Business Manchester

Starling Bank Signs up at Barings’ Landmark in Manchester

Olivia McHugh

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03/03/2023

Digital Bank Establishes fourth UK Base in Manchester

Barings Real Estate, one of the world’s largest diversified real estate investment managers, has leased the 5th floor of its Landmark office development in Manchester to leading digital bank, Starling Bank.

Following a year of strong growth, Starling Bank has signed a 10 year lease for the 14,061 sq ft, 5th floor at Landmark which will be the digital bank’s fourth UK office and first Manchester base.

Starling is set to create 1,000 new jobs in Manchester to support the company’s next phase as it continues to build industry-disrupting banking technology for its personal and business account customers. The strategic move comes as the digital bank has opened more than 3.5 million accounts and launched its software-as-a-service offering, Engine by Starling. The bank has selected Manchester for its next base due to its strong tech talent pool and rich cultural and creative heritage.

Starling joins an impressive tenant roster at Landmark and is the fourth new occupier to sign up in recent weeks with over 41,000 sq ft of lettings secured in Q4 2022 alone to Santander UK, global business platform Xero UK and global audit, tax and consulting firm RSM UK. Additional occupiers in Landmark include; HSBC UK, Allianz Insurance, Grant Thornton, JLL and social enterprise Change Please.

The 180,000 sq ft award-winning Landmark development offers 14 floors of BREEAM Excellent and Wired Score Platinum certified office space in Manchester City Centre.

Barings’ focus on well-being, customer experience, sustainability and technological infrastructure at Landmark provides all-important facilities including contactless technologies enabling touch-free movement within the building, a dedicated cycle storage and maintenance hub, high-quality showers and changing facilities, electric car charging spaces and Amazon lockers for package delivery and returns.

Ian Mayhew, Managing Director, UK Asset management at Barings, said: “To have been selected by Starling Bank for its fourth UK office is fantastic news and we are delighted to welcome their team to Landmark. It’s great to see the leasing momentum continue into 2023 and we are pleased to be able to deliver a high class working environment for a range of innovative and market-leading businesses.”

Susanna Yallop, Chief People Officer at Starling Bank, said: “We’ve had some outstanding applications for our roles in Manchester already, affirming the city’s place as the tech capital of the North. We want to offer our talent the best of the best; the facilities at Landmark made it the obvious choice for us.”

Leasing agents for Barings were CBRE and Colliers. Starling Bank was advised by JLL.

Vita Group Reveals First Cgis for Its Proposed First Street Development

Olivia McHugh

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03/03/2023

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Urban regeneration specialist creating tomorrow’s city living, Vita Group has revealed its first CGIs of its new PBSA concept – House of Social, alongside its proposed plans in the First Street masterplan at plot 10b.

House of Social Vita Group First Street — House of Social, Vita Group, First Street

House of Social is the student house re-imagined. Designed for second- and third-year students who have established friendship groups, each ‘House’ is centred around a beautiful open plan kitchen and lounge space, designed to bring housemates together with large ensuite bedrooms on either side.

Vita Group House of Social SHARED KITCHEN 001 — Vita Group – House of Social – SHARED KITCHEN.

Each room has been carefully designed to provide the ultimate student room, including both casual study space and a more formal desk, plenty of storage space and its own en-suite bathroom. Some larger studio apartments are also available, each with its own small kitchen.

Vita Group House of Social Bed — Vita Group – House of Social – Bed.

In total, the proposed First Street development will deliver 576 beds, with a mix of 76 six-bedroom clusters and 24 five-bedroom clusters. The proposal includes a provision for 86 affordable rooms, along with 24 studios designed to be accessible for residents with additional needs.

Complementing the student accommodation and the wider First Street masterplan, plans include an active ground floor food hall, creating approximately 1,304sqm of commercial space, perfect for local independent food brands to build their business, it will offer around 400 covers and create approximately 30 front of house jobs if approved.

Max Bielby, Chief Operating Officer for Vita Group said: “We’re delighted to bring forward these exciting new plans for our new student brand House of Social, adding to the First Street masterplan and complementing our neighbouring Vita Student offering. House of Social is the student house re-imagined, bringing students together at the most important time in their life and giving them the opportunity to make life-long friends whilst excelling in their studies.”

Women in the Law UK to Harness the Power of Imposter Syndrome at International Women’s Day Conference

Olivia McHugh

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03/03/2023

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Female lawyers will explore the ways imposter syndrome can be turned to their advantage during a conference celebrating International Women’s Day next week

The organisation’s full-day “How to future-proof your career” conference is scheduled to take place at the offices of law firm Irwin Mitchell at One St Peter’s Square in Manchester from 10.00am on Friday 10 March. A limited number of tickets are still available from www.womeninthelawuk.com/webevents.

Speakers at the conference will include Ros Bever, regional managing partner at Irwin Mitchell, Her Honour Judge Leona Harrison, the first black woman to become a circuit judge in the North West of England, and Baroness Newlove, the former victims commissioner.

Other speakers include Kate Hammond, former CPS advocate, barrister, and now lecturer at BPP, who will talk about “using imposter syndrome as your superpower”. Criminal defence specialist Nina Grahame KC, meanwhile, will discuss the vital importance of preparation for lawyers who want to perform to the best of their potential.

The conference will also include a session on the role of male allies, with a presentation from Sam Jardine, partner at Fieldfisher.

Dr Sally Penni MBE, founder and chair of Women in the Law UK, said, “Our International Women’s Day conference is always a special event and this year I am particularly looking forward to focusing on a subject which is so often seen as a negative.

“We have all heard any number of talks on overcoming imposter syndrome, but I think it will be really valuable to explore how we can turn what is a natural human feeling to our advantage. As lawyers we are supposed to be dispassionate and see the bigger picture so, arguably, feeling like a bit of an outsider is actually part of the job description.

“Nobody should feel like an imposter at our conference, though. It’s a great opportunity for lawyers at all stages of their careers to connect, share experiences and learn from one-another.”

The conference will follow the sold-out Women in the Law UK annual dinner, which will take place the previous evening at the Midland Hotel in Manchester.

Other events in the Women in the Law UK calendar include online book club sessions with human rights barrister and campaigner Adam Wagner on 31 March, author, barrister and celebrity quizzer Shaun Wallace on 28 April and legal sector legend The Secret Barrister on 26 May.

Dr Penni concluded, “Our International Women’s Day conference will be a great start to an exciting programme of in-person and online events throughout the year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our speakers in advance and, of course, our hosts Irwin Mitchell, who I am sure will look after us magnificently.”

Women in the Law UK is a professional development organisation that promotes gender diversity and women’s progression in the legal sector. The organisation, which has its roots in Manchester, is active nationwide and has held regular events in London, Scotland, Wales, the Midlands and Yorkshire.

Women in the Law UK’s events are held under the Chatham House Rule, enabling speakers and audience members to speak freely and learn from each-others’ experiences in a confidential environment. Previous events have covered subjects including career progression, why lawyers need to sit on boards, how to network and make it work for you, and what lawyers can learn from inspiring businesswomen.

To book places at Women in the Law UK events readers should visit www.womeninthelawuk.com or book directly via www.eventbrite.co.uk. Individuals and businesses that are interested in joining Women in the Law UK or applying for the Women in the Law UK Charter should email [email protected].

Fast-Track Leadership Programme to Create Digitally-Empowered Greater Manchester Manufacturers

Olivia McHugh

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03/03/2023

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Made Smarter Adoption programme and Manchester Metropolitan University collaborate to accelerate Greater Manchester SMEs towards digital transformation

Made Smarter has launched a new fast-track leadership programme to help Greater Manchester SME manufacturers accelerate their digital transformation.

In just three months, the ‘Leading Digital Transformation’ programme will turn participants into digitally-informed, empowered leaders, armed with a bespoke digitalisation strategy.

The funded solution has been designed by Made Smarter’s North West Adoption Programme, the government-funded industry-led initiative to increase technology adoption among SME manufacturers, and Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU).

It will be delivered through a blend of face-to-face workshops, online webinars, case studies and site visits to smart factories, including Print City, MMU’s 3D additive and digital manufacturing hub, where participants will see technology in action.

Heading up the programme is Dr Ann Mulhaney, Senior Enterprise Fellow for the Centre for Enterprise at MMU, an expert in organisational transformation, strategy and innovation, leading change and employee engagement.

Leaders will walk away with a set of practical tools, a strategy for digital transformation and an offer to access further support from Made Smarter, including funding for new technology.

The new programme is available by application to manufacturing businesses with less than 250 employees, a turnover less than £36M or balance sheet less than £18M, and a significant part of their operations based in the North West.

With places limited, it builds on the success of Made Smarter’s trailblazing leadership initiative which launched in 2019 and went on to equip 60 business leaders with the vision and the skills to pursue smarter manufacturing.

Donna Edwards, Director of Made Smarter’s North West Adoption Programme, said: “Manufacturing leaders have endured an incredibly difficult few years, steering a course through the pandemic and facing up to new challenges such as rising energy prices, supply chain disruption and labour shortages.

“Technology and a digital strategy is important for SME leaders so they are better equipped to deal with current and forthcoming challenges and opportunities.

“The Made Smarter leadership programme was the first of its kind and developed a generation of digital leaders. We are confident that our new fast-track, funded Leading Digital Transformation programme will have an even greater impact, supporting a new generation of leaders to make the most of opportunities that digital transformation can offer.”

Donna Edwards Programme Director at Made Smarter North West Adoption programme — Donna Edwards, Programme Director at Made Smarter North West Adoption programme.

Ruth Hailwood, Made Smarter’s Organisation and Workforce Development Specialist Adviser, said: “After four years with our finger on the pulse of manufacturing, Made Smarter understands what SME leaders want and need.

“This programme focuses on strategy and how to identify critical priorities for taking a business forward, as well as highlighting where digital tools can help. It examines the business from the top floor to the shop floor, capturing real perspectives about their readiness for digital transformation.

“It has been designed to be flexible for manufacturing leaders to fit around their busy schedules, allowing them to take time out of their business to reflect on the bigger picture and share ideas, experiences and opportunities with their peers in manufacturing.”

Mandy Parkinson, Director of Centre for Enterprise at Manchester Metropolitan University, said: “MMU is delighted to collaborate with Made Smarter on this new leadership programme which will provide fast, focused support to business leaders at such a critical time.

“Since 2015, we have supported more than 2,000 SMEs in areas including growth, innovation and resilience and we are looking forward to seeing the difference our range of expertise will make to more businesses across the region.”

Registration to join the programme, which starts on March 30th, is now open.

For more details on the visit: https://www.madesmarter.uk/adoption/develop-your-digital-leadership/leading-digital-transformation-programme-nw/

Consilium Academies’ Chief Finance and Operating Officer Named Mat Finance Leader of the Year

Olivia McHugh

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03/03/2023

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John Halstead revealed as MAT Finance Leader of the Year at MAT Finance Awards 2022

John Halstead, Chief Finance and Operating Officer at Consilium Academies, a team of nine schools across Salford, Gateshead, Darlington, Sunderland, and Doncaster, has been named MAT Finance Leader of the Year, as part of the MAT Finance Awards 2022.

The MAT Finance Leader of the Year category was one of five announced as part of The MAT Finance Awards 2022, sponsored by specialists in MAT budgeting and financial management software IMP Software, last week on 24^th February. This category recognises outstanding CFOs, or equivalent, in a multi-academy trust for their leadership and management of trust finances.

John Halstead was one of three individuals shortlisted for the coveted award. An expert judging panel – comprising Confederation of School Trusts CEO Leora Cruddas, ISBL CEO Stephen Morales, Dartmoor MAT CEO Dan Morrow, Epworth Education Trust CFO Adeel Sahi, Bishop Fleming Audit Partner and Head of Education Pam Tuckett, and IMP Software Co-Founder Will Jordan – reviewed high-quality nominations from a wide range of trusts.

Having chosen John Halstead as the MAT Finance Leader of the Year, the judges commented:
“John has led centralisation and GAG pooling at Consilium Academies, delivered cost savings within the trust’s administrative functions of over £1.4 million and ensured that the resources available are utilised to have the most significant impact on students. In the process, school leaders who had lost confidence in the previous financial leadership of the trust, have been re-engaged.

“John’s ability to build a finance team who go out of their way to support all schools is also impressive. Excellent customer service is often the forgotten part of a strong finance function, and perhaps the hardest to instil into your team as a leader. However, John has managed that successfully whilst also spearheading some key changes across the trust.”

John Halstead, Chief Finance and Operating Officer at Consilium Academies and MAT Finance Leader of the Year, said:

“Winning this award is a huge honour and something that our entire team has made possible. At Consilium Academies we truly are a team who cares about every member of our community, and that drives everything we do. It is essential that we have the best possible and most equitable financial processes in place so that we can offer the right support at the right time to every one of our students and staff, so that they can thrive and deliver on our ambitious promises every day.”

IMP Co-Founder Will Jordan said:

“Congratulations to John, and indeed all our winners and runners-up. We were blown away by the quality of entries this year and, whilst it is a cliché, choosing a winner for each category was a really difficult task. In our work we see the impact of trust finance teams every day and are pleased to shine a spotlight on their contributions through the MATFAs. “As our new insight report, The 2030 MAT Growth Challenge: Effective Strategies and Systems, demonstrates MAT finance teams are critical for supporting expansion and sustainability in the sector going forward.”

Three New Lettings for One Express Making a Full House

Olivia McHugh

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03/03/2023

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PJD Group revealed all 29,000 sq.ft at iconic Ancoats building is now fully occupied

PJD Group has confirmed that One Express on George Leigh Street in Ancoats is now completely occupied following three lettings that have taken place since the beginning of 2023.

The Grade II listed building was purchased in 2017 and an office refurbishment of the entire building (29,000 sq ft) completed in September 2021.

85% of the building was let within 6 months of practical completion, with the most substantial letting being the whole second floor (11,000 sq.ft) to Beever and Struthers in Summer 2022.

The three recent lettings comprise of suites totalling 1,887sq.ft. On the ground floor, 498sq.ft has been let to Consolux M&E Consulting Ltd, whilst on the first floor, the final two suites have been let to energy supplier Highland Fuels, which has taken 657sq.ft, and multinational sports and entertainment media group Eleven Sports Media, which will occupy 732sq.ft.

Mark Davies, owner of PJD Group, the Altrincham-based property company said: “We’re delighted to have fully let One Express in just over 12 months. The quality of the offering, combined with the location has attracted a fantastic range of tenants in both the tech and professional sector and it’s wonderful to see the thriving community which has developed over the last year.

“The space has been designed to suit the way people want to work today, incorporating an on-site gym ONE XPS Fitness and coffee shop Off The Press, as well as quality break out space. There are also meeting rooms of various sizes available at ground floor level and individual meeting rooms in each suite throughout the building.”

The landlord was represented by OBI.

Manchester’s Avensure Ranked Top UK HR Consultancy

Olivia McHugh

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03/03/2023

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Manchester-headquartered Avensure has been ranked best UK HR consultancy by small business advice platform, StartUps.

A leading HR and employment law specialist, Avensure received the accolade due to its strong core functions and impressive capabilities relating to employment law and health and safety.

The company topped the rankings based on its Trustpilot rating of 4.8 and Gold > Platinum Feefo Award, coupled with its team of dedicated advisors and specialist knowledge across a range of sectors including healthcare and education.

According to StartUps, Avensure’s specialisms make it “ideal for a range of small to large businesses looking to outsource the essential elements of HR.”

Chris Garner, managing director of Avensure, said: “We’re all very pleased to have bagged the top spot for HR consultancy in the StartUp rankings – it’s brilliant to be recognised and is testament to our talented team and their commitment to helping our clients to manage their teams effectively, while navigating any legal challenges.

“Managing people is undoubtedly one of the most challenging aspects of being an entrepreneur, particularly during phases of rapid growth, so we really look to take some of the pressure away from our clients and give them the space and time to focus on running their business.”

Avensure advises businesses across a range of sectors and industries, from start-ups and SMEs through to household brands like Vodafone, Papa Johns and NHS 111. Benefiting from expert sector knowledge, the team supports businesses in handling any HR and health and safety challenges, including legal queries, with expert advice available around the clock.

It recently launched its own tech platform, Avensure PeopleCloud. The cutting-edge HR and health and safety software hosts a range of features, allowing business owners to create custom reports on employee performance, compensation and key metrics. It removes the need for time-consuming paperwork and other HR and health and safety tasks like managing holidays.

Just Stop Oil Activist From Wigan Found Guilty of Disruption While Being Forbidden From Mentioning Climate Breakdown in His Defence

Olivia McHugh

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03/03/2023

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A Wigan Just Stop Oil Supporter has been found guilty of disrupting a central London road. The group is demanding that the government halt licensing and consents for the development of any new UK fossil-fuel projects.

Alan Woods has been fined £900, inclusive of costs and court fees. He appeared before Judge Law at Westminster Magistrates Court yesterday, answering the charge of Wilful Obstruction of the Highway in relation to peacefully blocking Charing Cross Road near Leicester Square on 29th October 2022.

In what Just Stop Oil supporters and other rights organisations see as an increasingly hard line taken by the judiciary in silencing defendants, Mr Woods was forbidden from discussing his motivations for causing disruption, with no mention of the climate and cost of living crises permitted by the judge.

A Just Stop Oil spokesperson said:

“Once again, good people are being silenced from telling the whole truth in court. Recently, an Insulate Britain supporter was sentenced to eight weeks in prison for simply mentioning the climate crisis during their trial! If you were accused of any other crime you would be allowed to discuss your motivations.”

“Instead, some judges are choosing to criminalise good citizens, who are using the only options available to them to sound the alarm, whilst the corrupt political and corporate classes are allowed to carry out morally reprehensible, and frankly murderous activity, unimpeded.”

Alan Woods, 58, a company director from Wigan said:

“We were demanding that the UK government does not licence any further oil and gas projects. I’ve written to my MP, signed petitions, gone on marches and every time we are ignored. The government is progressing over 100 new licences for oil, gas and now, astonishingly in 2023, coal!”

“This is a death sentence for future generations and is affecting the world around us right now. The food shortages we are already seeing in supermarkets this past week, will be followed by widespread crop failures and mass migration within my lifetime. Civil resistance is all I have left.”

Since the Just Stop Oil campaign launched on the 14th February 2022, there have been over 2,000 arrests and 138 people have spent time in prison, many without trial. There are currently two Just Stop Oil supporters and one Insulate Britain supporter in prison whilst awaiting trial or serving sentences for actions taken with the campaigns.

A Just Stop Oil spokesperson said:

“We stand with these three supporters in prison, with the 1,800 victims of our broken criminal justice system, imprisoned for over a year without trial and with the 1,700 murdered across the global south, for protecting all our lives. [4] [5]. This is the moment for us to come together and resist the destruction of everything we love, something that is being imposed on us by a few, who only seek to enrich themselves. We’re done with begging. We are going to stop new fossil fuel projects whether those in power agree or not. As citizens, parents and children, we have every right under British law to protect ourselves and those we love. We are the last generation who can solve this. Will you step up? Join us and Just Stop Oil.”

New CFO Sets Out Ambitious Growth Strategy for the Translation People

Olivia McHugh

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03/03/2023

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Cheadle-based language services provider (LSP) The Translation People has announced it plans to at least treble in size by 2028 following its recent investment from private equity firm, Mobeus.

The announcement came after the business reported its latest financial results, achieving a turnover of £7.5m for the financial year 2022-23. During this year, The Translation People gained 433 new clients across the group, with notable sectors including healthcare, logistics, consumer goods, fintech and non-governmental organisations.

As well as aiming to at least treble its turnover and profitability, the business aims to grow its teams worldwide. The Translation People currently has offices across the UK, France and Germany.

Coinciding with the financial backing of Mobeus, The Translation People has appointed Tom Grunwald as CFO. He will drive the business’s ambitious growth plans, which focus on both organic expansion and a buy and build strategy. Grunwald joins The Translation People with nine years’ experience working in finance and private equity.

Talking about the business’ future, Grunwald said: “The translation market is large and fast-paced, so it’s an exciting time to start implementing these ambitious growth plans. The Translation People proved to be resilient during the pandemic and despite the current economic uncertainty, the business continues to capitalise on opportunities. With new technology like AI driving the sector forwards, it’s a pivotal moment for LSPs and part of our approach will be to explore how we can utilise technology to enhance our offering to clients.

“To support our organic growth, we’re actively recruiting new talent and investing in our people through training and development. We already use technology such as machine translation to improve efficiencies and services to clients, but we’re exploring other new solutions to build on our capabilities.

“When it comes to our buy and build strategy, we’re looking for LSPs with the right culture fit in terms of how they work with both employees and clients. As well as looking for businesses with a strong client base, we’re also interested in those which are using technology in an innovative way or have a solid track record in specialist verticals, which will help us strengthen our service offering and consolidate our presence in key sectors.”

The Translation People has over 40 years’ experience of delivering high quality translation services to clients around the world and is able to translate material in more than 300 different language combinations. As well as document translation, The Translation People has a diverse selection of services including interpreting, video subtitling, e-learning localisation and machine translation technology.

Fresh Talent and Ideas Brought to V7 Recruitment by New Starters

Olivia McHugh

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03/03/2023

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In the first two months of the new year, V7 Recruitment, a leading Manchester-based recruiter, has welcomed five new starters to their team. These talented individuals bring a wealth of experience, knowledge, and fresh perspectives to the company, and are prepared to make an immediate impact on the success of V7.

The new starters come from a variety of backgrounds, and bring with them a diverse set of skills that will benefit V7’s mission to deliver the very best services and opportunities to their candidates and clients. They have already hit the ground running, making their very first deals, welcoming new clients and overall thriving at their desks.

One new starter V7 are particularly excited about, is the addition of Learning and Development Manager, Melissa Hull. As she joins the team to take on our bespoke training, tailoring training plans for each member of the team. Liss is key to our plan for 2023 and how we want to continue investing in our staff, giving them the tools they need to flourish.

“We are delighted to welcome our new starters to the V7 team,” said Steve Whiston, CEO. “Each of them has demonstrated exceptional talent and potential, and we are confident that they will continue grow and succeed here at V7. We are committed to providing them with the support and resources they need to be successful, and look forward to seeing their contributions to our company’s growth and success.”

The new starters will be joining a team of 16 employees, bringing the workforce up to 21, and will be working alongside some of the brightest minds in the recruitment industry. V7 Recruitment is dedicated to fostering a positive, collaborative work environment where employees can grow and develop their skills, and is committed to investing in the continued success and growth of its team.

About V7 Recruitment:

At V7 Recruitment we’ve built a reputation for having in-depth knowledge and experience of specific sectors and job skills. We work to our strengths to ensure a consistent and quality service. Our highly skilled and experienced recruiters operate within a dedicated niche market, providing both our candidates and clients the best possible service.

For more information about V7 Recruitment and its products/services, please visit

https://www.v7recruitment.com/