Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Greater Manchester can apply for grants of up to £12,500 to improve their energy efficiency.

The grants, being offered by GC Business Growth Hub, could pay for half the cost of projects worth between £2,000 and £25,000 to replace old equipment with more modern, energy-efficient kit.

The move could save local SMEs 50 per cent or more on energy bills, as well as helping them demonstrate their green credentials and enabling them to play a part in making Greater Manchester one of the greenest cities in Europe.

The grants are available for a limited time on a first-come first-served basis and can go towards, for example, a new LED lighting system for a firm’s premises, heating equipment upgrades, replacement drives or motors, or another energy efficiency project that a business needs.

Local firms trading with other businesses, employing fewer than 250 people and with a turnover of less than £40m last year are eligible.

Kevin Lambert, Resource Efficiency Lead for GC Business Growth Hub, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Greater Manchester Combined Authority, said: “I would strongly encourage any SMEs based in Greater Manchester which have identified an energy saving opportunity to contact us to see if we can help.

“We can provide the funding SMEs need to upgrade their lighting or equipment, slash energy bills and reduce their environmental impact. Going green could help SMEs cut their energy bills by half or more.

“The application process is simple and we will respond within 24 working hours to confirm your eligibility and get things moving.

“Becoming more energy efficient will enable SMEs to play a role in helping make Greater Manchester one of the greenest places in Europe. And once you’ve successfully applied for a grant, why not consider signing up to our Green Business Pledge?

“Our specialists have been helping small and medium-sized businesses in Greater Manchester increase efficiency, boost profitability and cut carbon emissions since 2001.

“In the last four years, we’ve saved businesses more than £3million by helping them improve their environmental performance.”

Manchester-based Godel has completed the initial phase of software development work with Fintech lending platform Freedom Finance to re-engineer its technology platform to deliver a faster and more efficient experience for borrowers and lenders.

Godel has worked with the in-house software development team at Freedom Finance to deliver a cloud-based platform which will allow users to enter their details once and via an API gateway, deliver the information into multiple lenders’ systems without any rekeying of data. The intermediary platform can then provide personalised lending options for each user whilst also using analytics to identify gaps in the market and deliver what customers are looking for.

The joint development work has delivered a new scalable platform, which will support Freedom Finance’s growth ambitions and allow it to offer new and improved credit services – taking it into the next phase of its evolution.

Nick Allen, CTO Freedom Finance said: “Working with Godel allowed us to deploy software that is faster and more efficient than ever before. Providing lenders with state-of-the-art technology, alongside human touch and support, allows them to offer a service that better responds to customers’ needs. That’s been Freedom Finance’s experience.

“By migrating our platform to a cloud-based service, we’ve been able to give even more customers the opportunity to make well-informed decisions. We’re focused on connecting borrowers to the right lenders by streamlining options, so tailored loans for individual circumstances can be recognised at the touch of a button. Thanks to our work with Godel, we’re ahead of the market and are making customer journeys as seamless as possible.”

Paul Green, CCO, Godel said: “Personalisation is so often at the heart of digitisation – the ability to deliver precisely what the customer is looking for at the touch of a button or swipe of a screen. API’s offer the capabilities to achieve this, and the work we’ve done with Freedom Finance ultimately means it’s new platform can grow with the company and the market place in which it operates.”

Price Slater Gawne solicitors, based in Altrincham, have announced the further expansion of their team with the appointment of Nicole Paton as a Clinical Negligence Solicitor.

Nicole joins the firm with a wealth of legal knowledge and experience gained with personal injury legal teams and firms in the North West.

In her role in Price Slater Gawne’s expanding medical negligence department, Nicole will be investigating and presenting claims on behalf of injured clients and supporting them through the physical and/or psychological rehabilitation they require.

Regarding joining the Price Slater Gawne team, Nicole commented:

“I am delighted to join such an experienced medical negligence team as well as joining such a prominent firm in this field. This area of law continues to expand and Price Slater Gawne are also growing and I am looking forward to being a part of that future with them.”

Victoria Price, Director at Price Slater Gawne commented:

“We are very pleased to welcome Nicole to our Medical Negligence team.

At Price Slater Gawne we are currently undergoing a period of expansion which sees us developing our teams in all areas. Our constant aim is to deliver the highest standards of legal services for our clients . That means expanding with the right people on board. Nicole’s expertise and approach are a very welcome addition to the medical negligence team and to the firm as a whole”.

The Growth Company has been announced as the new delivery partner for Be the Business’s Mentoring for Growth scheme.

The programme matches ambitious small and medium-sized businesses with experienced mentors from some of the UK’s leading businesses including GSK, Amazon and the John Lewis Partnership. Some 180 successful matches have already been made across Greater Manchester, Birmingham, the North East of England and London. This figure is set to increase to 1,000 by March 2020.

The Growth Company is responsible for identifying SMEs which could benefit from the programme and then matching them with mentors – selected by Be the Business – from some of England’s leading and most productive companies.

The Growth Company drives forward business, economic, personal and professional development within communities by boosting employment, skills, investment and enterprise.

Mark Hughes, CEO of The Growth Company, commented: “Following a successful pilot, we’re delighted to have been appointed to roll out the Be the Business Mentoring for Growth programme across England.

“We’re looking forward to further strengthening our existing SME and LEP relationships in each of the regions in which we’ll be working.”

Jane Howells, programme lead for Mentoring for Growth, said: “Mentoring for Growth has already helped 180 SMEs across the UK. Feedback from mentors and mentees alike has been incredibly positive. A fresh perspective from an external expert allows SME owners take a step back and work on their business rather than in their business.

“Partnering with The Growth Company will allow us to connect with more SME leaders, who can be mentored to begin making small, manageable and achievable improvements across their businesses. This will have a positive impact on their bottom lines, and ultimately, increase wages.”

Proven business Engineering and Construction Support Services Company, Bowdon Group, has recently completed the acquisition of Holmes Hose Ltd – a long standing supplier of industrial hoses.

Established since 1980, Holmes Hose is a specialist in the supply of a comprehensive range of oil and marine hoses, industrial hoses and hose fittings. The acquisition will allow for the expansion and diversification of the product range and sectors supplied by Holmes Hose.

Brian Benson, CEO of Bowdon Group, said: “Bowdon Group prides itself on supporting businesses in the North West to realise growth ambitions and back entrepreneurial spirit. Holmes Hose has a long-standing relationship with our businesses and there is a fantastic opportunity here to integrate and share services across the group.”

“It’s an exciting time for Holmes Hoses, with the backing of Bowdon Group we can achieve our growth plans and increase the range of our product and service offering. Fellow Director, Richard Greenhill and I, are looking forward to working closely with Bowdon Group to take the business to the next level,” commented Stuart Holmes, Holmes Hoses Director.

Holmes Hoses will be retaining all current staff and looking to expand in light of its acquisition. Bowdon Group is pleased that Holmes Hoses’ founders, Richard Greenhill and Stuart Holmes, will continue to take an active role in driving the business forward.

3P Logistics (3PL) has become the Official Partner of the hugely successful Wigan Athletic Academy teams for the forthcoming 19/20 season. As part of the official tie-up, the 3PL brand will appear on the front of the Academy and all junior retail kits.

The partnership comes at an exciting time for the Latics Academy teams who experienced unprecedented success across the board during the previous campaign. 3PL will be displayed on the front of all Academy and Development squad jerseys during season 2019/20, and the company will heighten brand awareness through an increased advertising presence at all home games.

The deal sees the continuation of a long-term partnership between Wigan Athletic and 3P Logistics, now entering a fifth consecutive year.

The Wigan-based company has access to over 200,00 sq. ft. of warehousing in the North West and are now firmly established as one of the industry leaders in eCommerce and multichannel order fulfilment in the UK.

Head of Business Development and Customer Experience Jonty Castle, Academy Director Gregor Rioch, and several players from the club’s academy welcomed 3PL Managing Director and long-standing Latics’ supporter Ian Walker to the DW Stadium to officially launch the partnership and open the newly revamped club shop.

Commenting on the partnership, 3P Logistics founder and MD Ian Walker, said “Having supported this great club for some 40 years through thick and thin I have to admit it’s a little surreal to see kids out and about wearing the Latics shirt adorned with the 3PL Logo and it’s a proud day for sure.

Commercially we now enter our fifth consecutive year with the club and through this latest sponsorship deal, we are delighted to shine the spotlight firmly upon the Academy and development squads. Last year was a momentous year at all levels with some real talent making the leap to first-team duties and hopefully, we see more of the same during the season ahead.

Our very own 3PL Apprenticeship program carries similar development traits and the opportunity to champion the Academy quickly became an obvious fit. Some real momentum both on and off the pitch right now and we are delighted to once again become an official club partner.”