Big Business Entrepreneurs (BBE) has called for enhanced support measures to help business owners across the North West accelerate their growth and competitiveness.

As one of the UK’s leading economic regions, the North West is home to over 1.19 million businesses, contributing more than a 10% of the nation’s total enterprises.

The region’s economy combines internationally influential cities with smaller towns and rural areas, where scaling a business often presents greater challenges.

Adam Stott, Founder of Big Business Entrepreneurs, said: “As one of the UK’s powerhouse economies, the North West stands to accelerate growth even further through business coaching that helps smaller firms match the performance of its major commercial hubs.”

According to BBE, targeted coaching can help reduce disparities across the region by equipping entrepreneurs with essential skills in digital growth, monetisation and scaling — capabilities often concentrated in cities such as Manchester and Liverpool.

Adam Stott added: “Many North West business owners are working incredibly hard but not necessarily in the right areas to drive growth. Coaching helps them focus, build momentum and unlock the commercial potential that already exists within their organisations.”

Manchester creative agency Eight Engines has been named among the finalists for Production Company of the Year at the Prolific North Champions Awards, highlighting a successful period of transformation for the business.

The nomination comes after several years of change, during which the company has transitioned from a traditional video production provider into a broader creative partner serving clients throughout the UK and overseas.

Led by creative director Jack Leigh, the team has taken on a more integrated role in projects, contributing strategically from the outset. One recent example includes a rebrand launch campaign for Project Solar, delivered in collaboration with Kevin McCloud.

In addition, the company completed a major international assignment for Bureau Veritas, filming across multiple continents including Europe, Asia and South America. During the production, Leigh and part of the crew were unexpectedly stranded for a month due to the ongoing war.

Eight Engines has deliberately moved away from a purely executional role, instead embedding itself earlier in the creative journey to craft more authentic and engaging narratives through film. Leigh says this approach has strengthened the company’s ability to represent its clients effectively.

“Over the last couple of years we made a conscious decision to change how we worked with clients. We didn’t just want to be the team that turns up with a camera and films what’s there – we wanted to be involved earlier, bringing our creative and strategic thinking into the process to get better results.”

As a result, the company has embraced more challenging and large-scale projects, including global productions and technically complex shoots. It has also become more discerning in the work it accepts, focusing on opportunities where it can add real value.

Commenting on the recognition, Leigh said: “We’re over the moon to be nominated. The last few years have been a real period of change for us. We’ve rebuilt the company, focused on building the right team, and pushed ourselves to do more ambitious work. Every member of the team is driven to grow and bring something new to each project, so to be recognised at this level genuinely means a lot.”

Leigh emphasises that the company’s success stems from its willingness to go beyond standard production responsibilities.

“Making great films is the baseline. What matters just as much is the experience for the client and the results we deliver.

We take on more responsibility than most, whether that’s managing complex logistics or delivering global projects at pace. We’re not just turning up and filming, we’re part of the process.”

Reaching this stage has required difficult decisions, including stepping away from projects where the company felt it could not contribute meaningfully. This led to a short-term slowdown while the business refined its direction.

Now, that approach is proving effective, with clients increasingly engaging Eight Engines as a trusted creative partner involved in shaping overall vision and storytelling.

The winners of the Prolific North Champions Awards are set to be announced at Old Trafford on 14 May.

In the lead-up to the heavyweight showdown between Derek Chisora and Deontay Wilder, DAZN has teamed up with VOXY Media House to produce a commercial film alongside a two-part documentary capturing the fighters’ journeys through training camp.

The UK-based creative production company VOXY Media House was assigned to deliver a campaign film titled Deep Waters, as well as the On The Ground documentary series. Both were produced at the same time, despite the fighters being located in different parts of the world.

The On The Ground series takes viewers inside each camp, documenting the daily preparation, routines and mindset of both fighters. Production took place in Alabama with Deontay Wilder and in London with Derek Chisora, showcasing two very different training settings.

The idea behind the Deep Waters commercial stemmed from a moment during the fighters’ Face Off, where discussions around retirement and life after boxing emerged. Wilder remarked: “He’s in the retirement stage of his life. He’s trying to take me with him so we can go fishing.”

The creative vision involved placing both fighters together in a lakeside environment, echoing that exchange. However, due to geographical and logistical challenges, this could not be achieved in a single location.

Instead, the production team filmed in both Alabama and London separately. Body doubles were used for certain shots, while each fighter was recorded individually using green screen setups within their own training camps. These visuals were later combined during post-production to create a unified scene.

Ryan Connor, Co-Founder of VOXY Media House, said: “It’s always a privilege stepping inside a fighter’s camp. Not just to see how they train, but how they live day to day. Deontay is a unique character. Funny, cool, eccentric, but also one of the hardest workers I’ve come across.

“We went for dinner with him and his team, heard stories from his past, present and his plans for the future. Deonte also took us to see his statue in Tuscaloosa. You can see why he’s achieved what he has. Getting the best out of fighters comes down to creating an environment where they feel comfortable.

“That’s something me and Joe Mitchinson – Co Founder of Voxy Media House have built over the last 10 years working closely with the sports biggest names like Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury and many more.”

Following the US shoot, the crew returned to the UK to film Derek Chisora’s preparations in London.

This involved capturing moments within his local community, as well as documenting recovery sessions and media duties. The final output offers two contrasting perspectives ahead of the fight, while the commercial piece blends both fighters into a single narrative through post-production.

Derek Chisora is scheduled to face Deontay Wilder at The O2 Arena in London on Saturday, 4 April.

A severely sight impaired entrepreneur who was once asked to leave a shop for bringing in her guide dog is now using her experiences to help businesses create more inclusive customer journeys.

Sangeeta Uppaladinni first made headlines in 2012 after being told to leave a London souvenir store while visiting during the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee weekend. That experience, alongside the broader challenges she has faced, has since motivated her to drive change in how accessibility is approached.

She is now launching Brand Positive Encounters®, a venture focused on helping organisations improve accessibility across their brand touchpoints for pan-disabled audiences, while also enabling businesses to benefit from the “purple pound”.

“Too many businesses are still treating accessibility as a compliance exercise instead of looking at the whole customer experience journey,” Ms Uppaladinni, from Alsager, Cheshire, said.

“There are 16.1 million disabled people in the UK, with a collective spending power of £446 billion a year. Can businesses afford to miss out on that?

“When businesses make their brand touchpoints accessible, they can tap into that spending power as another revenue stream. At the same time, pan-disabled people can buy from the brands they want to love, with ease. It’s a win-win.”

At the heart of the venture is what Sangeeta describes as a significant opportunity that many organisations have yet to fully recognise.

Ms Uppaladinni said: “Businesses often say they are meeting accessibility compliance and that should be enough. But in my view, there has not been enough progress in making brand touchpoints genuinely accessible in this day and age.

“That is the gap Brand Positive Encounters® is here to address. It’s about helping organisations move beyond minimum standards and take an honest look at how their brand is experienced by pan-disabled people in the real world. Accessibility should be seen as a route to better design, clearer communication and more meaningful engagement.”

She says the business is firmly grounded in her own lived experience.

“I have lived this reality since birth. The daily obstacles of trying to participate in a world not built for disabled people, and even trying to buy from the brands we love, can lead to frustration, stress and disillusionment.

“I wanted to roll up my sleeves and make a difference by working with businesses as a strategic partner in accessibility. I do that through a 360-degree approach, focusing on leadership mindset, behavioural change and auditing brand touchpoints.”

Ms Uppaladinni brings significant expertise in marketing communications, accessibility, disability advocacy, policy, and consultancy, having worked with organisations such as Siemens, DKT International, NHS bodies, Spacial.com, and Oxford College of Marketing, as well as through her own consultancy work.

About Brand Positive Encounters®

Brand Positive Encounters® offers two core services. The first is a brand touchpoint audit, enabling organisations to assess accessibility across customer-facing channels, produce a detailed report and identify practical improvements, often achievable within existing resources.

The second is The Great Escape Blueprint, a presentation and immersive workshop inspired by the real events of ‘WWII The Great Escape’. It focuses on project management, leadership mindset, problem-solving under pressure, adaptability, resilience and teamwork.

For Sangeeta, the two strands are closely connected.

“The Great Escape Blueprint is not separate from accessibility,” she said. “It’s about constraints, problem-solving under pressure, adaptability and resilience. I drew parallels between the barriers faced by the POWS – the great escapers, the obstacles I face through disability, and the challenges businesses face today.”

“What makes Brand Positive Encounters® different is its behavioural, lived-experience approach, looking beyond whether something passes checks to how it actually feels and functions for people. Many organisations focus on compliance. I want businesses to look wider than that.”

The business is aimed primarily at private sector organisations, particularly mid to large corporates, as well as public sector bodies seeking to improve access to services and information for pan-disabled audiences. It is launching nationally, with ambitions to expand internationally.

With Brand Positive Encounters® now live, Sangeeta is urging organisations to stop overlooking an untapped market and start creating accessible brand experiences for the people who want to engage with, and buy from, them.

Paul Davies Guttering Services has announced a further expansion of its gutter cleaning and repair services across the UK, in response to growing demand from homeowners and businesses seeking to prevent avoidable property damage.

The company is broadening its reach across key cities, including Gutter cleaning Liverpool, Gutter cleaning Sheffield, and Gutter cleaning Birmingham, enabling quicker response times and improved accessibility for customers requiring professional gutter services.

Across the UK, blocked and poorly maintained gutters continue to be a major contributor to water damage in properties. Issues such as damp, mould, and even structural deterioration can arise when maintenance is overlooked, with costs escalating rapidly — something the company says is becoming more widely understood.

A spokesperson for Paul Davies Guttering Services said: “We’re seeing more people take a proactive approach. Instead of waiting for problems, they’re booking regular gutter cleaning to avoid bigger repair bills later. Our job is to make that process simple, affordable and reliable.”

Paul Davies Guttering Services provides a full range of services for both residential and commercial clients, including:

• Gutter cleaning and clearing
• Gutter repairs and replacements
• Fascia and soffit cleaning
• Routine maintenance programmes

Using modern equipment such as high-reach vacuum systems, the company is able to carry out most work safely from ground level, reducing disruption and improving efficiency.

The expansion into cities like Liverpool, Sheffield and Birmingham reflects growing demand in built-up areas, where gutters are more likely to become blocked due to debris, pollution and weather conditions.

With wetter weather becoming more frequent across the UK, the company is encouraging property owners to prioritise regular inspections and maintenance to prevent long-term damage.

Homeowners and businesses throughout the UK are being urged to stay vigilant about one of the most widespread and potentially expensive property maintenance issues — blocked gutters.

Gutter Specialists UK, a nationwide provider of professional gutter solutions, has announced the continued expansion of its services, with particular attention on major cities such as Manchester.

The company offers a full range of services, including gutter cleaning, repairs, and complete system replacements, supporting both residential and commercial properties across the country. In high-density urban areas, services such as gutter cleaning in Manchester are becoming increasingly necessary as properties contend with frequent rainfall, debris build-up, and ageing drainage systems.

According to the company, gutter upkeep is not simply about maintaining appearances. When gutters become blocked, they can lead to significant problems, including water damage, damp conditions, mould growth, and even structural complications if not addressed promptly.

A spokesperson for Gutter Specialists UK said: “Most people don’t think about their gutters until something goes wrong. By then, the damage is already done. Regular gutter cleaning is one of the simplest ways to protect your property and avoid expensive repairs.”

With a strong national presence, the company provides local engineers across the UK, ensuring that customers can access dependable services whether they are based in cities like Manchester and London or in smaller towns and rural locations.

The gutter cleaning service involves clearing leaves, moss, and other debris, as well as carrying out full system checks to ensure proper water flow. By using specialist equipment such as high-powered gutter vacuum systems, work can often be completed safely from ground level, reducing disruption and improving safety.

The company also notes that properties located near trees or exposed to challenging weather conditions may require more frequent maintenance to prevent blockages and overflow.

By offering clear pricing, no call-out fees, and free quotations, Gutter Specialists UK aims to keep its services accessible and straightforward for both homeowners and businesses.

As more people turn to online searches for terms such as gutter cleaning Manchester and “gutter cleaning near me”, the company continues to strengthen its position as a trusted provider of nationwide gutter services.

Leeds has firmly established itself as one of the UK’s leading regional business centres, attracting companies from across sectors including finance, technology, legal services and creative industries.

As competition grows and working practices evolve, businesses are rethinking not only how they operate, but also where they base themselves. In this context, flexible workspace solutions are playing a vital role in shaping the city’s future.

In particular, the rise of serviced offices in Leeds has become closely linked with the growth of digital marketing and online business visibility. Companies looking to strengthen their presence often highlight their Leeds location in search strategies, using it to appeal to both local clients and national audiences.

A flexible office in a recognised business district can therefore support not just operations, but also brand positioning and credibility in an increasingly digital marketplace.

A city built for modern business

Leeds has long been recognised as a powerhouse of the Northern economy. With a strong financial and professional services sector, a growing tech scene, and excellent transport links, it offers an attractive base for businesses of all sizes.

What sets Leeds apart is its ability to combine economic strength with accessibility. Compared to London, operating costs remain relatively competitive, while the city still offers access to highly skilled talent, leading universities and a thriving commercial ecosystem.

Flexible workspaces have become a natural extension of this environment. They provide companies with the ability to establish a presence in Leeds quickly and efficiently, without the long-term commitments traditionally associated with office space. This is particularly valuable for businesses expanding into the North or testing new markets.

The role of flexible workspaces in business growth

Flexible offices, including serviced and managed spaces, have transformed how organisations approach growth. Rather than committing to large, fixed premises, companies can now scale their workspace in line with demand.

For start-ups and SMEs, this reduces financial risk and allows greater focus on core business activities. For larger organisations, flexible offices can act as satellite hubs, project spaces or regional bases.

In Leeds, this approach is especially effective. Businesses can secure a central location, access modern facilities and benefit from professional services such as reception support and meeting rooms.

This adaptability is key in today’s fast-moving business landscape, where agilitydoften determines success.

Supporting digital and creative industries

Leeds has become a hub for digital and creative businesses, with agencies, tech firms and media companies choosing the city as a base for innovation. Flexible workspaces are playing a central role in supporting this growth.

These environments are designed with collaboration in mind, offering open-plan areas, breakout spaces and well-equipped meeting rooms. For digital teams, this encourages idea sharing, problem-solving and creative thinking.

At the same time, the professional setting of a serviced office enhances client interactions. Whether hosting presentations or strategy sessions, businesses can provide a polished experience that reflects their brand.

Importantly, having a recognised Leeds address can strengthen digital marketing efforts. It signals credibility, improves local search visibility and helps businesses connect with clients in the region. In this way, workspace choice becomes part of a broader marketing strategy.

Attracting talent in a competitive market

Access to skilled talent is one of the main reasons companies choose Leeds, but expectations have shifted significantly in recent years. Many professionals now prioritise flexible work, with research showing that a large proportion would even turn down a role if this option is not available.

Flexible workspaces support recruitment efforts by offering environments that appeal to modern employees. Today’s workforce values flexibility, collaboration and wellbeing.

Serviced offices often include features such as natural light, comfortable furnishings, breakout areas and shared amenities. These elements create a more engaging workplace, helping businesses attract and retain talent.

Hybrid working also plays a role. By combining flexible office space with remote working options, companies can offer a balanced approach that meets the expectations of today’s professionals.

The wider impact and future of flexible workspaces

The growth of flexible workspaces is having a clear and positive impact on Leeds’ wider economy. By maintaining a strong presence in the city centre, businesses support local cafés, restaurants and retail, helping to create a vibrant and well-connected commercial environment.

Excellent transport links also make Leeds an ideal base for regional collaboration, strengthening its position as a key Northern hub.

At the same time, the shift towards flexible working reflects a long-term change in how organisations operate. Advances in technology have made hybrid models more practical, allowing businesses to combine remote work with access to high-quality office space when needed. This reduces costs while maintaining productivity and collaboration.

Looking ahead, flexible workspaces will continue to play a central role in the city growth. By offering adaptable, professional environments, they help businesses attract talent, build strong client relationships and respond quickly to change. As a result, Leeds is well positioned to remain a leading destination for companies seeking both flexibility and opportunity in the modern workplace.