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SIMPLISAFE UNVEILS NEW LOOK BRANDING AND TV CAMPAIGN FOLLOWING REFRESH

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Award winning home security company, SimpliSafe, has unveiled its new look following a complete brand refresh to its website, logo, brand colours and brand positioning. As well as creating a new TV and radio campaign, all underpinned with the brand’s new strapline: There’s no safe like SimpliSafe.

The new branding reflects SimpliSafe’s unique offering and core values including advanced home security, comprehensive protection, excellence in professional alarm monitoring and value.

The yellow and dark blue shades were carefully selected as the new brand colours as they evoke feelings of trust and safety, while standing out from the light blue and grey tones that other brands in the home security sector favour. The new logo might not seem dramatically different apart from the colours, but subtle changes were made to add curves and adjust the alignment, which is a nod to the shapes and quality designs of the products.

The new TV and radio campaign, “Protect What Matters”, highlights the enormous responsibility associated with protecting someone’s home and life, underscoring how together, SimpliSafe’s advanced technology and industry-leading professional monitoring can deliver on the company’s mission of making “every home secure”.

The TV and radio campaign launched globally but video production agency, Koala, were brought on board to adapt the ads to make it suitable for the UK audience. British actor, Richard Armitage, was carefully selected to do the voiceover for the UK version where his tone adds warmth and trust, as well as it being recognisable. The new TV creative will air across the Sky network, ITV and Channel 4, both linear and VOD, whilst the radio will air across Global, Bauer and Communicorp stations. Brokered by newly appointed media agency Wavemaker.

Commenting on SimpliSafe’s rebrand, Director of Marketing, Andrew Thompson said “This rebrand has been a very exciting project and it’s great to see how SimpliSafe has evolved in the UK since its launch over three years ago.

“As a company, we believe that home security is essential and this is why we are focused on providing advanced security that is affordable and accessible, especially with crime expected to increase following the cost-of-living crisis. We are on a mission to make every home secure, and we hope our new branding and campaigns will help us to fulfil this.

“It is important to us that people know what SimpliSafe represents in a very competitive market, and we wanted our new branding and creative to match our trusted reputation. Working with Richard Armitage for the voiceover was our first step in working with a public figure and he is a great fit for the brand – he’s well respected in the industry and brings confidence and assurance throughout the TV and radio ads. We think the complete brand refresh looks outstanding and hope new and existing customers agree.”

Hot on the heels of the rebrand, SimpliSafe is set to launch some exciting new products later this year to expand its award-winning security system even further. Visit SimpliSafe.co.uk to explore the new look website.

Loganair expands Manchester – Aberdeen service

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Loganair announced yesterday that it will increase the frequency of flights from Manchester to Aberdeen as demand for domestic travel continues to grow following the pandemic.

Up from its current three return services per day to Aberdeen, the airline has expanded its offering on the route and has added a fourth daily service. The additional service will depart Manchester at 12:20 arriving in Aberdeen at 13:30, with an earlier 10.30 departure from Aberdeen for those travelling from Scotland.

For customers headed north from Manchester, the enhanced schedule is likely to be welcome news by those working in the energy sector; many of whom travel to Aberdeen to meet numerous helicopter flights that connect the North-east of Scotland to offshore platforms across the North Sea.

For those in Aberdeen, the additional flight times will facilitate better connectivity via Manchester Airport to destinations around the world thanks to Loganair’s interline and codeshare partners; including United Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines.

The additional direct service between the two cities has a flight time of one hour and 15 minutes and is operated on an Embraer 145 jet, with fares starting from £76 one-way.

Luke Lovegrove, chief commercial officer at Loganair said: “We are thrilled to expand our offering across our service from Manchester to Aberdeen as we respond to growing demand.

“Our service between Aberdeen and Manchester provides crucial connectivity, not just between two of the UK’s largest business hubs but additionally on to the more remote communities we serve.”

Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director at Manchester Airport, said: “We welcome Loganair’s decision to increase capacity on its route from Manchester to Aberdeen.

“This service forms an important part of our domestic network, also giving people in the north of Scotland even greater access to the more than 110 destinations across four continents served directly from Manchester Airport.”

Reservations can be made at www.loganair.co.uk, or via travel agents and travel management companies using all major global distribution systems. All routes include a 15kg luggage allowance, and advance booking is encouraged.

Ambitious jobs and growth plan revealed as broadband firm 4th Utility celebrates five years of success

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Top broadband firm 4th Utility is celebrating its fifth birthday by announcing plans to drive further growth and create jobs.

The full fibre broadband provider was established back in October 2017, and has a week of celebrations lined up that include discussing exciting plans for the future.

Over the past five years, key achievements for the Greater Manchester-based business have included acquiring London-based Vision Fibre Media, receiving a £25m investment from DIF Capital Partners, opening a new state-of-the-art office in Hale, and rolling out its service passing 40,000 homes.

This week, as part of marking half a decade since the business’ inception, 4th Utility has announced its intention to expand headcount from the current 56 up to 100 over the coming months, as well as service another 250,000 homes over the next five years.

The week of celebrations will include a special social event for 4th Utility staff. That’s as well as CEO Tony Hughes appearing as a speaker at the Next Giga Connect Europe conference in Berlin, on the evolution of connectivity.

Tony said: “This week is a chance for the entire business to reflect on our fantastic success so far and focus on where we’re going. 

“We are quickly growing and have big ambitions for the future. These things obviously take time and depend on many factors, but we have the building blocks in place for a strong future.”

Offering flexible contract terms, next-generation connectivity and hassle-free installation, 4th Utility works with residential and commercial landlords to deliver ultrafast full fibre to homes and businesses via its own fibre optic network.

As well as multiple successes over the past half-decade, the company also places a lot of emphasis on supporting its local community.

Earlier this year, it launched a new social tariff, providing fast, low-priced internet for areas most in need of digital connectivity – for 50% cheaper than the UK average.

That’s as well as becoming the corporate partner of Smart Works Greater Manchester, a charity helping get more women into work. At the start of 2022, 4th Utility committed to raise £10,000 this year alone to support the charity’s work. 

Tony said: “It’s been quite a journey and on our fifth anniversary, it’s important to take time to consider just how far we’ve come.

“From the acquisition to gaining investment, to opening our new state-of-the-art office, to all of the things we do to help communities across the UK, what we’ve achieved is testament to the hard work of our incredible workforce.

“I’m proud of our achievements but we won’t be resting on our laurels. The next five years promise to be even bigger and better.”

BRABNERS EXPANDS FAMILY LAW PRACTICE WITH LANCASHIRE HIRE

Leading independent law firm Brabners has expanded the presence of its family law team following the appointment of Amanda Long.

 

Amanda joins as a chartered legal executive within Brabners’ new Lancashire office, based at Bamber Bridge, following the firm’s relocation from Preston earlier this year. Brabners has moved to the Grade A office space at Sceptre Court after a period of sustained growth and investment, which has seen the Lancashire team more than double in size over the past five years.

 

Originally from Blackpool, Amanda has more than 20 years’ industry experience in the region, having previously held roles in Preston and Chorley.

 

She advises on a wide range of family law matters, including divorce and financial settlements, separation disputes and childcare arrangements. She also specialises as a court advocate, providing advice and representing clients in the family court.

 

With one of the North West’s largest, most well-established family law teams, Brabners specialises in advising high-net-worth individuals, business leaders and well-known figures on the full spectrum of matters relating to divorce, financial settlements, children and wealth protection.

 

Amanda’s appointment will strengthen the firm’s Brabners Personal offering – a bespoke service which meets the legal needs of individuals and their families throughout their lifetime, whether that be planning for the future, caring for family or protecting wealth.

 

It will also help Brabners to grow its family law focus in Lancashire, adding further capabilities to complement the office’s established private client team.

 

Amanda Long, chartered legal executive at Brabners, said: “I’m Lancashire-born and bred, so I’ve always been passionate about supporting individuals and families across the region as they face what can often be an emotional and challenging time.

 

“Brabners is a prestigious firm with a caring reputation, and the team’s mission to make the difference for its clients aligns with my own values. I am so pleased to join the firm at a time of significant investment and growth. I look forward to strengthening the team as it extends its offer in the region.”

 

Helen Marriott, partner and head of family law, said: “Our inclusive and collaborative culture has been a significant driver behind the growth of our family law team over recent years. We continue to attract the very best talent as a result of our focus on people and through our reputation for exceptional client service, and we’re proud to welcome Amanda to the team.

 

“Amanda’s track record speaks to her dedication to exemplary client care and a real passion for supporting families in Lancashire. It’s great to have her on board, and yet another positive addition for our team at Bamber Bridge to celebrate this year.”

Worsley-Based Leasing Options Announces Mental Health First Aider

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It’s considered that almost 25 per cent of people working within the automotive industry suffer with mental health issues. 

 

Worsley-based Leasing Options, the UK’s leading car leasing company, is working to support its colleagues and help look after their mental health wellbeing by enlisting its first mental health first aid officer. 

 

Josh Ashton, from Horwich, a mental health first aider, is on hand to all the team at Leasing Options to provide a safe place to talk about any challenges they are experiencing and will sign post to relevant sources to secure additional support. 

 

Also, Josh uses his training to observe behaviours and proactively identify and approach colleagues that maybe struggling but not feel able to seek the help they need. 

 

Mike Thompson, COO of Leasing Options, said: “Covid has had a huge impact on everyone in so many ways, so as we are now in the new chapter of ‘living with Covid’, we want to make sure that we support our colleagues in adjusting to the ‘new normal’ and provide support for any staff who find elements of life, post-lockdown, challenging.

 

“We’re committed to supporting our colleagues and their mental health and are demonstrating this by securing Josh’s role as mental health first aid officer within Leasing Options.”

 

The introduction of this role is the latest initiative implemented by Leasing Options after the company teamed up with LifeWorks, a Total Well-being Solution, to provide advice and support on a variety of issues including coping with change, future proofing finances and tips to deal with worry and anxiety.

 

Mike added: “Our priority is making sure our colleagues know that we understand how they feel and are here for them and want to help, anyway we can”.

 

To find out more about working for Leasing Options please visit https://www.leasingoptions.co.uk/careers 

Educational Legal Team at Setfords advises on a 4 site sale to Kids Planet

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A specialist educational legal team at Setfords led by Helen Wong MBE, PCGE has completed a strategically important sale of four nurseries in Merseyside to the fast growing nursery group, Kids Planet.

Waverton Day Nurseries is an independent family-owned group of private nurseries which are located in the Merseyside area opened in 2013. Their most prestigious nursery is located at Knowsley Safari Park with a long waiting list as well as nurseries in Wavertree, Whiston and Kirby. The ethos of the group is “Childhood is not a race to see how quickly a child can read write and count. Childhood is a small window of time to learn and develop at a pace which is right for each individual child.”

The sellers – mother and daughter, Tracey Jenkins and Cheryl Taylor have 20 years’ experience in the childcare sector and have capacity for 342 children, with one rated ‘Outstanding’ and the others rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted. Tracey explained that she set up the nursery as they couldn’t find anything for her children that was the quality she wanted. She said “our nurseries care for babies and children up to the age of 5 years old.

Our aim is to provide the highest standard of nursery care in a safe, stimulating and caring environment. We pride ourselves on being able to make a positive influence on your child’s future educational, physical and social development. As I look to my retirement, who we sell to must have the same values and we entrust our legacy to them.”

They asked Sarah Ellison of Redwoods Dowling Kerr (RDK) to represent them who secured multiple bids for Tracey and Cheryl who chose Kids Planet as they liked the ethos of the daughter – father duo of Clare Roberts OBE and her father John Hoban. As well as running a large nursery group, Clare sits on policy forums with DFE, Ofsted, and the NDNA and attends APPG meetings in Westminster to discuss the support the childcare sector needs.

Tracey said: “I’ve been exploring what my next stage in life might be and this felt that the time was right for myself and family to begin a new chapter and a much needed chance to pause and reflect on all I have achieved. RDK supported myself in identifying a buyer that had similar family values and qualities as my own nurseries and I felt that Kids Planet had a synergy that I could identify with. ”

Tracey chose to use Helen Wong MBE of Setfords given Helen’s track record in the educational world. There was a lot at stake and she required a specialist solicitor to help her.

Tracey commented “I would highly recommend Helen Wong MBE of Setfords if you are looking to sell your nursery. She has unparalleled expertise in the most complicated of situations and has helped us deal with every single issue until resolved to help us sell our nursery.  Usually lawyers will just wait until prodded. However, Helen is pro-active, she is technically brilliant yet very approachable, helps to explain the issues at hand.  I was extremely touched that Helen got me the best deal I could have wished for – she was even thinking about the grandchildren – that’s the level of detail!  That was the icing on the cake.  I would also like to thank Jonathan Senior who helped on the property issues. He has been tenacious and an enormous help. I could not have sold this business without their help.  They are really the best lawyers I have come across and if you are selling your nursery you must use Helen Wong.”

Helen Wong said “I wish Tracey and Cheryl and family all the best. This is a momentous transaction and a lifetime of their hard work has been protected by the sale to Kids Planet. There were a lot of complicated legal situations to untangle but we got there in the end. Running a business is sometimes so busy that the preparation to sell one’s business gets overlooked.  What we had to assist with in Tracey’s instance was not just the sale but the pre-steps to prepare for sale, securing landlord’s consent, dealing with historic issues in respect of the property, so that the business was ready for sale.  I want to thank Tracey and Robert (Cheryl’s husband) in particular for their commitment to the due diligence process whilst running the business. The sale process is extremely document intensive and with four sites, there was significant documentation to prepare.  On top of that there is the emotional rollercoaster that a vendor feels. It is always hard to detach from a business which morphs into one’s life, but I’m glad Tracey sold on a high.  It’s the right decision and I wish the family a very happy retirement. It was an absolute pleasure to assist.”

Helen Wong also noted that “the day nursery market in the UK is experiencing an unprecedented level of deal activity with owners choosing to put their business up for sale post covid-19. Deals have included the sale of nursery groups, as well as single-site operators and the demand is strong with bidding wars between buyers on numerous transactions. With economic uncertainty, spiralling utility costs, staff shortages and the nervousness of a recession on the horizon the number of seller mandates seems to be on the increase.  We would be pleased to assist any other nursery operators who are looking to exit as we are approached daily by all the big groups who have appetite to buy more day nurseries and continue their rapid expansion plans.”

The Setfords educational deal team comprised of Helen Wong MBE, Jonathan Senior, Amanda Forsey, Madelaine Rugg and wider members of the team.

Vernon shares £2,000 fund between five local charities

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Stockport’s Vernon has announced the five Community Stars that will share its £2,000 community fund for the third quarter of 2022.

Over 2,600 members of the public voted for the following not-for-profit groups:

  1. The Cherry Tree Project – £700
  2. Norbury Lacrosse Club – Girls Section – £550
  3. Vale Jets Morris Dancing Troupe – £350
  4. Together Trust – £250
  5. Just 4 Dads St Chads – £150

Rachel Bresnahan, founder of The Cherry Tree Project in Romiley, said: “This money is massively important to us right now. More important than if we’d won it at any other time.

“Every penny will be spent on food – 100 meals a week that we can provide to those that need them. We cook everything ourselves, so we’ll make it go far.

“With winter around the corner, we’re concerned about people choosing between heating and eating. We can provide a warm space and a healthy meal to those who fall through the support gaps.

“It’s fantastic that Vernon supports local organisations and they have been doing this for a long time. They are genuinely committed to the local community.”

What is Community Stars?

Vernon relaunched its new community funding scheme earlier this year to help local charities and not-for-profit groups across the Stockport borough.

It offers a share of its £12,000 annual fund to Community Stars every quarter, chosen by its members, colleagues and the public throughout the year.

Tanasè Rivers, Head of Marketing, Brand and Culture at the Society, said: “Stockport has plenty of amazing groups, charities and not-for-profits and Vernon is committed to supporting them, especially during this challenging time.

“We’re delighted to provide funding to these five fantastic local organisations through our Community Stars scheme.

“It’s not too late to nominate your favourite local charity or not-for-profit group. Our fourth quarter online vote will open on the 24th October closing 30th November.

How to apply

Find out more about the awards and apply online at http://www.thevernon.co.uk/community-stars/

Staff management platform Planday partners with WorkerTech innovator Orka to give employees early access to wages

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  • Planday, recently acquired by accounting software giant Xero, can now offer its 350,000 users earned wage access service Orka Pay
  • Orka Pay lets workers claim up to 50% of their wages as soon as they’ve completed shifts
  • Planday also aims to integrate Orka’s other core products into its client offering in the future, including labour-as-a-service platform Orka Works

Staff management platform Planday has partnered with Manchester-based WorkerTech business Orka Technology Group, giving over 350,000 employees access to their pay as soon as they have earned it.

Planday’s clients will be able to offer their staff access to up to 50% of their wages in advance through Orka Pay, helping them to meet unexpected expenses during the month and avoid turning to high-interest loans or credit. The partnership comes during a period of rapid client growth for both companies, and will be Planday’s first official earned wage access partnership.

Denmark-based open platform Planday provides businesses with workforce management solutions that simplify staff scheduling, allowing them to better manage payrolls and staffing needs. In March, the firm was acquired by accounting software giant Xero in its largest purchase to date, paving the way for further expansion into new markets and accelerating Planday’s partnership programme.

Through the partnership, Planday also aims to integrate Orka’s other core products into its client offering in the future, including labour-as-a-service platform Orka Works. The Orka Works platform is used by over 65,000 people in the security and cleaning sectors to find fair and flexible work, and for large employers, makes the process of filling roles and managing HR processes much easier and more cost-effective.

The Manchester-based firm, founded in 2016, is creating a portfolio of tech solutions for frontline workers and their employers, catering to the shift towards flexible employment taking place across many industries. Earlier this year, the company completed a £3m Series A fundraise with Praetura Ventures.

James Doyle, co-founder and COO or Orka, said: “This is a hugely significant partnership which will enable thousands of businesses across the UK to offer their staff more financial freedom during the cost-of-living crisis through early access to wages, helping to improve employee satisfaction and retention. As these firms continue to face global hiring challenges, this offering will also help them to stand out and attract the best talent.

“We intend to build on this by becoming long-term innovation partners with Planday and we’re very excited about the possibilities this will offer in the future.”

Planday’s Partnerships Manager Mitchell Walker, commented: “As a leading Earned Wage Access partner, and as an exciting business who shares our mission to make life easier for employers and employees, Orka’s offering is timely for our clients and will help them retain talent at a critical period in the jobs market.

“With our partnership programme evolving rapidly, we’re looking forward to building a long-term strategic partnership with Orka as both businesses continue on their very exciting trajectories.”

Power cuts and blackouts: the next big concern for employers?

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Coming hot on the heels of the challenges businesses faced over the last two years, reports that homes and businesses across England, Scotland and Wales could see their power shut-off this winter, for three hours at a time, are not what any employer wants to hear.

 

Although currently deemed an ‘unlikely’ scenario, the warning follows concerns over energy supplies in Europe and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

 

Kate Palmer, HR Advice and Consultancy Director at Peninsula, says regardless of the likelihood, there are steps that employers should take now:

 

“Although this warning is very much a worst-case scenario situation and the Prime Minister has said we are in a good position, preparation is key. While essential businesses, including transport and NHS hospitals, would be exempt from power cuts, other businesses should start thinking about their emergency management protocol now.

 

“If blackouts do become a reality, households and business owners should receive at least one day’s notice to prepare.

 

“It may be possible to adjust working hours to accommodate the power cuts, depending on what industry a business is in. Altering shift times or changing opening hours is one way to keep things up and running and avoid too much disruption to day-to-day operations.

 

“Employers will also need to consider how the power cuts will affect remote or hybrid workers. It’s likely that any blackouts would be rotated to help ensure that different areas are affected at different times, but this could make it more difficult to ensure all staff are online at the same time.

 

“If you know employees won’t have internet access for certain parts of the day you can prepare by implementing a switch to short-hour days or bringing in a mix of shorter and longer days as needed.

 

“However, if you know that your workplace will not be impacted by the power cuts, you could ask staff who usually work remotely to come into work. It is important to bear in mind though that this could create issues for staff with childcare commitments or caring responsibilities, for example, and so may not be suitable for everyone.

 

“If you need to send employees home early because of power cuts, you will still be required to pay them. This is the case unless you have a specific clause on short time working within your contracts of employment, allowing for a reduction in pay should you be unable to provide work.

 

“As always, it is best to create an open channel of communication between you and your employees. Be sure to put plans in place that allow you to operate fairly and flexibly, getting the best from your employees and maintaining business productivity.”

 

There are also significant safety issues that could arise from power cuts in the workplace. Gavin Scarr Hall, Director of Health & Safety at Peninsula, says “You often won’t get much notice of a power outage, so planning will help ensure that work doesn’t grind to a halt if the electricity supply is interrupted.

 

“Take inventory of the items you need and look at alternative ways of powering them, such as generators, portable chargers, or power banks.

 

“Be aware that generators come with their own hazards, especially carbon monoxide (CO). Install working CO detectors in the building and ensure that all generators, and fuel, are kept outdoors, at least 20 feet away from windows and doors. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely and carry out risk assessments and training, to be sure that employees know how to use them safely.

 

“Slips and trips are a major hazard in low light, as it gets harder to see obstructions and obstacles. Keep pedestrian routes clear and check your emergency lighting regularly for faults. If your workplace doesn’t have much natural light or your staff work outside of daylight hours,  provide torches and battery-powered lamps for extra light.

 

“It’s easy to forget the health hazards associated with power outages. Talk to local authorities to check water is safe to drink – water purification systems may have malfunctioned, so keep a supply of bottled water on hand.

 

“Check the temperature of any fridges during and after any blackouts. Perishable foods may expire and become inedible if they’ve been exposed to temperatures of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for 2 hours or more.

 

“Above all, make sure you involve your employees when planning for power outages. They will have their own concerns and worries, especially if the power goes out unexpectedly.  Make sure that they are familiar with the plan for how the business will respond. Knowing that an employer is prepared for power outages will help avoid any unnecessary panic or distress. This foresight could save both time and resources and prevent you from putting employees in a dangerous situation should the power go off.”

Company culture more important to Manchester employees than career development

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New research into what employees want from their workplace post-pandemic has revealed that 7 out of 10 office-based workers in Manchester would change jobs for a better company culture. The study, carried out by commercial interior design, build and delivery specialist ADT Workplace, discovered a positive culture tops the list of what’s important to employees, ranking above feeling valued for contributions and training and development opportunities.

Analysis of the data also found that only a third (36%) of people think their workplace currently has a positive culture, with fewer than 10% (6.4%) rating their workplace culture as excellent. There is no doubt that the pandemic has had an impact on the ability for organisations to create, foster and nurture culture with people working across multiple locations. In fact, 30% of those surveyed in Manchester said the pandemic has had a negative impact on their organisation’s workplace culture.

The research also explored post-pandemic working patterns, which revealed unsurprisingly that almost two thirds (60%) of people in Manchester are now hybrid working. Despite this, and reassuringly for businesses, people’s preferred working patterns still favour office-based working:

  • Manchester employees’ preferred working patterns: 2 days at home Vs 3 days in the office
  • A third (33.6%) of people want to be in the office full-time
  • Only 1 in 10 people want to be at home full-time

Despite the research finding that the average office-based worker in Manchester will spend around 13 days a year commuting, the majority still want to work from the office for more time each week than they want to work from home.

Respondents were also asked their views on wellbeing and sustainability with over three quarters of people in Manchester saying that having a sustainable workplace is important to them (76.8%). Almost 90% people say flexible working hours are important in supporting their health and wellbeing but fewer than half say this is currently available to them. When it comes to traditional benefits, three quarters of people view having access to an Employee Assistance Programme as important but again, fewer than half list this as an existing benefit.

Commenting on the research findings which have been collated into a new ‘Is your workplace worth the commute?’ report, David Clemetson, director at ADT Workplace, said: “The last two years have inevitably changed peoples’ priorities, but it’s great to hear that the majority of people still value spending time in the office with colleagues. That said, with the battle to attract and retain the very best talent tougher than ever, the market has firmly shifted in favour of employees when it comes to workplace demands, and their wants and needs have changed.

“The results of our research echo this, with workplace culture identified as what people in Manchester care most about, over and above what we’d traditionally expect to top the list, such as training and development opportunities. Organisations must react and raise the bar with their workplace offering if they want their business to succeed.”

Further detail can be found in a free employee insights report, ‘Is your office worth the commute?’, downloadable here.