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LeasingOptions.co.uk Announces New Director of IT

Sam Whitear
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Following a hugely successful 12 months and ambitious plans to accelerate growth in 2018/19, LeasingOptions.co.uk, one of the UK’s leading car leasing companies, has announced Ben Durkin as the new director of IT.

Ben, who has been with the company for 15 years, has been promoted to the newly created role and will be responsible for managing a team of developers that will focus on building bespoke online solutions for LeasingOptions.co.uk. As part of his new role, Ben will also join the senior management team.

The promotion follows Ben’s tireless work at designing and building an innovative bespoke CRM system, which contains a full enquiry log, quotation system and staff workflow and diary function. It also enables gamification of the staff performance with unique dashboards and tables.

Nigel Brain, co-founder and managing director of LeasingOptions.co.uk said: “As a business we have just gone through the strongest 12 months in our history and we’re really excited about the direction we’re going in.

“We pride ourselves on being the market leaders and by promoting Ben and having him drive the technology function of the business forward – we are confident that we will maintain our position and lead the industry.”

Ben will be leading and managing a team of six developers.

Ben Durkin, director of IT said: “Working for a company that recognises its staff for their achievements and rewards them is fantastic.

“I’m really proud and excited to be able to take LeasingOptions.co.uk to the next chapter by elevating our IT offering and further advancing it for the benefit of our customers.”

Apadmi and Yorkshire Water join forces to teach kids about careers in tech

Sam Whitear
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Manchester-based Apadmi and the Yorkshire Water team are encouraging kids to get into vital industries like technology with a workshop in app design.

Matt Harney, Creative Producer for leading mobile technology company Apadmi, went into Hilltop Academy, Wakefield, recently to chat about life as a digital designer and what makes a career in technology such an exciting prospect.

Apadmi has previously worked closely with schools and universities to push the benefits of training in this arena, which is currently suffering from a huge skills gap. Their aim is to make youngsters aware of the huge potential in the sector, which would lead to an exciting and engaging career path at the same time.

Matt commented: ”It was fantastic to work with the kids – they showed real enthusiasm for the workshop and it was great to see so many creative ideas coming from them.

“We’re really passionate about going into schools and showing children exactly what a career in the technology industry could lead to – it’s not just for people with a flair for maths, but for creatives too. There’s a distinctive skills gap in the UX design industry, and we’re addressing this head-on.”

The initiative forms part of a wider community project by Yorkshire Water, focused on encouraging children into vital industries such as technology, engineering, science and mathematics.

The children were challenged with inventing new ways of attracting people to the Yorkshire Water app. The children were split into brainstorming groups, showing them real-world techniques such as story-boarding and wire-framing once they’d come up with ideas.

Each group then presented their designs back to the class, before everyone voted on their favourite idea. [Last week] the Apadmi team and Yorkshire Water went back to Hilltop to present the winning team with their “graduation” certificates from the Apadmi Academy as top app designers.

Paul Ockwell from Yorkshire Water added: “Thanks to the students for their great ideas – throughout the process, they’ve been very enthusiastic. They recognised the challenges we face such as water conservation or preventing sewer blockages, and built these into their designs”.

AJ Bell signs title partnership with ITU World Triathlon Series in Leeds

Sam Whitear
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Manchester headquartered AJ Bell has signed a multi-year deal with British Triathlon to become title partner of the AJ Bell World Triathlon Leeds.

The exciting new partnership will see one of the largest providers of online investment platforms and stockbroker services join forces with the ITU World Triathlon Series event in Leeds organised by British Triathlon with full naming, branding and activation rights.

In exactly one months’ time, the world’s best triathletes will be racing through the streets of Leeds with over 70,000 fans expected to descend on the city to cheer on Britain’s best as they take on the rest of the world on home soil.

The AJ Bell World Triathlon Leeds also hosts thousands of amateur triathletes over two days of triathlon action on 9 and 10 June 2018.

On Saturday 9 June, the UK’s largest GO TRI event take place in Roundhay Park, where hundreds will be taking part in their first ever triathlon. The AJ Bell Triathlon also provides a platform for the next generation of triathlon talent to race on the biggest stage with events for youngsters aged from 11-19.

On Sunday 10 June, amateur triathletes from around the globe will take part in sprint and standard distance events with participants drawn to Leeds with the unique opportunity to race on closed roads from Roundhay Park through the city to a grandstand finish on the blue carpet in Millennium Square.

Andy Salmon, British Triathlon Chief Executive welcomed AJ Bell on board, commented: “This is fantastic news for British Triathlon’s flagship event in Leeds to join forces with AJ Bell, an industry-leading company. The newly named AJ Bell World Triathlon Leeds showcases the whole story of the sport from grassroots to elite competition and I look forward to working alongside the team at AJ Bell over the next few years.”

The AJ Bell World Triathlon Leeds takes place on 9 and 10 June and is organised by British Triathlon, in partnership with Leeds City Council, UK Sport and the ITU.

Billy Mackay, Marketing Director of AJ Bell, said: “At AJ Bell we want more people to enjoy secure, healthy, long and rewarding lives. Through all of our sponsorship activity we aim to foster a mind-set where ‘looking after yourself’ means investing in both your health and your future wealth. Triathlon is a great fit with that mantra, so we’re extremely pleased that we are able to support this great event and expand our commitment to the sport.”

Kris Gemmell ITU World Triathlon Series General Manager, added “We welcome AJ Bell to the ITU World Triathlon Series family. It’s great to see the promotion of our sport from Elite to mass participation aligns with AJ Bell’s strategic plan. The British Triathlon Federation is a leading National Federation within ITU, we believe this relationship will continue to grow Triathlon around the World and in the UK.”

Markel Law to offer legal services to SMEs

Sam Whitear
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Markel UK, the specialist insurer, has re-launched its flagship legal services firm, Markel Law, as part of the development of the company’s broadly based and comprehensive offering of insurance, legal, tax and specialist sector advisory services, to businesses across the UK.

Markel Law offers legal advice on a range of business critical areas including business and commercial, employment, disputes, professional discipline, regulatory, care services and health and safety issues.

Markel Law will continue to offer its heritage LHS Solicitors’ clients with specialist legal services, provided by the same teams that they have been used to working with.

Markel Law works with individuals, businesses and organisations of all sizes. It employs 89 staff between offices in Croydon and Manchester.

Markel UK, established 25 years ago, serves regional brokers with specialist insurance solutions for charities, businesses and professionals, the biomedical and life sciences industry and IT professionals
Graham Neyt, managing director at Markel Law, said: “We’re excited to bring the Markel Law name to the market and have ambitious plans for growth. We will continue to provide a market leading service to our growing client base. We’re proud of the extensive range of expertise we have in our teams and look forward to being an important part of Markel’s integrated business offering to UK SMEs.”

Neil Galjaard, divisional managing director at Markel UK, said: “Markel is a trusted provider of insurance to commercial organisations across the UK, and the introduction of Markel Law clearly demonstrates the strength of specialist capability we have within the wider Markel offer, alongside our specialist tax and consultancy expertise. It’s great to see our law firm now attached to the Markel brand”

Markel Law LLP provides independent legal advice and services and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Plans revealed for Hodder designed residential project

Sam Whitear
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Plans have been revealed for a residential development designed by Manchester architectural practice Hodder + Partners.

The proposed scheme, by property developer Dandara, includes the creation of 340 new homes in the town of Bedminster which lies one mile south of Bristol city centre.

A combination of one and two-bed apartments for rent – including an affordable housing provision – are disposed in a street-defining podium, surmounted by a tower. A new street will be introduced through the site making a pedestrianised connection between St. Catherine’s Place with St. John’s to the east.

Stephen Hodder MBE, Chairman of Hodder + Partners, said the 340-apartment scheme forms an important part of the wider masterplan for Bedminster.

“This scheme is significant and will start to address the housing shortage in Bedminster and Bristol,” he said.

“It will also act as a catalyst to the regeneration of Bedminster’s main shopping street, East Street, and how East Street connects via a regenerated Bedminster Green to the train station which is just one stop from Bristol Temple Meads.”

Stephen added: “Revealing these plans for the apartments has also given the public an idea of the wider Bedminster Green masterplan which is currently at an early stage.”

In a statement, a spokesperson for Dandara said: “The Bedminster Green regeneration would bring more people into East Street, helping revitalise this important South Bristol retail centre.

“Bedminster is one of Bristol’s most sustainable locations for new homes. It is just one mile from the city centre and Temple Meads station, has its own train station, good existing bus services and the new Metrobus.”

A public consultation took place last week at Windmill Hill City Farm before a final planning proposal is presented to Bristol City Council.

UK tech firm introduces ‘Pawternity Leave’ for new pet owners in Manchester

Sam Whitear
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With the UK home to over 51 million animals, Brits admit to being twice as willing to cut back on their own food than their pet’s and twice more likely to insure their pets than themselves.

Clearly, Britons often put their pets’ well being ahead of their own, despite this, however, they worry a lot about their animals, with 42% fretting about their health.

Due to this, Airsorted, the world’s largest hosting management service, today announces that is has introduced a new “Pawternity Leave” for its employees in Manchester to make sure ruff days are a thing of the past.

The new workplace perk means that employees now get to spend up to a week working from home to heap puppy love and affection on their new pet. Airsorted is a hassle-free, hosting platform that amalgamates and services guest bookings from notable travel websites including Airbnb, Expedia, Booking.com and HomeAway. The company was founded in 2015 by James Jenkins-Yates, who previously worked in finance, and has organised and managed over £25 million in bookings globally. It currently employs 83 employees around the world.

the company is also about to complete a successful crowdfunding on Seedrs.

Airsorted Founder and CEO, James Jenkins-Yates said: “It takes time for animals to make themselves comfortable in new surroundings. Our ‘Pawternity Leave’ ensures that our employees have the flexibility and the support to look after their animals at this crucial stage.”

“We’re particularly passionate about this initiative because we think that our employees, due to the great job they do, make ideal pet owners. They are patient, reliable and natural problem solvers.”

“Manchester is one of our best-performing cities and we’re looking forward to increasing our footprint here and welcoming more employees who can avail of our benefits, like our ‘Pawternity Leave’, as we continue to grow rapidly.”

Accountants and business advisors Beever and Struthers appointed as auditor by Walker Smith Global

Sam Whitear
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Accountants and business advisors Beever and Struthers have been appointed auditor of Walker Smith Global, the specialist provider of professional services to flexible workers worldwide.

Manchester-based Walker Smith selected Beever and Struthers because it has a dedicated employment agencies division offering expert advice for the temporary labour market and is also based in the North West of England with offices in Manchester and Blackburn.

The employment agencies team, headed by partner Iain Round, specialises in supporting clients of Beever and Struthers with tailored advice covering two main areas of recruitment and business support.  Each area of the sector has its own complexities with the team providing key services for start-ups, national companies and international businesses to ensure their requirements are met.

As a member of HLB International, a renowned worldwide network of independent accounting firms and business advisers, Beever and Struthers provides clients with international financial advice in more than 150 countries, including employing and transferring staff overseas.

Iain said: “Acting as auditor for a blue-chip business such as Walker Smith Global is a prestigious role for Beever and Struthers and testament to our ability to advise and support the temporary labour requirements of an ever-increasing number of businesses ranging from start-ups to national and international operators.”

Matt Tyson, managing director of Walker Smith Global, said: “As a multi-site, multi-business, international group of companies, we appreciate our audit requirements are not simple.

“The diligence and flexibility of Iain and his colleagues at Beever and Struthers allows them to complete a complex job on time.

“We believe their extensive experience in the temporary labour market and in-depth understanding of the nature of our business truly added value to the service. We hope that this is the first of many years working together with a valued partner.”

Clough & Willis advises JamJar Investments on latest deal

Sam Whitear
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The corporate team at Bury-based law firm Clough & Willis has advised the London venture capital investment fund JamJar Investments on its investment in Super Carers. Super Carers is a home-based care service that delivers at-home trusted carer introductions to its customers.

Super Carers aims to reduce care costs compared with traditional agency-provided model and also provide customers with greater control over the services they use.  It also allows greater flexibility for care workers in terms of hours and take-home pay as well as partnering with leading trainers to upskill carers.

JamJar Investments was established in 2013 by the three founders of Innocent Drinks – Richard Reed, Jon Wright and Adam Balon – as well as Katie Marrache. It provides early stage investment in consumer brands both tech and offline companies. Previous investments include Graze, Deliveroo, Tails.com, BlueBottle Coffee, Gojimo, Chronext, SID Group and Propercorn.

The team at Clough & Willis, which was led by commercial lawyer Guy Lachlan, advised on various aspects of Super Carers deal including financial and constitutional documents.

Kate Marrache, partner at JamJar said: “We continue to support Super Carers in its delivery of an innovative service in this developing sector. The care sector is becoming increasingly important in our society and Super Carers’ model challenges the traditional way of providing care to people at home.”

Guy Lachlan added: “The firm’s involvement with primary healthcare sector clients makes this investment interesting in terms of seeing how new offerings are being provided into a sector that used to be very set in its ways. That trend is likely to accelerate as the market continues to develop with public sector pressures for people to receive more and more treatment and related services at home.”

Seven promotions as Greater Manchester law firm retains the region’s best legal talent

Sam Whitear
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Greater Manchester law firm, SAS Daniels LLP, has made a number of promotions as part of its growth and development strategy.

With the North West being the largest legal hub outside of London, the area attracts the highest calibre legal talent. With so many opportunities for career seekers and firms working to recruit the best, SAS Daniels believes it is crucial that firms put emphasis on not just attracting, but also retaining, the most talented lawyers.

SAS Daniels LLP, has already grown the capabilities of its private client, commercial property, dispute resolution, employment and HR and corporate and commercial teams this year, through new hires and promotions.

It has recently bolstered these teams with four promotions to Senior Associate roles, a further three to Associate positions and the appointment of two new Solicitors. These have followed the recent promotion of Paul Tyrer to Partner in its corporate team.

Associates Anna Barnes, Scott Tams, Sarah Pull and Vicky Timothy have all made the move up to Senior Associate, boosting the offering of the dispute resolution, commercial property and private client teams.

Rachel Condie, Genevieve Powrie and Kerry Jones have all been promoted to Associates, working across the corporate and private client teams respectively, and Solicitor Warren Moores has joined its employment team along with recently qualified Solicitor Charlie Wood.

Jeremy Orrell, Managing Partner of SAS Daniels said: “Cheshire is a great place for a law firm. It’s vibrant and we have a pool of talent on our doorstep, but this also makes it very competitive. This is why we’ve always placed a large focus on employee relations and career development.

“We’ve been able to make a number of promotions and new hires this year due to the hard work and dedication of our colleagues and we’re delighted to be in a position to do this. The ongoing development of our colleagues is of the upmost important to us and is crucial for retaining the best calibre Solicitors, Associates and Partners across all four of our offices.”

Greater Manchester firms to get help to grow their business locally and globally

Sam Whitear
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SMEs in Greater Manchester have been given the chance to learn how to increase international sales, and help win new public-sector contracts, through two new fully-funded masterclasses being hosted this month.

The first event, being hosted on May 11th, is one of a three-part programme which will focus on how to tender more effectively for public sector contracts, and specifically how to bid for work from Greater Manchester’s transport agency, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).

With the first session looking at developing and articulating an environmental policy – something which is key to winning contracts from bodies like TfGM – the overarching objective is to give Greater Manchester SMEs practical actions, tools and techniques to help them secure more business through better environmental credentials.

In particular, the programme will look to address the fact that many Greater Manchester SMEs aren’t aware a key deciding factor for a successful bid with many types of public bodies can be the firm’s apparent lack of a sustainable, environmental approach to doing business.

The second new workshop, which is being held on May 15th, is being run in partnership with the Department for International Trade (DIT) and the online retailer Amazon.  This all-day event will look at how local companies can utilise the power of a global platform like Amazon Marketplace to sell more products internationally.

In addition to presentations from Amazon experts, companies attending will get the opportunity to meet DIT International Growth Advisers, and other specialist trade experts, to discuss how they can help companies increase sales worldwide.

Both programmes have been facilitated by The Growth Company, the not-for-profit agency for Greater Manchester, which is dedicated to economic development, inward investment, skills, employment and enterprise.

Earlier this year The Growth Company published new research about how Greater Manchester SMEs approach business growth, and what barriers they thought existed going forward.

It revealed 23% of local companies believed that access to new markets would be a major barrier to their growth in the future, and that only 16% were actively engaged in any type of international trade.

These two workshops will look to help address some of these issues by actively supporting companies looking to grow their businesses through more effective tendering for public sector contracts, or by selling more products and services globally.

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