Business Manchester

Two senior hires for Irwin Mitchell Private Wealth’s Manchester Family Team

Blog

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04/05/2018

Leading national law firm Irwin Mitchell Private Wealth has boosted the ranks of its Manchester family team with the arrivals of partner Katie McCann and senior associate Carole Nettleton.

Katie, who has joined the award-winning team as a partner from Kuits and who is a practicing barrister, is a specialist in handling high and ultra-high-value matrimonial finance matters. Her expertise also includes pre and post-nuptial agreements as well as cohabitation agreements.

Katie is highly regarded in the Manchester and London markets, with strong links to each. She comes recommended in leading independent legal directories Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500, who describe her as ‘professional and forceful (without being pushy) and is very knowledgeable; she has the knack of dialling into the key points and understanding the bigger picture’.

Senior associate Carole Nettleton qualified in 1996 and advises clients on high-value divorce, dissolution of civil partnership and cohabitation issues, focusing on the financial aspects of the cases. She has extensive experience of dealing with high-net-worth individuals involving complex pension issues, multiple businesses and family trusts.

The leading national law firm’s Manchester office has seen multiple exciting changes in recent months. National Head of Family Ros Bever was named Regional Managing Partner for the office in April, taking over from Roy Beckett. Ros will continue her work as a leading family and divorce law partner.

The office has also seen the establishment of a Will, Trust and Estate Disputes team with senior associate Nazia Nawaz heading up the outfit. The two teams will work closely together to help North West clients with their disputes and with the wider Private Wealth team across the country.

Irwin Mitchell’s Manchester office has also recently seen the arrival of three new Court of Protection Partners, new Corporate partners, Victoria Zivkovic and Adam Kaucher. Last month, Irwin Mitchell announced it is to relocate in June 2018 from its current base at Bauhaus on Quay Street to One St Peter’s Square.

Ros said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Katie and Carole to the team. Both have excellent links in the North West and their arrival places the Manchester team firmly as one of the top outfits in the region for both quality and size.

“From a Private Wealth perspective Katie and Carole will work closely with the wider business, including the newly established Will, Trust and Estate Disputes team in Manchester, to provide our clients with a fully comprehensive service that meets their needs.

“It’s an exciting time for Irwin Mitchell Private Wealth and the Manchester office as we look to grow into a major private wealth law provider in the region. I am sure the two will hit the ground running.”

Two years on – The Tim Bacon Foundation is to support more local Cancer Charities in its second year of fundraising

CSR

Sam Whitear

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04/05/2018

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Following last year’s incredible fundraising achievements which resulted in over £550,000 being raised for The Christie and Maggie’s Centres, The Tim Bacon Foundation (TBF) today announced its second fundraising campaign, which will focus on raising money for a hugely worthwhile children’s cancer charity, while continuing to support the Maggie’s Centre at The Christie.

Speaking as friends and colleagues remember the second anniversary of the untimely death of the restaurant legend in 2016, Jeremy Roberts, chair of the TBF, who founded the organisation in his late business partner’s name, commented: “Last year was special, the ‘Dream the Impossible Dream Party’ we organised was huge and people were incredibly generous. But it was not a one off. The Tim Bacon Foundation is here to stay and this year we want to focus on children. Children living with cancer is heartbreaking and we want to do what we can to help make their lives better, which is why we are supporting an incredible Manchester charity doing very important work.”

“Kidscan Children’s Cancer Research, based in Salford, supports dedicated research into children’s cancer treatments, which is sadly hugely underfunded, as an area of research. Many of the treatments used to treat Children are derived from adult Cancer treatments and as such, can have huge side effects on young people’s bodies, leaving lasting side effects, as their bodies struggle with the severity of the adult based treatments. Kidscan exists to fund dedicated research, that ensures Children cancers sufferers not only survive, but thrive!”

Kidscan’s Chair, Martin Keelagher, commented: “The opportunity to work with the Tim Bacon Foundation is truly an honor, with our ethos and beliefs so closely aligned, in helping to support Children who shouldn’t have to endure cancer and should be free to enjoy their young lives now and in to the future.”

“Tim’s nephew Jett died just a few days after him from cancer so this year it is particularly fitting that we recognise that with this year’s campaign.” Commented Roberts.

The first major event for this year’s TBF campaign will be a Gastronomic Dinner held at Manchester House on 7^th June featuring a star-studded collaboration of the regions finest Chefs led by Manchester House Head Chef Nathaniel Tofan featuring Tony Parkin of Michelin starred The West House and Gary Usher (Hispi, Burnt Truffle and Wreckfish) More. details of this event will be released soon through the TBF and charities’ websites.

Manchester based retailer The Fragrance Shop defies high street gloom with bumper year end figures

Blog

Sam Whitear

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04/05/2018

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The Fragrance Shop, the UK’s leading independent fragrance retailer, is going from strength to strength after enjoying another bumper trading year, with like-for-like sales increasing by 6%. In total, sales increased by 14% on continuing trading activities with trade boosted by NPD and blockbuster launches from brands such as CHANEL, Jean Paul Gaultier and Emporio Armani. Luxury continues to boost sales with increased distribution on Tom Ford and Dior among fragrance driving sales.

The Manchester-based retailer, which operates 214 stores nationwide, said total consolidated net sales rose to £121m underpinned by a strong Like-for-like performance of 6%. An ongoing expansion in its store portfolio fuelled further growth, with the retailer opening 33 new stores in the last trading year. In addition, the retailer’s online operation continues to increase in popularity with year-on-year ecommerce sales rising 27%.

Underlying group profitability (EBITDA) prior to exceptional items rose by 9.2% to £16.5m.

Sanjay Vadera, Chief Executive of The Fragrance Shop, said: “We are delighted to have achieved another outstanding year, given the challenging economic climate. Our growth highlights the fragrance sector’s resilience with NPD and blockbuster launches from brands such as Scandal, CHANEL Gabrielle, Jean Paul Gaultier and Emporio Armani Stronger With You/Because It’s You by far the top performing launches.”

“In the last trading year alone, we opened 33 stores and we will continue to expand our store portfolio. The customer is at the heart of everything we do and we are always evolving our customer strategy to ensure we continue to delight and exceed their expectations in the retail landscape.”

Customer initiatives have proved extremely popular too including the company’s scentaddict subscription service where customers can try new scents without splashing the cash and claim their £12 subscription fee back on a largest size purchase.

The whole customer retail experience and staff training is incredibly important to The Fragrance Shop, with continued investment to ensure customers receive the very best service and knowledge from team members. The retailer recently increased their database sign ups to over 4 million customers and received a 4.7 customer satisfaction score in Feefo which demonstrates yet again, The Fragrance Shop is the customer’s first choice for fragrance.

The Fragrance Shop was founded in 1995 with a single store. It now employs just under 1,400 people experiencing significant growth as a multichannel retailer through its e-commerce website, 214 stores and distribution facility in Manchester.

In December 2017, Sanjay Vadera announces the launch of his revolutionary new beauty concept, Indulge Beauty, both online and in-store at Westfield Stratford City, London. The store offers the ultimate experience for all things beauty and male grooming where customers can browse makeup, haircare, skincare, grooming, bath & body and electricals all under one roof.

New documentary reveals why Northern Quarter is booming for entrepreneurs

Blog

Sam Whitear

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04/05/2018

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A new documentary, released by accounting, payroll and HR software provider KashFlow, explores why Manchester’s Northern Quarter is experiencing unprecedented growth while nearby bricks and mortar chain stores are notoriously struggling. Manchester is renowned as a thriving hub for businesses in general, and the Northern Quarter, in particular, is very popular with independents, entrepreneurs and freelancers.

Data released by Inform Direct in their Review of UK Company Formations revealed that Greater Manchester was the most active area in England, outside of London, for companies to start up in 2017. In particular, the Ancoats and Clayton ward – which includes parts of the Northern Quarter – was found to have had more businesses open than close in the region last year.

KashFlow, which has office space in Manchester city centre, commissioned the documentary after reflecting on the fact that many of their clients and contacts based in the Northern Quarter had unique and inspiring stories to tell about their businesses. The software provider interviewed small business owners from a variety of different sectors, who operate from the district, to share their stories and explore why the area is so popular for entrepreneurs.

Common themes that arose were the unrivalled community spirit and the electric atmosphere that makes business owners believe anything could be possible. According to those interviewed – including owners of Cloudwater Brewery, co-working cafe Ziferblat and healthy fast food chain Kettlebell Kitchen – the area breeds creativity and encourages people to be expressive, something which attracts budding entrepreneurs.

Oliver Shaw, CEO of KashFlow, said: “Seeing small businesses thrive in areas like Manchester’s Northern Quarter reminds us why we do what we do at KashFlow – it’s to help them succeed and focus on what they love.

“Being able to get out amongst those driving Manchester’s creative community allows us to see small businesses in action and champion their efforts. There’s some fantastic businesses cropping up across the UK, and some equally fantastic established ones too.

“It’s our honour to celebrate their efforts and get as many eyes on the UK small business scene as possible.”

Tom Bloxham MBE, chairman of Urban Splash, a Manchester property development company responsible for regenerating developments in the Northern Quarter, says:

“Around twenty years ago, the Northern Quarter was in terminal decline. Myself and others had a vision of getting people back to the area by encouraging independent retailers and artists to set up shop here and make it the bohemian area of Manchester. Nowadays, the Northern Quarter has that sense of excitement, independence and disruption, which means it naturally attracts a lot of young, disruptive businesses.

“When I was younger, running your own business was seen as a slightly maverick sort of thing to do. Starting a business is now very aspirational, which is great as people learn so much running their own businesses, whether they succeed or fail.”

The aim of KashFlow’s documentary is to celebrate the thriving startup and small business scene in Manchester city centre and independent quarters in general. KashFlow is keen to champion the small business owners it works with, using its brand status and large audience pool to help promote British entrepreneurs.

The software provider is primarily popular with small businesses, startups and the self-employed.

Region’s inspirational business leaders celebrated at 2018 IoD awards ceremony

Awards

Sam Whitear

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04/05/2018

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Ten regional business leaders were awarded a prestigious Institute of Directors (IoD) Director of the Year award last night at a sold-out ceremony in Manchester. Accolades went to the outstanding entrepreneurial individuals from throughout the region who each reflect the success of the business community thriving here in the North West.

Amongst the winners were the Business Growth Hub’s Richard Jeffery in the Public and Third Sector categories and Toby McCartney from MacRebur Ltd who scooped not one but two awards, in both the Start Up and Innovation categories.

The Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Director and Board Practice, which was selected by the IoD regional Chair, Mike Blackburn OBE as someone who truly reflects the values of the IoD and is making a huge difference in our North West community, was given to Geoff Thompson MBE, the Executive Chair at Youth Charter.

The ten winners, who are listed in full below will go on to represent the North West at the national IoD awards final in London on the 18 October.

Claire Ebrey, the IoD’s Regional Director for the North West said: “This year’s entrants were truly outstanding and tonight is a great opportunity to celebrate the amazing pool of leadership talent that we have here in the region. We are extremely proud of all of our finalists. Establishing and running a business well is no mean feat, and doing that in a way that shines in our region, captures the imagination of other business leaders and exemplifies the highest standards for business practice, growth and innovation, is truly marvellous.

“All of our winners will go on to a national final in London later this year – I’m pretty confident that we will bring a lot of silverware back to the North West.”

Richard Jeffery, director of GC Business Growth Hub, said: “It’s an honour to have won such an illustrious award. The quality of everyone nominated tonight really highlights how strong the region’s business community is.

“This award is a great acknowledgement of all the hard work and success that everyone in GC Business Growth Hub, along with all our partners, clients and supporters, has achieved”.

The full list of winners is as follows:

Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Director and Board Practice | Geoff Thompson MBE, FRSA, DL, Youth Charter – Salford

Non-Executive | Christine Gaskell MBE, DL, Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership

Public / Third Sector | Richard Jeffery – GC Business Growth Hub

New Business | Kelvin Wood – The Shield Safety Group

Family Business | Alison Reuben – Bluebell Fitted Furniture

Inclusivity | Erica Ingham – MediaCom North

Global | Barry Leahey MBE – Playdale Playgrounds Ltd

Innovation | Toby McCartney – MacRebur Ltd

CSR | Dr Julian Skyrme – The University of Manchester

Start Up | Toby McCartney – MacRebur Ltd

Manchester property market continues to outperform

Property

Sam Whitear

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03/05/2018

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Cushman & Wakefield has presented its North West Property Outlook for 2018 and beyond. The breakfast presentation, held at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester, revealed that the commercial property market in the North West saw a 46% increase in investment activity to over £4 billion in 2017.

John Keyes, International Partner and Head of Public Sector Advisory at Cushman & Wakefield was joined by Darren Yates, Head of Retail Research & Insight, Sophy Moffat, Associate in Research & Insight and Bruce Poizer, Head of Investment at Cushman & Wakefield in Manchester to discuss market conditions and the opportunities and threats that lie ahead. Finally, Caroline Baker, the new Head of Cushman & Wakefield’s Manchester office gave an update on the Residential market.

Darren Yates began the event with a presentation which set the scene and discussed key trends in the commercial property market across the main sectors.

Economic and political uncertainty over the last year have made business planning extremely difficult, particularly for sectors like banking, the car industry and agriculture. However, last year also saw the second highest volume on record for commercial property investment with around £60billion worth of deals, driven largely by the industrial sector.

Darren Yates said: “We are seeing a longer term trend which is the growth in industrial, leisure, alternatives and mixed-use, largely at the expense of retail. We’re also seeing an increasing shift towards mixed-use and a blurring of the traditional sectors.

“A more recent trend has been the slowdown in the shopping centre investment market, which reflects investor concerns around the structural changes going on in retail, particularly the secondary market.”

Sophy Moffat provided an insight into the importance of wellbeing in the workplace.

Her presentation revealed that a combination of robotics, big data and automation will inevitably change our working environments and, although offices of the future will be very different, they will be more human, not less.

“Although technological disruptions will automate certain jobs, occupations drawing on cognitive abilities, social skills and specialist knowledge, which machines cannot easily replicate, will be even more important. Only smart office spaces, purposefully designed to enhance wellbeing, will create a best in class user experience for the flexible, consumer-minded Knowledge worker of the future.

“Right now, most workers are unhappy; 76% report they are struggling with wellbeing, and research studies estimate the cost of work-related stress to be as high as US$650 billion in Europe. These numbers can’t be ignored much longer. ‘Smart’ buildings will tell us more about the impact of the workplace on human beings than we have ever known. As workers and employers grow wise to their environments, buildings that are not ‘well’ ultimately risk heightened vacancy levels, prolonged void periods and loss of income potential.

She added: “The message to the real estate and built environment sector is clear: prioritise wellbeing and make spaces human again.”

Bruce Poizer provided an overview of the commercial markets in the region which has seen some very high profile investment transactions with an increasing number of foreign investors. The Manchester city centre office market has consistently outperformed all other regional centres over the last 10 years and continues to offset a number of high profile occupiers. He predicted that a number of current active requirements will “kick off” new developments in the next 12 months.

He said: “The industrial and logistics sectors will continue to see more development activity particularly in the small and box sizes where new development is becoming more viable. Despite post-Brexit concerns manufacturing was the most active sector although e-commerce will remain one of the main activities of demand.”

Bruce also showcased new Cushman & Wakefield research focusing on the resilience of the North West’s high streets and acknowledged that significant falls in both rents and capital values presented an opportunity for developers and Local Authorities seeing to re-invent their town centres.

Finally, Caroline Baker, the new Head of Cushman & Wakefield’s Manchester office provided an overview of the residential market in the North West. She added: “It’s great to yet again welcome our clients and guests to our annual insight event. We hope the speakers provided them with advice to ensure they respond to current and future trends. We are pleased to be able to share positive messages about how well placed Manchester and the North West property market are. However we cannot be complacent and we need to continue to innovate to overcome constraints in some areas. We strongly believe that the region’s public private partnerships are well placed to respond to the challenge and we look forward to working with many of them in the coming year.”

Bardsley Construction increases turnover by 33 per cent in 2017 with strong order pipeline of £72m for 2018

Blog

Sam Whitear

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03/05/2018

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Greater Manchester-based Bardsley Construction achieved a 33 per cent increase in turnover in 2017 as it continued to benefit from a strategic decision to diversify its workload including the delivery of prime city centre developments.

In the financial year ended 31 December 2017, the family-owned provider of building services to the public and private sectors with headquarters in Dukinfield, Tameside and a regional office for Yorkshire in Leeds, increased annual turnover by 33 per cent to £68.3m from £51.4m in 2016.

Bardsley generated a pre-tax profit of £1.1m in 2017 (2016: £0.8m), operating profit of £1.17m (2016: £0.86m) and gross profit of £4.2m, up from £3.6m in the previous financial year.

In his strategic report on the financial year, managing director Paul Strutt said Bardsley had “traded well” in 2017 and continued to benefit from a strategy to spread risk by diversifying into the delivery of schemes across public sector, student accommodation, private residential, private rented sector (PRS) and the leisure sector.

Bardsley was on course for a “healthy” 2018 with a pipeline of secured contracts worth more than £60m and a further £12m due to convert to secured status by June.

Mr Strutt said: “The business is now regularly competing for projects in the midrise market and for contracts of £20m or more and this is evidenced with Bardsley currently having a number of major projects in the heart of the city centre in Manchester and Liverpool.

“Private developers react quicker than public sector but strategically as a business we will remain minded to keep the balance of public and private sector in the right proportion.

“Whilst there continues to be delays in contracts starting on site driven largely by the planning process, there is also a general unease and uncertainty of what is around the corner in macro-economic terms.”

Roly Bardsley, chairman of Bardsley Construction, said the firm had benefited from reducing its reliance on the provision of affordable housing, partly because that market “remains slow to react to the constant pleading towards the public sector enablers to build more homes”.

“The delay in public sector work in 2016 continued into 2017 with the only real change being the healthier enquiry levels for elderly care,” he said, adding that Bardsley would continue to specialise in education, elderly care and all aspects of residential development.

Bardsley, which employs 184 staff, is on 13 major delivery frameworks with a total value of billions of pounds with the firm’s diversification strategy meaning it is not reliant on a particular client or sector.

The University of Manchester and Nanoco Group PLC launch new business, Nanoco 2D Materials Ltd

Education

Sam Whitear

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03/05/2018

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The University of Manchester and Nanoco Group PLC (LSE: NANO), a world leader in the development and manufacture of cadmium-free quantum dots and nano-materials, announce the launch of Nanoco 2D Materials Ltd “2D Materials” which is focused on the development and commercialisation of a new generation of nano-materials. 2D Materials is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nanoco Group PLC.

Two dimensional nano-particles are a platform technology which are one or two atoms thick and a few nanometres wide and represent a burgeoning field of material science. Currently there is no cost-effective way to produce these 2D materials on a commercial scale nor any reliable method to ensure consistent properties suitable for the wide range of potential electronics, industrial and other applications.

For the past year Nanoco has been collaborating with the University’s Professor Novoselov, 2010 winner of the Nobel Prize for Physics for his work on graphene, with the goal to establish feasibility for these exciting new materials. Based on the positive results seen to date, 2D Materials has been created to formalise the partnership between the two groups, ensure funding is in place and continue the development of the technology.

Dr Nigel Pickett, CTO and co-founder of Nanoco, said: “By combining Nanoco’s expertise with the knowledge base from Professor Novoselov’s lab we have been able to push the boundaries of material science to come up with a new generation of versatile 2D nano-particles and are now utilising Nanoco’s 15 years of scale-up expertise on methods to produce them at commercial scale. Potential commercial applications for these materials span across a wide range of sectors including novel catalysts, photo-detectors, photovoltaics, inverters and light emitting devices.”

Professor Novoselov added: “It is exciting to see how quickly 2D materials, beyond graphene, has accelerated from the early research stage to the technology we now have. Working with a very knowledgeable and dedicated Nanoco team continues to be a very refreshing experience. The ability of our combined teams to focus on particular technological and performance parameters is allowing the rapid development of these 2D Materials.”

Clive Rowland, CEO of the University’s innovation company -UMI3- commented: “Part of the University’s strategy for commercialising graphene and its sister 2D materials is to work with existing companies and entrepreneurs to help them set-up R&D centres and new companies close to the campus to create a technology innovation ecosystem here – Graphene City®. I’m delighted that we are working with Nanoco, which itself is a spin-out from the University. Its experience in the handling and scaling up of nanomaterials and access to its relevant facilities were key factors in us deciding to support this initiative.”

Equilibrium to host its first ever wealth conference featuring infamous rogue trader Nick Leeson

Blog

Sam Whitear

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03/05/2018

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Equilibrium Asset Management will hold its inaugural wealth conference this month – with a host of headline speakers including infamous rogue trader Nick Leeson set to take to the stage.

The invitation only event entitled Equinox Live takes place at Alderley Park in Cheshire and will also feature global market strategist Michael J. Bell, behavioural economist Greg B. Davies, fund manager Gervais Williams and consumer fraud expert Alexis Conran.

Equilibrium founder Colin Lawson said the conference has been tailored for individuals or family members who are responsible for managing their wealth while also providing a unique opportunity for those eager to learn more about making the most of their assets.

Colin, whose Wilmslow-based company currently manages over £750 million of assets for over 1,000 families said: “Equilibrium is delighted to host its first ever wealth conference. This event has been an idea of mine for many years, and one that I am excited to finally bring to life.

“For this inaugural event we have lined up an amazing panel of speakers guaranteed to inform, educate and entertain.

“Our keynote speaker is Nick Leeson, the infamous rogue trader who single-handedly brought down England’s oldest bank, Barings, in 1995. We will also hear from experts in a variety of fields including behavioural economics, fund management and tax planning.

“As with our Equinox magazine, the aim for this event is to present a wide variety of content that will invariably interest anybody aiming to maximise their assets while minimising risk, cost and tax.”

The Equinox Live wealth conference will start at 9.15am on Wednesday, May 16 and finish at 4.30pm.

The conference comes after Equilibrium recently landed £80m of net asset wins in six months – surpassing its half year target by £30m.

Equilibrium, which now employs 72 staff and turned over more than £7 million at the end of its last fiscal year in 2017, was also named in the top 10 best small companies to work for in the UK by The Sunday Times for the second consecutive year.

The company specialises in all areas of wealth management, investment, pensions, tax planning and estate planning and works with high-net-worth individuals, couples and families.

Colin added: “Since the company was founded almost 23 years ago there has always been a vision for sustained growth.

“The creation and hosting Equinox Live fits with our general ethos which is to constantly evolve and adapt whilst allowing us to deliver the best and most efficient service to our clients.

HRH The Duke of York presents awards to University’s iDEA participants

Sam Whitear

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03/05/2018

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Manchester Metropolitan University welcomed HRH The Duke of York, to meet students, staff and apprentices who have completed the opening stage of The Duke of York Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award (iDEA).

HRH presented Bronze level certificates at Manchester Metropolitan’s Business School to 30 awardees from across the University, before speaking about the online mini modules – known as ‘badges’ – on iDEA, which is described as the digital and enterprise equivalent of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

Last year the University became the first institution in the UK to introduce iDEA across all courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level, as well as its academic and professional staff.

Speaking at the event, HRH The Duke of York, said: “I’m delighted to visit Manchester Metropolitan and present the certificates which mark the completion of the first stage of the iDEA programme.

“We introduced iDEA as the digital and enterprise equivalent of my father’s Duke of Edinburgh Award and it is inspiring to see so many people benefitting from the programme’s challenges and opportunities, while gaining industry recognised awards that help them stand out from the crowd.

“I’m looking forward to developing iDEA and seeing more people progress through the Bronze, Silver and Gold stages with the support of organisations and institutions such as Manchester Metropolitan.”

iDEA was introduced by Prince Andrew as a free resource for anyone of any age. It is accessible on any modern device with learners completing a series of web-based bite-sized challenges and tasks.

The tasks are divided among the categories of citizen, worker, maker, entrepreneur, game and independent, with learners earning badges and points towards a Bronze beginner, Silver intermediate or Gold advanced certificate.

It can be completed at the learner’s own pace and the activities can be undertaken individually, with friends or in a classroom or workshop environment.

Professor Malcolm Press, Vice-Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University, said: “Welcoming the Duke of York to present our students with their Bronze certificates is a major milestone in our commitment to this fantastic and inspiring programme.

“iDEA is something that reflects all five of the University’s pillars – place, ambition, partnership, community and sustainability.

“We look forward to continuing to support many more of our staff and students through the programme.”

With students and staff now participating in the iDEA Bronze Award, many are looking forward to completing the Silver and Gold awards which will be introduced later this year and in 2019 respectively.

Jeff McCarthy, Senior Lecturer in Digital Marketing and iDEA project lead at Manchester Metropolitan, said: “With more than 50,000 learners in over a quarter of countries in the world now signed up to iDEA, the University is perfectly positioned to offer support through our modern facilities and wide-range of expertise.

“Our staff and students are able to take the skills they gain from the modules to support their learning and research, making a real impact on their personal and career development.”