TKL Logistics LTD: Best Emerging Logistics Company 2025 – Co. Antrim Northern Irish Enterprise Awards 2025 LibLeo Global: Most Innovative Economic Development & Ecosystem Engagement Firm 2025 Featuring:
Northern Irish Enterprise Awards 2025 Phone: 01283 365204 Website: smenews.digital Sofi Parry Senior Editor No information contained on or in this website constitutes investment advice or an offer to invest or to provide management services and is subject to correction, completion and amendment without notice. Neither AI nor any of its associated entities are authorised to give financial advice of any nature nor are they regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Prior to making any investment, AI recommends that any prospective investor should consult with its own investment, accounting, legal and tax advisers to evaluate independently the risks, consequences and suitability of that investment. AI Global Media, Ltd. (AI) takes reasonable measures to ensure the quality of the information on this web site. However, AI will not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of any information that is available through this web site. If errors are brought to our attention, we will try to correct them. The information available through the website and our partner publications is for your general information and use and is not intended to address any particular finance or investment requirements. In particular, the information does not constitute any form of advice or recommendation by us or any of our partner publications and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making or refraining from making any investment or financial decisions. Appropriate independent advice should be obtained before making any such decision. Any arrangement made between you and any third party named in the site is at your sole risk and responsibility. SME News is excited to present the Northern Irish Enterprise Awards 2025! Now in its third year, the Northern Irish Enterprise Awards 2025 is all about celebrating the incredible businesses, individuals, and teams that are making a real difference in Northern Ireland. This region is one of the UK’s most exciting and fast-growing areas, and we want to shine a spotlight on the people and companies who are helping to shape its bright future. Northern Ireland is home to some truly innovative sectors, including Tech, Manufacturing, Life Sciences, and Finance. From the FinTech trailblazers in Belfast to the cutting-edge manufacturing hubs in Derry, the region is bursting with talent and opportunity. It’s an exciting time for Northern Ireland, with new industries emerging and long-established ones evolving, making it a place of progress, growth, and ambition. The Northern Irish Enterprise Awards 2025 will celebrate the people and businesses driving growth across all industries in Northern Ireland. Whether they’re innovating in technology, sustainability, life sciences, or any other sector, we want to recognise those who are setting new standards and shaping the region’s future.
Contents 4. TKL Logistics LTD: Best Emerging Logistics Company 2025 – Co. Antrim 6. PlugInMove Ltd: Best Portable Power Bank Solutions Provider 2025 & Social Impact Excellence Award 2025 7. Mjm Boiler Ser vices Ltd: Best Industrial Boiler Sales & Servicing Company 2025 8. Antrim Psychological Services: Leading Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Company 2025 – Belfast & Award for Excellence in Tailored Psychological Support 2025 9. LibLeo Global: Most Innovative Economic Development & Ecosystem Engagement Firm 2025 10. Protect Your Business in 2026: Legal Experts Share Common Risks Facing Businesses Using AI
Northern Irish Enterprise Awards 2025/ 4 With access to both UK and European markets, Northern Ireland’s unique positioning creates both complexity and opportunity for companies operating within its logistics sector. Managing movement across the border requires equal expertise in UK and EU rules, VAT, and customs regimes, which increases the demand for compliant and integrated logistics services. TKL Logistics is one Northern Irish company poised to meet this demand head-on, delivering exceptional warehousing and fulfilment solutions that allow clients to navigate the landscape with confidence. We spoke with Director Thomas Rimmer for more information, as TKL Logistics is named in the Northern Irish Enterprise Awards 2025. Based in County Antrim, TKL Logistics is a logistics and supply-chain partner renowned for delivering flexible, technology-enabled freight, warehousing, and distribution solutions for businesses of all sizes. The company works with a wide range of clients, including retailers and high-street brands, eCommerce businesses, manufacturers, import and export traders, and other organisations requiring freight forwarding, warehousing, fulfilment, and distribution services. “Our mission is to simplify and derisk the movement of goods so our clients can focus on growing their business,” Thomas told us. “We aim to deliver consistently reliable service, transparent pricing, clear communication, and measurable improvements in speed, cost, and accuracy across our customers’ supply chains.” “Our mission is to simplify and derisk the movement of goods so our clients can focus on growing their business.” With this mission in mind, TKL Logistics offers a comprehensive suite of services that include domestic road freight and international freight forwarding by sea and air; national and regional distribution, including last-mile delivery and express shipments; warehousing, inventory management, pick-and-pack, and eCommerce fulfilment; customs clearance and brokerage, with import and export documentation support; supply chain consulting, route optimisation, and integration; and returns management and value-added services, such as kitting, labelling, and repacking. Whether serving B2B or B2C clients, TKL Logistics tailors its solutions to match each customer’s unique requirements, from full endto-end supply-chain management for larger customers to ad-hoc shipments and SME fulfilment. By taking each client’s industry and volume profile into consideration, the company ensures that its operationally robust solutions can effectively scale with the client’s needs and keep their supply chains moving reliably and cost-efficiently. TKL Logistics distinguishes itself through its unwavering reliability. With freight forwarding, customs clearance, warehousing, returns management, and value-added services delivered under one operational and commercial umbrella, clients benefit from single-partner convenience that reduces handoffs and unnecessary complexity. Safety, regulatory compliance, and on-time performance is prioritised across the board, demonstrating just why customers rely on TKL Logistics for mission-critical flows. Through tech-enabled end-to-end solutions offering seamless visibility and integration – such as track and trace, client portals, EDI, and bespoke system integrations – customers always know exactly where stock is and can make faster decisions as a result. This is complemented by a customer-first responsiveness demonstrated through dedicated account teams, proactive communications, and transparent pricing to reduce surprises and resolve any potential problems with speed and precision. “We operate in a competitive space that includes national carriers, specialist 3PLs, and other freight-forwarding and fulfilment providers, as well as newer tech-enabled entrants,” Thomas summarised. “What differentiates us is our combination of personalised service, flexible commercial models, and practical technology that, together, deliver reliable and cost-efficient outcomes for our clients.” At the heart of this distinctive service model is a close-knit team of exceptional employees, each dedicated to helping customers achieve their goals. TKL Logistics is a family-run business at its core, which shapes everything it does: leadership is hands-on and visible, decision-making personal and pragmatic, and people matter just as much as performance. With the values of integrity, customer-first service, safety, respect, and continuous improvement practiced every day, the company has created a culture where everyone is treated fairly and encouraged to bring their best selves to work. High standards are balanced with humanity at TKL Logistics. While employees are held accountable for their actions, they are also supported, mentored, and provided with the tools to succeed. The company invests in development, celebrates wins of all sizes, and makes a point of keeping work enjoyable; team socials, recognition schemes, family events, and a friendly, collaborative atmosphere ensures each member of the TKL team can have fun at work whilst delivering exceptional outcomes. When expanding the team, TKL Logistics seeks out both competence and cultural fit. The company typically looks for a series of core attributes, including integrity and reliability, teamwork and communication, a positive attitude, customer focus, respect and humility, and role-specific skills and qualifications. Alongside this, it also prioritises candidates who demonstrate a cultural alignment with its family-run values, a commitment to service orientation over ego, and of course, a willingness to adapt and learn. Best Emerging Logistics Company 2025 – Co. Antrim
These qualities are especially essential in navigating the logistics sector’s complexities, which has evolved significantly over the last year. Elevated fuel and freight costs, intermittent capacity constraints, and periodic disruption has pushed customers towards predictable partners, whilst continued growth in eCommerce has created a stronger expectation for faster and more frequent fulfilment. Greater investment in visibility, automation, and data analytics allows shippers to manage cost and service trade-offs in real time, while wage and labour availability issues have encouraged the outsourcing of logistics to specialist 3PLs capable of delivering scale and efficiency. In Northern Ireland’s logistics space in particular, periodic congestion and capacity pressures at local ports and ferry services are having detrimental effects on transit times and reliability. Alongside this, growing eCommerce and cross-border trade has driven demand for flexible warehousing and fulfilment capacity, while post-Brexit arrangements have introduced additional compliance and documentation considerations for goods moving between Great Britain, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland. Whilst causing disruption supply chains, these obstacles have created significant opportunities for a specialist company like TKL logistics, who has risen to respond with an unmatched client-first ethos. Operating local warehousing and fulfilment services as needed across the country reduces transit times and avoids repeated cross-border handling for clients, while real-time visibility and proactive communications alert the company’s customers to potential disruptions early on, allowing them to make timely and informed decisions. What’s more, the team maintains trusted trader relationships and compliance expertise to streamline processes wherever possible following Brexit and the subsequent Windsor Framework adjustments, supporting shippers facing extra paperwork, declaration requirements, and specialist customs support. TKL Logistics also focuses on carrier partnerships, consolidation, and route optimisation to manage cost and capacity variability for Northern Ireland flows. Looking to the future, TKL Logistics will continue to aid clients in navigating Northern Ireland’s logistics landscape with utmost confidence and clarity. The company has a number of exciting projects in the pipeline for 2026, including the launch of a new operational site on the UK mainland. This additional location will allow the team to scale its fulfilment and regional distribution capacity, giving customers faster local fulfilment options, more flexible storage, and lower handling costs. Over the course of 2026, TKL Logistics will also be expanding and modernising its fleet to provide customers with more capacity and flexibility, improve reliability, and reduce the need for last-minute carrier change. It plans to introduce rigid wagons as a part of this strategy, with the aim of broadening its vehicle mix, improving payload flexibility for regional routes, and support more efficient, consolidated collections and deliveries. Equal attention will be paid to people and capability, with the recruitment of additional drivers, warehouse staff, and operational coordinators, as well as an ongoing focus placed on training and onboarding. TKL Logistics will also prioritise continued investment in its track-and-trace, client portal, and integration tools so that its customers can continue to benefit from better visibility and smoother operational handoffs. “We’re focused on measured, sustainable growth that strengthens our regional capabilities while preserving the family-run culture and service standards our customers value,” Thomas concluded. “Decisions will continue to be values-led, with a focus on treating people fairly, investing in development, and keeping the workplace enjoyable and supportive. Our main goals are to increase capacity and resilience, improve service speed and visibility, and continue investing in people and technology so we can offer a consistently reliable, compliant, and cost-effective service.” Ultimately, this combined effect of a new mainland site, an expanded fleet, and enhanced capabilities will provide myriad benefits for TKL Logistics and its customers: improved transit times and schedule resilience, greater capacity for peak periods, more competitive routing and consolidation opportunities, and a better overall experience. It is for this innovative flair, complemented by an unwavering commitment to client success, that has earned TKL Logistics its status as County Antrim’s Best Emerging Logistics Company 2026. Contact: Thomas Rimmer Company: TKL Logistics LTD Web Address: www.tkllogistics.co.uk
Northern Irish Enterprise Awards 2025/ 6 Best Portable Power Bank Solutions Provider 2025 & Social Impact Excellence Award 2025 The power bank rental market is scaling fast. The global market was valued at USD 8.98 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 27.13 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 13.08% from 2025 to 2034. This rapid growth has been driven by the widespread adoption of mobile phones and other handheld electronic devices, as well as rising travel and tourism activities. At the forefront of this rise is PlugInMove, Northern Ireland’s largest provider of portable power solutions. We heard more from Director and COO Charmaine McConville below, as PlugInMove is named in the Northern Irish Enterprise Awards 2025. In our technological world, few things are as anxiety-inducing as your phone battery running out of charge whilst out and about. This is often dismissed as a trivial, modern-day problem, but the consequences can be detrimental: losing power on your phone also means losing the valuable lifeline of the internet, contacts, maps, and more. “In a world where attention is fragmented and batteries dictate behaviour, power has become a gatekeeper to participation; when devices die, engagement stops.” On a mission to battle low-battery anxiety across Northern Ireland, PlugInMove is a tech company catering to the everyday consumer who expects power access to be as standard as Wi-Fi. The company supplies charging stations that provide portable power, working in close collaboration with shopping centres, event organisers, hospitality venues, leisure destinations, and transport-adjacent spaces. These innovative stations allow end-users to charge their handheld devices onthe-go and return their power bank to any station within its network. There are myriad power solutions on the market, but none with the expansive reach of PlugInMove, which currently stands as Northern Ireland’s largest provider of portable power. Many competitors offer fixed charging points, cable-based solutions, or power lockers. While they are certainly effective, these solutions anchor users to the charging point and will only ever create novelty usage. PlugInMove’s products allow for portable use, meaning that users are entirely free to travel as they charge. PlugInMove further distinguishes its product by offering it as a dualpurpose solution combining on-demand device charging with integrated Digital Out of Home Media (DOOH). Not only do PlugInMove’s stations provide people with power, but they also function as high-impact touchpoints within physical spaces. While users charge their devices, PlugInMove’s clients and partners engage audiences through dynamic on-screen content, from brand messaging and wayfinding to promotions and public information. “We deliver power as a service, not a product,” Charmaine explained. “By combining charging and DOOH, we move beyond the traditional view of power as utility. Our stations become points of connection, attention, and relevance within a physical space. This convergence of function and media sets PlugInMove apart and confirms why our solution scales beyond convenience into commercial and experiential value.” The results of this approach truly speak for themselves; across all activations PlugInMove has undertaken throughout 2025, usage rates have consistently exceeded expectations, even in adverse weather. At the Balmoral Show, PlugInMove’s stations were some of the highest used amenities on site: footfall was significant, dwell times long, and dying phones encouraged attendees to engage with charging services and, ultimately, the built-in DOOH. Similar patterns were shown at the Belfast Spring Market and Maritime Festival, where dwell time correlated directly with charging demand. Comic Con at the EIKON Exhibition Centre gave the team one of the clearest behavioural signals yet: attendees were heavily reliant on their devices for tickets, merchandise purchases, and social sharing. Charging demand was born from the event experience. This realisation was further reinforced at Belfast Christmas Market, with colder weather and tighter circuits. Usage increased week-on-week as repeat demand climbed across these activations, proving to PlugInMove that once customers know charging is available and easy to use, they will return. For venues, this consistent return behaviour will reshape how guests move through their space, encouraging longer stays, fewer interruptions, and a more settled and engaged audience overall. For PlugInMove, 2026 will be a year focused on network density, more strategic placements, deeper partnerships, and smarter deployment. “The next phase for PlugInMove is about controlled scale,” Charmaine concluded. “We’ve partnered with Visit Belfast, which positions our service directly within the city’s tourism and visitor experience strategy. It signals a shift from being seen as a convenience to being recognised as part of Belfast’s public infrastructure. Our ambition is clear: to build the most reliable, most used portable power network in Northern Ireland, then scale outward with purpose.” Contact: Charmaine McConville Company: PlugInMove Ltd Web Address: www.pluginmove.co.uk AIM-Dec25242
A study by Global Market Insights Inc. reports that Europe’s industrial boiler market was estimated at USD 2.5 billion in 2024 and expected to grow from USD 2.7 billion in 2025 to USD 3.8 billion by 2034. This 4% CAGR speaks to a market that is increasingly seeking top quality steam and heat generation solutions, and one company has risen to meet this demand. Mjm Boiler Services is a Northern Ireland-based company that provides invaluable support to clients across a wide range of sectors, renowned for its expertise in industrial boilers. We took a closer look at the company below, as Mjm Boiler Services is named in the Northern Irish Enterprise Awards 2025. Best Industrial Boiler Sales & Servicing Company 2025 Based in Moira, Craigavon Armagh, Mjm Boiler Services specialises in supporting clients across the entire lifecycle of their industrial boilers. Catering to clients across an array of public, private, and government sectors, the company provides both the sale and service of industrial steam and hot water boilers, as well as the associated equipment needed for heating and processing. Industrial boilers are used across a wide range of settings due to their ability to generate the heat and steam needed for production, heating, and power generation. For this reason, they play a crucial role in ensuring the safety, efficiency, and compliance of industrial processes, utilised across hospitals, factories, educational institutions, agriculture, food and beverage production, and many other sectors. Mjm Boiler Services stands as a trusted partner to clients within these industries, including major companies throughout Ireland and the UK. Customer needs are always placed at the forefront of its operations, with 24 hour callouts offered to ensure that support is always provided when needed. With many of these clients having worked with Mjm Boiler Services for over 30 years, the team leverages this vast industry experience to deliver the calibre of services clients have come to expect. The company has recently been appointed as a Bosch Industrial Boilers Service Partner, underscoring its trusted and reliable services. This partnership allows the Mjm team to offer a comprehensive range of services tailored directly to Bosch consumer needs, including after-sales services and support, in addition to accessing unrivalled training and educational opportunities to further strengthen the company’s position. Here at SME News, we’re proud to name Mjm Boiler Services in our Northern Irish Enterprise Awards in such an expansive, crucial industry and in such a great standing for the exciting and innovative year ahead. If you’re looking for more details, you can access the company website below. Furthermore, on a final note, this awardwinning company is set to elevate more and more people’s experience of boiler sales and servicing for the years to come. Congratulations again to Mjm Boiler Services, here’s to 2026 and beyond! Contact: Matt Malcolm Company: Mjm Boiler Services Ltd Web Address: www.mjmboilerservices.com AIM-Dec25056
Northern Irish Enterprise Awards 2025/ 8 Leading Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Company 2025 – Belfast & Award for Excellence in Tailored Psychological Support 2025 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a talking therapy that offers a better understanding of the influences and life events behind conditions such as anxiety and depression. It works by empowering, helping to make life easier by driving key changes in behaviour and thought. CBT is one of the areas focused on by Antrim Psychological Services, and the with the company picking up two awards in this programme, we caught up with Kevin McFaul, its director, to find out more about its vital work. CBT is one of three primary focus areas of Antrim Psychological Services, which, from its home of Belfast, offers the private services of a multidisciplinary team qualified and experienced in psychological assessments and intervention. Aside from CBT, they specialise in Comprehensive Behavioural Intervention for Tics (CBIT) and detailed assessments for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The aim across these services is to deliver a more accessible, client-centred approach to psychological support. Tailoring these services to the individual to ensure the best possible outcomes are achieved, Antrim Psychological Services’ values of evidence-based care, collaboration with clients, compassion, respect, accessibility, and practicality all exist to help it reduce the barriers to effective mental health care and change lives for the better. “Our clinic is a place of non-judgement and continuing support”, Kevin told us. “We support our clients but we also support one another.” This reflects its distinction in this space. This is a commitment embodied across the team, whose multiskilled nature allows them to offer both supervision and training. The result is that client needs are met within one service and under one roof. Given the waiting lists for these services on the NHS are the longest they have ever been, a provision of this kind in the private sector appeases demand and ensures support can be accessed quickly. To meet the growing demand experienced as a result, the team have taken on new clinicians, opened a second office, and extended their hours. Driving service demand, aside from long wait times time on the NHS, is a greater curiosity towards therapy, the stigma around which has started to fade massively in recent years. Today, more people are seeking it out as a way to enhance wellbeing and quality of life, a change Antrim Psychological Services welcomes. Kevin and co. certainly do their bit towards this, helping to drive a lasting impact across their day-to-day work and well beyond. For example, as a specialist in therapy for tics and Tourette’s, Kevin guest lectures at the local University of Ulster, sharing his knowledge to provide useful insight and training to postgraduate psychology students. Outside of this, he has also worked closely with the NHS, being heavily involved with its Child and Adolescent Mental Health Specialist Tic Clinic, and has lent his time to various charities to talk about this topic. Alongside this work with CBIT, another area of the company’s service that is becoming increasingly sought after is the autism assessment. Awareness of autism in schools and workplaces has helped drive this shift, and means that children and adults alike are both in search of guidance concerning a potential ASD diagnosis. Again, it is crucial to manage this effectively so that there is a minimal delay in them accessing the support required, and this is why the assessment panel here look to balance speed and accuracy. As demand for everything from autism assessments to CBT continues to pick up in Belfast, Antrim Psychological Services aims to move out of the shared office space it currently occupies and into a building of its own, from which it can deliver a range of treatments and therapies to improve overall mental health. Finally, a shared interest in blending metal health with exercise is seeing the team explore the idea of an integrated care package, blending an allocated therapist with a personal trainer to further enhance the outcomes it delivers. Whilst this is currently just an idea, it nevertheless reflects a company at the forefront of psychology in Belfast, a distinction which has resulted in Antrim Psychological Services being recognised with a duo of welldeserved awards here in this programme. More on its CBT, CBIT, and ASD assessment services can be found at the web address below. Contact: Kevin McFaul Company: Antrim Psychological Services Web Address: https:// antrimpsychologicalservices.co.uk/ Antrim Psychological Services
Empowering meaningful growth by connecting companies with optimal markets, helping communities to secure impactful investments, and driving ecosystems through a healthy dose of innovation, the expertise embodied by LibLeo Global, a firm based in Ballyclare, spans global markets. This sees it attract a variety of clients, from expansion-hungry businesses all through to economic development organisations and investment promotion agencies. Those who partner with the firm are equally esteemed in their own fields. Exploring the two main areas of business and community these services naturally fall into, the former sees the team here select optimal locations, facilitate expansion across borders, nurture partnerships, and deliver strategic growth plans. The latter, on the other hand, sees tailored investment attraction strategies, industry insights, and support with economic development provided, with the overarching aim being to maximise capitalist investment and see that measurable results are achieved at every turn for its clients. “We aim to be a trusted partner in driving real, sustainable growth that benefits businesses and communities worldwide.” Guiding LibLeo Global as its pursues these ends are its core values of engagement, collaboration, and strategic, data-driven decision making. These principles help Mark and the team as they work side by side with their partners and clients to deliver the measurable results, sustainable impact, and long-term success they seek, as well as seeing that the outcome-focused approach of the firm, which bridges businesses and communities in truly integrated fashion, is as pioneering and as transformative as can be. Very few providers in this space cover both businesses and communities in the way that LibLeo Global does, but more than this, what really sets the firm apart is the sense of togetherness that defines its operation. As Mark told us: “We don’t just provide reports. Our niche expertise in fostering direct, mutually beneficial connections between expanding companies and investment-ready communities distinguishes us, as does our prioritising of real-world economic ecosystems over transactional advice.” Furthermore, in an attempt to help its clients bring their ideas to life, LibLeo Global offers LibLeo AI. This sees the provisions afforded for these visions to be transformed into scalable AI solutions, regardless of whether the aim is to launch a new product, optimise operations, or simply explore the endless possibilities brought about by automation. Across capabilities such as custom AI development, full-stack engineering, cloud integration, and ML ops, clients will experience a seamless blend of speed, precision, and favourable outcomes. Underscoring the reach LibLeo Global has in this space, a partnership with Seraphim Space – the leading SpaceTech investor – sees the firm support regions worldwide as they deliver investor-led programmes for the likes of economic development organisations, space agencies, and governments. By tapping into Seraphim Space’s global deal flow, portfolio of more than $6 billion, and proven acceleration model for raising capital and creating jobs, a region can quite quickly become a SpaceTech powerhouse and reap the benefits. “This partnership positions us at the forefront of the booming SpaceTech sector, where we help channel cutting-edge investments into regions primed for growth – further evidence of our commitment to high-impact, future-focused economic development.” Behind all of this success is LibLeo Global’s base in Northern Ireland, which gives it both a unique perspective and a competitive edge. For example, Mark told us: “The region’s dual-market access, cost advantages, talented workforce, and supportive innovation ecosystem enable us to scale efficiently while advising clients on the very opportunities that make places like this so attractive for investment.” In a world of economic uncertainty, this positions the firm as the partner of choice for those seeking impact. A beacon of prowess when it comes to economic development, ecosystem engagement, and international investment, LibLeo Global’s ability to create new jobs, drive innovation, and put regions on the map continues to set it apart. On the back of this, we are delighted to crown it as the Most Innovative Economic Development & Ecosystem Engagement Firm 2025 in our annual Northern Irish Enterprise Awards. Contact: Mark Macauley Company: LibLeo Global Web Address: https://www.libleo.com/ Expanding businesses and investing in local communities are two of the main ways economic development is driven across a region. Aware of this, LibLeo Global empowers expansion and investment in these areas using strategic solutions, creating jobs, sparking innovation, and engaging ecosystems. These business- or community-focused strategies are delivered worldwide, leading to sustainable successes. With the firm’s unique approach being celebrated with an award in this programme, Mark Maccauley, its managing director, was on hand to tell us more. Most Innovative Economic Development & Ecosystem Engagement Firm 2025
Northern Irish Enterprise Awards 2025/ 10 Protect Your Business in 2026: Legal Experts Share Common Risks Facing Businesses Using AI More than half (53%) of UK SME owners now regularly turn to AI tools for business advice, with the trend strongest among younger generations: 60% of founders aged 25 to 34 said they use AI for support. However, a new intensive study evaluating over 3,000 AI-generated responses revealed that 45% had at least one significant issue, while about 1 in 3 (31%) included missing or misleading attributions. Under the EU AI Act, organisations (including UK businesses) that place AI systems on the EU market or whose AI outputs are used in the EU can face significant penalties, including fines of up to €35 million (£30M) or 7% of worldwide annual turnover for the most serious infringements. In light of this, Kirstin McKnight, Practice Group Leader at commercial law firm LegalVision shared the most common legal risks that business owners need to be aware of in 2026 – and how to protect themselves. 1. Unclear ownership and risks in AI outputs When businesses use AI to generate content, there is a significant risk that the output could unintentionally infringe on copyrighted material. Ownership of AI-generated content is often ambiguous, which can lead to disputes over who has the right to use, modify or sell the content. A high-profile legal case,Getty Images v. Stability AI, highlights the uncertainty in this area. Getty alleged that Stability AI trained its image-generation model using millions of copyrighted images without permission. In the UK proceedings, Getty’s main copyright case did not succeed, while the court found limited trade mark infringement relating to early outputs that reproduced Getty’s watermark. To protect your business, it is essential to carefully review the licensing and terms of service of any AI tool you use. Implement internal review processes to check outputs for potential infringement, and clearly define ownership rights in contracts. Businesses should also be cautious about using AI outputs commercially when training data sources are unclear, and make sure to document all review processes to avoid disputes. 2. AI ‘hallucinations’ misleading business decisions 20% of AI-generated outputs contain major accuracy issues, including fabricated details and outdated information. When businesses rely on these outputs for legal, financial, or product decisions, they expose themselves to serious legal risks, including misrepresentation, negligence claims and even fines of up to €7.5 million (£6.5M) for providing incorrect, incomplete or misleading information to authorities. In March 2024, a Microsoft-powered chatbot, MyCity, was reported to have provided dangerously incorrect advice that could have led business owners to break the law, including falsely claiming they could take a cut of workers’ tips or fire workers who complained about sexual harassment. To protect against this risk, businesses should never treat AI as a final authority. It is critical to implement human review and verification processes for AI outputs before they are shared or acted upon. Clearly disclosing when content is AI-generated and avoiding sole reliance on AI for high-stakes decisions can protect both the business and its leadership. 3. Lack of internal AI governance is a ticking time bomb Many businesses adopt AI tools without establishing clear policies. This lack of governance can quickly turn into a serious legal and operational risk as employees may misuse AI, input inappropriate or sensitive data, or fail to recognise harmful outputs, which could lead to data breaches or escalate into costly lawsuits. To safeguard your business, it’s important to implement a robust company-wide AI policy that clearly defines the purposes for which AI can be used, establishes protocols for reviewing AI outputs and assigns accountability for decision-making. Treating AI as a powerful but regulated tool can prevent it from being a ticking time bomb that threatens your business. 4. Data privacy violations AI systems rely on vast datasets that often include personal information about customers, employees or third parties. Using this data without proper consent or anonymisation can lead to serious violations of data protection laws, resulting in hefty fines and reputational damage. Any business that processes personal data through AI must ensure it complies with all relevant privacy obligations. This means collecting and using only the data that is strictly necessary, keeping clear records of consent or other lawful basis for use of the information, being transparent about how data is handled to build trust with customers and stakeholders. 5. Rapidly evolving AI regulations and compliance risks The fast pace of AI innovation has prompted governments worldwide to introduce new regulations, such as the EU AI Act and the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (DUA). Businesses that fail to comply with these constantly evolving laws risk serious legal consequences, including fines, regulatory enforcement or lawsuits. AI regulations are dynamic and vary by jurisdiction, and can sometimes apply retroactively to systems already in use. To protect your business, it is essential to stay informed about evolving regulations, conduct regular audits of AI systems, and design strategies with flexibility so you can adapt quickly to new legal requirements as they emerge. Companies that do not actively monitor regulatory changes or embed compliance into their processes may inadvertently violate the law, even when acting in good faith
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