Reward Appoints Sophie Goldschmidt to its Board of Directors

Reward, a global leader in customer engagement and commerce media founded by Gavin Dein, has announced the appointment of Sophie Goldschmidt to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Currently serving as President & CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard, Sophie brings a wealth of experience in global brand development, marketing, and media, areas that align closely with Reward’s goals for international growth and expansion.

With a distinguished career that includes leadership roles at the World Surf League, NBA, WTA, and Adidas, Sophie has built a reputation for scaling businesses, driving innovation, and expanding market presence, particularly in the sports, entertainment, and media sectors. Recognised by Forbes as one of the Most Powerful Women in Sport, Sophie’s expertise in fostering brand loyalty and fan engagement is seen as a strategic asset for Reward as it looks to strengthen its position in the commerce media sector.

Sophie’s appointment comes as Reward accelerates its global growth strategy, following the recent acquisition of Hospitality Data Insights (HDI), which enhances its data insights capabilities. Reward’s CEO, Jamie Samaha, expressed enthusiasm about Sophie’s appointment, noting her ability to build loyalty and engagement, qualities that will be key as the company continues to expand into new markets.

Sophie Goldschmidt remarked on her new role, stating, “Reward is at the forefront of redefining commerce media, using data and technology to drive deeper customer engagement. I’m excited to contribute to Reward’s innovative growth strategy and look forward to supporting its leadership team in creating meaningful connections for retailers and consumers alike.”

About Reward

Reward is a global leader in customer engagement and commerce media, operating in over 15 markets across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The company's platform combines technology, data insights, and digital marketing to deliver personalised products and services that enhance customer relationships and drive loyalty. As it continues to scale, Reward aims to redefine everyday spending and create valuable interactions for both brands and consumers.

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Cloud Gateway Secures £1.5M Investment and Appoints New CEO

Cloud Gateway, a leading provider of secure connectivity solutions founded by Justin Day (CPO), has successfully secured £1.5 million in investment to support its next phase of growth. The company, originally founded in the UK as a technology-enabled Managed Service Provider (MSP), is now transitioning its technology into a full-service Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) platform. This new direction will enable Cloud Gateway to deliver fast, secure, and cost-effective services tailored to the unique needs of clients across the healthcare, government, and financial services sectors.

Trusted by high-profile organisations such as the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS), Avon and Somerset Police, and one of the UK’s largest insurance companies, Cloud Gateway has been instrumental in building resilient and future-ready network infrastructures for its clients.

In addition to the funding, the company has appointed Dan Kline as its new CEO. Kline expressed excitement about his new role, saying, “I am honoured to take on the role of CEO at such an exciting time for Cloud Gateway. With this investment and the incredible talent within our team, we are poised to drive forward our vision and lead the industry in delivering innovative, secure networking solutions.”

The investment will accelerate the development of Cloud Gateway's NaaS platform, helping customers address the challenges of managing modern network and security architecture. The company also plans to expand its sales and marketing efforts, extend its market reach, and enhance customer support to better serve its growing client base.

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Tiba Tempeh Secures £1 Million Investment to Fuel European Expansion

Tiba Tempeh, the plant-based food company headquartered in Newcastle, has secured a £1 million investment from NPIF II - Maven Equity Finance. This funding will support the company’s ambitious plans to expand its operations across the UK and into Europe, aligning with its mission to promote healthier, sustainable eating.

Founded in 2019 by Alex and Ross Longton, Tiba Tempeh creates plant-based products, such as burgers and mince, using soya beans, live culture, and water. The company’s products are already available in major retailers, including Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Ocado, and Carrefour.

Alex Longton, CEO of Tiba Tempeh, shared his enthusiasm for the investment, stating, “This backing will play a crucial role in scaling our business and advancing our mission to inspire people to choose healthier, more sustainable plant-based foods.”

Rebecca MacDermid, investment manager at Maven, commented, “Tiba Tempeh is an exciting brand in a growing market, and we are delighted to support their expansion across the UK and Europe. Alex and Ross bring invaluable experience and a genuine passion for plant-based food alternatives.”

Sarah Newbould, senior investment manager at the British Business Bank, also expressed her support, adding, “We’re thrilled to see how this investment will help Tiba Tempeh launch new products and continue its growth in the rapidly expanding plant-based food sector.”

The £1 million investment is part of the £660 million Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II, which provides funding to small and medium-sized businesses in the North of England.

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IDHL Expands into Influencer Marketing and Public Relations with Acquisition of The MTM Agency

IDHL, the digital marketing agency recently rebranded under a single moniker after consolidating its £38 million group of brands, has expanded into influencer marketing and public relations through its acquisition of The MTM Agency. Founded by Dennis Engel, this move not only broadens IDHL’s geographic presence, with MTM’s base in Southampton, but also introduces a suite of new services to enhance its integrated digital solutions offering.

CEO Ben Wood highlighted the strategic significance of the acquisition, saying, "At IDHL, we are laser-focused on providing world-class integrated digital solutions to drive growth for our clients. This acquisition strengthens our offering and allows us to deepen our understanding of clients’ businesses, delivering even more valuable outcomes."

Wood also emphasised that the acquisition of MTM will accelerate IDHL’s ability to deliver strategic advice across the entire communications landscape, further enhancing the group’s service offerings in response to evolving client needs.

Gordon Hawes, Co-owner of The MTM Agency, shared his excitement about the merger, stating, “The MTM Agency joining IDHL is the culmination of an incredible 16-year journey. IDHL has shown deep appreciation for our culture, creativity, and ambition, and its investment brings the scale and resources needed to ensure continued success for both our people and clients.”

The acquisition sees IDHL’s offices in London, Leeds, and Manchester now joined by The MTM Agency’s team of 80+ staff based in Southampton. Wes Maynard, Managing Director of The MTM Agency, expressed enthusiasm about the future, noting, "Joining IDHL represents an exciting new chapter for everyone at The MTM Agency. By tapping into IDHL’s network, we strengthen our ability to deliver powerful, insight-led strategies."

This expansion marks a significant step in IDHL’s ongoing evolution, enabling the agency to offer more comprehensive services and cater to the rapidly evolving needs of its clients.

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Linq Secures $1.1M Pre-Seed Funding to Combat Revenge Porn and Sextortion Scams

London-based startup Linq has raised $1.1 million in pre-seed funding to support its mission of giving users control over their intimate images while combating revenge porn and sextortion scams.

Founded in 2024, Linq has developed an AI-powered app that offers a secure way to share intimate content. Using technology typically deployed to prevent media piracy, the platform enables users to grant and revoke access to images while preventing screenshots or unauthorised photos. A facial recognition feature also blurs images if the app detects an unintended viewer.

“The reality is people are sending nudes, despite the risks, because it’s a normal part of online intimacy — but they’re doing it without any protection,” said cofounder and CEO Toby Bradshaw. “The taboo around this subject has prevented anyone from successfully executing something similar.”

The funding round saw investment from venture capital firms including Form Ventures, Calm/Storm, and Ascension. Patrick Newton, founding partner at Form Ventures, highlighted the need for a platform like Linq, stating, “Social platforms haven’t built the tools to share this content securely because they don’t want to be pigeonholed as a platform for intimate content. That leaves people vulnerable to fraud or exploitation. Linq solves a huge problem for a growing group of people.”

The launch comes as intimate image abuse continues to rise, with UK police recording over 13,000 incidents between 2019 and 2022, according to domestic abuse charity Shelter.

Linq plans to roll out its app globally over the next three years and is preparing for a seed funding round this summer.

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SaaS Hiring Managers: Build Stronger Tech Teams, Faster

Hiring in SaaS is tough. Competition is high, timelines are tight, and the best candidates disappear fast. That’s where MRJ Recruitment comes in. We specialize in helping SaaS companies secure top engineering and tech talent—without the delays, uncertainty, or wasted effort.

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