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Mumbai, 20th March 2025

Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) has launched its first-ever issue of Perpetual Bonds for an amount of ₹1,247 crores at an annual coupon rate of 8.40%. This landmark initiative marks a major step in optimizing the company’s capital structure while capitalizing on the current supportive market conditions.

The issuance of Perpetual Bonds is a strategic move aimed at enhancing IREDA’s Tier-I capital, ensuring a stronger financial foundation to support the rapid expansion of India’s green energy infrastructure.

In addition to this achievement, IREDA has received a refund of ₹24.48 crores on March 19, 2025, from the Income Tax Department towards partial relief granted by the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) for Assessment Year (AY) 2011-12, related to certain disallowances. Refund of approximately ₹195 crores is under process for similar relief provided by CIT (Appeals) for AYs 2010-11, 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2015-16 to 2018-19, which is yet to be received.

Commenting on the successful issuance, Shri Pradip Kumar Das, Chairman and Managing Director, IREDA, said, “This is a historic milestone for IREDA. We extend our gratitude to investors for their enthusiastic response. Strengthening our capital base through Perpetual Bonds will enable us to scale up financing for renewable energy projects, accelerating India’s transition to a cleaner and more sustainable future.”

Bengaluru, March 20, 2025: Bandhan AMC, a leading name in the Indian investment management industry, announced its new alternate investment platform, Vedartha. The new platform seeks to offer products using listed equities and fixed-income solutions under Bandhan AMC’s Alternative Investment Funds (AIF) as well as Portfolio Management Services (PMS). Equity-focused products offered under Vedartha will be managed by a team led by Mrinal Singh, Head – Alternates (Listed Equities), whereas Fixed Income products offered under Vedartha will be managed by a team headed by Bhupendra Meel, Head – PMS & Alternative – Fixed Income.

“Vedartha was born out of a vision to cater to a niche audience with distinct needs. Vedartha derives its essence from Sanskrit words— Veda, embodying the timeless pursuit of wisdom through knowledge, and Artha, signifying prosperity through purposeful wealth creation. Together, they reflect a philosophy where expertise drives prosperity, and wealth becomes a means to create enduring impact. Vedartha is supported by a dedicated and seasoned investment team with proven expertise, along with a senior management team with an average experience of 15-20 years. It is backed by Bandhan AMC’s 25-year legacy and supported by Bandhan Group, GIC (Singapore), and ChrysCapital.” said Vishal Kapoor, CEO, Bandhan AMC.

“Vedartha reflects our commitment to offering bespoke solutions that cater to the nuanced financial aspirations of our clients. By combining innovation, expertise, and purpose-driven strategies within the listed equity space, we aim to support our clients in their wealth creation journey.” said Mrinal Singh, Head – Alternatives (Listed Equities), Bandhan AMC.

“At its heart, Vedartha echoes our belief that wealth creation is a journey guided by knowledge, expertise, and purpose. In the PMS and Alternative space, Vedartha is designed to create unique solutions for our clients, simplifying the complexities of navigating dynamic markets with trust & confidence.” added Bhupendra Meel, Head – PMS & Alternative – Fixed Income.

Vedartha’s investment philosophy is built on identifying high-potential opportunities, crafting pertinent strategies, and constructing portfolios. Vedartha provides customised investment solutions that balance today’s opportunities with tomorrow’s possibilities. It provides a commitment to delivering an exceptional client experience through rigorous reviews, proactive insights, and personalised strategies.

Mumbai, March 20, 2025: WOW Skin Science, India’s leading beauty, skincare, and wellness brand, has launched a campaign spotlighting the WOW Sunscreen range, enriched with Aloe Vera and Glutathione. The sunscreen range provides quick absorption, no white cast, water resistance (up to 2 hours), and seamless makeup compatibility, making it the perfect choice for everyday wear.

Through this campaign, WOW Skin Science aims to spread awareness and make sun care engaging with an exclusive ‘WOW Sunscreen Rhyme,’ designed to make sunscreen application enjoyable and memorable. To add to the excitement, the brand is launching a giveaway, encouraging users to create Reels using the custom audio for a chance to win prizes worth ₹1 lakh. By making sun protection effortless and rewarding, this campaign reinforces the importance of daily sunscreen use. Details will be shared soon on WOW Skin Science’s social media.

The importance of consistent sun protection remains a key concern in skincare, yet many consumers struggle with finding the right sunscreen that doesn’t leave a white cast or feel greasy. WOW Skin Science aims to eliminate these challenges with its broad-spectrum UVA & UVB protection formula, ensuring an effortless, comfortable experience for all skin types.

“We believe sunscreen should be a joy to wear, not a hassle,” said Manish Chowdhary, Co-Founder, WOW Skin Science. “Too often, people skip sunscreen because of greasy textures, white cast, or discomfort. With our formulation, we have addressed these concerns head-on, creating an easy-to-use, skin-loving solution that blends effortlessly. It offers high-performance UVA & UVB protection, quick absorption, and a lightweight feel, making sun care a seamless part of your daily routine. Our goal is to make sunscreen an essential, enjoyable step in skincare, ensuring that everyone can stay protected without compromise.”

Bengaluru, March 20, 2025 – Trend Micro Incorporated, a global cybersecurity leader, today announced the open-sourcing of Trend Cybertron, an AI model and agent framework designed to accelerate the development of autonomous cybersecurity agents. As one of the first specialized cybersecurity LLMs, it provides organizations and researchers worldwide access to advanced cybersecurity capabilities at no cost. The specialized Trend Cybertron model is fine-tuned using Llama 3.1 and supports rapid, reliable deployment with NVIDIA NIM inference microservices on NVIDIA accelerated infrastructure.

Sharda Tickoo, Country Manager for India & SAARC at Trend Micro: “The secret sauce of Trend Cybertron is the data it continuously learns from, fine-tuned for optimized threat detection and mitigation. By bringing to bear the very highest quality threat data and NVIDIA’s industry-leading AI expertise, we’ve made proactive security a reality, enabling us to predict and prevent threats like never before. This innovation isn’t just a win for our customers—it’s about making the entire digital, connected world a safer place.”

Global organizations are struggling to innovate and grow while being weighed down by security challenges, fragmented point solutions, and an overwhelming flood of threat alerts. The complexity demands a shift to a proactive approach. Powered by NVIDIA AI at the core, Trend Cybertron moves beyond chasing threats, applying intelligent, decision-making AI agents to predict and respond.

Pat Lee, Vice President of Strategic Enterprise Partnerships at NVIDIA: “With the ability to understand, reason and take action, AI agents give organizations a powerful new cybersecurity tool. Agentic AI security agents built with the Trend Cybertron model and framework using NVIDIA AI can analyze massive amounts of data in real time to detect potential threats, adapt dynamically, and respond autonomously. “

To operationalize this vision, Trend has built its agentic AI strategy with NVIDIA AI software to accelerate cybersecurity automation, helping organizations proactively manage risks with resource scanning, risk assessment, priority-based reasoning, and actionable remediation suggestions.

Organizations can apply multiple blueprints and seamlessly integrate AI agents to automate security tasks with resource scanning, proactively mitigate threats, and scale their defenses to manage threats more effectively, all within the NVIDIA ecosystem. Specifically, this will help:

● Enhance security posture: enabling teams to precisely anticipate risk across the entire attack surface.

● Reduce alert overload: alleviate fatigue for SecOps teams through more accurate prioritization.

● Save developers’ time: overcome security skills shortages by providing actionable insights to help them identify and remediate risks.

● Unleash greater value: deliver more powerful insights from existing risk sensors.

Trend Cybertron is designed to proactively manage risk, leveraging threat intelligence from over 250 million sensors worldwide—the broadest in the industry. It interprets user queries, generates actionable plans, and performs a holistic risk assessment by retrieving real-time cybersecurity intelligence from Trend Micro’s cloud, ultimately providing with tailored recommendations and best practices to secure an enterprise’s AI systems.

NVIDIA provided support and AI microservices for developing and deploying the model. Trend Micro trained and optimized the Trend Cybertron model for inference using NVIDIA DGX supercomputing to reduce the time required to fine-tune the model.

Trend Cybertron currently consists of an 8-billion-parameter AI model and an initial specialized AI agent, with additional models and agents in development to expand its cybersecurity capabilities. A larger and more advanced version with 70-billion-parameter of the model is planned for the near future to address the cybersecurity challenges of tomorrow.

National, March 20th, 2025: Prowatch, the smartwatch accessory sub-brand of Lava International Limited, Indias leading homegrown smartphone brand, is set to kick off the much-awaited sale of Prowatch V1, exclusively on Flipkart starting today 20th March. Prowatch V1 is introduced with the tagline, Live the Future for the young buyers.

Prowatch V1 stands out with its 1.85-inch AMOLED display featuring a high resolution of 390×450 pixels and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection. Powered by the advanced 2.5D GPU Animation Engine, the smartwatch offers smooth UI transitions and enhanced visual experience. With Bluetooth v5.3 connectivity, Assisted GPS, and an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, the V1 is designed to keep up with an active and adventurous lifestyle.

Powered by the advanced Realtek 8773 chipset, Prowatch V1 delivers smooth, lag-free performance while optimizing power consumption for extended usage. Its highly accurate VC9213 PPG sensor ensures precise health and fitness tracking, offering reliable data for monitoring heart rate, activity levels, and overall wellness. With over 110 sports modes, the V1 caters to a wide spectrum of fitness enthusiasts, from runners and cyclists to yoga practitioners, making it the perfect companion for diverse workout routines.

Chennai, 20/03/25: Danfoss India, a global leader in engineering tech solutions for infrastructure, climate, and energy sectors, proudly announces the launch of 7 new sustainable and innovative products, set to redefine HVACR industry. These products were unveiled at the recent ACREX India 2025, one of South Asia’s largest expos, focused on showcasing the latest technological advancements and innovations accelerating the rapid growth of HVACR manufacturing and sales sector in India. The new products help monitor & control temperature, optimize energy efficiency performance, and regulate & manage the flow of fluids gases in the HVAC system.

Danfoss India’s commitment to sustainability takes center-stage again with the introduction of the following series of products, thereby reinforcing their position as a preferred sustainability partner in the industry.

• P070 Sensor, & A2L/A3 Gas Sensors, which monitor and detect changes in temperature, pressure, or gas levels in HVAC systems.
• EKE100 – SH Controller with Display, & EKE110 – Controller for Vapor & Liquid Injection Systems, that regulate and manage the flow of fluids, vapors, or liquids in HVAC systems to optimize performance and efficiency.
• ETS5M New Series – New Design ETS5M Series, which are latest technology thermoelectric temperature controllers designed for precise temperature control in various applications, including HVACR, and industrial processes.
• EV220S – New Design Water Solenoid Valves, & EVL Solenoid Valves, that control the flow of fluids or gases in HVAC systems, thus helping to regulate temperature, pressure, and flow rates.
• Energy Meter, which measures and monitors energy consumption in HVAC systems, helping to identify areas for energy efficiency improvements.
• GBC 50, which manages and regulates the flow of electrical energy in HVAC systems, ensuring stable and efficient operation.

Mr. Ravichandran Purushothaman, President, Danfoss India Region, said, “At Danfoss India, we’re proud to be driving the ‘Sustainable & Affordable Cooling’ agenda forward with our latest range of innovative HVAC&R solutions, in one of our largest multi-product launches in recent times. These products are tailored to meet several climate and infrastructure needs of the industry, while also supporting our nation’s ambitious climate agenda. And hence it was befitting that we unveiled the same at the recent Acrex expo, amidst the encouraging presence of our HVACR stakeholders.”

These energy efficient solutions of Danfoss were launched by notable industry figures, Mr. Sundar Narayanan, Managing Director, Commercial HVAC at Carrier India, Mr. M Muniraju, President – ISHRAE Bengaluru & GM, HVAC Sattva, Mr. Arun Ramakrishnan, Director, E Solutions, Mr. Srinivas Kodea, Associate Director, RSP Consultants in the presence of Mr. Mandar Vaijanapurkar, Head of Drives Sales, Marketing & Services, and Mr. Madhur Sehgal, Head of Danfoss Climate Solutions Sales, highlighting the significance of ACREX India within the HVAC sector.

Danfoss India also achieved significant recognition at the ACREX India Awards, winning two prestigious awards for their innovative products – Danfoss Bock HG series aluminum body compressors won the award for “Sustainable Design in HVAC Solutions for Mobile Applications,” highlighting their superior performance in mobile HVAC applications. And Danfoss IC7 series drives was the runner in Innovation, showcasing its advanced motor control, built-in security, and modular scalability. These accolades reinforce Danfoss’ commitment to continuously raising the bar on sustainable solutions in the HVAC industry.

The above and Danfoss India’s newly launched products offer a triple advantage: enhanced reliability, reduced maintenance costs, and improved scalability. They also enable real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and optimized system performance. Designed for seamless integration with existing infrastructure, these products provide a comprehensive solution for HVAC system optimization, energy efficiency, and sustainability.

Mr. Madhur Sehgal, Head – Danfoss Climate Solutions Sales, India Region and Mr. Mandar Vaijanapurkar, Head – Danfoss Power Electronics & Drives Sales, Marketing & Services, said, “Our customers are at the forefront of our innovation journey. With the launch of these cutting-edge products, we’re empowering them to create more efficient, sustainable, and resilient HVAC systems that not only reduce their environmental footprint but also enhance their bottom line.”

Beyond performance benefits, the implementation of Danfoss India’s patented distribution design also helps contribute to customers’ Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) scores. By enhancing system efficiency and reducing environmental impact, these new solutions align well with the nation’s sustainability goals and promotes a greener approach to HVAC solutions.

Ms. Anju Mary K, Director – Industry/Public Affairs, External Communication & Sustainability at Danfoss, said, “As we navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing climate in the country, it is clear that sustainable HVACR solutions are no longer a luxury, but a necessity. At Danfoss India, we’re committed to leading this transformation, and our newly launched comprehensive range of sustainable HVACR solutions represent a significant step forward in our mission to create a clean, green and energy-efficient future.”

March 2025: KL Deemed to be University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Wayne State University, USA, furthering its commitment to global academic collaboration through joint research and academic exchange programs. This agreement marks another step in strengthening international partnerships and enhancing educational opportunities for students and faculty.

The MoU was signed between KL Deemed-to-be University and Wayne State University representatives, reinforcing a shared vision for academic excellence and research collaboration. Dr. Nabil Chalhoub, Dean of Mechanical Engineering, and Dr. Leela Mohan Reddy, Dean of Civil Engineering from Wayne State University also engaged in discussions to explore mutual opportunities for academic growth and innovation.

This collaboration is designed to enhance the academic experience for students at both universities and foster a stronger relationship between the institutions. By engaging in joint research projects and academic exchanges, students will gain valuable skills and knowledge in their respective fields, equipping them for global career opportunities. Additionally, KL students will have the opportunity to continue their studies at Wayne State University. Similarly, students from Wayne State University can participate in academic exchange programs at KL University. Both institutions have finalized the framework for this collaboration, which is expected to be implemented starting next semester.

This visit has significantly enriched the research capabilities and intellectual growth of both our faculty and students. The discussions provided valuable insights into Wayne State University’s expertise in various research domains, paving the way for a strong collaborative research partnership across multiple disciplines,” said Dr. M. Kishore Babu, Dean of International Relations at KL Deemed-to-be University (KLEF).

Following the discussions, the Wayne State University delegation also addressed students aspiring to study in the U.S., offering guidance on higher education opportunities, emerging global academic trends, and career planning in the United States.

KL Deemed to be University has been actively strengthening its global presence through collaborations with prestigious international institutions, including the Universiti Malaya , Malaysia; University of Missouri-Kansas City, USA; King Mongkut Institute of Technology, Ladkrabang, Thailand; University of West Florida, USA; Northeastern University, USA; and Tumku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology, Malaysia. These partnerships align with the University’s core objective of encouraging International Academic Collaboration through joint research, faculty exchanges, and student mobility programs.

Buckle up for a rollercoaster of emotions as your favourite &TV shows Bheema, Happu Ki Ultan Paltan and Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai bring gripping twists and unmissable drama this week! Talking about the upcoming track in Bheema, Smita Sable aka Dhaniya shares, “In Bheema, inspired by Babasaheb (Atharva), young Bheema (Tejaswini Singh) takes a firm stand against deep-seated caste divisions. When Dharmsheela refuses to share utensils with Meera, an unexpected move forces the family to confront their biases. Meanwhile, Vishambhar (Vikram Dwivedi) calls out hypocrisy surrounding dowry and women’s rights, but Kailasha Bua (Neeta Mohindra) fans the flames of casteism. As Phulmatiya draws a symbolic line in the house, Bheema faces exclusion from well-digging work, choosing education over hunger as his weapon. With Meera suppressing her hunger and Meva (Amita Bhardwaj) and Dhaniya (Smita Sable) struggling for work, Bheema refuses to eat until his mother does.”

About the upcoming track in Happu Ki Ultan Paltan, Himani Shivpuri aka Katori Amma shares, “Happu (Yogesh Tripathi) finds himself in a hilarious mess. His sleepless nights take a bizarre turn when a neighbour, Mathur, storms in with a complaint that Happu’s snoring is so loud that it’s disrupting his work! Brushing it off, Happu rudely dismisses Mathur, only to regret it later when he learns Mathur is a close friend of the Commissioner (Kishore Bhanushali). Now, as punishment, Happu is stuck with night duty! Meanwhile, chaos brews at home when Chamchi (Zara Warsi) introduces an Indonesian girl to Hrithik (Aaryan Prajapati) and Ranbir (Somya Azad), sparking a rivalry, and Amma (Himani Shivpuri) begins her singing lessons, much to Happu’s dismay. As his exhaustion peaks, Beni (Vishwanath Chatterjee) attempts a sneaky fix by mixing sleeping pills in Happu’s drink! “. About Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai’s upcoming track, Rohitashv Gour aka Manmohan Tiwari shares, “A petty argument at a tea stall spirals into an all-out war between Tiwari (Rohitashv Gour) and Vibhuti (Aasif Sheikh). When Tiwari forgets his wallet, he asks Vibhuti to pay, only to discover Vibhuti is even more broke with just two rupees to his name! Tiwari mocks him mercilessly, and soon, the entire colony joins in. Furious and humiliated, Vibhuti vows never to speak to Tiwari again and Tiwari swears the same! Even at dinner, the cold war continues, with Angoori (Shubhangi Atre) and Anita (Vidisha Srivastava) forced to act as messengers. But when nothing works, Anita and Angoori take drastic measures enlisting Tika (Vaibhav Mathur) and Tillu (Salim Zaidi) to stage a dangerous “bull attack” on Vibhuti. Will this crazy plan finally break the silence, or will it backfire?

Hyderabad March 20, 2025: Kohli Centre on Intelligent Systems (KCIS) at the International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad (IIITH) marked Sri F C Kohli’s birth anniversary on Wednesday. And celebrated FC Kohli, the father of Indian IT and Founder of TCS’s 101 birth anniversary and the fifth edition of FC Kohli Talks.

The Kohli Day celebration included an annual Kohli Day Lecture by Dr. D. Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman of AIG Hospitals, who has the unique distinction of being the first Indian doctor to receive all three Padma Awards: Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan. He delivered a very impactful and insightful talk on AI & Healthcare – Opportunities and Challenges – Why Doctors Don’t like Artificial Intelligence (AI)”.

“Like many Doctors, I too didn’t like AI, I had a lot of apprehension about it because I thought it would be only effective after five or six years and by then I would retire. Because AI is too complicated, I felt it was not to be used in my lifetime. But, I have realised in the past couple of years the importance of AI”, he said, much to the surprise of the 250-plus audience in the hall comprising of doctors, engineers, technologists, students and faculty at IIIT Hyderabad.

Dr Reddy gave many examples of AI applications in the medical field and how it is going to benefit doctors, hospitals and patients. AI is used in many areas of medicine, including pre-and post-surgery, patient monitoring, and personalized medicine. It can help improve patient outcomes and reduce human error, he added.

AI in colonoscopy can improve polyp detection and it is much more effective and better than a human eye can detect. Using AI in colonoscopy is expected to prolong colon cancer, he shared

Another important function, Dr Reddy gave where AI will immensely benefit is in the study of bacteria. The human body comprises 30 trillion human cells, 39 trillion microbial cells 20,000 human genes and 20 million microbial genes. AI helps in studying thousands of bacteria, he said.

AIG does 2000 plus surgeries a month. Emergencies may develop in any of these patients. But, by using AI, in our hospital, we can avoid the “Code Blue” situation and be able to save three lives a day. “Code Blue” is a universal emergency where code signalling a medical emergency is alerted and immediate attention is sought. Dr Reddy has given many areas where AI can be used more effectively for better outcomes. Dr Reddy shared that AI is now more empathetic than doctors, research showed

He spoke about AI-powered hospital beds which AIG Hospitals has one and is being studied. And he explained how these smart beds, use sensors and algorithms to monitor patient activity, health condition etc. He also spoke about Smart Toilets which analyses stool. AI can also be used in predictive medicine, Drug Discovery etc.

“All these are good. But, will it replace me? No, it will not replace the doctor. But one thing is certain. An AI-savvy doctor can replace a doctor who doesn’t use AI. One challenge of AI is data theft. The data that is stolen is being sold. Cybersecurity and regulation are a couple of the areas of challenge he cited. The government doesn’t know how to regulate AI. But it has to be regulated somehow”, Dr Reddy opined.

He inaugurated the Centre for Digital Technologies in Healthcare (CDiTH). He unveiled the plaque along with Mr. Srini Raju, Mr. BVR Mohan Reddy, Mr. R Chandrashekhar the former president of NASSCOM and others.

Prof PJ. Narayanan, Director of IIIT Hyderabad while giving a brief on the just inaugurated centre said it is translation lab was established to apply modern digital technologies to enhance the efficacy and economy of healthcare delivery for real-world impact in India and the world by effectively bridging academic research and clinical practice. With AIG Hospital as a principal partner, Dr. Reddy inaugurated the centre.

Prof Bari Raju and Raja Poladi of IIIT Hyderabad gave more insights into the CDiTH and its execution plan.

The Kohli Centre on Intelligent Systems (KCIS), named after Sri F.C. Kohli, houses all the AI research groups in the institute. 50 faculty and 500 researchers, which constitute one of the largest research groups in the country. Ranging from language technologies, computer vision, robotics, cognitive sciences and advanced machine learning, with applications in several domains including mobility and healthcare. The Centre celebrates its anniversary on March 19th, the birthday of Sri FC Kohli. Kohli Day is an annual event recognizing the faculty, researchers, and the Centre’s work, all inspired by the visionary tech leader.

New Delhi, 20 March 2025: New research by International Workplace Group demonstrates that hybrid work is a key driver in accelerating gender parity and supporting women’s career progression, with over two thirds (71%) reporting that hybrid working with companies empowering their employees to work across multiple locations, splitting their time between local workspaces, a central office and home, has had a positive impact on their career trajectory.

The study of more than 1,000 female workers revealed that hybrid working (64%) is considered almost twice as important as parental leave (35%) in supporting women at work. This is due to the myriad advantages offered by hybrid working, including a greater work-life balance (56%), increased flexibility (58%) and time saved commuting (53%) by being able to work closer to home including in local workspaces.

Offering female workers this flexibility is a win-win for businesses – as a previous study revealed that flexible working models are also driving productivity and talent retention. 69% of flexible businesses report improved productivity in their workforces, and the same percentage believe their policies have enhanced their ability to attract and retain top talent. A McKinsey study also revealed how companies with representation of women exceeding 30 percent (and thus in the top quartile) are significantly more likely to financially outperform those with 30 percent or fewer.

Gender parity and career progression

The data shows that hybrid work is crucial to advancing gender parity in the workplace. Over half of women (56%) reported that hybrid work has led to promotions into more senior roles and a similar amount (52%) said increased flexibility had been crucial to advancing their career.

Across all ages, the majority of women said flexible work had helped level the playing field in the workplace (70%). However, there is still more to be done. According to the World Economic Forum, it will take until 2158 (in approximately five generations time) to reach gender parity if the current rate of progress continues – but flexibility will be a key factor in lessening the gender parity gap, according to half of women (53%).

Hybrid working boosts productivity

Eight in 10 (82%) women say they are more productive and efficient when able to work from a location of their choosing. Furthermore, a study by Stanford Professor Nicholas Bloom found that the hybrid model increases productivity by 3% to 4% on average, which can significantly impact overall performance. Recent research by International Workplace Group further supports this as 69% of executives at companies offering flexible working had seen productivity increases in 2024.

The research also revealed that time consuming and costly commutes are a significant barrier for women juggling multiple family commitments – however a substantial two thirds (68%) of women said that the flexibility offered by hybrid work had enabled them to stay in the workforce instead of leaving due to caretaking responsibilities. This not only plays a critical role in supporting female career advancement, but also helps to keep the majority of the female workforce engaged in employment, essential to boosting national productivity.

Fatima Koning, CCO of International Workplace Group Plc, commented: “IWG’s latest study shines a light on the key role hybrid and more flexible ways of working opportunities can play in achieving parity. Our findings underline the importance of this flexibility for promoting women’s career advancement, improving productivity and attracting, as well as retaining, female talent.”

Flexibility is a non-negotiable for businesses wanting to attract the best female talent

An overwhelming 84% of women said that workplace flexibility is a key decision making factor when applying for a new role. Furthermore, over half (58%) female employees said they would leave their job if required to undertake long commutes daily into work. This figure is the highest for female workers aged between 25-34 (62%), which is a key period in which employees can progress into more senior roles with higher earning potential.

Mark Dixon, CEO of International Workplace Group Plc, commented: “Companies that prioritise flexible and hybrid ways of working will gain a competitive edge in attracting and retaining top female talent. But the benefits don’t end there. Hybrid work has also been proven to enhance productivity and reduce overheads, making it essential for business success, driving both talent retention and a healthier bottom line.”