Home Blog Page 909

AJ BELL WELCOMES 14 NEW RECRUITS TO ITS APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME

Sam Whitear
-
0

AJ Bell, one of the UK’s leading investment platforms, has recruited a record number of new apprentices to its headquarters in Salford Quays.

Following a successful Apprenticeship Careers Day earlier this year, over 500 applicants for the 2019 intake resulted in 14 successful candidates accepted on to two programmes.

Five have enrolled on to a Digital and Technology Services degree apprenticeship programme which AJ Bell is running for the first time.

The apprentices will undertake a four-year programme where they will work in AJ Bell’s Technology Services department at the same time as studying for a BSc with Manchester Metropolitan University.

Nine apprentices have started the successful Investment Operations Specialist apprenticeship programme, which is now in its third year.

They will rotate around AJ Bell’s customer services teams to gain a broad understanding of the business during a two-year programme.

Some of its first cohort of apprentices have already completed their programmes and have done so with great success. All are now permanent members of staff in new roles across the business.

Andy Bell, chief executive at AJ Bell, who personally welcomed the latest recruits on to the apprenticeship programme, said: “The apprenticeship scheme has become increasingly popular since we began in 2017, and we’re excited to welcome the new apprentices to AJ Bell to start their careers in financial services.

“With around six per cent of current AJ Bell employees in or just completed the apprenticeship programme, we’re proud to champion the qualification wholeheartedly.

“The different insights offered by apprentices to our permanent staff are invaluable and have helped mould the business for future AJ Bell customers.

“Successful applicants have already had a crash course in investing before they start with their new teams, and will gain more essential work experience throughout the programme, with permanent roles up for grabs at the end of the scheme for those who show the necessary skills and application.”

MULBERRY WASTE EXPANDS WITH DEAL FOR MERCURY RECYCLING

Sam Whitear
-
0

A Lancashire-based specialist in the collection and treatment of hazardous waste has expanded with the acquisition of Greater Manchester business Mercury Recycling.

Following the takeover by Mulberry Waste Holdings, Mercury will continue to operate as normal from its base in Trafford Park. The terms of the deal are undisclosed.

Mercury recycles hazardous waste including products containing mercury, such as batteries, fluorescent light tubes and gas meters. It turns over £2.5m and has 34 staff.

Mulberry, which was founded in 1993 by managing director Hassan Isaji, has its headquarters and main treatment facilities in Leyland.

The £12m-turnover group, which has 59 staff, also has collection sites in Manchester, Liverpool, Ormskirk, Newcastle upon Tyne and Uddingston, near Glasgow.

Mulberry specialises in the collection, disposal and treatment of chemicals, oil, solvents, laboratory waste and other hazardous items. It has a fleet of 30 vehicles which operate from the West Midlands to as far north as Dundee.

Clients include manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, universities and research establishments.

Large quantities of the waste it treats are exported to be converted into energy in Germany, the Netherlands and Spain.

The Mulberry Waste Holdings group of companies also includes a vehicle repair and maintenance business and a logistics business.

Mr Isaji said the acquisition enables Mulberry to expand its expertise and capacity in growth areas of the hazardous waste treatment sector.

“Mercury is a well-known and established brand and we will look to grow the business,” he said.

“We have handled the same type of materials for some time but have not had the
in-house expertise to dispose of them, and Mercury now gives us that capability.

“We are excited about the prospects for the business and the opportunities this deal brings to the wider group by adding to our range of services.”

Ian Dawson and Lauren Roberts of HURST Corporate Finance advised the shareholders of privately-owned Mercury.

Ian said: “The deal represents a great outcome for all. Mercury is a great business with a reputation for providing a high-quality service. It has lots of synergies with Mulberry and should thrive under new ownership.”

Manchester commercial law firm Kuits, represented by partner Kirsti Pinnell and solicitor Kate Gledhill, provided legal advice.

Kirsti said: “Kuits was pleased to provide bespoke legal and commercial expertise to support Mercury in this transaction.

“It opens up new avenues for the business to expand and presents opportunities to benefit from the strong infrastructure and networks Mulberry has in place.”

Greater Manchester-based Alpha Public Relations shortlisted for regional business award

Sam Whitear
-
0

Alpha Public Relations has been shortlisted for the Best PR Firm category in the 2019 Talk of Manchester Awards. The winners of this influential business awards programme will be announced at a ceremony to be held at the Mercure Piccadilly Hotel in Manchester on the evening of 5 December 2019.

The winners will be chosen from among the shortlisted businesses by an online public vote that last year attracted 160,000 submissions. Voting is open until 5.00pm on Monday 21 October and can be carried out by visiting www.thetalkofmanchester.co.uk/awards.

Alpha Public Relations, which is based in Bury, Greater Manchester, was founded in 2017 by the former business journalist and financial services marketer Stuart Anderson. It specialises in professional and financial services.

Clients include the fast-growing Manchester-based law firm Glaisyers Solicitors, Bury-based Blacks Business Brokers and Manchester-headquartered professional development organisation Women in the Law UK. Alpha represented Stockport-based Prest Financial Planning until its recent acquisition by the national financial advice consolidator Ascot Lloyd and has carried out projects for clients ranging from accountants to workspace providers.

Stuart Anderson, founder and director of Alpha Public Relations, said, “To have been shortlisted in the Talk of Manchester Awards is fabulous news, and great recognition for the combination of news sense and technical understanding that Alpha brings to client briefs.

“It is now up to the people and businesses of Greater Manchester to decide the eventual winners. If you have read and enjoyed stories about Alpha’s clients then please do take a moment to go online and register your vote.”

The Talk of Manchester was established to provide networking opportunities for businesses across Manchester. It hosts a range of regular events including business clubs, director-level networking and masterclasses.

The Talk of Manchester Awards have been held annually since 2014. They are, the organisation says, designed to celebrate and reward the exceptional businesses based in Manchester and the surrounding areas.

The 2019 Talk of Manchester Awards ceremony will raise money for Kidscan Children’s Cancer Research, a Salford-based charity that funds and manages research into new and improved treatments for children with cancer.

Manchester accountancy group champions trainee programme with seven new recruits

Sam Whitear
-
0

Leading SME specialist, Champion Accountants, has expanded its team by welcoming seven new recruits onto its group-wide accountancy trainee programme.

The accountancy group, which has offices in Manchester, Preston, Blackpool and Chester, offers young people the opportunity to earn a competitive salary, while gaining professional qualifications and developing their industry knowledge through hands-on client experience.

Among those starting their accountancy careers within Champion Accountants’ 2019 trainee cohort are Niamh Bonnett and Madison Wyles, both 18, who join the Blackpool office as audit and account trainees.

Niamh said: “I knew I didn’t want to take the university route, so the trainee programme was a fantastic opportunity to gain qualifications and earn a good salary. I’m looking forward to linking my work with what I’m learning in AAT.”

Madison, from Blackpool, applied for the programme after Champion Accountants visited her sixth form. She added: “I’ve wanted to go into accountancy for a while and this sounded like a great company and the best way for me to become qualified. I’m looking forward to working with my own clients.”

Max Kilshaw, 18, from Blackburn, joins Champion Accountants’ Preston practice. He comments: “Right from the application process, my experience with Champion has been positive. They really care about the team, and how they develop trainees is clear. My colleagues are all so supportive and understand that I’m still learning the ropes.”

The accountancy group’s Manchester head office gained three new trainees: Harry Royle, 18, from Astley, Harry Sheridan, 19, from Eccles and Ben Turner, 23, from Chadderton.

As accounts trainees, both Harry Royle and Harry Sheridan will be assisting with the preparation of accounts for contractors and limited companies.

Having already gained a BSc Hons in Accounting and Finance, graduate Ben Turner has progressed straight to working towards his ACCA qualification and becoming a fully qualified accountant.

Finally, the firm’s Chester office welcomes Luke Evans to the team. Luke, 18, from Wrexham, will begin his journey as an audit and accounts trainee, working alongside senior colleagues to support the practice’s client portfolio.

Champion Accountants partners with professional body, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), to ensure it maintains the highest standard of staff training and development, having recently retained its ACCA Platinum Approved Employer status.

Ged Cosgrove, group managing partner at Champion Accountants, added: “It’s great to see so many enthusiastic new faces join our team. A major part of the Champion culture is to grow our own talent, so from day one, our trainees are given the opportunity to work with clients and build those important professional relationships.

“We ensure our trainee programme is as accessible and inclusive as possible in order to provide a fantastic pathway for aspiring new accountants to earn while they learn, whilst working in a multi-disciplinary accountancy group.

“We really pride ourselves on providing the best possible support and career development to our trainees right across the group in helping them to become trusted advisors and I look forward to seeing each of them progress.

Chill Factore announce over 100 new roles!

Sam Whitear
-
0

Dreaming of a career in snow business? Well look no further, as Chill Factore is opening its doors, and white carpet, to 121 new recruits with a variety of new roles both on and off the snow. 

The UK’s longest indoor snow slope, Chill Factore, promises to be the coolest place to work in the North West this winter – literally! A number of new job opportunities within the attraction, including festive positions such as Santa’s Helpers, have today been announced. 

Successful Snow Experience Team Members will need to brave the -4˚ temperatures to make sure the snow is crisp, fresh and ski-ready. This guest-facing position puts recruits at the heart of Chill Factore to ensure guests have an experience to remember on its famous snow. 

Any applicants who are qualified instructors could dust off their ski boots and put their snow experience to the test as a Snowsports Instructor. These roles include teaching kids and adults of all ages to ski and snowboard on the longest indoor snow slope in the UK – now that is funemployment!   

Guest Experience Team Member and Supervisor roles are also up for grabs. These key roles are in charge of making sure the guest’s day runs smoothly, making sure all guests are booked in for on-snow activities and, most importantly, ensuring their experience is far from chilling. 

For all fans of the festive season, Chill Factore is also on the hunt for some Santa’s Helpers to spread seasonal cheer. It’ll certainly be a white Christmas for successful candidates, as they’ll be spending the build-up to Christmas at the North (West) Pole.

Any job applicants who haven’t skied or snowboarded before can still apply to be Santa’s Helpers, Snow Experience and Guest Experience team members as they’ll simply need to be committed to providing guests of all ages with a day out to remember.

CEO, Morwenna Angove said: “The run up to Christmas is one of the most popular times of year at Chill Factore, not only is it the start of the ski season, but we are the only place in the North West to offer real snow, meaning we can truly promise families a white Christmas. 

“We love to bring the magic of Christmas to life here and our team play a huge role in this, especially our Santa’s Helpers who greet guests in our snow grotto.”

Edie Marsh, age 25 from Manchester, said: “Not only is Chill Factore.  the coolest place to work, but employment can also continue beyond the winter season. I started as a Santa’s Helper in 2015 and was offered a position on the Guest Services team after Christmas. I’ve since been promoted to Guest Experience Supervisor and then to Snowsports Assistant Manager in May this year. Joining the team at Christmas is a great chance to embark on a new and highly rewarding career.” 

Chill Factore will be bringing 121 jobs to the local area. Roles include: Guest Experience Team Members, Guest Experience Supervisors, Snow Experience Duty Manager, Snow Experience Team Members, Snowsports Instructors, and Santa’s Helpers. 

To apply for one of the vacancies at Chill Factore this Christmas please visit: https://www.chillfactore.com/jobs/our-recruitment-process/

AIM-listed NAHL Group confirms joint venture with Manchester-based HCC Solicitors

Sam Whitear
-
0

NAHL Group, the owner of National Accident Helpline, has announced plans for a new joint venture with Manchester-based law firm Horwich Cohen Coghlan (HCC) Solicitors.

The new Alternative Business Structure (ABS) will be named Law Together and will be based at HCC’s offices in Castlefield, Manchester.

Law Together will start trading in early October 2019.

Award-winning law firm HCC Solicitors specialises in helping seriously injured and traumatised clients get recompense for long-term rehabilitation and treatment.

The firm employs more than 250 people in Manchester and recently launched a new office in Birmingham headed up by experienced serious injury lawyer Joe Speed.

Adam Nabozny, Managing Director of Legal Services at NAHL Group, which announced interim results today with revenue up 3.9% to £25.8m (2018 H1: £24.9m), said:

“Establishing joint venture ABS businesses with partners which complement our Panel and our own law firm is central to our long-term strategy. The next phase of this will be the launch of Law Together.

“HCC Solicitors is a well-respected leading law firm with a proven track record in handling personal injury and major trauma cases, and its team have considerable experience of working in partnership to run a successful ABS.

“Our ABS strategy enables us to respond to the government reforms and to identify new opportunities by challenging market norms.”

David Horwich, Director of HCC Solicitors, said:

“National Accident Helpline is a brand which has achieved longevity and trust within the personal injury market, and we are pleased to be teaming up with NAHL Group for this joint venture.

“Both partners will bring more than 25 years of insight and expertise to the partnership. Our specialist teams are experts in handling personal injury, major trauma and serious injury claims, while NAHL Group is a market leader in lead generation and customer service.”

Jam_ continues its growth expansion with three high profile appointments

Sam Whitear
-
0

Integrated agency, Jam_ continues its ambitious growth plans with three new additions to its Manchester-based team.

Marketing and communications expert, Linzi Atkinson, joins the agency as Account Director, bringing a wealth of senior experience in retail to the role. Linzi, who has worked for Golden Square in Warrington and The Rock in Bury, will be responsible for driving the Jam strategy, delivering and managing projects for clients, bringing in new business and managing the growing team.

Sean McMahon joins the team as Digital Manager, reflecting the agency’s continual shift to integrated digital comms. Sean, who has made the move to Manchester after seven years working in Leeds, will be responsible for developing integrated digital marketing strategies across Jam’s broad client base, and leading on social media strategy and implementation.

Prior to joining Jam, Sean worked with a wealth of high profile clients, including the British Library, Viking Direct and Moonpig.

Account Manager Holly Latham has been appointed to supervise and develop strategies for key accounts including Printworks and Mexichem, as well as playing a role in securing new business.

Previous high-profile clients Holly has worked with include Zoflora, Horlicks and the NHS. Holly’s experience also includes working with a range of travel clients including Teletext Holidays, which will help pave the way for Jam’s onboarding of future travel clients.

Jaime Gee, MD and Co-owner of Jam, said, “The trio of high profile appointments reflect Jam’s ambitious expansion and growth plans. Linzi, Sean and Holly all bring incredible amounts of experience and knowledge to the agency, and all three will help to drive Jam forward over the coming years. We are absolutely thrilled to welcome them as Jammers.”

Currently employing 15 staff, Jam has recently taken a second floor in its Northern Quarter office to accommodate its expanding team and growth plans.

The appointments follow a successful 12 months, which saw JAMpr and JAMcreative rebranding to become Jam_ to reflect the agency’s integrated offering.

Current clients include Argos Pet Insurance, APJ Solicitors, Hard Rock Cafe Manchester, Survivors Manchester, Mexichem, The Furniture Recycling Group and Printworks.

Major network investment to accommodate ‘significant growth plans’

Sam Whitear
-
0

Following a multi-million pound investment expanding its network in Amsterdam, Seattle and Washington, British cloud hosting firm UKFast is upgrading its UK infrastructure to bring new levels of resilience and security to its customers.

The network investment also gives the Manchester tech giant headroom to accommodate its significant growth plans.

Introducing three major new points of presence (POPs) across the UK, the move increases the capacity of UKFast’s hosting network 17-fold and bolsters defences against cyber-attacks for the millions of businesses and consumers relying on the firm.

The new POPs in Manchester, Leeds and London form part of a wider £4m project, which saw the company bring locations online across the globe earlier this year to strengthen its dedicated cyber defence network, DDoSX.

UKFast CEO Lawrence Jones said: “We’re always looking for ways to make our service better, faster and more resilient for our customers. The level of investment we’re pushing into our network gives clients a new level of service.

“With DDoS attacks on the rise, the network upgrades offer significant advantages in terms of protection. It’s our duty to be prepared and to protect our customers – that’s exactly what the latest upgrade does.”

UKFast achieved revenues of £53.9m in 2018, with private and hybrid cloud hosting now representing 43% of total sales.

WORK COMMENCES ON PHASE TWO OF TRAFFORD RETAIL PARK

Sam Whitear
-
0

Work has commenced on phase two of Trafford Retail Park which is set to bring a new Aldi food store and Starbucks drive-thru unit to the Barton Road scheme.

 

Havercroft Construction have been appointed as the main contractor for the works by Peel L&P’s retail parks team which received planning approval in March this year. The Lincolnshire based company also carried out the knockdown and rebuild of Phase one at Washington Retail Park on behalf of Peel L&P.

 

Aldi are set to take a 18,568 sq ft discount food store and Starbucks has agreed a lease on a 1,800 sq ft drive-thru unit with parking, joining an already strong line up of retailers including Dunelm, Food Warehouse, Nando’s and B&M. The new stores, set to open in early 2020, are expected to further boost the park’s 4.8 million annual footfall figure.

 

Leah Taylor, development manager at Peel L&P said: “We’re pleased works are now on site for phase two of Trafford Retail Park and we look forward to working with Havercroft Construction on their second project for our team.”

 

Speaking on the planning approval, Stuart Parks at Aldi UK said: “This site is an ideal location for a new Aldi store as it’s a shopping area that our customers already visit. We look forward to opening the doors of this store next year and helping the community shop and save closer to home.”

 

Grant Bailey, Director of Havercroft Construction said: “Our success in securing a second project for Peel L&P at Trafford Retail Park has been welcomed be everyone at Havercroft Construction and we thank the development team most sincerely for this instruction. Our experience in the delivery of previous similar retail and drive-thru schemes across the country provides us with the confidence and technical know-how to ensure the proposed Aldi and Starbucks drive thru are delivered to the expectations of all.”

Located within TraffordCity, one of the UK’s leading retail and leisure destinations and close to intu Trafford Centre, Trafford Retail Park has over 740 free parking spaces, with an additional 143 spaces being built to service the new development.

Siemens launches Digital Academy to nurture next generation of engineering and tech talent

Sam Whitear
-
0

Siemens has launched a new undergraduate sponsorship programme to discover, inspire and nurture the next generation of engineering and tech talent.

The Digital Academy pays selected students £3,000-a-year from the second year of university as well as up to 12-weeks paid summer placement throughout the duration of their studies within a Siemens business.

At the end of their degree they will be given the chance to join Siemens’ Graduate Scheme.

The pioneering programme is a partnership between Siemens, the University of Sheffield and Newcastle University, and a further 15 principal UK universities.

It aims to offer undergraduates a practical, collaborative space to explore Industry 4.0 technologies and put what they learn at university into real world use.

Six trailblazing students from EEE (electrical and electronic engineering) and computer science departments have been selected to pilot the programme this summer.

Nikhil Patel and Miles Moran from Newcastle University, Thomas Edwards from the University of Sheffield, Diana Crintea from the University of Southampton, Maryem Khan from the University of Loughborough and Ariana Escobar Chalen from the University of Manchester were unveiled at a launch event at Siemens Digital Factory in Congleton.

Brian Holliday, Siemens Digital Industries Managing Director, said: “The Digital Academy is another ground-breaking example of how Siemens and our higher education partners are working together to encourage young people to pursue careers in engineering and technology.

“This programme gives undergraduates applied and up-to-date experience to bolster their academic learning.

“By strengthening links between business and our world-leading universities, we can inspire and nurture talent to support the UK’s leading role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”

The first group of undergraduates were selected from the inaugural Sir William Siemens Challenge, a two-day hackathon-style event held at the University of Sheffield which involved 84 promising engineering students from partner universities.

The challenge, dubbed ‘Mindsphere Live’, saw students put into 12 hybrid, multidisciplinary teams and asked to invent a unique device powered by data.

Ian Donald, Head of R&D at Siemens Digital Factory in Congleton, said: “We really want to develop the next generation of engineers who can create and develop new exciting things.

“The inaugural Mindsphere Live was a great way of bringing multi-disciplinary teams together to collaborate to bring data to life in a meaningful way.

“These real-life problems gave students the opportunity to experience things that they may encounter in a business environment and insight into what life could be like at Siemens.

“The Digital Academy takes that experience to the next level. It illustrates that engineering is a practical subject where the real and virtual worlds co-exist and where data plays an increasingly important part in creating value. It’s not just about sitting at a computer, it’s really hands. It’s about interaction, working in teams to solve actual problems – which is what this pilot cohort will be doing this summer.”

One of those taking part in the pilot Digital Academy is Nikhil Patel, an electrical engineering undergraduate from Newcastle University.

He said: “I wanted to join the Digital Academy so that I could work with a world leading organisation such as Siemens to enhance my knowledge of new technologies and allow me to work with a range of other people to not only help improve Siemens as a business but also to improve the connectivity of the world we live in.

“Being part of the Digital Academy gives me an insight into how Siemens operates as a business and it also provides me with the means to be able to make a difference. It gives me the opportunity to develop my technical and transferable skills whilst working on real, cutting-edge projects and I think that being a part of this scheme will help to accelerate my career progression and allow me to grow as an individual, with the help of Siemens.”

Professor Mike Hounslow, Vice-President and Head of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sheffield, said: “We are focused on bridging the Industry 4.0 skills gap by equipping students with the skills for the new digital economy.

“Following a longstanding strategic partnership with Siemens, the University of Sheffield is delighted to be collaborating on the Digital Academy.

“Our students will benefit immensely from working with such a pioneering and transformational technology company.”

Applications for the next Digital Academy cohort are now being accepted from the following: the University of Sheffield; Newcastle University; The University of Manchester; Oxford University; the University of Cambridge; the University of Lincoln; the University of Southampton; Imperial College London; the University of Strathclyde; the University of Nottingham; the University of Birmingham; Loughborough University; Bournemouth University; the University of Bath; the University of York; the University of Warwick; and Aston University.

For more information on how to apply visit www.siemens.co.uk/digitalacademy

For editors:

The Digital Academy builds on Siemens’ commitment to forging a partnership with high education providers to bridge the Industry 4.0 skills gap.

In June, Siemens, launched a new academic teaching programme, Connected Curriculum, in partnership with higher education providers and Festo, the global supplier of automation technology and provider of industrial training and education,

It will bring advanced industrial tools, data and approaches into their respective apprenticeship, undergraduate and masters courses.”

At the heart of the Connected Curriculum is Siemens Digital Industries world-leading industrial software portfolio and cloud-based IoT platform MindSphere.

MindSphere is a highly secure operating system which connects industrial machines and devices via IoT protocols. It allows data from multiple sources to be captured and analysed simultaneously, creating a real-time picture of the whole production process via a single, powerful and intuitive interface.

1...908909910...1,106Page 909 of 1,106