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These ‘autofocus’ glasses could soon make bifocals obsolete – by tracking your eyes in real time

French startup IXI is working on glasses with autofocus lenses Built-in sensors track eye movements Liquid crystal lenses adjust focus to match what you’re looking at Squinting to see a sign, tilting your head to look at someone, peering down your nose to read a menu: for millions of far-sighted people, glasses are a constant […]

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  • French startup IXI is working on glasses with autofocus lenses
  • Built-in sensors track eye movements
  • Liquid crystal lenses adjust focus to match what you’re looking at

Squinting to see a sign, tilting your head to look at someone, peering down your nose to read a menu: for millions of far-sighted people, glasses are a constant compromise. But a new kind of smart eyewear is aiming to clear things up, with the help of autofocus lenses.

Finnish startup IXI is one company developing frames with adaptive optics. Its glasses uses tiny sensors to track what you’re looking at, then liquid crystal lenses to adjust your view to suit. So you can go from checking your phone to watching a game in a blink.



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MMA.INC and UFC GYM Expand Strategic Partnership to Launch 45 New BJJ Studios by 2025 with BJJLink Technology

Highlights Landmark multi-year agreement strengthens UFC GYM and MMA.INC alliance, supporting the global rollout of 45 new gyms in 2025 and accelerating the expansion of UFC GYM’s high-growth BJJ program—powered by MMA.INC’s category-leading software. BJJLink.com is the definitive all-in-one operating system for martial arts-first businesses—optimizing member management, driving revenue growth, and unlocking scalable monetization for […]

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Highlights

  • Landmark multi-year agreement strengthens UFC GYM and MMA.INC alliance, supporting the global rollout of 45 new gyms in 2025 and accelerating the expansion of UFC GYM’s high-growth BJJ program—powered by MMA.INC’s category-leading software.
  • BJJLink.com is the definitive all-in-one operating system for martial arts-first businesses—optimizing member management, driving revenue growth, and unlocking scalable monetization for franchisees.
  • Builds on MMA.INC and UFC GYM’s broader strategic partnership to integrate the Warrior Training Program across a network of 150+ locations worldwide.


New York, NY, July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

Mixed Martial Arts Group Limited

(NYSE American: MMA) (“MMA” or the “Company”), an NYSE American listed innovator at the intersection of combat sports and digital transformation, has announced an expansion of its strategic technology partnership with

UFC Gym Group

who are selecting

BJJLink.com

as the official gym management software platform for all new UFC GYM BJJ franchise studios.

This extension of the existing Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) agreement follows

UFC GYM’s landmark global expansion announcement in February

and solidifies a deeper alignment between UFC GYM’s fast-growing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) program and MMA.INC’s category-leading gym software. This announcement capitalizes on the growth in BJJ, reinforced by UFC’s recent launch of their new premier BJJ live event series, UFC BJJ 1.


BJJLink.com

, powered by MMA.INC’s

Martial Arts Technology

, will serve as the digital backbone of UFC GYM’S new BJJ franchise studios. Designed specifically for martial arts-first businesses, the platform equips franchisees with a modern, all-in-one operating system that streamlines member management, drives revenue, and unlocks new monetization opportunities. Key features include:


  • Mobile check-in and self-service kiosk systems

    to reduce front-desk friction and enhance member experience

  • Curriculum and belt progression management

    with digital tracking tools aligned to structured programs

  • Smart class and staff scheduling

    with real-time attendance and performance visibility

  • Payment infrastructure

    , including recurring billing, retail sales and a customizable in-app transaction layer that supports Stripe and a growing list of other global processors

  • Referral tracking and affiliate logic

    to power grassroots growth and incentive campaigns

  • Built-in CRM and e-commerce automation

    , enabling franchisees to engage leads, sell merchandise, and convert visitors, all from one centralized platform

Under the terms of the expanded agreement, UFC GYM franchisees will gain access to BJJLink Admin+, a powerful all-in-one platform designed to simplify operations and drive growth. UFC GYM BJJ Studio Franchisees will benefit from streamlined class scheduling, automated billing, digital curriculum tools, and built-in referral tracking, removing administrative overhead and enabling staff to focus on member experience. Standardized pricing across locations and centralized reporting through a master admin dashboard provide both flexibility and oversight, helping franchisees scale confidently while staying aligned with brand standards.

“The BJJLink platform offers an intuitive and powerful back-end that empowers our coaches and BJJ studio franchisees to focus on what matters most, training and community,” said

Adam Sedlack

, CEO of UFC GYM. “This agreement gives us the technical scalability and operational consistency needed to support our ambitious rollout of new BJJ studios globally.”

The new UFC GYM BJJ studios, purpose-built spaces dedicated to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, are part of UFC GYM’s mission to redefine fitness and martial arts for modern athletes. The brand plans to open more than

45 new gyms in 2025

, with many of the BJJ-first models ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 square feet and featuring advanced mat spaces, recovery zones, and family-friendly programming.

“This extension validates our shared belief that the future of martial arts training is both physical and digital,” said

Nick Langton

, CEO of MMA.INC. “We’re proud to be the technology engine behind UFC GYM’s BJJ studio model and to deepen our long-standing relationship with the preeminent name in martial arts training.”

BJJLink is already used by hundreds of martial arts academies around the world and has seen increased demand from franchise operators seeking more streamlined onboarding, revenue analytics, and student engagement tools.

MMA.INC and UFC GYM intend to co-launch the new BJJLink-powered UFC GYM BJJ studio software at select international locations during H2 of 2025.

MMA.INC’s recently announced an international push, expanding BJJLink into Latin America and launching a marquee partnership with Gracie Allegiant HQ and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend Clark Gracie.


About Mixed Martial Arts Group Limited

MMA.INC (Mixed Martial Arts Group Limited) is revolutionizing the combat sports industry by driving participation and engagement across fans, athletes, coaches, and gym owners. The company operates four core business units:

TrainAlta: A platform that transforms MMA fans into active participants through structured training programs.
Hype: A marketing platform helping gym owners, coaches, and athletes grow revenue from their audiences.
MixedMartialArts.com: The go-to resource for MMA news, fighter data, fight schedules, and the legendary Underground forum.
BJJLink: A leading gym management platform designed for BJJ academies, offering tools for payment processing, marketing, student engagement, and content monetization.


With over 5 million social media followers, 530,000 user profiles, 50,000 active students, 18,000 published gyms and 800 verified gyms across 16 countries, MMA.inc continues to transform the martial arts landscape and deliver unparalleled value to its stakeholders.

For more information, visit

www.mma.inc

or follow us on social media:




ABOUT UFC GYM





®


UFC GYM

®

is the first major brand extension of UFC

®

, the world’s premier MMA organization, created in alliance with New Evolution Ventures™ (NeV), 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 150 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

    – Facebook.com/UFCGYM

  • YOUTUBE

    – Youtube.com/UFCGYM

  • INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK & X

    – @UFCGYM


Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include forward-looking statements. Any statements contained herein regarding our strategy, future operations, financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included herein include or may include, but are not limited to, statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or use or contain words, terms, phrases, or expressions such as “achieve,” “forecast,” “plan,” “propose,” “strategy,” “envision,” “hope,” “will,” “continue,” “potential,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “project,” “estimate,” “predict,” “intend,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “might,” or similar words, terms, phrases, or expressions or the negative of any of these terms. Any statements contained in this press release that are not based upon historical fact are based on current expectations, estimates, projections, opinions and/or beliefs of the Company. Such statements are not facts and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors. Prospective investors should not rely on these statements as if they were facts. Actual revenue may vary to current sales due to factors such as participant churn, cancellations, and changes in payment schedules, membership terms or pricing changes. Any references to verified gyms, partner gyms, user profiles refer to a profile that has been claimed or created across the MMA.inc platform, which includes TrainAlta.com, BJJ Link, Hype, MixedMartialArts.com and Steppen. Forward-looking statements involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of the Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 filed with the SEC. Given the risks and uncertainties, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement and should recognize that the statements are predictions of future results which may not occur as anticipated. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors, nor can it assess the impact of all such factors on the Company’s business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. You should carefully read the factors described in the “Risk Factors” section of the Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 filed with the SEC to better understand the risks and uncertainties inherent in our business and industry, and any underlying forward-looking statements. Except where required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update, withdraw or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in factors or assumptions affecting such forward-looking statements.


Media Contacts

Mixed Martial Arts Group Limited

E:

[email protected]



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The Top Nine Technology Trends Reshaping Life Sciences Supply Chains

Mike Walker is Vice President, Global Life Sciences Strategy, at Microsoft. Bringing paradigm-shifting digital innovations. getty From therapeutic complexity, FDA regulatory policy changes, geopolitical shocks and an AI race, life sciences supply chain leaders are forced to rewrite their playbook to stay relevant in the era of AI. Since my 2023 market outlook, the conversation […]

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Mike Walker is Vice President, Global Life Sciences Strategy, at Microsoft. Bringing paradigm-shifting digital innovations.

From therapeutic complexity, FDA regulatory policy changes, geopolitical shocks and an AI race, life sciences supply chain leaders are forced to rewrite their playbook to stay relevant in the era of AI. Since my 2023 market outlook, the conversation has shifted from digital transformation to digital autonomy, whereby networks can sense, decide and act for themselves. I’ve pulled together the nine trends from my client engagements with the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, complemented by grounded analyst data, new surveys and live deployments. These trends set the agenda for the rest of the decade.

Nine Life Sciences Supply Chain Tech Trends

1. Agentic AI Fuels The New Supply Chain Control Tower

Traditional control towers relied on manually stitching together data and dashboards. That changes with agentic AI. Pharma clients that I advise are running AI agents to improve demand forecasting, optimize inventories and reduce lead times in real time. In McKinsey’s 2024 State of AI survey, supply-chain and inventory management was the most cited function for material revenue gains from generative AI deployments, with 53% of adopters already seeing uplift.

2. AI-Enabled Digital Twins Bring Vital Insights

Second-generation twins fuse process historians, ERP signals and risk feeds, enabling a virtual knock-down of change orders before a vial is filled. AstraZeneca’s World Economic Forum Lighthouse site in Sweden logged a 56% productivity jump after scaling line-to-network twins along with other digital solutions. IDC analysts estimate “that by 2027, 35% of G2000 companies will employ supply chain orchestration tools featuring digital twin capabilities, with the aim of boosting supply chain responsiveness by 15%.”

(Disclosure: AstraZeneca is a Microsoft client.)

3. Continuous Manufacturing (CM) Has Its Breakout Moment

Since ICH Q13 became final in 2023, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) have moved CM from pilot to mainstream review to push the number of FDA-approved CM applications into the double digits. Shop floors are now AI-equipped with vision systems and autonomous mobile robots. For example, VisionNav Robotics’ automated industrial vehicle forklifts enable CM in material handling through multilayer frame stacking, which improves efficiency.

4. Cell And Gene Therapy (CGT) Require Decentralized Networks

The CGT modality of drugs is evolving fast and requires even faster supply chains to move this living medicine from a single patient and then return it to that same patient. Market analysts put the CGT supply-chain and cold-chain segment at about $1.5 billion today but forecast it to reach $4.4 billion by 2034. Moving goods to a transparent, modular and trustworthy point-of-care solution turns a historically linear, week-long CGT supply chain into a high-velocity loop that keeps patients confident that the right cells arrive on time, every time.

5. Geo-Diversification Optionality Becomes Critical

Leading pharma executives are treating optionality as essential among multiple tariff-agnostic sources as a strategic hedge. The pharma companies I advise are upgrading their digital backbone for increased tariff agility. GSK’s CEO highlighted how diversified manufacturing footprints flatten the curve of tariff exposure, allowing the company to protect U.S. margins. Technology can mitigate tariff turbulence through the implementation of AI agents that continuously monitor tariffs, provide proactive what-if analyses and perform sub-second telemetry that can pivot production or sourcing before tariff costs hit the P&L.

(Disclosure: GSK is a Microsoft client.)

6. The Nervous System Of The Factory Of The Future

Pharma’s next performance leap won’t come from a shiny new robot; it’ll come from tapping into all data sources. A “factory digital backbone” streams real-time shop-floor signals to AI agents that solve the operational issues that plague pharma. It’s the nervous system enabling agentic AI to provide clean, trustworthy and continuous data flow for autonomous decision making in manufacturing. Eli Lilly, for example, is already turning raw telemetry into faster cycle times, higher yields and lower costs with predictive maintenance.

(Disclaimer: Eli Lilly is a Microsoft client.)

7. Keeping New Medicines Alive With Smart Cold Chains

Nearly every high-growth therapy solution, from mRNA vaccines and CGTs to biologics like GLP-1, fails without a sustainable ultra-cold supply chain. Although forecast accuracy is important, a single temperature excursion can wipe out an entire lot in seconds and trigger shortages that no demand algorithm can undo. With increased focus on biologics and CGTs, temperature-controlled products grew 21% faster than non-cold-chain drugs between 2018 and 2024.

8. Regulatory 4.0: AI-Accelerated Compliance And DSCSA Interoperability

Regulators are digitizing. FDA Commissioner Dr. Makary outlined a goal of cutting approval times “from 10 to 12 months to just one to two months (paywall)” using AI decision aids. Companies that align AI models and DSCSA data streams early can turn compliance from a monthly paperwork sprint into a minute-by-minute digital handshake with faster approvals and an iron-clad audit trail.

9. Quantum-AI Cyber Defense: Preparing Supply Chains For Q-Day

OT networks are vulnerable due to the amount of outdated technologies and the rapid digitization of factories that may open holes that didn’t exist before. Gartner now warns that applications protected by public-key cryptography algorithms will be unsafe by 2029. NIST’s final FIPS 203/204/205 standards give plants a certified toolkit for mitigating quantum computing risks.

Why All This Matters

Across all nine trends, one strategic mandate emerges: speed with trust. The winners of the next few years will run agentic AI on a real-time digital backbone with robust quantum-ready security. Understanding these trends will equip life sciences leaders with the knowledge to convert volatility into sustainable advantage.


Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?




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Your next Apple Watch could have this massive AI health upgrade – and no new sensors are needed

Future Apple Watch models might use AI to detect health issues Apple believes this approach is more accurate than traditional sensors But it raises questions over the privacy of your sensitive health data There’s a lot of doom and gloom surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) these days, and it’s justified in many cases. But one area […]

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  • Future Apple Watch models might use AI to detect health issues
  • Apple believes this approach is more accurate than traditional sensors
  • But it raises questions over the privacy of your sensitive health data

There’s a lot of doom and gloom surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) these days, and it’s justified in many cases. But one area where AI can potentially make a hugely positive impact is in healthcare, and it looks like Apple is considering whether machine learning power can bolster health metrics in future Apple Watch models. There’s no guarantee it’ll make it into a finished product, but if it does, it could upend how you manage your wellbeing through the wearable.

That idea comes from a recent research paper published by Apple’s Machine Learning Research arm. There, the company states that a new AI model trained on Apple Watch behavioral data is able to predict a wide array of health ailments. Impressively, Apple claims that the model is able to detect these conditions more accurately than the sensors you’ll typically find in many of the best smartwatches today.



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Sports at the heart of India’s digital entertainment revolution

In India’s rapidly evolving digital economy, sports have emerged not just as a form of entertainment but as a cultural and economic force driving user engagement, content innovation, and technology adoption. The Storyboard18 Digital Entertainment Summit 2025 was a clear reflection of this seismic shift, bringing together leaders from media, gaming, technology, and government to […]

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In India’s rapidly evolving digital economy, sports have emerged not just as a form of entertainment but as a cultural and economic force driving user engagement, content innovation, and technology adoption. The Storyboard18 Digital Entertainment Summit 2025 was a clear reflection of this seismic shift, bringing together leaders from media, gaming, technology, and government to map the future of this fast-growing sector.

With nearly 600 million gamers and over half a billion sports fans, India is moving beyond being a content consumption market; it is fast becoming a global creator and innovation hub for digital sports entertainment. From fantasy sports and live streaming to hyper-personalised fan journeys and premium sports travel, the way Indians engage with sports is transforming in profound and permanent ways.

Just a few years ago, sports entertainment in India was largely a lean-back experience. Fans tuned in to watch, maybe discussed matches with friends, or shared reactions online. Today, it’s an entirely different landscape.

Fantasy sports have turned viewers into strategists. Casual sports-based gaming and Esports are drawing new audiences across age groups and geographies. Livestreaming platforms now offer custom-curated feeds, regional commentary, in-play stats, and real-time engagement tools. The fan has moved from the sidelines to the centre of the action.

A key catalyst in this evolution is fantasy sports. This format has gamified real-world sporting events, transforming fans from passive viewers into decision-makers. Fantasy sports reward knowledge, foresight, and strategy, offering fans a chance to engage with the game at a deeper level.

Fantasy sports has now become integral to India’s sports economy, spanning cricket, football, kabaddi, and more. While the format peaks during marquee tournaments, its year-round formats and the addition of new sports are expanding off-season engagement.

In fact, 70.5 percent of users say their sports knowledge and screen time have actually increased since joining fantasy platforms, according to a recent Google-Deloitte report.

The fantasy sports industry’s impact can also be viewed at scale. According to the FIFS-Deloitte 2025 report, the sector contributed ₹4,290 crore in GST to the Indian economy between FY18 and FY23. Under the new tax regime, it is projected to contribute ₹3,520 crore in FY24 alone.

In FY24, the fantasy sports industry also generated ₹9,100 crore, having already yielded ₹23,860 crore between FY18 and FY23. It has also emerged as a forerunner in the broader sports tech ecosystem, and pulled in ₹27,500 crore in funding between FY18 and FY23.

India’s digital sports entertainment space is maturing into a full-fledged ecosystem. The ecosystem has transformed into a billion-dollar industry, with market revenues projected to reach INR 49,500 by 2029, showcasing a CAGR of 13%. The sports fan engagement segment has showcased a rapid rise, estimated to be INR 21,400 crore in FY24 and is expected to grow to INR 38,400 crore by FY29.

Globally, fan engagement, which comprises Fantasy Sports, sports gaming, ad tech, commerce, ticketing and content, is the largest sector, estimated to be INR 20,14,900 crore in FY24, which is projected to reach INR 31,58,300 crore by FY29.

The summit highlighted the emergence of companies like Dream Sports, which have built one of India’s largest sports-tech ecosystems and are at the forefront of this transformation. Its diverse portfolio includes Dream11, the world’s largest fantasy sports platform; FanCode, India’s go-to destination for digital sports content and commerce; DreamSetGo, a premium sports travel and experiences platform; Dream Cricket’25, a AAA mobile sports game; and Sixer, a sports-based virtual trading game. This multi-brand approach is empowering sports fans across the country with more ways to engage, play, travel, and be entertained.

At the core of this revolution lies technology. AI, machine learning, AR/VR, and immersive storytelling are no longer futuristic concepts; they’re shaping the present. From personalising fan journeys to optimising live interactions and building predictive analytics into sports commerce, technology is elevating both the fan experience and business viability.

India is fast emerging as a global hub for sports-tech innovation. Homegrown companies are designing high-performance infrastructure, low-latency live streaming, interactive match centres, and immersive match previews that rival the best in the world. India’s shift from consumer to creator is now visible across the entire digital sports value chain.

But with rapid innovation comes the need for equally agile governance. This year marks the first full year under the revised GST regime for online gaming, a year that is seeing financial pressures and strategic recalibrations across companies. The summit spotlighted a growing consensus: India needs a unified and forward-looking regulatory framework, one that balances user protection with innovation and long-term sustainability.

As digital sports entertainment accelerates, the evolution of regulatory and policy environments will be critical in unlocking its full potential.

What echoed throughout the summit was a collective realisation: sport is no longer confined to stadiums or screens. It’s a cultural movement connecting fans, athletes, and communities.

Whether it’s grassroots tournaments or curated sports travel experiences, the shift is now from volume to value. Increasingly, Indian fans are planning domestic and international trips around marquee events, from the Paris Olympics and FIFA World Cup to T20 World Cups and Grand Slams. Sports are becoming central to lifestyle, travel and identity.

India’s digital sports entertainment journey is more than a passing trend; it reflects a steady, meaningful evolution. With a mobile-first population, rising disposable income, strong digital infrastructure, and a generational passion for sport, India is steadily carving its place as a key player on the global stage.

As the lines between watching, playing and experiencing continue to blur, the future of sports in India is inclusive, immersive and undeniably global.



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BFT Sets MENA Expansion in Motion With 50+ Studio Plan

From Down Under to Doha, BFT is kicking off its MENA journey with big plans Body Fit Training (BFT), the Xponential-backed, Australian-born fitness franchise known for its strength-based group workouts, is breaking into the Middle East and North Africa with plans to open more than 50 studios over the next decade. Under a new master […]

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From Down Under to Doha, BFT is kicking off its MENA journey with big plans

Body Fit Training (BFT), the Xponential-backed, Australian-born fitness franchise known for its strength-based group workouts, is breaking into the Middle East and North Africa with plans to open more than 50 studios over the next decade.

Under a new master franchise agreement, BFT will expand across Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE, among other MENA countries, with Qatar set to serve as the regional headquarters.

The first location, a flagship site in Doha’s West Walk development, opened earlier this year.

Leading the charge is Dr. Mohamed Abdou, a business strategist with the Edar Group, who discovered the brand at a UK studio and is spearheading its MENA rollout. The 10-year expansion plan includes upcoming openings in Riyadh, Dubai and Kuwait City within the next 12 months.

credit: BFT/Xponential Fitness

“Qatar’s dedication to health and wellness, coupled with its vibrant community, makes it the perfect home for BFT in the MENA region,” Dr. Mohamed said. “Our flagship studio in West Walk, Doha, embodies this vision, featuring the largest BFT space globally, spanning over 1,000 SQM, along with premium amenities and an innovative approach to fitness.”

BFT’s model offers members 50-minute, progression-based strength and conditioning classes designed to build real results with a back-to-basics approach that appeals to members looking for substance.

“BFT offers an unmatched fitness experience, blending scientifically-backed training with cutting-edge technology and a community-driven atmosphere,” Dr. Mohamed said. “From the moment I stepped into a BFT studio, I knew this was the right model for the Middle East and North Africa.”

See Also

Personal trainer working out with client
A group of BFT members are participating in a group fitness class led by an instructor.
credit: Xponential Fitness

The MENA expansion builds on BFT’s global momentum. The Cameron Falloon-founded brand has sold more than 730 franchises since 2018 and has grown to over 320 studios across 11 countries. Outside North America, year-over-year studio revenue growth is up nearly 10%.

BFT International global CEO Richard Burnet called the February launch of the brand’s first MENA studio in Doha a major milestone, noting that the energy and innovation behind BFT are now reaching “one of the world’s most dynamic cities.” 

“With Dr. Mohamed Abdou’s leadership and a shared vision for delivering exceptional fitness experiences, we are confident that the BFT brand will thrive in this vibrant region,” Burnet said.





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From IR to finance chief: Sinclair Names Narinder Sahai as CFO

Media firm Sinclair – which owns, operates or provides services to 185 television stations in 85 markets – has announced former IR professional Narinder Sahai as its new executive vice president and CFO. Sahai joins from Arcis, a leading leisure and hospitality operator, where he led financial planning, accounting, tax, treasury and debt investor relations […]

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Media firm Sinclair – which owns, operates or provides services to 185 television stations in 85 markets – has announced former IR professional Narinder Sahai as its new executive vice president and CFO.

Sahai joins from Arcis, a leading leisure and hospitality operator, where he led financial planning, accounting, tax, treasury and debt investor relations as the company’s CFO. He was also previously CFO at powersports platform RumbleOn, a role that saw him work on transformative acquisitions.

Former IR professional Narinder Sahai is the new CFO at Sinclair
Former IR professional Narinder Sahai is the new CFO at Sinclair

Before working at RumbleOn, Sahai was at Amazon Web Services, where he serves as head of worldwide go-to-market finance for compute and AI/machine learning services. Before AWS, he was in an IR role at Target Hospitality, where he managed ‘all investor relations and capital markets activities for the company’s equity public market debut and executed comprehensive debt financing transactions,’ according to a statement from Sinclair. He also worked in IR at FMC Technologies and TechnipFMC.

Welcoming Sahai to the company, Chris Ripley, president and CEO of Sinclair, talks about his appointment as part of the firm’s next stage of growth. ‘Narinder’s proven track record as CFO of both publicly traded and private-equity-backed companies, combined with his operational discipline and strategic financial leadership, makes him exceptionally well-suited to guide Sinclair through its next phase of growth,’ says Ripley. ‘He brings a unique perspective having worked in multiple industries – including cloud and AI-focused companies. Narinder is a proven C-suite leader with a strong history of executing value-creating strategies, optimizing capital structures and driving margin improvement.’

Sahai also talks about his experience across a range of industries and the insight that offers him as he takes up his new position. ‘Having worked across diverse industries – from automotive and energy to consumer and technology – I have a deep appreciation for companies that are successfully transforming themselves while maintaining strong operational discipline. Sinclair’s unique position at the intersection of local media, sports, and emerging technology creates tremendous opportunities. From the company’s leadership position in local broadcasting, combined with its pioneering work in ATSC 3.0 technology, the strength of Tennis Channel and innovative ventures portfolio, I see significant potential to drive value creation for all stakeholders.’

Sahai succeeds Lucy Rutishauser, who is retiring later this year. She will now step down as CFO and continue as executive vice president to support the transition, according to Sinclair. Once retired, Rutishauser will assume the role of senior advisor.

In other appointments, Anywhere Real Estate has named Tom Hudson as its new IR lead, ‘spearheading’ engagement with the investment community as the NYSE-listed firm puts the focus on its growth strategy.

An IR professional with extensive experience at consumer-tech companies, Hudson has served in a range of senior financial positions at companies including Fanatics, Fitbit, eBay, and PayPal.

Announcing his appointment, Anywhere writes that ‘throughout his career, Hudson has helped companies navigate high-growth environments and major strategic milestones, playing a pivotal role in the evolution of Fanatics into a digital sports platform, helping guide Fitbit through its $2.1 bn acquisition by Google, and leading the successful spin-off and IPO of PayPal from eBay. Previously, he also co-led Clearbridge Investment’s research team and managed growth equity portfolios.’

Charlotte Simonelli, Anywhere executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer, talks of Hudson’s ‘proven ability to navigate complex organizations’ as marking him out as the ideal choice to engage around the firm’s financial momentum.

‘Tom’s leadership will strengthen our ability to communicate our story and financial foresight to the market as we unlock new growth opportunities,’ adds Ryan Schneider, Anywhere president and CEO, in a company statement.

For his part, Hudson explains why this is a ‘pivotal moment’ for the company and the real estate industry at large. ‘[Anywhere’s] renewed focus on growing, innovating and making savvy moves to improve its capital structure present an exciting opportunity to reintroduce its story to the investment community in a way that reflects its momentum and long-term potential.’

Over at NiSource, the US utility has named Durgesh Chopra as vice president of IR, effective July 7. Having most recently served as an equity analyst at Evercore, Chopra is actually making the move back to investor relations, having previously served as director of IR at American Water, ‘where he played a key role in shaping the company’s investor messaging and outreach’.

Shawn Anderson, NiSource CFO, welcomes Chopra to the company: ‘Durgesh combines deep investment community insight with hands-on experience in regulated utilities,’ he says in a statement. ‘His ability to communicate complex financial strategies and his dedication to serving communities align perfectly with NiSource’s mission to deliver safe, reliable energy to our customers.’

Open IR positions

Each week, we will post a selection of IR jobs from around the internet that are currently recruiting.

If you have an open position in your IR team that you’d like us to feature here, please let us know at [email protected]

UK

Elemental Altus Royalties is hiring an IR analyst to its London team

Europe

Swiss Life is looking for a new head of IR in Zurich

Siemens Energy is advertising a senior IR manager to join its Berlin team

Porsche AG is offering an IR internship in Germany

In what is perhaps a start-of-summer trend, German firm Klöckner & Co is also offering an internship in IR for those keen to get into the profession

In Spain, Hotel Investment Partners is seeking a new IR analyst to work in Barcelona

Middle EastTanmiah Food Company is hiring a corporate communications and IR manager to work in Saudi Arabia



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