Home Blog Page 906

Secure Trust Bank appoints Regional Managing Director to its Manchester office

Sam Whitear
-
0

Secure Trust Bank Commercial Finance has bolstered its senior team in the North West by appointing Paul Johnston as Regional Managing Director.

Paul has over 30 years’ experience within the asset based lending market. He joins from Santander where he held positions including Director of Asset-Based Lending (ABL) and Director of International Trade and Working Capital. Prior to this, he held senior roles at Landsbanki Commercial Finance  and Lloyds Bank.

In his role at Secure Trust Bank, Paul will be working alongside accountants and business advisors to support SMEs seeking asset based lending solutions between £1m and £50m. As Regional Managing Director, Paul will be responsible for developing and implementing the local strategy and leading the relationship and origination teams in the North West.

In its latest interim results, Secure Trust Bank Commercial Finance revealed it had provided £220.7m worth of funding to UK businesses up to 30 June 2019 – an increase of £33.2m in comparison to the same period last year.

On his appointment, Paul said: “The North West is a thriving, prominent region in the UK, home to a host of businesses in sectors such as manufacturing and pharmaceuticals. I’m delighted to be joining the Manchester team and hope to drive the firm’s success within the region. Secure Trust Bank’s flexibility is what makes it different to other lenders and I look forward to working with businesses across the North West to boost their growth.”

St Pierre Groupe Honoured with Queen’s Award for Enterprise

Sam Whitear
-
0

Manchester-based international market leader in the bakery sector St Pierre Groupe was honoured with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade today (3rd December), in recognition of the company’s meteoric global growth.

Supplying European bakery products into the UK, Ireland and worldwide export markets via the multiple, convenience and wholesale channels, the company’s brand portfolio includes St Pierre, Baker Street and Paul Hollywood. Its export range encompasses 77 products listed in over 35,000 stores worldwide.

Receiving the award from the Vice Lord-Lieutenant at the company’s new offices in Didsbury, St Pierre Groupe founder, Jeremy Gilboy, comments: “Winning the Queen’s Award is a huge achievement for us. It follows a successful few years for our business that includes rebranding from Carrs Foods earlier this year and being well on our way to doubling our turnover in the next three years to reach £150m by 2022.

“Our business has grown exponentially in the past twelve months and, as well as receiving this prestigious award, we have also moved to new, larger offices to continue our ambitious expansion plans.”

Now in its 53rd year, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are among the most prestigious business awards in the country, with winners able to use the Queen’s Award emblem for the next five years. St Pierre Groupe has also secured a top ten place in The Sunday Times International Track 200 for the third consecutive year.

Applications open for innovative tech scheme to support the next generation of ambitious entrepreneurs

Sam Whitear
-
0

Exchange, a revolutionary new digital and technology programme, has opened applications for its first cohort, as it looks to foster the UK’s next best start-ups.

The one-of-a-kind scheme will offer ambitious, early stage, tech companies and entrepreneurs access to the tools and infrastructure they need, to learn and succeed, paving the future of tech and digital in the UK.

Exchange is part of Enterprise City, a 2 million square foot tech, media and cultural cluster in the heart of Manchester city centre. The Exchange programme will be a pivotal part of Enterprise City’s vision, to create a place for scale-up and global tech businesses to grow and root their headquarters, as it creates a community of like-minded businesses.

The Manchester-based scheme, situated in Bonded Warehouse, and part of Enterprise City, is spearheaded by Allied London, an award-winning property development and investment company, and will support over 200 individuals with its 6-12-month development programme, as well as establish Manchester as a global tech hub.

Exchange is currently accepting applications for its first cohort of members, with businesses needing to meet one or more of the following criteria: the business has been trading for less than three years, it’s headquartered in the UK, it is a digital tech business with a product or service to sell, has at least one active client or pilot in progress, or has ambitions of growing and scaling.

In collaboration with its knowledge partner, Tech Nation, Exchange will empower ambitious entrepreneurs to encourage smarter growth through its flexible workspace, focused workshops, up-skill sessions and high-profile speaker events and panel discussions.

Michael Ingall, Founder and CEO at Allied London, said: “We are continuing to set a precedent with the Enterprise City brand by launching Exchange, a truly valuable programme within the tech and digital industry. Exchange is a key part of the Enterprise City vision, reinforcing the beginnings of a renowned place for innovators, creators and trailblazers. From world-leading technology companies to media production studios, we have attracted huge brands to the new district already, and the Exchange programme intends to grow the UK’s next best start-ups as a result of the environment we are creating.”

For more information on Exchange and to find out how businesses can join its latest cohort of tech entrepreneurs and global organisations, visit www.enterprisecityuk.com/exchange.

Visualsoft well suited for fashion specialist Master Debonair

Sam Whitear
-
0

Manchester based eCommerce and digital marketing agency, Visualsoft, has secured a two-year contract with men’s clothing and accessories retailer Master Debonair.

The new account win will see Visualsoft manage both the digital marketing and ecommerce platform for the growing fashion business.

The two-year contract will allow Master Debonair to benefit from Visualsoft’s shared success model – an all-in-one solution which includes an enterprise ecommerce platform and access to a suite of marketing services including PPC, SEO, social media, email marketing, affiliates, videography and market places.

Master Debonair was founded in 2016 by husband and wife, Simon and Eve Whitaker, and currently employs 32 people. It has two physical stores, in Boldon, South Tyneside, and Chesterfield, Derbyshire, as well as its popular website selling thousands of products.

Eve Whitaker, creative director at Master Debonair, said: “We chose to partner with Visualsoft as they have lots of experience in fashion ecommerce. Their understanding of our business and the challenges we face was first-class, and we hope to take our business to the next level with this partnership. Visualsoft’s proactive platform and marketing strategy means that we will be well equipped to face the final quarter of the year and its key sales events, which is an important sales period for us, and a large driver of our annual revenue.”

Martin Walker, sales director at Visualsoft, said: “We are delighted that Master Debonair chose Visualsoft as its ecommerce partner to help grow its brand over the coming years. Visualsoft has a plethora of experience in the fashion industry and we are excited to be able to help Master Debonair reach its full potential. We’re excited to develop what is already a successful North East company even further.”

LOCAL BUSINESSMAN HONOURED BY THE UNIVERSITY SALFORD

Sam Whitear
-
0

Established and influential local business man Andrew Roberts received an honorary degree from the University of Salford in recognition of his contribution to the world of science and innovation. The award sees Dr Roberts become an honorary Doctor of Science (DSc) with the degree presented as part of the university’s winter ceremonies at Maxwell Hall on December 4.

Andrew is the Managing Director of the Bury-based unified communications company, Avoira (formerly Pennine) and Director of the parent, Salford based, Nycomm Group which is the largest independent telecoms distributor within the UK.

He said, “It is a great honour for my life’s work, first in radio comms, then telecoms and most recently in the field of Unified Communications, to be recognised with this prestigious award. I am grateful to the University of Salford and the School of Science, Engineering and Environment for this honorary Doctorate.

Dr Roberts has had a 20-year relationship with the university and is an active industry partner at many levels. Professor Nigel Linge, Director of the Data Science and Computing Directorate within the School of Science, Engineering and Environment, presented the award on behalf of the university and said: “For over 40 years Andrew has worked within the telecommunications sector within which he has risen from radio technician to Managing Director. He is a vital industry partner for the university playing a pivotal role in the development of our programmes that we offer, acting as a role model and provider of masterclasses for students and supporting us in the delivery of public outreach and academic conferences.

He has paved the way to create opportunities for our students and graduates as well as sharing his unrivalled knowledge of the sector. We are grateful for all that he has done for the university and are delighted to honour and celebrate his achievements with this well-deserved award.”

Role Model for students

Andrew has an impressive career that spans over 40 years and is well known in the community for the support he provides young people getting them on track for their future careers. He started his career as an apprentice straight from college and worked his way up the company. His story reaffirms the university’s value of being unstoppable and the rewards of what hard work can achieve making him an exemplary role model for young people.

Manchester tech company sign lease on new Salford Quays penthouse office

Sam Whitear
-
0

The UK’s leading mobile agency Apadmi celebrates ten years of growth by signing an 11-year lease of the penthouse office space in the recently refurbished Anchorage.

The Manchester-based agency has exchanged contracts with Canmoor and is already moving ahead with a stunning re-fit that will turn the 12,500 sq ft floor into its new HQ.

Garry Partington, Apadmi’s CEO, commented: “We’ve doubled in size over the last two years, and our ways of working have demanded more collaboration space, better Tech Labs, and more room for UX Labs. We looked hard for a new home that matches our ambition for the next ten years and supports our continual innovation. The top floor of the Anchorage is the ideal blank canvas for us – the location, space and views are amazing – we can create the perfect workspace that blends tech and creativity.”

Apadmi’s new top floor office has views in every direction across Manchester, Salford and Media City, and is currently undergoing a major fit out which will complete early next year. The whole team will move in by March.

Ian Murray, director at Canmoor, said: “Our aim throughout the refurbishment of Anchorage has been to reposition the scheme so that it is attractive to forward thinking, digital and creative businesses so we are delighted to be welcoming Apadmi.

“Our in-house project team has taken a hands-on approach with Apadmi to help with its fit out which, once complete, will enable its team to work flexibly in a fully refurbished, modern work-space.

Apadmi’s growth has been driven by new work for clients including Co-op, Argos and SailGP – a mobile solution which won ‘Most Innovative Campaign’ earlier this month at the Effective Mobile Marketing Awards. And there’s more to announce.

“We’ve got three big, new clients that we can’t shout about just yet”, added Partington. “Which is why we’re adding even more new faces to Apadmi and creating a place where digital talent can thrive.”

“After 10 years of growth and success, moving to a new HQ is a real milestone – a symbol for all staff of just how far we’ve come and ideal base for the next stage of our journey.”

Ian Murray agreed: “This letting matches our ambitions for Anchorage and is a testament to the quality of the space we have on offer, coupled with our well-connected location which is ideal for tech-driven businesses such as this.”

The wider Anchorage estate is currently undergoing a substantial £8 million refurbishment, with the ground floor transformation of Anchorage 2 now complete. Co-working and breakout space is now available in the atrium, alongside a wellbeing and exercise studio and a café.

Former colleagues join forces to launch a new kind of strategy consultancy

Sam Whitear
-
0

Claire Rigby and Martin Carr have joined forces to launch boardroom consulting; a new kind of strategy consultancy to help build and develop organisations, places and brands that are ever more relevant and relatable to stakeholders and audiences.

The consultancy works with leaders to help them achieve clarity on what they are calling the fundamentals of organisational identity; helping them to think differently – and clearly – about who they are, what they do and why that matters. And they do this by recognising the new expectations of stakeholders and audiences, and with an approach to strategy and planning that puts both purpose and participation at its heart.

This new approach has been born out of many years of senior experience. The pair worked together until 2016 as chief executive and strategy director of a brand consulting firm and Claire has been a governor of Manchester Metropolitan University and marketing strategy lead at BBC North, whilst Martin was formerly a director of the Design Business Association and is currently chairman of People’s History Museum. Prior to forming boardroom they both worked as independent consultants with organisations such as The Medical Research Council, National Football Museum, Northcoders, Discover England, Marketing Manchester and University of Derby.

Partner, Claire Rigby said: “boardroom operates at the intersection of brand, audience and organisational strategy to help leaders plan for and succeed at change. We help to identify and define the fundamentals of identity that underpin future strategy; unlocking new opportunities, successfully engaging stakeholders and audiences and driving growth.”

Carr added: “we’ve increasingly recognized – and demonstrated – the need for clarity on an organization’s ‘identity’ to be firmly on the boardroom agenda. We believe that the new ways in which organisations engage with and relate to their audiences demand that this clarity is now front, centre and fundamental. And having launched boardroom consulting we’re gratified by the growing recognition and appetite for this point of view as well as for our input and ideas”

Chorlton’s Rick Medcraft appointed at Downtown

Sam Whitear
-
0

Altrincham-based McGoff Group has appointed Rick Medcraft from Chorlton as operations manager for Downtown, its Manhattan-style residential development on Woden Street on the Manchester and Salford border.

In his new role, Rick will be responsible for all aspects of property management at the prestigious 374-bed waterside apartment scheme, and the efficient and compliant letting of properties.

He forms an integral part of Downtown Asset Management; a new lettings, property and building management service, recently established by the McGoff Group, that is based on site at Downtown and dedicated to the needs of the many investors and owner occupiers who have purchased apartments at the development.

Well qualified for his new challenge, Rick was previously regional lettings manger for a well known high street estate agent and was responsible for running a number of letting and property management departments.

He is delighted to join Downtown Asset Management and would like to position the company as a prime alternative to traditional lettings agents, both for clients with portfolios of properties to rent and for developers looking for a market-leading agency to handle the sales, lettings and property management of new developments.

Commenting on his appointment, Rick said: “The McGoff Group is a fast growing and innovative construction and property business and I am delighted to join the Downtown team starting a new lettings and management operation from scratch.  I’m looking forward to supporting and helping our purchasers and providing them with the very best value return on their investments.”

Rick is 33 years old and married with a one-year-old daughter.  He currently resides in Chorlton, but has lived in many towns across south Manchester including Didsbury and Cheadle.  When not working, he enjoys socialising with friends and playing five-a-side football.

Located on the banks of the River Irwell, offering beautiful views and easy access to the cities of both Manchester and Salford, Downtown is a Manhattan-style development of 374 stylish apartments with high end facilities and hotel-style services including a lobby with 24 hour concierge, gymnasium, spa, media room, postal room, dry and chilled storage, private dining and business centre along with landscaped grounds and communal roof terraces.

Tameside-based Bardsley Construction appointed by Tameside College to deliver £11m construction skills centre

Sam Whitear
-
0

Tameside College has awarded the contract to build its £11m construction skills centre in Ashton-under-Lyne to Greater Manchester-based Bardsley Construction.

The Construction Centre will house a wide range of courses under one roof to meet the educational and training demands of the ever-growing construction sector.

With completion due in December 2020, the centre will include state of the art and next generation tools and equipment, individual learning bays, and specialist learning spaces to train the next generation of plumbers, bricklayers, painters, electricians and joiners.

The two-storey development is the next phase of ‘Vision Tameside’, the college’s transformation of its entire estate which already features Clarendon Sixth Form College, the Advanced Technologies Centre, TCFE and Tameside One.

Tameside College has worked alongside Tameside Council, under the banner of Vision Tameside, to regenerate the borough by providing school leavers with the best further education learning environment in the north-west of England.

Jackie Moores, principal, Tameside College said: “We are delighted that Bardsley Construction, as a local employer, will build our new construction centre.  This building is an important addition to Tameside College for the people of Tameside.

“As the number one college in Greater Manchester for school leavers and apprentices we need first class facilities for our learners, employers and staff.  We are confident that Bardsley Construction will meet the high specifications required to meet the expectations of students and employers.”

Ged Rooney, pre-construction director at family-owned Bardsley Construction, said: “Bardsley has a long-standing and proud reputation for training and developing the skills of people in the construction sector via initiatives such as Give Construction a Try and our valued appointment to deliver this outstanding centre for Tameside College underlines that ongoing commitment.”

The Construction Skills Centre has been designed by Manchester-based architects 10 Architect.  Other members of the College’s project team include Fusion Project Management, Arcadis, Waterman Building Services and Scott Hughes Design.

Daresbury-based NGPod wins final of Venturefest North West’s Innovation Showcase Competition

Sam Whitear
-
0

A diagnostic device designed to ensure the safe placement of medical feeding tubes by NGPod Global has won over a tough panel – beating the competition of 11 other strong pitches – in the final of the Innovation Showcase Competition at Venturefest North West 2019.

The independent panel, which comprised business specialists from Bruntwood Works, Catax, Dehns, Graphene Innovation Engineering Centre, Made Smarter, Manchester Metropolitan University, NatWest and the University of Salford, awarded NGPod Global with a business support package worth nearly £10,000.

A second winner at the prestigious competition final – Dicey Tech– received the Audience Award chosen by delegates at the event, which attracted a record attendance of 1,150 to Manchester Central, and will receive a similar business development support package.

Cameron Thorpe, Head of Marketing and Communications at NGPod Global, said: “It means a lot for our organisation to win the Innovation Showcase at Venturefest North West.  The overall competition was extremely high with lots of innovative businesses pitching to the panel today, so it feels very special to win.

“The recognition from winning this award will help us to achieve further investment for our business and help us to scale-up our manufacturing. Thanks to all the team who got behind my pitch and have worked on the product for the business because without them, none of this would be possible.”

Heather Waters, Enterprise Manager at NatWest, Venturefest North West’s headline sponsor for 2019, said: “Congratulations to NGPod Global, who met some fierce competition today and delivered an incredible pitch that had the full attention of the panel. They should be very proud, as should all of today’s finalists.

“While the competition demonstrates how tough it can be for entrepreneurs and emerging businesses, Venturefest is fundamentally about boosting collaboration across our North West ecosystem and I think the encouragement shown across the board today speaks volumes. It’s been a pleasure to sponsor Venturefest, a unique event where everybody involved has had chance to develop their business ideas and hopefully take new opportunities forward as a result.”

NGPod also took away the Production Innovation Award at the Innovation Showcase Competition Final. Other winners included Dream Agility (Digital Innovation Award), Alison Handling Services (Most Innovative Established Business), and Dicey Tech who also won the Service Innovation Award. These businesses will also receive business support packages.

The annual competition received entries from more than 120 start-ups, and small and medium-sized businesses from across the region, and was one of the centrepieces of a ground-breaking Venturefest North West, which took place today (Wednesday 20 November) at Manchester Central.

Former BBC Dragons Den judge Jenny Campbell, Founder & CEO of YourCash Europe delivered a keynote speech at Venturefest North West which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.  Jenny’s speech covered her extensive business career, how she has both challenged and been challenged by her leadership roles in the banking sector, and her time on the Dragons Den panel.

Earlier in the day, Founder & Managing Director of US-based Elevate Capital, Nitin Rai, discussed his background and the importance of investing in businesses led by women and minority ethnic groups.  A speech was also delivered by Nine Lives Media Founder Cat Lewis about her business journey in broadcast television.

Richard Jeffery, Director of Business Growth at organisers GC Business Growth Hub, said: “Huge congratulations to overall winner NGPod Global, Audience Winner Dicey Tech, and all of today’s winners and finalists. This has been the most successful Venturefest North West yet, and it’s been fantastic to see the breadth of business innovation from across our region.

“The point of Venturefest North West is to encourage fresh thinking and collaboration – and with 50-plus speakers and panellists, more than 80 business exhibiting, and 1,150 entrepreneurs coming together under one roof it has really captured the imagination of the business community.”

Registrations for Venturefest North West 2020 are now open at: venturefestnorhwest.com/2020.
The full Innovation Showcase Competition finalists were:

Alison Handling – The UK’s largest independent stockist of new and used recyclable plastic storage boxes, trays, totes, pallets, pallet boxes and more, based in Kirkham, near Preston.

AI Rehab – Based in Lytham St. Annes, they produce patented apps and devices for patients having hip and knee surgery; encouraging effective rehabilitation behavioural change through gamification and the implementation of Artificial Intelligence algorithms.

Artemis Analytical Ltd. – A start-up company based in Manchester that is developing a quantum-based technology for enhancing the sensitivity of mass spectrometry by more than a factor of 1000. This is currently being used to develop a table top device for carbon dating.

Clever Cogs – Based in Salford, Clever Cogs develop unique immersive mobile Learning Experiences for teachers and pupils that are fun, productive alternatives to school trips.

Dicey Tech – A Manchester edtech company that enables young generations to become technology creators by using 3D-printing to teach secondary-school students tech, enterprise skills, and careers insight.

Dream Agility – A Ramsbottom-based tech company developing the latest in Visual AI and Machine Learning, retailers such as Samsung to grow sales.

Eco-Mist Biotechnics – A Cumbrian business that has developed a range of exclusive, highly effective healthcare and hygiene products that eradicate 99.9999% of pathogens in rooms and vehicles, yet are harmless to humans, animals and the environment.

Neptune Solutions – A Failsworth organisation that designs innovative, modular, adjustable and environmentally friendly fluid management systems for flood management and water retention.

NGPod Global – From its base in Manchester Science Park, the business provides innovative solutions to the patient safety issues surrounding nasogastric (NG) tube placement.

Rhythm Digital – Based in Manchester, Rhythm Digital make Piing, a web product which gets crowds playing, shouting and interacting by joining big screen arcade games, using their phones as controllers.

Seven Bro7hers – A brewery in Salford which has gone on to become one of the most popular craft beer breweries in the UK.

Wattl – A new video platform established in Manchester which blends user-generated videos with professional content from broadcasters and brands.

Venturefest North West is run by GC Business Growth Hub, in partnership with Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub, Cumbria Growth Hub, Liverpool City Region’s Local Growth Hub, and Boost – Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub.

Businesses looking to access specialist support can visit www.businessgrowthhub.com for more information about the organisation’s extensive range of services. This and other GC Business Growth Hub projects are part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the GM Business Growth Hub project designed to help ambitious SME businesses achieve growth and increase employment in Greater Manchester. The Hub is also supported by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Greater Manchester local authorities.

1...905906907...1,106Page 906 of 1,106