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How To Ask Guest Speakers To Attend Your Webinar

Sam Whitear
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Webinars are a useful way to promote your business and potentially generate leads. It’s also easier to host a webinar than an in-person event, which is why webinars have become particularly popular over recent months.

The Coronavirus pandemic changed the webinar industry for the better and has helped it to grow the industry and make it more accessible.

The rise in popularity of webinars, combined with the increased accessibility of technology, has meant that marketers and business leaders now have many options when hosting a webinar.

One of the most significant things you’ll need to think about when planning a webinar is the itinerary, and that means working out who’ll be speaking.

As the host, you should do a lot of the speaking, but it would also help if you have other guests to break up the event and entice additional viewers.

Asking guests to speak at your webinar can feel a little scary, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are some practical tips to help you invite guests to contribute to your webinar and make it an amazing online resource for attendees.

Use A Guest Speaker Agency

If you want to hire celebrities or renowned industry names to give your event gravitas, then consider using a specialist webinar guest speaker agency. When you’re looking for speakers for your webinar, your first port of call should be Speakers Corner. They offer a wide range of speakers on different topics, ranging from household names to industry experts, so you can find the perfect person to speak at your event.

Make The Most Of Your Network

As a business leader, you’ll have built up many contacts in your industry and specific niche over the years. Use these to your advantage when trying to get speakers to contribute to your webinar. Professional networking sites such as LinkedIn can help you to see who you know and who is connected to whom. From there, you can work out who might be a good potential webinar guest speaker and then invite them to collaborate with you. When you’re asking potential guest speakers, you should always make it clear what’s in it for them- for example, you could offer them valuable promotion on your site in exchange for their help with your webinar.

Highlight The Success Of Past Webinars

Once you’ve got a few webinars under your belt, or even just one, you can highlight their success and use them to entice new guests to speak at future online events. Sharing footage of your webinar is a key part of the activities you need to do after your webinar is over. Consider promoting the link to the webinar footage on your social media pages to entice new viewers, potentially generate new leads for your business and get prospective speakers interested in your upcoming event. You could also use the link to the footage to reach out to potential guest speakers directly.

Asking guest speakers to contribute to your webinar is a great way to enhance your event. Use these tips to make the process easier.

ANNUAL FINTECH NORTH CONFERENCE RETURNS TO MANCHESTER WITH IN-PERSON EVENT

Sam Whitear
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FinTech North will return to Manchester on Tuesday 30th November for its first in-person event in the city since 2019. It will bring together high-profile figures from across the UK financial technology sector, along with Manchester’s most exciting startups and established FinTechs.

 

The event will once again be hosted in partnership with the University of Manchester, and is being supported by organisations including London Stock Exchange Group, OpenMoney, Shoosmiths, MIDAS, Galibier PR, Whitecap Consulting, and White Label Crowdfunding.

 

It will take place at the University of Manchester’s Whitworth Hall, and will be live-streamed for those unable to attend in-person. Over 300 delegates are expected to attend in total, building on the success of previous sell out events in 2018 and 2019 and last year’s virtual conference.

 

The 2021 conference will shine a spotlight on the regional and national FinTech landscape – including funding and development opportunities – and will feature a showcase of Manchester FinTechs. The event will also have a focus on the theme of ‘Better FinTech’, with panel discussions on FinTech’s role in financial inclusion, sponsored by OpenMoney, and on female-founded FinTechs and avenues to plug the gender gap.

 

Keynote speakers include the Head of Department for Data, Technology and Innovation at the FCA, Ravi Bhalla, Ecosystem Director at Innovate Finance, Parveen Dhanda, and HM Treasury FinTech Envoy for England and Chair of FinTech North, Dr Chris Sier. The University of Manchester’s Vice Chancellor & President Dame Nancy Rothwell will also deliver a welcome talk.

 

Delegates can expect to hear from some of Manchester’s home-grown success stories, such as inward investment agency MIDAS and instant messaging platform provider for regulated markets, NIVO. Payments provider PollenPay and financial wellness company Financielle are just two of the Manchester startups appearing in the FinTech showcase.

 

Throughout the conference, the University’s Business Engagement & Knowledge Exchange team will also be providing a free drop-in clinic, open to any participants wishing to find out about how businesses can access academic expertise through collaborations.

 

Chris Sier, FinTech North Chairman and HM Treasury FinTech Envoy for England, commented:

 

“We are really pleased to return to Manchester with our first face-to-face conference since 2019. We are also delighted once again to be working with the University of Manchester and holding the event to the iconic Whitworth Hall. Over the past 12 months we have seen UK FinTech go from strength to strength, with regional FinTech innovation and increased national connectivity playing a big part in its success. Shining a light on the hugely significant Greater Manchester ecosystem and bringing everyone together again is very exciting.”

 

The 2021 FinTech North Manchester conference follows the Government’sKalifa Review into FinTech earlier this year, which recommended that increased national connectivity is key to the UK’s FinTech strategy.

 

FinTech North is a non-profit organisation founded in 2016. It aims to reinforce the UK’s Northern Powerhouse as a region of excellence for FinTech and provide a platform for helping to forge relationships between the North’s FinTech startups and innovators, established tech giants, policymakers and academia.

 

Tickets for the conference can be purchased here and are priced at £75 per delegate until 30th November. The live-stream event is free and places can be reserved here.

KOMI Group appoints new Head of Creative Solutions

Sam Whitear
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KOMI Group – the Manchester headquartered social media, marketing, and licensing business – has appointed Michael Hodkinson as its new Head of Creative Solutions.

Michael’s role in the commercial team will see him focus on driving revenue across the firm for its various core services including commercial content, licensing and video production. He will also be working hard to develop relationships between KOMI and the media and creativity agency sectors in the UK.
Prior to joining KOMI, Michael was sales director at Social Chain Media (part of Social Chain Group). He has also worked at Mediacom and The Telegraph Media Group.

Michael said of his appointment: “The talent within KOMI is exceptional so I’m excited to be joining the business. It continues to build some of the most engaged communities on social media and boasts industry leading expertise that delivers fantastic content for clients across multiple sectors. Add in the fact that it owns 100,000+ pieces of content in the licensing arm and you have a pretty unique offering. All of this means the opportunities for growth in every area of the business are exceptional.”
Michael’s arrival follows the announcement that Terry Pierce has been made Head of Commercial and will now oversee all sales and marketing activity within KOMI Group. Terry joined the business in January 2021 as Head of Partnerships. A recent restructure of the sales and marketing operations has created a more consistent and uniform commercial offering, enabling more flexibility across the core solutions the group offers. The commercial team are aiming to more than double their headcount by the end of the year.

KOMI Group is a three-divisional agency business consisting of dedicated social media, marketing, and licensing teams. Its team of content creators, analysts and video producers have made and then distributed video content and viral campaign adverts for international brands such as BBC Films, O2, Universal, Bud Light and Disney.

Content is shared across its Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram and LinkedIn accounts including the It’s Gone Viral page as well as Go Fetch, a platform for dog lovers to connect with one another; Happiest, which focusses on bringing the most entertaining and uplifting content and real-life stories; and Ultimate which is a community based around crafts and lifestyle. On average the company delivers over one billion views across its portfolio of pages each month.

It recently doubled its office space at Beehive Mill in Manchester after taking an additional 1,300 sqft on a six-year lease. The firm moved its operations to the site on Jersey Street in early 2020. It has also grown its headcount to 50.

In September, ARK Media, KOMI’s licensing division, signed distribution partnerships with Reuters and AFLO that will give the business the opportunity to distribute its content to a broad network of leading international publishers and broadcasters for the first time.

What do the new UK travel restrictions and allowances mean?

Sam Whitear
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After spending over a year in and out of lockdowns and facing travel restrictions, the countries on the UK’s red list have been removed and Brits are finally able to take that long-overdue trip abroad. The rules on quarantining after travel have also lifted, and even unvaccinated people can travel in and out of the country provided they abide by the new self-isolation rule.

With these long-anticipated changes being made, now’s the perfect time to plan that trip to Peru you’ve been wanting to make or even swap the dreary British weather for tropical sun and sand in the Dominican Republic.

Now, before you pack that suitcase there are still some points to be mindful of. Here, we explore the new UK travel restrictions and allowances and what they mean for you.

The end of the red list

It’s official, the last countries on the UK’s red list have been approved for travel. Before this restriction lifting, anyone travelling from countries listed as red was only allowed to enter the country if they were a UK or Irish national or a UK resident. Those who were allowed to enter the UK were expected to quarantine for 10 days in a hotel approved by the government, with no financial support to cover accommodation costs.

The countries that until this month were on the red list wereColombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, Peru and Venezuela. Officials have stated the red list systemwill remain in place and countries may be added back onto it if circumstances change.

Fully vaccinated travellers

The rules have also changed regarding fully vaccinated travellers. Those travelling to the UK will no longer require a Covid test before departure. However, they will have to take a lateral flow test two days after arriving in the UK. This allowance applies to people vaccinated in the UK, the US and the EU, as well as several other countries.

Travellers are expected to prove their vaccination status before their departure. This new guidance has also been applied to residents of any of the recognised countries who are under 18, regardless of their vaccination status.

Unvaccinated travellers

People who are not vaccinated against Covid are still able to enter the UK, however they must self-isolate at home for 10 days after arriving. Before travelling they must take a PCR or lateral flow test in the three days before their journey and take a further two tests (on day two and day eight) following their return.

Keep in mind that PCR and lateral flow tests are not available for free, so it’s important to factor this into your budget when making plans for your travel.

COLLAPSED’ IN FIVE YEARS WITH 50 MILLON TONNES OF CARBON EMITTED SAYS SATELLITE MAPPING SURVEY

Sam Whitear
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THE UK has emitted around 50 million tonnes of carbon in the last five years from ‘collapsing’ peatlands it has been revealed ahead of the start of the COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow.

Environmental monitoring specialists Terra Motion, who has an office in the North West, mapped the surface motion of all peatland areas across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and, from the 2.2 million hectares of the UK surveyed, the results showed that some 19 per cent have collapsed by more than 2.5cm since 2016.

The map was generated from the analysis of five years’ worth of radar images from the European Sentinel-1 satellite. Thousands of images were processed using Terra Motion’s APSIS technology which is uniquely able to work over vegetated and natural surfaces, to generate land motion measurements across the country. The data has been analysed by studies led by the University of Nottingham and the Environmental Research Institute, Thurso.

Andrew Sowter, Director at Terra Motion, who discussed these findings at COP26 on 11 November 2021, said: “This is the first time that such an extensive survey has been performed across the UK and it shows that significant areas of peatlands are collapsing across the country, a likely sign of extensive damage.

“From the 2.2 million hectares of the UK surveyed, some 19 per cent have collapsed by more than 2.5cm over five years. Assuming that this collapse is an indication of active erosion or oxidation, we estimate that, as a whole, the UK peatlands surveyed were emitting around 10 million tonnes of carbon (CO2 equivalent) per year during 2016-21.”

The Government has committed the UK to net zero by 2050 but restoration of these peatlands would help it to meet its ambitious targets to reduce its emissions by 78 per cent by 2035 according to Mr Sowter.

Substantial grants have been set aside for funding restoration projects by the Conservative Government and the devolved nations under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, a key topic for COP26.

However, Mr Sowter says that targets will not be met without the considerable support of private investment. He estimates that the economic potential of UK peatland restoration could be worth over £500 million per year. This means that corporate companies and carbon offsetting organisations can invest in helping landowners restore peatlands and, in return, they receive ‘carbon credits’.

Businesses can buy ‘carbon credits’ generated by projects that help to clean up the environment to compensate for the emissions that they been unable to eliminate themselves. It has been reported that the voluntary carbon market will have to expand 15-fold by 2030 and 100-fold in order for the UK to achieve net zero by 2050.

“Using the emission figures from the Terra Motion survey and an approximate current commercial value of carbon of around £50 per tonne CO2e, we estimate that the economic potential of UK peatland restoration could be worth over £500 million per year,” said Mr Sowter.

“Using an estimate of £1,000 per hectare for total restoration costs, we conclude that with an appropriate carbon offsetting scheme, any actual costs of a restoration project could be recovered in the first year of operation, making investing in peatlands restoration a highly lucrative proposition.

“Peatland restoration is a nature-based solution which brings with it other co-benefits such as improved biodiversity and water quality, as well as the promise of increasing job opportunities in rural areas, which also have significant economic benefits to landowners and local communities.”

Dianna Kopansky Programme Management Officer and Global Peatlands Initiative Coordinator at UNEP, said: “Linking up to raise awareness of the potential of healthy peatlands for climate action, nature protection and our overall well-being is vital.

“The cutting-edge work carried out by Terra Motion clearly shows that UK peatlands are rapidly degrading and that their restoration makes economic and climate sense. Sharing and learning from novel techniques shows that together we can highlight the importance and opportunity of peatlands restoration to help us address the climate and nature emergency.”

Felix Yevtushenkov, sistema JSFC: Biography of a venture investor

News Desk
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Felix Yevtushenkov, sistema JSFC: Biography of a venture investor

Name: Felix Yevtushenkov · Felix Vladimirovich Yevtushenkov · Yevtushenkov Felix Vladimirovich ·
Yevtushenkov Felix · Yevtushenkov F.V. · Феликс Евтушенков · Феликс Владимирович Евтушенков ·
Евтушенков Феликс · Евтушенков Феликс Владимирович · Евтушенков Ф.В. · Feliks Evtushenkov · Feliks Vladimirovich Evtushenkov · Evtushenkov Feliks Vladimirovich · Evtushenkov Feliks · يليكس إيفتوشنكوف · フェリックス・エフトゥシェンコフ · 菲利克斯·葉夫圖申科夫 · Ֆելիքս Եվտուշենկով · 펠릭스 에브투셴코프

Yevtushenkov Felix Vladimirovich, an entrepreneur and investor, is successfully developing one of the leading telecom companies in the country, turning it into a true IT giant. He prefers to invest in promising industries and innovative solutions that can increase business efficiency and improve people’s quality of life.

Felix Yevtushenkov spent his childhood, graduated from high school and two institutions of higher education, and built his career all in one of the world’s major capital cities.

Yevtushenkov Felix, as a schoolboy, devoted a lot of time to sports, including hockey, martial arts, and skiing. In one of his interviews, Yevtushenkov Felix Vladimirovich noted that sports taught him teamwork skills that later proved useful in his professional activities.

Yevtushenkov Felix Vladimirovich studied at two institutions of higher education, 13 years apart.

Felix Yevtushenkov received his legal education at the Griboyedov Institute of International Law and
Economics, where the faculty included experienced teachers and leading practitioners in their field. He
graduated in 2000, having equipped himself with a solid legal foundation.

During his time at the Institute, Felix Vladimirovich Yevtushenkov focused on acquiring a comprehensive understanding of the legal aspects, which played a crucial role in his subsequent professional endeavors.

Yevtushenkov Felix later studied the basic principles of production management at the Gubkin State
University, which represents a blend of tradition, academic excellence, and innovation, making it a prominent institution in management education and research. This specialised training laid a strong foundation for his future roles in managing and modernising industrial and energy assets, significantly contributing to his success in these fields.

Felix Yevtushenkov, AFK Sistema: Timeline of activity with the company

Felix Vladimirovich Yevtushenkov laid the foundation for his future professional career while still a student, working in the legal department of a large investment corporation.

In the early years of his work at the joint stock financial corporation AFK Sistema, Felix Yevtushenkov managed to impress his colleagues and superiors despite his young age and lack of practical experience. He proved himself a diligent and high-quality worker, and others noted his ability to work in a team, his focus on results, and his desire to achieve them despite any difficulties.

His quick adaptation to the corporate environment and eagerness to learn rapidly accelerated his career progression within the company. The innovative approach to problem-solving and strategic thinking of Yevtushenkov Felix Vladimirovich were key factors that contributed to the successful execution of projects he was involved in.

Felix Vladimirovich Yevtushenkov later moved to the department responsible for the industrial sector, where he gained valuable experience that helped him advance his career. In this role, he was instrumental in overseeing and managing several key projects that were critical to the company’s growth in the industrial domain.

Yevtushenkov Felix has a keen understanding of the market dynamics, which, together with his
adeptness at risk management, was pivotal in navigating the challenges faced by the department. This period in the industrial sector not only honed his leadership skills but also provided him with a broader perspective on corporate management.

Yevtushenkov Felix was subsequently invited to a large company managing the corporation’s construction and real estate development assets. In this capacity, he played a crucial role in steering the company’s strategic direction in the highly competitive construction and real estate markets. His leadership was marked by a series of successful projects that not only boosted the company’s portfolio but also showcased his ability to manage large-scale developments efficiently.

Yevtushenkov Felix Vladimirovich brought innovative approaches in this
sector, particularly in adopting new technologies and sustainable practices, that significantly contributed to the company’s growth and reputation in the industry. His tenure in this role underscored his versatility as a leader and his capability to drive success in diverse business environments.

Felix Yevtushenkov, AFK Sistema: 2008-2012

In the second half of the 2000s, the entrepreneur took on a new role at AFK Sistema. Felix Yevtushenkov was tasked with developing a business unit working in the consumer sector. In this role, he was instrumental in diversifying and expanding the company’s portfolio into areas such as retail, healthcare, and financial services.

For instance, he played a significant role in the growth of the corporation’s retail chain of children’s goods, transforming it into a nationwide network with substantial market presence.
Felix Yevtushenkov also spearheaded the development of a series of private healthcare clinics across the country, which not only enhanced the corporation’s footprint in the medical sector but also contributed to improving healthcare accessibility in the regions they served.

His efforts in these areas exemplified his ability to enter and successfully grow business operations in varied consumer-focused industries.

Over time, he began overseeing the core assets at AFK Sistema. Felix Yevtushenkov was particularly focused on increasing the efficiency of the assets. For example, he played a pivotal role in the modernisation of the corporation’s telecommunications branch, introducing advanced technologies that significantly enhanced network capabilities and customer service. Under his guidance, significant investments were made into upgrading the infrastructure of the company’s energy sectors, resulting in improved operational efficiencies and increased production outputs.

Yevtushenkov Felix Vladimirovich was also involved in streamlining the management structures of these core assets, which not only reduced operational costs but also led to more agile and effective decision-making processes within these sectors. His strategic interventions in these areas were key to boosting the overall performance and profitability of AFK Sistema’s primary business units.

Yevtushenkov Felix has been working since 2012 in a completely new and challenging field – high technology.

Yevtushenkov Felix: The effects of innovation

Precisely modern technologies and investments in their development played a key role in his professional activity. Today, the rapidly developing IT sector is a kind of “home” for both large companies and startups that have not yet made a name for themselves in the market.

Yevtushenkov Felix Vladimirovich has been involved in the development of one of the country’s leading telecommunications corporations for the past five years. As an experienced manager, he understands the direction the market is moving in and can strategically think years ahead.

Under his leadership, a venture fund was established within the innovation and investment center, with a focus on startups in the fields of artificial intelligence, collaborative consumption, online education, financial technology, digital medicine, media industry, Internet of Things, smart home, wellness, and others.

Yevtushenkov Felix Vladimirovich helps the venture fund identify noteworthy early-stage startup projects. The fund often invests in projects at the developmental Seed stage, when an idea is undergoing testing to meet market needs. At this point, there is often no financial return from sales yet, thus startups require investments to sustain viability. For projects already in Round A, the product is already fully developed and funds are raised for the scaling of the project. 

Yevtushenkov Felix Vladimirovich thereby helps developers bring truly breakthrough solutions to the market that create a unique user experience.

Felix Yevtushenkov was among those who initiated increasing the fund to $2 million. The allocation of additional capital is a confirmation of the value of developing innovative activities.

These funds allow the telecom giant to acquire the best solutions on the IT market, which not only enhance the quality of already provided services but also open up opportunities for entering new niches.

Felix Vladimirovich Yevtushenkov and his team follow global technological trends, especially ideas focused on social development and improving the standard of living in society.

Yevtushenkov Felix has helped the telecommunications company invest in a number of startups over the past few years.

Projects include an innovative platform for creating new products that analyze consumer behavior both online and offline, a virtual bank, an electronic service for providing various household services, a manufacturer of smart device chips, as well as a developer of digital solutions for business optimization based on Big Data.

Felix Yevtushenkov also supported the 72-million-ruble acquisition of a digital service allowing users to order food and drinks during concerts and in clubs and pay without having to call a waiter.

Felix Vladimirovich Yevtushenkov has seen the fund’s portfolio grow to include 8 technological projects, each of which represents strategic value for the development of the telecom giant.

Yevtushenkov Felix Vladimirovich: Societal investments

Charity also occupies a special place in his professional activities.

Yevtushenkov Felix Vladimirovich was actively involved in the projects of a large charitable foundation, heading its board of trustees for a number of years. He focused on improving the quality of medical and educational services, and supporting cultural, educational, and inclusive practices, etc.

For many years now, the organization has been providing opportunities to find employment according to one’s interests. Its Elevator to the Future initiative helps students and promising specialists choose the right career path within and without the corporation.

Cultural education in general is among the prioritized charitable initiatives supported by Felix Yevtushenkov. AFK Sistema’s own charitable foundation implements a number of specialized programs, including helping museums adapt to the digital world.

Felix Vladimirovich Yevtushenkov has helped develop and implement high-tech solutions that create an inclusive environment in cultural spaces, including opening up the local art heritage to a wider range of people. 

The foundation also has social initiatives aimed at helping vulnerable population groups and developing the ecological volunteer movement. 

Yevtushenkov Felix and the foundation also support the the Social Idea competition, which involves young people from different countries in socially oriented activities based on the use of digital solutions.

Participants include developers of mobile applications and services that provide social support to the population, solutions in the field of ecology and inclusion, as well as technologies for a smart city.

Social Idea winners have included an electronic sign language translator, a climate probe, and a platform for the development and popularisation of donations.

How Business Leaders Can Protect Their Organisations In 2021

Sam Whitear
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For all businesses, no matter how big or small, protecting your organisation is crucial. However, you may be surprised to know that this is something that so many fail to do, resulting in irreversible damage further down the line.

Luckily, there are a few steps that all business leaders can follow to help protect their business. Let’s discuss…

Better Cash-Flow Management

Reducing the risk of cash flow problems is critical for any business. Too many businesses fall victim to bad cash flow management and once their budget begins to spiral it can lead to the overall closure of the business. It is vital that you have a system in place which clearly indicates what money is going out of the business and what is coming in. This will help you manage your cash flow better and give you an opportunity to put money aside for any emergencies that could happen like sudden repairs or damage.

You can learn more about the importance of cash flow management online. It is crucial that all business leaders place this of high importance, to ensure the safety of their business in the future.

Enhance Their Learning

For most business leaders, learning should never stop. In fact, it can benefit your organisation if you take up a course in cybersecurity. There is no denying that companies from across the globe are falling victim to cybercrime every day. For most, it is having a detrimental impact. An online cybersecurity course will give all business leaders the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge on how they can lead their organisations through the complexities of the cybersecurity landscape.

There is no denying that cyber risk management has become a fundamental component of business operations. If you think you or your business leaders could benefit from earning a certificate in cyber security, then it is advised you do your research into the cybersecurity courses available.

Buy The Right Insurance

You may be surprised to know that a lot of businesses can fail to acquire the correct insurance. As a business leader, it is important that you educate yourself on the types of insurance your business needs. For example, most businesses will need general liability insurance if they are offering advice or a professional service to their customers.

Now, the insurance world is thriving and with so many different companies and policies out there it can be difficult to know if you are choosing the right one for your business. Luckily, with the help of some online research, you can find helpful advice on how to choose business insurance and understand the qualities you will need to look out for on your policy. Insurance is crucial if you want to protect your employees and your assets. So, it is recommended that you put in the time to research what your company needs.

From education to insurance, with these helpful tips above you will be well on your way to protecting your business to end 2021 on a safe note.

Central Street at the heart of Bolton regeneration plans

Sam Whitear
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Work is set to begin on land at Central Street to build 150 new town centre homes following the completion of demolition works.

After securing Brownfield Housing Land funding, the site has now been cleared by Forshaw Demolition Limited ahead of work by leading and award-winning build-to-rent provider Placefirst to deliver over 150 homes, commercial units, and pedestrian-priority spaces.

Council Leader, Cllr Martyn Cox, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Cllr Adele Warren, and Placefirst’s Development Director Darran Lawless, recently visited Central Street where a major development scheme is gathering momentum.

Central Street will form part of the wider Croal Valley intervention area which will provide a mixture of riverside housing and green space alongside a reanimated River Croal.

The broader scheme will also provide a scenic active travel link between Queens Park and the town centre.

It is one of six key intervention areas in the Bolton town centre masterplan, with the council establishing a £100m fund to attract private sector investment.

The land at Central Street, including the shops and car park is owned by Bolton Council after it was acquired during 2018 and 2019.

Cllr Cox said: “There is visible progress being made at regeneration sites across the town centre and it was great to visit Central Street to see the work first-hand.

“A key part of our masterplan is redeveloping brownfield land and making the town centre a vibrant and attractive place to live.

“I look forward to watching the progress both at Central Street and at other sites in the weeks and months to come.”

Cllr Warren said: “Not only will this development provide much needed homes to meet growing demand, but the Croal Valley intervention area will also create green space and boost active travel.

“Along with last week’s news about the Bolton College of Medical Sciences and securing Greater Manchester Brownfield Housing funding for Farnworth, there is real momentum behind regeneration projects right across the borough.”

Darran Lawless, development director at Placefirst said:

“We’re excited to be involved in this transformational development with Bolton Council, to deliver new high-quality homes for rent in the town centre.

“Regeneration of this former brownfield site is another example of our dedication to placemaking and creating thriving neighbourhoods where people want to live.

“Visiting the site to see the progress the teams have made has been fantastic. We look forward to the progression of this project, and the boost it will provide to the local economy.”

HSBC UK LAUNCHES £500M GREEN SME FUND

Sam Whitear
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HSBC UK has announced the launch of a £500m Green SME Fund as part of its commitment to support businesses of all sizes to transition and thrive in a low carbon economy.

This follows HSBC’s global commitment to provide between USD750 billion and USD1 trillion of financing and investment to support its customers over the next 10 years.

While the sustainable finance market has predominately focused on larger corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises are increasingly being described as the ‘new front’ in the battle against climate change1.

The new £500m fund is available for businesses with a turnover of less than £25m and will offer 1% cashback on loans, starting from £1,0002 to help SMEs invest in green activities. This is the first green offering for small businesses with a cashback proposal in the UK.

To qualify for the cashback, evidence must be provided that the use of the loan proceeds meet HSBC’s Eligible Criteria for Green Activities, which have been independently reviewed by Sustainalytics.

HSBC UK is also launching a Sustainability Assessment Tool that provides actionable insights and resources to help businesses transition to net zero.

Speaking from COP26 today, Ian Stuart, CEO HSBC UK said:

“I am delighted to announce to the launch of HSBC UK’s £500m Green SME Fund.

“Companies of all sizes and sectors have a role to play in the journey to net zero, however the sustainable finance market has been predominately focused on larger corporations. It’s critical that access to funds isn’t a barrier for small and medium sized businesses working to achieve lower carbon emissions.

“We want to help businesses seize the opportunities and growth potential that environmental sustainability offers and the fund, along with our new and expanding suite of tools and resources, will make it easier for small businesses to take practical steps to cut their emissions and help their customers to cut theirs too.”

Expanding tools, resources and expertise

Businesses of all sizes need to act now, as they face increasing governmental pressure to reduce emissions, as well as increased pressure from consumers.

New research from HSBC UK3 has found that despite half of businesses feeling pressure from customers, government and the media, just 23% are measuring environmental metrics. While a quarter of small businesses want to play their part, believing that a focus on environmental sustainability will grow their business in the next 12 months, they told us that cost is a key barrier.

HSBC UK wants to help remove the barriers small businesses face in the drive to transition to a lower carbon economy.

The Green SME fund and the Sustainability Assessment Tool are the latest additions to HSBC UK’s sector expertise and green product range for British businesses:
Dedicated Sustainable Finance team
500 sustainability ambassadors around the UK
Green SME Fund
Green Term Loans
Sustainability Linked Loans
Green Revolving Credit Facilities
Green Asset Finance
Green Deposits
Green and Sustainable Trade Finance
Green and Sustainability Linked Bonds
Sustainability Hub

NHS Appoints Social Republic For Landmark Foundation Trust Launch

Sam Whitear
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Social Republic has been appointed to celebrate the launch of the new Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust.

To celebrate the milestone, Social Republic will be working with NCA communications teams to help create and plan social media content over the next 12 months.

The project will include the promotion of videography, with the former filmed exclusively at NCA sites across Greater Manchester.

Combining Salford, Oldham, Bury and Rochdale borough, their 20,000-strong NCA family have already worked together for the last 5 years, saving lives and improving lives across our extensive and diverse communities.

Andrew Lynn, NCA Director of Communication & External Affairs commented:

“We’re delighted to be officially celebrating the formal launch and unite as the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust.

Working with Social Republic has enabled us to reach some of our external partners and key workers across our social media platforms as part of us coming together to celebrate this important milestone for our organisation.”

CEO of Social Republic, Rob Illidge added:

“As an agency dedicated to non-profit organisations, we are honoured to assist Northern Care Alliance in creating unique content and videography.

Words can’t describe how passionate we are to help charities get the recognition and engagement they deserve and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.”

Social Republic has established itself as a leading agency for non-profit organisations, working with the British Red Cross, Melanoma UK and Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation

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