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Billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s industrial giant Ineos is pausing production at its three plants in Hull, blaming high UK gas prices.

The firm said gas prices in the UK are twelve times higher than in the US, and eight times more expensive than the coal-based processes used by Chinese competitors.

Sir Jim said: “We are being forced to mothball some of the most efficient plants in Europe, but with gas prices now 12 times the level in the US and 8 times that of China, we just cannot compete.”

The facilities produce raw materials used to make pharmaceuticals, clothing, cosmetics, detergents, construction materials and military explosives in the UK and Europe. Gas is a key ingredient in production.

Ineos said the move will affect up to 1,000 of its staff, of whom 245 work directly at the site.

But the BBC understands workers across the sites will be kept on while Ineos tries to buy liquefied natural gas (LNG) directly from the US at lower prices – which could take up to a year – or waits for gas prices to go down.

Ineos is asking governments in the UK and the EU — where most of its products are exported to — to put in tariff protections against Chinese products.

One plant makes acetic acid, which is used in vinegar, paint and glue. Another makes acetic anhydride, a key ingredient of aspirin, and the third makes ethyl acetate, which is used as a solvent and for decaffeinating tea and coffee.

He said the current government’s energy policy was “economic vandalism on an industrial scale”.

The wholesale price of natural gas — used for heating homes and generating electricity — has almost doubled in the UK and Europe since July.

The disruption of supplies of oil and gas through the Strait of Hormuz following the US-Israel war in Iran has pushed up prices around the world.

Ineos says that its plants in Humberside are “among the most efficient in the world”, producing materials with half the carbon footprint of US rivals, and only one eighth the footprint of Chinese equivalents.

Two plants are already shut and a third will stop production in the coming days, the company said.

It’s the second time in less than a week that Sir Jim, who also owns a large stake in Manchester United, has heavily criticised government policy.

He told BBC News last week that he has lost confidence in the UK, describing the country as “on the slide”, which he blamed on high taxes and high immigration.

Sir Jim, whose wealth is estimated to be around £15bn, has prompted controversy in the past with his comments on immigration. He was a supporter of Brexit but has been a tax resident in Monaco since 2020.

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade said it would be a “concerning time for workers in Saltend and their families”.

A spokesperson said: “We’ve taken bold action to support our chemicals industry including £350 million for strategically important chemicals producers, which will be available on a co-investment basis.

“We’ve also put trade measures in place on foreign chemicals imports and are tackling high electricity costs via our Supercharger and British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme to keep our chemicals sector competitive.”

Yes. Corporate subscriptions are available for teams and organisations, with discounted rates as user numbers increase. Pricing starts from $1,625 + GST per user.
Get in touch
to discuss the right option for your organisation.

Business News subscriptions are used by executives, investors, consultants and professionals who need to stay informed and make better decisions about the WA market. When you subscribe you’ll get

• Unlimited access to WA’s most trusted business journalism
• Data & Insights — detailed profiles of WA companies, people, projects and deals
• MyBN — a personalised feed based on the companies, people and sectors you follow
• Special publications and industry reports
• Daily and weekly email newsletters

Data & Insights is a research tool built specifically for the WA market. It draws on more than 30 years of Business News reporting, updated regularly to reflect what’s happening now. Use it to:

• Look up detailed profiles of WA companies, including financials, directors and ownership
• Find decision-makers and track their career movements
• Research live and completed projects across WA industries
• Monitor deals, appointments and market activity
• Access industry rankings and league tables

Data & Insights is updated daily by our dedicated research team, which uses the latest announcements, ASX filings and editorial coverage to keep our person, company, list and project records up to date.

Business News welcome all opportunities to make our dataset accurate, complete and current, so if you have an update request, please email the team at
general@businessnews.com.au, and we’d be happy to assist.

MyBN
is part of every subscription. It’s your personalised view of Business News. You can follow the companies, people, sectors and projects that matter to you, and get a news feed and alerts tailored to your interests. You can save articles to read later and retain only what you need.

Only subscribers have full access to all content on the Business News website.

If staying informed about the WA economy is part of your job, and/or you’re looking for networking opportunities in WA, Business News is built for you.

Business News subscribers are:

• Executives and directors tracking competitors, clients and market movements
• Investors and advisers researching companies, deals and industry trends
• Consultants and professionals staying across sectors relevant to their clients
• Business owners looking for leads, context and market intelligence

Most Business News publications cover national or global markets. Business News is focused entirely on Western Australia, which means the journalism, the data and the intelligence are all built around WA companies, people and projects — not adapted from a national feed. Data & Insights, included with every subscription, combines more than 30 years of WA-specific editorial research with live business data. There’s no comparable product for the WA market.

The Morning Digest Email provides a comprehensive wrap of the major headlines, relevant to WA business, and includes with a snapshot of the overnight news covering oil, gold and ASX-listed companies.

The Afternoon Wrap Email focuses on the news covered by our team of journalists during the course of the working day, including exclusive stories and analysis, all of which relates to WA business and the local economy.

The BN Weekender Email contains a wrap of the Business News from the week that was, highlighting the top stories in each area of WA business.
Sign up for free.

We’re happy to help.
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An AI-powered running coach

Coatings specialist PPG has appointed Alex Lopez as vice president of investor relations and operational finance, effective 1 October.

Currently serving as director of investor relations, Lopez will report to the company’s senior vice-president and chief financial officer Jamie Beggs.

Under the new arrangement, Lopez will keep responsibility for investor relations and will also oversee enterprise operational finance.

His remit will include capital discipline, productivity oversight and improving the effectiveness of operational finance.

During two decades at PPG, Lopez has held several senior finance positions across business units and corporate functions.

Before moving into investor relations in 2024, he was global finance director for automotive OEM coatings.

In 2017, he moved to Mexico City to become finance director for architectural coatings, Latin America, where he was involved in the development of PPG Comex.

Before joining PPG, Lopez worked in financial planning and liaison roles at GE Appliances and its joint venture Mabe through their financial management programme.

PPG is based in Pittsburgh, US, operates in more than 50 countries and recorded net sales of $15.9bn in 2025.

PPG Latin America vice-president Adriana Macouzet retired in April 2026.

From the same date, Jennifer Solcz, previously vice-president of protective and marine coatings for the US and Canada, was appointed vice-president of protective and marine coatings for the Americas, adding Latin America to her existing responsibilities.

“PPG names Alex Lopez as investor relations and operational finance VP” was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand.

Publishing internal guidelines is easy, but proving that your workforce has actually read and understood them during an unexpected regulatory audit is a high-stakes challenge. To bridge this gap, modern policy management software features must transform static document distribution into an active, verifiable process of compliance. Selecting the right platform allows compliance officers, HR leaders, and IT administrators to replace tedious spreadsheets with automated workflows, ensure target distribution across global teams, and achieve true operational accountability.

This guide breaks down the essential core capabilities—from automated policy distribution and tracking to native Microsoft 365 policy management software integration and audit-ready reporting—so you can evaluate tools effectively, reduce organizational risk, and choose a solution that drives measurable compliance confidence. Here is what to look for when evaluating your options.

The Strategic Value of Enterprise Policy Management Software

At its core, modern policy management involves systematically creating, distributing, tracking, and maintaining an organization’s regulatory and operational documentation. Rather than relying on static file repositories or passive email attachments, dedicated policy management software features actively govern how internal policies move through their lifecycle. It automates delivery, enforces mandatory employee acknowledgements, and records fine-grained activity data to convert passive communication into verifiable compliance.

For compliance officers, HR leads, and IT administrators, relying on manual follow-ups or shared network folders creates severe governance risks. In real-world operations, unread safety guidelines or outdated operational procedures directly expose organizations to regulatory fines, legal liabilities, and failed audits. An enterprise-grade policy management software provides complete visibility, ensuring that critical updates reach the right personnel and that every policy acknowledgement is tracked without heavy administrative burden.

Choosing a platform with robust policy distribution and tracking capabilities transforms compliance from a reactive scramble into a predictable, streamlined workflow. Key operational advantages include:

• Elimination of Administrative Bottlenecks: Automated notification workflows and reminders remove the need for manual email follow-ups. 
• Audit Readiness: Continuous collection of digital signatures and access logs creates immediate evidence for internal and external auditors. 
• Seamless Ecosystem Alignment: Platforms designed for native integration—such as specialized tools like DocRead for SharePoint—allow teams to enforce compliance directly within their existing Microsoft 365 environments without forcing users into unfamiliar third-party software. 

A common misconception is that a standard cloud storage platform or intranet is sufficient for policy governance. However, simple storage lacks the critical enforcement mechanisms, target assignment capabilities, and granular tracking required to maintain a robust, audit-ready compliance posture.

Essential Policy Management Software Features for Enterprise Governance

To build a secure and compliant workplace, evaluating policy management software features requires looking beyond standard document storage. Modern organizations need specialized software capabilities that ensure active engagement, targeted delivery, and continuous compliance verification across every department.

1. Targeted Policy Distribution & Dynamic User Management

Distributing company guidelines across large organizations requires precise targeting. Instead of emailing documents to entire company lists, modern platforms automatically assign policies based on specific roles, departments, locations, or custom AD (Active Directory) groups. When an employee changes roles or a new team member joins, smart assignment rules immediately issue the required reading materials, ensuring seamless onboarding without manual intervention.

2. Mandatory Read & Policy Acknowledgment Tracking Software

A critical distinction in compliance management is moving from publishing a document to confirming understanding. Purpose-built solutions incorporate digital sign-offs where users actively acknowledge that they have read and agreed to the policy. Implementing robust policy acknowledgment tracking software ensures every sign-off is logged with accurate timestamps, creating legally defensible records that protect your organization during disputes or regulatory reviews.

3. Automated Notifications & Deadline Management

Manual follow-ups waste hundreds of administrative hours each year. Leading compliance tools automate task delivery, sending personalized notifications when new documents are assigned or modified. Integrated deadline tracking ensures that if an employee misses a review window, automated escalation rules trigger reminders to the employee and their line manager—maintaining steady progress toward total compliance.

4. Real-Time Audit-Ready Compliance Reporting Software

When auditors arrive, administrative teams often scramble to compile proof of policy distribution. A specialized platform eliminates this panic through real-time dashboards and exported logs. Comprehensive audit-ready compliance reporting software provides instant visibility into compliance rates, pending sign-offs, and overdue tasks across individual departments or the entire workforce.

5. Native Integration with Microsoft 365 & SharePoint

Introducing standalone software often creates user friction, security vulnerabilities, and fragmented workflows. Solutions built natively for your existing ecosystem allow organizations to manage governance directly inside their digital workplace. Choosing a native microsoft 365 policy management software solution ensures that file permissions, access control, and user management remain synchronized with your core infrastructure.

6. Centralized Policy Control & Version Management

Overlapping file versions and outdated policy PDFs stored on local drives pose serious compliance risks. A centralized repository ensures a single source of truth for all operational documentation. Built-in version control archiving automatically archives older revisions while ensuring employees only access and acknowledge the most current, approved policy version.

7. Automated Policy Review Schedules & Lifecycle Management

Policies must evolve alongside regulatory shifts and industry standards. Governance software includes automated lifecycle scheduling that alerts document owners when a policy is due for periodic review. This prevents outdated guidelines from remaining active and keeps governance frameworks continuously aligned with legal requirements.

8. Custom Knowledge Checks & Quizzes

In high-risk industries, simple digital signatures may not suffice to demonstrate understanding. Enterprise platforms allow compliance officers to attach short, customizable quizzes to critical policies. Employees must pass the quiz to complete their acknowledgment, confirming that key safety protocols or regulatory standards are truly comprehended.

9. Tailored User Dashboards

Employees need a clear, distraction-free view of their compliance obligations. User-centric dashboards display assigned tasks, pending acknowledgments, completed certifications, and due dates in a unified portal. This clear layout reduces administrative confusion and empowers staff to manage their required reading efficiently.

10. Granular Security, Permissions, & Admin Controls

Protecting sensitive compliance records requires strict administrative permissions. Platform administrators can set granular access rights controlling who can edit documents, reassign policies, or access executive compliance reports. This ensures sensitive regulatory data remains secure while giving regional managers the exact visibility they need.

Selecting an enterprise platform that delivers these fundamental policy management software features transforms static policy distribution into a proactive, trackable process. By leveraging dedicated solutions like DocRead for SharePoint, compliance officers and IT leads eliminate manual overhead and maintain total audit readiness effortlessly.

How Policy Management Software Solves Compliance Challenges Across Departments

Evaluating software capabilities is most effective when applied to real-world scenarios. Here is how modern enterprise policy governance tools solve everyday operational bottlenecks across different organizational departments.

• HR & Workforce Onboarding: During rapid company growth, HR teams often struggle with manual policy distribution and follow-ups. By implementing dedicated sharepoint policy management features, HR administrators automate document assignments for new hires based on department roles. New employees receive automated reading tasks with strict deadlines, resulting in 100% policy acknowledgment compliance within their first week while reducing administrative follow-up time by over 80%. 
• Corporate Compliance & Regulatory Audits: Facing a sudden regulatory audit, a compliance director needs immediate proof that all staff completed mandatory data protection training. Using audit-ready compliance reporting software, the team generates real-time completion reports and timestamped digital signatures across global offices in minutes, completely eliminating audit anxiety and avoiding costly non-compliance fines. 
• IT & Operations Governance: When updating critical IT security policies, system administrators must ensure employees do not bypass important security protocols. Leveraging automated policy reminders in microsoft 365, the platform sends targeted notifications and escalates overdue tasks to line managers, ensuring rapid organization-wide alignment without disrupting daily IT operations. 

These practical applications demonstrate that investing in the right policy management software features replaces manual tracking with predictable, automated compliance—giving your organization complete visibility and audit readiness.

Best Practices for Implementing Policy Management Software Features

Selecting software is only the first step; maximizing its value requires a thoughtful implementation strategy. Following these practical best practices ensures smooth adoption and long-term compliance success across your enterprise.

• Map Policies to Roles, Not Individuals: Avoid assigning documents to specific named users. Instead, utilize dynamic role-based policy assignment linked to your Active Directory or Microsoft 365 groups. This guarantees that internal role changes or new hires trigger policy updates automatically, maintaining seamless governance without constant manual maintenance. 
• Set Realistic Acknowledgment Deadlines: Give employees adequate time to review complex documents while maintaining operational momentum. Establishing clear, reasonable timeframes paired with automated compliance tracking tools prevents administrative bottlenecks while ensuring staff prioritize critical policy reviews. 
• Leverage Existing Workspace Infrastructure: Minimize user friction by deploying software directly inside the tools your workforce already uses every day. Implementing a purpose-built solution like DocRead for SharePoint keeps policy distribution within your existing intranet, driving higher engagement rates without introducing separate logins. 
• Audit Your Policy Library Periodically: Technology works best when underlying content is up to date. Schedule regular lifecycle reviews for all corporate documentation to retire obsolete guidelines and ensure employees are only asked to acknowledge active, relevant standards. 

Applying these best practices helps your organization fully unlock the power of core policy management software features, turning compliance into a streamlined, reliable, and stress-free process.

Take Control of Your Governance with Purpose-Built Policy Management

Choosing the right policy management software features is essential for transforming passive document storage into an active, verifiable compliance process. By prioritizing targeted distribution, mandatory acknowledgments, automated reminders, and real-time reporting, compliance leaders and IT administrators can protect their organization from audit risks while saving hundreds of administrative hours. Modern governance relies on clear visibility, complete control, and seamless workplace integration.

Taking action now ensures your organization remains audit-ready, reduces legal exposure, and establishes verifiable accountability across every department. Equipping your workforce with tools built for active policy tracking eliminates compliance gaps before they become costly liabilities.

Ready to streamline your compliance workflows within your existing environment? Explore how Collaboris policy management software empowers enterprise teams to automate policy distribution, track acknowledgments in real time, and achieve complete compliance confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions About Policy Management Software

How do policy management software features help with regulatory audits?

Dedicated policy management software features streamline audits by providing real-time, audit-ready compliance reporting software. Instead of searching through emails or paper records, administrators can instantly generate timestamped logs proving when employees received, read, and acknowledged specific guidelines. This verifiable proof significantly reduces non-compliance risks and ensures your organization remains fully prepared for internal and external regulatory reviews.

Can policy management software integrate with Microsoft 365 and SharePoint?

Yes, modern platforms can integrate natively with your existing digital workplace. Selecting a specialized microsoft 365 policy management software solution like DocRead for SharePoint allows you to manage policy assignments, track acknowledgments, and leverage central document libraries directly within your familiar Microsoft environment without requiring separate user credentials or risky file migrations.

How does policy acknowledgment tracking software handle new employee onboarding?

Advanced platforms utilize dynamic user management tied to Active Directory or Microsoft 365 groups. When a new hire is added to a specific department or role, the system automatically assigns all mandatory policies for their position. Automated reminders and deadline tracking ensure new team members complete their required reading during onboarding without requiring manual administrative follow-up.

What is the difference between document management and policy management software?

While document management systems simply store, organize, and control file versions, dedicated policy management software features actively drive compliance enforcement. Beyond basic storage, policy management tools provide targeted distribution, automated notification workflows, mandatory digital acknowledgments, custom comprehension quizzes, and detailed audit trails to ensure policies are read, understood, and tracked across the workforce.

About the Author

Ryan Malaluan, CAPM®, is an SEO & Content Strategist with over 8 years of experience in search engine optimization, content strategy, and digital marketing. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and is a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®), combining strong communication skills with structured, results-driven strategies to improve online visibility and organic growth.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart is believed to have suffered a sprained MCL in his left knee after being hit during Monday Night Football’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams, with the team set to confirm the extent of the injury through an MRI scheduled for Tuesday.

Dart went down on the final play of the Giants’ opening drive, taking a hit from Rams defenders Josaiah Stewart and Byron Young while attempting a third-down deep pass. His left knee bent awkwardly in the collision, and he fell to the ground clutching the joint in pain as trainers rushed onto the field to assess him. Despite the severity of the initial reaction, Dart was able to walk off the field under his own power; the Giants had a cart standing by to transport him off but he declined it, walking slowly down the sideline instead before being evaluated further in the medical tent and eventually taken to the locker room.

X-rays performed at SoFi Stadium came back negative, according to ESPN and NFL Media, offering an early sign that Dart had avoided a more severe structural injury. NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo subsequently reported that Dart is believed to have sustained a sprained MCL based on initial exams, with the team scheduling an MRI for Tuesday to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity of the sprain.

Giants head coach John Harbaugh addressed the injury following the game, cautioning that a fuller picture wouldn’t be available until after Tuesday’s imaging. “We’ll know more tomorrow. That’s in the neighborhood of it,” Harbaugh said when asked about the reported MCL sprain. “We’ll get an MRI tomorrow and have a really good feel for it.”

Giants general manager Joe Schoen offered a more optimistic public assessment in comments to ESPN’s Laura Rutledge during the broadcast, saying simply that Dart is “going to be OK.” According to reporting on the injury, Dart himself pushed to return to the game in the first half, but the Giants’ medical and coaching staff would not allow him back onto the field, ultimately ruling him out for the remainder of the contest early in the third quarter.

Dart’s exit forced backup quarterback Jameis Winston into extended action for the second consecutive week in which the Giants’ offensive game plan had to shift on short notice. Winston completed 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards with an interception as New York’s offense struggled to replicate the form it had shown the previous week in a win over the Dallas Cowboys, ultimately falling 28-6 to the Rams. Giants running back Cam Skattebo spoke to the difficulty of the in-game transition after the loss. “Obviously, it sucks losing your starter because everything you do revolves around the guy that is going to play the game,” Skattebo said. “We have full trust in Jameis when he came in the game. We just couldn’t execute.”

Dart was not the only Giants player banged up during Monday’s loss. Wide receiver Malik Nabers is dealing with a shoulder injury, outside linebacker Brian Burns sustained an ankle injury, and left tackle Andrew Thomas is managing a groin issue, though none of the three is expected to miss significant time, according to sources cited by ESPN.

The injury comes during what had otherwise been a strong start to Dart’s second NFL season. As a rookie in 2025, Dart took over as the Giants’ starting quarterback in Week 4 and went on to complete 63.7% of his passes for 2,272 yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions across 12 starts, establishing himself as a foundational piece for a franchise that has posted losing records in 11 of its past 13 seasons. Dart had also weathered an earlier injury scare during the preseason, when he was sacked hard by Minnesota Vikings safety Jay Ward in the first quarter of New York’s preseason opener on August 15, an incident significant enough to send him to the medical tent for evaluation, though he returned to the same drive and threw a touchdown pass to rookie Malachi Fields.

Should Dart require extended time to recover from Monday’s knee injury, the Giants do have experience navigating the offense with Winston under center. During a stretch last season when Dart was sidelined, Winston led the offense to success in starts against the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions, throwing for a combined 567 yards and two touchdowns against two interceptions, while also adding a rushing touchdown and a receiving score on a trick play during the game against Detroit.

With Dart’s MRI scheduled for Tuesday, the Giants are expected to have a clearer picture of both the severity of the sprain and an estimated recovery timeline in the coming days. In the meantime, the team faces the challenge of navigating its offensive game plan around Winston, a reversal from the momentum New York had built entering Monday’s matchup off the strength of its win over Dallas the week before.

According to the latest business barometer from Lloyds only 38% of Welsh firms believe Wales isn’t getting a fair deal on public investment

Three-quarters of indigenous firms are upbeat on the growth prospects for the the Welsh economy over the next three years, shows new research from Lloyds Bank.

Its latest business barometer reveals that of the 75% firms that are upbeat on economic growth, a a third (32%) are very confident

Over a third (34%) believe the Welsh economy’s growth will outperform the UK economy over the next 12 months, while 29% disagree, coming in just above Scotland at 31%.

However, just 38% feel that Wales receives its fair share of public investment, the second lowest reading in the UK, just one percentage point higher than 37% in Yorkshire & Humber.

However, 24% of businesses surveyed say they’ve already witnessed notable growth in the Welsh economy over the previous three years.

Of those who identified growth in the last three years, the main reasons for success were cited as investment in digital infrastructure (38%), apprenticeship schemes (33%) and transport and logistics infrastructure (32%).

Looking ahead to the next three years, Welsh firms anticipate investment in communities, such as town centre regeneration and housing (49%), a local planning regime supportive of business development and growth (45%) and investment in Welsh universities, business incubators and research and development activity (44%) as being the main drivers of economic growth.

Nathan Morgan, area director for Wales at Lloyds, said: “It’s encouraging to see Welsh businesses feeling confident about their growth prospects, particularly when fewer than two in five believe Wales receives its fair share of public investment. Firms are also clear about what this investment should be used to make the biggest difference, including in community development. “

And, with more than a third of firms believing Welsh growth will outpace the UK economy in the next year, there’s clearly ambition about what Wales can achieve. If that confidence is matched by the right level of investment, it can help translate into stronger, sustained economic growth.”

The barometer also shows that more than four in five UK businesses are confident in their regional economic growth in the next three years, with planning and investment in community and transport reported as the key drivers of future regional economic growth.

However, there is a divide in how businesses perceive public investment is distributed across the UK.

Confidence was highest in the North East, where 90% of businesses expect regional economic growth, followed by the South East at 89% and the North West at 88%. When businesses were asked about public investment in their region or nation, 85% of London firms perceive their region receives its fair share.

This falls to 37% of businesses surveyed in Yorkshire and the Humber and 38% for businesses in Wales. This compares to 64% of all businesses across the UK who perceive their region or nation receives its fair share.

Meanwhile, 62% of businesses in London think it will outperform the UK economy in the next 12 months, the highest proportion surveyed. By comparison, only 28% of businesses in the East Midlands and South West believe their region will outperform the UK economy, followed by 31% in Scotland, 34% in Wales and 37% in the East of England.

Amanda Murphy, chief executive for Lloyds Business and Commercial Banking, said: “Businesses across the UK are telling us they see opportunities to grow. “Turning this ambition into action requires public and private investment working together to create the right environment for growth. “

Whether its investment in infrastructure, skills, innovation or research, businesses have a clear view of what they need locally to drive growth. “Every region and nation has its own unique strengths and, by building on these, businesses will have the confidence to invest, create jobs and unlock their full potential.”