Guident has achieved ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification, the world’s leading information security management standard. The milestone confirms that the company maintains comprehensive security controls to protect critical assets and processes.

The company believes the certification strengthens client trust through internationally recognised security practices and enhances operational resilience with proactive risk management.

Ultimately, the AV safety company’s efforts to win new business will be enhanced because partners can now rely on Guident’s compliance with evolving cybersecurity requirements.

“This accomplishment reflects Guident’s top-down commitment to embedding security into our strategy and governance. Integrating this standard into our business model ensures that every technology decision and operational process is aligned with international best practices,” said Dr. Gabriel Castaneda, VP of AI and Research at Guident.

The certification marks a significant step for the Tekcapital subsidiary in reinforcing its security posture across all operations as it prepares for a potential NASDAQ IPO.

The FTSE 100 had another underwhelming session on Friday, despite US equities reaching fresh highs overnight.

US stocks were buoyed by better-than-expected US GDP and Federal Reserve members calling for rate cuts. The S&P 500 closed at 6,501, up 0.3% overnight.

Unfortunately, there was little direct read-across for UK stocks, and the FTSE 100 was driven largely by sharp declines in banking stocks following suggestions that the government should launch a windfall tax on banks to help plug budget gaps.

The reports were not taken well by the banks or the FTSE 100 as a whole, and the index was down 0.4% at the time of writing.

“Shares in UK banks including Lloyds and NatWest have taken a hit as the idea of a tax raid on lenders was suggested by think-tank IPPR,” said Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.

“It’s hardly a surprise that every cushion is being upended in the hunt for extra cash to fill the much-discussed black hole in the Treasury’s finances.

“The issue is whether taxing the banks more will end up stifling the very growth the government is keen to foster, by crimping lending to businesses and households alike.

“The banks will undoubtedly argue as such, and shareholders may not want to see any such raid either. The wider public may see it differently, given how HSBC, Barclays, NatWest and Lloyds are expected to earn some £44 billion between them worldwide in 2025, their third-best year ever, after 2023 and 2024.”

NatWest was the FTSE 100’s top decliner, with a 4% decline. Lloyds was close behind with losses of over 3%.

Barclays also lost around 3%.

Banks have played a significant role in the FTSE 100 breaking record highs this year, so news of a windfall tax will weigh on investor sentiment.

There was strength in Rentokil, Babcock, and Rolls-Royce, but not enough to keep the index anywhere near positive on the session.

US data due for release later on Friday will likely dictate trade going into the weekend as traders position themselves for shifting interest rate expectations.

Metals One Plc has announced a ‘major’ strategic investment of C$750,000 in Lions Bay Capital Inc., expanding its global gold and copper exposure through Lions Bay’s portfolio of assets.

The AIM-listed minerals exploration company will acquire 7,500,000 common shares, giving it a 19.1% stake in the TSX-V listed Lions Bay.

Gold Processing Plant Revival

Lions Bay’s primary focus centres on bringing a South African gold processing plant back into production by Q4 2026. The company holds an option until November 2025 to acquire the cogeneration facility for US$1.4 million.

The plant represents exceptional value, having originally cost approximately US$20 million to commission before shutting down in 2021 after just 18 months of operation. It previously supplied steam and power to an adjacent chemical complex.

Once refurbished, the facility will process approximately 5,000 tonnes of gold-bearing concentrate per month. Metals One believe this provides an attractive alternative to exporting concentrate to Asian smelters, with roasting technology that exposes gold for conventional extraction.

“We believe the Lions Bay’s gold processing plant in South Africa offers exceptionally attractive economics,” said Craig Moulton, Chair of Metals One.

“The near-term cash flow opportunity complements our earlier stage critical metals exploration projects, balancing Metals One’s asset base. With a market capitalisation of under C$4 million and a portfolio of other projects, we regard this as a highly opportunistic investment.”

Through Lions Bay, Metals One gains exposure to a diversified portfolio of mining investments. Key holdings include a 45.22% stake in Fidelity Minerals, which owns copper-gold porphyry projects in Peru and Canada.

Other investments span Epic Minerals’ tin and copper-gold projects in Queensland, KALiNA Power’s low-carbon electricity generation, and Greensands Australia’s organic fertilizer technology.

Lions Bay also holds a debt loan related to the Bosveld gold mine, which operates a 60,000 tpa gold treatment plant as a toll processing facility.