Increase Allocation to Private Markets to Capture Growth Opportunities, say UK Wealth Managers and IFAs

July 01: New research by Wealth Club, the UK’s leading non-advised investment service for high-net-worth individuals, reveals wealth managers and independent financial advisers increasingly agree that exposure to private markets is now a necessity for retail and HNW investors seeking to capture a broader spectrum of growth opportunities – and this trend will only accelerate over the next five years.

An overwhelming 94% of the UK-based wealth managers and IFAs who are responsible for assets under management of £332.7 billion surveyed agree that for the sophisticated retail investor, relying solely on a conventional listed equity portfolio risks missing out on the primary wealth-generation engines of the modern economy. That includes nearly a third (31%) who strongly agree that clients need exposure to private markets to access a broader range of growth opportunities while 63% slightly agree.

The study evaluates the explicit benefits that private markets provide over traditional 60/40 portfolios and cites several institutional-grade advantages, with 72% of advisers highlighting the enhanced long-term capital growth benefits. This is followed by inflation protection (48%) and access to unique, non-public market sectors (47%). A third (35%) of respondents point to the benefit of reduced portfolio volatility and a quarter (26%) cite lower correlation with public markets.

When questioned about the tactical importance of private market access in capturing the high-performing growth phase of a company’s lifecycle, 89% of wealth managers and IFAs surveyed deem it critical, with 30% categorising it as “essential” and 59% “very important”.

This trend is not a transient reaction to short-term market cycles, but a long-term strategic view. More than nine out of 10 (92%) respondents anticipate the need for retail and HNW investors to be exposed to private markets in order to access a broader range of growth opportunities will only accelerate over the next five years.

Alex Davies, Founder and CEO of Wealth Club, said:

“These findings suggest private markets are approaching a tipping point among individual investors in the UK. For decades, pension funds, insurers and endowments have used private equity and private credit as important components of their portfolios. Increasingly, wealth managers and IFAs believe suitable investors should also have the opportunity to access these strategies.

“ With companies staying private for longer, much of the potential upside now comes before they reach public markets. By the time they list, investors have often missed a significant part of their growth.

“Private markets are moving from being a niche allocation to becoming an increasingly important part of a well-diversified long-term portfolio. Investors who ignore them risk missing an increasingly important source of long-term growth.”

Wealth Club, which launched the UK’s first Private Funds Supermarket in November 2024, is growing rapidly as interest in private markets among sophisticated and high-net-worth investors continues to increase. The platform now offers 22 funds from 18 leading private markets managers and earlier this year launched the UK’s first dedicated Private Markets SIPP, marking a further important step in broadening access to private markets.

This growth is being driven by rising interest from both investors and fund managers reflecting growing demand for private market investments and the increasing popularity of semi-liquid fund structures.

Manufacturing Growth Continues, PMI at 54.2 in June

New Delhi, July 1: India’s manufacturing sector continued its steady expansion in June, with the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) recorded at 54.2, indicating sustained growth in factory activity and overall business conditions.

A PMI reading above 50 reflects expansion, and the latest data suggests that manufacturing output remained strong, supported by healthy demand, rising production levels, and consistent inflow of new orders.

The growth momentum was driven by resilient domestic consumption and improved operational conditions, enabling manufacturers to maintain production stability and expand capacity where required.

Experts noted that the sustained expansion underscores the resilience of India’s industrial sector amid global economic uncertainties, with firms continuing to benefit from steady market demand.

The positive PMI reading is expected to support broader economic growth, strengthen industrial output, and reinforce confidence in India’s manufacturing ecosystem going forward.

Mahindra Registers 37pc Rise in June Auto Sales

Mumbai, July 1: Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) reported a strong performance in June, registering a 37% year-on-year growth in total vehicle sales to 1,06,207 units, driven by robust demand across its passenger and commercial vehicle segments.

The company continued its growth momentum on the back of sustained customer demand, a strong product portfolio, and improved market performance. The increase in sales reflects positive consumer sentiment and the company’s expanding presence in both urban and rural markets.

Industry observers said the strong June numbers underscore the resilience of the domestic automobile sector, with demand remaining healthy despite evolving market conditions. The performance also highlights Mahindra’s continued focus on delivering vehicles that cater to a wide range of customer needs.

The encouraging sales figures are expected to further strengthen the company’s position in the Indian automotive market as it continues to expand its product lineup and production capacity.

With the festive season approaching in the coming months, the company remains optimistic about maintaining its growth trajectory, supported by strong bookings and sustained consumer interest.

Gartner Says Dollar 234 Billion in Enterprise Application Software Spend Is at Risk from Agentic AI

Stamford, Conn., July 01: Agentic AI is set to disrupt enterprise software revenue models, with up to $234 billion of enterprise application spending exposed to agentic arbitrage between now and 2030, according to Gartner, Inc, a business and technology insights company. By 2030, this will account for roughly 20% of enterprise application software-as-a-service (SaaS) spending. 

Agentic arbitrage happens when AI agents complete tasks across multiple systems, reducing the need for users to interact with multiple traditional software interfaces. 

“Agentic AI changes the economics of software,” said George Brocklehurst, Managing Vice President at Gartner. “Agentic systems deliver outcomes directly, bypassing traditional user experience (UX)-heavy applications and making the software invisible. This breaks the link between user growth and revenue growth for many enterprise software vendors.” 

This shift is already underway and will refactor how software is built, priced and consumed. “It will also lead to a redefinition of ‘Saaspocalypse’, the disaggregation of the legacy SaaS market as we know it today,” said Brocklehurst. This is less an apocalypse and more of a metamorphosis. SaaS will not be destroyed; it will emerge in a different form. This metamorphosis represents threats and opportunities for both incumbents and new challengers. 

Buyers Shift Focus from Features to Outcomes

Gartner analysts said expectations are changing. “Enterprise buyers will deemphasize buying more new tools or dashboards,” said Brocklehurst. “They want better outcomes and adding more AI features often creates more cost, not better outcomes. Better outcomes from AI require systems that can retain deep institutional memory and customer context over time.” 

Some vendors are already offering agentic solutions that deliver autonomous end-to-end workflow execution, cross-system orchestration and capture customer context and knowledge, which help to foster business results and ROI. Today this typically requires heavy services engagement. 

“As organizations increasingly use agentic AI systems, the user interface is no longer a differentiation,” said Brocklehurst. “Legacy SaaS market share will be cannibalized by incumbents and taken by new entrants delivering horizontal agentic platforms.” 

Direct Risk for Incumbent Vendors and Revenue Opportunity for Service Providers

To remain competitive and achieve growth opportunities, incumbent software vendors must move from interface-based value to outcome-based value, embed agentic capabilities at the point of execution into their offerings to defend their position in the value chain, capture and retain customer-specific knowledge, not just data. 

“While this shift is posing an existential threat for vendors who are defending legacy dashboards and seat-based models, it creates a substantial revenue opportunity for vendors who are enabling and developing services and platforms to support agentic enabled cross-domain workflows,” said Brocklehurst. 

AI-native startups and service providers can act as the agentic layer across enterprise systems, deliver measurable outcomes instead of features and assist organizations redesign workflows around AI. “Ultimately, they can capture not just existing spend, but incremental budget unlocked through ROI upside,” said Brocklehurst.

 Additional Insights Available

Gartner clients can learn more in the Gartner webinar: SaaSpocalypse – $234B of Enterprise Apps Spending Will be Exposed to Agentic Arbitrage.

 Gartner is the World Authority on AI

Gartner is the indispensable partner to C-Level executives and technology providers as they implement AI strategies to achieve their mission-critical priorities. The independence and objectivity of Gartner insights provide clients with the confidence to make informed decisions and unlock the full potential of AI. Clients across the C-Level are using Gartner‘s proprietary AskGartner AI tool to determine how to leverage AI in their business. With more than 2,500 business and technology experts, 6,000 written insights, as well as more than 4,000 AI use cases and case studies, Gartner is the world authority on AI. More information can be found here. 

Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo

At Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo, CIOs and IT executives will learn how to become agents of change in their organizations and harness AI for successful digital transformation. Follow news and updates from the conferences on X and LinkedIn using #GartnerSYM, and on the Gartner Newsroom.

Adani Green Surpasses 20 GW Operational Capacity

Ahmedabad, July 1: Adani Green Energy has become the first renewable energy company in India to cross 20 GW of operational capacity, marking a major milestone in the country’s clean energy sector.

The achievement strengthens the company’s position as a leading player in India’s renewable energy transition, spanning large-scale solar and wind energy projects across multiple states.

The company’s expanded operational base reflects steady capacity additions over recent years, driven by rising demand for clean power and strong project execution in utility-scale renewable infrastructure.

Industry observers noted that crossing the 20 GW mark highlights the rapid scaling of India’s renewable energy ecosystem, as developers continue to invest in solar parks, wind farms, and hybrid energy projects.

With this milestone, Adani Green Energy further consolidates its role in supporting India’s long-term decarbonisation and energy transition goals.

Kicky & Perky Unveils Luna Rae A Celestial Interpretation of Modern Femininity

Inspired by moonlit skies, celestial symbolism, and the quiet beauty of feminine expression, Kicky & Perky introduces Luna Rae — a collection that transforms cosmic inspiration into contemporary silver jewellery.

Designed around the idea of softness as strength, Luna Rae explores a more emotional and poetic form of adornment through celestial motifs, luminous stones, and refined silhouettes. The collection reflects a modern femininity that feels expressive, elegant, and quietly powerful.

Crafted in certified 925 sterling silver with real rhodium plating, Luna Rae features celestial-inspired rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and layering pieces designed for effortless everyday styling. Delicate moon phases, stars, textured silver surfaces, and sculptural details create a design language inspired by the beauty of the night sky.

The collection is accented with responsibly sourced moissanite and moonstone elements, bringing brilliance and luminosity to each piece while maintaining a soft and wearable aesthetic. Designed to transition seamlessly from day to evening, Luna Rae balances minimal elegance with emotional storytelling.

Rather than focusing on statement jewellery in the traditional sense, Luna Rae embraces intimacy and symbolism — creating pieces that feel personal, expressive, and timeless. Every design is intended to evoke a feeling rather than simply complete an outfit.

“Luna Rae was imagined as wearable moonlight,” shares the brand. “We wanted the collection to feel delicate yet radiant — jewellery that carries emotion, softness, and individuality in a deeply modern way.”

The collection speaks to women who romanticize life, value understated elegance, and connect with jewellery on a more emotional level. Through celestial motifs and refined craftsmanship, Luna Rae creates a world where femininity feels luminous, intuitive, and quietly confident.

With Luna Rae, Kicky & Perky continues to build a design-led identity in contemporary silver jewellery through collections rooted in symbolism, craftsmanship, and storytelling.

The Luna Rae collection is now available at Kicky & Perky

Kpil Awarded New Orders Of INR 2,957 Crores

July 01: Kalpataru Projects International Limited (KPIL), one of the leading engineering and construction players in the power and infrastructure sector, along with its international subsidiaries have secured new orders / notification of awards of approx. ₹ 2,957 Crores.

The details of the aforesaid new orders are as follows:

• Orders in the Power Transmission & Distribution (T&D) business in India and overseas market
• Orders in the Buildings and Factories (B&F) business in India
• Order in the Water business in Middle East (secured in joint venture /consortium)

Manish Mohnot, MD & CEO, KPIL, said, “We are pleased to announce new order wins across our T&D, B&F, and Water business verticals. The new orders secured in our T&D business reinforce our market leadership in India and the select global markets. Simultaneously, the successive wins in our B&F business from marquee clients underscore our commitment to best-in-class capabilities and timely execution. Notably, the order win in our Water business marks a significant milestone, signaling our strategic entry into the Middle East, a region with immense growth potential. Driven by a strongly diversified order book and robust visibility across businesses, we remain confident in achieving our growth targets for FY26–27.”

IV Obninsk NEW‑2026 Youth Forum Wraps Up with Record International Turnout

Over 700 delegates from 85 countries gathered in Russia’s first science city

Moscow, July 01: The fourth Obninsk NEW‑2026 International Youth Forum has concluded in Obninsk, Kaluga Region. The event focused on building a skilled workforce for the global nuclear power industry and was supported by Rosatom, the Government of the Kaluga Region, and the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI.

More than 700 participants fr om 85 countries took part in person, alongside high‑level delegations from 10 nations. Thousands more students joined online through 25 partner broadcasting platforms, making this year’s forum the largest to date.

The speaker line‑up underscored the forum’s growing international prestige. Attendees heard addresses from Mikhail Mishustin, Chairman of the Russian Government; Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA; and Sama Bilbao y León, Director General of the World Nuclear Association. A high‑level plenary session featured IAEA Deputy Director General Mikhail Chudakov, as well as heads of national nuclear agencies from partner countries, including Almasadam Satkaliev (Kazakhstan) and Azim Akhmedhadzhaev (Uzbekistan).

The programme was split into two parts. The morning sessions explored youth engagement: how young communities are reshaping the nuclear industry, what joint projects can emerge from international cooperation, and what role Obninsk could play in building a global network of young nuclear leaders. The afternoon was given over to expert panel discussions with representatives from various nuclear organisations. One standout contribution came from Alexander Alekseev, Deputy Director of the Science and Integration Department at the ITER Organization, who spoke about the importance of thermonuclear research and voiced his hope that fusion would become a lifelong mission for talented scientists and engineers.

The forum also served as the centrepiece of a 10‑day educational marathon for young professionals from around the world who are building careers in nuclear and related fields. As part of that marathon, the first modules were launched of the joint Rosatom Academy–IAEA programme on human resource management for newcomer countries, the Obninsk Tech Summer University, and the international female camp “Invisible Force”.

Tangible outcomes included two agreements signed in the presence of Rosatom, Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov, and Kaluga Region Governor Vladislav Shapsha. The documents are designed to promote Russian engineering education in nuclear technologies abroad and to give further momentum to the Obninsk Tech project, which is being developed with IAEA support.

A separate highlight was the meeting between Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev and the new members of the Impact Team 2050 International Youth Council – 13 young leaders from 13 countries. They discussed ways to spread the message of peaceful atomic energy among younger generations and to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Another notable event was the presentation of the book Principles in Action – a collection of real‑life stories and practices showing how the ideas of the Youth Declaration of Nuclear Cooperation have been applied in education, science, medicine and environmental protection.

Alexey Likhachev: “Our mission is to meet the global challenge of training qualified specialists for the nuclear industry. The world’s growing reliance on nuclear power requires not only new technologies, but also a robust international education system. In Obninsk – Russia’s first science city – we are building exactly that kind of open, modern, forward‑looking environment. The Obninsk Tech international education cluster is already taking shape here with IAEA support, and the agreements signed today will help us scale up Russian nuclear engineering education abroad.”

Vladimir Shevchenko, Rector of MEPhI: “The world is changing tectonically, and we cannot afford to be passive observers. I am confident that Obninsk Tech will become a place wh ere our own and international students not only study, but also regularly exchange experience and build the horizontal ties that turn a group of individuals into a team of creators. This is more than just a MEPhI campus project – it is a national‑scale effort involving leading universities, especially members of the Rosatom partner university consortium. By bringing together the best programmes, faculty and practices for working with international students, Obninsk Tech will strengthen Russia’s nuclear leadership through educational leadership.”

InvestYadnya Appoints Former Kotak Mahindra Bank’s DIFC Branch Dubai CEO Amul Sharma to Strengthen Financial Leadership and Growth Strategy

India, July 01 : InvestYadnya, a rapidly growing investment advisory and wealth management platform, has announced the appointment of Amul Sharma, former CEO of Kotak Mahindra Bank’s DIFC Dubai branch, to its leadership advisory ecosystem as the company looks to strengthen its financial leadership and accelerate long-term growth initiatives.

With over two decades of experience across banking, wealth management, strategic business leadership, and financial governance, Sharma brings extensive expertise spanning Indian financial markets, investor-focused banking, and global financial ecosystems. His appointment marks a significant milestone for InvestYadnya as it continues to strengthen its research-led and investor-centric approach in India’s evolving wealth management landscape.

Over the course of his career within the Kotak Mahindra Group, Sharma has held leadership responsibilities across retail banking, wealth advisory, customer relationship management, and strategic business transformation. His experience in understanding investor behaviour, building long-term financial relationships, and navigating evolving market dynamics is expected to contribute meaningfully to InvestYadnya’s vision of enabling informed investing and sustainable wealth creation for Indian investors.

“Amul Sharma Sir’s leadership experience and deep understanding of financial markets bring tremendous strategic value to Invest Yadnya,” said Parimal Ade, Founder – InvestYadnya.in. “His perspective on investor trust, wealth management, and long-term value creation aligns closely with our mission of building a transparent and future-ready investment platform for Indian investors.”

Commenting on his association with Invest Yadnya, Amul Sharma said, “India’s investment ecosystem is undergoing a significant transformation as more individuals actively participate in wealth creation and financial planning journeys. InvestYadnya has built a strong foundation around research, transparency, and investor education. I look forward to contributing to its next phase of growth and supporting its vision of creating long-term value for investors through credible and research-backed financial insights.”

As India witnesses rising retail participation in capital markets and increasing awareness around long-term financial planning, InvestYadnya sees Amul Sharma’s appointment as an important step toward enhancing its strategic capabilities, investor engagement, and research-driven financial ecosystem.

Amul Sharma has also played key leadership and governance roles across international financial centres, including serving as CEO of Kotak Mahindra Bank’s Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) branch. In addition, he has been associated with board-level oversight responsibilities across entities in Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM) and Mauritius, bringing valuable experience in regulatory governance, cross-border financial ecosystems, and strategic growth frameworks.

With Amul Sharma joining its advisory leadership ecosystem, InvestYadnya aims to further strengthen its capabilities across investment research, investor education, strategic growth initiatives, and technology-led financial innovation for the Indian market.

Uber Launches Record My Ride and Ambulance Assistance in Major Safety Push

Chandigarh, July 01: Uber today continued its effort to raise the bar on safety with new and industry-first safety features designed to make every trip safer for riders and drivers. The company has introduced Record My Ride, an industry-first feature that enables drivers to securely record encrypted in-cab video within the Uber app during trips using their own phones. Additionally, in an initiative to strengthen emergency response, Uber has partnered with medical logistics provider Dial 4242 to integrate Ambulance Assistance directly within its platform.

The new launches build on Uber’s continued leadership in safety innovation in recent years, with industry-first features such as Audio Recording, Women Rider Preference, Helmet Selfie Verification and Seatbelt Reminders, alongside a suite of other technology-led and human interventions designed to improve safety and accountability on every trip.

Beyond technology, Uber continues to invest in partnerships and programmes that promote safer mobility. The company has been a proud partner to the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways on the Sadak Suraksha Abhiyaan using its platform to spread awareness on prioritising safety over speed, while continuing to strengthen safety for drivers and build dedicated experiences for families through products such as Uber for Teens and Uber for Seniors.

Union Minister for Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, said, “Following traffic rules, wearing seat belts and helmets, sound simple but play a big role in reducing fatalities in road accidents. Technology can play an important role in spreading awareness and making our roads safer. I appreciate Uber’s continued partnership on Sadak Suraksha Abhiyaan and its efforts to introduce innovations that promote safer road behaviour and improve support during emergencies.”

Sooraj Nair, Head – Safety Operations, Uber India & South Asia, said, “What feels innovative today becomes expected tomorrow. That’s exactly how safety should evolve. Our belief is simple: safety innovation should become the industry’s baseline, not remain a differentiator. Our industry-first safety features and partnerships highlight our commitment to continually raise the bar. As expectations evolve, we hope the industry will rise up to meet them.”

New features:

• Record My Ride: Drivers can now securely record encrypted in-cab video using their own phones within the Uber app if they feel unsafe during a trip. The recording remains compliant with applicable laws, encrypted, meaning neither the driver nor Uber can access them and is only accessible if the driver chooses to submit it as part of a safety report, ensuring strong privacy protections.
• Ambulance Assistance: In partnership with Dial 4242, Uber has introduced Ambulance Assistance to help riders and drivers quickly request medical support following an accident during a trip on the platform. The feature is available through Uber’s existing 24×7 Safety Line.
• Don’t Type & Drive: To mitigate distracted driving, the Uber driver app will restrict manual typing functionalities while the vehicle is in motion, prompting drivers to pull over safely before responding to messages.
• Set Your Own PIN: Riders can now manually customize, manage, and mandate their own unique trip-verification PINs, ensuring full control over the trip validation process.

Alongside these new features, Uber continues to offer a range of safety features that have helped shape the expectations of ride-hailing experience over the years. Features such as RideCheck, 24×7 Safety Line, Safety Preferences, Phone and Address Anonymisation, continue to support riders and drivers before, during and after every trip. Many of these innovations were first introduced by Uber and have since become part of what riders increasingly expect from mobility platforms.

These initiatives reinforce Uber’s dedication to enhanced safety through use of technology and collaboration with experts.