Home Blog Page 719

Manchester-based banking technology company BankiFi expands operations into North America

Sam Whitear
-
0

BankiFi, an embedded banking solutions provider, announced its expansion into North America with the launch of BankiFi Americas. The organisation’s growth and expansion into the U.S. market will support the unique digitisation and payment modernisation requirements of SMBs, while placing financial institutions at the heart of the relationship.

Currently, community financial institutions in the U.S. are facing existential threat from fintech platforms, national banks and accounting package vendors that are offering a competitive suite of payment solutions to SMBs. With BankiFi’s open cash management platform and architecture, financial institutions can embed a flexible solution that can be tailored to address the unique segments of their small business portfolio. The platform addresses critical SMB requirements through digital workflows that collect payments faster, automate data integration with accounting platforms, and provide comprehensive insights to optimise working capital.

“SMBs in the U.S. are facing the same problems we’ve seen in the U.K. and Australia, including late payments and time delays due to financial administration,” said Mark Hartley, CEO and Founder of BankiFi. “Within our technology, we aim to transform services available to SMBs within community banking, across the U.S.”

Financial services veteran, Keith Riddle, has been appointed to lead BankiFi Americas. With more than 35 years of experience in the financial industry, Riddle’s career spans executive roles at Sherpa Technologies and several industry-leading firms specialising in digital banking, bill presentment and payment, EFT processing services, wholesale financial services and cloud computing.

“I’ve been following BankiFi’s incredible success in partnering with financial institutions to serve SMBs in the U.K. and realized the importance of enabling a comprehensive open cash management solution for financial institutions and their SMBs within the U.S.,” said Keith Riddle, CEO of BankiFi Americas. “I’m delighted to take the reins at BankiFi U.S. and build on what the U.K. team is doing in terms of digitising the critical small business workflows and embedding the solution within financial institutions’ digital channels, in what is certainly an exciting time for the sector.”

Hollis bolsters team with key promotions and new appointment in Manchester

Sam Whitear
-
0

International, independent real estate consultancy Hollis is delighted to announce four key promotions – including one to Director – and an appointment at their Manchester office, demonstrating the firm’s commitment to hiring and nurturing top talent and rewarding hard work with career progression.

Manchester promotions:

Dan Roberts has been promoted to Director after seven years with the firm. Roberts is Head of Hollis’ Workspace Consultancy specialising in Cat B office fit-outs and also heads up the project management team in Manchester.

Ben Clarke has been promoted to Senior Chartered Architectural Technologist, and Elliot Haworth and Karl Smith have been promoted to Senior Chartered Building Surveyor; all three began their careers with Hollis as graduates.

Commenting on the promotions, David McBride, Head of Hollis in Manchester and Liverpool, said: “Dan, Ben, Elliot and Karl have each shown an exemplary level of work ethic, commitment to excellence and an innovative mindset, taking every opportunity to develop their own skills and help grow the business over the years. The fact that three of those promoted began their careers with Hollis is a testament to the firm and its culture of learning and growth. I am delighted to congratulate all three on their promotions; they could not be more deserving.”

Manchester new hire:

Zaw Lwin joins the Manchester office as an Engineer. Lwin specialises in designing mechanical HVAC systems for both residential and commercial properties and will work alongside the project and design team to implement these systems across a range of commercial, industrial and warehousing projects. He will also work closely with the operations team on TDD Surveys, MEP inspection surveys as well as helping to solve on-site technical issues for clients.

On Lwin’s appointment, McBride added: “Zaw’s appointment forms part of a company-wide recruitment drive to ensure new and existing clients continue to receive consistent and high-level service. His industry expertise will be invaluable as we look to bolster our client offering in Manchester and Northern England. We are delighted to welcome him to Hollis and look forward to seeing his career flourish.”

Further support for small businesses feeling the squeeze as £4.5 billion Recovery Loan Scheme extended

Sam Whitear
-
0

A vital support scheme offering Government-backed loans to small businesses will be extended for a further two years, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has announced today (Wednesday 20 July). The Recovery Loan Scheme, originally launched in April 2021 to help businesses recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic, has supported almost 19,000 businesses with an average of £202,000 in support.

The Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS) is a government scheme aimed at supporting access to finance for UK businesses. It gives lenders a government-backed guarantee against the outstanding balance of the facility.

The extension provides further government support for businesses grappling with cost pressures and adds to measures already announced by the Chancellor, such as increasing the Employment Allowance, slashing fuel duty, and introducing a 50% business rates relief for eligible high street businesses.

Business Secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, said:

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of the British economy, which is why we are determined to support our traders and entrepreneurs in dealing with worldwide inflationary pressures.

“The extension of the Recovery Loan Scheme will help ensure we continue to provide much-needed finance to thousands of small businesses across the country, while stimulating local communities, creating jobs and driving economic growth in the UK.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Nadhim Zahawi, said:

“Small businesses are the engines of economic growth, supporting jobs and livelihoods in communities right across the UK.

“The Recovery Loan Scheme has supported thousands of businesses over the past year and this extension will ensure they continue to access the finance they need to navigate the months ahead.”

The scheme has supported over 16,000 English businesses, as well as 1,000 businesses in Scotland, 600 Welsh businesses and 300 in Northern Ireland.

Examples of businesses which have benefitted from the scheme include Leeds-based firm Wildfire Marketing, which used the loan to take on new employees to help the business grow, and White Light Ltd, a lighting firm which required finance to purchase new equipment for the latest West-End shows.

The principle behind the extended Recovery Loan Scheme remains unchanged: government will underwrite 70% of lender liabilities, at the individual borrower level, in return for a lender fee. Lenders must ensure that the benefits of the government guarantee are passed through to businesses.

The maximum loan size remains at up to £2m. However, recognising that businesses and the UK more generally are now in a better position than they were during the pandemic, lenders may now require a personal guarantee from the borrower, in line with standard commercial practice.

Chris Wilford, CBI Director of Financial Services Policy, said:

“Amidst challenging economic headwinds and continued cost pressures, this remains a difficult time for business.

“With cashflow difficulties at the forefront of the minds of many business owners, continued access to Government-backed loans will bring great comfort.

“This next phase of the Recovery Loan Scheme will provide a critical lifeline for firms. The CBI will also continue to work with Government and lenders on ensuring businesses have access to the finance they need to go for growth.”

Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

“After two years of pandemic disruption and with a faltering global economy, the BCC has been calling for this continued financial support for firms. The two-year extension to the Recovery Loan Scheme will be a lifeline for many businesses facing a rising tide of costs.

“It is now essential that businesses in need of this extra support can access the scheme as quickly as possible to make sure they get help before it’s too late.”

URBAN SPLASH SECURES £43.5M REFINANCING DEAL WITH AVIVA INVESTORS

Sam Whitear
-
0

Award winning regeneration company Urban Splash has secured a new refinancing deal with Aviva Investors, the global asset management business of Aviva plc, completing a £43.5m eight-year debt facility on its commercial portfolio.

Aviva Investors has committed to funding an 800,000 sq ft workspace portfolio primarily focused on Liverpool and Manchester. The space is currently 97% let in a diverse portfolio with customers in accommodation from 100 to 50,000 sq ft.

The facility includes a commitment by Urban Splash to work towards ESG improvements of the assets as part of Aviva Investors’ Sustainable Transition Loans framework, which has provided over £1 billion of climate-linked loans since its launch in December 2020.

Urban Splash director Nathan Cornish said: “We are absolutely delighted to complete this long-term deal with a funder of the stature of Aviva Investors. It is a great endorsement of the value of the Urban Splash brand, our commercial assets, our people – and the customers operating out of our buildings.”

The transaction completed in just six weeks. It refinances and consolidates separate portfolios which were previously funded by IGC Longbow, Rothschild and the Pears family.

Gregor Bamert, Head of Real Estate Debt at Aviva Investors added: “We are very pleased to have started a lending relationship with Urban Splash and look forward to developing it further over time. The diverse property assets are well-designed, well-located and of high quality. Urban Splash manages an impressive range of commercial communities and we are proud to support them as they continue to reduce the carbon footprint of the portfolio.”

Urban Splash comprises regeneration, residential and commercial operations, the latter operating mixed workplace portfolio offering a variety of award-winning units for start-ups through to multinational businesses. The company offers flexible lease terms with a customer approach that has seen it enjoy high occupancy and retention levels. Nathan continued: “We are proud of our commercial portfolio and have carefully nurtured our workspaces in recent years, investing in new ideas that will accommodate changing occupier appetites and a new approach to work.

“It is an area of Urban Splash that has perhaps not occupied the spotlight as much as our residential or regeneration projects, but it is a consistent part of our business which has always underpinned what we do. I am proud to have reached another milestone today and the support of a major financial institution.”

Major assets within the 25-asset Urban Splash portfolio include Beehive Mill, Waulk Mill and Stubbs Mill in Manchester, and a number of buildings in Liverpool including Vanilla Factory and Tea Factory in the centre of the city, and the Matchworks in South Liverpool.

Leading Orthodontics, with clinic in Spinningfields, announces 125M investment

Sam Whitear
-
0

Impress, the European leader in the orthodontic sector, today announced a $125M Series B funding round. The first closing of 100M was made this week, helping to propel the company’s expansion into new markets as well as cement its #1 position in existing markets. The company is on track to make the second closing of $25M within 60 days. Impress completely redesigned the invisible aligner industry by building a hybrid, tech-driven orthodontic clinics. Something the clear aligner industry has missed until now.

Impress was founded in 2019 in Barcelona by renowned orthodontist Dr. Khaled Kasem and serial entrepreneurs Diliara and Vladimir Lupenko, with the idea of combining the best of orthodontic tradition with the most innovative technology in the sector.

In just 3 years Impress has become the number one brand and category leader in Europe. The company already has more than 130 clinics across 8 different countries, including all strategic markets: the UK, Spain, Italy, Germany, and France, creating a unique and scalable business model with a strong base of proven success.

Impress HQ is in Barcelona, and it has a global team of 1,000 employees, of which 500 of its team are medical professionals specialised in orthodontics.

Technology is one of the main pillars of Impress. The digital orthodontic brand has a growing network of hybrid clinics and is leveraged by a top tier clinical team, vertically integrated tech stack (AI-driven Management Practice Software, patented treatment planning software, and best-in-class AI driven treatment monitoring App). Recently Impress also put into operation one of the largest European R&D and clear aligner production facility.

While DTC models keep losing credibility, Impress has bet on the hybrid model having own tech-enabled orthodontic clinics since the very beginning. This has led to industry-leading sales conversion rates, an exceptional customer experience (NPS 84), and best-in-class clinical outcomes, all driven by a tech stack that is getting harder to replicate by the day. Even though the company was founded just 3 years ago, 80% of the clinics are already profitable and show a very strong growth.

“We created a new orthodontic experience powered by tech. All the processes are fully digitalised thanks to Impress’ own product and software. This accomplishment would not have been possible without close contact between our patients and medical team, because this is the only way we can understand their needs and expectations”, says Diliara Lupenko, Co-founder and COO of Impress.

Impress has developed a mobile application to deliver outstanding customer experience whenever our patients want to be. With the use of the app, they connect 24/7 their patients with their doctors, make remote scans, book appointments across their clinic portfolio and refer friends and family to Impress. Most recently, Impress has introduced a new paid subscription model to provide current and non-Impress customers with post-treatment oral care services such as medical procedures, checkups, and consultations from the team of orthodontics experts. In the first month after launch Impress onboarded 1,000 patients, while it’s planned to sell 20,000 subscriptions in the next 12 months. Now 2 subscription tiers are available starting from just €12.5 per month.

The fresh financing will be used for further expansion in Europe (organic and M&A), further investment in tech and extending of the in-house production facility. “We are building the global leader in next-generation orthodontics”, emphasises Lupenko.

Valéry Huot, Partner Head of Venture at LBO France, said: “Impress is disrupting the orthodontics market while maintaining medical excellence and patient care at highest level. We are thrilled to join Impress shareholder base and contribute to its fantastic scale-up.”

Peter Stein, executive chairman at Norgine Ventures, said: “We are very excited by our investment in Impress. The clear aligner market represents an attractive growth opportunity. With this investment, we support a company that, since its inception in 2019, has achieved significant growth and geographical expansion, with a differentiated offering focusing on quality of care, patient journey and operational efficiency, and is well positioned to further grow and capture a significant share of the market.”

How technology is advancing the food industry

Sam Whitear
-
0

 

Technology is reshaping much of our lives and the food industry is no different. It’s changing how we produce food, how we learn to cook and the tastes we explore. And it’s particularly important given that ethical food consumption is soaring in the UK: in 2021, UK annual spending on ethical products exceeded £100bn for the first time. Below, we explore how exactly technology is advancing the food industry and how you can benefit.

Technology has helped teach people to cook

For a start, technology has helped teach people how to cook and even open successful food businesses. Online educational technology has now made access to cookery courses more accessible than ever before. Previously, time and family constraints might have prevented you from learning new cooking skills. But now, you can learn from top chefs from the comfort of your own home. What’s more, technological developments in e-commerce are making it easier than ever before to fund and run a food or beverage business. These two skills combined have led to many new small businesses thriving in what was once a difficult marketplace. 

How the food industry changed

Technology is driving innovations in the food industry all the time. Much of this is in response to growing concerns surrounding the food industry’s environmental impact. As such, 67 per cent of food decision-makers want to improve the environment. Technology has therefore focused on making food production more efficient, to avoid waste and lower its carbon footprint. Robots now track the health of crops, allowing farmers to tend to ailing areas of their fields and moisture sensors can reveal areas of a field that need watering. Meanwhile, in the future 3D printing and nanotechnology could allow outlets to create fresh ingredients instantly from the store. 

What dishes can you learn from the web?

Technology can also help you learn new dishes from the web. This might be through an online course, or it might be that you can simply find recipes with ease online. For instance, if you’ve recently bought yourself a wok, you might be wondering which dishes work well with it. Fortunately, with the internet, you now have a wealth of stir fry recipes at your fingertips to inspire. Plus, if there’s any cooking technique that you don’t understand, you can search for tutorials and masterclasses online as well. Thanks to the advancement of technology, you can learn plenty of dishes from the web.

Technology is changing the face of the food industry. On a macro scale, the way food is produced is shifting rapidly. And individually, you can now benefit from having an array of cooking resources at your disposal.

How to pick the best domain for your business

Sam Whitear
-
0

The elementary basis of a company is its name. This is also true for the Internet! A suitable domain is the basis for a promising business idea and a crucial element for your success on the web – accordingly, you should give it a lot of thought. It is your identity on the web and can add enormous value to your marketing and branding activities. Therefore, you should think about what kind of domain name you choose. 

A good domain can bring a company to a lot of success. With a good web address, internet users are lead directly to your website. However, before settling on a domain name, there are a few things that should be considered first. Does the domain name make sense? Does the domain name convey the goals of the business enterprise? Or does the domain name have no connection to the content of the website?

This article shows what you should look out for when searching for a suitable domain and what criteria to consider.

What do you need to consider before registering a domain name?

Short and memorable name

Your company name should be as short as possible. Short domains are more successful than long ones. The probability of mistyping a short domain name is low and it is easier to remember. Google, Yahoo or Facebook have two syllables, some other company names usually have three. It should further be memorable in the sense that when you say the name you should also know how to spell it.

Fantasy names? Perfect for branding

Fantasy names are a great way to establish a brand. Bose, Dell, Boss, Porsche, Mercedes or Rolex: they are all fantasy terms or surnames of well-known luxury manufacturers who naturally attach great importance to branding. And the best way to do that is with a proper name.

When it comes to fantasy names, creativity is important. Many company names are created by combining initial letters. One example of this is the German confectionery company Haribo, which was founded by Hans Riegel from Bonn.

Registration of multiple domains

You have found a suitable domain and are ready to go? Many companies leave it at one domain but it is highly recommended to registering multiple domains, in order to protect your brand. For example, if you run an international business, it may make sense to register the domain with the country-specific domain of your country (e.g. .es for Spain, .co.uk for the UK or .fr for France). However, not all countries allow the unrestricted registration of country-specific domains. Many countries only allow it if you live or register a business there.

1 300x166 1

There are domain name generators that show a list of names. For this purpose, it uses a number of prefixes and suffixes. The registration of multiple domains serves to protect your brand. The domain name generator of IONOS supports your search for the right website name. 

Legal protection for your domain name

Moreover, in the whole creative process of finding a name for your website, legal protection should not be neglected. Does your domain name infringe naming rights? Has it already been registered as a trademark? Research in advance whether the selected domain name is not already taken. On the websites of hosting providers, you can check whether the desired domain name is still available. There are certain tools, such as the domain checker, with which you can check the domain availability of your desired address on the net within a very short time. If the name you’re aiming for is already taken, you can do the following: 

  • Try a different domain extension
  • Get in contact with the owner of the domain
  • Consider a rebranding

Conclusion 

To sum it up: when choosing a domain, you should think carefully and be quick. An unbelievable high number of new domains are registered every day. The probability that someone will snatch away your domain name, unfortunately, is rather high. True to the motto “better safe than sorry”, you should register a suitable domain name instead of coming up empty-handed in your search for the perfect name.

Kings Court, Altrincham attracts two new occupiers

Sam Whitear
-
0

Two new occupiers have taken offices at Kings Court, a secluded courtyard development off Railway Street, Altrincham.

Architects, View Associates, has taken a one year lease on Suite A, comprising 750 sq ft at a rental of £1,000 per month on an all-inclusive basis

View Associates, founded in 2013, has grown into a well-respected studio delivering large city centre commercial projects, as well as working with leading house builders, private residential clients and business owners.

Ian Jones, founder, said: “We have steadily grown the practice and outgrew our former office. We needed to increase our occupational requirement to accommodate the expanded team and future growth.

“Kings Court is ideally located in the heart of the town centre where we are currently working on several projects including the former St. John’s Medical Centre and 16 Old Market Place.”

Vitkovice Machinery UK Ltd (VMUK) has taken Suite D providing 400 sq ft on a one year lease at an all-inclusive rent of £900 per month.

VMUK specialise in supplying its clients with seamless steel gas cylinders which are used in a variety of sectors including the industrial, beverage, food industry, health care and scuba diving as well as for hydrogen the much vaunted clean fuel of the future.

Pavel Slowik, general manager, Vitkovice Machinery UK Ltd, said: “We needed larger offices to accommodate our expansion in the UK/North West and Altrincham provides the ideal base with its excellent transport links across the UK along with the office’s location, just a stone’s throw from the trendy market, eateries, leisure and retail offerings for our team and a great spot for our clients to visit”.

Daniel Lee, director, Regional Property Solutions, who acted for the landlord, Wizard Trading (Europe) Ltd, in the lettings, said: “Kings Court is built around an attractive and secluded courtyard and is an established and popular leisure and office destination, both of these vacant suites are moderately priced and let very quickly.”

Pareto Financial Planning hails Advisor Academy

Sam Whitear
-
0

Manchester, UK, July 19th 2022 – Pareto Financial Planning, the award-winning Manchester based financial services business, today hailed the success of its Advisor Academy, which bridges the gap between qualifications and practical skills and experience while providing a structured career path towards becoming an advisor.

For many entering the financial services profession it can be a daunting prospect of years of study to obtain the necessary qualifications. Not everyone who starts their journey in financial services has the desire or the skills to become a financial advisor. So with that in mind, Pareto has set up its Advisor Academy which introduces those who may have the qualifications but lack the face-to-face client experience to be a successful advisor.

The role of a financial advisor requires a nuanced skill set which is based on client empathy and trust. These skill sets are often at odds with the more analytical and methodical traits associated with non client-facing roles. The Pareto Advisor Academy offers mentorship and culture based insight to ensure that every Pareto advisor is exposed to the Pareto way – ensuring positive client outcomes.

The Pareto Academy has seen five advisors pass through the academy and currently has three going through the process.

Stuart Carswell, Director, Pareto Financial Services, said, “Qualifications prove you have the technical skills, but what makes a good Financial Advisor are the skills that can’t be taught from a textbook. At Pareto we have a reputation for not only our sound financial advice but also our personal approach. To help embed this culture the Pareto Advisor Academy takes Financial Advisors on a mentorship journey, ensuring they meet the personal standards we require.”

James Hogg, IFA, Pareto Financial Services, said, “Having previously worked with a small desk-based advisory firm as a Paraplanner, I was looking for a firm with an excellent reputation and a structured programme to give me the skills to become a fully-fledged Financial Advisor. Pareto’s Advisor Academy programme has been amazing, I have learnt the soft skills needed to truly understand a client’s needs and make the subsequent recommendations for the best positive outcome.”

Creative media agency secures permanent studio space at Department Bonded Warehouse

Sam Whitear
-
0

Creative media agency, What Media, has expanded its business into its own production space at Department Bonded Warehouse, giving it a dedicated studio to create content for its clients.

The agency has had resident desk spaces at the Manchester city centre workspace since 2020 and is now taking advantage of one of the six newly acquired production studios at the site. In that time, the business has grown to a team of 12 and worked on major campaigns with household name clients.

What Media produces commercials, social media video content, animations, product videos, drone fly-throughs, events and more for clients such as Leeds University, The Fragrance Shop, Missguided, Quorn and New Balance.

The studios at Department Bonded Warehouse give creative and media members easy access to state-of-the-art facilities in a flexible and agile way. They can be used for one-off sessions or leased in the long-term to give businesses ownership of their creative space. Initially, Department started with a content photography studio but given its popularity, the offer has since been expanded to dedicated production spaces for TV, media and broadcasting requirements.

Chris Founder, co-founder and director at What Media, said: “Department Bonded Warehouse is a hub for creative work in Manchester and has been an excellent location for us to have our desk-based home over the past couple of years. We are so excited to now also have a dedicated studio space within the building, allowing us access to top tier facilities that we can call our own. We have worked on some really exciting projects and have more in the pipeline and having this space is a huge step in our business journey that we are pleased to be taking with the support of the team at Department.”

Anthony Powell, managing director of Department, said: “It is so rewarding to see our members expand and grow and to be able to offer them the facilities to accommodate that development. What Media have been with us since the early days of Department Bonded Warehouse and we look forward to seeing what the business goes on to achieve and create in their new facilities.”

1...718719720...1,091Page 719 of 1,091