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Successful PhD team wins mentor’s award

Sam Whitear
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A team of three PhD students from the Universities of Manchester, Newcastle and Loughborough, who had never met before, formed a very driven and enthusiastic team to undertake a 24-week research challenge for one of Code-Switch Consultants’s clients.

At Code-Switch Consultants, PhD and postdoctoral researchers code-switch between the languages of business and academia, within the context of a consultancy assignment. Code-Switch is a collaboration of researchers, consultancy, industry and change delivery specialists, combining multiple expertise and perspectives to improve outcomes for our clients.

The successful team undertook an initial briefing and assessment; data searching and analysis; leading to an overall report recommendations and presentation to their client, Dr. Chris Humphrey at Jobs on Toast.

Jobs on Toast is an online resource hub and careers consultancy based in South-West England, dedicated to helping individuals and universities overcome the career challenges commonly experienced by researchers.

The aim of the research project was to make recommendations, following quantitative and qualitative research, to help Jobs on Toast expand its target audience of UK PhD students and Universities, by raising its profile, as well as understanding the key offerings of its competitors and determining the client’s market niche and unique selling points.

Commented Hellen Parra-Flórez, Director, Code Switch Consultancy: “The team of May Newisar, Yao Wang and Esther Mensah, who are part of our talent pool of research consultants, were very diligent in their approach to all stages of the consultancy project and exceeded all their pre-determined objectives, whilst constantly engaging with the client.

“We are delighted to recognise them as the best performing team of our overall summer 2021 Research Consultancy Programme (Full Switch). The skill set they have developed and the practical experience gained from the project will clearly help them in the future careers and particularly in the short term in their search for an exciting new role.

“They have been great ambassadors for Code-Switch and we wish them well in developing their exciting careers.”

Quote from Dr Chris Humphrey: “I was impressed at all stages of the consultancy process by the professionalism of this Code Switch team, especially as I’m a project manager by background myself!

“The team’s report provides me with a roadmap and rationale for taking my consultancy work into exciting new areas, as well as improving my marketing, through guidance on a clearer service offer on my website, and an enhanced social media presence”.

Echoing their delight on being recognised as the best PhD team, May Newisar said: ”It was great to work together as one team to deliver new audiences for the client through tailored proposals and to help them develop their brand, through self-learning, leading to a new website, case studies and an enhanced social media presence.

“We would like to thank Code Switch for working and mentoring us and we would recommend this experience to any new PhD researcher wishing to understand the business environment.”

PAs in the Spotlight with the Launch of Manchester PA Awards 2022

Sam Whitear
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After a two-year hiatus, the Manchester PA Awards 2022 launches today with new award categories, sponsors, and a new event organising partner.

The Manchester PA Network has turned to one of the UKs most established event planners, Manchester-based Liz Taylor of the Taylor Lynn Corporation (TLC), to infuse the annual awards with what organisers promise will be ‘a bold new production’.

The event takes place at Emirates Old Trafford, The Point on Thursday, November 10, 2022, and will offer PAs, EAs, VAs and support professionals from across Manchester the opportunity to celebrate professionals who have exceeded expectations and exemplify hard work, dedication, and passion within their roles. It will feature dinner and entertainment, plus 10 awards, including the popular Excellence Award, Lifetime Achievement, Health and Wellbeing and Brand Ambassador. This year also sees two new categories introduced. The Make a Difference Award and the National PA Award which, for the first time in the event’s five-year history, is open for PAs and EAs outside of Manchester to be nominated.

The event is being supported by sponsorship from AO Arena, Corporate Traveller, GG Hospitality, Sportsbreaks, Gateley, Kameno, Savills, Intrinsic Resourcing.

Manchester PA Awards is run as not-for-profit, with all money raised from the event being donated to The Christie Charity. This money has helped the Manchester PA Network raise over £200,000 for the charity.

To make a nomination in this year’s awards or buy tickets to attend the event, visit the website www.themanchesterpaawards.co.uk which goes live today.

Co-founder of the Manchester PA Network, Mel Sheehy said: “After the enforced break during the last two years, everyone felt that the Manchester PA Awards needed to return when the time was right to make the occasion bigger and better than ever. And now is that time”.

“Not only because we want to recognise the achievements of PAs during some difficult times, but also to give them an opportunity to meet, celebrate and enjoy being together once again”.

“Adding the new National PA Award reflects the strong reputation of the Manchester PA Network beyond its region. As PAs we also connect and work with colleagues up and down the country, so it seems only appropriate that we honour some of the exceptional PA talent in the rest of the UK.”

The Manchester PA Network is a not-for-profit organisation, co-founded by Amanda Hargreaves and Melanie Sheehy in July 2011. Since the network launched, Amanda and Melanie have been joined on the executive board by Jane Brazzill and Michaela Wakeman. Visit: www.themanchesterpaawards.co.uk

BMW UK CEO RECOGNISES WILLIAMS ROCHDALE AS BEST IN UK

Sam Whitear
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The best BMW retailer in the UK award has been won by Williams Rochdale who received a visit from BMW CEO, Chris Brownridge, to acknowledge the impressive achievement.

Beating more than 140 other BMW retailers, Williams Rochdale scooped both best regional and best national BMW retailer accolades.

Securing the top spot on the regional and national leaderboards was acknowledged by the CEO of the company who presented the team with their awards and congratulated them on achieving premier position in both the highly regarded categories.

Criteria included service, product knowledge customer satisfaction and sales success of both new and approved used BMW. The Rochdale team scored highly across the board and Managing Director, Guy Adams, attributes the spectacular double win to the continued hard work and passion of the loyal team.

Commenting on the win, Guy Adams said “We welcome Chris to our retail centre to present the awards and to recognise the contribution of every team member. Chris’s presence underlines the importance placed on striving for excellence by the company and I am proud that this commitment has been acknowledged at the highest level.”

Chris Brownridge, CEO of BMW UK, adds, “Meeting the team and experiencing their enthusiasm, dedication to customer service and exceptional product knowledge has confirmed they are worthy winners. This is an exciting time in our industry, as we continue to add new models to our electric range and increase our focus on sustainability throughout our business. With the positive work culture here at Williams Rochdale it’s clear we are well placed for continued success, as the BMW brand continues to innovate and grow in the UK.”

New Payl8r partnership with Faces Consent app is expected to bring in £24 million per year

Sam Whitear
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Manchester online millennial finance firm, Payl8r, has become the exclusive buy now pay later partner for Faces Consent, an innovative app used by the aesthetics industry to create client consent forms and purchase pharmaceutical products. The partnership is expected to bring in £24 million in revenue to Payl8r in the first nine to 12 months.

Samantha Fogerty, managing director at Payl8r comments: “We’ve been working hard over the past two years to establish ourselves within the beauty and aesthetics industry. This new partnership with Faces Consent will grow our market share and bring in an estimated £24 million in revenue within the first year alone. The app processes around 3000 transactions every day and we’re delighted to offer their 45,000 users flexible finance to buy now and pay later.”

Faces Consent was launched two and a half years ago by entrepreneurs Ben O’Brien and Ashley Simpson Davies as an app designed to house the consent forms for their own private aesthetic clinic. They soon realised that other practitioners were eager to use their technology, so they granted free access. Since then, Faces Consent has seen phenomenal growth with over 45,000 registered users, 90% of which are UK based.

While the app itself is free, Faces Consent has a range of commercial partnerships which bring in revenue. It currently sees an average of £20,000 of pharmaceutical sales each day as practitioners purchase products such as toxins and fillers directly within the app. This figure is likely to increase and the Faces Consent team has plans to increase their product range.

Ben O’Brien, co-founder and MD of Faces Consent, comments: “The success of our app has been down to listening to what our users want and delivering it to them in an effortless way. Over the past year we’ve had a lot of questions from users asking where they can secure flexible finance to spread their payments.

“We spent a lot of time looking into building our own finance technology, but it soon became apparent it would be easier to partner with an existing buy now pay later brand. Payl8r was our ideal partner as its proprietary tech is cutting edge and we like the fact that it’s one of the only BNPL firms that is regulated. The team has made this whole process effortless for us and we’re excited to see where this partnership will take us.”

Payl8r is rapidly expanding. It has already seen an 334% increase in lending over the last 12 months and it has increased by staff by 150% over the past year. To keep pace with its growth, Payl8r has hired an inhouse Talent Acquisition Partner and is extending its office space in Greater Manchester.

Oliver Goldring appointed as managing partner of its Manchester operation

Sam Whitear
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One of the UK and Ireland’s largest independent digital marketing agencies, Mediaworks, has appointed.

The agency’s client base in the North West has grown rapidly and Oliver’s appointment to head up operations there marks a concerted effort from Mediaworks to increase its physical footprint in Manchester and across the North West.

The hire follows the agency’s recent client partnerships with various brands including Leisure Lakes Bikes – recently acquired by JD Sports – Johnnie Johnson Housing, and United Utilities. Mediaworks’ statement of intent comes off the back of launching and growing successful operations in Leeds, Edinburgh and Dublin in the last 24 months. Its combined workforce across those three sites alone now nears 50.

Oliver arrives with a wealth of experience, not least in the housing sector, as well as in utilities, telecoms and recruitment. He was most recently director of communications, marketing and digital at Trafford Housing Trust. He also ran his own consultancy for eight years, advising c-suite and executive teams on corporate strategy in digital, customer experience, and marcomms. Most notably, he led on the hugely successful re-brand and international launch of Airswift, the Manchester-based global workforce solutions provider, following their $1bn merger in 2016.

Brett Jacobson, CEO and founder of Mediaworks, said: “Having someone of Oliver’s stature and experience steering our plans for expansion into the North West is a huge statement of ambition. His understanding of the housing and utilities sectors in particular is complementary to our own agency specialisms. That’s a potent combination that will drive both regional and group growth.

“The potential for increasing Mediaworks’ presence in the city is huge. We have more exciting announcements on the way as we strengthen our position in Manchester.”

Oliver added: “Mediaworks is a business I have had my eye on and admired from afar as one of the best digital agencies in the UK. The ambitious vision for the company was an immediate draw.

“This is a huge opportunity to drive growth in the North West. I’m excited to be on board and working with a brilliant team, both in region and across the wider Mediaworks group. We’re already recruiting for several digital roles in Manchester, so already starting to realise some of these exciting growth plans.”

Mediaworks delivers a range of services across SEO, PPC, web dev, brand, content and digital PR. The rapidly growing agency currently has 190 staff across its six offices in Newcastle, Leeds, Edinburgh, Manchester, London and as MWi in Dublin.

Former Verastar Tech Heavyweight Joins WasteQuoteSupermarket

Sam Whitear
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Utility tech dynamo has joined the leading Manchester-based commercial waste comparison company as Chief Technology Officer as the business continues in its mission to disrupt the B2B waste management market.

Gee will bring almost two decades of experience in defining and embedding strong technical growth strategies and building world-class technical teams to position WasteQuoteSupermarket as the leading tech platform for B2B waste, recycling, sustainability and carbon reduction services.

His appointment reunites him with ex-Verastar CEO, Chris Earle, who joined WasteQuoteSupermarket last summer as an investor and shareholder.

Chris Gee comments: “Despite
playing an integral role in transforming Verastar into a multimillion-pound business, I’m passionate about working with start-ups and small businesses with potential. I love a challenge and the chance to make a difference. I’m already learning so much about
the waste industry from CEO and Founder, Carl Bennett – and working together, I believe we have the perfect balance of industry knowledge and tech expertise to exceed our goals in the next 12 months and beyond.”

WasteQuoteSupermarket, which is headquartered in Sale, was founded by Carl Bennett, who wanted to disrupt the UK’s fragmented waste management sector, worth £11 billion, by reinventing how businesses access and compare their second-largest utility expense after energy. By combining
25 years of experience in the waste sector and developing industry-leading AI technology, the comparison and switching platform has been able to offer impartial waste management deals to over 7,500 businesses.

The pioneering data-driven platform partners with waste service providers to provide instant comparisons on a wide scope of business waste services including trade, commercial and industrial services, all types of recycling, shredding, skips, bulky waste, hazardous, WEEE, clinical waste, and washroom services. It does this through an effective combination of sourcing, aggregating and converting business into new contracts for the waste service providers, directly matching the two parties together through the company’s bespoke AI virtual waste expert – a key USP that will ultimately showcase a full array of deals and resource-efficient options at scale.

Gee and Earle are now set to work with the overall senior team to take the business to the next level with a transformational strategy that will further improve the existing platform, whilst creating an industry-first white-label product that will allow B2B utility
brokers to tap into WasteQuoteSupermarket’s unique AI-powered technology from May 2022. The team is also planning a ‘bolt-on’ service that other B2B comparison websites can incorporate into existing platforms.

This, in turn, will allow SMEs to access better deals, save money, be more sustainable, improve resource efficiency, and measurable solutions to form part of their ESG-friendly policies.

Carl Bennett, WasteQuoteSupermarket Founder and CEO, comments: “For
far too long, despite being one of the main cost outlays for businesses, waste has taken a back seat. However, as economic, social and political forces gather momentum to persuade businesses to be more resource-efficient, we’re perfectly placed to maximise this accelerating area of interest by helping businesses to save money and do the right thing – all through our tech-enabled platform.

“We are delighted to welcome Chris Gee to our team. His vast experience in delivering industry-leading technical strategies is second to none, and we’re excited to evolve our technology to ensure ALL businesses have instant access to good value waste management deals that are tailored to their needs. Until now, the SME business waste market was almost untouched by technology, and we intend to be at the forefront of the drive towards digital transformation in our sector.”

WasteQuoteSupermarket is the only impartial waste comparison switching platform that has the key metrics and technology to offer virtual waste quoting expertise for SMEs. Over the next 12 months, the business plans to help over 1.5 million UK businesses with multiple waste streams access better value and more sustainable deals, with plans to roll out the service to the EU, USA, and beyond.

Due to demand from like-minded companies and investment partners that share the company’s vision, WasteQuoteSupermarket is bringing forward the follow-on fundraise to accelerate its current first-mover position to become the leading ‘go-to’ platform for all types of commercial waste-related deals.

A Guide to Business Expenses

Sam Whitear
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Do you know what business expenses are allowed and which are not? Every business owner, contractor and freelancer needs to be aware of expenses and how they should be recorded, tracked and managed at all times. This post will outline everything that you need to know about business expenses and how they can be managed and help to lower your tax bill.

What are Expenses?

First, it is worthwhile outlining what business expenses are. Essentially, these are costs incurred by you or staff members specifically needed for the running of the business. It is a necessary expense and one that is incurred solely as part of the daily operation. There are two different types of expenses that need to be recorded:

Tax-deductible: A tax-deductible expense is one that is taken from the profits, which will help to reduce your tax bill.

Non-tax deductible: Expenses that are not deducted from profits and have no bearing on the tax bill.

Allowable Expenses

HMRC allows many different types of expenses that businesses in different sectors might incur. The most common types of allowable expenses include wages, rent, insurance, utilities, office equipment and repairs and maintenance. If you have a car that is used for business purposes, then you can claim the maintenance costs as a business expense. From booking an MOT online to a quick car service, these can be legally claimed.

Excluded Expenses

Not all expenses can be claimed on your tax return and it is vital that you know what these are. A few of the most common expenses that are excluded from tax relief include business entertainment, donations, the repayment of loans and the depreciation of assets. Although you cannot claim these expenses, it is still important to track them to maintain accurate books.

Keeping Records

It is vital that your business maintains accurate and up to date financial records. This means that all of your expenses must be tracked, which means that you and your team must always collect receipts for all business expenses. You can then update your accounts, but you should also keep hold of receipts and records as evidence. It can be much easier to maintain accurate records with the use of accounting software or by outsourcing to an accountant.

Hopefully, this post will have been useful and help you to gain a stronger understanding of business expenses. It is important to track all of your expenses so that you can maintain accurate financial records, lower your tax bill and operate above board. Having a clear system in place for recording and managing expenses is key and will make it much easier to keep on top of your accounts, tax obligations and overall financial health.

Manchester cladding specialist Vivalda confirms move to larger premises and new jobs in 2022

Sam Whitear
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Vivalda, one of Manchester’s longest-established cladding suppliers, has moved to new, larger premises in the city due to sustained demand for its services. The relocation from Trafford Park to its own 14,000 sq. ft. fabrication facility in Worsley, doubles the business’s capacity to supply non-flammable rainscreen facades to contractors.

The company has invested more than £1.3m in acquiring and remodelling its warehouse and production facility, which includes new technology such as specialist beam saws, dust extraction and optimisation software. Currently employing 11 full-time staff, Vivalda is immediately creating three new jobs as part of the expansion.

Vivalda works closely with building contractors and developers to provide construction projects with safe, non-flammable, A-rated façade systems, cut to size and delivered on-site on a just-in-time basis. Recent standout projects that Vivalda has been involved in include Airport City Manchester (Ibis / Holiday Inn) and Yotel (formerly Qbic) in Deansgate.

Vivalda Manchester branch manager, Jamie O’Brien, is delighted by the move. He said: “Over the past few years our business has gone from strength to strength, based on our team’s unrivalled knowledge of cladding products and our strong customer service ethos. As a result of our growth, we’ve been looking for the right location to enable us to take the business to the next level – and our new facility is perfect.

“We can now increase our stock levels to improve further our product availability and provide a modern office environment for our technical sales team – meaning our customers can rely on us, even more, when it comes to supplying world-class cladding systems, fixings, framings and other accessories.”

Vivalda operates from six locations across the UK and Ireland. Established in 1992, it provides fabricated cladding products from brands such as Rockpanel, Equitone, Cembrit and Trespa and also supplies A-rated solid aluminium cladding which is increasingly used for vital cladding remediation projects. For more domestic applications, the business also holds stock of Cedral Weatherboard, ideal for those wanting to achieve the ‘New England’ look.

Starting a home contractor business in 2022 – why now is the best time

Sam Whitear
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Now the effects of the pandemic have been easing, life is getting back to some semblance of normality, and many of usBrits are taking the opportunity to renovate their homes. In 2021, SGS Engineering surveyed 2,000 UK homeowners on their plans for home renovations. The study revealed that 35%were planning a major home renovation that year.

The increased interest in home renovations explains why demand for construction workers has continued to soar,meaning there’s never been a better time to start a home contractor business. No matter whether you’ve been grafting away for years or you’ve recently gained your qualification, with the market the way it is now, it’s worth considering a jump to contracting.

Read on to find out why 2022 is the best time to launch a home contractor business and how to go about it.

How much money is there in the home contracting market?

SGS Engineering’s study found that those surveyed planned to spend an average of £15,461 on home improvements. With 2,000 UK homeowners participating in the survey, it’s clear there’s a significant amount of money to be made in the home contracting market.

How can you start your own home contracting business?

Obviously to start a home contracting business you’ll need to have a good level of experience in the field. Consider the services you’re planning to offer and how much knowledge and experience you have in those. If need be, you may want to consider doing some refresher training or a part-time course if there are any areas in which your skills are lacking.

Having the right tools will also be crucial to your success as a home contractor. Investing in a range of good quality Milwaukee tools will allow you to perform your work to a high standard for your clients. Ensure you store your tools securely to avoid tool theft, which is a currently a very common issue in the UK.

Getting clients

Finding your first few clients may be challenging, but once you’ve got past that hurdle marketing your business will become easier. Ask family, friends, and any business contacts you have to spread word of your company prior to opening your doors.

Ensure you take advantage of the digital marketing opportunities that are available, as this will help you increase your market reach and attract new clients. Get a professional website set up and create a social media page to showcase previous work.

Providing excellent service

Your clients will be putting their trust in you, allowing you to enter their home and complete work on it, so it’s essential to ensure you do a professional job and offer top quality service. Not only will this ensure your clients get what they deserve, but it will increase the chance of them hiring you in the future or recommending your company to others.

EQUANS awarded £5.9m decarbonisation work with Rochdale Borough Council.

Sam Whitear
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EQUANS, the new brand for ENGIE’s service-led activities, is pleased to have been awarded a £5.9 contract with Rochdale Borough Council for Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) work.

The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme provides grants for public sector bodies to fund heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency measures. EQUANS has supported Rochdale Borough Council with its application for PSDS funding and is looking forward to continuing a partnership that will see energy efficiency work undertaken across the borough. The decarbonisation work EQUANS will be undertaking will include public buildings such as schools and leisure centres across the region.

Rochdale Borough Council has declared a climate emergency in the region, drafting a strategy to help meet this deadline while creating a working group to make decisions moving forward. A target has been set for net-zero by 2038, bringing Rochdale into line with the whole of Greater Manchester.

Alyson Seddon, Head of Education and Public Buildings at EQUANS, said: “We’re delighted to have been awarded this crucial decarbonisation work on behalf of Rochdale Borough Council. EQUANS is looking forward to working in partnership with the council, helping them to meet their carbon net-zero targets using our innovative solutions and products.”

EQUANS operates at the forefront of national and global carbon reduction and renewable energy technology, delivering unrivalled solutions for clients. With the ambition of enabling a cost-efficient zero carbon transition for our clients and partners, EQUANS helps to create sustainable places for everyone to live and work.

Councillor Sara Rowbotham MBE, portfolio holder for climate change and sustainability, said: “As a council, we have a responsibility to take meaningful action to reduce carbon emissions, alongside preparing the borough for the impacts of a changing climate. These decarbonisation projects on our public buildings and schools are part of our commitment to meet our target to achieve carbon neutrality by 2038. It is fantastic that we are able to partner with EQUANS and work together to meet the challenge of climate change.”

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