Ernst & Young to use PS3 for virtual meetings

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In an effort to cut costs and reduce carbon emissions, UK financial services businesses, including Ernst & Young, are to trial holding management conferences through Playstation 3's new virtual world Home.

The move is part of a project led by Dr Nipan Maniar and Manish Malik from Portsmouth University, which was commissioned by Advanced Workplace Associates and aims to explore how large companies can use virtual worlds to reduce costs on office space and travel, as well as their carbon footprints.

Other firms taking part in the project include Microsoft and Merrill Lynch.

Managing director of Advanced Workplace Associates, Andrew Mawson, said: "Increasingly we are living in a world without borders where workers need to collaborate on a global scale.

"Audio and video-conferencing solutions have emerged but the use of virtual worlds may offer the next evolution in overcoming the tyranny of distance - a more realistic and learning-enhanced environment."

Meanwhile, PricewaterhouseCoopers has announced the appointment of Malcolm Preston as chief executive of its sustainability and climate change practice.

The firm said the move was part of its strategy to respond to growing client needs in sustainability and investment.