20, May 2026
FIA Report Showcases Major Progress in Sustainability, Diversity & Inclusion

Dubai, UAE, May 20: The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has published its 2025 Sustainability and Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) report, highlighting major achievements in shaping the future of motorsport and mobility for its diverse global community.
The FIA, the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, continued to drive progress at the intersection of innovation, inclusion, and access through 2025.
In environmental sustainability, it strengthened frameworks and tools to support Member Clubs, championships and events in managing their impact, while also taking steps to accelerate its own decarbonisation strategy.
In D&I, it continued to expand participation, strengthen career pathways, and build a more inclusive environment across motor sport and mobility.
H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, said: “Our diversity is our strength. Looking ahead, our direction is clear. We will continue to innovate, strengthen frameworks, and raise standards. Together, we are shaping a future in which motorsport and mobility are not only more sustainable, but more inclusive, accessible, and truly reflective of the diverse global community we serve.”
The landmark FIA report highlighted several key environmental achievements including:
· Grew the FIA’s flagship Environmental Accreditation Programme to 260+ accredited organisations (a 37% YOY increase) with a record 70 new accreditations, 33 renewals and nine upgrades.
- Increased sustainability grants by 24% to €340,000, supporting projects on emissions reduction, biodiversity, mobility access and education.
· Approved the first technical and safety regulations for liquid hydrogen- powered vehicles, marking a historic step toward low carbon competition.
· Welcomed 1,000+ participants in the FIA’s Sustainable Innovation Series.
In November 2025, the FIA launched its first Sustainability Survey for its Member Clubs to better understand their priorities and challenges across different regions. Across all Member Clubs, there was strong agreement that motor sport and mobility organisations should play a leading role in advancing climate action and sustainable development.
In terms of its own operations last year, the FIA report noted the following
· Maintained commitment to reduce absolute emissions by 2030.
· Absolute emissions increased by 16% year-on-year against a backdrop of increased headcount and the opening of a new office in London.
· Logistics-related emissions lowered by 2%, supported by HVO-powered DHL trucks across the European race calendar.
· Overall impact of logistics footprint reduced by 22% through the ramp-up of investments in Sustainable Aviation Fuels.
While important progress has been made in several areas under the FIA’s direct influence, there were substantive increases elsewhere in the footprint, especially in business travel for staff and visitors attending conferences, regional meetings, and general assemblies.
The rise in the footprint does not mean progress has stopped, but reinforces the need for a more targeted response and strategy. It highlights the necessity to drive lower-carbon choices across motor sport and mobility, by encouraging better decisions on logistics, travel, events, procurement, and collaboration across the ecosystem.
Not all emissions reported are directly controlled by the FIA, and the federation’s responsibility is not only to reduce its own footprint, but also to enable others to reduce theirs.
The inaugural FIA Karting Arrive & Drive World Cup set the tone for a landmark year in diversity and inclusion, bringing together 100+ competitors from 50 nations and a record 15 female drivers on the grid.
Within its own workforce, 31% of the FIA’s staff was female in 2025, with almost half of those women in senior roles, reflecting continued progress on gender equity.
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- By Neel Achary
20, May 2026
Abundia Global Impact Group Completes Strategic Acquisition of RPD Technologies
Abundia Global Impact Group, Inc. (NYSE American: AGIG) (“Abundia” or the “Company”), a low-carbon energy solutions company focused on converting biomass and plastics waste into high-value low-carbon fuels, on May 19 announced that it has completed the acquisition (the “Acquisition”) of RPD Technologies Americas, LLC (“RPD”), a scale-up project development firm focused on the design, construction, operations of pilot plants and consulting services. The Acquisition was completed and effective on April 1, 2026.
Abundia – RPD Acquisition Strategic Highlights
- Establishes Additional Revenue Stream and Long-term Conversion Pipeline: Adds revenue generating business to Abundia’s financial profile with longer term realization of high-margin economics to deliver on the Company’s commitment to drive shareholder value
- Increased Scale and Operational Capabilities: Adds a new business vertical offering an existing customer base, long-term opportunity pipeline and team of scale up project development and engineering experts in refining, petrochemical and renewables that establishes this unit as a core competency
- Expands Vertically Integrated Waste-to-Value Model: Integrates into Abundia’s model bringing development and scale up capabilities in-house and increases exposure to the full economic value chain of its waste-to-value vertically integrated platform
- Strengthens Competitive Advantage to Form a Resilient Business: Distinguishes Abundia’s market position as a waste-to-value supply chain consolidator while strengthening and diversifying its operations and financial performance
“Importantly, by converging RPD’s capabilities and its highly skilled team with Abundia’s waste-to-value project, we unlock a valuable cog in our current development cycle that strengthens our vertical integration strategy. Of particular focus is RPD’s proven track record in the development and scaling of processes in the petrochemical and renewable energy industries. This new unit will organically accelerate the company’s trajectory by assisting in the next phase of engineering the Biomass technology stack,” concluded Mr. Gillespie.
Transaction Overview
RPD initiated operations in 2019 as a project developer within the energy space offering engineering and design support for the development, scale up and commercialization of new technologies focused on refining, petrochemical and renewables. RPD’s team of approximately twenty (20) employees and engineers augment Abundia’s business with expertise in operations, engineering, process safety and quality control, and technical mechanics with a combined 100+ years of chemical engineering scale-up experience.
Revenue generated by RPD will be recognized as total revenue in Abundia’s second quarter 2026 financial statements and the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) filings. RPD will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Abundia, maintaining its existing team, customer relationships, and project pipeline, while benefiting from the integration within Abundia’s broader platform.
Abundia’s acquisition of RPD aligns with its long-term strategic priorities reflected in the establishment of an incremental revenue-generating core competency under its vertically integrated waste-to-value business model. Abundia will benefit from RPD’s existing pipeline and revenue stream and favorably positions the Company to generate long-term value to shareholders. Additionally, the Acquisition demonstrates Abundia’s disciplined and strategic M&A approach, adding a services vertical that accelerates value generation. As a unit of Abundia, the RPD team will be well positioned to grow and expand operations, assets, and capabilities, supporting operating and revenue growth as it scales into a larger business.
About Abundia Global Impact Group, Inc.
Abundia Global Impact Group, Inc. (NYSE American: AGIG), formerly Houston American Energy Corp., is a low-carbon energy company focused on converting waste into value. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, we are developing commercial-scale facilities that transform waste plastics and biomass into drop-in fuels and low-carbon chemical feedstocks. Our flagship project at Cedar Port positions Abundia at the center of the Gulf Coast’s energy and chemical infrastructure, with access to feedstock supply chains, upgrading partners, and end markets.
For more information, please visit www.abundiaimpact.com.
About RPD Technologies Americas, LLC
20, May 2026
Axione Development to Build Advanced Cold Chain Infrastructure at Abu Dhabi Food Hub
Abu Dhabi, UAE – 20 May 2026: Abu Dhabi Food Hub, AD Ports Group’s integrated food trade and logistics hub, announced the signing of an agreement with Axione Development for the development of advanced cold chain infrastructure in Abu Dhabi.
In accordance with the agreement, which underlines the growing confidence in the Emirate’s upcoming premier food platform, Axione Development will develop a dedicated cold chain facility on a 37,000 sqm plot under a 50-year land lease agreement to support the broader ecosystem of traders and businesses that will operate within Abu Dhabi Food Hub’s integrated marketplace. Designed as enabling infrastructure for the wider market, the facility will strengthen critical cold chain capabilities serving wholesale trade, distribution and value-added food supply activities.
Abdulla Al Hameli, CEO Economic Cities & Free Zones, AD Ports Group, said: “Food security is a national priority for the UAE and an essential pillar of our sustainable economic development. Strong partnerships such as our deal with Axione Development strengthen this long-term goal of world-class infrastructure, diversified trade corridors, and strong partnerships between the public and private sectors. Within this wider vision, Abu Dhabi Food Hub represents how national priorities can be translated into practical market infrastructure that supports the efficient movement, storage, and trade of food products. We are pleased to see the project continue to progress through partnerships such as this, reinforcing its role in becoming a central food trade gateway for the UAE and the wider region.”
The agreement reflects continued momentum in the development of Abu Dhabi Food Hub’s next-generation wholesale market ecosystem, which brings together wholesale trade, logistics, warehousing, distribution and digital enablement within a single integrated platform designed to enhance the efficiency and resilience of regional food supply chains.
The development of advanced cold chain infrastructure forms a key component of the Abu Dhabi Food Hub’s broader proposition to support the UAE’s long-term food security ambitions through modern, future-ready trade and supply chain infrastructure. The agreement also signals expanding customer and investor interest in Abu Dhabi Food Hub as construction progresses, and the project advances toward operational readiness by Q4 2026.
As a landmark agreement within the Hub’s commercial development journey, the partnership with Axione Development further reinforces Abu Dhabi Food Hub’s role in shaping a globally connected wholesale and logistics ecosystem for food trade in the region.
Jens Michel, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Food Hub, said: “Our objective is to build an ecosystem where traders and supply chain partners can operate with greater efficiency, reliability, and access to modern infrastructure. This agreement with Axione Development marks an important client milestone for Abu Dhabi Food Hub and reinforces the market demand for purpose-built facilities that support the evolving needs of regional and global food trade.”
Mikhail Zarkhi, Managing Partner of Axione Development, said: “We are pleased to partner with Abu Dhabi Food Hub on this strategic development. Our focus is to deliver modern, high-specification cold chain infrastructure that meets the evolving operational requirements of today’s food businesses. Through this project, we aim to support food trade with efficient and reliable infrastructure capabilities that enable business growth, strengthen supply continuity, and contribute to a more resilient food ecosystem.”
Daniel Ilizarov, Managing Partner of Axione Development, said: “This project represents a strategic step in expanding institutional-grade infrastructure within the UAE. We see Abu Dhabi Food Hub as a unique platform combining trade, logistics, and regulatory efficiency, which creates a compelling environment for long-term capital deployment. Our objective is to deliver scalable, high-performance assets that align with global standards and support the continued growth of regional food supply chains.”
Strategically located between Abu Dhabi and Dubai in KEZAD, Abu Dhabi Food Hub is set to become a central gateway for food trade, connecting global supply with regional demand through modern infrastructure, efficient logistics, and a collaborative business environment.
20, May 2026
Rethinking Summer Travel: A Shift Toward More Considered Stays

Photo credit: Ananda in the Himalayas
Ananda in the Himalayas (India)
A higher-altitude wellness stay designed for travelers looking for a deeper reset
As travelers place greater value on trips that deliver lasting impact, Ananda in the Himalayas is focusing this summer on longer, more immersive stays, with a seasonal Summer Wellness Offer available from June 1 through July 31, 2026. The program includes savings of up to 40 percent on stays of five nights or more, with fully inclusive pricing that covers accommodation, consultations before and after arrival, personalized therapies, private yoga and meditation sessions, and tailored meals, creating a structured framework for longer, outcome-driven stays.
Set in the Himalayan foothills above Rishikesh, the location naturally lends itself to summer travel. Temperatures are cooler than in much of the region, and the setting feels removed from the intensity of peak-season destinations. Guests follow individualized programs grounded in Ayurveda, yoga, and meditation, often staying for a week or longer to work through specific health and wellbeing goals, from sleep, stress, and burnout to more chronic health conditions such as diabetes or hormonal and metabolic imbalances.
What makes the experience distinct is the sense of structure built into each day, with guided practices and treatments creating a sense of progression over time. As more travelers move away from short trips in favor of something more meaningful, Ananda offers an experience that feels both restorative and purposeful.
This reflects a broader shift toward commitment travel, where time away is designed to deliver lasting results rather than a quick escape.

Photo credit: The Dylan Amsterdam
The Dylan Amsterdam (the Netherlands)
A more relaxed way to experience a European city at the height of summer
Summer in European cities can feel increasingly intense, with packed itineraries and crowded streets leaving little room to enjoy being there. The Dylan Amsterdam addresses this with its Unscripted Summer experience, available from June 21 through September 20, designed to slow the pace and create more space in the day.
Located along the Keizersgracht canal, the 41-room hotel feels notably removed from the city once inside. Guests arrive through a gated entrance into a quiet courtyard, creating an immediate sense of separation from the energy of the city outside. This balance between central location and privacy becomes especially valuable during peak season.
At the center of the experience is a private canal boat journey at golden hour, with a three-course menu served on board and curated across three of the city’s leading kitchens. This is paired with a two-night stay in one of the hotel’s luxury rooms, including daily breakfast at Bar Brasserie OCCO, alongside a more flexible framework that encourages exploration. Complimentary bicycles and personalized walking routes provide a sense of direction without overplanning, while a drink in the hotel’s secluded garden offers a quieter moment to return to at the end of the day.
Amsterdam’s mild summer climate and walkable layout support this more relaxed flow, allowing guests to explore without pressure. For travelers rethinking how they approach city travel, this offers a more flexible and manageable alternative. Increasingly, this points to slower city travel, where travelers pull back from overpacked itineraries and allow more space for spontaneity and ease.

Photo credit: Imperial Hotel, Kamikochi
Imperial Hotel (Japan)
A more balanced way to experience Japan, pairing major cities with a seasonal alpine escape
Japan remains one of the most in-demand destinations, but the pace of travel there is beginning to shift. Instead of moving quickly between cities, travelers are building in time to slow down. The Imperial Hotel portfolio supports this by combining stays in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto with Kamikochi, a mountain resort region in the Japanese Alps that is only accessible during part of the year.
Located at around 1,500 meters, Kamikochi offers a cooler and quieter counterpart to Japan’s major cities. First brought to wider attention in the late 19th century by British missionary Walter Weston, it has since captivated travelers from around the world. At its center is the Imperial Hotel, Kamikochi, which opened in 1933 as Japan’s first mountain resort and remains one of the area’s most iconic stays, with a classic alpine lodge feel and views of the surrounding peaks and river valley. The experience is shaped by the landscape, with walking paths connecting sites such as Kappa Bridge, Taisho Pond, and Myojin Pond. The region welcomes over 1.2 million visitors annually, yet remains carefully managed, with access limited to protect its natural environment and preserve a sense of calm.
Open from mid-April through November 15 this year before closing for winter, Kamikochi brings a strong sense of seasonality to a Japan itinerary. Traveling between major cities and this alpine setting allows for a more balanced and intentional rhythm.
This approach highlights the rise of dual-speed travel, where high-energy exploration is balanced with quieter, more reflective time, allowing travelers to engage more meaningfully with both place and pace.

Photo credit: Hotel Belmar
Hotel Belmar (Costa Rica)
A cooler, nature-driven alternative to traditional tropical summer travel
As summer temperatures rise in many coastal destinations, travelers are increasingly looking toward higher-elevation environments that offer a different kind of tropical experience. Hotel Belmar, set in Costa Rica’s Monteverde cloud forest, provides that shift with a naturally cooler climate and a strong connection to nature. The summer months fall within the region’s green season, bringing fewer crowds and a more vibrant landscape. Instead of peak-season congestion, the experience feels slower and more grounded, making it well suited for travelers looking to spend more time in one place.
Longer stays are encouraged through seasonal offers that weave together wellness, guided forest experiences, and the slower cadence of discovery that define Monteverde. Days unfold in close relationship with the cloud forest, from trails winding through the property and immersions at Belmar’s SAVIA reserve to farm-to-table dining supplied by Finca Madre Tierra, the hotel’s regenerative farm.
For travelers rethinking what a summer trip should feel like, Monteverde offers something distinctly different from a beach escape. The combination of cooler weather and deeper immersion creates a more restorative experience overall.
In turn, it underscores growing interest in nature-led travel, where time away is shaped by connection to the environment and a slower, more deliberate approach.
20, May 2026
Liquibase Financial Services Playbook Offers New Findings, Best Practices to Let FinServs Protect Data and Navigate the Mythos-Class Threat Age
While Financial Institutions Primarily Focus on AI Models, Mythos‑Class Attackers Target Their Databases. Research Across Hundreds of Engagements Finds Universal Problems.
AUSTIN, Texas, May 20, 2026 – Liquibase, provider of database change governance solutions used by many of the world’s leading financial services organizations, today announced The Financial Services Playbook for Governed Database Change, a new executive guide designed to help financial institutions modernize and secure one of the last major control gaps in enterprise technology delivery: database change.
Built for CIOs, CTOs, platform engineering leaders, database architects, and compliance teams, the playbook examines how banks, insurers, payment processors, fintechs, and capital markets firms continue to face a growing governance gap between highly automated application delivery pipelines and still-manual database change processes.
“Every other layer of the software delivery pipeline has been automated, policy-driven, and made auditable,” said Ryan McCurdy, Vice President at Liquibase. “But at many financial institutions, database changes are still routed through tickets, manually reviewed, and directly executed in production. In today’s regulatory environment, that is no longer simply inefficient. It is an operational and compliance exposure.”
Field research for the Playbook was conducted across hundreds of financial services engagements spanning enterprise banks, regional institutions, credit unions, global insurers, payment processors, fintechs, and capital markets firms.
Among key findings:
- The problem is universal. Manual database change execution is the industry baseline, not a maturity problem at lagging organizations.
- Compliance is the accelerant. SOX, PCI DSS, SOC 2, and DORA are driving purchase decisions. When auditors flag deficiencies, budget materializes.
- The DBA bottleneck is structural. Executive mandates to remove DBA involvement from routine changes are appearing at the largest institutions.
- The proven path is pilot, platform, enterprise. Start with two to five applications, build the pipeline through platform engineering, then scale.
- Multi-database reality is the baseline. Oracle, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, Snowflake, DynamoDB, Databricks. Partial coverage is not governance.
Organizations that close this gap deliberately will set the standard. The rest will be forced to catch up by their auditors, their regulators, or a production incident.
Drawing on field research from hundreds of financial services engagements, the playbook argues that manual database change execution remains the industry norm, even at highly mature institutions. It outlines how mounting regulatory scrutiny from frameworks including SOX, PCI DSS 4.0, SOC 2, DORA, and emerging operational resilience requirements is accelerating demand for governed database delivery pipelines.
The playbook also addresses a growing concern around AI adoption in software delivery.
“Financial institutions are entering a phase of AI adoption under a perilous assumption: that governance frameworks built for human-driven systems can simply be extended to autonomous agents,” said Chris Steffen, Research VP, Enterprise Management Associates. “That assumption is now clearly outdated. Governance that ends too early is a crucial misstep, one that leaves databases exposed to a kill chain that’s now moving with unprecedented speed and lethality.”
Liquibase recently explored that emerging threat in its analysis: Banks Focus on AI Models. Mythos Class Attackers Focus on Your Databases.
Rather than focusing narrowly on tooling, the playbook walks readers through the operational realities financial institutions face today, including DBA bottlenecks, fragmented deployment tooling, audit evidence reconstruction, schema drift, and growing separation-of-duties concerns.
The guide also details a practical maturity path for organizations seeking to modernize database governance. Chapters include:
- The governance gap: why database delivery remains structurally different from application delivery
- How governance failures create operational, audit, and regulatory exposure
- The evolving role of DBAs, platform engineering, and compliance teams
- An eight-principle target operating model for governed database change
- A phased rollout strategy covering pilot, platform, and enterprise adoption
- A framework for evaluating build-versus-buy governance approaches
- Metrics financial leaders can use to justify modernization investments
- The impact of AI-generated SQL and hybrid cloud database environments on governance strategy
TL;DR: FinServ Operational Resilience Is At Risk
Manual database change execution is throttling data security and is the FinServ industry baseline, not a maturity problem at slow-adopter organizations.
Organizations that embed governance directly into database delivery pipelines now will gain operational resilience and regulatory advantages. Institutions that delay modernization risk being forced into reactive remediation by data loss or corruption incidents, by audit pressures, and by competitive market forces.
The executive summary of The Financial Services Playbook for Governed Database Change is available now from Liquibase: https://www.liquibase.com/
20, May 2026
Hatsun Agro Product Announces Phenomenal 1000 percent Dividend
Mumbai, May 20: Hatsun Agro Product Ltd, India’s largest dairy company in the private sector, announced its FY 2026 results, marking another year of continuous profitable growth.
Revenue from operations for FY26 stood at ₹ 9,959.22 crores, compared to ₹ 8,699.76 crores in FY25, marking a growth of 14.48%. EBITDA for the year was ₹ 1,190.34 crores as against ₹ 1,029.67 crores in the previous year, registering a growth of 15.60%. Profit after tax for FY26 came in at ₹ 356.20 crores, up from ₹ 278.81 crores in FY25, reflecting a growth of 27.76%. These figures reflect a year of sustained progress, providing the momentum to scale impact while maintaining a steadfast commitment to operational excellence.
For the fourth quarter, HAP recorded revenue from operations of ₹ 2,577.63 crores. EBITDA for the quarter was ₹ 237.87 crores. Profit after tax stood at ₹ 50.89 crores.
Commenting on the performance of the year, Mr. R G Chandramogan, Chairman, Hatsun Agro Product Ltd said; “Our focus on operational efficiency has successfully reduced our debt-to-equity ratio from 1.44 in FY 2023-24 to 0.68 in FY 2025-26 in two years despite significant investments and also strategic acquisition. This strengthened financial position provides the company with the flexibility to invest in future projects while continuing to reward our stakeholders.
He also mentioned that the receivables as of 31st March 2026 stood at 0.17 days of sales as a benchmark to the industry allowing profitability with better liquidity.
Further, HAP’s long-term credit rating has been upgraded to AA (Stable) by the credit rating agency (CRISIL Ratings Limited), reflecting the Company’s consistent financial performance, prudent capital management, and strong operational efficiency.
He also added “Hatsun remains an industry outlier, delivering superior operating profits with efficiency. This success is driven by our market-leading consumer brands, namely, Arun, ibaco, Arokya, Hatsun, HAP Daily and Milky Moo. In line with our policy of providing consistent uninterrupted dividends for over two decades and the present reduced debt with potential to invest for the future, we are pleased to announce a record interim dividend of 1000%.”
HAP continued to strengthen its consumer brand portfolio across categories during the year. Sustained investments in product expansion, distribution and operational efficiency supported steady growth across markets while reinforcing the company’s long-term focus on scale, profitability, and value creation for shareholders.
20, May 2026
Kardome Voice AI Reaches Mass Market with LG OLED TV Deployments
May 20, 2026 – Kardome achieves a major consumer electronics footprint with LG TVs powered by Kardome’s Spatial Hearing AI for human-like voice localization and isolation.
Elevating the Home Entertainment Experience
Kardome’s Spatial Hearing AI technology is now commercially deployed in LG’s flagship OLED TV series, completing its pivotal transition from development to mass-market production. This deployment represents a significant leap in voice user interface (voice UI) performance, enabling LG’s OLED TVs to locate and focus on individual speech with human-like accuracy, even in high-background noise environments typical of modern living rooms.
By utilizing Kardome’s proprietary Spatial Hearing AI technology, LG can now provide its customers with:
- Unmatched Voice Isolation: The “No-Mute” Experience: Kardome’s technology locates and isolates individual voices in real-world settings, distinguishing the user’s voice from background noise, such as a vacuum cleaner, multiple people speaking at once, or even the TV’s own playback. For the customer, this means they no longer have to reach for the remote to mute the TV or shout over other people talking just to change a setting.
- Human-Like Spatial Awareness: Unlike traditional VUI, Spatial Hearing AI enables the TV to “hear” like a human by identifying the speaker’s location and focusing on their specific voice. This allows for natural, seamless interaction regardless of the number of people in the room or the complexity of the acoustic environment.
Global Reach and Expansion
The Kardome-powered LG OLED TVs are now available globally, with a projected target of millions of units for 2026, ensuring that customers worldwide can experience the next generation of voice-enabled interaction.
While the current TV integration focuses on Spatial Hearing AI technology for TVs, both companies continue to explore further expansion into smart appliances, audio products, and the automotive sector.
Leadership Perspectives
“Kardome’s Spatial Hearing AI has proven itself in real-world consumer environments, and we are proud to bring this capability to our OLED TV customers worldwide. The deployment reaffirms LG’s commitment to delivering intuitive, intelligent user experiences through cutting-edge technology partnerships.” — Jungho Kwak, Head of MS SW Platform Development Division, LG Electronics
“Reaching commercial deployment with LG at this scale is a defining moment for Kardome and for the voice AI category. Our Spatial Hearing AI technology is now in the hands of millions of consumers globally, and this is just the beginning. We are excited to continue expanding the scope of our collaboration with LG and to bring Spatial Hearing AI to even more product categories.” — Dani Cherkassky, CEO, Kardome
20, May 2026
PPDS lands experienced business leader Nicole Rutherford as new Event Marketing Specialist in North America

Amsterdam, May 20: PPDS, the exclusive global provider of Philips Professional Displays and complementary solutions, is excited to announce the latest key addition to its ever strengthening team in North America, with the appointment of Nicole Rutherford as new Event Marketing Specialist.
An accomplished business owner, leader, and marketing professional of over 10 years, multi talented Nicole brings a tidal wave of knowledge, experience, and entrepreneurial flair to PPDS’ thriving North America team with an influential role in the company’s local and international growth ambitions.
Based in Hudson, Florida, and reporting to Director of North America Marketing, Megan Lipinczyk, Nicole has enjoyed a broad and accomplished career. Beginning as a teacher, she transitioned into B2B marketing in 2021, specialising in project management, stakeholder communications, event execution, and more.
With a proud track record in delivering growth to local and international organisations, Nicole is also the co owner of a successful family fishing business, utilising her professional marketing skills – through digital and physical means – to drive awareness and support the growth of a successful tackle shop and charter business.
Buoyed by success / hooked on technology
Kicking off several key business announcements ahead of InfoComm 2026 (June 13-19), in her role as Event Marketing Specialist Nicole will support PPDS’ day to day marketing efforts with a strong focus on events, partner engagement, and sales enablement.
These responsibilities will incorporate coordinating logistics for trade shows and regional events, managing marketing assets, supporting digital and social content, and working with both national and regional partners to help drive brand awareness and engagement.
InfoComm 2026
Hitting the ground running, among Nicole’s first duties include supporting and planning PPDS’ exhibition activities (including stand design and logistics) at InfoComm. Nicole will be present on Philips Booth C9000 throughout the show, with her diary now open for meetings. Please drop by and say hello.
Discussing her new role, Nicole explained it was PPDS’ history of innovation and reputation for quality that attracted her to the role, describing it as the “perfect course” for the next stage of her career.
Nicole commented: “I am delighted to have become part of the PPDS family and to join the incredibly talented team on the next stage of the company’s growth journey.”
“While I’m new to the AV industry in a formal sense, I bring extensive hands on experience with technology and events that translates well to professional AV marketing. Much of my career has been centred around leading initiatives, guiding teams through change, coordinating large scale educational events, developing digital and social content, and translating technical information into clear, audience focused messaging. It feels like all my experience and everything I’ve learnt to date has been leading to this point.”
Megan Lipinczyk, Director of North America Marketing at PPDS, said: “Since walking through the door, Nicole has demonstrated a highly organized, proactive, and detail driven approach to marketing execution, with core strengths in event planning, cross functional communication, and attention to detail.
Bruce Wyrwitzke, Senior Director North America at PPDS, added: “As we grow and evolve as a business, so do our approaches to our communications and the way we present ourselves to the market. It’s not about bringing in the person with the most experience in AV; it’s about adding the best talent for our needs. Nicole’s background and extensive interchangeable skills made her the ideal candidate for this important role and have shone through ever since. On behalf of the team, I welcome Nicole to the company and wish her every success.”
20, May 2026
CaratLane Partners with Ashlesha Thakur to Spotlight Natural Diamond Jewellery

Chandigarh, May 20: CaratLane – A TATA Product has recently signed up Ashlesha Thakur for its latest campaigns spotlighting its accessible natural diamond jewellery range. Recognised for her compelling performances and relatability in popular OTT content, the young actress resonates strongly with a new generation of consumers who value authenticity, self-expression, and ease.
As part of this association, Ashlesha will front CaratLane’s campaigns spotlighting its range of accessible natural diamond jewellery — Shaya Diamonds crafted in 925 silver, and 9KT gold. These collections reflect the brand’s commitment to making fine jewellery more approachable, everyday, and relevant for a younger demographic.
Saumen Bhaumik, MD – CaratLane, said, “Natural diamonds are among the rarest creations of nature, formed over a billion years—making them truly precious. Yet, rarity and preciousness need not put them out of reach. Through our 9KT gold and Shaya Diamond range in 925 silver, we are making natural diamond jewellery more attainable, without compromising on its inherent value and beauty. Ashlesha’s genuine connect with younger audiences makes her an ideal face for this range.”
Ashlesha Thakur remarked, “I’m really excited to be associated with CaratLane. The brand has always felt ahead of the curve when it comes to design and variety. I was genuinely impressed by how beautifully the silver diamonds & 9KT gold have been brought to life. It’s stylish, accessible, and something I know so many girls my age would love to indulge in.”
Customers can explore these designs in any of the 370+ stores in India. Consumers seeking convenience can transact online on www.caratlane.com. The brand also offers a convenient 2-day fast delivery service in metro cities and Try-at-home and Live Video Call services across 100+ cities in India.
19, May 2026
AD Ports Group and Borouge Collaborate to Explore Alternative Export Hub on the UAE East Coast
Abu Dhabi, UAE – 19 May 2026: AD Ports Group (ADX: ADPORTS), a leading global enabler of integrated trade, industry and logistics solutions, has signed a partnership agreement with Borouge Plc (ADX: BOROUGE), a leading petrochemical company providing innovative and differentiated polyolefin solutions, to explore expanded collaboration opportunities aimed at enhancing export resilience and operational flexibility.
The agreement paves the way for both parties to collaborate on the establishment of an alternative international export hub on the UAE’s East Coast, as an essential element of Borouge’s long-term export strategy. This initiative aims to strengthen export continuity while embedding resilience by design across Borouge’s logistics network.
The collaboration will leverage AD Ports Group’s strong marine connectivity and access to its comprehensive port services of Fujairah Terminals and Eastern ports facilities in the UAE, while assessing the development of dedicated polyolefins infrastructure on the East Coast.
Both parties will assess ways to reduce reliance on constrained maritime passages and enhance flexibility in vessel scheduling and routing through joint engagement with shipping lines to enable new routes via Fujairah Terminals. Together, these efforts aim to support stable and reliable export flows across a diversified portfolio of ports and logistics facilities.
Saif Al Mazrouei, Chief Executive Officer, Ports Cluster – AD Ports Group, said: “We look forward to collaborating with Borouge to explore opportunities that leverage AD Ports Group’s integrated port and logistics capabilities to support essential industrial exports and strengthen regional and global trade connectivity in line with the vision of our wise leadership.”
Hazeem Sultan Al Suwaidi, Chief Executive Officer of Borouge Plc, added: “This strategic partnership marks a significant step forward in Borouge Plc’s logistics capabilities, supporting our continued growth. Together with AD Ports Group, we are building a more flexible and diversified network that enhances reliability, ensures continuity of supply, and reinforces our position as a trusted global supplier, supporting the UAE’s industrial strategy.”
Borouge Plc is the largest exporter through AD Ports Group. This collaboration builds on a longstanding partnership between the two companies established in 2001, and reflects the shared ambition of AD Ports Group and Borouge Plc to strengthen supply chain resilience and reinforce the UAE’s position as a globally competitive logistics and industrial hub.