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Gary Lineker revealed as host of Tackle4MCR dinner

Sam Whitear
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Gary Lineker will host the Tackle4MCR Vincent Kompany Testimonial Dinner on 4 February.

Social movement Tackle4MCR, a unique campaign to tackle rough sleeping, was launched by Vincent Kompany and Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham in September last year.

As part of the Testimonial Dinner at Hilton Manchester Deansgate Hotel more than 400 guests will be treated to an exclusive semi-acoustic set by Noel Gallagher.

The UK’s number one beatboxing band Duke and multi award-winning international hip-hop star DJ Yoda have also been added to the entertainment list.

Match of the Day presenter, Gary Lineker, said he is delighted to support Tackle4MCR and is hoping that vital funds will be raised on the night.

“When Vincent approached me and asked if I could host the event, it was a yes straight away.

“It doesn’t surprise me that Vincent has launched such an important social movement alongside the Greater Manchester Mayor. Rough sleeping is a complex issue and it’s great to see how people and businesses are coming together to help tackle the problem.

“I’m looking forward to the Testimonial Dinner and sharing the evening with some great people who are all trying to make a difference.”

When Tackle4MCR was launched, Vincent Kompany and Andy Burnham urged those ‘with a big heart for Manchester and the means to make a difference’ to become Gold or Platinum Partners

Since then several businesses – including Workspace Design & Build, Equilibrium Asset Management, ANS, S.J.M. Concerts and Palatine – together with official Media Partners, Hits Radio and the Manchester Evening News – have stepped forward to back the social movement and will be present at the Testimonial Dinner.   Hits very own breakfast show presenter, Gethin Jones, will also play a role on the night interviewing some of the many names in the room.

Kenny Waste Management, Manchester City, Corporate Direct Europe Ltd and Selfie Guide are all Testimonial Table Sponsors.

Also in attendance will be delegates from the PFA, Manchester City Football Club as well as a raft of current and former footballers and other well-known faces from the music and television.

Manchester City and Belgium captain Kompany, who has pledged to make use of the momentum generated by his Testimonial season at Manchester City to assist the Mayor with one of his top priorities, said: “The Testimonial Dinner is going to be a memorable occasion, great food, a money can’t buy auction, silent auction and a raffle.

“I’d also like to thank Noel Gallagher and Gary Lineker for making themselves available to play such prominent roles during an evening that will see good people come together for one important reason – to help tackle rough sleeping in Greater Manchester

“As I’ve said before, nobody should have to sleep rough on the streets, which is why funds raised by Tackle4MCR will go to the Mayor of Greater Manchester’s Homelessness Charity, and more specifically the recently launched ‘A Bed Every Night’ campaign.”

UKFast Recognised as “Centre of Excellence in Wellbeing”

Sam Whitear
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Manchester technology firm UKFast has been recognised by Great Place to Work® as a Centre of Excellence in Wellbeing.

The new UK-wide award recognises organisations with outstanding wellbeing practices, as perceived by employees.

The Great Place to Work Trust Index survey looks at the six key dimensions that drive a healthy culture: work environment, financial security, mental and physical health, inter-personal relationships, work-life balance, and fulfilment.

UKFast is renowned for its positive approach to workplace wellbeing, with a range of initiatives designed to support its team. The company offers continuous professional support and development, alongside a range of initiatives including an on-site gym, sleeping pods, and free yoga and meditation classes.

UKFast CEO Lawrence Jones said: “If teammates are feeling under the weather, it’s up to businesses to create an environment where they feel they can talk to the people around them.

“There are so many things we can do to ensure people feel supported in the workplace. At UKFast we have a policy that no individual manages more than six people at any given time. It’s simple but it guarantees that people are never far away from a supportive helping hand and no-one slips through the net.

“It’s essential that you consider the type of environment you build for your team. It’s very easy to think you’ve ticked the boxes because you’ve got a couple of sofas and a table tennis table, but there’s more to it than that. It’s about creating an environment where everyone feels happy to be themselves.

“At UKFast we encourage people to go home on time and switch off from work. I don’t believe you’ll get value out of people if they’re tired and burned out. It’s a false economy to have people working long hours.”

Glenbrook sells 43,000 sq ft industrial unit

Sam Whitear
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Property development and investment company Glenbrook has announced the investment sale of a 43,000 sq ft industrial unit in Walton Summit, Lancashire, to Knight Frank Investment Management (KFIM) on behalf of LCC Pension Fund, in a deal worth £2.955million reflecting a 6.53% net initial yield.

Acquired by Glenbrook in March 2017 the unit is occupied by Sliders (UK) Limited a leading aluminium bi-folding, patio and composite doors manufacturer. Sliders (UK) limited committed to a new 15-year lease in May 2018.

Speaking about the sale, Chris Lloyd, investment director at Glenbrook, commented: “Our initial objective was to retain this investment within our portfolio but the offer from KFIM was a good one, which will allow us to reinvest our monies into similar value add opportunities.”

Piers Windsor at KFIM, continued: “The acquisition fits well with the Fund’s requirement for industrial property within the county of Lancashire and we are always keen to work closely with vendors on an off-market basis. The property provides secure, long term income at a yield which represents good value given the strong, strategic north west location.”

Local apprentice involved in new nation apprentice campaign

Sam Whitear
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The Department for Education has launched its new ‘Fire it Up’ campaign, designed to raise awareness about the huge variety of apprenticeship options available for people of all ages and backgrounds and the positive impact they can have for apprentices and employers.

Although employers report high satisfaction with apprenticeships, many parents and school advisors still don’t consider technical qualifications alongside a university route to work. Less than a fifth say that apprenticeships would offer their child a high-quality alternative to a traditional academic route, and just 29% of young apprentices report that they pursued an apprenticeship following advice from their parents – prompting Education Secretary Damian Hinds to warn in December 2018 that Britain must drop its ‘snobby’ attitude’ to technical and vocational education, or risk being left behind our European neighbours after Brexit, with a widening productivity gap.

The new campaign, which includes national TV and social media adverts and a new ‘one-stop shop’ website that provides helpful information as well as access to thousands of apprenticeship opportunities across the country, will ensure that young people, parents, teachers do not see the full-time academic route as the only valid route into well paid, sought after careers.

Aimen Fatima, Specialist Lab Support Technology Apprentice at the University of Manchester, said: “Choosing an apprenticeship was the best decision I have made, it has given me opportunities I would not have had otherwise been exposed to or dreamt of. My apprenticeship as a specialist apprentice laboratory technician working for The University of Manchester, ensures I get to work in different and challenging laboratory settings across the whole of the campus. I was also given the opportunity to travel to Sweden, completing overseas work experience with a Damsel Fly research group.

“Alongside all this valuable experience I am now working towards completing a degree in Chemical Science, which will equip me with the knowledge to help me understand my role further.

“I would strongly encourage others to consider an apprenticeship as route into employment and learning. As an apprentice you will earn money, valuable experience and qualifications at the same time! My skills are well developed and this is what employers want from prospective employees today.”

Corporate Punk nominated in two categories at the MCA Awards 2019 

Sam Whitear
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Corporate Punk has been announced as a finalist for Best New Consultancy at the prestigious MCA Awards 2019. Phil Lewis, who founded the business, is also in the running for Innovation Consultant of the Year.

Corporate Punk uses cutting-edge psychology and a blend of coaching, consulting and training to increase productivity, creativity and growth within businesses. It has worked with Sony, the BBC, KPMG and some of Europe’s fastest growing scale-ups.

Phil Lewis, Managing Director at Corporate Punk commented: “Imagine the impact on productivity and innovation if people were fully energised at work, each and every day. I founded Corporate Punk with the aim to enable everyone to perform at their absolute best as I believe that’s how businesses today can set themselves up for commercial success.”

In their 22nd year, the MCAs are organised by the Management Consultancies Association and are seen as the benchmark for quality within the UK consulting industry. The winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony on 28 March 2019.

Claire Croft, Director at Corporate Punk, added: “We’re thrilled to be recognised by these top awards for our unique approach to driving commercial performance. Culture change is not new, but few firms can claim to have driven tangible business transformation in the way we have.”

Manchester Airport retains its crown as best UK airport for fifth year in a row

Sam Whitear
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Manchester Airport is flying high after being named the UK’s best airport, for a fifth year running, at the Globe Awards hosted by Travel Weekly.

The UK’s third largest airport fought off competition from the likes of Heathrow, Liverpool, Gatwick and Birmingham to receive the accolade.

The award comes after a strong 2018 for Manchester Airport, which saw it smash its all-time passenger record, as 28.2m people passed through the airport in the calendar year.  It also saw Manchester Airport launch a wealth of new routes including Addis Ababa, Mumbai and Seattle.

Voted for by UK wide travel agents, representatives from Manchester Airport picked up the award from John Barrowman, at a glittering award ceremony at Grosvenor House in London.

Patrick Alexander, Head of Marketing, for Manchester Airport, said: “We’re delighted to receive this fantastic award and would like to thank all the travel agents who voted for Manchester Airport.

“Last year was a great one for the airport with record passenger numbers and expansion by lots of our airlines.

“Looking ahead, 2019 is set to be an exciting year, as well as further route expansion the first new pier on our £1bn transformation will open in April. We’ll also be working hard to try and retain our crown for a sixth year.”

Opticians and audiologists in Wythenshawe boost customer services with £180,000 refit

Sam Whitear
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Specsavers in Wythenshawe is currently completing a major new store expansion, boosting the audiology and eye health care services available to customers in the local community.

The store’s investment includes the state-of-the-art 3D scanning technology, The Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) machine. Usually found in hospital eye departments, the equipment is used for a variety of functions, including screening and management of conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

To help with the increase in customer demand, Specsavers will also be expanding the number of sight testing rooms from three to five and expanding the size of their waiting area.

The growing demand for audiology services also means the Wythenshawe store’s new equipment will see it offer an enhanced audiology service, with extensive insulation works currently being completed to improve the quality of sound and eliminate background noise.

To celebrate the expansion, Specsavers located on The Birtles in Wythenshawe town centre, will be hosting an in-store family fun day on 9 February.

Staff will treat the local community to goodie bags and a bake sale, including a delicious range of cupcakes and cookies.

Special guest Ammy Alligator, Wythenshawe AFC’s mascot, will also be on hand for children to pose for photos with throughout the day.

Store director, Amanda Pedder, says: “This expansion is a proud milestone for our team, and has only been made possible by the loyal support of the Wythenshawe community over the last 20 years.

“Our family fun day looks set to be a fantastic day and we’re inviting anyone who’s planning on being in the town centre to join us.

“We are hugely excited about this new development, and this investment represents our commitment to new and existing customers in the town and providing more accessible services than ever before.”

Bruntwood gives wellbeing boost to customers in the New Year

Sam Whitear
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Bruntwood is pledging to help customers keep their healthy New Year’s resolutions by launching a series of wellness at work initiatives to help enhance professional development and personal wellbeing.

From LES MILLS virtual fitness classes to mindfulness and yoga sessions, Bruntwood buildings across Manchester are signing up to the programme to help boost staff morale and motivation.

Investing in employees’ wellbeing is good for business. It significantly reduces absenteeism and increases productivity. And with 46% of people admitting they turn up to the office feeling too tired to work, it is essential businesses get wellbeing on their radar for 2019.

Bruntwood’s initiatives are supporting them to do just that. The programme builds on its existing active and vibrant community activity across the portfolio, which ranges from art workshops and holistic therapy pop ups to running clubs and social events.

Resident gym at Bruntwood’s Riverside complex, FORM, offers customers a range of personalised programmes, as well as 1-2-1 and group personal training, and an outdoor astroturf training area.

For the first time, FORM will expand its offering in 2019 across other Bruntwood buildings, such as Neo and the newly refurbished Union in Manchester city centre. The team, led by personal trainers Libby Smith and Ben Wood are on a mission to empower the people of Manchester to lead happier and healthier lifestyles. They will be conducting pop-up studio classes within four training areas ‘Sweat, Lift, Move and Breathe’ – featuring everything from cardio, to wellbeing classes for the Bruntwood community.

At Trafford House, located on Chester Road in Old Trafford, Bruntwood continues its full exercise and wellbeing programme for customers to support them in increasing fitness and physical activity levels.

The pioneering initiative has seen the property company form a unique partnership with international fitness brand, LES MILLS, to offer a variety of 30 – 55-minute virtual classes like BODYCOMBAT (martial arts style cardio class), BODYPUMP (strength and conditioning) and BODYBALANCE (mind-body program). Les Mills’ mission is to create a fitter planet by helping people fall in love with fitness and research shows this virtual programming is a great way to get started into exercise while building the confidence for live classes.

For 2019, Bruntwood has also secured a deal with Altius Healthcare, which is headed up by former England Rugby and Sale Sharks physiotherapist Doug Jones, to provide its Sit Strong corporate wellness programme to customers.

Altius will deliver a programme of physiotherapy services, strengthening and conditioning classes, and wellbeing therapies to firms located across the Bruntwood community.

The initiative will launch in three of Bruntwood’s buildings – Trafford House, Booths Park in Knutsford, and Neo in Manchester city centre, with further buildings to follow.

Toby Sproll, director of retail, amenity and community from Bruntwood, said: “Happy, healthy people are the biggest asset to any business and at Bruntwood our focus has always been creating places where companies can succeed and thrive. The way in which people work is rapidly evolving and work environments need to reflect this. Modern businesses need flexible workspaces and wellbeing facilities within easy reach. They need spaces which have people at their heart.

“It’s clear from our customer steering groups that wellbeing at work is no longer a ‘nice to have’, but a ‘must have’. Everyone wants to feel their company is looking after them, and by providing such a wide range of options for our customers we can help all businesses, whatever their size, offer these services to employees. Whether its fitness facilities, art classes, yoga or mindfulness training there are plenty of wellbeing options to get employees engaged.

“And our customers don’t have to be in that building to benefit from the classes and fitness amenities on offer. As part of the Bruntwood community you can come in and enjoy facilities at any of our other buildings too!”

Alternative SME finance provider Capify secures £75 million credit facility from Goldman Sachs

Sam Whitear
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Capify, a leading alternative SME finance provider in the UK, has secured a £75 million credit facility from Goldman Sachs Private Capital (“Goldman Sachs”) to support its future growth plans and provide working capital to thousands of British SMEs over the coming years.

The Greater Manchester-based fintech company will use the new facility to accelerate the growth of its lending business to UK SMEs through its merchant cash advance (MCA) and business loan products.

Capify has been active in the UK since 2008, executing over 9,000 transactions for UK SMEs seeking working capital for their business. Since inception, Capify has helped deliver £150 million in business loans and merchant cash advances in the UK.

“This is a landmark achievement for Capify and we are very pleased that we have secured this financing with Goldman Sachs, one of the premiere capital providers in the world,” said David Goldin, Founder and CEO of Capify.

“This new multi-year credit facility allows us to deliver on our own growth plans, whilst providing much needed access to capital for UK SMEs to help them to grow, to boost the economy and to create jobs.”

“The credit facility validates our company as a leader in the marketplace and underlines the strength of our business model to provide simple, affordable and smart financial options to UK SMEs.”

Pankaj Soni, Executive Director at Goldman Sachs Private Capital, said: “Capify is one of the leading SME finance providers in the UK. We have been impressed with the management team, business model and innovative finance solutions for SMEs. We look forward to supporting their growth in the years ahead.”

“We are extremely excited about our future relationship with Goldman Sachs,” added John Rozenbroek, Chief Financial Officer at Capify. “The credit facility will enable us to continue on our growth trajectory while offering even more attractive and innovative solutions to thousands of small businesses in need of capital.”

Lloyds Banking Group to support North West businesses with £1.3billion of lending

Sam Whitear
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As part of Lloyds Banking Group’s national pledge to lend £18billion to UK businesses, the Group expects to support firms in the North West with up to £1.3billion of lending during 2019.

As part of the Group’s continued commitment to help British businesses prosper, today’s announcement underlines to existing and new businesses across the North West that the Group is committed to supporting businesses through 2019 and beyond.

The £1.3billion is available to firms across the North West and will support entrepreneurs looking to start-up a new business, micro-businesses seeking to scale up and small businesses considering trading internationally for the first time. It will also support established mid-sized businesses and large, multinational corporations seeking further growth.

Last year, Lloyds Banking Group supported Cheshire-based housing association Halton Housing. It confirmed plans to build 1,000 new homes in the next five years, after securing a £60million funding package.

Lloyds Banking Group Ambassador for the North West, Nick Williams, said: “The North West is one of the top regional contributors to UK PLC and we want to support the businesses delivering this growth. Up to £1.3billion of lending will help the region’s firms to access investment and realise their ambitions. Here at Lloyds Banking Group we’re by the side of business and as part of our plan to help Britain prosper we’ll support those that need advice or a capital injection – be it to expand into new international markets, overcome recruitment challenges or improve productivity.”

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