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First time exploring Europe? Practical things to arrange before you leave

Helen Greaney
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First time exploring Europe? Practical things to arrange before you leave

Ever arrived in Europe and stood in a Milan train station with a half-dead phone, no ticket, and no idea which platform was yours? Chances are, nothing terrible happened, but you may have lost the hour you planned to spend eating pasta…

Most travel stress comes from small things like that, and most of them can be sorted out at home.

Check the Paperwork First

Start with your passport. Many European countries want it valid for at least three months after you leave, and some want more, so check the date now, not the week before your flight. Visa rules depend on your passport, so use the official embassy or government page instead of a forum post. Some rules are also changing, so check again a few weeks before you go.

Then gather your bookings: flights, hotels, train tickets, and insurance. Keep a paper copy of the important ones and save the rest offline. I also email everything to myself and a family member, so a lost phone doesn’t mean lost plans.

Get Your Phone Ready Before You Leave

Your phone does most of the work once you land. Download offline maps for each city. Add the languages you need to your translation app, so a menu or a bus stop sign makes sense even without a signal. Log in to your banking, ticket, and messaging apps, and make sure they work. Tell your bank you are travelling so your card isn’t blocked on day one.

Internet access matters more than people expect. You need it to check a map when you come out of a metro exit facing the wrong way, to show a QR ticket at a train gate, to tell your host you are running late, or to call home and say you arrived safely.

Many people plan to rely on airport Wi-Fi and café networks. That works until it doesn’t. Airport Wi-Fi is often slow, asks for sign-ups, or cuts out after half an hour. It also disappears when you leave the building, which is exactly when you need directions. Public networks are open to anyone, so logging in to your bank on one is not a great idea.

Staying Connected Across Several Countries

Roaming from your home provider can be expensive. Local SIM cards mean finding a shop, queuing, and swapping cards, then doing it all again in the next country. An eSIM is a simpler option. It is a digital SIM built into most newer phones. You scan a QR code or follow an app, and your phone gets a data plan with no physical card. Before buying anything, check that your phone is unlocked and supports eSIM.

If your route covers several countries, a regional plan is easier than buying a new one at every border. Compare the coverage list, the number of days, and the data amount, because a week of maps, photos, and video calls adds up quickly. If you travel with someone, check whether hotspot sharing is allowed. Reading what the Best eSIM Europe plans include for your exact route is a good place to start. Install the plan before you fly, then switch it on when you land.

Some trips don’t end in Europe. If you plan to continue to the United States, or take another trip later, it helps to know that country-specific options like Holafly USA exist, so you aren’t hunting for a SIM card at the next airport.

Small Extras That Make a Difference

A few other things are worth sorting out. Pack a plug adapter, since sockets differ across Europe, and a small power bank, because maps drain batteries fast. Carry a little cash for public toilets, small cafés, and markets. Buy travel insurance, bring comfortable shoes (cobblestones are not kind), and share your itinerary with someone at home.

None of this takes long, perhaps an evening or two. But it changes how your first day feels. A little preparation means you spend your time enjoying the trip, not fixing problems on a station platform with 5% battery. Do the boring things now, and the rest of the journey gets much easier.

 

Common myths about debt solutions in the UK debunked

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Common myths about debt solutions in the UK debunked
There is a lot of misinformation about debt, and believing the wrong thing at the wrong moment can close off options that are, in fact, still open.
Business owners and professionals across Greater Manchester are no more immune to a cash-flow squeeze than anyone else; the
difference is often in what they believe is possible once the letters start arriving.
This piece takes five of the most common myths and sets them against what the rules in England, Wales and Northern Ireland actually say.
Myth 1: Ignoring Debt Will Make It Go Away
Of the five, this is the one that does the most damage. Unpaid balances continue to attract interest and, depending on the agreement, charges. Persistent arrears lead to a default notice, which under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 must give at least 14 days to put things right before the creditor can end the agreement and demand the full balance.
From there, a creditor may issue a court claim and, if it goes unanswered, obtain a county court judgment (CCJ). Each step narrows the room for manoeuvre, and each is avoidable with earlier contact.
Myth 2: A Default Means You’ve Lost All Your Options
A default is serious. It is recorded on your credit file for six years from the default date, whether or not you later clear the balance. But it is not a dead end. Creditors can still be contacted and arrangements can still be agreed, and the formal solutions described below remain open to people with defaulted accounts.
The real risk of this myth is the shame that stops people picking up the phone. The account may be closed, but the conversation isn’t.
Myth 3: Once You Have a CCJ, Debt Solutions Are No Longer Available
This is the belief that most often keeps people from seeking help, and it is not correct. A CCJ is a court order confirming that a debt is owed and setting out how it should be paid. It stays on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines for six years unless the full amount is paid within one month. It does not, however, change what kind of debt it is.
In fact, you can enter into an IVA even if you have a CCJ. a county court judgment does not automatically disqualify someone from formal debt relief options. A judgment relating to unsecured borrowing is generally treated as unsecured debt and may be included in the arrangement, subject to the insolvency practitioner’s assessment and the creditors’ vote. Always remember eligibility depends on individual circumstances, including income and the total owed. So a CCJ is a factor to be weighed rather than a bar.
Myth 4: Bankruptcy Is the Only Way Out of Serious Debt
Bankruptcy is one formal route, with a £680 application fee in England and Wales and discharge usually after 12 months, but it is rarely the only one.
An IVA is a legally binding agreement to repay what you can afford over five years, sometimes six. It starts if creditors holding 75% by value of those voting approve it, binds all of them, and any eligible debt left at the end is written off. A debt relief order (DRO) is designed for lower-income cases. To qualify, debts must be under £50,000, spare income must be £75 or less a month, and assets must be under £2,000, with any vehicle worth less than £4,000. There is no application fee, the term is 12 months, and it is
only available to people who do not own their home.
A debt management plan (DMP) is an informal arrangement to repay unsecured debts at an affordable rate. It is not a loan and not a form of insolvency. Each suits a different set of circumstances.
Myth 5: Debt Solutions Will Ruin Your Life Forever
The credit impact of formal solutions is real, but it is time-limited. An IVA appears on your credit file for six years from the date it starts; a bankruptcy for six years from the date of the order; a DRO for six years. Entries on the Individual Insolvency Register are removed three months after the arrangement ends.
For a Manchester professional weighing up the next five years, that is a very different picture from the permanent mark the myth suggests. The debt is being dealt with rather than growing, and the clock on the credit file is already running.

Facts, Not Folklore

The right information at the right time changes outcomes. Options narrow as debt escalates, but at no point in the sequence described above do they vanish altogether. This is the territory of regulated advisers. Debt Advisory Services, for example, holds FCA authorisation and advises people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on formal and informal debt solutions alike, assessing which routes are realistic for a given set of circumstances.
Taking that advice before the next letter arrives, rather than after it, tends to leave more of those routes open. Whatever the position, it is the myths, rather than the facts, that tend to make a situation feel more final than it is.

More than 5,500 Event Academy graduates celebrated in new industry Hall of Fame

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More than 5,500 Event Academy graduates celebrated in new industry Hall of Fame

A new Hall of Fame has been created by Event Academy to recognise former students who have built careers delivering some of the world’s largest and most prestigious events.

The UK event training provider’s inaugural campaign celebrates alumni now working across international sport, entertainment, corporate events and major cultural occasions, including the Olympics, Glastonbury and leading global technology summits.

Since its launch in 2012, the Academy has seen more than 5,500 students successfully complete its programmes and enter the events profession. The Hall of Fame provides a platform to highlight their career progression and the roles they now hold across the industry.

Two dedicated lists have been published, covering Diploma graduates and Postgraduate alumni. Among the professionals recognised are Emma Thomas, Football Operations Manager Consultant for FIFA, and Madeleine Hollis, Venue Operations Co-Ordinator for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The achievements highlighted are not limited to sporting events. The Hall of Fame also features graduates working in the luxury, corporate and entertainment sectors, including Abbey Mercer, Operations Co-Ordinator at IMG, and Tiziano Piervisiani, Event Producer for Eurovision 2022.

Other alumni have progressed into roles overseeing major operations at prominent venues such as the Royal Botanic Gardens. Across the two lists, graduates are also represented in the teams behind international technology conferences, major music festivals and high-profile corporate events.

Tania Tilbrook, Head of Marketing at Event Academy, said: “We are incredibly proud to launch the Hall of Fame and formally recognise the outstanding global impact our alumni are making. When our students join us, they bring raw passion and ambition. Through our rigorous, hands-on methodology, we transform that potential into the practical expertise required to deliver high-stakes events to millions of attendees. Seeing our graduates at the helm of the world’s most significant cultural and sporting moments is the ultimate validation of our educational approach”.

Event Academy says its approach to training has played an important role in preparing graduates for the demands of the industry. Its courses combine practical learning with opportunities to gain experience and build professional connections.

The Academy describes itself as the only provider of event management courses accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM). Its offering includes degree-alternative pathways, intensive diplomas and postgraduate qualifications, with an emphasis on real-world placements and access to established industry networks.

The aim is to give students the practical knowledge and experience needed to move from training into successful careers across the international events sector.

Coach who shunned the spotlight for decades goes viral with powerful TEDx talk

Helen Greaney
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Coach who shunned the spotlight for decades goes viral with powerful TEDx talk

A brain-body coach and comedian who spent decades hiding from the spotlight is celebrating after her brave and funny TEDx talk, on how women can turn shame into power, reached thousands of views within 24 hours of going live.

Jess Nicks (45) from Brighton, the leadership and confidence coach, NLP Trainer and creator of Debitch Your Brain®, took to the famous red spot at TEDx Northern Quarter in Manchester to share her story and methodology that shaped her personal growth, and received huge support from the crowd who applauded her talk, The Alchemy of Shame: Unlock Your Potential, which has now gone live to the world.

Jess (pictured) opened up about the shame she carried for decades that left her terrified of being seen, showing how humour and radical honesty can help us all talk more openly about mental health. She explored the psychology of shame and the internal noise that holds us back – and how changing that relationship can unlock personal growth and potential. 

Drawing on the baggage from her own past, Jess introduced the audience to her 3Rs of Inner Revolution: Recognise, Release and Reprogram. Her simple model for lasting change, which she created while recovering from sepsis, helps people talk back to the self-doubt, self-sabotage and self-editing that keep them stuck, and can be used in both their personal and professional lives. “Before I became my own mindset master, I had no idea how much this affects our thinking, our decisions, our actions,” she says.

“Standing on the red spot was both thrilling and terrifying,” said Jess. “So many of us sabotage ourselves into the sidelines, with fear and shame pulling us into the shadows. If we can talk about the things that caused us great suffering in a playful way, they become so much easier to deal with.”

It was a huge moment for Jess, who lost her mum at 21, had a breakdown in her early 30s and contracted sepsis just months after being made redundant. That brush with death finally gave her the courage to step into the spotlight she had been hiding from, after 22 years as a creative leader behind the scenes in the music, advertising and TV industries.

Today, through her Debitch Your Brain® coaching, Jess helps women who have lost their mojo and self-belief to spot, laugh at and quieten the mean inner critic she calls the “bitch” in your brain. Her programme sweeps away self-criticism, doubt and burnout, especially in neurodivergent minds, and has become a powerful catalyst for women with ADHD and other creative, high-performing brains. Jess works with clients one-to-one, runs workshops and supports organisations and leadership teams.

“Laughter is medicine,” added Jess. “Once you bring humour into the arena, the suffering is reduced.”

Her TEDx debut caps a stand-out year for Jess, whose one-woman comedy show, B!⁠TCH ON THE MIC, sold out at Brighton Fringe 2026 and was nominated for the Fringe’s International Tour Award. The show heads to the Edinburgh Fringe for a full month’s run in 2027.

Watch Jess’s TEDx talk at The Alchemy of Shame | Jess Nicks | TEDxNorthern Quarter and find out more at jessnicks.com.

Dr Salman Shahid Highlights the Power of Multifaith Unity at Salford Charity Dinner

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Dr Salman Shahid Highlights the Power of Multifaith Unity at Salford Charity Dinner

SALFORD, GREATER MANCHESTER. November 3rd, 2026 – Dr Salman Shahid, doctor and community leader, joined a charity dinner at the Church of the Ascension in Salford, where he spoke about the value of multifaith understanding, charitable support and building inclusive communities.

Organised by Canon Falak Sher, the event welcomed guests from a range of faiths, cultures and backgrounds to raise support for the church and its heating appeal. The initiative aims to ensure the building remains warm and welcoming throughout the winter months.

In his address, Dr Shahid urged attendees to look beyond differences in faith and culture, focusing instead on the shared responsibility to support others. He spoke about how community events, volunteering and charitable contributions can strengthen connections and help everyone feel respected and included.

Dr Shahid said: “We do not need to share the same faith to care for one another. Whatever our beliefs or background, we can help create a community where everyone feels valued, supported and welcome.”

Following the dinner, Dr Shahid also encouraged wider participation by sharing photographs and a message of support. He called on members of the public to get involved in local activities, give their time to volunteering and support charitable initiatives, including the Church of the Ascension’s heating appeal.

Reflecting on the gathering, Dr Shahid said: “As a doctor and community leader, I have always championed multifaith and multicultural events. In a time when division can dominate the conversation, coming together, sharing a meal and supporting our neighbours carries a powerful message: we all belong, and we all have something to give.”

His attendance forms part of his ongoing commitment to community service. Through public engagement, he seeks to promote mutual respect, support local charitable projects and encourage stronger relationships between people of different backgrounds.

Dr Shahid expressed his appreciation to Canon Falak Sher, the event organisers, performers, local businesses and everyone who attended and contributed. He also urged continued backing for the heating appeal and other community projects that bring people together across faiths and cultures.

Pen Testing across two cities: What Manchester and Birmingham businesses should expect

Helen Greaney
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Pen Testing across two cities: What Manchester and Birmingham businesses should expect

How local context shapes testing scope; From scoping to retesting, explained plainly.

Two of England’s busiest commercial centres share a quiet problem. Offices, warehouses and clinics fill up with laptops, cloud accounts and connected devices, yet very few of those systems have ever been examined by someone who thinks like an attacker.

A pen test Manchester company commission looks much like the pen test Birmingham firms book, because weaknesses are rarely tied to a postcode. Local context still shapes who gets targeted and why. This article explains what a penetration test involves, where the two cities differ, and how to judge whether the money was well spent.

What a penetration test actually is

A penetration test is a controlled attempt to break into your systems, carried out by a qualified specialist with written permission. The purpose is simple. Find the weak points before someone with bad intentions does, then explain how to fix them in plain terms.

Testers usually work in stages. They gather information about the target, look for exposed services, try to exploit whatever turns up, and record every step along the way. The final report ranks problems by risk, so the technical team knows what to deal with first and what can wait until next quarter.

External and internal testing

An external test looks at what the internet can see: websites, remote access portals, email gateways and cloud services. An internal test assumes an intruder has already reached the network, perhaps through a stolen password or an infected laptop, and asks how far they could travel from there. Many organisations commission both. A single weak external login can turn a modest internal finding into a serious one.

Web applications and cloud platforms

Bespoke web applications and cloud environments deserve their own attention. Flaws in login logic, user permissions or storage settings rarely appear in a general network scan. Any business that takes bookings, payments or personal data online should treat this kind of testing as a priority rather than an optional extra.

Why location still matters for a pen test Manchester teams arrange

Greater Manchester has a dense mix of digital agencies, media production, logistics, higher education and healthcare. Plenty of those organisations swap data with partners every day, which means a weakness at one supplier can quickly become everyone’s problem.

For that reason, a pen test Manchester employers arrange often begins with the connections between organisations: shared portals, file transfers and API links. A tester who understands how agencies, universities and NHS suppliers tend to work together will ask sharper questions about those links than a generic checklist ever could.

Remote working adds another layer. Staff in the Northern Quarter, at MediaCity or in a spare room in Stockport all connect through home routers and personal devices. Testing should reflect that reality, not an imaginary office where everyone sits behind one tidy firewall.

Birmingham’s different pressures

Birmingham leans towards manufacturing, professional services, finance and a large public sector presence. Factories and long-established firms often run older systems that newer start-ups never have to think about. An engineer might discover an unpatched server from years ago still running a key process because nobody dares to switch it off.

A pen test Birmingham businesses rely on has to be comfortable with that kind of legacy equipment, and careful enough not to disrupt production while probing it. Testing a payroll system on a Tuesday afternoon is routine. Testing a machine that controls a production line needs a conversation first, a clear window and a plan for what happens if something misbehaves.

Professional services firms in the city centre face a different risk. Client confidentiality is the product they sell, so a leak of case files or financial records damages trust in a way that is hard to repair. Their testing tends to focus on email, document storage and who can see what.

Preparing for the test

Preparation saves days. Agree the scope in writing, list any systems that are off limits, and nominate one person who can answer questions while the work is under way. Warn anyone who monitors alerts so a genuine incident is not mistaken for the exercise, or the other way round. Back up anything critical beforehand, even though careful testers take steps to avoid damage.

It also helps to gather documents early. Network diagrams, a list of internet-facing systems and details of any recent changes all shorten the planning stage. Providers who ask plenty of questions at the start are usually the ones who produce the most useful findings at the end.

Making sense of the report

A good report opens with a summary a director can read in five minutes. Detailed findings follow, each with evidence, an explanation of the risk and clear advice on the fix. Be wary of documents that are mostly scanner output pasted into a template. Automated tools have their place, but they cannot tell which finding matters most for a particular business.

Ask for a debrief call as well. Talking through the results with the person who found them clears up more confusion than the written report ever will, and it gives the technical team a chance to challenge anything that looks wrong.

After the test: fix, retest, repeat

Findings only help once they are fixed. Start with the high-risk items, assign each one to a named owner and set a date. After the fixes go in, a retest confirms that the repairs actually work. This step gets skipped surprisingly often, and it is where many organisations quietly lose the value of the original test.

Most businesses test at least once a year, and again after any major change such as a new website, a cloud migration or an office move. Treat the schedule like a financial audit: regular, predictable and boring in the best possible way.

Choosing a provider in either city

Look for recognised accreditation, testers who can explain technical issues without jargon, and sample reports that show real thought. Local knowledge helps, but responsiveness matters more. Whether the need is a pen test Manchester offices can schedule around busy periods, or a pen test Birmingham sites can run without halting production, the right partner will explain the plan clearly, respect the scope and deliver findings that lead to action.

More Than 10,000 Schools Across England Recognised for Excellence in PE and School Sport

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More Than 10,000 Schools Across England Recognised for Excellence in PE and School Sport
  • Youth Sport Trust marks a record year for School Games Mark Awards, with participation reaching its highest level to date.
  • A total of 10,226 schools across England have received a School Games Mark, recognising their efforts to create meaningful opportunities for every child to participate in physical activity.
  • More than 3,000 schools secured Platinum status, the programme’s highest award, acknowledging their continued investment in improving PE and sporting opportunities.
  • The North East and North West recorded the highest levels of participation, with more than half of schools in each region achieving a School Games Mark.

LOUGHBOROUGH, UK. November 2nd, 2026 – A record number of schools across England are being recognised for their commitment to physical education, school sport and physical activity, with 10,226 institutions receiving a School Games Mark this year. The achievement represents the highest level of engagement recorded by the programme and highlights the work taking place in schools to ensure children and young people have access to opportunities that support active and healthy lifestyles.

Coordinated by the Youth Sport Trust through its network of School Games Organisers, the School Games is a nationwide initiative that encourages schools to make sport and physical activity an integral part of education. Through participation, competition and physical development, the programme aims to help young people build skills, gain confidence and work towards achieving their individual potential.

The School Games Mark provides recognition to eligible schools that demonstrate their commitment to these objectives. Applications are evaluated against several areas of provision, including physical activity, inclusion, youth voice, physical literacy and access to sporting competitions. Schools must also complete an Inclusive Health Check, which enables them to assess how effectively their activities cater for pupils with different needs and backgrounds, helping ensure that participation is accessible to everyone.

During the 2025/26 academic year, more than 3,000 schools reached Platinum status, the highest recognition available through the scheme. This award is reserved for schools that have maintained Gold status for five consecutive years, demonstrating a long-term commitment to strengthening and improving their physical education and sporting opportunities.

Regional figures show particularly strong engagement across the North East and North West, where more than 50% of schools achieved a School Games Mark this year. Both regions recorded the highest overall levels of participation. The North East also led the country in Platinum-level achievement, securing the greatest proportion of Platinum awards relative to the number of schools in the region.

Ali Oliver MBE, Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust, said: “Reaching more than 10,000 schools with the School Games Mark is an outstanding achievement and represents our strongest level of engagement so far. The recent report from the Children’s Commissioner highlighted significant differences in children’s experiences depending on where they live. Against this backdrop, it is encouraging to recognise the dedication of school staff and our nationwide network of School Games Organisers, who are helping more young people, especially those experiencing the greatest inequalities, access opportunities to enjoy sport, become active and develop physically, socially and emotionally.

“Schools cannot be expected to overcome all the challenges affecting young people on their own. However, we have clear evidence of the positive contribution that play, sport and physical activity can make. These experiences allow children to develop self-confidence, establish friendships and feel connected to their schools and local communities. Positive experiences during childhood also play an important role in encouraging lifelong activity, supporting achievement in education and helping young people develop skills that can contribute to their future careers. Many people look back on their involvement in positive activities, including sport, as an important influence on their professional journeys.

“The School Games Mark gives schools a valuable way to review and measure the quality of their sporting and physical activity opportunities. It also helps them identify where improvements can be made to ensure their provision is inclusive, purposeful and shaped around the needs and voices of young people.

“I would like to offer my congratulations and sincere thanks to every school that has achieved an award at any level. Their achievements demonstrate a commitment to making inclusive, engaging enrichment activities an important part of everyday school life and recognising the value of developing the whole child. This is also an opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding work of the School Games Organiser network, which provides ongoing support to schools, alongside the Active Partnership network that helps connect local communities through sport. We are equally grateful to the National Governing Bodies of Sport for their continued contribution to the programme. Reaching the 10,000-school milestone has been made possible through the collective efforts of everyone involved.”

The School Games programme receives funding from Sport England and is delivered through a nationwide network of more than 450 School Games Organisers. Working alongside schools, Active Partnerships and National Governing Bodies of Sport, these organisers help deliver opportunities for children and young people to participate in physical activity and school sport within their local communities.

How North West businesses can fund growth without betting the firm on one lender

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How North West businesses can fund growth without betting the firm on one lender

The North West has a habit of producing businesses that outgrow their cash. A Trafford Park engineer wins a contract it can’t tool up for. A Stockport food producer lands a supermarket listing and finds the retailer pays on 60 days. A Preston haulier needs two more trucks before the new depot opens.

These are good problems, but they’re still problems, and the way most owners solve them is to ring the bank they’ve always used and take whatever is offered.

That works until it doesn’t. Here’s what I’d want every owner in the region to think about first.

One lender is a single point of failure

If all of your borrowing sits with one bank, that bank’s appetite becomes your growth plan. Banks change their minds about sectors, about regions and about individual customers, and they rarely tell you in advance. I’ve seen a profitable Manchester firm lose an overdraft at renewal for reasons that had nothing to do with its own trading.

Spreading facilities across two or three lenders, each matched to a different job, is cheaper insurance than it sounds. The vehicles sit on asset finance with one lender. The debtor book supports invoice finance with another. A term loan for the fit out sits with a third. If one of them pulls back, the business keeps moving.

Match the money to the job

The commonest mistake I see is borrowing a lump sum over five years to cover a problem that lasts 60 days. The reverse is just as costly, which is paying for a long term asset out of short term cash.

A worked example. A Bolton packaging firm needs a new machine quoted at £65,000, plus £20,000 of stock to serve a new customer who pays on 45 days, plus around £10,000 of extra wages while the new line settles in. The machine suits asset finance over five years, secured on the machine itself. The stock and wages are a gap that closes every time the customer pays, which is what a revolving facility or invoice finance is designed for. The owner’s first instinct was a single £95,000 loan. Splitting it cut the monthly outgoings and left the term loan capacity free for the next project.

Regional and government backed money is real, with limits

The British Business Bank runs the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II, which covers the North West through appointed fund managers and offers smaller loans and debt finance to growing businesses in the region alongside equity. It’s worth a look, with the caveat that each fund has its own criteria and process, and the timescales are not the same as a commercial lender’s.

The Growth Guarantee Scheme, also run by the British Business Bank, gives participating lenders a government backed guarantee on part of a facility, which helps them support businesses they’d otherwise decline. The guarantee protects the lender, not the borrower, and you remain liable for the full amount. The rules and the closing date are on the British Business Bank website and they change, so check before you build a plan around it.

What lenders ask about North West businesses

The questions are the same whether you’re in Carlisle or Crewe. What is the money for, how does it come back, and what happens if the customer pays late? Lenders will want your last filed accounts, six months of bank statements and a cash flow forecast that shows the gap you’re funding and when it closes. Evidence of the new work, a signed contract or a purchase order, does more for an application than any amount of narrative.

If your bank has said no, say so and say why. A decline from one lender is information, not a verdict. Many lenders outside the high street are comfortable with young businesses, seasonal trades, and owners with an old blemish on their record, and some of the best of them actively prefer the North West because the sector mix is so broad.

Count the cost of borrowing before you price the job

Interest is only part of it. Arrangement fees, early repayment terms and whether the rate is fixed all matter, and most unsecured lenders will ask directors for a personal guarantee. Build the cost of funding into the price of the contract the way you build in materials and wages. A job that looks profitable can turn marginal once you account for funding the 60 days between starting work and getting paid.

Broker fees depend on the lender and the deal, and you shouldn’t be asked for anything upfront. We’re a whole of market broker based in Chester, we arrange funding rather than lend it ourselves, and most of our North West clients come to us after one lender has already said no. Our page on business loans in the North West sets out the main options and how to prepare.

Growth is easier to fund than most owners expect. The trick is to decide what the money is for before you decide where it comes from, and never to let one lender hold the whole plan.

About the author

Simon Palmer (pictured) is Director of Smart Funding Solutions, a whole of market commercial finance broker based in Chester that arranges funding for businesses across the North West and the rest of the UK.

New Sentry Interactive and Azure Access Deal Targets Future-Proof Building Security

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New Sentry Interactive and Azure Access Deal Targets Future-Proof Building Security

Partnership combines embedded mobile credentials with post-quantum cryptography, giving access control customers a route to modernise systems without replacing existing readers.

Access control customers will be able to introduce readerless mobile entry without replacing their existing reader equipment under a new partnership between Sentry Interactive and Azure Access.

The agreement will see Sentry’s software development kit (SDK) integrated into Azure Access CP Series network controllers, extending the options available to organisations looking to modernise their building security systems.

By embedding the technology within the controllers, the companies aim to make mobile access deployments more straightforward and cost-effective. Customers and installers will have greater flexibility when working with both new and established access control installations.

The collaboration also addresses the potential impact of quantum computing on digital security. As the technology develops, encryption methods currently used to protect credentials and other sensitive information may face new vulnerabilities.

Sentry’s solution has been developed with this emerging challenge in mind. It combines post-quantum cryptography with a readerless system architecture, creating a separate security layer for mobile credentials and reducing reliance on traditional reader hardware.

Denis Hébert, Chairman and CEO of Sentry Interactive, said: “The future of access control is embedded mobile access in a post-quantum world.

“Quantum computing is fundamentally changing the security landscape, and our industry is not yet prepared for what that means. By working with Azure Access, we are getting ahead of that disruption and helping to lead the transition rather than reacting to it.”

The integration will add further functionality to Azure Access CP Series controllers, providing customers with additional ways to deploy mobile access while reducing the need for hardware replacement.

Evan Zinger, General Manager of Azure Access, said: “Our partnership with Sentry Interactive gives Azure Access customers and installation partners more ways to deploy mobile access without the traditional cost and complexity of replacing reader infrastructure.

“By incorporating Sentry’s technology into our controllers, we’re expanding installation flexibility while offering advanced credential security designed for the future.”

Blesatech celebrates decade in business with launch of new growth framework for entrepreneurs

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Blesatech celebrates decade in business with launch of new growth framework for entrepreneurs

Business consultancy Blesatech Consultancy Services is marking ten years since its establishment by unveiling a new business development methodology designed to help entrepreneurs achieve more consistent and profitable growth. Created by founder and CEO Dr Sariki Abungwo, the Infinite Business Growth Systems (IBGS) brings together strategy, marketing and technology to help businesses build more effective customer acquisition and retention processes.

The launch represents the latest chapter in Blesatech’s development from an IT consultancy established in Cameroon into a UK-based consultancy providing entrepreneurs with marketing, technology and business growth support.

For Dr Abungwo, the anniversary also offers an opportunity to reflect on the company’s development, the obstacles encountered along the way and the individuals who have helped shape his entrepreneurial journey.

Originally established in Cameroon, Blesatech was named after Dr Abungwo’s mother, Blessing, whose influence played an important role in inspiring his business ambitions. After moving to the UK in 2017 to continue his education, he maintained the development of the company, progressively broadening its offering beyond conventional IT consultancy.

Blesatech now combines business planning, website development, digital marketing, customer relationship management and automation, helping organisations improve their operations and commercial performance.

During his experience working with entrepreneurs, Dr Abungwo recognised a common problem: business owners frequently invest significant time and energy in attracting potential customers but do not always have the integrated processes needed to turn enquiries into sales and generate repeat purchases.

“Many business owners aren’t struggling because they lack ambition or aren’t working hard enough,” said Dr Abungwo. “Businesses are constantly chasing leads, following up with prospects and wondering where their next customer will come from. I believe they deserve systems that help them grow without everything depending on their daily efforts.”

Using ten years of business experience alongside his knowledge of technology and digital transformation, Dr Abungwo created Infinite Business Growth Systems to provide a structured response to these challenges.

A Fellow of the British Computer Society and a member of Forbes Coaches Council, Dr Abungwo has developed his professional career around helping organisations understand and apply technology, innovation and commercial development.

IBGS combines these areas through six connected principles: Reliability, Reputation, Readiness, Reach, Resell and Remarketing.

Together, these principles cover the key stages of business development, including building trust, connecting with prospective customers, improving sales conversions, maintaining customer relationships and encouraging repeat business.

“Having more followers doesn’t necessarily mean having more customers, and having more customers doesn’t automatically mean having a more profitable business,” Dr Abungwo explained.

“The real opportunity lies in connecting the systems that attract customers, convert their interest into sales and keep them coming back. That’s what Infinite Business Growth Systems is designed to help businesses achieve.”

Rather than concentrating exclusively on promotional activity or generating new leads, IBGS takes a broader view of the customer journey. It integrates commercial strategy, technology and customer relationship management into one coordinated business growth approach.

The framework also underpins specialist Blesatech initiatives, including Socials That Sell, a programme designed to help businesses turn social media engagement into tangible commercial opportunities.

With entrepreneurs facing different challenges depending on their size, sector and stage of development, Blesatech will make IBGS available through educational programmes, coaching, supported implementation and fully managed services.

The intention is to avoid a one-size-fits-all approach by helping business owners understand where improvements are needed and select the support that best suits their circumstances.

As the company reaches its tenth anniversary, Dr Abungwo is already looking towards its future development.

“What began as an idea inspired by my mother has grown into something much bigger,” he added. “Ten years in business has taught me that success isn’t simply about how quickly you grow. It’s about the value you create, the people you serve and whether what you’re building can last.”

“Looking ahead, my vision is to help more entrepreneurs move from constantly chasing their next customer to building businesses that grow more consistently, predictably and profitably.”

As part of the launch, Blesatech is offering business owners the opportunity to discuss their current growth challenges and identify potential improvements through a strategy consultation.

Entrepreneurs looking to understand how connected business systems could support their commercial development can visit www.blesatech.co.uk to find out more and arrange a consultation.

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