Mid-Week Tech News Roundup – October 27th to October 31st 2025
28 Oct, 20256 minutesMaxContact unveils refreshed brand as AI-driven customer engagement platformMaxContact, the ...
MaxContact unveils refreshed brand as AI-driven customer engagement platform
MaxContact, the Manchester-based customer engagement and contact centre platform, has launched a refreshed brand identity to reflect its evolution into an AI-powered platform that helps businesses maximise the value of every customer interaction.
Founded by experienced contact centre professional Ben Booth with Adam Prickett as CFO and Matthew Yates as VP Of Engineering, MaxContact combines intelligent dialling technology, smart automation, and AI insights to improve sales, retention, and operational efficiency. The platform serves companies managing millions of interactions annually, delivering contact rate increases of up to 300% and doubling sales conversion rates.
The rebrand coincides with a strategic push to highlight AI-powered capabilities and industry expertise, positioning MaxContact as a partner for forward-thinking businesses looking to turn customer conversations into measurable business outcomes. The company also emphasises its commitment to supporting clients with hands-on expertise and 5-star UK-based customer support.
Housr Raises $10M to Expand Student Housing Platform in the U.K. and U.S.
Student housing platform Housr Living Ltd. has raised $10 million in private financing, with strategic investment from Ashta Capital and Juniper Equity, to drive product innovation and support its expansion into U.S. university markets.
Founded by Harry Panter and Ben Clayton, Housr offers an all-in-one digital platform for student rentals, combining housing management, financial services, and operational tools to simplify the student living experience. The company has seen 186% year-on-year revenue growth, highlighting strong demand for its technology-driven approach.
The funding will be deployed across three core areas: enhancing the platform’s features, recruiting top talent, and expanding geographically to service 1 million students across the U.K. and U.S. over the next 12 months. Investors cited the team’s vision and execution capabilities as key factors in their decision to back Housr.
Panter said the investment validates Housr’s mission to modernise student rental, adding that the platform’s integrated approach positions it to meet the changing expectations of students and universities alike.
Mark43 Hits ISO 27001 Milestone, Raising the Bar for Public Safety Tech
Cloud-native public safety platform Mark43 has achieved ISO/IEC 27001 certification, the gold standard for information security. The move reinforces the company’s commitment to safeguarding sensitive law enforcement and public safety data while demonstrating leadership in cybersecurity across the sector.
Already trusted by over 290 agencies, Mark43’s integrated platform (spanning Records Management, Computer-Aided Dispatch, and Data Analytics) enables faster response times, smoother operations, and AI-driven insights for first responders. The certification, alongside FedRAMP High, CJIS, and SOC 2/3 compliance, signals that the company meets the most rigorous international security standards.
Led by CEO Bob Hughes and co-founders Scott Crouch, Matt Polega, and Florian Mayr, all with deep public safety experience, Mark43 shows how technology shaped by real-world expertise can protect both data and communities. For agencies facing rising cyber threats and operational pressures, this achievement offers added assurance that mission-critical systems are secure and reliable.
Orbit4 Group Promotes Steve Ruffell to General Manager, EMEA as Company Accelerates Global Growth
Orbit4 Group Limited, the UK-based company revolutionising facility management for fitness operators, has promoted Steve Ruffell to General Manager, EMEA following three years of exceptional leadership across the UK and Ireland. The promotion reflects Ruffell’s track record of driving revenue growth, operational excellence, and market expansion for both Orbit4 and its WeBuyGymEquipment brand.
Orbit4’s platform provides operators with full visibility of equipment inventory, service history, and asset value, while intelligent algorithms deliver actionable insights on usage and total cost of ownership. Its digital ticketing and operational checklist modules enable streamlined maintenance, efficient staff workflows, and optimised service agreements.
Ruffell brings more than two decades of experience in sales and commercial leadership within the fitness sector, including senior roles at Technogym UK, where he delivered record turnover and managed large national account teams. Since joining Orbit4, he has held roles as UK & Ireland Country Manager and Head of Business Development, EMEA & APAC, shaping regional strategy, driving customer adoption, and securing high-value partnerships. In his new role, he will oversee P&L performance, regional operations, and partner relationships across Europe, supporting Orbit4’s ongoing international growth.
Daniel Jones, CEO of Orbit4, said: “Steve has been a fantastic leader, delivering consistent results and scaling our presence in competitive markets. As we move into our next phase of global growth, his promotion ensures we have the right leadership to support our ambitious plans across EMEA.”
With Ruffell’s appointment, Orbit4 is poised to continue transforming fitness facility operations, providing operators with data-driven insights, operational efficiency, and the tools to optimise both customer experience and asset performance.
Sheffield’s Simoda Expands into Europe and Announces Key Leadership Promotions
Sheffield-based technology and IT firm Simoda is expanding into Europe following a record 35% growth over the past 12 months. The company, founded in 2019 by Daniel Bumby, has delivered fibre, CCTV, and network upgrades for European clients and can now support operations from its Amsterdam base, helping customers scale across the continent.
The expansion comes as Simoda strengthens its leadership team, appointing Christian Colton as Network Services Director, Simon Flint as Finance Director, and Kate Hill as Commercial Director, reflecting the company’s growing service offerings in technology solutions, communications, and cybersecurity.
Bumby said the move combines international opportunity with a continued commitment to South Yorkshire, aiming to deliver high-quality technology support while fostering local partnerships. The firm also maintains connections with community initiatives, including a partnership with Sheffield racing driver Rowan Campbell-Pilling.
Simoda’s European expansion is expected to contribute an additional 5–10% to its overall growth in 2026, underpinning its mission to provide scalable, reliable IT services for businesses across the UK and Europe.
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