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Octavian Security: Serious Protection, Thoughtfully Delivered

Good security rarely draws attention to itself. It works quietly, consistently and without drama. For organisations operating in complex, high-value or public-facing environments, that reliability is not a luxury. It’s essential.

Octavian Security delivers comprehensive security solutions designed around real-world risk. Working across the UK, the company provides industry-specific services that help organisations protect people, property and operations – proactively and with precision.

For Octavian, effective security is about proportionality – applying the right measures, in the right locations, based on real operational need.

Visible, Professional On-Site Security

Manned guarding sits at the core of Octavian Security’s offering. The company undertakes single- and multi-site contracts nationwide, deploying fully licensed, highly trained security officers matched to each environment. Officers are briefed not only on site layouts and procedures, but on the operational realities of the sectors they serve. The result is security presence that feels competent rather than intrusive – visible enough to deter, professional enough to integrate seamlessly. This model supports a wide range of environments, from corporate offices and retail estates to construction sites, educational facilities and public-sector locations.

When Security Needs to Move

Static security alone is rarely sufficient. Octavian Security supports on-site services with a suite of mobile and responsive solutions designed to extend protection beyond standard operating hours.

Keyholding and alarm response services provide cost-effective coverage when premises are unoccupied, with licensed guards able to attend incidents, manage access and secure sites efficiently. Mobile patrols add a further layer of deterrence through regular out-of-hours checks, reducing exposure without unnecessary escalation.

Remote CCTV monitoring completes the picture, offering 24/7 oversight through reliable commercial surveillance systems – allowing issues to be identified and addressed before they become incidents.

Technology-Led Security, Delivered In-House

Alongside physical security services, Octavian Security integrates technology and data-driven systems to improve visibility, accountability and response times. Supported by an in-house technology and innovation team, the company develops and deploys its own digital tools – including incident reporting, patrol verification and compliance monitoring – designed to integrate seamlessly with existing site infrastructure. This approach allows Octavian to enhance security operations without unnecessary system replacement, providing real-time oversight and measurable assurance while keeping solutions proportionate to risk.

Specialist Services for High-Stakes Environments

Octavian Security operates across a broad range of sectors, including corporate, retail, education, logistics and distribution, construction, property management, public sector organisations, and events and exhibitions.

For environments requiring additional control, the company provides specialist services such as event security, canine security units and close protection. These services are delivered by trained professionals, focused on situational awareness, discretion and coordination rather than force or spectacle.

Training, Awareness and Global Risk Support

Security does not end at the perimeter. Octavian Security also delivers workplace training and development programmes designed to improve awareness, preparedness and internal capability. For organisations with travelling employees, the company offers 24/7/365 real-time global risk alerts, enabling businesses to stay informed and respond quickly to emerging threats wherever their people are operating. This broader view of security reflects an understanding that modern risk is dynamic, distributed and rarely confined to a single site.

Security as a Long-Term Partnership

The company positions itself as a reliable partner rather than a one-off provider, continually refining its services to maintain flexibility, consistency and quality assurance. As risks change, security strategies adapt – without unnecessary complexity.

Quiet Confidence, Measurable Results

Octavian Security does not trade in theatrics. Its strength lies in consistency, accountability and an ability to deliver protection that works as intended – day after day.

By combining trained personnel, responsive services and sector-specific expertise, the company supports organisations in maintaining safe, controlled and resilient environments.

Find out more about Octavian Security here.

Netflix Documentary Talent Fund Returns to Champion the UK and Ireland’s Next Generation of Filmmakers

Netflix is once again throwing open the doors to the documentary world’s next wave of talent, as its Documentary Talent Fund returns for a fourth year – and with it, a clear statement of intent: bold new voices belong front and centre.

The initiative, which has quietly become one of the most effective launchpads for emerging filmmakers across the UK and Ireland, will back five new short documentaries in 2026, each with a £30,000 budget and hands-on creative support from Netflix and industry leaders. Since its launch, the fund has been designed not simply to finance films, but to elevate filmmakers who have talent, perspective and something to say – particularly those historically under-represented in the industry. The result has been a growing pipeline of distinctive, festival-ready work and careers that have gone on to gain serious momentum.

Kate Townsend, Netflix Documentaries, said:
“We hope that aspiring filmmakers from across the UK and Ireland will gather their teams over the next month, ahead of applications opening in January, to come up with some amazing and surprising ideas for a short documentary. We are looking to work with creatives who may have some experience within the industry but are looking for the next opportunity to super-charge their careers. This is a great moment for us to engage with the next generation of documentary makers and support where we can.”

Selected teams will receive far more than funding. Under the guidance of Netflix and leading filmmaking professionals, participants will take part in workshops spanning every corner of production – from creative development and legal frameworks to HR, finance and delivery.

The programme is intentionally structured as a stepping stone: a practical, confidence-building route to the next stage of a filmmaker’s career.

The fund’s track record speaks for itself. To date, it has supported 21 films, which have collectively screened more than 65 times at festivals worldwide. Alumni have gone on to secure BAFTA Breakthrough recognition, Screen Scotland funding, Grierson and Critics’ Circle nominations, and placements on programmes including BAFTA Elevate and the Werner Herzog ‘Experience Azores’ workshop. Several have progressed to BFI-backed projects and high-profile industry lists, quietly reshaping the documentary landscape along the way.

Each finished film will run between eight and 12 minutes and will be released on Netflix’s See What’s Next YouTube channel following festival runs.

The creative brief for this year’s fund is succinct: “CHANGE”.

Shortlisted teams will be invited to pitch at Netflix’s UK headquarters in summer 2026. Elisabeth Hopper returns as Lead Producer for the fourth year, joined by Georgie Yukiko Donovan (Unit Director, Heart of Invictus) and Daisy Ifama, herself a Documentary Talent Fund alum.

Post-production support will once again be provided by Molinare Creative Group, whose award-winning team will deliver full end-to-end services for all five films, alongside an in-depth post-production workshop designed to demystify one of the most critical stages of the process.

In an industry where opportunity can be elusive and access uneven, Netflix’s Documentary Talent Fund has become a rare thing: a meaningful intervention that doesn’t just spotlight emerging filmmakers but gives them the tools to stay.

Applications open on 9 January and close on 12 February 2026, with filmmakers asked to submit a one-sentence logline, a short synopsis and a creative statement. Applicants must be based in the UK or Ireland and can submit one project each.

Full details about applications are available here

Cardiff 1-3 Chelsea: Garnacho and Neto spark 2nd half turnaround as Blues book semi-final place

Chelsea were forced to dig deep in South Wales as second-half inspiration from Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto turned a potential upset into a 3-1 victory over Cardiff, sealing a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

Enzo Maresca’s heavily rotated starting XI, packed with fringe players and youngsters, struggled to impose themselves in a raucous atmosphere against a confident Cardiff side flying high in League One. The hosts pressed aggressively, disrupted Chelsea’s rhythm and matched them stride for stride for long spells, underlining why this tie was anything but a formality.

Chelsea controlled possession without real penetration in the opening half, finding Cardiff compact, energetic and fearless. The hosts even enjoyed the better moments, snapping into challenges and asking questions of a Blues back line that lacked familiarity. Maresca’s gamble on rotation looked increasingly risky as the first half drifted towards stalemate.

Recognising the danger, the Chelsea boss acted decisively at the break, unleashing Garnacho and Neto from a bench that starkly illustrated the gulf in resources between the sides. The change was immediate. Chelsea played with greater urgency, sharper movement between the lines and far more threat in the final third.

The breakthrough arrived just before the hour mark when Garnacho pounced ruthlessly on a defensive error, showing composure beyond his years to finish clinically and silence the home crowd. It should have settled Chelsea nerves, but Cardiff refused to wilt. Driven on by their supporters, they found an equaliser through David Turnbull, whose looping header sparked belief that a famous night might still be on the cards.

That belief was short-lived. Neto, brimming with confidence since his introduction, produced a moment of top-level quality to restore Chelsea’s advantage, gliding into space and finishing with authority to reassert control. From there, the visitors managed the game with greater maturity, stretching Cardiff and draining the intensity from the contest.

Deep into stoppage time, Garnacho struck again to remove any lingering doubt, racing clear and finishing calmly to cap an influential cameo that transformed the tie. The final scoreline flattered Chelsea slightly, but their superior depth and quality ultimately told.

For Cardiff, the defeat brought an end to a spirited cup run but little shame. Their organisation, intensity and bravery caused Chelsea real problems and earned admiration long after the final whistle. For Chelsea, progression keeps silverware hopes alive and underlines the growing importance of their attacking options from the bench as a demanding schedule looms.

The Blues now move into the semi-finals, where tougher tests await, but this night served as a reminder that even against lower-league opposition, complacency is swiftly punished — and quality, when introduced, must be decisive.

London Train Disruptions Over Christmas and New Year

Passengers in London should prepare for significant train service interruptions over the festive period. While travel before December 25 remains unaffected, Network Rail has scheduled extensive engineering work between Christmas and early January. These works will affect some of the capital’s busiest stations and could increase journey times.

At London Euston, Avanti West Coast services will face major disruption from Saturday, December 27 to Sunday, January 4. Engineering teams will replace a railway junction at Hanslop Junction, affecting routes from London to Rugby and Northampton. Passengers are advised to consider LNER or Lumo services along the East Coast Main Line. Replacement buses will operate between Milton Keynes Central and Rugby or Northampton.

Liverpool Street station will close from Christmas Day until Thursday, January 1 for work on the Bishopsgate tunnel. Engineers are strengthening the tunnel’s steelwork to prevent corrosion and maintain service reliability. During the closure, Greater Anglia trains will be diverted via Stratford, Stansted Express services will end at Tottenham Hale, and London Overground trains will terminate at London Fields. The Elizabeth line will continue to operate from its underground platforms. Passengers are encouraged to use Victoria line services or local buses to complete their journeys. Normal timetables will resume on Thursday, January 2.

Vauxhall station will also close for a limited period, from Saturday, December 27 to Tuesday, December 30, with an additional closure on Thursday, January 1. Trains will not call at Vauxhall during these times, but services will resume on New Year’s Eve and from January 2 onwards.

Victoria station will see Southeastern trains suspended from Saturday, December 27 until New Year’s Eve while upgrades to power, signalling, and track are carried out. David Davidson, chief operating officer for South Eastern Railway, stated: “We use the time when the railway is quieter, and most commuters are away to get vital work done on the railway to give passengers safer and more reliable journeys. While most of the country’s railway is open for travel, we are advising people to plan ahead and check before they travel as there will be changes on some routes.” Southeastern services will also not operate to or from London Charing Cross or London Waterloo East on New Year’s Day or Friday, January 2.

Waterloo station will be closed over the weekend after Christmas, Saturday, December 27 to Sunday, December 28, as around 350 engineers carry out track and points improvements around Queenstown Road in Battersea. Limited services will run from Monday, December 29 to Friday, January 2, with some trains starting or ending at alternative stations and stopping at fewer or different locations. On Saturday, January 3, a reduced and amended service will operate between Barnes and Clapham Junction, with some trains terminating at Woking, Basingstoke, or Clapham Junction instead of London Waterloo. Passengers are advised to check the National Rail journey planner before travelling.

Octavian IT: A Technology Partner Built for Modern Business

Technology underpins almost every business function, from communication and collaboration to security and continuity. When it works well, it enables growth. When it doesn’t, it becomes a constraint.

Octavian IT was founded in 2016 to provide IT services that align with how businesses actually operate. The company supports organisations across the UK, Europe, North America and the Middle East, delivering practical, enterprise-grade technology services built around reliability, security and clear priorities.

Rather than operating as a traditional outsourced helpdesk, Octavian IT positions itself as a long-term technology partner – combining technical expertise with an understanding of commercial realities.

Ben Solomon, Managing Director and Founder of Octavian IT reflects on the core motivations of the business:

“Technology is evolving fast – and so are we. At Octavian IT, we make technology work for business: secure, scalable and stress-free. Our role isn’t just fixing problems; it’s building partnerships that drive growth and keep organisations ahead of change. By harnessing innovation like AI, we keep organisations ahead of change and build partnerships that drive growth, not barriers.”

Clear Structure, Consistent Support

Every Octavian IT client is assigned a dedicated account manager, project manager and technical team. This structure ensures continuity, faster decision-making and a deeper understanding of each organisation’s systems and objectives.

Support is delivered through UK-based lines, with 24/7 availability for businesses operating outside standard hours or across multiple time zones. The focus is on resolving issues efficiently while reducing repeat problems through proactive management.

Services Designed Around Business Needs

Octavian IT provides comprehensive IT support alongside a broad range of services, including wireless and connectivity solutions, server infrastructure, cloud platforms, telecoms and mobile systems.

Cyber security and business continuity are integral parts of the offering. As organisations rely more heavily on distributed systems and remote access, Octavian IT helps clients manage risk, protect critical infrastructure and recover quickly from disruption. Services are tailored to suit both small and large organisations, ensuring solutions remain proportionate, scalable and cost-effective.

Driving Innovation with AI

As technology continues to evolve, Octavian IT helps businesses stay ahead by implementing AI-driven solutions that support a wide range of needs. This includes anything from automating workflows and enhancing cyber security to improving decision-making and customer experience. By integrating AI into practical, scalable systems, Octavian IT ensures organisations can leverage innovation without complexity, unlocking new efficiencies and competitive advantages.

Experience, Reach and Measurable Delivery

Since launch, Octavian IT has completed over 120 projects and helped create new roles within the cyber security sector. The team brings more than a decade of combined experience, supporting a growing base of long-term clients across multiple regions. The company’s approach prioritises clarity over complexity and outcomes over unnecessary features. Advice is practical, and technology decisions are made with long-term stability in mind.

Built for Long-Term Partnership

Octavian IT focuses on building durable client relationships rather than short-term contracts. The objective is to provide technology that supports business continuity, enables change and remains dependable as organisations evolve.

By combining structured support, global reach and a partnership-led approach, Octavian IT delivers IT services that are reliable, responsive and aligned with modern business requirements.

Learn more about Octavian IT here

Carbon monoxide incident in Charlton leaves staff treated in hospital

A carbon monoxide incident in Charlton has left multiple people receiving medical treatment after an emergency response in south east London.

Eleven people were taken to hospital for suspected carbon monoxide poisoning following the incident outside a Marks & Spencer store. A further 19 people were treated at the scene by emergency crews and later discharged.

It is believed those affected were members of staff at the store and that no customers were involved.

The London Ambulance Service said it was alerted at around 09:30 GMT to reports on Gallions Road. In response, paramedics, incident response officers and hazardous area response team paramedics were sent to the location.

Two fire engines from the London Fire Brigade also attended. The brigade said “crews were working alongside multi-agency partners to resolve the incident safely”.

According to Greenwich councillor David Gardner, six staff members remain in hospital undergoing further tests. He said no injuries were thought to be life threatening.

The cause of the carbon monoxide incident in Charlton has not been confirmed.

Carabao Cup Defence Continues as Fulham Challenge Newcastle on Tyneside

Newcastle United welcome Fulham to St James’ Park on Wednesday night with a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals at stake. Newcastle enter the tie as the defending champions, having lifted the trophy last season, while Fulham arrive aiming to continue a disciplined cup run of their own. As with all quarter-finals in the competition, the match will go straight to penalties if level after 90 minutes.

Newcastle’s most recent match in any competition was the Tyne–Wear derby defeat away at Sunderland, a narrow loss that ended a strong home sequence and brought renewed focus on consistency. In league terms, Eddie Howe’s side have found results harder to come by away from St James’ Park this season, making a return to home surroundings particularly important ahead of a knockout fixture.

Fulham arrive with more positive momentum from their latest outing. Their last match was a 3–2 Premier League win away at Burnley, a result that rewarded an assertive second-half performance and gave Marco Silva’s side a lift heading into this cup tie. That victory followed a mixed league run but underlined Fulham’s ability to manage difficult away environments.

Both sides have earned their place in the quarter-finals through competitive earlier rounds. Newcastle progressed by navigating ties against strong opposition, continuing a pattern of taking this competition seriously since last season’s triumph. Fulham’s route has also required composure, including overcoming lower-league opponents and managing tight moments to reach the last eight.

The context of the competition matters for Newcastle. As holders, there is expectation as well as opportunity, and Howe has previously spoken about the value of cup success in maintaining standards and belief. Fulham, meanwhile, see this as a chance to move within one step of a two-legged semi-final and keep a realistic path to silverware alive.

Tactically, Newcastle are likely to look for intensity and tempo at home, feeding off the crowd and pressing for control early. Fulham are expected to prioritise structure, patience and game management, particularly knowing penalties await if the match remains tight. Set pieces, discipline and decision-making in transition could all prove decisive.

For Newcastle, this is about refocusing after a derby setback and protecting a trophy they worked hard to win last season. For Fulham, it’s an opportunity to test themselves against elite opposition and see how far a composed, organised approach can take them in a knockout setting. With silverware on the line and no margin for error, St James’ Park is set for a tense and competitive quarter-final night.

City Chase Another Cup Run as Brentford Arrive at Etihad for Last-Eight Tie

Manchester City host Brentford on Wednesday 17 December (7.30pm) with a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals on the line. It’s a competition City have treated as a priority throughout Pep Guardiola’s reign, and they go into the tie with a clear historical target: a ninth League Cup triumph, which would move them closer to the all-time leaders.

The route to the quarter-finals has been clearly defined for both sides. City have reached the last eight with away wins over Huddersfield Town and Swansea City. Brentford’s run has been more demanding on paper: they’ve beaten Bournemouth, Aston Villa, and then thrashed Grimsby Town 5–0 to book their quarter-final place.

City’s record in this competition is part of the story. They have won the League Cup eight times, including a dominant stretch under Guardiola that featured four consecutive titles from 2017–18 to 2020–21. That history explains why Guardiola is again stressing the value of the opportunity, even with rotation expected.

Team news is significant. Guardiola has confirmed City will be without Jérémy Doku (leg), Rodri (hamstring) and John Stones (thigh), while Omar Marmoush and Rayan Aït-Nouri are away on Africa Cup of Nations duty. He has also said James Trafford will start in goal. Brentford, meanwhile, have confirmed longer-term absences in Fábio Carvalho, Josh Dasilva and Antoni Milambo, while their club preview notes this tie will be played without VAR, adding another layer of unpredictability on a knockout night.

Tactically, the pattern is easy to foresee without guessing specifics. City will expect to dominate possession and territory, but rotation and midfield absences can change the feel of cup ties — especially if Brentford can keep their shape, stay alive to second balls, and make set pieces count. For Brentford, the task is to survive City’s early pressure and turn the game into something messy and tense, where one moment can swing it.

City’s Cup pedigree makes them favourites, but Brentford have already proven in this competition that they can beat Premier League opponents to reach the last eight. With a semi-final place at stake — and no VAR safety net — this has the ingredients for a serious contest rather than a routine evening.

Cutting edge cancer treatments set to be produced out of uranium from nuclear reactors, under landmark deal

Thanks to a landmark agreement that has been announced today (Tuesday 16th December) between the cutting-edge biotech firm Bicycle Therapeutics, and the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, tens of thousands of doses of cutting-edge cancer therapies are set to be produced.

With the ability to help save lives, and tackle some of the hardest-to-treat forms of cancer, these therapies are set to be produced from hundreds of tonnes of reprocessed uranium generated from historic processing of spent nuclear reactor fuel.

Liz Kendall, the Science and Technology Secretary has said: “Cancer is a disease that affects millions worldwide, and tears too many families apart. Breakthroughs in medical science are giving more cancer patients and their loved ones hope, and this unique partnership could help take that work even further.

“Turning nuclear material into cutting-edge cancer treatments sounds like science fiction – but thanks to the brilliance of scientists, researchers and doctors, it could be a life-saving reality. Work like this shows exactly why we’re determined to support our life sciences innovators to make groundbreaking new treatments possible.”

Bicycle was co-founded by one of the luminaries of British science, sir Greg Winter, who was honoured with the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2018, and will now use a groundbreaking process developed by United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL) to harvest the valuable medical isotope lead-212 from reprocessed uranium.

CEO of Bicycle Therapeutics, Kevin Lee, PhD. has said: “As a UK-based biotech company, we are incredibly grateful to the UK Government for their recognition of Bicycle’s Nobel-prize winning science and potential to create radiopharmaceutical cancer therapies from up to 400 tonnes of reprocessed uranium over 15 years. We are proud to be part of the British life sciences ecosystem and collaborate to help people and support economic growth. This is a significant milestone, bringing us closer to our goal of helping patients live longer and live well.”

A tiny amount of lead-212’s parent material is extracted through a series of processes and radioactive decay – equivalent to the size of a single drop of water in an Olympic-sized swimming pool is enough. An even tinier amount of lead-212 is then taken for use in radiopharmaceuticals: a type of precision medicine that could help treat some of the cancers that conventional treatments struggle to tackle.

This new development builds on the government’s wider work to transform cancer care across the NHS. It is overhauling the health service to catch cancer sooner and save lives – expanding diagnostic capacity and investing in new technology to ensure patients can access timely, high-quality care.

This will include cutting cancer waiting times, with 110,000 more patients being diagnosed or having cancer ruled out within 28 days from an urgent GP or screening service referral between November 2025 to October 2025 compared to the previous year.

Health Innovation Minister, Dr Zubir Ahmed, has said: “Every breakthrough that gives patients and their loved ones new hope matters deeply – and this extraordinary partnership could be truly life-changing for people facing some of the hardest-to-treat cancers.

“I’m immensely proud that we’re backing partnerships like this, showcasing how British innovation can transform lives. By turning nuclear material into precision cancer treatments, we’re opening new frontiers in the fight against this deadly disease.

“This is exactly the kind of bold thinking that will help us build an NHS fit for the future – harnessing life sciences potential to improve care, save lives, and drive economic growth across the UK.”

Julianne Antrobus, Chief Executive Officer at UKNNL, said: “Our purpose is nuclear science to benefit society, and this partnership is a perfect example of this in action. We’re proud to be part of the nuclear and life sciences sectors coming together, forging innovative collaborations that tackle some of healthcare’s most pressing challenges in transformative ways. It’s incredible to see UKNNL’s expertise at the forefront of the global fight against cancer. Decades of research by our dedicated teams has made unique partnerships like this possible, and I look forward to seeing our work with Bicycle and the NDA progress.”

Radiopharmaceuticals work by delivering radiotherapy directly to cancer cells: destroying tumours while reducing the chances of side effects. This could help the treatment of cancers that conventional therapies can sometimes struggle to tackle, including prostate cancer, and neuroendoctrine cancers that can affect organs like the gut and pancreas.

Bicycle will extract lead-212 with a novel radioisotope generator, developed exclusively for them by medical isotope experts Spectron Rx.

Bicycle Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Cambridge (UK) developing a novel class of medicines, referred to as Bicycle® molecules, for diseases that are underserved by existing therapeutics.

NDA Group CEO, David Peattie, said: “We’re proud to make part of our uranium inventory available to Bicycle, enabling the development of innovative, life-saving treatments.

“As the organisation entrusted with the safe and secure management, storage, and disposal of the UK’s radioactive materials and waste—a responsibility we take extremely seriously—this collaboration demonstrates how we can go beyond our core mission.

“By leveraging our unique capabilities, expertise, and resources, we’re helping to advance wider UK Government ambitions and create a lasting positive legacy for the nation.”

All of this complements the £20 million funding announced, last month, for research into lead-212 extraction being conducted by UKNNL and Medicines Discovery Catapult. The Government is determined to unleash a golden era of nuclear technology and innovation, and today’s news comes hot on the heels of Government backing for Sizewell C on the Suffolk coast and small modular reactors in North Wales.