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More than 350 colleagues & families attend family day at Williams TraffordCity flagship automotive retail centre

Sam Whitear
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Leading family owned business, Williams, hosted a special event for over 350 employees and their families to officially open their new flagship Manchester retail centre at TraffordCity and celebrate 110 years as a luxury automotive retailer.

The family event at the new premium location adjacent to the intu Trafford Centre was attended by members of the Williams family, whose forebears set up the business in Manchester in 1909, alongside current employees from across the business and their families.

Margaret Orton Williams, Chairman of the Williams Group and grand-daughter of founder John Henry Williams said: “What better way to open our world class facilities than to invite all our colleagues and their families to come together for a special celebration.

“The event underlines our values around family tradition and customer focus in our new Manchester home – the perfect environment for our colleagues to continue to develop the high levels of service that makes the Williams difference.”

David Mellor, who has worked for the family operation for 55 years, was delighted to attend the event surrounded by many colleagues he has known for his entire life.  “It’s a privilege to work for a family business where the warmth of the Williams family filters throughout the whole team. We all feel part of a big family in our new home at TraffordCity and it’s certainly a far cry from when I started out at our first car showroom on Deansgate in Manchester.

“These new facilities are top of the range and the technology available is incredible. We love to welcome visitors in and see the looks on their faces as they take a walk around and see the quality and style embedded in the building and the service.”

An official photograph of all staff and their families was taken at the 14-acre home for BMW, MINI, Jaguar and Land Rover and attendees were encouraged to share their handprint on a specially commissioned canvas to create an art installation to be housed at the retail centre.

Every family was also gifted a limited edition William The Bear wearing a 110 year birthday celebration jumper as a memento to remember their day.

Located on Barton Dock Road the Williams flagship retail centre is within minutes of the M60, allowing customers easy access to the site and the unrivalled retail and leisure offering at the neighbouring intu Trafford Centre.

North West ready to deliver the UK’s first hydrogen project within five years

Sam Whitear
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HyNet is the most advanced hydrogen and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) project in the UK which could see hydrogen blended into the gas grid and piped into homes and businesses by 2024.

As climate change protests take place across London, attendees to a Westminster briefing yesterday heard how HyNet will initially save one million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions every year (rising to up to 10 million tonnes per year), creating a replicable model for the rest of the UK and beyond.

HyNet could see hydrogen injected into the existing gas network across Manchester, Liverpool, Cheshire and Warrington, helping to decarbonise homes and businesses. It would also see hydrogen supplied in new pipelines to major manufacturing and power generation sites reducing the carbon footprint of industry while safeguarding jobs and delivering clean growth.

The HyNet consortium is led by one of the North West Hydrogen Alliance’s (NWHA’s) newest members – Progressive Energy – with founding members Cadent and Peel Environmental also involved along with various other members.

Dave Parkin, Director at Progressive Energy said: “To achieve our national target of Net Zero emissions by 2050 it is essential that we develop a hydrogen economy in the UK. HyNet is a real project, with real partners undertaking real engineering which can start delivering CO2 savings within the next five years.

“Why are we in the North West? The region has unique geology, with salt caverns that can be repurposed for hydrogen storage, and depleted gas fields in the Irish sea that can be used to store CO2. The region also has a strong industrial heritage and existing skilled workforce which make it the obvious choice.”

Ed Syson, Chief Safety and Strategy Officer, Cadent said: HyNet is game-changing – achieving huge reductions on carbon emissions by 2024, just five years from now. It is a massive step in the UK’s journey to Net Zero. Keeping our homes warm using the similar appliances we use today, fuelling trains, buses, lorries and potentially even some cars, and powering industrial processes in a way that simply would not be achievable by relying on green electricity alone. To think otherwise, is just not realistic.

“We need a true energy mix to be sustainable – and to be realistic in opting for a future that takes advantage of multiple clean energy sources, like hydrogen, to get us to Net Zero. This hydrogen project is based in North West England and driven by North West political and industrial support that wants to see it happen. It ticks all the boxes.”

Professor Joseph Howe, Chair of the NWHA and Executive Director of the Thornton Energy Institute at the University of Chester, said: “HyNet is a transformational project that will establish the North West as the leading region in hydrogen. We have the industry, infrastructure and innovation to make this a reality and we are ready to deliver.”

Mark Knowles, Head of Energy, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, said ““We recognise not only the huge carbon reductions that the project would deliver, but the clean growth opportunity is massive in terms of job creation from safeguarding existing business and attracting new companies to the area. Our own projects also complement HyNet; by supporting hydrogen transport infrastructure we are effectively paving the way for more extensive roll-out of fuel cell vehicles which will deliver significant carbon benefits but also improve local air quality. HyNet also presents an opportunity for our flagship Mersey Tidal barrage project, which can in the future supply green hydrogen to the pipeline network deployed for HyNet.”

HyNet was awarded a total of £1.6M grant funding under UK Government Competitions for CCUS, Hydrogen Supply and Industrial Fuel Switching earlier this year to further develop the engineering solution for the project. The consortium is bidding for further funding to support the next stage of the project. The partners involved in HyNet include Progressive Energy, Cadent, CF Fertilisers, Essar, Peel, Johnson Matthey, SNC Lavalin, Unilever, NSG Pilkington and the University of Chester.

HyNet is a key proposition underpinning the North West’s bid to become the UK’s first low carbon industrial cluster. The North West Energy and Hydrogen Cluster is being led by the North West Business Leadership Team, with support from Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region Mayors and the Cheshire & Warrington LEP. The Cluster could deliver 33,000 jobs, over £4bn investment and save 10 million tonnes of CO2 per year.

FAR EAST CONSORTIUM TOPS OUT MOUNT YARD SCHEME AT MEADOWSIDE, CENTRAL MANCHESTER

Sam Whitear
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Developer Far East Consortium International Limited (FEC) has topped out at Mount Yard, the 12-storey scheme of apartments and townhouses at the £200m MeadowSide residential scheme in central Manchester.

FEC chairman and chief executive David Chiu attended the ceremony to mark the highest point of the building, which overlooks Angel Meadow, the largest park in Manchester city centre.

Mr Chiu said: “The topping out at Mount Yard is an important milestone for the MeadowSide scheme and for FEC, with this being our first project to be delivered in Manchester. I have been really encouraged with the progress on site since my last visit, and the steady progress being made with sales and in particular, since we were able to introduce Help to Buy.”

The MeadowSide location spearheads the Northern Gateway, an investment partnership between FEC and Manchester City Council to deliver over 15,000 new homes across the north side of the city centre over 20 years.

FEC has invested over £30m to date and has secured a five-year development pipeline of circa 3,800 homes across the Northern Gateway. Earlier this year, it acquired 20 acres of land north east of Victoria rail and Metrolink station.

The acquisition follows the approval by Manchester City Council (MCC) of the Strategic Regeneration Framework for the Northern Gateway in February 2019.

Mount Yard is being delivered by Greater Manchester-based Bardsley Construction, with completion due in the summer of 2020.

Roly Bardsley, chairman of Bardsley Construction, said: “Bardsley Construction are proud to be involved in many key high-rise developments in Manchester city centre. We are excited to be working with such an illustrious client, FEC, to deliver a tremendous development that will benefit the people of Manchester for years to come. It is a huge honour for our company and directors to be joined by the chairman of FEC, David Chiu, on the Topping Out of Plot 5 at Meadowside.”

Comprising a total of 136 one, two and three-bedroom apartments and townhouses with prices starting from £197,950, Mount Yard is the latest phase of the MeadowSide development of 756 homes across four residential blocks overlooking Angel Meadow Park, the largest green space in central Manchester.

Unlike the contemporary design of other residential blocks at MeadowSide, Mount Yard will feature traditional brick to complement surrounding mills and factory conversions, inspired by the area’s Victorian and industrial heritage. It boasts sustainable designs using recycled and reused materials combined with contemporary techniques, glass facades, red brick and steel.

Landscaped external areas will feature recycled concrete and timber, new walkways, masses of new planting, a lighting scheme and landform terraces for places to relax and enjoy views of the park.

Also under construction at MeadowSide are The Gate and The Stile, offering a total of 286 one, two and three-bed apartments and penthouses with 24-hour concierge, gym, private lounge, terrace, glass facades, public realm and commercial units on the ground floors.

Due for completion in spring 2021, The Gate and The Stile are being delivered by a joint venture of Hertfordshire-based Westfields Construction and China Zhejiang Construction Group Hong Kong Ltd.

Make UK CEO praises the work of the North region

Sam Whitear
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Stephen Phipson, Make UK CEO, following the recent very successful Make UK regional awards dinner in Manchester, has praised their work in the region and highlighted how vital this is, because the North is the UK’s largest manufacturing area.

Make UK (formerly the EEF) is the UK’s largest trade organisation and one of only five organisations who have a regular dialogue with the UK Government. The others being the CBI; Chambers of Commerce, FSB and the IoD.

Britain is one of the world’s biggest manufacturing nations, with almost three million people working in the sector and delivering almost half of all UK exports. Their representative body, Make UK, wants to champion and celebrate British manufacturing and manufacturers, especially since, manufacturing drives over 60 percent of all UK research and development.

Commented Stephen: “The skills agenda, especially for vocational apprentices, is our number one focus and I want us to be once again a world leader in this area, which would then drive productivity and competitivity. Consequently, I am delighted that our members and local partners are the largest deliverers of apprenticeship and that these awards had a particular focus on recognizing our stars of the future.

“I was particularly pleased to see the large number of women represented, since one of our aims is to address the gender imbalance in manufacturing, where only 12% of apprentices are women.

“Another campaign we are also involved with, is supporting digitisation in manufacturing, such as the use of sensors on CNC machines, in partnership with Made Smarter’s North West pilot, which has already signed up over 800 SMEs to participate. Well done to everyone involved.

“However, one of our biggest issues in the North is infrastructure. In the UK, we only invest 1% GDP in this, which is the lowest spend in the western world and we will certainly be lobbying to raise this as a priority on the Government’s agenda. An efficient and modern transport system is vital.

“The other issue which we are focused on, is raising awareness of the importance of companies being cyber secure and particularly, the devastating impact of loss of intellectual property for manufacturers. In 2020, we will be undertaking a nationwide campaign, with Vauban, to ensure that everyone takes this issue seriously and to significantly increase the take up levels for Government backed initiatives such as Cyber Essentials Plus.

“Finally, I would like to congratulate the following North West Make UK award winners:

1. Business Apprentice of the Year: Final Year

WINNER: Helen Wood, MBDA UK

RUNNER-UP: Georgia-Olivia Hampson, BAE Systems

2. Business Apprentice of the Year: Rising Star

WINNER: Sian Court, Siemens

RUNNER-UP: Christopher Davey, BAE Systems

3. Engineering Apprentice of the Year: Final Year

WINNER: Alfie White, BAE Systems

RUNNER-UP: John Barr, Siemens

4. Engineering Apprentice of the Year: Rising Star

WINNER: Denize Ivy Pilarta. BAE Systems

RUNNER-UP: Michael Glover, BAE Systems

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Jade Hughes, TSP Engineering

5. Business Growth and Strategy

WINNER: Packaging Automation Ltd

RUNNER-UP: Precision Pallets & Cases Ltd

HIGHLY COMMENDED: M&I Materials Ltd

6. Developing Future Talent

WINNER: Exyte Hargreaves

RUNNER-UP: Air Products

7. Innovation

WINNER: Bitrez Ltd

RUNNER-UP: Tratos Ltd

8. Sustainability

WINNER: Prinovis UK Ltd

RUNNER-UP: Not awarded

National Industry Award For Bury Business

Sam Whitear
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One of the North West’s fastest growing used car dealership groups cartime has been named as national winners of Motor Trader’s Car Supermarket of the Year 2019.

The business’ founder and managing director, Matt Kay was also awarded with the coveted Outstanding Achievement Award at the prestigious Motor Trader Independent Dealer Awards dinner held at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

Both awards come on the back of a phenomenal year of growth for the £43m turnover business, which increased turnover by 29 per cent and grew profits by £246,000. It also opened two new sales centres alongside its Bury based operation; a specialist 4×4 Centre, also in Bury, and a new dealership in Rochdale. It has launched a new digital platform.

cartime boss Matt Kay puts their success down to continually adapting to the digital and retail experience needs of customers, creating a seamless on and offline customer journey to make used car buying as easy and fail-safe as possible.

He said: “We know we can never stand still in how we meet customer needs for buying a used car. We are continually pushing forward with new technology and ways to stay ahead of the tough competition and trading conditions out there. But this has always been our way, and our independence enables us to make change at pace.

“One of the key things, as well as the new technology, has been the success of our warranty package, which we recently increased from three to six years, providing consumers with prolonged peace of mind.

“And, as well as two new physical outlets from which to showcase our extensive 1000-strong used vehicle stock, we have created a new digital platform and introduced new digital services to improve the whole customer journey. Not only is our external interface more customer-centric, but our internal operations have been transformed. Efficiencies have engendered growth and increased customer satisfaction levels simultaneously.

“The inward investment has certainly paid off and I’m delighted that everyone’s hard work has been recognised with this amazing industry award.”

Matt added: “I am very hands on within the business, and am extremely proud to have been given the Motor Trader Outstanding Achievement Award. It’s very much a team effort within cartime though and my award is testament to the great work everyone does within our business.”

GCHQ ACCELERATOR LAUNCHES WITH THE LANDING TO SUPPORT START-UPS IN IMPROVING DIGITAL CITIZEN SAFETY

Sam Whitear
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In partnership with GCHQ, The Landing and global tech accelerator UP Ventures has been selected to deliver a ground-breaking accelerator – the Safe Citizen Digital Innovation Lab. Applications to join the GCHQ Accelerator, which will start in early 2020, are being sought from companies who have customer facing technology solutions aimed at improving citizen digital safety across the North West. 

 

This follows on from the GM Future of Health Challenge accelerator which received unprecedented application numbers and is now underway with a cohort of 15 companies, led by UP Ventures at The Landing, in the heart of Salford’s MediaCityUK.

GCHQ is a world-leading intelligence, cyber and security agency with a mission to keep the UK safe.  In parallel to celebrating their centenary year, GCHQ is opening a new strategic hub in the heart of Manchester.

GCHQ is excited to engage with the thriving tech ecosystem in Greater Manchester and the North West, and will be imparting exclusive tailored technical expertise into the programme. The GCHQ Accelerator seeks start-ups that have harnessed cutting-edge technology in an creative way, to make a difference to day-to-day life.  This could be anything from informing and, in turn, empowering citizens by providing new insights from connected devices and services, to the creative use of data to deliver social impact in the region.

GCHQ’s Deputy Director for Manchester says: “The Greater Manchester community has been fantastically welcoming to GCHQ, and we are just as pleased to be here. This Accelerator programme is an early chance for us to get working with the buzzing tech community in the North West. The ‘Safe Citizens’ theme for the Accelerator combines our passion for exploring innovative cutting-edge technology, and our desire to make a real contribution to the region. We look forward to building relationships with a diverse range of technologists, creatives and entrepreneurs.”

In order to pioneer a new kind of securityas it expands into Greater Manchester, GCHQ is seeking to engage with external partners in the region; sharing unique technical expertise, and collaborating with a diverse range of entrepreneurs, industry and academia to make a difference in the community.

Danny Meaney, CEO of UP Ventures, comments: “This is a fantastic opportunity for emerging tech businesses to gain unique access to GCHQ’s world-class engineering and technology teams, as well as leading digital thinkers and our strong investor network.  We’re excited to help bring another initiative to the market that has the potential to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives through applied technology here in Greater Manchester and the North West. We’re also pleased to build on our long-standing and successful partnership with The Landing.”

The 16-week accelerator programme will leverage unique technical infrastructure and facilities, including the Vodafone 5G Innovation Lab, which provides real world urban environments for demonstration of products and services of MediaCityUK. GCHQ is keen to contribute to the fabric of Greater Manchester, therefore the programme welcomes submissions that provide “life impact” solutions for vulnerable groups across the region, empowering and connecting citizens through ingenious use of technology.

Dan Sodergren, Head of Business Services at The Landing, says: “Thanks to our unparalleled facilities and a commitment to innovation from all partners, this is a significant opportunity for companies to explore how a ‘Smart City’ can work for its customers. Using technology for good is something we are incredibly passionate about and we are excited to receive applications from those who can really make a positive difference to all of our lives in the 21stcentury.”

Sir William Siemens House, Manchester is new UK Head Office

Sam Whitear
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Siemens flagship building at Didsbury, Manchester has been designated the company’s UK Head Office. Sir William Siemens House on Princess Road was opened thirty years ago, and the change sees Head Office move from Frimley, Surrey. Employees at Frimley are not affected, and the office continues to be a registered office and an important strategic location for the company. The move will create 60 new jobs on the site.

Juergen Maier CBE, CEO, Siemens plc and Greater Manchester LEP member, says: “The move of the Head Office to Manchester supports the future strategic direction of Siemens’ industrial core business. Many of our customer and employee base are located in or near to Manchester, making it an ideal location for much of our operations.”

Siemens’ industrial core businesses are comprised of the company’s Digital Industries and Smart Infrastructure operating companies. Their location at Didsbury is a new boost for the Didsbury Technology Park, which occupies nine acres of the original Siemens campus at West Didsbury.

The science and technology park is a strategic partnership being delivered by Siemens, Bruntwood, PJ Livesey, Spire Group and Manchester City Council. It benefits from excellent location, close to both the Oxford Road Corridor innovation district and Manchester airport.

It will provide over 155,000sq ft of new purpose-built commercial workspace in three buildings delivered over three phases, as well as a multi-storey car park and high-quality landscaped environment. Residential development is also underway at the park.

Siemens’ Manchester base has received new investment in facilities including a fully refurbished reception area, customer lounge and a new employee wellbeing area, making it a preferred showcase for customers and visitors.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “The news that Manchester is the new headquarters for Siemens UK is a great vote of confidence in Greater Manchester. The move is a real boost as we implement our Local Industrial Strategy which aims to raise productivity in sectors where Siemens is a world leader: advanced materials, cyber-security and digitalisation of industries.

“Our city-region led the first industrial revolution, and this is yet another step forward as we look to lead the fourth.”

Henri Murison, Director, The Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said: ““Siemens’ decision to run its UK operation from Manchester can only help our ambition for the North to close the productivity gap and work towards an extra 850,000 jobs by 2050 by transforming our economy for the better.

“Making Manchester its UK Head Office puts the Northern Powerhouse at the heart of the latest manufacturing and industrial technologies and adds to the compelling claim for the North to lead the next industrial revolution, with Siemens wider commitment to the UK so vital to our country.

Leading MSP company reinforces its presence in the North West

Sam Whitear
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Leading IT Managed Service Provider (MSP), Network ROI, has established a base in the North West to better serve its 90 existing clients in the region, including the North West Air Ambulance Service, as well as future clients.

 

The office in Newton-le-Willows, will act as a base for five of Network ROI’s certified engineers, with scope to significantly increase the headcount.

 

With headquarters in Edinburgh, Network ROI offers a comprehensive MSP offering, including IT Support, Consultancy, Projects & Installations, Cloud Computing, Connectivity, Telephony and IT Security, giving organisations the digital tools, security and infrastructure they need to grow. Network ROI provides support for organisations from 50 people to over 4000, from single sites to 350+ locations across the UK and beyond.

 

The firm, founded in 2003, takes an innovative approach to operationsand was the first UK MSP to be employee owned. As the company has grown, it has established its reputation and track record for excellent, cost effective services, recognised by a global ranking as the number one MSP provider in Scotland and top ten in the UK.

 

Adam Johnson, Managing Director, Network ROI, said: “I’m delighted to be establishing a base in the North West of England, since I have strong personal links to the region and the company already has an established client base here.

 

“The Newton-le-Willows office will allow us to continue our positive growth throughout the UK and to help clients empower their business by making life with technology easier.

 

“We’ve had an excellent 12 months, increasing our employee numbers, by winning new clients and extending the scope of work we do for existing clients. I look forward to continuing this success, since our new base in the North West will help us better serve our existing clients and introduce new organisations to ourexcellent services.”

Entrepreneurial finalists announced for Venturefest North West Innovation Showcase

Sam Whitear
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A shortlist of 12 businesses will go on to pitch their innovations to a panel of investors and an audience of potential customers during next month’s Innovation Showcase Competition, taking place at the Venturefest North West 2019 expo and conference.

The finalists will have a chance to win two top prizes of up to £10,000 worth of business support packages, with one winner selected by the Innovation Showcase panel, and another chosen by the Venturefest event audience.

There will also be winners under the following categories: Product Innovation, Service Innovation, Digital Innovation and Most Innovative Established Business.

The prestigious annual competition received entries from more than 120 businesses this year and is staged 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. It was open to all start-ups, and small and medium-sized businesses based across the North West.

In addition to the award incentives, those shortlisted will also have a strong opportunity to pitch their innovative business ideas to an audience of angel investors and venture capitalists, to secure funding offers which might otherwise have been out of their reach.

In the last three years alone, Innovation Showcase entrants have generated £5.2million of investment offers after taking part in the competition.

GC Business Growth Hub Director of Business Growth Richard Jeffery said: “We’ve received yet another exceptionally high standard of applications for the Innovation Showcase this year and I’d like to congratulate all those who have been shortlisted.

“The competition not only celebrates the businesses and innovations that come out of our region, but also has very real and potentially game-changing benefits for those involved. The prestige and increased profile that comes from pitching in front of leading players from across the North West – not to mention the high-level media coverage – has enabled previous finalists to significantly widen their client base, launch products and services and secure new funding.

“I hope as many SMEs, investors and innovators as possible are able to join us at this unique event, and vote for their Innovation Showcase winner. With more than 1,100 delegates at last year’s Venturefest, there’s no better opportunity to hear new ideas, discuss your own insights and developments, and forge new connections that will help your business to grow.”

Part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Venturefest North West is the region’s biggest annual innovation expo and conference that brings together businesses, investors and innovation specialists under one roof.

Delegates will hear from an exceptional mix of inspirational speakers including: former ‘Dragon’, founder & CEO of YourCash Europe, Jenny Campbell; Vikas Shah, CEO of Swiscot Group and co-founder of 53 Degrees North; Cat Lewis, CEO, Joint Creative Director & Executive Producer for Nine Lives Media; and Nitin Rai, Founder & Managing Director of Elevate Capital.

There will also be interactive workshops and networking opportunities throughout the event which takes place at Manchester Central on Wednesday 20th November. To register for your free place at Venturefest North West 2019 go to www.venturefestnorthwest.com. 

The full Innovation Showcase Competition finalists are as follows:

Digital Innovation finalists:

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

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.

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

Most Innovative Established Business finalists:

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.

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.

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

Product Innovation finalists:

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

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

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.

Service Innovation finalists:

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.

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.

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.

Access marks 20th year with phenomenal growth and record £1m of new business

Sam Whitear
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Integrated marketing communications and digital agency, Access is celebrating 20 years in business with a record year that has seen turnover rise by more than 42% and profits soar by 115%.

In the last 12 months the Manchester-based agency has won more than £1m worth of new business, including adding five new major clients to its client roster – WaterAid, the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), Edrington, Stagecoach Bus and Greater Manchester Moving.

In further recognition of its phenomenal year it was also crowned Marketing Agency Of The Year in the 2019 UK Agency Awards.

Founded in 1999, Access is owner-managed by directors Simon Landi and Mark Hope. It currently employs 30 full time staff with numbers expected to reach nearer 40 in the next 12 months.

The team credits its on-going success to its agile approach, and continuously aligning its services and talent to meet clients’ ever changing needs.

With one of the most experienced Drupal development teams in Europe, Access is the only Acquia partner with Preferred Partner status in the North of England. Its ‘Thinkery’ branded marketing insight and planning division, which has been responsible for the success of many high-profile UK and global campaigns, also enables the business to cater for all sizes of organisations that requires input into strategy and business planning.

Managing Director, Simon Landi said: “Turning 20 marks a significant milestone for Access, especially following such a hugely successful business year which has smashed all targets and seen us win an impressive roll call of new clients.

“One of the secrets to our success is that we have always been an agency that isn’t afraid to change and reinvent itself whilst staying true to our values. Today we are a uniquely balanced business that combines the heritage and insight-driven approach of a comms agency with the innovation and technology of a world-class digital agency.

“Of course this is not something that Mark and I have achieved alone. Forming our senior management team and other leadership roles has enabled us to spend more time developing our business strategy. Similarly our rapidly growing cross-functional team of highly skilled developers, creatives and planning specialists are all dedicated to delivering truly effective marketing campaigns and online delivery.

“It goes without saying that we are never going to stand still, and I look forward to seeing how the business (and industry) continues to evolve, afterall the only certainty in business is change. ”

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