Business Manchester

Proline Engineering set for global growth

Blog

Sam Whitear

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22/12/2017

Manchester-based Proline Engineering has been acquired by US-headquartered CPM Holdings in a deal that will significantly expand the local company’s global growth.

Founded in 1996 and based in Worsley, Proline Engineering is a leading supplier of high-speed, high-volume conveyance solutions, installation and after-market services for the metal packaging industry.

The transaction will see Proline Engineering join Blackburn-based Greenbank Technology in CPM Holdings’ metal packaging solutions platform and be the group’s fourth UK facility, alongside Crown Europe in East Yorkshire and Wolverine Proctor in Glasgow.

Iowa-headquartered, CPM Holdings, is a world-leading supplier of equipment and engineered systems to the animal feed, bioenergy, engineered materials and oilseed processing markets and operates from 20 facilities across Europe, North and South America, Russia and Asia. CPM Holdings focus on product development and strategic acquisitions supports the continued expansion of its product portfolio.

The former owners of Proline Engineering, Ivan Wroe, Stephen Rimmer, Colin Timms and Gary Jones, will continue in the business and take leadership and management positions.

Speaking of the acquisition, Ted Waitman, President of CPM Holdings, said: “Proline brings terrific synergies to our metal packaging offering. Its bespoke material handling solutions complement CPM’s leading position in washer and thermal technologies for the two-piece can industry. Most importantly, Proline shares CPM’s core values, operating philosophies and unyielding customer commitment.”

Ivan commented: “With CPM, Proline will accelerate its global growth and development and we will build on our industry-leading conveyance technology to connect critical process equipment to create bespoke system solutions to customers around the world.”

The management team at Proline Engineering was advised by CLB Coopers, which is part of the Baldwins Group, and KBL Solicitors. Corporate Finance advice was provided by Corporate Finance Senior Director, Andrew Feeke, and Senior Director, Rob Richardson, of CLB Coopers with legal advice provided by Jonathan Shorrock, assisted by Mairead Platt and Gillian Hindle of KBL Solicitors.

Speaking of the transaction, Andrew, said: “Having worked with the management team at Proline for a number of years, we are delighted to have advised on the transaction.

“This deal is a culmination of years of planning to help shape the business, to optimise shareholder value and to work with the company to put in place a range of options to help them to proactively realise that value; this is exactly the type of transaction that our Corporate Finance team has the expertise and experience to support and we are proud to have worked with Proline’s management team to help them achieve its ambitions.”

Jonathan said: “Proline and its management team have been clients for many years and it has been a pleasure working with them on this important transaction for both the company and the people who created and grew it. We at KBL wish all concerned well for the future.”

Ivan added: “We accepted that running a business is not like selling a business. Once the partners decided to sell the business, our first point of call was CLB Coopers’ Corporate Finance team and KBL Solicitors, who are both our historical allies and advisors. The expertise throughout the process and the effort expended in the closing stages by both teams was simply outstanding.”

Unity Radio moves into The Landing @MEDIACITYUK

Blog

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21/12/2017

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Manchester’s Unity Radio, an independent youth-focused music platform which works with young people to help them get a foot in the door of the creative industries, has moved into a new base at The Landing @MediaCityUK.

Unity Radio, which broadcasts local, national and international dance and urban music for people in the 15 to 40 demographic, focuses on engagement and outreach with the local community to offer creative opportunities which improve well-being amongst young people across Manchester.

The story of Unity Radio began in 2001 when founder Jon Green set up a pirate radio station with close friends Wesley Milne and Robert Hargreaves in Moss Side. Jon and Robert had grown up together in South Manchester and bonded through their experiences in foster care before being adopted. Tragically Robert was murdered in the same year. Jon continued to run the station between 2001 and 2004 with others in the radio community to help young people in care or who had been victims of serious and violent crime.

Over the next year, Jon became a supplier for Manchester City Council and worked for InTheCity Radio to deliver the restricted licence services for the music conference and Tony Wilson. He then submitted a bid to Ofcom with Dot Communications, Tom Clarke and Youth Charter for Spore founder Jeff Thompson, but was beaten by XFM.

In 2005 Jon also met Julian Guest while working on the Unity Radio website. In 2007, the pair incorporated North West Media and applied for an Ofcom licence, beating off 30 other applicants to win the bid in 2008. Given a two-year timespan to launch, they were unfortunately hit by government cuts. In the same timespan they received a High Sheriff Award for involvement in projects to lower gun crime in gangs in South Manchester by 70 per cent, but then in 2009, Jon had another setback when both his adoptive parents died within two days of one another.

Unity Radio was eventually launched in Ancoats on December 10, 2010, Jon’s adoptive mother’s birthday as a mark of respect. The team was further strengthened in 2014 with the addition of business development manager, Lee Dinsdale, and continues to grow from strength to strength, culminating in the move to The Landing at MediaCityUK in 2017.

Jon said: “We’re very proud of where we came from and where we are travelling to – and we feel that being based at The Landing atMediaCityUK now really shows our young people what can be achieved. It’s so important to never forget where you came from and, for us, we need to keep reflecting and championing our community roots and our relationships with young people. This is our whole DNA and culture – and it was attracting talent from the streets which gave us the power to become an official Ofcom registered station.”

Unity Radio is currently running the Changing Self Belief project until June 2019, which is raising awareness of issues surrounding young people who are at risk of harm as a direct result of going missing.

Commissioned by Greater Manchester Mayor and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd, the project will see Unity Radio working with 50 young people from across Greater Manchester for the next two years, hosting weekly workshops and discussion via a weekly live radio show. Following the project, young people taking part will be able to volunteer with local youth projects, with Unity or access further training and education opportunities.

Julian Guest said: “This project gives young people a voice and the opportunity to explore the reasons behind going missing and the vulnerability which can result from potential exploitation, radicalisation and crime. We offer a powerful alternative to traditional youth intervention and have a proven track record of positive impact. Last year, 4,000 children went missing across Greater Manchester in 16,000 reported incidents and we are delighted to be working on such an inspiring project, partnering with children’s services, missing from home teams and children’s charities to help with referrals.”

Julian continued: “We are delighted to have moved to The Landing as we feel this is an aspirational place to be for the young people who we work with, with broadcast giants such as the BBC and ITV being based here.”

Paul Billington, commercial director at The Landing, said: “Unity Radio is carrying out a lot of extremely interesting, valuable youth intervention work in our local communities and we are very proud to have the team based here.

“The Landing’s businesses together contribute more than £25m to the Greater Manchester economy, as well as over 600 jobs in the Salford community. We are delighted to help and support our tenants on their journey in any way we can.”

Christmas Markets donations offer Big Change for homeless

Blog

Sam Whitear

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21/12/2017

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Thousands of pounds has been raised for the Big Change homeless support fund through generous donations and sales of the Manchester Santa Christmas Card.

This year was the first time donations have been collected on the Christmas Markets, and with 25% profit from card sales also going to Big Change, the total raised comes to £4,592.60

£4,000.53 in Christmas Market visitor donations has been collected by a 50-strong team of volunteers. The team has been collecting at weekends for the last four weeks and the response from the public has been “inspirational”.

A kind-hearted trader on King Street – Cornelia Friedl, the owner of the French Café “Le Petit Bistrot” – also donated the stall’s £314 float into the Big Change collection.

The Manchester Santa Christmas Card, which has been on sale since the beginning of December in the shops at Central Library and Manchester Art Gallery, has sold 299 packs and raised £278.07 for the fund. The card is still available, and has been joined by complementary gift tags and wrapping paper.

The Christmas card was inspired by the hugely popular animation that shows our hapless Santa struggling on the ice rink, only to be rescued by two skate savvy children who – with the help of Rudolph and other friends – etch the now iconic Manchester Bee into the ice.

The film is available to watch: www.manchester.gov.uk/christmas

The Big Change campaign is a central fund for more than 25 charities, with support from Manchester City Council and CityCo, which has helped hundreds of people move their lives forwards and begin to build an independent life away from the streets.

The Big Change fund supports individuals who are homeless by paying for items they need from a deposit for a home to clothes for a job interview, furnishing for a new flat, or travel costs.

The fund has already collected £120,000 in donations and supported 704 people through grants. Donations can also be made online at www.bigchangemcr.co.uk where you can also find out more about the Fund’s work, including a video with Elbow’s Guy Garvey explaining how the fund help rough sleepers.

Volunteers are always welcome to support homeless services in the city. Volunteers have already come forward to help over the Christmas period, including Christmas Day, but if you could provide your time in the long-term, please visit www.streetsupport.net to find out more.

Eleanor Watts (Riverside), Chair of the Big Change Fund, said: “We can’t thank Manchester – and visitors to the city – enough for their generosity at this time of year. Christmas can be a particularly hard time for rough sleepers and your donations will have a real impact of people’s lives.

“A huge thank you must also go out to the volunteers who have given their time to collect donations and give something back to the city this festive season.”

Cllr Bernard Priest, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Homelessness is an issue we all care deeply about and we are working hard to address the problem in every way we can. The generous donations will help people move forward with their lives and help provide long-term support to make sure people get off and stay off the streets. Our enormous gratitude goes out to everyone who gave money and it will all be spent on rebuilding lives and ending homelessness.”

Cllr Pat Karney, Manchester’s Christmas spokesperson, said: “The Manchester Christmas Markets are one of the biggest attractions in the UK with millions of visitors each year. I’m thankful that we have been able to harness that popularity to collect the generous donations to support rough sleepers this Christmas. Thank you to everyone who gave what they could.”

JAM gets festive with Transport for Greater Manchester

Sam Whitear

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21/12/2017

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JAM has been appointed by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to launch its Christmas campaign following a competitive pitch, with a unique campaign that truly captures the personality of Noel, TfGM’s Mancunian elf.

Integrated agency, JAM developed a bespoke PR, social, digital and creative campaign, which centres around a fully optimised interactive map, enabling users to choose from six themed routes to follow Noel around Greater Manchester and explore the region’s alternative Christmas offerings. Options include ‘Frosty the show-man’ and ‘An independent foodie Christmas’. The map, which features illustrations and gifs developed by JAM, also highlights TfGM’s Metrolink and Metroshuttle transport options to get people to the various places highlighted on the map.

To support the launch of the interactive map, JAM has also developed a series of quirky animations and gifs that will be used across social media, a bespoke Snapchat filter, as well as a bank of social media content that will run throughout the course of the campaign.

The agency has also set up promotional and experiential activity, which will appear on the streets of Greater Manchester in November and December, as well as a number of partner giveaways throughout the duration of the campaign.

JAM has worked closely with Carat to support the campaign from a paid social perspective, as well as Key 103, TfGM’s radio partner, from an experiential perspective.

Jaime Gee, managing director of JAM, said: “We’re delighted to be working with TfGM to launch its Christmas campaign. We wanted to take Noel on a tour of Greater Manchester and showcase the Christmas activities happening around the districts, which is where the idea of our interactive map came from. We use illustrations, matching Noel’s style, along with animated gifs and copy with a Northern twang to bring Noel to life in a true Mancunian fashion.

“It’s a real testament to the skills of the entire JAM team that we’ve been able to launch this fully integrated campaign, which encompasses creative, web design, animation, experiential and social media.”

Dan Bolton, campaigns manager at TfGM, added: “JAM impressed us with their creative ideas to bring Noel to life. The campaign has been well received so far and we’re looking forward to letting people see what Noel gets up to over Christmas!”

Campus Living Villages provides lifeline for those on the breadline

CSR

Sam Whitear

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21/12/2017

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Staff at a student accommodation provider have donned their novelty knitwear and donated hundreds of toys and food items for families in poverty this Christmas.

Employees from Campus Living Villages wore their festive sweaters to celebrate National Christmas Jumper Day on Friday, December 15 and carried out a toy donation and Foodbank drive across their 15 Villages across the UK.

This included their Salford-based staff, at MediaCity and University of Salford Student Village, gathering more than 100 toys and donating £250 for the Wood Street Mission’s Christmas Appeal.

The Manchester-based charity supports children and families in poverty across Manchester and Salford throughout the year, but at Christmas they supply toys and food parcels for families experiencing hardship.

Students and staff at Campus Living Villages’ other locations have also been doing their bit by providing a lifeline for those on the breadline, supporting foodbanks across the country.

Alex Mayes, corporate responsibilities and communities manager of Campus Living Villages UK, said: “While many people will be looking forward to the Christmas festivities, for families affected by poverty it can be a very difficult time of year, but thanks to charities up and down the country, like the Wood Street Mission, some of the more disadvantaged people in the UK can look forward to a brighter festive period.

“We’re committed to helping those in need. So It was great to see so many of our employees getting into the festive spirit on Christmas Jumper Day and making a huge amount of effort.

“It certainly brought a smile to our faces and we hope our donation will go some way to bringing a smile to the faces of children in poverty this Christmas.”

Des Lynch, operations manager of Wood Street Mission, added: “Christmas is a difficult time of year for struggling families. We will be giving out toys and food to about 2,000 families and 4,500 children so they can join in the fun and festivities. Campus Living Villages’ Christmas Jumper Day fundraiser will help us in ensuring Christmas gets off to a great start for local kids.”

Barber to the homeless makes donations plea ahead of visit to Dunkirk refugee camp

CSR

Sam Whitear

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20/12/2017

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A foundation that offers free haircuts and care packages to the homeless community in Greater Manchester is asking for donations ahead of a trip to the refugee camps in Dunkirk.

Skullfades Barbers’ Ged King – who recently notched up his 1,200^th free-of-charge trim alongside Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham as part of the Skullfades Foundation winter appeal – will be taking his unique homeless haircutting offer overseas in March and is appealing for donations of children’s toys and clothes, as well as rucksacks, sleeping bags and essentials which he will be taking with him.

The 32-year-old launched Skullfades Barbers in Sale in 2014, followed by the Skullfades Foundation in October 2016 to provide free food and haircuts for homeless people in Manchester.

Andy, who has pledged to end rough sleeping in the city by 2020 and also launched the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Homelessness Fund, said: “It was both humbling and inspiring in equal measure to spend time with the team brought together by the Skullfades Foundation in Piccadilly Gardens.

“It is one thing to give money to support people who have no home; it is quite another to give up your weekend to help them and provide personal care and attention to them.”

He added: “Watching the change in the people receiving help was truly life affirming. It was a whole community effort by people from all walks of life – from barbers to musicians to chefs. I left feeling uplifted, in awe of the generosity of the people of Greater Manchester and in no doubt, that, together, we will end rough sleeping here.

With an estimated 200 to 400 people sleeping rough in Greater Manchester each year, Ged is encouraging more barbers to join his campaign to help those in need and potentially change their lives for the better.

Ged said: “I care about people and believe life is more about what you can give that what you can get. Once I established my business, I thought, ‘what can I do next?’. I really wanted to take things to the next level.

“For me, that meant heading overseas. It was very humbling to mark the first year of the Skullfades Foundation with a trip to refugee camps in Paris cutting hair and took a young refugee who was also a trained barber under my wing. He cut hair with me for a full day.”

He continued: “As soon as I came back from Paris, planning began for Dunkirk. I can’t describe how heart-warming it was to see the difference a positive chat, warm clothing and a haircut to people who have left their homes and worldly possessions can make. We’re hoping to have a team of 12 and four vans full of donations on the trip this time round.”

The Skullfades Foundation raised over £8,000 earlier this year through crowdfunding and accepts donations all year round. Donations can be dropped at Skullfades Barbershop in Sale.

Trio of Manchester Metropolitan University apprentices shortlisted for top business award

Awards

Sam Whitear

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20/12/2017

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Three Manchester Metropolitan University apprentices have been shortlisted for a top business award that recognises young talent.

Darren Smith (19) and Jack Kelly (21) of SAS Daniels LLP, and Danny Costello (21) of Ward Hadaway, are Apprentice of the Year finalists in the Made in Manchester Awards.

The trio have combined University study with employment on the Higher Apprenticeship in Legal Services programme. They are among seven apprentices recognised by the judges, who were looking for “individuals who have demonstrated an ability to go above and beyond their job role to have a positive impact on their business.”

Julie Adshead of Manchester Law School said: ‘Darren, Jack and Danny are fantastic advocates for apprenticeships. They have excelled in their studies and demonstrate the huge impact that apprentices can make in today’s workplace. We congratulate their achievement in reaching the awards finals and wish them every success in the grand final on 1 February 2018.”

Darren, who is part of SAS Daniels’ dispute resolution team, and Jack, who works within the company’s Employment & HR division, both joined the company in 2016 after completing A-Levels.

Two of SAS Daniels’ legal services apprentices were also shortlisted last year, with Sam Lydon awarded a ‘Highly Commended’ prize in the final.

Chris Swerling, Head of HR at SAS Daniels LLP, said: “Darren and Jack are both shining examples of what makes the whole apprentice scheme route a great way to start your career. We are enormously proud to have succeeded again in having two shortlisted for the prestigious Made In Manchester Awards 2018.”

Jack Kelly said: ” It is great to see young professionals being recognised for their achievements. I would like to thank my family for their support, and the team at SAS Daniels for developing and encouraging young people to be future champions of industry.”

Darren Smith added his thanks to family and colleagues, saying: “It is a massive honour to be shortlisted for this award and one which I will always be proud of.”

Danny Costello joined Ward Hadaway three years ago as an Administration Assistant before securing an apprenticeship in 2015. He has recently completed his apprentice programme and works within the Manchester office’s property team.

He said: “I am very grateful to be shortlisted for a Made In Manchester award and see it as a huge honour to have been nominated by my fellow colleagues. I’m also very proud to be one of Ward Hadaway’s legal apprentices.”

Paul Johnson, Corporate partner at Ward Hadaway and Executive Partner for the firm’s Manchester office, said: “Recruiting bright, enthusiastic and promising young people is important to us. Being shortlisted is testament to Danny’s hard work and determination. We know he will do well in his career and will continue to make an invaluable contribution to Ward Hadaway.”

The Made in Manchester Awards, organised by Future Pro-Manchester, celebrate the best of Manchester’s young business talent across 14 categories that recognise excellence in innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, training and development, and leadership. Entries are judged by sector experts in a two-tier competition process involving a written entry form and an interview for the shortlisted applicants.

Tech Firm Deepens Digital Education Commitment to Greater Manchester

Education

Sam Whitear

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20/12/2017

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Technology brand UKFast is taking its mission to inspire young digital talent to the next level, creating five new Raspberry Pi cafés for schools across Greater Manchester.

The ‘cafés’ use Raspberry Pi computers which provide a simple and flexible tool for students to learn programming skills, giving them the opportunity to get hands-on with technology. Cloud hosting specialist UKFast is providing hardware, cabling, and training resources.

The project targets areas where gaps in digital engagement exist, including wards which have traditionally lacked the resources to deliver cutting-edge digital training, as well as all-girls schools which have traditionally seen low uptake in technical subjects.

Sites selected for the project include: Holy Name RC Primary School in Moss Side, St Bedes Prep School in Hulme, Alderley Edge School for Girls, The Hollins Tech College in Accrington and Factory Youth Zone in North Manchester.

Aaron Saxton, Director of Training and Education at UKFast, said: “I am proud that we work with a hugely diverse mix of schools in some challenging areas, where we can make a real impact to young people’s futures. We’re seeing first-hand the potential of digital skills to change the story of these young people, to provide role models and to help them look beyond the boundaries of their local area.

“The Pi Café project is the perfect vehicle to inspire students to look at online technologies, programming and computer science skills.”

Damian Regan, head of Holy Name RC Primary School, said “The new café will create real independence for our digital leaders and develop a sense of aspiration. The new facility also promotes a love of technology, which we can use across the curriculum.”

UKFast’s team of full-time teachers are already engaged in a range of programmes across the region; delivering code clubs, workshops and masterclasses to students at more than 100 schools.

The expansion of the Pi café project follows the success of the first café at Broadoak School in Partington, which launched in 2015.

UKFast CEO Lawrence Jones said: “The impact of the Broadoak café has given us the confidence to roll out more Raspberry Pi cafés, to give young people and the wider community hands-on access to tech. The feedback we’ve had shows that young people look at that building as a really exciting space to go and learn something different from traditional education.

“With the Broadoak café, we’re seeing huge benefits in the development of the curriculum at the Dean Trust and the way pupils have been inspired.”

The new cafés represent a £100,000 investment in time and equipment and are set to launch early in 2018. The project comes as UKFast continues its work with the Dean Trust to launch a digital-focussed high school in Manchester following approval from the government.

Launch of IFSL Equilibrium funds completes – with £350m invested in less than a fortnight

Business support

Sam Whitear

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20/12/2017

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The launch of the new IFSL Equilibrium funds has successfully completed – with around £350 million invested in just 10 days.

Wilmslow-based Equilibrium, which recently broke through the £7 million turnover barrier, believe the ground-breaking initiative will help them to continue their strong track record of delivering superior risk adjusted returns.

Colin Lawson, Equilibrium Founder, and Mike Deverell, Partner and Investment Manager at Equilibrium, said they have been planning and working on this project for almost five years and they believe that the speed and extent of the take up from clients is unprecedented in the industry.

“All the careful preparation we put in has paid off as we have had a 100% take up rate from our clients,” said Colin.

“The launch went without a hitch and importantly without clients incurring costs. The project involved the whole team here at Equilibrium and everyone executed their individual tasks to perfection.”

Mike Deverell said: “Investments are always going to fall and rise over time, but our aim is to try and produce the best risk adjusted returns we can and to achieve our clients’ objectives without taking unnecessary risks.

“The launch of the IFSL Equilibrium funds will allow us to make a number of small improvements that over the long term are intended to add up to better risk adjusted returns.

“In investing returns can never be guaranteed, however, we feel that it’s all about the small enhancements, that if you can make them consistently over time, and when compounded over the long term can result in big differences for clients’ portfolios.”

It comes after Equilibrium recently announced that it had landed more than £100m of new assets under management in 2017.

Earlier this year Equilibrium also launched MyEQ – a one-stop-shop online finance portal.

The multi-functional portal gives users a snapshot into their finances, with the added abilities to keep track of investments, see a true picture of their net worth and even calculate property values.

Equilibrium was also crowned the fifth best small company to work for by The Sunday Times in 2017 and now manages more than £700m of assets for over 950 families.

GVS Secures Stowe Family Law at 26 Cross Street, Manchester

Blog

Sam Whitear

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19/12/2017

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GVA announces that it has secured a new tenant for boutique-style office building, 26 Cross Street, Manchester, on behalf of Catalyst Capital.

The 1,835 sq ft space on the third floor has been taken by Stowe Family Law LLP, achieving a new headline rent of £22.50 per sq ft.

The eight-storey, 21,500 sq ft building is located within the St Anne’s Square conservation area, one of Manchester’s most historic and lively streets. This iconic 1930s’ building has been recently fully refurbished by GVA to provide Grade A boutique-style office space with state-of-the-art suites.

Stowe Family Law LLP is the UK’s largest specialist family law firm, with family lawyers and divorce solicitors located throughout the UK.

Rhys Evans at GVA said: “As one of the most respected law firms in the UK, Stowe Family Law LLP offers a strong covenant and is ideally suited to this unique building. 26 Cross Street offers state-of-the-art suites and provides something special for occupiers in one of Manchester’s most iconic and sought-after areas.

“This letting follows the recent lettings of the first and second floors of the building to Close View and Mayoral Clothing respectively. There remains strong interest in the remaining suites of the building”.

GVA’s Building Consultancy team was retained by Stowe Family Law to design, manage and oversee the fit-out works, which were completed within three weeks and yielded modern state-of-the-art facilities to support its growing national business.

Charles Hartwell, CEO of Stowe Family Law, said: “We were looking for premises in the heart Manchester city centre and 26 Cross Street is an ideal location with a high standard of office space.

“It was important that for our 13th office we had an environment that helped our clients feel comfortable and at ease. We approached GVA to project manage the interior design and fit out of this new space, and, led by Steve Martin, the business delivered this to an impressively high standard, both on time and within budget.”

Sarah Cooper, portfolio manager at Catalyst Capital, said: “Stowe Family Law LLP adds an extra layer of diversity to 26 Cross Street and perfectly complements the tenant mix in the building. This is testament to the quality of the newly-refurbished office space and environment”.