Home Blog Page 920

DTS to go global following support from The Growth Company

Sam Whitear
-
0

Tech-enabled training provider Digital Training Solutions (DTS) has set out plans to crack the US, Africa and China following long-term support from The Growth Company.

Having worked with DTS since 2016, The Growth Company (GC) has provided a wide range of training and funding services to the Bolton-based business. This includes using GC Business Growth Hub’s mentoring and Access to Finance services, as well as receiving a £25,000 start-up loan from GC Business Finance in 2016.

The Growth Company has also played a key role in supporting their overseas ambitions, with DTS receiving support from GC’s International Trade Team to secure a £20,000 export grant under the Department for International Trade’s ‘Exporting Is Great Campaign’.

In May this year, GC Angels completed a £250,000 joint equity investment with Maven, as the business looks to develop immersive technology in the training sector.

Most recently, the company has secured a place on The Growth Company’s Global Scale-Up Programme, which gives 50 of the region’s SMEs the opportunity to visit a key international growth market and a combination of tailored coaching and bootcamp support.

Founded by Mike Todd and Geseth Garcia in 2014 after working abroad in post-war Kosovo, DTS is an online learning company that uses cutting edge interactive video technology to create bespoke courses, with the objective of bringing a gaming approach to training. The firm has developed its Near-Life™ technology to offer a bespoke first-person experience that challenges users to make real-time decisions.

DTS has also demonstrated its scalability overseas. The business worked alongside the Norwegian Refugee Council, training Syrian aid workers entirely in Arabic to deliver support according to humanitarian guidelines. This saw the business claim an ‘Excellence in Learning Design’ award at the 2018 Learning and Tech Awards.

DTS is now looking to continue its journey with The Growth Company through further funding, support from the Department for International Trade to continue expanding internationally as well as showing an interest in the Made Smarter Programme and Global Scale-Up Programme.

GC Angels, part of the Growth Company, offers equity investment from £250,000 up to £2m. In addition, the company can reach, prepare and prequalify investments, as well as invest alongside associate angels and investment partners. In the last year, GC Angels invested £4.1m into eight businesses.

Mark Hughes, Group CEO at The Growth Company, said: “DTS is a company with enormous potential, both in the UK and internationally. Its innovative training technology is disrupting the market, and the work done by the company is already generating awards and attention from around the globe.

“The business is a brilliant example of how The Growth Company and its services interlink to support economic development across the North West. DTS has gone through a full journey with GC, from start-up loan to this equity investment, as well as numerous training and development programmes. It’s especially pleasing that this journey is continuing, with the business being accepted onto the Global Scale-Up Programme to support their expansion internationally.

“GC Angels was designed to address the imbalance in the market, with only one in 10 VC deals to mixed founders, so being able to support a mixed founded team is extremely pleasing. We wish them the best of luck and look forward to our continued work together.”

Geseth Garcia: “We are very excited to embark on the next phase of our business, which involves rolling out the Near-Life™ software and technology to a wider user base, with the help and support of The Growth Company and the GC Angels network. We want to develop a learning eco-system around our technology so that training professionals can license the software to develop and enhance their learning content delivery.”

Northcoders grows teaching team

Sam Whitear
-
0

Coding bootcamp Northcoders has added four new members of staff to its teaching team at its campuses in Manchester (Federation House) and Leeds (Platform). The new recruits are Shaq Hobbs-Daley, Isabel Maccabee, Nicola Derrick and David Bartlett.

All four are qualified coders and will be responsible for delivering Northcoders’ curriculum, mentoring students on a group and one to one basis, as well as researching and staying abreast of industry news, technology trends and changes in tech.

Prior to joining Northcoders, Shaq worked in the technology recruitment sector after studying  for a Material Science and Engineering degree at Manchester University; whilst Isabel  previously worked as an Assistant Project Manager for a translations company in London. She holds a degree in Linguistics

David is a graduate of Leeds University after completing his Masters in Physics; and Nicola studied Architectural Engineering – again at Leeds University – after which she travelled for a couple of years before working in Retail Management in both Australia and New Zealand.

Nicola said of her new role: “I loved my time at Northcoders and didn’t want to leave so I was thrilled when I was offered the chance to join the teaching team. My focus is now on helping to expand the Northcoders community and to develop the best new tech talent.”

Shaq added: “I’m really excited about this new phase of my career as I’ve always had a passion for teaching. I’m looking forward to sharing my expertise and helping others to gain a strong understanding of coding.”

Chris Hill – founder of Northcoders – commented: “As a business, we want to offer the very best standards of teaching possible. Shaq, Isabel, David and Nicola are fantastic coders but also have empathy and patience which are key attributes that we need in our teaching staff. We are delighted they are now part of the Northcoders team.”

Leading health club appoints new Operations Director

Sam Whitear
-
0

Total Fitness has appointed Paul McNicholas to its Board as Operations Director.

Paul will oversee the day-to-day running of Total Fitness’ 17 health clubs, located across the North of England and Wales.

In particular, Paul will continue to drive the business’ ‘people-powered’ transformation which has seen it turn-around a shrinking membership with figures showing a membership growth of 6,000 in 2019 to date. He will also help plan tactical capital investment across the estate in both property and the latest fitness equipment.

Paul has spent the last 19 years working in the health and fitness industry. Most recently, he worked across the UK for David Lloyd Leisure as Regional Sales Manager and head of Orangetheory Studios whilst David Lloyd owned the rights to the brand in the UK.

In joining Total Fitness, Paul has renewed a working partnership with CEO Sophie Lawler, whom he worked alongside when he first started out in the industry, and is a key addition to the board as the business continues to nurture its people-led development.

Paul says, “Total Fitness represents a unique opportunity to breathe new life into a fantastic business that had lost its way in recent years.  It also means joining an exceptionally talented team, not least Sophie Lawler who I first worked alongside when we started in the industry.

“This is an exciting project and one which is being driven by our people. We are making a significant investment in our teams to allow them to achieve their full potential and feel connected to Total Fitness’ purpose.

“This approach is already working, delivering record breaking commercial results and membership satisfaction scores in 2019.  We anticipate this ‘people-powered’ performance, combined with the development of our platform and product (including capital investment) to continue driving exceptional growth.”

BDO welcomes senior hire to Manchester office

Sam Whitear
-
0

Accountancy and business advisory firm, BDO, has welcomed a senior hire to its Manchester team, appointing Liam O’Doherty as Tax Partner.

An experienced director, O’Doherty joins BDO following 25 years at PwC where he held a series of senior positions, most recently as Tax Director, leading Property and Construction in the North.

He brings vast experience to his new role, having advised a wide range of businesses in a range of sectors, from institutions, private equity funds and private investors, through to local authorities, housing associations and national housebuilders.

He said: “I’m looking forward to working with BDO’s talented – and growing – North West team, utilising my experience to ensure that clients continue to receive the highest quality, advice from the firm’s specialists.”

Ed Dwan, Partner and Head of the North West at BDO, said: “Liam will be an invaluable addition to our team as it continues to grow, contributing substantial, multi-sector expertise to advise clients as they navigate complex challenges and achieve their goals.”

Browne Jacobson trainees ride, trek and sleep for charity challenge

Sam Whitear
-
0

26 trainee lawyers from Browne Jacobson will undertake the first of three endurance testing events this weekend with the aim of raising thousands of pounds for the national firm’s five charity partners.

The group have a £7k target that they hope to beat which will be divided between five partner charities, including Manchester’s Coffee4Craig.

In preparation for the event, the team have taken on an intense training regime in order to prep them for the three events in the coming months.

The group will cover a total of 1,000 miles in a 50 mile and 125 mile cycle ride around Nottingham in June as well as a 26 mile trek around Derbyshire’s White Peak in July.

The challenge will complete in October with an Autumnal sleep out in the Nottingham office gardens that will coincide with National Homelessness Day.

The firm’s Senior Partner Caroline Green will join the trainees on the cycle ride, whilst Iain Blatherwick, Managing Partner will take part in the sleep out.

Sarah Hamilton, trainee lawyer at the firm who helped to organise the event commented: “It has become tradition for the trainees in the firm to take on gruelling challenges in a bid to raise funds for our charity partners with this year’s inspiration coming from the Fatboy Slim song “eat, sleep, rave, repeat”, making our mantra ‘ride, sleep, trek, (repeat!?)’.

“It’s fantastic to see so many trainees getting involved to raise awareness and money for these fantastic causes and I can’t wait for our team to begin the epic journey ahead. I am sure the aches and pains will be worthwhile.”

Iain Blatherwick, Managing Partner at Browne Jacobson added: “At Browne Jacobson, we know the importance of working with and supporting our local communities.

“We are incredibly proud of our trainees and the gruelling efforts they will go to in order to support these fantastic charity organisations and I wish them well in their journey and Caroline and I are ‘looking forward’ to playing our part.”

Peninsula MD Peter Done rated as the best CEO in the North West

Sam Whitear
-
0

Peter Done, Group Managing Director and founder of global employment law consultancy, Peninsula has won a Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Award honouring the Top CEOs in 2019.

Glassdoor, one of the world’s largest job and recruiting sites, released its annual award recognising the Top CEOs, which highlights top leaders that employees love working for in countries throughout Europe and North America.

Among chief executives recognised by employees in the UK, Peter Done received an impressive 93% approval rating based on the anonymous and voluntary reviews that Peninsula employees shared on Glassdoor throughout the past year. This approval rating made him the highest rated CEO in the North West.

Peninsula’s Group Managing Director and Founder, Peter Done, said: “It is a privilege to be recognised as part of this fantastic group of highly accomplished leaders. To know this award is based solely on the feedback of our employees makes it even more special.”

“This accolade is a real testament to the leaders at every level of our business, who are creating positive experiences for our employees every day. At Peninsula, our ultimate aim is to foster and facilitate the learning and development of every employee that steps through the doors, providing leadership and a work environment that is enriching and rewarding.”

Peter added: “For any budding entrepreneurs, my advice would be that a business is only as strong as the people who operate within it. Our business mantra is “success starts here”, so I think it is important for businesses to acknowledge that without the hard work and dedication of the talented individuals in their workplace, businesses wouldn’t achieve half of the success and recognition they receive.”

“It’s an honour to recognise incredible leaders who, from their employees’ perspectives, exemplify exceptional vision, trust and communication. Glassdoor’s Top CEOs award continues to be more competitive every year, and I congratulate each leader on their achievement,” said Christian Sutherland-Wong, Glassdoor president and chief operating officer. “Today’s job seekers are looking for leaders who share their values and will empower them to bring their full selves to work. More and more, we’re seeing Top CEOs make decisions to shape the culture of their organisations to help recruit and retain quality talent, which has a direct correlation to fuelling business success.”

High-profile projects take Truth Design through £1m turnover barrier

Sam Whitear
-
0

Truth Design has achieved turnover of £1m for the first time in its 12-year history, boosted by an exciting range of high-profile projects spanning the hospitality, home improvements, furniture and higher education sectors.

The Manchester-based creative branding agency enjoyed its most successful financial year to date with work including projects for Clive Christian Furniture Company; University Academy 92 (UA92) – the new higher education institute founded by the former Manchester United players known as the Class of ’92 alongside academic pioneers, Lancaster University; hotelier Campanile; and Shaws of Darwen, a manufacturer and retailer of ceramic kitchen sinks.

Owned by Darren and Jo Scott, Truth Design was founded in 2006 to offer a range of creative services including branding, strategy and insight, and content.

Darren Scott said: “It has been an incredibly fulfilling year for Truth Design, completing a diverse range of challenging projects for clients across entirely different sectors. The principles and passion are the same whether we’re working on an entirely new higher education institution founded by some of the world’s most famous footballers, or a hospitality brand associated with more than 400 hotels. And yes, our work this year even included digital marketing activity for our client Shaws, a renowned manufacturer and retailer of ceramic kitchen sinks!”

Jo Scott, co-owner and Managing Partner at Truth Design and the broader Truth Creative group, added: “We excel at delivering brand experiences and that is reflected in the success that Truth Creative has enjoyed as a business in its latest financial year.”

Clive Christian Furniture Company engaged Truth to decouple the furniture brand from its sister perfume brand to offer clarity of the brand proposition. Truth created a unique standalone identity, whilst retaining aspects of the current brand, notably the heraldic symbol of the lion – aligning with the brand positioning of ‘Unapologetically British’. The company wanted to creatively engage with end-users, interior designers and architects across the globe.

Truth was initially asked to create a brand identity for University Academy 92, a game-changing model of Higher Education inspired by Gary Neville and the Class of ‘92 alongside Lancaster University. The brand needed to display their unique approach and point of difference in the market; a curriculum designed to promote excellence, knowledge and skills in the worlds of sport, media and business. Truth has continued to work with UA92, branding the new Trafford campus and supporting the organisation with student recruitment with collateral including a prospectus, brand advertising and UCAS exhibitions.

Truth’s digital marketing work with Shaws of Darwen in 2018/19 was the continuation of a brand-building exercise begun in 2016 and including international research to inform a better understanding of the manufacturer and retailer’s global markets.

Campanile, part of the Louvre Hotels Group, based in Paris – is a mid-to-low budget hotel chain offering rooms at affordable prices, in 18 UK locations, as well as across 10 different countries. Truth supported Campanile’s Food & Beverage offer with digital marketing activity, building on its previous branding work with the objective of driving footfall to the hotel, restaurant and bar, increasing sales and ensuring customers are booking “Far more than a room.”

 

onePT in Rochdale crowned best gym in the UK

Sam Whitear
-
0

An independent Greater Manchester gym has been named the best in the country just over a year after opening and now plans to launch its successful model as a franchise business across the UK and Europe.

onePT has just been presented with the National Club of the Year accolade (the most prestigious award in the health & fitness industry) – as well as Regional Club of the Year for the North – at the UKactive Awards, beating hundreds of others in a rigorous judging process.

The 5000 sq foot gym opened in January 2018 and has built up a fiercely loyal membership community, thanks to its focus on commitment and communication, and a combination of top-level support and world-leading equipment and facilities.

It was set up and is managed by Dr Neil Fell PHD, who played a key role in the development of Total Fitness Health Clubs before setting up and managing the Sports Medicine and Human Performance Facility at St George’s Park (the training home of the England Football teams). The onePT facility has been designed and developed in strategic partnership with world-leading fitness equipment manufacturer, Exigo-UK.

Comments Neil: “The beauty of onePT really is its community. This is not just a target-focused business: we are encouraging our member family to be healthy for life – and this is why our members are staying with us.”

Neil adds: “The timing of this award is incredible, as we are just about to launch onePT as a franchise business. We have been fine tuning the model over the last six months and will be officially launching it in September 2019, although enquiries are being taken now.”

“The concept was always designed to be franchised – and we have ambitions both in the UK and abroad. We have been putting a range of systems in place, from risk management and compliance, health & safety and food safety management, to the best health and fitness personal training product systems and services, in order to make a facility very efficient and simple to operate. This way the staff can spend more time supporting the members, which is the most important aspect of our business.”

Neil concludes: “I have known the team at Exigo-UK for over 15 years, and it has been fantastic to work with them to create such a truly amazing and unique facility: they are so knowledgeable and passionate and their ideas added greatly to my own research and experience, providing one-complete solution from build, to in-house design, manufacturing and installation.”

Vodafone digital innovation hub opens in MediaCityUK

Sam Whitear
-
0

Vodafone has opened its Digital Innovation Hub in The Landing at MediaCityUK, Salford, to give the UK’s growing start-up community a head start in developing new 5G applications and services.

With more than 100 start-up companies in MediaCityUK alone, the Vodafone Digital Innovation Hub will provide entrepreneurs with access to network experts, the latest technologies, including 5G, IoT and high-speed fibre and a space to work together and exchange ideas.

As part of its multi-billion network investment, Vodafone is rolling out 5G to 19 towns and cities across the UK this year and plans to establish similar technology hubs in other locations.

At the opening event, entitled ‘Go Beyond’, attendees heard from experts representing retail, manufacturing and media industries as well business leaders and the City Major of Salford about the challenges and opportunities facing start-ups. They also discussed how 5G will open the door to new business opportunities and what the launch of the Digital Innovation Hub will bring to the area.

Delivering her keynote speech, Anne Sheehan, Business Director, Vodafone UK said: “The Digital Innovation Hub is an example of how we are empowering today’s start-ups and small businesses with the expertise and technologies to help turn their blueprints into reality.   Our 5G services can help UK start-ups become global leaders in their fields.”

Paul Dennett, City Major of Salford, added: “We are delighted that Vodafone has selected the city for its first Digital Innovation Hub.  Such investment and commitment from the private sector supports our ambition to make Salford one of the world’s most attractive cities for digital enterprises. It will also boost the local economy and help attract new jobs and opportunities for the people of Salford, Great Manchester and beyond. This commitment also further strengthens Salford’s Innovation Triangle connecting MediaCityUK with the University of Salford and Salford Royal Foundation Trust, our outstanding and leading hospital in the City.” 

Jon Corner, Chief Executive at The Landing, said: “We’re extremely proud that Vodafone is investing in the business community here in Salford. The new 5G Hub will help unlock MediaCityUK as a living lab for smart city innovation and as a key technology asset for the North West, providing the very best foundations for start-ups, small businesses and entrepreneurs to drive their technology and connect globally.”

Norwegian announces new route from Manchester to Bergen

Sam Whitear
-
0

Norwegian is expanding its Scandinavian network at Manchester Airport with the addition of a new non-stop service to Bergen. Passengers in Manchester and the North West will now be able to explore the Norwegian city of Bergen for less this winter with fares from £43.90 one way.

The new route will commence on the 28 October 2019 for the winter season with two weekly flights on a Sunday and Thursday, offering consumers more choice when travelling with Norwegian to Scandinavia.

As the Gateway to the Fjords of Norway, a UNESCO World Heritage City and a European City of Culture, the Bergen region combines nature, culture and urban life all in one place. Visitors can enjoy a trip to take in the spectacular landscape views of the fjords, before enjoying the history and culture of Bergen.

Magnus Maursund, SVP commercial Short Haul at Norwegian, said: “Norwegian’s new flight to Bergen from Manchester will allow passengers in the North West to take advantage of our affordable fares all while enjoying our award-winning complimentary Wi-Fi and modern comfortable cabin on new state-of the-art aircraft.”

Julian Carr, Aviation Director at Manchester Airport, added: “It’s great to see Norwegian increase its destination choice from Manchester Airport to include Bergen. I am sure this route will prove incredibly popular with the 22 million passengers in our vast catchment area by giving more accessibility to this Scandinavian city.”

1...919920921...1,106Page 920 of 1,106