Other News In Brief

'Make Things Do Stuff' Campaign Launches

At the Roundhouse in London, Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne officially launched the 'Make Things Do Stuff' campaign, to inspire a generation of kids to create, not just use, digital technologies.

The campaign, led by Nesta, Nominet Trust and Mozilla will bring together technology super brands like Facebook, big business such as 02 Telefonica and grassroots organisations who are already providing digital skills to young people in the UK.

Young people and businesses are encouraged to get involved and get behind the campaign.

Partners such as Games Britannia have already committed to delivering 3-days of free digital making workshops for 800 school children by September 15.

Partners can help by providing mentors, resources, or digital content.

London's Docklands To Be Transformed

The Mayor, Boris Johnson, has announced details of a £1bn deal to transform London's historic docklands into the capital's next business district, forging new trade links with China and other economies in the Asia-Pacific region and securing billions of pounds of inward investment in the UK economy.

Owned by the Greater London Authority and situated in the heart of Royal Docks Enterprise Zone, the 35-acre site at Royal Albert Dock is set to be transformed by ABP China (Holding), a successful commercial developer, into a gateway for Asian and Chinese business seeking to establish headquarters in Europe as well as other businesses wanting to set up in the capital.

Historically the trading heartland of the capital, the deal will re-instate the Royal Docks as a commercial and trading centre for the 21st century, delivering around 20,000 full-time jobs and boosting local employment in Newham by 30 per cent. When complete the site will become London's third business district and, according to initial projections, be worth £6bn to the UK economy, generating £23m in business rates annually and acting as a catalyst for further development in the area.

New Chairman Of NHS Blood And Transplant Appointed

John Pattullo has been named as the new chairman of NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced today.

NHSBT is responsible for providing a reliable, efficient supply of blood to hospitals in England and North Wales as well as the wider NHS. It is also the organ donation organisation for the UK and responsible for matching and allocating donated organs.

Mr Pattullo, who recently retired as Chief Executive Officer of CEVA, an Amsterdam-based global logistics company, will take up his new role immediately.

(CD)