Archive: May 4, 2026

COO steps up as founder Steve Brown passes the baton in planned handover; transition follows a year of record venue wins, SaaS expansion and AI investment

TWYFORD, England, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — accesso Technology Group (AIM: ACSO), the leading global technology partner to leisure, entertainment and cultural markets, today announced that Lee Cowie has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. The appointment follows a planned leadership transition.

Cowie joined accesso as Chief Operating Officer eighteen months ago, bringing with him more than 15 years of senior international experience in technology leadership across the leisure and hospitality sectors. He spent seven years at Merlin Entertainments, most recently as Chief Technology Officer, providing technology leadership across more than 125 visitor attractions in 28 countries. He holds an MBA from Henley Business School and a BSc from Imperial College London.

He succeeds Steve Brown, who founded the company’s namesake accesso business in 2008 and has led the company as CEO in recent years, establishing it as the operational technology backbone for more than 1,100 venues across 31 countries spanning the attractions, ski, hospitality and live entertainment industries.

“This transition has been carefully planned, and I’m leaving the business in very good hands. Accesso has a strong foundation, a talented team and expanding data intelligence capabilities that position it well for its next phase of growth. Lee’s deep experience in this industry, his unique view as a former client, and his understanding of what operators need, makes him the right person to lead the business forward,” said Steve Brown, outgoing CEO, accesso.

“Accesso has spent 25 years building the infrastructure and ecosystem that operators trust with the moments that matter most. My focus from here is on making that infrastructure more intelligent, more connected, and simpler for the operators and visitors who depend on it. The AI era is coming into our industry and we are ready for it,” said Lee Cowie, CEO, accesso.

Cowie’s strategic priorities center on three areas: the development of accesso Intelligence^SM, the company’s AI-powered analytics and forecasting platform built on the acquisition of Dexibit®; an integrated payments strategy designed to simplify transaction economics for operators and visitors; and a programme of integration work across accesso‘s product estate to deliver a connected experience across ticketing, queuing, point of sale, membership and guest experience.

More details about Cowie’s priorities are shared in a blog piece published today on the accesso website.

About accesso Technology Group plc

accesso is the leading global provider of patented and award-winning technology solutions that redefine the guest experience. accesso provides connected ticketing and eCommerce, virtual queuing, restaurant and retail point of sale, distribution, mobile apps and experience management, and data and analytics solutions for more than 1,100 venues worldwide. Its technology helps operators streamline operations, increase revenue and improve the guest journey. accesso delivers a high volume of product enhancements year-round and continuously invests in R&D to help venues and operators adapt to evolving guest needs.

accesso is a public company, listed on AIM: a market operated by the London Stock Exchange. Learn more at accesso.com or follow accesso on X (Twitter), LinkedIn and Facebook.

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• 76% of surveyed organizations now have a Chief AI Officer, up from 26% a year ago
• 59% of CEO respondents say the CHRO’s influence will increase over the next few years
• Nearly two-thirds of surveyed CEOs are comfortable using AI to help inform major strategic decisions

ARMONK, N.Y., May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A new global study from the IBM (NYSE: IBM) Institute for Business Value finds that the accelerating pace of AI is pushing CEOs to redesign how C-suite roles are structured to drive greater business impact across the enterprise.

In the foreword of the study, IBM Vice Chairman Gary Cohn writes, “The CEO’s role has always been to lead through disruption. What AI changes is the velocity and consequences of leadership. Enterprises that succeed will operate AI-first – not as a layer of technology, but as a new operating model. Decision cycles will compress. Boundaries between functions will dissolve. Advantage will accrue to those who can learn, adapt, and execute faster than their competitors.”

The annual IBM CEO study,* which surveyed 2,000 CEOs globally, shows that as AI becomes more pervasive in the enterprise, CEOs are under growing pressure to rethink how leadership teams operate, how decisions get made and how organizations are structured.

Among the key findings:

• 76% of surveyed organizations have a Chief AI Officer (CAIO) in 2026, up from just 26% in 2025.
• Analysis shows that organizations with an AI-first approach to C-suite design have scaled 10% more AI initiatives enterprise-wide than their peers.
• 64% of surveyed CEOs say they are comfortable making major strategic decisions based on AI-generated input. 
• 83% of respondents agree that AI sovereignty is essential to business strategy, underscoring the importance of having the right controls as AI plays a larger enterprise-wide role. 
• Surveyed CEOs say only 25% of the workforce is using AI regularly as part of their job, despite 86% believing their employees have the skills to collaborate with AI.

“AI is changing how work gets done, bringing people and software together in new ways, and it’s changing how people come together in the workplace,” said Mohamad Ali, Senior Vice President, IBM Consulting. “The CEOs delivering real results from AI transformation aren’t just deploying AI faster, they’re redesigning their organizations to bring together the best people with the best technology.”

New challenges demand different kinds of leadership

• 85% of respondents say all functional leaders must become technology experts in their domain, signaling that AI accountability is expanding beyond specialized roles. 
• Among organizations with a CAIO, all surveyed CEOs expect the influence of the role to increase by 2030, alongside rising influence across every member of the C-suite. 
• 59% of surveyed CEOs say the CHRO’s influence will increase over the next few years.

As CEOs turn to AI-driven decisions, governance and controls become more critical

• By 2030, surveyed CEOs expect 48% of operational decisions where consistency and guardrails can be codified will be made by AI without human intervention, compared to 25% today. 
• 79% of executives surveyed confirm they are decentralizing decision-making, distributing accountability as AI plays a more significant role enterprise wide. 

Organizations are betting on people to drive AI success

• 83% of CEOs surveyed say AI success depends more on people’s adoption than technology.
• Between 2026 and 2028, respondents expect 29% of employees to require reskilling for a different role and 53% to need upskilling to perform their current role more effectively. 
• Surveyed organizations that redesigned five core business areas — technology, finance, HR, operations and cross-functional collaboration — are four times more likely to have delivered on business objectives. 
• 77% of respondents say talent and technology leadership roles are converging, suggesting tighter integration between talent, technology and enterprise strategy. 

To view the full study, visit: https://www.ibm.com/thought-leadership/institute-business-value/en-us/c-suite-study/ceo

The study also features industry perspectives from senior executives on how business leaders are responding to AI-driven change. A selection of these firsthand views are available in the addendum below.

*Study Methodology
The IBM Institute for Business Value, in cooperation with Oxford Economics, conducted a survey of 2,000 CEOs and equivalent senior leaders across 33 geographies and 21 industries from February to April 2026. The survey explored how leaders are redesigning business models, operating structures and execution capabilities in an AI-driven economy, with additional analysis examining how organizations translate AI ambition into enterprise-wide execution and business value.

The IBM Institute for Business Value, IBM’s thought leadership think tank, combines
global research and performance data with expertise from industry thinkers and leading academics to deliver insights that make business leaders smarter. For more world-class thought leadership, visit: www.ibm.com/ibv. To receive more insights, subscribe to the IdeaWatch newsletter: https://ibm.co/ibv-ideawatch. 

About IBM
IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM’s breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM’s long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity, and service.  Visit www.ibm.com for more information.

Media Contact
Marisa Conway
IBM Corporate Communications
conwaym@us.ibm.com

Executive Perspectives:

“It’s not laying AI on top of your existing tools and services. It’s reimagining the entire process.” — Pablo T. Rivero, CEO, Resy and SVP, Global Dining, American Express

“You can’t forecast every disruption, but you can prepare by building organizations that are resilient, adaptable, and ready to operate through change.” — Andrew Anagnost, President and CEO, Autodesk

“AI has moved from the infrastructure layer, largely invisible, to the surface layer of how we work and how we serve customers.” — David Risher, CEO, Lyft

“The introduction of AI is more transformative than the introduction of the internet was at the time – not because of the technology itself, but because of its impact on how people work, decide and collaborate.” — Jan Polkerman, CEO, Dutch Tax and Customs Authority IT

“AI needs to be embedded into how we operate. That means integrating it into workflows across design, merchandising, marketing, stores, and operations—not as a separate initiative, but as part of how the business runs.” – Patrice Louvet, President and CEO, Ralph Lauren Corporation

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This gym is the largest and most luxurious facility in Andhra Pradesh

VIJAYAWADA, India, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — UFC GYM®, the elite global fitness brand, continues its aggressive expansion across the Indian subcontinent with the grand opening of its newest premium facility in Vijayawada. Located at the prestigious Benz Circle on Dr. Ramesh Hospital Road, this state-of-the-art club marks a significant milestone in bringing world-class functional fitness and mixed martial arts (MMA) inspired training to the heart of Andhra Pradesh.

Vijayawada is rapidly emerging as a key commercial and residential hub, known for its expanding business ecosystem, young professional population and growing demand for premium lifestyle experiences. Its dynamic growth and fitness-conscious community make it the ideal city for UFC GYM’s high-performance training model.

The gym is spread across 3 floors spanning a massive 20,000 square feet of carpet area and designed to offer an unparalleled fitness experience. Equipped with industry-leading strength and cardio equipment from Life Fitness and Hammer.

Strength, the facility ensures that members have access to the highest standards of durability and biomechanics available in the global fitness industry.

Located at Dr. Ramesh Hospital Road, Prashant Nagar, Benz Circle, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh 520008, UFC GYM Vijayawada brings the brand’s signature Train Different® philosophy to the city, offering members of all ages access to international-standard fitness, elite equipment and a results-driven training community. Key highlights include:

• UFC-style Octagon® and MMA equipment for authentic combat training

• A boxing bag rack for boxing and kickboxing conditioning classes
• State-of-the-art cardio equipment by Life Fitness and strength equipment by Hammer Strength
• Signature UFC GYM group classes including Daily Ultimate Training®, Fight Fit, Boxing Conditioning, and Kickboxing Conditioning

• A large group class studio for Yoga, Zumba and other group class activities
• Functional training equipment and a large turf area for high intensity workouts
• Youth fitness programs for children aged 5–12 years
• Premium amenities including lockers, showers, steam and recovery facilities

Members will train using methods developed in collaboration with internationally acclaimed UFC® athletes and world-class fitness directors, ensuring safe, structured and effective results.

Expanding beyond traditional gym boundaries, the Vijayawada club will introduce a holistic approach to wellness. The facility will also be featuring a dedicated Pilates Studio, catering to those seeking core strength and flexibility, alongside a specialized Recovery Room. The Recovery Room will provide members with advanced post-workout recovery services mirroring the recovery protocols used by professional UFC athletes.

Chairman of UFC GYM India, Farzad Palia said, “Vijayawada represents the new wave of India’s fitness growth — ambitious, youthful, and forward-looking. Bringing UFC GYM here allows us to introduce world-class MMA-inspired training to a city ready for premium fitness experiences. This expansion strengthens our commitment to building a nationwide fitness network that delivers global standards and real outcomes.”

Founder and Managing Director of UFC GYM India, Istayak Ansari said, “Our goal is to make elite training accessible to every serious fitness enthusiast in India. Vijayawada is a strategic milestone in our growth journey and we are excited to serve a diverse community with programs that are both performance-driven and inclusive.”

UFC GYM Vijayawada is led by Sub-Licensee Mohammed Shoaib, who said, “From being a member of the UFC GYM in the US to opening one in my home city, my journey with this global brand has been really exciting. Having experienced and embraced this world-class training in the US, I am proud to now bring the same standard of excellence to Vijayawada. I will be opening another franchised location in Hyderabad by the end of this year.”

Donnie Oliver, Executive Vice President – International Franchise & Global Fitness Operations, UFC GYM said, “India continues to be one of the most exciting growth markets for UFC GYM globally, and Vijayawada is a perfect example of the dynamic cities driving this momentum. We’re proud to bring our Train Different® philosophy and world-class training experience to this vibrant community as we continue expanding our footprint across the country“

UFC GYM is set to register 100% growth in the next financial year with new locations opening across Jaipur, Jammu, Shillong, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune and more.

Since debuting in 2009, UFC GYM has opened more than 170 locations across 26+ countries.In 2017, the fitness franchise expanded its global brand presence to India, which is the world’s second-largest population, in partnership with Artaxerxes Fitness & Lifestyle Pvt. Ltd, led by Master Licensees Istayak Ansari and Farzad Palia. UFC GYM is targeting to build 100+ UFC GYM clubs in 60+ cities by 2030 in India.

UFC GYM programming has been developed through exclusive access to the training regimens of internationally acclaimed UFC® athletes and world-class Fitness Directors. The company’s unique Train Different approach provides members with everything they need for the entire family to move, to get fit and to live a healthy life regardless of their age or current athletic ability. For more information on UFC GYM Vijayawada, please visit ufcgym.in or follow the gym on Instagram @ufcgymvijayawada.

UFC GYM® is the first major brand extension of UFC®, the world’s premier MMA organization, created in alliance with developers of many of the world’s most successful fitness brands. As the first to unite the benefits of MMA with fitness, the brand is not what you expect and more than you can imagine. UFC GYM’s TRAIN DIFFERENT® approach provides members with the ultimate fitness experience and programming that secures results for all ages and training levels. With over 170 locations opened and 700 additional locations currently in development globally, UFC GYM has revolutionized the fitness industry and positively impacted countless lives worldwide. UFC GYM offers the opportunity to own and operate a franchise domestically and internationally. For more information, please visit www.ufcgym.com.

Follow UFC GYM through the below platforms:

● FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/UFCgym
● YOUTUBE – https://www.youtube.com/ufcgym

Follow UFC GYM India GYM through the below platforms:

● FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/ufcgymindia
● INSTAGRAM – https://www.instagram.com/ufcgymindia
● YOUTUBE – https://www.youtube.com/ufcgymindia
● LINKEDIN – https://in.linkedin.com/company/ufcgymindia

Media Contacts:

Rizwan Khan – rizwan@ufcgym.in
Veronica Stranc – veronica.stranc@ufcgym.com

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SINGAPORE, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Organised by Arts House Group, Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) returns from 15 to 30 May 2026 with the tagline “Let’s Play!”, inviting audiences to explore, experiment and connect through the arts. Led by Festival Director Chong Tze Chien, the Festival enters a new three-year curatorial arc tracing Singapore’s performing arts landscape – honouring the past, examining the present and imagining the future.

SIFA 2026’s five programming pillars offer diverse ways to experience the arts: Festival Stage for large-scale productions, Festival Village at the historic Empress Lawn for open-access performances against the city’s National Monuments, Festival Play!Ground for interactive works and parades, Festival House for family-friendly experiences, and Festival Late Nites for night-time programming. Offerings span the Civic District to Singapore’s newest digital district, bringing the Festival into the heartlands.

SIFA 2026 brings together powerful artistic voices from Singapore and around the world:

• Last Rites by Liu Xiaoyi (Singapore) features theatre veterans from different cultures exploring themes of endings and legacy
• Salesman之死 by playwright Jeremy Tiang and director Danny Yeo (Singapore) reimagines Arthur Miller’s 1983 Beijing production of Death of a Salesman, questioning cultural ownership in an interconnected world
• Strangely Familiar《熟悉的陌生》by T.H.E Dance Company (Singapore) features performers from the region exploring how culture, digital identities, and everyday norms intertwine in contemporary lives
• Noli Timere by Rebecca Lazier (Canada) with Janet Echelman (United States) combines contemporary dance and avant-garde circus in an aerial performance
• LACRIMA by Caroline Guiela Nguyen (France) explores the human world behind a fictional Parisian haute couture royal wedding commission
• Hedda Gabler stars Lee Hye-young (South Korea) in a contemporary reimagining of Ibsen’s classic, exploring desire, frustration, and societal constraints
• Hamlet by Teatro La Plaza (Peru) features actors with Down syndrome, sharing their desires and frustrations through Shakespeare’s tragedy
• The Lighthouse by Patch Theatre (Australia) beckons families to an immersive performance that is part installation, part scientific quest, part rave
• AUTOMATA, a late-night series curated by Hothouse (Singapore) explores ritual and machine bodies, featuring artists such as music producer Guzz (China)

For the full festival lineup and ticket sales, visit sifa.sg.

Media Contact:
Lee Say Hua, sayhua.lee@tateanzur.com, +65 96684605

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XUZHOU, China, May 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — XCMG Machinery (“XCMG”, SHE: 000425) announced that it has once again ranked third globally among construction equipment manufacturers based on sales revenue in the Yellow Table 2026, published by International Construction, a magazine under global construction media group KHL Group, with equipment sales reaching approximately USD 14.2 billion and a market share of 5.8%. As the highest-ranking Chinese company on the list, XCMG remains the only manufacturer from China in the global top five.

“XCMG’s sustained ranking among the world’s top three construction equipment manufacturers is a testament to our robust global footprint and long-term strategy,” said Yang Dongsheng, Chairman of XCMG Group and XCMG Machinery. “Our strong performance in 2025 marks a new chapter as we are now poised to deepen international collaboration, accelerate the shift toward green and intelligent machinery, and deliver enduring value to our partners and the global industry.”

Backed by its latest annual report, released on April 28, XCMG reported solid growth in 2025, with operating revenue reaching RMB 100.823 billion (up 8.37% YoY), and maintained growth momentum into the first quarter of 2026. During the first three months of 2026, XCMG recorded RMB 29.791 billion in revenue, representing a 9.26% year-over-year increase.

International operations continue to be a primary growth engine for XCMG. In 2025, overseas revenue surged 16.58% year over year to RMB 48.599 billion, accounting for nearly half (48.20%) of the company’s total revenue, a 3.39 percentage point increase from the previous year. Meanwhile, domestic revenue remained steady at RMB 52.224 billion, representing a modest 1.70% increase.

In 2025, XCMG reported a Parent Company Net Profit of RMB 6.572 billion (+8.96% YoY), while Adjusted Parent Company Net Profit reached RMB 6.550 billion, representing a robust 13.68% year-over-year increase. For the first quarter of 2026, profitability remained stable, with net profit and adjusted net profit reaching RMB 2.056 billion and RMB 2.024 billion, respectively.

XCMG also reported operating cash flow of RMB 14.142 billion in 2025, up 148.42% year over year. In the first quarter of 2026, operating cash flow reached RMB 2.152 billion, up 153.12% year over year. The company reported a gross margin of 22.61%, up 0.04 percentage points, and a return on equity of 11.00%, up 0.63 percentage points.

In 2025, XCMG maintained steady growth across its primary product categories. The company’s focus on sustainable innovation drove new-energy revenue to RMB 13.30 billion (a 23.6% YoY increase). Meanwhile, traditional segments continued to provide a solid foundation, with earthmoving machinery generating RMB 30.131 billion, hoisting equipment contributing RMB 20.983 billion. Emerging segments continued to expand steadily, with the mining machinery division reporting RMB 9.377 billion in revenue.

XCMG is committed to expanding its global footprint by advancing green, intelligent equipment and strengthening a manufacturing ecosystem driven by digital transformation and industrial IoT. By continuously refining its product portfolio and service reach, the company ensures world-class support for its customers and partners worldwide.

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BEIJING, May 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — When Ismail Zabeeh enrolled as a doctoral student at the Institute of South-South Cooperation and Development (ISSCAD) at Peking University, he had already served as a state minister in the Maldives. What drew him back to a classroom was the chance to study development through the firsthand experience of countries that have undergone rapid development themselves.

Zabeeh is far from alone. Eric Dodoo-Amoo, who heads the China Desk of the Ministry of Finance of Ghana, is an ISSCAD graduate from the class of 2022. On April 29, 2026, both came to PKU’s Yingjie Overseas Exchange Center to join students and alumni from around the world in marking the institute’s 10th anniversary, celebrated with a forum on sustainable development in the Global South.

Founded in 2016, ISSCAD was built on a premise that remains rare in international development education: that developing countries have generated their own body of knowledge worth studying systematically.

“The most important innovation of this institute is that it draws on the development experience of China and other developing countries,” said Justin Yifu Lin, ISSCAD’s honorary dean and a former chief economist of the World Bank.

The anniversary forum brought together government leaders, scholars, and diplomats. PKU Council Chair He Guangcai and senior officials from the China International Development Cooperation Agency, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Ministry of Education reaffirmed their commitment to the institute as a platform for talent development, policy research, and international exchange.

Arkebe Oqubay, a former senior minister of Ethiopia and a leading scholar on industrial policy in Africa, called the coming decade a critical window for deepening South-South cooperation. Abigail Shoniwa, Zimbabwe’s ambassador to China, noted that Zimbabwean policymakers have drawn directly on insights gained through ISSCAD programs.

A special lighting ceremony and flag parade featuring students and alumni from more than 80 countries marked the 10th anniversary, symbolizing unity and shared aspirations of the Global South.

Over the past decade, the institute has trained senior officials, diplomats, and scholars from across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific, offering doctoral and master’s programs that combine academic research with policy fieldwork in China.

As ISSCAD enters its second decade, Lin laid out an aspiration: for the institute to grow into a globally recognized center for academic innovation and knowledge exchange among developing nations.

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