Pramod Thomas is a senior correspondent with Asian Media Group since 2020, bringing 19 years of journalism experience across business, politics, sports, communities, and international relations. His career spans both traditional and digital media platforms, with eight years specifically focused on digital journalism. This blend of experience positions him well to navigate the evolving media landscape and deliver content across various formats. He has worked with national and international media organisations, giving him a broad perspective on global news trends and reporting standards.
ONE of the largest charitable trusts in Britain has decided to dismiss its entire board as part of a comprehensive effort to enhance diversity and prioritise "social justice and anti-racism" in its mission, The Telegraph reported.
The Tudor Trust, with a substantial £288 million endowment, has been led by a family-dominated board for decades.
The trust was established in 1955 with the support of Sir Godfrey Mitchell, the founder of George Wimpey construction company.
In an unprecedented move, the interim chair, Raji Hunjan, is spearheading what she terms as a "wholesale change" to transition towards a more diverse and representative governance structure.
The decision comes after an internal "anti-racist review" initiated by the trust, reflecting a commitment to better understand the historical context of racism.
The trust, which allocates approximately £20m annually through charitable grants, aims to complete the restructuring by August 2024.
According to the report, Hunjan was appointed in June to oversee the transition. She envisions a board that mirrors the demographics and lived experiences of the communities the trust serves.
The restructuring process involves the appointment of new trustees and a permanent chair to replace the existing family-led board.
To facilitate this transformative change, the trust has enlisted the services of Cadence Partners, a diversity and inclusion consultancy known for its expertise in inclusive recruitment.
The consultancy, whose clientele includes organisations like the Trussell Trust and the RSPCA, emphasises building talent pipelines for various minority groups.
External experts, including the co-founder of the Power & Integrity project, have been consulted in the search for the new board. The project focuses on dismantling societal norms rooted in colonialism, patriarchy, and racism.
The trust's commitment to racial justice was underscored in its November 2020 'Racial Justice Statement,' responding to the disproportionate impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on minority communities and the global Black Lives Matter protests.
The acknowledgment of the "white and privileged" profile of the existing board laid the groundwork for the subsequent decision to diversify.
As part of its funding initiatives, the Tudor Trust supports various charitable organisations, including a self-help charity in Glasgow led by and for racialised women and a community interest company in Leeds employing a gendered approach to establishing and supporting user-led support groups.
The restructuring process has not been without challenges, as evidenced by the departure of key figures such as Christopher Graves, who served as executive director for 38 years, and the temporary suspension of grant applications to focus on internal racial justice initiatives.
In March 2022, Shilpa Shah stepped down as a trustee to become an independent facilitator in the "reimagining" process of the firm. Working with the head of finance, Aabida Mohmed, she leads the Tudor Trust's "Racial Justice Organising Group," focusing on creating methods to enhance the well-being of colleagues who have experienced racialisation.
Despite some concerns about potential political influences on grant-making decisions, the Tudor Trust remains resolute in its commitment to a "step change" in its mission.
A spokesperson for the trust emphasised that the evolution involves a thorough review of giving priorities to align with the contemporary needs of the grantee community.
“As part of that planned evolution, the trustees resolved to refresh the board with the objective of making it more representative of the demographics and lived experiences of the communities we serve. We’re immensely grateful to all our trustees who helped us reach this stage in our journey and wish all those who decided to take this opportunity to pass on the baton all the best for the future," the spokesperson was quoted as saying.
Sanjay has been with the Group for more than ten years and was involved in major deals including the purchase of St John’s Wood Care Home during the pandemic. (Photo credit: Arora Group)
ARORA Group has appointed Sanjay Arora as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Sanjay has been with the Group for more than ten years and was involved in major deals including the purchase of St John’s Wood Care Home during the pandemic, the acquisition of two large shopping centres, the creation of a property team and the delivery of Buckinghamshire Golf Club.
Surinder Arora, Founder and Executive Chairman of the Group, said: “Watching Sanjay’s journey from his earliest days in the business has been one of my proudest privileges. His ability to blend innovation with a deep respect for our values means the Group is in safe hands. The stage now belongs to the next generation, one that honours our roots while reaching boldly toward new horizons. We step into the future with a modern leadership that understands both the numbers and the narrative of an evolving world.”
Sanjay Arora said: “It is a privilege to take on the role of CEO at such an exciting time in the Group’s journey. I look forward to working with our talented teams across the business to continue building on our legacy, delivering exceptional experiences, and pursuing new opportunities for sustainable growth.”
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Employees of Indian IT services exporter LTIMindtree work inside its office in Bengaluru, India, September 24, 2025. (Photo credit: Reuters)
US PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s decision to sharply increase H-1B visa application costs is expected to accelerate American companies’ move to shift more high-value work to India. Economists and industry experts say this will further boost the growth of global capability centres (GCCs), which manage operations ranging from finance to research and development.
India hosts about 1,700 GCCs, more than half of the global total. These centres, which began with a focus on tech support, have expanded into innovation-driven work, including car dashboard design and drug discovery.
Analysts say growing use of artificial intelligence and tightening visa rules are leading US companies to reassess labour strategies, with India-based GCCs emerging as key hubs combining global expertise with local leadership.
“GCCs are uniquely positioned for this moment. They serve as a ready in-house engine,” said Rohan Lobo, partner and GCC industry leader at Deloitte India. He said he was aware of several US firms currently reassessing workforce plans. “Plans are already underway,” he added, citing increased activity in financial services and technology, especially among firms connected to US federal contracts.
Lobo said he expected GCCs to “take on more strategic, innovation-led mandates” going forward.
Earlier this month, Trump raised the cost of new H-1B visa applications to $100,000, up from the earlier range of $2,000 to $5,000. The increase adds pressure on US companies that rely on skilled foreign workers to fill critical roles.
On Monday, US senators reintroduced a bill seeking tighter rules on H-1B and L-1 visa programmes, aimed at closing what they described as loopholes and misuse by major employers.
Industry experts say that if visa restrictions remain in place, US firms are likely to shift advanced work in artificial intelligence, product development, cybersecurity and analytics to their GCCs in India, while retaining more strategic functions in-house rather than outsourcing.
Lalit Ahuja, founder and CEO of ANSR, which has helped companies such as FedEx, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Target and Lowe’s set up GCCs, said, “There is a sense of urgency.”
Reassessing India strategies
Ramkumar Ramamoorthy, former managing director of Cognizant India, said the trend could even lead to “extreme offshoring” in some cases. He pointed out that the Covid-19 pandemic had already shown that critical technology work could be done remotely.
US government data shows that Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, Alphabet (Google’s parent), JPMorgan Chase and Walmart were among the biggest sponsors of H-1B visas. All of them have significant operations in India but declined to comment, given the political sensitivity of the issue.
“Either more roles will move to India, or corporations will near-shore them to Mexico or Colombia. Canada could also take advantage,” said the India head of a retail GCC.
Even before the latest visa fee hike and plans for a new selection process favouring higher-paid roles, India was projected to host the GCCs of more than 2,200 companies by 2030, with the market size nearing $100 billion. “This whole ‘gold rush’ will only get accelerated,” Ahuja said.
Implications for India
Some remain cautious, noting the risks of new legislation. If the proposed HIRE Act is passed, US companies could face a 25 per cent tax on outsourcing work overseas, a move that could disrupt India’s services exports.
“For now, we are observing and studying, and being ready for outcomes,” said the India head of a US drugmaker’s GCC.
Trade tensions between the two countries have extended into services, with visa curbs and the HIRE Act proposal threatening India’s cost advantage and cross-border service flows.
India’s $283 billion IT industry, which contributes nearly 8 per cent of GDP, may come under pressure. However, rising demand for GCC services could offset part of the impact.
“Lost revenues from H-1B visa reliant businesses could be somewhat supplanted by higher services exports through GCCs, as US-based firms look to bypass immigration restrictions to outsource talent,” Nomura analysts said in a research note last week.
EA to be acquired by PIF, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners
Shareholders to receive £166 per share, 25% above market value
Deal marks largest all-cash sponsor take-private investment ever
EA to remain headquartered in California under CEO Andrew Wilson
Transaction expected to close in early 2027
EA agrees to £43bn all-cash takeover
Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA), the studio behind blockbuster franchises such as FIFA, Battlefield, and The Sims, is set to go private after agreeing to a £43 billion acquisition by an investor consortium made up of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners.
Shareholders will receive £166 per share in cash, a 25% premium on EA’s recent market price. PIF, which already owns 9.9% of the company, will roll its stake into the deal. Once completed, EA will no longer be listed on public markets.
Largest all-cash take-private in history
The deal is the biggest all-cash sponsor-led take-private transaction ever. The consortium has said it will use its experience in gaming, technology, and sports to support EA’s growth and innovation, aiming to create new opportunities for players worldwide.
Executives react
EA chief executive Andrew Wilson said the acquisition recognises “the extraordinary work” of the company’s teams and will help the studio “unlock new opportunities globally.”
Turqi Alnowaiser of PIF highlighted the fund’s commitment to gaming and esports, while Silver Lake co-CEO Egon Durban praised EA’s strong revenue growth and cash flow. Jared Kushner, CEO of Affinity Partners, called EA “an extraordinary company with a world-class management team and bold vision for the future.”
What happens next
The deal has been approved by EA’s board and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027, subject to regulatory approval and shareholder consent. Funding will come from a mix of consortium equity and £16 billion in debt financing. EA will remain based in Redwood City, California, with Wilson staying on as CEO.
About EA
EA is a leading developer and publisher of video games for consoles, PCs, and mobile devices. Its portfolio includes some of the industry’s most recognisable brands, such as EA SPORTS FC, Apex Legends, Need for Speed, Dragon Age, Titanfall, and Plants vs. Zombies. In fiscal 2025, the company posted £5.9 billion in revenue.
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He will also receive an on-target yearly bonus of 150 per cent and a long-term incentive grant equal to 7.25 times his salary.
BRITISH drugmaker GSK on Monday named Luke Miels as its CEO designate. He will take over from Emma Walmsley, who steps down after nine years leading the company.
Miels will formally assume the role on January 1. He will be responsible for steering GSK towards its target of generating more than 40 billion pounds ($53.78 billion) in annual sales by 2031.
Remuneration
Miels’ annual base salary will start at 1.38 million pounds, lower than Walmsley’s 2025 salary of 1.43 million pounds, according to GSK’s annual report.
He will also receive an on-target yearly bonus of 150 per cent and a long-term incentive grant equal to 7.25 times his salary.
Who is Miels?
Miels, 50, joined GSK in 2017 as chief commercial officer. He has overseen the company’s global medicines and vaccines portfolio, which generates annual sales of over 20 billion pounds across more than 100 countries.
He is an Australian national, holding a biology degree from Flinders University and an MBA from Macquarie University. He began his career as a sales representative at AstraZeneca before moving into senior roles at Sanofi and Roche.
Career path
AstraZeneca 1995 – 2000: Sales and marketing roles
Sanofi-Aventis 2004 – 2006: Vice President, Sales Metabolism, New Jersey, USA 2004: Integration Officer, North America, Sanofi/Aventis merger 2003 – 2004: General Manager & Managing Director, Aventis Thailand 2002 – 2003: General Manager & Managing Director (Acting) 2000 – 2001: Head, Strategic Planning and Portfolio Management
Roche Pharmaceuticals 2009 – 2014: Regional Head, Asia Pacific (Shanghai, then Singapore) 2006 – 2009: VP/Head of Metabolism & Anemia Global Marketing, Switzerland
AstraZeneca May 2014 – August 2017: Executive Vice President, European business Earlier: Executive Vice President, Global Product and Portfolio Strategy, Global Medical Affairs, and Corporate Affairs
GSK September 2017 – Present: Chief Commercial Officer
(With inputs from Reuters)
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Many of the apps appeared legitimate when installed directly from the Google Play Store
More than 38 million downloads across 228 countries and territories
Cybersecurity firm HUMAN uncovered large-scale fraud campaign dubbed SlopAds
Apps disguised on Google Play Store and fake ad pages
US, India and Brazil hardest hit by fraudulent traffic
Google continues crackdown following recent security breaches
38 million downloads linked to fraudulent apps
Google has removed 224 Android apps after investigators uncovered a vast advertising fraud scheme. The operation, named SlopAds, involved apps that had been downloaded more than 38 million times across 228 countries and territories.
The discovery was made by the Satori Threat Intelligence and Research Team at cybersecurity company HUMAN, which confirmed that the apps were designed to manipulate online advertising systems by generating fake ad views and clicks.
How the scam worked
Many of the apps appeared legitimate when installed directly from the Google Play Store. Others were distributed via ads that led to fake download pages. Once installed, the apps carried out hidden instructions.
According to HUMAN’s report, the apps used steganography to conceal malicious code within images and then created hidden web views to open scam-controlled sites. These sites generated fraudulent ad impressions and clicks, tricking advertisers into paying for traffic that never existed.
Global impact of SlopAds
At its peak, the campaign accounted for 2.3 billion ad bid requests each day. The United States was the worst affected, with 30 per cent of fraudulent traffic, followed by India at 10 per cent and Brazil at 7 per cent.
Investigators also found hundreds of promotional domains and servers linked to the scheme, suggesting that those behind it intended to expand the operation even further.
Google under pressure
This crackdown comes during a challenging period for Google’s security teams. Earlier this month, the company confirmed a major data breach affecting Gmail users and issued a critical update to patch an Android vulnerability that allowed hackers to seize control of devices.
With services spanning 219 countries and territories, Google’s global reach makes it an attractive target for fraudsters seeking to exploit its platforms and users.