Author: Ravi Shankar

Pluxee releases a global study uncovering three paradoxes shaping employee engagement in the era of inflation and AI

Paris, September 22, 2026

Pluxee, a global player in employee benefits and engagement, today publishes its second international employee engagement study, surveying 11,000 respondents across 14 countries. The study highlights three paradoxes that offer a vivid snapshot of employee engagement today:

• While work plays a less central role in employees’ lives, their connection to their company grows stronger;

• Despite persistent financial pressure, employees are prepared to leave a job that no longer interests them;
• Although artificial intelligence is poised to profoundly transform employees’ jobs, it inspires more enthusiasm than fear.

 Aurélien Sonet, Chief Executive Officer of Pluxee, commented, “This second global study reveals a workforce that is far more optimistic than many might expect. In the context of economic uncertainty and pressure on purchasing power, employees are strongly connected to their companies, which they increasingly see as a source of stability in a challenging environment. The research also questions common perceptions about AI: while employees recognize its transformative potential for their jobs, most see it as an opportunity rather than a threat, expecting it to make work simpler and more interesting. As the world of work evolves rapidly and new skills become essential, the support we, as employers, provide our employees is crucial to driving their engagement.”

Key figures from the study   Inflation and purchasing power are employees’ number one concern, cited by 70% of employees globally (74% in France), including 25% who say they ‘can’t stop thinking about it’ (27% in France). Job satisfaction is higher than overall life satisfaction, with an average score of 7.6/10 vs. 7.3/10 globally (7.2/10 vs. 6.9/10 in France). Employees remain strongly connected to their organizations, with 87% saying they ‘love’ or ‘like’ their company, +4 points vs. 2025 (83% in France). More employees are adopting “Measured Engagement”, with 38% of employees globally engaging with work more intentionally to protect their boundaries, values and work-life balance, up 5 points since 2025. In France, this figure reaches 45%, up 9 points since 2025. Loyalty is becoming more conditional, with 33% of employees globally intending to stay with their company as long as their job remains interesting, +6 points since 2025. In France, this figure reaches 40%, +10 points vs. 2025. Well-being, recognition and benefits top employees’ HR priorities. Globally, well-being and working conditions rank first (35%), followed by recognition (33%) and employee benefits that complement compensation (29%). In France, the ranking follows a similar trend: well-being and working conditions (35%), recognition (34%) and employee benefits (21%). Employees are surprisingly optimistic about AI, with 65% expressing a positive attitude towards its use at work (51% in France), including 40% who say they “love” it (27% in France). Employees see AI as more of an opportunity than a threat: 40% are confident their job will not disappear as a result of AI (44% in France), while 42% believe AI will positively transform the content of their job (36% in France) Find the full research paper on the Pluxee website:  www.pluxeegroup.com/work-a-refuge-in-turbulent-times

An international study in 14 countries

Pluxee’s global employee engagement study explores how employees worldwide are experiencing work amid economic pressure and the rise of artificial intelligence. Conducted by Ipsos in May 2026 with 11,000 employees across 14 countries, the study tracks changes observed since the first edition in 2025. The countries surveyed include Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, France, Germany, Indiaⁱ, Italy, Mexico, Romania, Spain, Turkey, the UK and the USA.

The findings are analyzed by Jean-Baptiste Barféty, a public policy expert specializing in work, digital transition and the common good, and former advisor to the French Ministry of Labor, together with Antoine Solom, Senior Consultant at FOCUS, specializing in research, advisory and strategy for engaging transformations.

Three paradoxes shaping employee engagement

Despite mounting pressure on household budgets and the rapid transformation of work driven by AI, employees continue to demonstrate a surprising capacity to adapt and move forward with confidence. Contrary to many assumptions, the findings reveal a workforce that remains engaged, strongly connected to employers and broadly positive about work.

Yet beneath this resilience lie three striking paradoxes that capture the changing reality of employee engagement today.

While work is becoming less central to people’s lives, employees feel increasingly connected to their company

As reduced purchasing power and lower life satisfaction prompt employees to make bigger trade-offs at work to better focus on their personal lives, work is becoming less central to their lives. The share of employees who say work is the center of their lives has fallen from 19% to 13%, while “Measured Engagement”ⁱⁱ has increased from 34% to 38%, reflecting a growing tendency to engage with work more deliberately to protect boundaries, values and work-life balance.

This shift should not be mistaken for disengagement. On the contrary, employees’ connection to their organizations continues to grow: professional satisfaction remains high (above 7 in all countries), and 87% report they either ‘love’ or ‘like” their company, up four percentage points.

According to Jean-Baptiste Barféty, the workplace has become a reliable ‘refuge’ for employees, serving as a place of connection and “a shock absorber protecting them from some of the discomforts they might be experiencing because of inflation and global uncertainty”. 

Despite financial pressures, employees are prepared to leave jobs they no longer find interesting

Financial difficulties are having a tangible impact on workers’ lives, with 70% citing inflation and cost-of-living as their top worry and 25% saying they ‘cannot stop thinking about it’. In most of the countries studied, more than half of employees struggle to make ends meet, sometimes running out of money by the tenth day of the month.

However, despite a challenging context, employee loyalty is increasingly conditional: the percentage of employees who want to stay with their company ‘for as long as I can’ has fallen by 5 points compared to 2025. Meanwhile, the percentage of employees who ‘intend to stay as long as my job remains interesting’ is on the rise, increasing by 6 points globally.

Interesting work, the variety of tasks and recognition are driving employee engagement. This development reinforces a trend highlighted in the first edition of the study: employees expect reciprocity from their company in exchange for their engagement. Globally, when asked what their company’s HR priorities should be in the coming months, beyond higher salaries, employees’ top priorities are well-being and working conditions (35%), recognition of their commitment and achievements (33%), and employee benefits that complement compensation (29%).

Employees also expressed a need for growth, with 25% wishing to be ‘provided with better individual support and career development opportunities’ and 21% calling for their company’s HR to put developing ‘people’s skills through more training, particularly in AI’ at the top of their agenda.

AI is transforming jobs, yet employees see more opportunity than threat

While workers across the globe recognize that AI will be a major force in transforming the world of work, they are unexpectedly optimistic about its potential: 65% welcome the AI revolution, and 40% described AI as ‘great’ and say they ‘love’ using it.

This confidence is reflected in perceptions of AI’s impact on employment: 40% of employees are confident that their jobs will not disappear as a result of AI, and 42% concede that the content of their jobs will most likely change, ‘but in a positive way’, making work ‘less routine and more interesting’.

Employees are increasingly embracing AI and adapting to its growing role in the workplace. Among regular AI users, 39% say they learn to use the technology on their own, compared with just 9% who rely on managers and 9% on colleagues. With 31% of employees identifying improving efficiency as a key challenge for their organization in the years ahead, many employees view AI as a tool to save time, simplify work and reduce complexity.

The study also highlights a clear link between employee engagement and openness to AI. Using the Engagement Spectrum introduced in Pluxee’s 2025 global study The New Rules of Engagement, researchers found that the more engaged and outwardly curious employees are, the more likely they are to embrace AI. While 64% of “All Parts Engaged” employees say they love AI and use it frequently, this falls to 39% among “Work Centrists” and 27% among “Outsiders”.

Companies now face the challenge of ensuring that AI becomes the game-changer employees expect for efficiency and well-being, so that their current enthusiasm for the technology endures.

 ***

About Pluxee 

Pluxee is a global player in Employee Benefits and Engagement that operates in 28 countries. Pluxee helps companies attract, engage, and retain talent thanks to a broad range of solutions across Meal & Food, Well-being, Lifestyle, Reward & Recognition, and Public Benefits. Powered by leading technology and more than 5,600 engaged team members, Pluxee acts as a trusted partner within a highly interconnected B2B2C ecosystem made up of more than 500,000 clients, 37 million+ consumers and 1.7 million+ merchants. Conducting business for 50 years, Pluxee is committed to creating a positive impact on local communities, supporting well-being at work for employees and protecting the planet. 

For more information: www.pluxeegroup.com

Contact 
Cecilia de Pierrebourg  
+33 6 03 30 46 98  
cecilia.depierrebourg@pluxeegroup.com 

---

iTo ensure the comparability of results across markets, responses from India were excluded from the consolidated global analysis due to distinct response patterns observed within the dataset.

ii Pluxee’s global study published in 2025, The New Rules of Engagement was the first research paper to identify Measured Engagement, a trend in which employees engage with work deliberately to protect their boundaries, values, and work-life balance — a pragmatic response to a world of work that often expects people to overextend themselves.

Attachment

• Pluxee_PR_Work a refuge in turbulent times

Lille, Sept. 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Top Wealth Group Holding Limited (NASDAQ: TWG)(“Top Wealth” or the “Company”), a distinguished purveyor of high-quality caviar and fine wines, today announced the relocation of its corporate headquarters from Hong Kong, China to Lille, France. This strategic move marks a pivotal step in the Company’s evolution from a regional Asian leader to a globally focused luxury food and beverage house.

The new Lille headquarters will serve as the command center for the Company’s international expansion, placing it at the heart of Europe’s luxury market and closer to key markets in the Americas, the Middle East, and the broader European continent. The relocation underscores the Company’s commitment to enhancing its global distribution capabilities and strengthening its presence in key international markets.

“Moving our head office to Lille is a natural progression for our Company as we pivot our operational focus from Asia to the world,” said Mr. Carp Lee, CEO of the Company. “France is the global capital of luxury, gastronomy, and fine wine, making it the ideal base for our next chapter. This move positions us to better serve our growing international clientele, forge deeper relationships with premier distributors, and elevate our brands to a new echelon of global prestige.”

The decision comes as the Company accelerates its global expansion, following a recent series of distributorship agreements covering key markets, including locations in Europe, the Middle-east, and Asia . The Company’s management forecasts that total revenue for the current financial year will increase by more than 30% compared to the previous year, driven by strong demand in these new markets.

“Our vision has always been to bring the world’s finest caviar and wine to discerning customers everywhere,” added Carp Lee. “This headquarters relocation is not just a change of address; it is a declaration of our global ambitions. We are excited to build on our Hong Kong heritage while embracing the opportunities that France and the global market offer.”

The Company will maintain a significant operational presence in Hong Kong, continuing to serve its valued Asian clientele as it expands its footprint worldwide.

About Top Wealth Group Holding Limited

The Company is a leading supplier of premium-class sturgeon caviar and light luxury wines. The Company sources and distributes products with the highest standards of quality and authenticity, holding permits and certifications that underscore its commitment to sustainability and excellence. The Company supplies caviar under private labels and through its own luxury brand, renowned for its exceptional quality and taste. With a heritage rooted in Asia and a new home in France, the Company is dedicated to providing unforgettable epicurean experiences to the global market.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident” and similar statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in verbal statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of the press release, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

For more information, please contact:

Top Wealth Group Holding Limited
Investor Relations
Email: ir@topwealth.cc

Independent Data Monitoring Committee recommends the ongoing Phase 2 MRD study continue without modification following its review of all safety data to date

No cytokine release syndrome, systemic toxicities or serious immune-related adverse events observed to date, reinforcing IMNN-001’s differentiated safety profile as an IL-12-based immunotherapy

MRD study has now demonstrated the safety and tolerability of IMNN-001 both in combination with bevacizumab and in the maintenance setting

Recommendation follows encouraging preliminary Phase 2 MRD data reported in July demonstrating evidence of deeper anti-tumor activity and immune activation

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J., Sept. 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — IMUNON, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMNN), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing DNA-mediated immunotherapies, today announced that the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) overseeing its ongoing Phase 2 minimal residual disease (MRD) translational study of IMNN-001 has reviewed all safety data to date and recommended that the study continue without modification after identifying no new safety signals and confirming comparable safety across both treatment arms.

The IDMC is comprised of independent medical experts in gynecologic cancers. The Phase 2 MRD study is a randomized, controlled translational study assessing minimal residual disease following treatment with standard-of-care chemotherapy and bevacizumab, with or without IMNN-001, in women with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer. The multi-site study is being conducted in collaboration with Break Through Cancer and is led by investigators at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

“The IDMC’s recommendation to continue our Phase 2 MRD study without modification provides important independent validation of the favorable safety profile we have consistently observed across our clinical development program,” said Stacy Lindborg, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of IMUNON. “Across our completed and ongoing clinical studies, we have observed no cytokine release syndrome, no systemic toxicities and no serious immune-related adverse events—an important distinction for an IL-12-based immunotherapy. Combined with the encouraging biological and clinical activity reported from this study in July, these findings further strengthen our confidence as we continue advancing our pivotal Phase 3 OVATION 3 trial.”

Consistent with this experience, the latest IDMC review identified no new safety concerns in the ongoing pivotal Phase 3 OVATION 3 trial. The MRD study has also achieved two important safety objectives by demonstrating the safety and tolerability of IMNN-001 both in combination with bevacizumab and in the maintenance setting.

In July 2026, the Company reported encouraging preliminary data from the MRD study, which is designed both to evaluate clinical activity and to better understand how IMNN-001 remodels the tumor immune microenvironment following frontline treatment. Among patients who reached the study’s primary assessment at second-look laparoscopy, treatment with IMNN-001 was associated with:

• A lower rate of MRD positivity compared with the control arm (44% versus 67%);
• Higher clearance of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) (87.5% versus 62.5%); and
• A higher proportion of patients achieving “no evidence of disease” following frontline therapy (100% versus 56%).

While preliminary and based on a limited number of patients, these findings provide encouraging evidence that IMNN-001 may drive deeper anti-tumor responses while maintaining the highly favorable safety profile consistently observed across the Company’s clinical development program. These clinical findings are supported by translational analyses that demonstrated robust IL-12 expression within macrophages, activation of downstream cytokines including interferon-gamma, and evidence of both macrophage and T-cell activation, consistent with remodeling the tumor immune microenvironment from an immunologically “cold” state to one that is immunologically active, or “hot.”

About the Translational Phase 2 MRD Study

The Phase 2 MRD study (NCT05739981) is evaluating IMNN-001 in combination with standard-of-care neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy plus bevacizumab in women with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer, conducted through the Break Through Cancer Targeting Minimal Residual Disease in Ovarian Cancer TeamLab. Patients in the experimental arm receive IMNN-001, administered intraperitoneally, in combination with N/ACT plus bevacizumab, followed by interval cytoreductive surgery and additional cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy plus IMNN-001. Patients then undergo second-look laparoscopy (SLL) to assess for minimal residual disease, followed by maintenance therapy assigned according to homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) status. The primary endpoint of the study is MRD-positive rate at SLL; the secondary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS). The study also includes serial translational analyses of tumor tissue, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), microbiome, and intraperitoneal fluid, to further characterize IMNN-001’s impact on the tumor immune microenvironment.

About IMNN-001 Immunotherapy

Designed using IMUNON’s proprietary TheraPlas^® platform technology, IMNN-001 is an IL-12 DNA plasmid vector encased in a nanoparticle delivery system that enables cell transfection followed by persistent, local secretion of the IL-12 protein. IL-12 is one of the most active cytokines for the induction of potent anticancer immunity, acting through the induction of T-lymphocyte and natural killer cell proliferation. IMUNON previously reported positive safety and encouraging Phase 1 results with IMNN-001 administered as monotherapy or as combination therapy in patients with advanced peritoneally metastasized primary or recurrent ovarian cancer, and completed a Phase 1b dose-escalation trial (the OVATION 1 Study) of IMNN-001 in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel neoadjuvantly in patients with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer. IMUNON previously reported positive results from the completed Phase 2 OVATION 2 Study, which assessed IMNN-001 (100 mg/m2 administered intraperitoneally weekly) plus neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy (N/ACT) of paclitaxel and carboplatin compared to standard-of-care N/ACT alone in 112 patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer.

About Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Epithelial ovarian cancer is the sixth deadliest malignancy among women in the U.S. There are approximately 20,000 new cases of ovarian cancer every year and approximately 70% are diagnosed in advanced stage III/IV. Epithelial ovarian cancer is characterized by dissemination of tumors in the peritoneal cavity with a high risk of recurrence (75%, stage III/IV) after surgery and chemotherapy. Since the five-year survival rates of patients with stage III/IV disease at diagnosis are poor (41% and 20%, respectively), there remains a need for a therapy that not only reduces the recurrence rate but also improves overall survival. The peritoneal cavity of advanced ovarian cancer patients contains the primary tumor environment and is an attractive target for a regional approach to immune modulation.

About IMUNON

IMUNON is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on advancing a portfolio of innovative treatments that harness the body’s natural mechanisms to generate safe, effective and durable responses across a broad array of human diseases, constituting a differentiating approach from conventional therapies. IMUNON is developing its non-viral DNA-based gene therapy technology across its modalities. The first modality, TheraPlas^®, is developed for the gene-based delivery of cytokines and other therapeutic proteins in the treatment of solid tumors where an immunological approach is deemed promising.

The Company’s lead clinical program, IMNN-001, is a DNA-based immunotherapy being developed for the localized treatment of advanced ovarian cancer. IMNN-001 has been evaluated in multiple clinical trials including one Phase 2 clinical trial (OVATION 2) and is currently being studied in the ongoing Phase 3 clinical trial (OVATION 3). IMNN-001 works by instructing the body to produce safe and durable levels of powerful cancer-fighting molecules, such as interleukin-12 and interferon gamma, at the tumor site. Additionally, the Company has completed dosing in a first-in-human study of its COVID-19 booster vaccine (IMNN-101). The Company will continue to leverage these modalities and to advance, either directly or through partnership, the technological frontier of plasmid DNA to better serve patients with difficult-to-treat conditions. For more information, please visit www.imunon.com.

About Break Through Cancer

Founded in 2021, Break Through Cancer empowers outstanding researchers and physicians to both intercept and find cures for several of the deadliest cancers by stimulating radical collaboration among outstanding cancer research institutions, including its founding partners: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, MIT’s Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

The Foundation is supported by a Board of Directors from the five partner institutions and a Scientific Advisory Board of U.S. cancer experts. The Foundation was launched with an extraordinary challenge pledge of $250 million from Mr. and Mrs. William H. Goodwin, Jr. and their family, and the estate of William Hunter Goodwin III.

For further information, please visit the Foundation’s website at www.breakthroughcancer.org.

Forward-Looking Statements

IMUNON wishes to inform readers that forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the timing and enrollment of the Company’s clinical trials, the potential of any therapies developed by the Company to fulfill unmet medical needs, the market potential for the Company’s products, if approved, the potential efficacy and safety profile of our product candidates, and the Company’s plans and expectations with respect to its development programs more generally, are forward-looking statements. We generally identify forward-looking statements by using words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend” and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances). Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, uncertainties relating to unforeseen changes in the course of research and development activities and in clinical trials, including the fact that interim results are not necessarily indicative of final results; the uncertainties of and difficulties in analyzing interim clinical data; the significant expense, time and risk of failure in conducting clinical trials; the need for IMUNON to evaluate its future development plans; possible actions by customers, suppliers, competitors or regulatory authorities; and other risks detailed from time to time in IMUNON’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. IMUNON assumes no obligation, except to the extent required by law, to update or supplement forward-looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events, new information or otherwise.

Investor Contact:
Valter Pinto
KCSA Strategic Communications
212-896-1254
imunon@kcsa.com

8.3

PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

1.        KEY INFORMATION

(a)   Full name of discloser:	Rathbones Group Plc
(b)   Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):         The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.
(c)   Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:         Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree	NextEnergy Solar Fund Ltd
(d)   If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:
(e)   Date position held/dealing undertaken:         For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure	21/09/2026
(f)   In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?         If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”	No

2.        POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.

(a)      Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)

Class of relevant security:	Ordinary NPV
	Interests		Short positions
	Number	%	Number	%
(1)   Relevant securities owned and/or controlled:	5,812,009	1.01%
(2)   Cash-settled derivatives:
(3)   Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:
TOTAL:	5,812,009	1.01%

All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

(b)      Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)

Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:
Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:

3.        DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

(a)        Purchases and sales

Class of relevant security	Purchase/sale	Number of securities	Price per unit
Ordinary NPV	Sale	10,000	49.23p

(b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

Class of relevant security	Product description e.g. CFD	Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position	Number of reference securities	Price per unit

(c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

(i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

Class of relevant security	Product description e.g. call option	Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc.	Number of securities to which option relates	Exercise price per unit	Type e.g. American, European etc.	Expiry date	Option money paid/ received per unit

(ii)        Exercise

Class of relevant security	Product description e.g. call option	Exercising/ exercised against	Number of securities	Exercise price per unit

(d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

Class of relevant security	Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion	Details	Price per unit (if applicable)
Ordinary NPV

4.        OTHER INFORMATION

(a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer: Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

None

(b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to: (i)   the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or (ii)   the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced: If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

None

(c)        Attachments

Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached?

No

Date of disclosure:	22/09/2026
Contact name:	Lydia Cotterill – Compliance Department
Telephone number:	0151 237 1176

Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at.

8.3

PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

1.        KEY INFORMATION

(a)   Full name of discloser:	Rathbones Group Plc
(b)   Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):         The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.
(c)   Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:         Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree	Eleco Plc
(d)   If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:
(e)   Date position held/dealing undertaken:         For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure	21/09/2026
(f)   In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?         If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”	No

2.        POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.

(a)      Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)

Class of relevant security:	1p Ordinary Shares
	Interests		Short positions
	Number	%	Number	%
(1)   Relevant securities owned and/or controlled:	1,157,410	1.37%
(2)   Cash-settled derivatives:
(3)   Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:
TOTAL:	1,157,410	1.37%

All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

(b)      Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)

Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:
Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:

3.        DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

(a)        Purchases and sales

Class of relevant security	Purchase/sale	Number of securities	Price per unit
1p Ordinary Shares	Sale	210	229.36p

(b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

Class of relevant security	Product description e.g. CFD	Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position	Number of reference securities	Price per unit

(c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

(i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

Class of relevant security	Product description e.g. call option	Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc.	Number of securities to which option relates	Exercise price per unit	Type e.g. American, European etc.	Expiry date	Option money paid/ received per unit

(ii)        Exercise

Class of relevant security	Product description e.g. call option	Exercising/ exercised against	Number of securities	Exercise price per unit

(d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

Class of relevant security	Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion	Details	Price per unit (if applicable)
1p Ordinary Shares

4.        OTHER INFORMATION

(a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer: Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

None

(b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to: (i)   the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or (ii)   the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced: If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

None

(c)        Attachments

Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached?

No

Date of disclosure:	22/09/2026
Contact name:	Lydia Cotterill – Compliance Department
Telephone number:	0151 237 1176

Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at.

HOUSTON, Sept. 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Orion Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ORN) (the “Company” or “Orion”), a leading specialty construction company, today announced that management will participate in the 25th Annual D.A. Davidson Diversified Industrials & Services Conference on September 24 in Nashville, TN.

About Orion Group Holdings

Orion Group Holdings, Inc., a leading specialty construction company serving the infrastructure, industrial and building sectors, provides services both on and off the water in the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada and the Caribbean Basin through its marine segment and its concrete segment. The Company’s marine segment provides construction and dredging services relating to marine transportation facility construction, marine pipeline construction, marine environmental structures, dredging of waterways, channels and ports, environmental dredging, design and specialty services. Its concrete segment provides turnkey concrete construction services including place and finish, site prep, layout, forming, and rebar placement for large commercial, structural and other associated business areas. The Company is headquartered in Houston, Texas. The Company’s website is located at: https://www.oriongroupholdingsinc.com.

Contact:

Margaret Boyce
346-278-3762
mboyce@orn.net

Source: Orion Group Holdings, Inc.

Company expects to achieve annualized Adjusted EBITDA-positive operations during 2027.

SEATTLE, Sept. 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Roundtable (Nasdaq: RTB), an AI/DeFi-powered Enterprise Media Operating System, announces its 2027 operating forecast in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Company forecasts $102 million in 2027 revenue and an Adjusted EBITDA-positive operations, based on current business and pipeline, and pro forma for the recently announced Paradium.AI partnership. Because the Company’s operating costs are largely fixed, significant operating leverage results as revenue scales past profitability.

2027 operating forecast (in $ millions)

		Q1 2027				FY 2027
Enterprise Media Customers			64				104
Monthly unique users (millions)			83.4				99.8
Revenue (million)		$	19.8			$	102.1
Cost of Sales		$	11.8			$	60.1
Gross profit		$	8.0			$	42.0
Gross margin			40	%			41	%
Operating expenses		$	7.0			$	28.8
Adjusted EBITDA		$	0.9			$	13.2

*Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure intended to reflect steady-state operations and excludes certain non-cash, transaction, transition and one-time costs, including PAAI transaction and integration expenses, reimbursed severance and staff wind-down costs, stock-based compensation, licensing and vendor transition costs, depreciation and amortization, interest, capital expenditures and professional fees. A reconciliation to net income (loss), the most directly comparable GAAP measure, is not available without unreasonable effort due to the variability, complexity and limited visibility of these items, including the accounting treatment of the Paradium.AI transaction, which could materially affect GAAP results. The forecast requires successful closure of PAAI transaction, which requires financing. See the accompanying press release for the full non-GAAP disclosure.

The PAAI partnership brings sufficient scale and market-based pricing to RTB’s market leading capabilities – which benefit all RTB customers. Our business model eliminates customers’ SaaS operational costs, and grows traffic and engagement, enabling media customers to focus their resources on creating content and engaging audiences.

Roundtable provides a unified DeFi/AI platform to media companies, which typically rely on fragmented third-party systems. RTB’s platform integrates publishing, syndication, monetization, real-time payments, security, and AI protection against fraudulent traffic and other threats.

Background

After launching its platform in June 2026 at The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, Roundtable began to onboard enterprise media customers in the third quarter of 2026. 2027 will be the first full year of at-scale platform operations, and settled in partnership with Coinbase.

2027 Strategy

Roundtable is initially focusing on onboarding customers in the sports, finance, technology and news sectors, the initial verticals of what the Company believes will be a 20-vertical premium information marketplace. Developing business into verticals provides scale for verticalized marketers and thus higher yield per inventory unit.

About Roundtable (RTB Digital, Inc.)

Roundtable (NASDAQ: RTB) is an AI/DeFi-powered Enterprise Media Operating System, integrating distribution, publishing, monetization, community, syndication and DeFi payment operations, powering professional and major media brands. The Web3 platform was developed over years by digital pioneers and co-founders, Eyal Hertzog and James Heckman.

For more information, visit rtb.io.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes information that constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current beliefs, assumptions and expectations regarding future events, which in turn are based on information currently available to the Company. Such forward-looking statements include statements that are characterized by future or conditional words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “forecast,” “estimate,” and “continue” or similar words. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they discuss future expectations and plans, which contain projections of future results of operations or financial condition or state other forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding the accretive transactions undertaken in 2026 and future operations and revenues of the Company. By their nature, forward-looking statements address matters that are subject to risks and uncertainties. A variety of factors could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those expressed in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements, such as the Company being able to maintain its listing on Nasdaq for the common stock, having sufficient capital for its acquisitions, operations and business integration and expansion, and developing its business and capturing users for its services. Annualized and longer period revenue and business estimates are subject to the effect of macroeconomic events, industry changes, competitive forces, client development and retention, capital availability, and many other operational factors; therefore, any financial forecasts offered by the Company must take into account the fact that the underlying assumptions may not bear out or may significantly change over time and projected results may substantively increase or decrease. Other risk factors affecting the Company are discussed in detail in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable laws.

Investor Relations Contact: ir@roundtable.io
Public Relations Contact: pr@roundtable.io

39.3 months median overall survival in first-line (1L) R/M immune checkpoint inhibitor naïve patients

Company continues to prioritize PDS0301 in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) while pursuing partnership strategy for PDS0101

PRINCETON, N.J., Sept. 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PDS Biotechnology Corporation (Nasdaq: PDSB) (“PDS Biotech” or the “Company”), a late-stage immunotherapy company focused on transforming how the immune system targets and kills cancers, today announced the publication of results from a Phase 2 trial evaluating PDS0101, its HPV16-targeted immunotherapy, in combination with pembrolizumab in the September 17, 2026, issue of JAMA Oncology, a peer reviewed journal of the American Medical Association. The data were published in an article titled “VERSATILE-002 – A Phase 2 Study of PDS0101 HPV16-targeted T Cell Immunotherapy and Pembrolizumab Combination in HPV16-Positive Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Nonrandomized Clinical Trial.”

Key findings

• 62.3% of the ICI-naïve participants in the mITT cohort (n = 53) had low CPS of 1-19, and 37.7% had high CPS ≥ 20. In the overall CPS ≥ 1 population, the mOS was 39.3 months (95% CI, 23.9 to NE); The best published result with standard of care pembrolizumab or pembrolizumab + chemotherapy is 17.9 months ¹.

• Objective response rate (ORR) for CPS ≥ 1 was 36% of which 5/53 were complete responders by investigator review and 34% of which 6/53 were complete responders by central review.

• The published ORR for the overall population with CPS ≥ 1 when treated with standard of care pembrolizumab is 19%².

• The treatment was well-tolerated with 13.8% Grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs), 1 Grade 4 event one year after PDS0101 therapy, and no Grade 5 TRAEs.

• The published safety profile for the overall population with CPS ≥ 1 when treated with standard of care pembrolizumab reports 17% Grade ≥ 3 TRAEs².

VERSATILE-002 was an open-label, non-randomized phase 2 trial performed at twenty-six oncology centers across the US, UK and Ireland. Eighty-eight patients with histologically confirmed R/M HPV16-positive diseases were enrolled in the study; 87 received treatment and comprised the safety population; 75 were in the modified Intention-to-Treat (mITT) population used for efficacy analyses: 53 ICI-naïve with PD-L1 CPS ≥1, 22 ICI-resistant (Mean age = 64.5 years, 94.7% male, 92.0% White).  

The trial was led by Dr. Jared Weiss, MD, of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, and was performed to determine the efficacy and safety of PDS0101, in combination with pembrolizumab in participants with HPV16-positive recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC), with separate evaluation of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-naïve and -resistant cohorts.

“We’re very pleased with the publication of the Phase 2 clinical results of the VERSATILE-002 clinical trial in a leading peer reviewed oncology journal,” said Dr. Kirk Shepard, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of PDS Biotech. “These results support the durable clinical effect of PDS0101, consistent with promising survival outcomes reported in two other recently published studies, the IMMUNOCERV study, and the NCI-led study in HPV16-positive recurrent and/or metastatic cancers. We believe PDS0101 has the potential to bring new hope to the rapidly growing population of HPV16-positive head and neck cancer patients.”

The Company recently announced the initial closing of a PIPE financing of up to $22.3 million led by Nant Capital, alongside an agreement granting NantWorks, LLC, an affiliate of Nant Capital, a one-year exclusive right to negotiate an exclusive license to PDS0101.

*No head-to-head trials have been performed.
¹Licitra L et al, J Clin Oncol; 2026 Apr 20;44(12):1098-1107.doi: 10.1200/JCO-25-00570. Epub 2026 Mar 12
²Harrington, KJ et al. J Clin Oncol. 2022;41:790-802. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.21.02508.

About PDS Biotechnology

PDS Biotechnology is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing targeted immunotherapies for cancer. PDS Biotechnology owns the Versamune® cancer vaccine platform, including PDS0101, which has been evaluated in HPV16-positive cancers. The Company intends to pursue strategic partnerships or other externally funded opportunities for the Phase 3 development of PDS0101.

The Company’s lead development program, PDS0301 (also referred to as PDS01ADC & NHS-IL12), is an investigational tumor-targeted interleukin-12 (IL-12) immunocytokine designed to deliver IL-12 preferentially to the tumor microenvironment, with the goal of enhancing anti-tumor immune activity while limiting systemic exposure. PDS0301 has been clinically evaluated across multiple solid tumors, including metastatic colorectal cancer and prostate cancer. The Company is focused on advancing PDS0301 in indications where its tumor-targeted mechanism may help address and overcome mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy.

For more information, please visit www.pdsbiotech.com

Forward Looking Statements

This communication contains forward-looking statements (including within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended) concerning PDS Biotechnology Corporation (the “Company”) and other matters. These statements may discuss goals, intentions and expectations as to future plans, trends, events, results of operations or financial condition, or otherwise, based on current beliefs of the Company’s management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. Forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “likely,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “forecast,” “guidance”, “outlook” and other similar expressions among others. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, including, without limitation: the Company’s ability to protect its intellectual property rights; the Company’s anticipated capital requirements, including the Company’s anticipated cash runway and the Company’s current expectations regarding its plans for future equity financings; the Company’s dependence on additional financing to fund its operations and complete the development and commercialization of its product candidates, and the risks that raising such additional capital may restrict the Company’s operations or require the Company to relinquish rights to the Company’s technologies or product candidates; the Company’s limited operating history in the Company’s current line of business, which makes it difficult to evaluate the Company’s prospects, the Company’s business plan or the likelihood of the Company’s successful implementation of such business plan; the timing for the Company or its partners to conduct clinical trials for PDS0301, PDS0101 (Versamune^® HPV), PDS0103 (Versamune^® MUC1) and other Versamune® based product candidates; the future success of such trials; the successful implementation of the Company’s research and development programs and collaborations, including any collaboration studies concerning PDS0301, PDS0101 (Versamune^® HPV), PDS0103 (Versamune^® MUC1) and other Versamune^® based product candidates and the Company’s interpretation of the results and findings of such programs and collaborations and whether such results are sufficient to support the future success of the Company’s product candidates; the success, timing and cost of the Company’s or its partners’ ongoing clinical trials and anticipated clinical trials for the Company’s current product candidates, including statements regarding response rates, the timing of initiation, pace of enrollment and completion of the trials (including the Company’s ability to fully fund its disclosed clinical trials, which assumes no material changes to the Company’s currently projected expenses), futility analyses, presentations at conferences and data reported in an abstract, and receipt of interim or preliminary results (including, without limitation, any preclinical results or data), which are not necessarily indicative of the final results of the Company’s ongoing clinical trials; any Company statements about its understanding of product candidates mechanisms of action and interpretation of preclinical and early clinical results from its clinical development programs and any collaboration studies; the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern; compliance with the rules and regulations of Nasdaq; and other factors, including legislative, regulatory, political and economic developments not within the Company’s control. The foregoing review of important factors that could cause actual events to differ from expectations should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with statements that are included herein and elsewhere, including the other risks, uncertainties, and other factors described under “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in the documents we file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this press release and, except as required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  
Versamune^® is a registered trademark of PDS Biotechnology Corporation.

Investor Contact:
Mike Moyer
LifeSci Advisors
Phone +1 (617) 308-4306
Email: mmoyer@lifesciadvisors.com

Media Contact:
Jude Gorman / Kiki Torpey
Collected Strategies
PDS-CS@collectedstrategies.com

New report finds AI assistant adoption climbing across every age group, women continuing to lead usage on mobile, and early growth in ad monetization

NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Comscore, a global leader in measuring and analyzing consumer behaviors, today released its Q2 2026 AI Intelligence Report, which shows that consumers are rapidly diversifying which AI assistants they use even as the overall category keeps expanding.

According to Comscore panel data, Claude’s share of total AI prompt volume grew from 2% in January 2026 to 11% in June 2026, while Google’s Gemini nearly doubled, from 17% to 30%, over the same period. ChatGPT remains the clear category leader but has seen its share of AI prompt volume fall from 70% to 50% as the competitive field widened. The report also found that the rate of growth on mobile is now outpacing desktop, with adoption of AI assistant up 12% and 25% respectively since the start of 2025.

“As competition among AI assistants intensifies and prompt volume shifts across platforms, brands and publishers can no longer assume that a single AI experience defines the market,” said Smriti Sharma, Chief Analytics and Technology Officer at Comscore. “Understanding where consumers are turning with their questions, which sources AI cites in response, and how those interactions convert into measurable business outcomes is becoming essential to any brand’s growth strategy in this new era of AI-influenced discovery.”

The report offers an independent, comprehensive, panel-based view of how AI usage, AI-powered search, and brand visibility inside AI responses are evolving together. As prompt volume fragments across a growing set of platforms and AI overviews become a fixture of everyday search, the data offers marketers, publishers, and platforms a clearer picture of where consumer attention is migrating.

Comscore Q2 2026 AI Intelligence Report Key Findings

• ChatGPT remains the category leader, but its share is eroding. ChatGPT reached 168 million desktop conversations in June 2026 and grew its multiplatform visitation to 99 million from 59 million a year earlier, yet its share of total AI prompt volume fell from 70% to 50% between January and June 2026 as consumers spread their usage across a wider range of tools.

• Claude’s share increased more than fivefold during time. Claude’s share of the AI prompt volume rose from 2% to 11% between January and June 2026. Desktop conversations increased from 1.1 million in October 2025 to a high of nearly 40 million in April 2026 before plateauing at 22.3 million in June — still about 20 times the levels in October 2025, even as growth slowed through the summer months.

• Gemini’s share of AI prompt volume increased from 17% to 30% from January to June 2026, with desktop conversations rising from 8 million to 89 million over the past year despite a similar early-summer slowdown.

• AI assistant reach continues to expand. In June 2026, 35% of desktop users and 29% of mobile users visited an AI assistant, compared to 25% and 12%, respectively, in January 2025.

• Women are still the biggest users of AI assistants on mobile. Female mobile index scores for ChatGPT, Copilot and Gemini (110, 119 and 115 respectively) continued to outperform male usage on mobile in June 2026 despite men over-indexing on desktop on the same platforms.

• Major social platforms have experienced significant uplift in visitors using AI assistants between June 2025 and June 2026. TikTok grew from 32% to 53%, Meta from 32% to 47% and YouTube from 30% to 39%.

• AI overviews continue to grow their presence in search. Google desktop searches with an AI overview grew from 25.8% in July 2025 to 39.4% in Jun 2026, and Bing’s Copilot Search increased from 11.8% to 17.3% in the same time period.

• AI is emerging as both a brand discovery and monetization channel. Fashion brand mentions in AI responses grew 123% and Health/Beauty brand mentions grew 150% between January and March 2026, while sponsored ads began appearing inside AI travel search results — rising from 6% of hotel-related prompts with source links in March 2026 to 24% by May 2026.

The full Q2 2026 AI Intelligence Report is available for download here.

About Comscore
Comscore is a global, trusted partner for planning, transacting, and evaluating media across platforms. With an unmatched data footprint that combines digital, linear TV and over-the-top viewership intelligence with advanced audience insights, Comscore empowers media buyers and sellers to quantify their multiscreen behavior and make meaningful business decisions with confidence. A proven leader in measuring digital and TV audiences and advertising at scale, Comscore is the industry’s emerging third-party source for reliable and comprehensive cross-platform measurement.

Media
Marie Scoutas
Comscore, Inc.
press@comscore.com

• Supported by Schneider Electric’s SE Advisory Services, the FRC Will Help Provide Fashion Industry Suppliers with Resources to Adopt Renewable Electricity 

NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Levi Strauss & Co. and  Marks & Spencer (M&S), in partnership with SE Advisory Services, Schneider Electric’s global consulting practice, today launched the Fashion Renewable Collaborative (“FRC”) and are inviting fashion brands across the industry to join the effort. Announced at New York Climate Week, the FRC is designed to help interested suppliers adopt renewable electricity at scale through coordinated brand engagement and practical implementation support. By modeling a shared approach to supplier engagement, the collaborative aims to facilitate renewable electricity adoption across global fashion supply chains and help manufacturers understand, access and implement renewable electricity solutions at scale. 

The launch comes as fashion brands seek new ways to translate their individual climate commitments into measurable, durable emissions reductions across complex global supply chains. While many companies have established ambitious climate goals, supplier adoption of renewable electricity remains a critical challenge due to market barriers, limited resources, fragmented engagement efforts, and differing requests from multiple customers. The opportunity is significant: textile processing, the fabric mills and dye houses at the heart of global fashion supply chains, accounts for more than half of the apparel industry’s emissions, according to the  Apparel Impact Institute, making supplier adoption of renewable electricity one of the fastest and most scalable paths to progress. 

The FRC was established to address this challenge through a comprehensive framework that can reduce the burden on interested suppliers while accelerating impact across the fashion industry. According to the Roadmap to Net Zero from the World Resources Institute and the Apparel Impact Institute, shifting manufacturing to renewable electricity is the single largest decarbonization lever, representing roughly two-thirds of the sector’s identified emissions-reduction potential. 

Katharine Beacham, Head of Sustainability and Materials in Fashion, Home & Beauty at M&S, said: “At M&S, we know that real change happens when we collaborate. Through our sustainability programme, Plan A, we’re committed to becoming a net zero business across our value chain by 2040, and that means working with others to make the transition to renewable electricity easier for our supply partners. Building on the work already underway through Re:Spark, our supply chain decarbonisation programme, the Fashion Renewable Collaborative will provide practical support, resources and greater access to renewable electricity, helping suppliers take action and facilitating change in the fashion supply chain.” 

The FRC is one of the first fashion industry initiatives focused on providing real renewable electricity solutions. Unlike programs primarily focused on commitments or a roadmap, the FRC gives suppliers the opportunity to access the tools, knowledge and support to accelerate their energy transition. This includes digital education, powered by  Resource Advisor+, SE Advisory Services AI-native energy and sustainability intelligence platform, market guidance, and significant support in assessing and procuring renewable electricity.  

The FRC is built around a structured implementation model that helps suppliers first learn and then execute through digital education modules. Participating brands benefit from a common approach, while suppliers gain access to support designed to reduce complexity and improve access to credible renewable electricity solutions, including power purchase agreements (PPAs), energy attribute certificates (EACs), on-site and distributed renewable generation, energy storage, and other proven procurement and deployment pathways.  

The Potential of Coordinated Support

At New York Climate Week and beyond, the Fashion Renewable Collaborative is inviting additional fashion brands to join as sponsors and members to broaden the reach and impact of renewable electricity education, resources, and support among participating suppliers. 

“It’s become abundantly clear that the most effective way forward on emissions reduction is working in partnership with suppliers,” said Jennifer DuBuisson, Senior Director, Sustainability, Levi Strauss & Co. “Initiatives like this create better working relationships and a more effective path forward. The Fashion Renewable Collaborative enables greater support of suppliers that want to access or would like to increase use of renewable electricity but haven’t been able to so far, helping facilitate adoption while reducing unnecessary duplication. It’s a natural extension of work we’ve already been doing with our own suppliers, and we’re glad to bring that experience into this effort with M&S and SE Advisory Services.”  

The FRC initiative builds on successful engagement efforts already underway. Together, the two programs registered nearly 500 supplier facilities, demonstrating growing interest among suppliers seeking practical pathways to decarbonization.  

The FRC is supported by SE Advisory Services, which will serve as the program’s global implementation partner. Schneider Electric brings extensive experience in designing and managing large-scale supply chain decarbonization programs, including more than 20 active initiatives globally involving over 3,100 supplier companies and 16 multi-buyer renewable energy cohorts. As a global energy technology leader, Schneider Electric combines deep energy markets expertise, digital platforms, and on-the-ground implementation support to help suppliers move from commitment to execution. 

“Many fashion brands have made their individual commitments. Now the focus must be on helping suppliers deliver against them,” said Steve Wilhite, Executive Vice President, SE Advisory Services. “The Fashion Renewable Collaborative is designed to provide suppliers with practical support and engagement that can help accelerate renewable electricity adoption at scale. We’re excited to support Levi Strauss & Co. and M&S, and future participating brands as they work together to drive meaningful supply chain decarbonization.” 

The FRC will leverage SE Advisory Services’  Resource Advisor+ for Supply Chain product to support supplier onboarding, engagement tracking, readiness assessments, and progress monitoring. Together, these capabilities help create a consistent, digitally scalable experience for both brands and suppliers.  

By participating, brands can directly support suppliers’ ability and desire to adopt renewable electricity while reducing supplier fatigue, expand renewable electricity access, and helping brands achieve their individual supply chain decarbonization goals. 

For more information about the Fashion Renewable Collaborative, visit Resource Advisor+ for Supply Chain.  

Press contact: mediarelations@se.com

About Marks & Spencer 

Marks & Spencer (“M&S”) is a leading British retailer with a strong presence across the UK and in 32 international markets. M&S serves 32 million customers every year with exceptional quality products at value they can trust. Behind M&S is over 63,000 colleagues who bring passion and expertise to everything they do.   

For more than 140 years, M&S has built trust by doing the right thing by its colleagues, customers and the communities. Underpinning this commitment is Plan A – M&S’ sustainability programme – a promise to always source and make products with care. Plan A is also an integral enabler of M&S’ strategy to reshape for sustainable, profitable growth and to become a net zero business across its value chain by 2040.  

About Levi Strauss & Co. 

Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.) is one of the world’s largest brand-name apparel companies and a global leader in jeanswear. The company designs and markets jeans, casual wear and related accessories for men, women and children under the Levi’s®, Levi Strauss Signature™, and Beyond Yoga® brands. Its products are sold in approximately 120 countries worldwide through a combination of chain retailers, department stores, online sites, and a global footprint of approximately 3,300 retail stores and shop-in-shops. Levi Strauss & Co.’s reported 2025 net revenues were $6.3 billion. For more information, go to http://levistrauss.com , and for financial news and announcements go to http://investors.levistrauss.com . 

About Schneider Electric

Schneider Electric is a global energy technology leader, driving efficiency and sustainability by electrifying, automating, and digitalizing industries, businesses, and homes. Its technologies enable buildings, data centers, factories, infrastructure, and grids to operate as open, interconnected ecosystems, enhancing performance, resilience, and sustainability. The portfolio includes intelligent devices, software-defined architectures, AI-powered systems, digital services, and expert advisory. With 160,000 employees and 1 million partners in over 100 countries, Schneider Electric is consistently ranked among the world’s most sustainable companies. 

www.se.com

Learn more about Advancing Energy Tech on Schneider Electric Insights.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/35b959aa-f3e3-4f81-9c27-5aab54da9add