Ashfield Healthcare Communications, a global micro network of connected agencies, part of UDG Healthcare plc, is set to expand its business further by opening an office in the heart of Manchester.

The new office will be the ninth in the UK for the company, which specialises in providing communications services across the health and life sciences sector.

Doug Burcin, President of Ashfield Healthcare Communications said: “The strategic location of Manchester gives us access to the ‘talent hub’ within the region that will support our future growth plans, particularly when it comes to building out new client service offerings.”

The expansion into central Manchester, the heart of the Northern Powerhouse and the UKs fastest growing, most creative city also shows the commitment of Ashfield Healthcare Communications to not only attract but to retain the very best talent in the industry.

The company aims to continue its recruitment success in the coming year by creating numerous roles for experienced communications professionals and training 80 medical writers through its new Allegro programme.

Gill Adair, Global Head of Talent Acquisition at Ashfield Healthcare Communications added: “The need for new talent has been driven by growing demand for outsourced healthcare communications services and a broadening of the range of skills we require in our field of work.”

“The location of the new office at One New York Street provides great transport links for employees and clients alike, with Piccadilly railway station just a short walk away and bus and Metrolink stations on our doorstep.”

Doug Burcin added: “The additional office will allow Ashfield Healthcare Communications to futureproof its business by strengthening our capabilities in science, data & creativity.  We’re thrilled to be a new player in town, a desirable option to attract local talent and a contributor to the community.”

New images have been released showing how Salford’s 100 Embankment will look when complete. The nine story Grade A office building will be crowned with a stunning roof top terrace providing views right across the cities of Salford and Manchester.

Enabling work has begun ahead of construction commencing next month on the 166,000 sq ft scheme which will sit alongside its sister building, 101 Embankment – now the headquarters of Swinton Insurance Group.

The newly released images show that occupiers will have access to a tiered roof top terrace area which provides 360 degree views across both cities.  The reception area has also been designed to create an accessible and useable space with creative planting and lush greenery providing informal and collaborative work spaces. The third image released shows how the 100 Embankment building will sit slightly proud of, but alongside, 101 Embankment on the podium at Salford’s Greengate Square.

Commenting on the behalf of the joint venture partnership, Jamie Hills of Ask Real Estate said: “We have focused on creating spaces which absolutely enhance people’s working environment from the moment they walk through the door. The reception area provides an authentic, dynamic  feel. There will be places for people to work, charge a phone and have coffee as well as breakout spaces where larger groups can gather. We want it to encourage people to really use the space and for it not be an area where people simply sit waiting to be collected for a meeting.”

“On the office floors above, the building provides one of the biggest and most efficient new build floorplates in the city centre of 19,900 sq ft with full height glazing and uninterrupted views across the city.”

Commenting on the design principles behind the scheme, architect David Lawrence, of Flanagan Lawrence, said: “The way in which occupiers use office space is constantly changing so our building design has evolved to reflect that change of use. To foster greater interaction we’ve made the stairway as open and accessible as possible to encourage people to walk rather than take the lift. With an increase in the number of people now cycling to work we’ve included changing facilities, showers and bike parking and there are spaces for daily exercise classes. It’s very much a building of today, which is responding to the requirements of tenants in a simple and elegant way.”

Explaining the idea behind the roof terrace he said: “We know from experience that occupiers are attracted to buildings that can offer outside space. Responding to that we’ve designed a split-level roof terrace with a viewing platform from which people can relax, work or host events.”

Located on the site of Manchester’s historic Exchange Station and overlooking Manchester Cathedral, the Embankment development is one of the few Grade A office spaces currently under development in the city centre and is due for completion in June  2020.

The scheme is being delivered in a joint venture partnership between Ask Real Estate, the Richardson Family and a Tristan Capital Partners’ fund, who signed a forward funding agreement with Salford City Council earlier this year. BAM Construction are the lead contractors on the scheme.

An initiative to address the skills shortage in the construction sector and make the industry more diverse and inclusive is calling for businesses to get involved and inspire the next generation of workers.

Organised by Built Environment Skills in Schools (BESS), Manchester Construction Careers Week will see hundreds of schools across the region find out what it’s really like to work in construction, property, engineering and housing.

The focus topic is gender and diversity, which will be explored in detail at the Inspire Summit on 25 September at the Bridgewater Hall with keynote speaker  Barbara Rest, the first woman to oversee the construction of a major skyscraper, Trump Tower.

Businesses can get involved by demonstrating how tech such as virtual reality and gaming is used in the industry, site tours, classroom demonstrations and digital broadcasts. Previous years have seen digital broadcasts from railway lines and from the top of a crane.

The organisers of the Inspire Summit are also looking for relevant businesses to get involved with the conference, with opportunities to speak, exhibit and attend.

Kathryn Lennon-Johnson, founder of BESS, said: “Last year we held Construction Careers Week in Birmingham and had over 400 students take part in all kinds of activities. When we first met the students, on average only 2 per cent stated an interest in a role in construction and less than 10 per cent could name job roles other than architect or bricklayer. After meeting with businesses and employers, 60 per cent of students said they were surprised about the breadth of opportunities.

“Meeting and engaging with the students, whether on site or through the use of technology, is a vital step in attracting more young people into the sector, as well as making it more diverse and inclusive. With several schools and colleges across Greater Manchester taking part this year, it’s important we have as many different businesses on board as possible either at Inspire Summit or with other events and activities throughout the week.”

Joe Broun, event director and founder of Inspire Summit, said: “The skills shortage in the industry has been widely reported for years now. Not only do we want to attract more people into the industry, but we want to see it become more diverse and inclusive. We want girls and young women to see that a career in construction isn’t ‘just for boys’ – it’s an accessible and exciting career path for everyone.”