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True Bearing acquire nine firms in 2022

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Seven firms from around the north-west and beyond have recently been acquired by Independent Financial Adviser group True Bearing. In an effort to expand and grow, the Chorley-based company has been focusing on acquisition – with these firms all joining the company in the last nine months.

Of the acquisitions, Mary-Anne McIntyre, CEO of Amber River says; “From the first time we met George and the True Bearing team we knew they shared our passion for creating a best in class financial planning group centred around clients. George is well known for this and, as a result, has been able to attract like-minded businesses in the region to join him on the journey. It’s a pleasure to see our partnership bearing fruit and new roles being created to support both client and firm growth.”

Amber River group is partnership of a handful of the UK’s leading Independent Financial Adviser groups (IFA) from across the regions. A part of that group, True Bearing, is in serious expansion mode. 2022 has been a period of growth for the Chorley based financial adviser firm. Since True Bearing joined the Amber River group in 2021, the award-winning company has added an acquisition focus to its underlying organic growth.

These firms are based in locations across the North West and beyond, including Radcliffe, Bowden, Sale, Preston, Cockermouth, Stoke and Macclesfield. True Bearing are also in talks with several other North West IFA firms and with these further acquisitions in the pipeline, the company hopes to pass the 10 million turnover mark.

The True Bearing company ethos is based on a philosophy of good advice and good service, aiming to enrich the lives of their clients. The company has always prided itself on its down to earth attitude, typical of many Lancashire based firms. Chairman George Critchley says ‘The firms we have decided to buy have been run by people with the same attitude, so it appears there is a good cultural fit. We value every pound that our investors trust us with’.

This acquisition programme and the continuing demand for their services has created many new employment roles in the Lancashire area. As well as the staff from the acquisitions, True Bearing have added 3 additional outstanding and experienced IFA’s since the start of 2022 and more will join before the end of the year. This has also led to a need for more back office support including Adviser Assistants and new additions to the Business Development team.

Quick facts
. True Bearing became part of the Amber River group in 2021 and have been on a programme of expansion
. True Bearing have expanded by purchasing seven IFA firms in 2022
. This puts the company on track to turn over 10 million pounds a year
. These acquisitions have created a range of employment opportunities in the Chorley area and beyond
. These roles include Independent Financial Advisers, a Legal Intermediary and some back -office roles.

True Bearing Chartered Financial Planners are an Independent Financial Advisory Firm based in Euxton, Chorley. Founded in 2003, the company’s growth has accelerated through a clear focus on professionalism, excellence, strong mutual business partnerships and creative business thinking.

Invigorating Workspaces: 5 Ways to Improve Your Office

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There’s no doubt that the global pandemic changed the nature of office working. In fact, according to data collected on Indeed, hybrid working is more popular than ever, as year-on-year searches have increased by 6531% between April 2021-2022. Research by ADT Workplace revealed that Manchester employees’ preferred the working pattern of; 2 days working from home and 3 days in the office – creating the perfect balance between the two. However, Only a third of people wanted to be in the office full time but, only 1 in 10 people want to be at home full time. Being able to have a split in their workspaces is incredibly valuable to those in the North West.

To make sure your workers are excited to spend time in the office, think about the ways you can invigorate your workspace. Research has revealed that 7 out of 10 office-based workers in Manchester would change jobs for better company culture. In order to keep staff retention high, company culture is key and a better office helps that. Here are five ways to do this.

Decorate with comforting touches

To invigorate your workspace, consider reimaging the interior design of traditional offices. Instead of conforming to professional aesthetics, such as uniform desks and minimalistic designs, you can incorporate comforting touches.

These might include adding roller blinds, incorporating plush furnishings, inviting plants, or even a splash of colourful paint. In other words, you can create a space your employees look forward to spending time in, creating a positive environment for your staff.

Yvonne Partridge, a spokesperson at Bi-Silque, has commented on the benefits of decorating with comforting touches, otherwise known as resimercial design:

“It blends home elements into the contemporary workspace, with textures and materials that evoke a sense of comfort – an environment where people enjoy spending time reduces stress and promotes productivity.” So why not try it out?

Take a chance and have a fresh start

If you’re brave enough to take a chance, you can start fresh and move into a new office. This is the perfect opportunity to try something new and experiment with unconventional spaces, such as complexes made of storage containers.

Storage containers are fast becoming a popular addition to cityscapes. Cardiff Containers, for example, operates as a functioning office for hybrid and freelance workers. The complex has all of the usual amenities, such as coffee shops and toilets.

These office spaces can also be beneficial for the environment. Business owners can choose a storage container made of recycled and recyclable steel, meaning that no materials will end up as waste in landfills.

Create collaborative spaces for your workforce

To further improve your office, create collaborative spaces for your employees to work in. These can replace or go alongside existing desk space, allowing people to work together on projects. It might be a refreshing change from home working.

Not only can collaborative spaces help improve communication, but help your employees become more productive throughout the working day. Online meetings can become monotonous and distracting, after all.

In the UK, 18% of business leaders are already considering implementing more collaborative spaces and Movable Partition Walls. So, stay ahead of the game and invigorate your office today. 

Change floor plans and encourage social interaction

It’s no secret that humans are social creatures. More often than not, we crave interaction and connection with others, feeling happier and more fulfilled when we have strong social relationships. The workplace is no exception.

In fact, research has shown that socialising at work can have a number of benefits. This includes increasing employee productivity, boosting ease of communication, and creating a positive atmosphere in the workplace.

To encourage social interaction, you can create an open-plan office, rather than having singular desks or pods and position workspaces to be gathered in clusters. It might encourage more talking, but it will be great for invigorating your office.

Installing technology to stay ahead of the game

You can also install the latest technologies to improve your office space. Hybrid working has increased the number of online meetings throughout the day. You can install video conferencing tools in offices, such as large televisions in meeting rooms.

This is only the beginning. Businesses are beginning to install all manner of technologies in their offices, from footfall tracking devices to meeting management apps. So, it’s logical to stay ahead of the game.

These are some of the ways you can invigorate your workplace. Whether you’re ready to move locations or experiment with technology, making some changes can make your office an exciting place to spend your day in. And who said it has to be all work and no fun?

FOODHUB REVEALS TRIO OF INNOVATIONS DESIGNED TO HELP INDEPENDENT TAKEAWAYS

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Foodhub has advanced its pledge to champion small business after announcing a trio of ordering innovations which will propel independent restaurants and takeaways to dizzy new heights – and help them keep pace with industry leaders like McDonald’s.

The features, launched alongside a revamped business website, are set to advance Foodhub’s promise of a streamlined and efficient experience for independent restaurants and their customers.

Regional business partners, including those in the North West and Manchester, and customers will now have access to offline ordering technology, self-ordering kiosks and ordering via Google.

While technologies such as these are already offered by large chains such as McDonald’s and KFC, until now they have been out of reach for smaller independent restaurants and takeaways.

Their introduction by Foodhub falls in line with the company’s ground-breaking Love Local initiative – a pledge to champion local restaurants and takeaways as pillars of their communities.

The launch of the new ordering features also coincides with the revamp of Foodhub’s website, which provides prospective restaurant and takeaway partners with information about the business.

It outlines the company’s offering of a full tech ecosystem, from software to hardware, with restaurants and takeaways able to manage the full order process, from taking orders to income and tax reports.

As part of the new ordering innovations, Foodhub is offering some partners the option of stationing self-ordering kiosks in their restaurants, allowing customers to place orders in the shop via a screen.

In an additional ordering innovation, partners will further have the option of accepting orders offline, allowing them to attend new orders that are placed from a different location or device.

Elsewhere, Foodhub clients will gain access to the app Drive2Success.

This will mean orders can be assigned to delivery drivers via a scannable QR code on receipts, eliminating the need to manually designate deliveries, which can be an inefficient process.

Additionally, many customers will now be able to order food via Google, after Foodhub rolled the feature out to 15,000 clients, with many more set to join.

Customers can search for their favourite restaurant or takeaway on Google, before ordering directly from the site, rather than via an app or through the business’ dedicated web page.

Foodhub CEO Ardian Mula said: “We’re very excited and proud to launch our new website, alongside three operational innovations that will propel us to the next level as a business.

“The introduction of offline ordering technology, self-ordering kiosks and ordering via Google will undoubtedly benefit both the client and customer, providing everyone with a better product.

“These modernisations represent the continuation of our mission to create a streamlined and efficient experience.”

Mr Mula added: “Elsewhere, our new business website is extremely user-friendly and accessible.

“One of our main goals as a company is to help small, independent restraints and takeaways thrive, and that’s what the new site is designed to achieve.

“Any restaurant takeaway owners interested in partnering with Foodhub should visit: https://foodhubforbusiness.com/.”

City region based developer nominated for major property group award

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Later this autumn YM Liverpool, one of the city’s most established magazine publications, will be hosting its annual Property & Business Awards and Widnes-based enterprise Sourced Development Group are delighted to announce they are nominated in the Property Developer of the Year category. The premium gong of the evening will recognise the standout star of 2022, in recognition of the business whose innovation, architecture, and regeneration are changing the landscape of the city region.

Sourced Development Group feel it is the perfect time to celebrate their own achievements of 2022. Specialising in the commercial and residential development sectors, it is one of the most forward-thinking, progressive and reputable property investment, funding and development companies in the UK. Sourced also has an esteemed track record across the North West, with an award-winning portfolio across the city region of Liverpool, as well as its established bases in Manchester, including its current Regent Plaza 3-phase development.

Within Liverpool itself, Sourced Development Group’s hugely prestigious The 56 at Westminster Park, is due to be completed in January 2023 with planning permission for 614 apartments. The development is three months ahead of schedule and has already enjoyed a sold out success for its Phase 1, with Phase 2 recently launched, where a third of all units have already been sold, too. The popular boutique Derby Court development has proved to be a huge hit within the city’s creative hub, which is also sold out and completed in May of 2022. Sourced are also continuing to develop at Kingsway Square in the city, and are excited to continue the design of a new project at Carlton Court. This is a key site in terms of regenerating a location which has been vacant for many years, bringing much-needed residential and commercial units in a popular residential zone with a direct route to the city centre.

Joanne Waller, Managing Director of Sourced Development Group explains: “We are absolutely delighted to be nominated in the category for Property Developer of the Year. YM Liverpool has been established in the city since 1999, and is widely respected and has such a reach in terms of communicating with every stakeholder in the industry, including buyers and investors. It goes without saying that we are really looking forward to the Awards themselves, as they are a real celebration of our industry, our peers, and the city region itself.

For Sourced Development Group as a business, it also allows us to toast the properties we have completed and now class as sold out, our continuing projects which add value to the region, and new investments which are currently in our sights. As a privately owned business, this allows us to retain considerable control over every project we undertake from first design to end completion, and in 2022 we are particularly proud of our prestigious sites at, 56 at Westminster Park and Regent Plaza.

Liverpool city region has its own unique characteristics which we are hugely proud to be contributing towards, particularly in terms of its heritage, regeneration and cultural standing. As a team, we are committed to providing the very best in luxurious, premium-quality and appointed accommodation in a city which has so much to offer now, and with so many future plans for further developmental scope.

Winning this award from YM Liverpool would really mean such a lot to us as a team, in recognition not just of what we achieved so far but how, as a business, we managed to navigate the challenging trading conditions that the global pandemic created, and have come out the other side thriving and full of enthusiasm, as well as with a drive to continue doing what we do best.

Every category will be hotly contested on the evening, and it will be fantastic to toast the success of our key industry and everyone who works within it, at an occasion provided by YM Liverpool which is always stylish, elegant, and has at its heart a true recognition of everyone who contributes to such a vital sector within our of the local, regional and national economy.

We have so many exciting plans in place for 2023 and beyond – with our sales revenue having already topped £492,000,000 across our in-house projects, we look to another high-performing year.”

The YM Property & Business Awards take place on Wednesday 30th November 2022 at the Hilton Liverpool City Centre.

To find out more go to:

https://ymliverpool.com/ym-liverpool-property-business-awards

MANCHESTER’S FIRST SHOPIFY EVENT A SUCCESS

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An event hosted by Manchester’s Rainy City Agency, focussing on the upcoming busy trading periods of Black Friday, Cyber Monday (BFCM) has delivered some great insights to its 200+ audience.

The evening, called “This is not a Zoom call: Time to Unmute”, provided an opportunity for Shopify merchants and entrepreneurs to network – the first time in Manchester – discuss preparations for BFCM and receive expert insights into making the most of the busy trading period.

The attendees, some of whom came from overseas, included a broad mix of eCommerce start-ups, those already utilising the Shopify platform and those considering migration over to the platform.

Attendees were provided with expert insight from a number of discussion panels giving access to experts from Shopify and covering topics like consumerism, social media usage and the importance of customer retention.

Chats highlighted the need for merchants to take a 12 month approach to preparing for BFCM in order to best handle the typical seasonal rush. Most agreed that gathering customer first party data throughout the year definitely helped make the often hectic retail event more successful.

Rainy City Agency partners including Loyalty Lion, Gorgias and REVIEWS.io  shared common experiences around BFCM campaigns saying that the best performing were those that used multiple channels to promote them including paid, owned and earned media. Messaging that was personalised towards consumers also worked well.

Rebecca Worsley, CEO and founder of Rainy City Agency commented: “Our first Shopify event was a great success. We brought together Shopify merchants from around the country, as well as from Europe, to discuss preparations for this important trading period.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are testing times for many e-commerce businesses and merchants. The event aimed to give people more confidence around maximising the super sales peak and not being too daunted to take advantage. It’s all about preparing for the challenge.”

For further information on the agency, as well as any further events, visit or contact Rainy City Agency.

Leep Utilities strengthens team with two senior hires

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Manchester-based last mile multi-utility network owner and operator, Leep Utilities (Leep), has strengthened its team with the appointment of two directors.

Lee Kitchen joined the company as Chief Financial Officer, and Helen Bishop as Director of Customer Operations.

In his new role, Lee is responsible for managing Leep’s day to day finance function and to provide strategic and financial guidance to the company’s CEO and board. He also oversees its finance and IT departments.

He joined Leep from ENGIE, a French utilities multinational business where he held various senior roles over an eight-year tenure, most prominently as Finance Director for their District Heating & Cooling business.

On his appointment, Lee said: “I joined Leep Utilities because of the vision that the board shares for the business and, given my industry experience, I believe I can add real value in helping them achieve their ambition through a period of rapid growth. I really feel like I’ve joined at a great time. Leep have successfully navigated an unprecedented and unpredictable couple of years and have a host of exciting initiatives and projects they are working on – there’s lots to keep me busy and I’m thrilled to be here.”

After her eight-year tenure at Thames Water, Helen Bishop joins Leep as Director of Customer Operations and brings with her enviable experience and a proven track record in customer and direct communication and engagement strategy.

In her previous role, Helen designed and directed a customer behavioural change programme for Thames Water. She also oversaw the investment to transform Thames Water’s customer bill for 3.6million customers, which measured a tangible benefit through reducing customer contact and complaints.

Helen said: “I am a strategic leader who thrives in a pressurised and challenging environment and bring to Leep over 15 years’ experience of designing and delivering customer transformation in the travel and water sectors. I’m passionate about making a difference for both customers’ and people and am very much looking forward to doing the same here.”

Leep Utilities’ CEO Louise Manfredi said: “It goes without saying that we’re delighted to welcome Helen and Lee to our team. They are both proven leaders within the utilities sector and their experience will be invaluable as we enter what is a significant and ambitious growth phase for us.

“They’re very important additions to our senior leadership and its testament to the great work that we’re doing – and our plans for the future – that we’re able to attract such high-calibre colleagues. We’re absolutely delighted to have them both on board.”

HUGH JAMES STRENGTHENS UK PRESENCE, ACQUIRING LEADING MANCHESTER FIRM, POTTER REES DOLAN

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Top 100 UK law firm, Hugh James, is extending its service across the north of the UK through the acquisition of Potter Rees Dolan – a personal injury and clinical negligence firm, recognised in the Times Top 200 UK Law Firms and by the Legal 500 and the Chambers Guide as one of the best in the North-West.

Potter Rees Dolan is a national catastrophic personal injury and clinical negligence practice, with strong Court of Protection and Welfare Benefits departments. In the past year, it has secured settlements worth more than £125 million for its clients. The firm employs more than 65 staff, including 9 Partners.

This latest investment is a significant move for Hugh James. Expansion into the North-West was identified in the firm’s strategy 5 years ago. Since then, the Welsh-headquartered firm has rolled out a series of transformation plans, expanding its London presence through new hires; opening offices in Southampton and Plymouth; and reconfiguring its award-winning Cardiff HQ following the introduction of ‘hybrid-working.’ Expanding its presence across the north of England is the next step for the firm, as it seeks to extend the depth and breadth of its expertise to support growing client demand.

Potter Rees Dolan identified Hugh James as the ideal successor-firm which would present PRD’s Manchester offices as part of a national practice. Hugh Potter and Helen Dolan were keen to secure new owners who shared their vision and values and who would continue to nurture the business, which was established 24 years ago and has become a market leader with a very strong financial base

Helen and Hugh will continue to lead and manage the office in Manchester, working with the wider Hugh James management team, to ensure a smooth transition and seamless client service.

Commenting on the acquisition, Alun Jones, Managing Partner at Hugh James, said today:

“This is an exciting development for us. Potter Rees Dolan is a well-established and very well-run Manchester firm, employing a great team of people. Our work aligns closely with theirs and together we’ll be able to provide an even better service to clients across England and Wales. It’s an honour that Hugh and Helen have chosen to pass the mantle onto us. They’ve built a very successful business over the years and I look forward to working with them as we enter this new chapter.”

Speaking of the deal, Hugh Potter and Helen Dolan added:

“Hugh James has an excellent reputation. We share the same commitment to placing client care front and centre and we are confident we have also secured a really bright future for our staff. What stood out for us was that, while Hugh James is an ambitious business, it remains firmly rooted in community. We’ve been impressed by the approach the Partnership has taken in carefully building its London presence and we are confident that the same will be applied to develop the business in Manchester.”

For now, Potter Rees Dolan will continue to exist with its own refreshed brand, to allow for a longer-term progression into the Hugh James identity. Over time, new departments will be introduced into the Manchester office, from across the firm’s Private Client and Business Service areas of work.

NQ64 Retro Arcade Bar is upping their game this Autumn

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When it comes to nostalgia, retro arcade games, and game-themed cocktails, no one does it better than NQ64. With nine bars across the UK and more expansion in the pipeline, NQ64 is always looking for new ways to ‘level up’ their unique arcade bar experience.

This week NQ64 are launching seven new game-inspired cocktails, to their menu, including their very first non-alcoholic additions. The new drinks will make their debut at their arcade bars this Wednesday (12th October), replacing five of their pre-existing cocktails, you can expect to see a menu full of flavour, fun and nostalgic vibes.

A huge part of NQ64’s team training focuses on developing cocktail skills; the team are always striving to create the perfect drinks to accompany their arcade games. Through regularly interacting with customers directly, nobody has a better understanding of what NQ64’s audience are looking for when it comes their drinks than the on-site teams. So, when it came to the development of their new cocktail menu, getting the whole team from every venue involved was a no brainer.

An internal competition took place at each of the bars back in August where staff had the opportunity to create and develop their own game-inspired drinks before presenting them in the finals at NQ64 Birmingham, where each drink was judged. The cocktails presented at this competition led the direction of the new menu, with the final drinks chosen created directly from the team.

Cocktails inspired by the retro arcade games, which will be on offer at each of the venues include:

  • Super Coco Ball: A Rum based drink with Brandy, Cacao, Banana, Hazelnut and a Coco Pop milk blend [Based off Super Monkey Ball game]
  • Mr Stay Puft: A Marshmallow espresso Martini, with Vodka, Espresso, Marshmallow and Chocolate [Based on the Ghostbusters character]
  • Mega Daisy: A Gin spritz with Aperol, Triple Sec, Elderflower, Lychee and Prosecco [Based on Daisy from the Mario franchise]
  • Final Fantarita: A Sour cherry margarita with Tequila, Sour Cherry and topped with Fanta [Based on Final Fantasy game]
  • Lake Springfield: A Sour Apple Whiskey drink with JD Apple, Midori, Toxic Waste Cordial and Apple [Based on The Simpsons]
  • No Uka Uka (non-alcoholic): An alcohol-free cocktail with Caleño (non-alcoholic spirit) Refresher Syrup, Guava, Pineapple and Lime [Based on Crash Bandicoot game]
  • Driver Spritz (non-alcoholic): An alcohol-free cocktail with Crodino, Candied Strawberry, Lemon and Soda [Based on Driver game]

James Taylor, NQ64 Drinks Development and Training Manager, told us: “At NQ64 we are always looking for inspiration when it comes to our venues, whether this is through finding new arcade games or developing our bar menus. With drinks being such a huge part of the NQ64 experience, we always like to keep the menu fresh with new and exciting twists on game inspired cocktails, using fun and unique ingredients that result in a delicious taste.”

As well as their new drinks menu, NQ64 will also be launching up to four new arcade games across each of their sites this November, adding even more entertainment to their already retro packed arcade bars.  

With Christmas also just around the corner, they have launched their very first Christmas party bookings, where you can button bash the night away with friends, family or colleagues during the festive season. Taking bookings from groups of any size, you can pre-order drinks and token packages in advance. To find out more and book your NQ64 Festive fun visit: https://nq64.co.uk/christmas/

NQ64 Manchester Peter Street: 23 Peter St (next to Albert’s Schloss), Manchester, M2 5QR

Peter Street Opening Hours: 

  • Monday – Friday: 4pm – 2am
  • Saturday – Sunday: 12pm – 3am

NQ64 Manchester NQ: 9 Short St, Manchester M4 1AA

Northern Quarter Opening Hours:

  • Monday- Friday: 4pm- 2am
  • Saturday & Sunday: 12pm-2am

Website: https://nq64.co.uk

Instagram: @nq64mcr

Facebook: @nq64mcr

Issued by Twist Marketing on behalf of NQ64.

Media Contacts: Sophie Gwilt – [email protected] | 07867 122 873

Lender Liaison is Crucial in Current Climate, says Manchester based Bruton Knowles

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Bruton Knowles’ National Valuation Team – located across 11 offices across England and Wales, including in Manchester – is seeing an increase in client enquiries resulting from the recent volatility following the Government’s tax-cutting mini budget which caused Sterling to slide.

This comes amidst news that the UK economy shrank rather than flatlined in August, which is yet another sign of these unpredictable times, indicating the economy is in for a rocky ride over the months ahead.

Experts at Bruton Knowles – a leading independent chartered surveying firm with a base at Stamford House on Northenden Road in Sale M33 2DH – have been on hand to give careful and considered advice to clients as they seek to secure loans before any further interest rate hikes.

Putting these sorts of deals in place early is an important move, as Ian Pitt, Partner and Head of Bruton Knowles’ National Valuation Team, explains:

“This is very much a watch this space situation. It’s difficult make any professional judgements at a time when the situation is evolving so quickly. That said, we do believe in the short-term, tying in any outstanding financial commitments as soon as possible will be key for our clients.

“This will help them maintain some sort of equilibrium during this period of uncertainty. In addition, it will also ensure their project pipelines continue to progress, something that is more important now than ever before, given recent supply chain disruptions.

“Over the longer-term, we envisage that this perfect economic storm – caused by political uncertainty, the crashing Pound causing further inflation and exacerbating the cost-of-living crisis, Ukraine, Covid and Brexit – has the potential to bring property markets to a standstill. Interventions must strike the right balance to instil confidence across markets and the media.

“The challenge for the Government over the coming weeks will be whether to stick or twist on its proposals, particularly in light of the Bank of England’s temporary bond-buying interventions to stabilise investments and pension schemes.

“So far, ministers seem relatively steadfast in the approach, maintaining that reductions in public spending are not an option to balance the books, despite the huge cash injection to help people and businesses manage their spiralling energy bills.

“Interestingly, and notwithstanding early pressure from the International Monetary Fund for Government to reflect on the measures announced, it has, in recent days, acknowledged that the mini-budget will eventually boost Britain’s economic performance in comparison to other G7 countries.

“The downside, of course, is that Government’s interventions are contributing to ever-present inflationary pressures. Perhaps this is the lesser of two evils, and as a necessary adverse reaction to offset some of the bigger economic challenges the country is currently grappling with.

“Nonetheless, the pausing or withdrawal of some financial deals in response to rising inflation is a concern. Finding the right offer at present is no doubt proving more challenging, but we would advise our clients to keep talking to their lenders as the marketplace evolves.

“Every day there is a new development which is impacting on market sentiment. Although this continues to cause some unease, it is hoped the bringing forwards of a more detailed analysis by fiscal watchdog, the Office for Budget Responsibility, will stabilise the situation.

“All eyes will be on this independent assessment, now due on 31st October, which many hope will demonstrate the extent to which Government’s support package will maintain the long-term competitiveness of UK PLC.”

Bruton Knowles offers a one-stop-shop for clients, with its four National Teams – Valuation, Commercial, Utilities & Infrastructure and Building Consultancy – providing a point of contact to deliver an entire project to the exacting standards required. It works on behalf of a significant number of public and private sector organisations, on both a retained and a project basis, and is seen as a trusted partner in delivering high-quality surveying advice.

Bruton Knowles has extensive expertise and in-depth market knowledge of local and national property markets throughout the UK. Using its team of motivated resourceful surveyors, and methodologies approved by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the firm provides the best commercial property advice. www.brutonknowles.co.uk.

AMBULANCE STRIKE: GMB REVEALS BALLOT DATES FOR ALMOST 20,000 WORKERS ACROSS TRUSTS IN ENGLAND AND WALES

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Cuts and shortages mean GMB members feel they are unable to deliver safe standards of patient care 

GMB Union  has announced industrial action ballot dates for more than 15,000 ambulance workers across 11 trusts in England and Wales for strike action. 

Ambulance workers from London, East of England, East and West Midlands, North East, Yorkshire, North West, South Central, South East Coast, South West and Wales Ambulance trusts will take part in the strike vote.

Thousands more NHS workers will also be balloted across other NHS trusts, with more votes set to follow.

The ballot opens on 24 October and closes on 29 November, and any potential strike action could take place before Christmas. 

The strike ballots follow consultative votes across all the trusts in which workers voted strongly in favour of strike action. 

Workers are angry over the Government’s imposed 4 per cent pay award, which leaves them facing yet another massive real terms pay cut.   

Rachel Harrison, GMB National Officer, said: 

“Ambulance workers have just had enough. 

“They’ve not been on strike in decades, but they are at the end of what they can take. 

 “Pay has been systematically slashed for more than ten years and we now face the worst cost of living crush in a generation. 

“Meanwhile vacancies are at record highs and we have the worst A&E delays ever – and it’s not even the winter flu season yet. 

 “But this is about more than pay and conditions. Cuts and shortages mean GMB members feel they are unable to deliver safe standards of patient care. 

“Things can’t go on like this – something has to give.” 

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