for,” says Giles Smith, CEO of Mediazoo Group.
5app is delighted to announce its new Helix partnership with Thrive Partners, bringing a new AI skills intelligence offering to Thrive's coaching programmes.
The focus shifts from potential to real use, with vendors and analysts pointing to where AI is delivering value now. We hear from providers building AI into products and those tracking how it is being used.
New research by HR software provider Ciphr reveals the top workplace benefits for UK employees.
What the data is really telling us about learning technology, with Dani Johnson.
Introducing the Connected Loop Enablement, closing the gap between learning investment and measurable revenue outcomes at enterprise scale.
Lori Niles-Hofmann on rethinking learning transformation and driving impact beyond technology.
New launches focus on AI capability, skills insight and closer links between learning, performance and workforce data. We round up key announcements and product updates from across LT2026.
11th Learning Technologies fringe event spotlights AI’s role in moving L&D from content delivery to capability building.
Providers sharpen their positioning around skills, data and outcomes, as differentiation becomes harder across platforms. We ask vendors how they define their offer and what sets them apart.
Myles Runham from Fosway Group shares insights on AI, market trends and the challenges facing learning technology.
Interviews, analysis and on-the-ground perspectives from LT2026.
New enterprise upskilling program helps teams close cloud skills gaps, modernize faster, and prepare for AI at scale.
Two third of leaders would rather look certain and be wrong than admit doubt and get it right, new five-year study reveals • Certainty Theatre is costing the UK economy £20 billion a year, according to a new workplace report whose findings were stress-tested by senior economists. • Nearly two-thirds of leaders (65%) say they would rather appear decisive and be wrong than admit uncertainty and be right. The trend has remained consistent across five years of data covering 3,159 professionals in 25 organisations. • The pressure to project certainty is strongest below board level. Middle managers (72%) and senior leadership teams (68.9%) are most likely to admit faking confidence, compared with 46.8% of C-suite executives.
AI, pay transparency, financial wellbeing and mental health are just some of the major topics set to dominate discussion at the 11th Rewards, Benefits & Wellbeing Summit this June. The event will unite senior industry leaders for three days of insight, networking and focused business engagement.
Acteon's Rebecca Trigg uses a playful framework inspired by the Spice Girls to explore the different responses to AI adoption in organisations – and explains why understanding people, not technology, is the key to lasting change.
UK training group recognised for apprenticeship delivery across health, care and education sectors.
Global coaching revenue rises 17% to $5.34bn, but limited investment in technology highlights a capability gap across the sector
Modern leadership is shifting fast. In this environment, negotiation and influence aren’t “soft skills”, they’re critical adaptive capabilities.
A bite-sized news round up: Digital Learning Market; Model Context Protocol; L&D Working Conditions; Evidence Informed Practice Conference Preview; Plus all the headlines from Learning News.
Speed isn't the same as learning. iSpring's next webinar with Dr Cris Wildermuth asks what good design actually looks like once AI is doing the heavy lifting on content.
Mediazoo is launching a YouTube series, anchored by its AI specialist business Finer Vision The new series will launch on Wednesday 6th May and has been designed to give L&D and communications teams the practical AI skills most enterprises are still missing “Most organisations already have access to the tools. The gap is in knowing how to use them well. This series shows the work, week by week,” says Giles Smith, CEO at Mediazoo Group.
Could overlooked gaps in your benefits strategy be costing you experienced talent? Explore why global organisations are rethinking fertility, family-building and hormonal health support.
The Training & Development Summit provides an invaluable opportunity for senior professionals responsible for their organisation’s learning & development requirements and forward-thinking suppliers.
Visit www.mindtools-kineo.com or come and meet us in person at stand F25
Thrive has unveiled its most intelligent release yet, putting a team of AI Agents at the heart of every employee experience. Alongside this, the Spring Release introduces new Mentoring capabilities, chat, and a suite of unique platform enhancements that mark Thrive's most ambitious step yet towards shaping the future of learning.
Talvi is making its world debut at Learning Technologies 2026 with a range of capabilities that are hard to match: 100% SCORM decryption, an MCP Server and an MCP Store, 95% lower AI token use, 'human in the loop' data cleaner and zero-hallucination cited answers from ringfenced content.
New Multi-Agent Systems help enterprise L&D teams create, translate, and continuously update global training content as markets, regulations, and business needs change.
London, UK – 28.04.2026 – Fuse, a leading Learning Management System (LMS), is proud to announce the official launch of Fuse 4.2 and Lyra at Learning Technologies 2026, Stand C35.
Totara, a global leader in learning management technologies, has announced the winners of the 2026 Totara Partner Awards, celebrating outstanding achievements across its global partner network.
PageTiger is introducing new AI-powered features and a Learning Suite of customisable, interactive templates designed to help HR and L&D teams create accessible, engaging training for diverse and neurodivergent workforces.
Animaker introduces Learning Velocity, a new framework focused on speed of capability building, and will be showcasing how AI animation and AI agents like Animaker Nano LMS are transforming L&D from content delivery to rapid, outcome-driven learning.
From AI adoption to L&D that drives business results, Acteon's refreshed site shows how a behavioural, human-centred approach turns today's toughest challenges into real change.
Sponge offers a sharper take on AI adoption, behaviour change, and AI transformation to the event this year.
Masterclass by the Uncertainty Experts, Wednesday 6th May 2026, shares explosive new research exposing the Decisiveness Crisis. Findings will include the that 65% of leaders would rather look certain than be right, even knowing it leads to worse outcomes. Attendees will walk away knowing how to dismantle false certainty, fast. “When certainty is rewarded more than outcomes, bad decisions become inevitable”, says Giles Smith, CEO at the Mediazoo Group.
Speexx announces the launch of a scalable intercultural training program designed to build awareness and understanding of how culture shapes communication, collaboration, and workplace behavior.
Learning and Development (L&D) needs a seat at the table. Corporate learning is a vital component of successful business, reducing risk and boosting revenue. By escaping the Activity Trap, L&D will become a key source of strategic value, says Harry Chapman-Walker, CEO, Kallidus.
LNTV, Apr 30: TJ report into organisational learning barriers; AI career platform start-up; Unlearning with Andy Lancaster and Stella Collins.
Hawk Academy London will demonstrate how organisations can move beyond AI content creation to deliver expert-designed, accredited learning programmes. Combining AI-powered delivery with over 35 years of training expertise, it enables scalable, high-impact learning built for real-world performance.
Access Learning, the digital learning solutions provider and part of The Access Group, has retained its Core Leader position in the 2026 Fosway 9-Grid™ across two categories: Learning Systems and Digital Learning, reinforcing its standing among the most established learning platforms in the European market.
Learning and development (L&D) is firmly on the agenda for UK employers. From leadership capability to digital skills and emerging technologies like AI, organisations recognise that continuous learning is essential for performance, productivity and retention.
Mediazoo names John Gordon as Chief Product Officer as it accelerates its AI product strategy and scales Finer Vision, its new AI specialist business John brings military discipline, cyber security and enterprise engineering experience and deep AI learning expertise to the role The appointment signals Mediazoo’s commitment to building intelligent L&D products at the intersection of creativity and AI “John’s appointment is about scaling impact. Turning our AI capability into products that change how our clients learn, communicate and perform,” says Giles Smith, CEO at Mediazoo Group.
Assess your organisation’s AI readiness with this practical AI implementation readiness guide. Explore an AI readiness framework, checklist, governance considerations, and leadership factors to scale AI successfully across your business.
London, April 2026: Fosway Group is pleased to announce that the 2026 edition of the AI Market Assessment paper for Digital Learning is now available for EMEA's learning leaders to download and review. In 2026, the Fosway’s research programme will interrogate the corporate experience of AI deployment more deeply, while still providing updates into the vendor market too, resulting in an extended series of unique public and private deliverables.
National pledge aims to create 1,000 AI, data and tech apprenticeships by 2027, with employers asked to hire one apprentice each.
Digital learning consultancy Mint has announced the launch of Smart Translator, an AI-powered tool designed to reduce the time and cost of translating digital learning content.
CLO100, the professional body for learning leaders, has today launched the CLO100 Experience Assessment, an elite global standard designed to formally recognise and validate the strategic impact of senior Learning and Development Leaders.
Six sessions, a landmark Spring Release and live customer demos across two days at Learning Technologies as Thrive prepares its biggest show yet at ExCeL London.
Learning Technologies 2026 opens its doors next week on 29-30 Apr at Excel London; Final opportunity to book passes; Event app download.
Powtoon is unveiling 3 AI workflows designed to tackle one of the biggest hidden costs in organizations today: knowledge gaps. Join Powtoon’s big unboxing event on May 20 and see how teams are turning complex information into scalable, visual learning experiences.
GP Strategies will demo GP AIQ+™, its AI platform for enterprise learning, at Learning Technologies 2026. The platform uses five purpose-built agents to address fragmentation across the learning lifecycle. Jeff Fissel and Matt Donovan will also lead sessions on AI in L&D.
New US data shows subject choice drives earnings more than university selectivity, with gaps widening over time.
Workforce analytics provider adds resilience measurement capability and expands beyond education sector.
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