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Auction House makes successful bid for £150K loan from NPIF – FW Capital

Sam Whitear
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Auction house, Global Auctions UK Limited, has received funding from NPIF – FW Capital Debt Finance, managed by FW Capital and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF).

Trading as Global Auctioneers, the company was set up 18 months ago by founder Marcel Duffy and reached a £1.1m turnover in just ten months.

The company, which is based in Oldham, re-sells returned and end-of-line retail items including white goods, furniture, fashion, electronics and homeware. Working with some of Europe’s most established manufacturers, distributors and retailers including John Lewis and Wayfair, it is one of the fastest growing auction houses in the UK.

The NPIF – FW Capital loan will create six new jobs, taking the total workforce to 14 and this figure is expected to double over the next nine months. It has also financed the move and fit out of new premises in Miles Platting, Manchester to help it expand further as it aims to grow turnover to £5m within three years.

Managing director Marcel Duffy said: “We have combined the traditional elements of an auctioneers with a modern e-commerce twist which makes the whole buying process really simple.

“We grew very quickly and needed money to expand as we didn’t have capacity to deal with demand. The banks were unable to help as we only had 18 months trading history. However we were introduced to FW Capital by Access to Finance at G C Business Growth Hub and they were able to support us. They understood our ambitions and were very quick to make their decision.

“Although we were slightly affected at the outset of the Covid-19 outbreak, we quickly made some immediate changes to put us back on track. Previously potential buyers could come to our premises and view the stock before buying but we now offer video viewing and stock appraisals instead.
“Also, we switched all of our auctions to our online platform and we pay 30% of DPD costs so that customers don’t have to come and collect goods themselves.

“We now want to continue our expansion and are on track for significant growth during the next year.”

FW Capital senior investment executive Loz O’Connor said: “Marcel, who was introduced to me by Geoff Clowes from the Access to Finance team has built up a fantastic business in a short space of time. He has been quick to adapt to the pandemic impact too ensuring he can continue with his expansion plans. Global Auctions are working with some of the world’s biggest retail brands and now more than ever consumers will be looking at ways to save money.

“The company grew very quickly and needed urgent funding to avoid it stagnating. It’s really important that young businesses that are unable to produce the full financial information required by traditional lenders, have access to alternative funding to grow which is why NPIF is so important.”

Sean Hutchinson, Senior Investment Manager at the British Business Bank said: “It’s fantastic to see a newly-formed Manchester business grow at such pace and this loan will support the growth ambitions of the business. The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund continues to lend to businesses seeking capital for expansion and I’m delighted to see FW Capital working with another business to create jobs and regional economic prosperity.”

The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund project is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the European Investment Bank.

Salford-based telco TalkTalk Business appoints boutique NQ agency Don’t be Shy, committing to digital transformation amid the challenges of Covid

Sam Whitear
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Following a competitive pitch process, communications and connectivity provider TalkTalk Business has appointed Manchester-based B2B agency, Don’t be Shy to revitalise and relaunch its digital marketing strategy with a refreshed visual identity and brand new website.

Lee Hull, Managing Director, TalkTalk Business Direct, said: “Despite being the smallest and youngest agency in the pitch line up, Don’t be Shy impressed us with deep, specialist expertise and an approach that was genuinely tailored to our unique needs as we drive towards ambitious growth goals for 2020, and forge ahead with our ongoing digital transformation. The interpretation of the brief, the digital-first thinking demonstrated, and the personalities in the room, gave us complete confidence they’d deliver what we need.”

“Obviously, the project then kicked off in quite a strange time. Given the nature of TalkTalk Business as delivering ‘Critical National Infrastructure’ – infrastructure that is now more critical than ever – we’ve been dedicated to supporting customers as much as possible through lockdown, keeping them connected, and providing advice and solutions around home working and security. At the same time, we need to keep looking forward and maintain business as usual as well – albeit with numerous project milestones signed off from various bedrooms and home offices around Greater Manchester!”

Don’t be Shy is currently undertaking a full insights process to adopt and adapt the TalkTalk Business visual identity into a complementary brand, relevant for the business audience and differentiated within the business market. They will also deliver a transformed, CX-led website, intended to drive engagement and conversion.

It’s been a successful start to 2020 for Don’t be Shy, as the agency celebrated its fourth birthday, won big at the Northern Digital Awards, scooping Integrated Agency of the Year, Small Agency of the Year and Best Digital B2B Marketing Campaign, and recruited a new Creative Director in the form of Chris Place, a Stein IAS stalwart and all-round design buff with almost 20 years’ experience in B2B creativity.

Caroline Pomfret, Managing Director, Don’t be Shy said: “Last year saw us pause, take stock, and ensure we had the right structure and processes in place to continue growing and finessing our offering, without compromising our standards. This win shows it’s paying off.”

“It’s been an exciting start to the year, winning TalkTalk Business and other clients like City Pantry, and we’re loving working with increasingly involved and complex briefs. But it’s obviously been a challenging time to manage an agency too, with clients’ attention understandably elsewhere. In that sense, it’s really refreshing to see a brand like TalkTalk Business press ahead with a long-term view and their commitment to relaunch the brand, and it’s made us even more delighted to be part of it.”

AO BUSINESS APPOINTS NEW HOUSEBUILDER LEAD

Sam Whitear
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AO Business has announced a new lead for their housebuilder team. John Farnham, previously National Account Manager for the B2B division of AO.com, has been promoted to the leading position, after a successful first year for AO Business in the competitive housebuilders market.

After recently growing the housebuilder team, AO Business are transforming the way appliances are purchased for new housing developments. Remaining open for business during the crisis, they are now the supplier of choice for many housebuilders. Being part of a large retail group with its own logistics network has meant that they can continue to deliver to business customers and offer a fantastic next day delivery and installation proposition.

Prior to joining AO Business, John Farnham was the National B2B Account Manager for Samsung UK, and previously Contracts Account Manager at Electrolux. Talking about his new role, John said: “I’m excited by the opportunity to really make my own mark on the sector and to drive through some positive changes in the way appliances are delivered and installed on site. AO have a unique vision for the housebuilder industry, and they have made fantastic progress by offering business clients a powerful alternative. I’m determined to make AO Business the best appliance distributor on offer.”

Anthony Sant, MD of AO Business, said: “We’re excited for John to start leading our Housebuilder team here at AO Business. Housebuilders are really waking up to the benefits of our proposition to the industry, and with John at the helm, we can continue to move full steam ahead during these unprecedented times.”

With next day delivery and installation, renowned customer service and over 20 years’ experience of selling electricals to the public, AO Business offer a unique proposition for time-pressed housebuilders.

Truth Creative provides global branding support to GC Aesthetics

Sam Whitear
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Truth Creative has provided strategic branding and business support to global premium breast implant provider GC Aesthetics, launching a series of innovative new products and a revolutionary augmented reality app allowing patients to see how they will look after surgery.

GC Aesthetics is a long-term client for Manchester-based Truth, which has supported the company in navigating complex and territory-specific regulations governing marketing activity for breast augmentation services since 2013. Truth created the GC Aesthetics branding and positioning that is still in use today.

In response to changes in a highly competitive and dynamic market, GC Aesthetics asked Truth to support business development by bringing new products to market, expanding its customer journey and leveraging the influence of surgeons conducting cosmetic surgery.

Working closely with the GC Aesthetics team in Barcelona and Ireland, Truth Creative developed marketing strategies for new product development.

Truth’s work includes:

Helping GC Aesthetics to broaden the customer journey for both patients and surgeons: pre, during and post surgery, enabling it to diversify into products and services that will help it to grow its revenues.

Brand and marketing support for Eve, GC Aesthetics’ new Augmented Reality app for surgeons, enabling women to see how they will look after surgery.

Noa by GC Aesthetics is a new range of medical-grade compression garments to provide patients with the support and comfort they need to recover after surgery, helping to reduce potential post-surgical complications, such as scarring, swelling, bruising and infections.

The products and services provided by GC Aesthetics are used by surgeons and clinics conducting augmentative and reconstructive procedures and Truth Creative has also supported GC Aesthetics in developing its value proposition to support sales through engagement with surgeons. The agency has also worked on a further product launch which is due to go live later this year.

Jo Scott, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Truth Creative, said: “GC Aesthetics is a great example of a long-term client that understands the value of our work beyond traditional branding, helping them to implement strategies that support business development and the bottom line.

“Breast augmentation and reconstruction is a complex, competitive and tightly regulated global market, with specific requirements in different territories, and it has been a privilege to work with a company which continues to be at the forefront of providing premium products.”

GC Aesthetics Chief Marketing Officer, Manuela Schneider-Hoefferer, said: “There are many creative and competent agencies, but there aren’t many that combine creativity and competence with being a real partner for their clients. Open, reliable and always supportive, even when working with us to tackle complex and challenging issues, Truth Creative is a real partner for GCA and it has been a real pleasure to work with them on the latest phase of the company’s development.”

KOMI group wins SWAN brand brief

Sam Whitear
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KOMI Social – the content production, content distribution and social media management division of Manchester based KOMI group – has been appointed by SWAN as its new marketing agency partner in the UK.
SWAN was established in the early 20th century and creates an extensive range of cookware, appliances and kitchen accessories which are all designed to bring the heart of the home to life with expressions of style and functionality. Brand names in its portfolio include: eureka, Symphony Collection, Al Fresco and Townhouse.

The brief, which was won via a non-competitive pitch, will see the KOMI team advise SWAN on its social strategy and it will run four new brand partnership campaigns over the coming months. It will also be producing bespoke video content, providing user generated content and creating written content all aimed at the brand’s key target audiences.

Throughout its history SWAN has always been at the forefront of concept and design. This is still true today with its Retro and Nordic Collection inspired ranges which lead the way and deliver quality products that are as beautiful as they are functional.

James Manaley – Head of Partnerships at KOMI group – said: “SWAN is a leading British homeware brand with a strong heritage that spans over 100 years, so we are delighted to now be working with them. It boasts a loyal customer base so our focus over the next year will be on engaging with those long-term fans, but also widening SWAN’s appeal to a broader demographic.”

David Foulstone – Marketing Director at SWAN – added: “We were really impressed with KOMI’s understanding of our history, values and vision. That, coupled with their ability to create and distribute first class content effectively, made them a natural choice. We are now looking forward to seeing their ideas and work come to life.”

Under the KOMI group umbrella is: KOMI Media, which creates and builds bespoke social channels; and KOMI Social. The firm, which recently rebranded from It’s Gone Viral, was founded in 2016 and is led by Andrew Trotman and Ryan Williams. Over the past four years, 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 has been shared across its Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram and LinkedIn accounts including the main page, which is dedicated to relatable, informative and educational content; 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 DIY which is all about sharing fascinating and clever DIY, crafts and hacks followers can do at home.

The last six months has seen the company reach other various milestones including launching Ark Media – its new licensing arm, delivering over six billion across its portfolio of pages, relocating its HQ to Beehive Mill in Ancoats, reporting its highest ever NewsWhip results, acquiring social media brand Happiest Media Ltd and appointing Urban Splash’s Sam Lenehan as its new non-exec director.

Kuits advises SynergyMode on launch of new tech platform for board advisors

Sam Whitear
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Manchester commercial law firm Kuits has advised London-based SynergyMode, an organisation that advocates and facilitates the use of experienced and relevant board-level advisors to help businesses succeed, on the launch of its new online service offering.

Brainchild of entrepreneur James Segal, SynergyMode has harnessed its expertise in the board-level advisory space to redefine its business by creating an online membership platform for senior business advisors to engage, collaborate, and deliver more impact to businesses.

The platform will also provide advisors with digital tools to engage with their clients and prospects, such as online events, podcasts and content distribution – features that will enable advisors to stand out and bring their insight, stories and experience to life.

The Kuits commercial team, led by partner James Wall, provided commercial and legal advice in relation to SynergyMode’s new website and mobile app, including membership terms and data privacy documents for the unique venture.

James Segal said: “Having looked hard at our business model, we have evolved to redevelop SynergyMode to better align with the market, as we look to advocate and facilitate a better world of board-level advice through the amplification and collaboration of our growing membership.

“The expertise provided by the Kuits commercial team was invaluable in securing our online infrastructure and we’re now excited to share our vision and deliver value to senior business advisors across the country.”

James Wall said: “Using our experience in the tech sector, we were able to provide a bespoke legal and commercial offering to support James and the SynergyMode team.

“The SynergyMode model is going to be essential to its members as the changing landscape and business environments we are operating in continue to evolve. We wish James and everyone at SynergyMode the best of luck in what will no doubt be a fast-developing year ahead.”

Trafford Leisure further extends driving range availability and reopens Toptracer bays

Sam Whitear
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Altrincham Golf Course will open more bays at its driving range from Saturday 4th July 2020, featuring its world-leading Toptracer tracking technology.

The Toptracer driving range bays will now be open daily to the public from 9.30am, with the last slot available for booking at 7.30pm. All bookings and payments must be made in advance and online, and Trafford Leisure is asking all customers to follow the covid-19 health and safety guidelines to ensure the wellbeing of both players and staff.

Paul Murray, General Manager, Altrincham Golf Course says: “Demand for playing golf and our driving range has been extremely high since we reopened our doors in May. It’s been fantastic to see our community enjoy golf again. With the Government’s revised Covid-19 guidelines, we are now in a position to open our fantastic Toptracer practice bays.”

The team at Trafford Leisure will be cleaning and sanitising all balls between uses and will be asking customers to bring their own golf clubs. The cost to play is £10 per basket of balls for an hour slot. To ensure social distancing is maintained there is a maximum of two people per bay (from the same household) per session, and all customers must make use of hand sanitising stations before and after play. Full details of the revised guidelines and booking procedures can be found on the Altrincham Golf Course website.

Trafford Leisure invested in Toptracer driving bays at its Altrincham Golf Club Driving Range last year, to help customers get the most out of their practice sessions. Toptracer uses advanced golf ball tracking technology to allow players to accurately track and analyse every shot – just as professional players do. The Toptracer bays are fitted with a touch-screen monitor, which captures all shots hit on the driving range and provides players with accurate and instant tracking statistics. The training mode allows players to hone their skills with targets on the range, providing data on distance, ball speed, launch angle, height, side deviation and landing angle, as well as distance to the target.

Paul Murray concludes: “The driving range and Toptracer bays are great for both beginners and experts to practice their swing. They are suitable for all and are a fun way to exercise and keep active. We have been heartened by the popularity of both the golf course and driving range since reopening and we are excited to now be in a position to make our golfing facilities available to even more people. Book online to grab your slot.”

CLARKE WILLMOTT APPOINTED TO MULTI MILLION POUND HOUSING PANEL

Sam Whitear
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Clarke Willmott LLP has been appointed to serve on a panel of leading housing specialist law firms as part of a £15 million legal services framework agreement.

The firm is among a group of law firms named by the Central Housing Investment Consortium (CHIC), which supports housing providers and local authorities to ensure they can provide the best service to their residents.

Clarke Willmott, whose national specialist social housing team is one of the largest in the UK, was appointed to the consortium’s corporate, governance and finance and housing and asset management ‘lots’.

Lindsay Felstead, who jointly heads up Clarke Willmott’s social housing sector alongside Vicky Kells, said: “We are delighted to have been reappointed to the CHIC framework and very much look forward to continuing to
work with existing clients and developing future relationships.”

All legal firms were selected through a competitive Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) tender process and who ‘demonstrated a robust service offer and cost competitive pricing’.

They were selected to due to their ability to provide an extensive range of value added and social value benefits including training opportunities, advice to improve employability of tenants and community engagement.

CHIC, formed in 2010 as a not for profit organisation, has around 70 member landlords who manage more than half a million social housing homes across the Midlands, South and South Wales.

Clarke Willmott’s social housing solicitors act for registered providers and registered social landlords across England and Wales, including housing associations, local authorities and arms-length management organisations
(ALMOs).

The team acts for more than 100 Registered Providers as well as major frameworks including HALA, CHIC, SEC and ASW.

Sharks’ Faf De Klerk joins forces with iPRO in new partnership deal

Sam Whitear
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Sale Sharks star Faf De Klerk has been snapped up as the latest brand ambassador for healthy hydration brand iPRO as part of a new two-year partnership.

De Klerk, a World Cup winner with the Springboks at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, will now represent iPRO and its range of wellness drinks in the UK and his home nation of South Africa.

Having first partnered with Sharks in 2016 as the team’s official sports drink provider, the new deal enhances iPRO’s involvement with the club at a time when they are riding high in the Gallagher Premiership, occupying second spot.

iPRO is targeting domestic and international growth for its healthy hydration drinks and hopes to use the power of the Sale Sharks brand to help reach even more people worldwide.

The partnership will focus on the iPRO Hydrate range of wellness drinks, which promote healthy hydration with low sugar, no artificial sweeteners, and are 100 per cent recyclable as part of iPRO’s commitment to sustainability.

De Klerk said: “I’m really pleased to be joining iPRO as an ambassador in a role which will allow me to reach rugby fans in the UK and South Africa.

“iPRO recognises the importance of helping people stay healthy through hydration, and I’m excited to be playing a bigger role in the partnership for the future.

“Sale are a big club with a really strong fanbase in England and we’re competing for domestic and European success right now. The club is also popular in South Africa because alongside me, we’ve got the likes of Lood de Jager, the Du Preez brothers, Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Akker Van Der Merwe, so there’s a really strong following back home.”

Mark Cueto, Sale Sharks’ Commercial Director and former player said: “At Sale Sharks we have a great track record of successful and long-running commercial relationships, so we’re delighted to have iPRO sign up to a new deal.

“Faf is one of the world’s best players, so it comes as no surprise that an exciting and fast-growing brand like iPRO have come calling for him.

“As a hugely popular name both here in the UK and South Africa, he’s the perfect player to help promote the benefits of healthy hydration.”

iPRO is already established in several markets around the world including Africa, Europe and Asia. The brand will be launching in South Africa later this year on the back of the new Sale Sharks deal with plenty more high-profile announcements expected soon.

iPRO Commercial Director, Sophie Christy, added: “As a club partner of Sale Sharks for the past four years, we’re excited to have finalised this new deal which sees Faf de Klerk become our latest brand ambassador. He joins some big names in the world of sport already working with iPRO and we felt that his personality and profile were the perfect match for us.

“As a company, we’re dedicated to supporting health and wellbeing, and our iPRO Hydrate range is all about helping people hydrate – from professional athletes like Faf, to those simply wanting to make healthy choices.

“We can’t wait to get going and support Faf and his teammates as they prepare to resume their season with everything still to play for in the Premiership.”

Close Brothers Asset Management continues to strengthen with appointment of two Managing Directors

Sam Whitear
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Close Brothers Asset Management (CBAM) has appointed Helen Gerrard and Nick Jackson as Managing Directors to further support the expansion of its investment management service for high net worth clients in the North West.

Helen and Nick join from Rathbones, where they both worked providing investment management services primarily in the North West. Helen joined Rathbones in 1987, originally as a dealer before moving to the investment side in 1994. Nick has been at Rathbones since 2002, specialising in managing portfolios for private individuals, trusts, charities and personal pensions.

In their new roles at CBAM, Helen and Nick will support the growth of CBAM’s Bespoke investment management service, working closely with CBAMs financial planners, professional intermediaries and other private client advisers in the region.

The news follows a string of recent senior hires, both in investment management and business development. The growth of the team is a vital element of the company’s ambition to strengthen and enhance its Bespoke investment management service, delivering high quality services to high net worth clients across the UK.

Martin Andrew, Chief Executive of Close Brothers Asset Management, said: “At a time of economic uncertainty and disruption, high net worth clients need expert support and excellent service more than ever. Nick and Helen are fantastic additions to our team and are part of our strategic vision to strengthen our capability for high net worth clients. Their extensive experience will enhance the proposition we’re able to offer clients in the North West.”

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