Business Manchester

Eric Wright starts £1.1m Oldham bridge refurb

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02/05/2018

Eric Wright Civil Engineering has started work on a £1.1m bridge refurb project for Oldham Council, which will make the structure safer and more resilient for motorists.

The 45-week project delivers essential maintenance and structural repair works to strengthen the Middleton Road (A669)/Oldham Way (A627) bypass bridge, which has corroded and weathered over the years.

Specific works include repairing the steel and concrete, resurfacing and waterproofing to limit further deterioration and prevent similar damage reoccurring, as well as building a new reinforced concrete central reserve.

The complex project will be delivered in sequence to keep traffic moving on the busy highways both on the bridge and below, by completing half of the structure before repeating on the other half.

Eric Wright Civil Engineering has completed many bridge and highway schemes across the North West, including bridges across the Irwell and Manchester Ship Canal, and a £1.7m project to demolish and replace the M62 Greystone Footbridge near Huyton in Merseyside. The former ‘Sausage Bridge’ was replaced with a contemporary footpath and cycleway on a single symmetrical cable-stayed deck structure and was highly commended by the Institution of Civil Engineers at the North West Civil Engineering Awards.

Diane Bourne, managing director of Eric Wright Civil Engineering, said: “This is a complex operation and our site teams are working closely with Oldham Council to ensure a smooth delivery and minimise disruption. This investment will also deliver real benefits by providing a safer and more reliable infrastructure network that’s futureproof for commuters.”

Work on the bridge is due for completion in November 2018.

Bardsley Construction keeps it in the family as son of chairman starts work at Stockport housing scheme

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Sam Whitear

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02/05/2018

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Bardsley continues to keep it in the family with Hugo Bardsley following in the footsteps of his father and company chairman, Roly.

Hugo, aged 17, has started work experience at Nuvu Covent Garden Village in Stockport, where Bardsley is constructing 74 homes for Your Housing Group as part of Stockport Council’s £1bn investment programme across the town.

He is maintaining a great tradition of family employment at Tameside, Greater Manchester-based, Bardsley. The chairman, Roly, succeeded his father Roland in 2001. Roland, who started as a joiner, was chairman for 37 years.

The family firm, founded in 1964, currently employs nine sets of father and son duos and a further dozen familial relations, ranging from brothers to nephews and nieces among its workforce of almost 200.

Hugo, currently taking A-levels at Uppingham School in Rutland, is shadowing Bardsley colleagues at Nuvu Covent Garden Village to learn more about construction, having visited building sites regularly with his father from a young age.

He said: “My dad went on site when he was my age too, so this was always something I was going to do. It’s great to have the opportunity to follow in his footsteps and learn from the best.”

Roly added: “Bardsley has been a genuine family-owned and run business since its inception more than 50 years ago. Having Hugo join the generations of past and present family staff at Bardsley is a proud moment for me and proves our commitment to maintaining our tradition of keeping it in the family.”

Nuvu Covent Garden Village will feature a mix of two- and three-bedroom houses and apartments across shared ownership, outright sales and affordable properties for rent.

Trio of Greater Manchester’s best community-led projects scoop top industry awards

Awards

Sam Whitear

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02/05/2018

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Over 45 of the North West’s most impressive and community beneficial property projects battled it out for top honours at the 2018 RICS Awards, North West where three of Greater Manchester’s much-loved built initiatives were recognised as the best in the region in their respective categories.

Held at the Principal Hotel in Manchester, the annual RICS Awards, North West celebrate inspirational initiatives in the region’s land, property and construction sectors across eight category awards.

Phase 2 of regeneration project, Stockport Exchange – which comprises the first Grade-A office to be speculatively developed in Stockport for many years, together with a “top-10 in Europe” Holiday Inn Express – scooped the Commercial property accolade. RICS judges praised the project team – including Aedas RHWL, Cushman & Wakefield, Eric Wright Construction and Muse Developments – for setting a new benchmark for quality buildings in South Manchester and for creating an attractive a vibrant new commercial quarter.

The £27 million Space Studios in West Gorton won the Regeneration award for acting as a catalyst to transforming a deprived neighbourhood – once infamous as the home of the characters on the Channel 4 TV series ‘Shameless’ – with a purpose-built TV production facility for the North of England.

The impetus for the project – delivered by Turner & Townsend, PRP LLP and Vinci Construction – was to increase aspiration amongst the local community leading to employability. RICS judges said it had successfully done just that, providing apprenticeships and free masterclasses that focus on trades related to the sector including set building, joinery, lighting, rigging, special effects, and make-up.

Housing development, Timekeepers Square in Salford won the Residential accolade for its 36 Georgian-style townhouses built around the Grade II listed neo-classical Church of St Phillip’s. Situated in a conservation area, Timekeepers Square is a mix of two, three and four-bedroom stylish properties combining the best of city living and suburbia.

RICS judges said the success of the scheme – which has acted as a catalyst for the next phase of residential development in the area – and the positive response from residents and prospective homeowners, is testament to the collaborative project team which included Buttress Architects, Appleyard and Trew and Carillion.

The winners of all eight individual categories – announced by host, veteran BBC news presenter, Clive Myrie in front of 300 property professionals – are as follows:

Building Conservation – Moor Hall Restaurant & Rooms, Ormskirk
Commercial – Stockport Exchange, Stockport
Community Benefit – Sunbeam Music Centre, Penrith
Design through Innovation – The Materials Innovation Factory, Liverpool
Infrastructure – Mersey Gateway Project, Widnes
Regeneration – Space Studios, Manchester
Residential – Timekeepers Square, Salford
Tourism & Leisure – Galloway’s, Morecambe

The highly acclaimed ‘North West Project of the Year’ accolade is presented to the category winner that demonstrates overall outstanding best practice and an exemplary commitment to adding value to its local area. This year, the title went to the £1.86 billion Mersey Gateway Project – which incorporates a new six-lane toll bridge over the River Mersey in Halton and saw significant upgrades to the area’s highways.

RICS Judges praised the team behind the Mersey Gateway Project for not only removing a notorious congestion black-spot in the North West, but making journeys to and from the area much quicker, easier and more reliable. The judges were also highly impressed with the project’s remarkable economic benefits which are expected to be four times greater than its initial cost.

Chair of the judging panel for the RICS Awards, North West, Will Rees, Director at Rees Straw Chartered Surveyors said: “These winning projects are testament to the successful collaboration of the talented teams behind them. Together, their complimentary skills and exceptional vision has not only created some remarkable built schemes which Greater Manchester can be immensely proud of, but they are also having a profoundly positive impact on their local communities.”

All category winners will go on to compete against other regional winners at the national RICS Awards Grand Final on 2 November 2018 in London, for the chance to be crowned the overall UK winner in their respective category.

HSBC supports AA Projects to achieve successful management buy out

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Sam Whitear

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01/05/2018

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A 10-strong management team at Manchester-based national property management consultancy, AA Projects, has successfully completed a management buyout of the business.

The management buyout (MBO) sees founder and majority shareholder Paul Allen, together with longstanding Directors Niall Wright and Kevin McEvoy, pass on their shareholding to a buyout team led by Kenneth Wood, Managing Director, and Neil Grindrod, Finance Director. Paul will continue in his role as Chairman of the Board.

Paul Allen said: “The success of AA Projects to date has been built very much around our shared values and highly skilled people who provide the expertise our clients’ need. The management team share this same vision leaving the company in very safe hands as it continues its journey.”

Established by Paul in 1999, the business is headquartered in Greater Manchester and has six offices across the UK, providing innovative, client focused consultancy solutions nationwide. AA Projects has a wide range of clients in core sectors including education, residential and healthcare.

The business generates revenues of £10 million and employs over 100 staff, with further growth planned in both revenues and people.

Kenneth Wood added: “Paul has left a legacy here for us to build on, to enable us to continue to grow and thrive. It’s an exciting new chapter, where clients can continue to expect a personal service, dealing directly with the owners of the business, and bucking the industry trend of corporate takeovers.”

The deal was partly funded by HSBC, who put together a multi-million pound package and were supported by law firm Addleshaw Goddard. Hurst’s accountants were involved in due diligence for the management team and Bank, with BBS Law providing legal guidance to the management team and Kay Johnson Gee, chartered accountants, adding their corporate finance expertise.

HSBC’s Relationship Director Samantha Hanley said: “AA Projects is a progressive and multi-faceted property consultancy business which has always strived for growth. We are proud to support this longstanding HSBC customer and its new management team, led by Kenneth and Neil, with its succession planning to equip the company for the future”.

Tosca Debt Capital lays the foundation for further growth with new hire

Appointments

Sam Whitear

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01/05/2018

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Tosca Debt Capital (TDC), the only regionally-based and focussed private debt fund, has recruited a senior executive assistant and office manager to support the team’s 2023 vision of reaching a £1billion fund.

Ria Cajee joins the Manchester-based business to assist its team of experienced credit and relationship fund managers, which grew by a third during the last 12 months. Her extensive experience includes providing high level business and personal support to a number of senior executives across publicly listed and privately owned companies in the North West of England and London. She brings a wealth of experience across property, financial services and retail sectors.

Since launching in September 2015, TDC has raised funds of c£330million and invested £168million into 15 regional SMEs across the North of England seeking funding to support strategic growth plans.

During the last 12 months, the business delivered eight transactions totalling more than £100million, completed three successful exits and raised a £237.6million Fund II, which attracted significant new institutional investors, including British Business Investments, the commercial arm of the British Business Bank and Strathclyde Pension Fund.

Gary Davison, partner at TDC, said: “Ria brings an excellent track record of supporting senior executives and businesses throughout different stages of growth and her experience across varied sectors is highly valuable for our increasingly diverse investment portfolio of regional SMEs.

“Our strengthening team further demonstrates our commitment to support regional businesses to achieve their ambitions. Having laid a solid foundation, it is an exciting time for TDC as we enter our next phase of growth and continue with our 2023 strategic growth plan, which will deliver much needed investment to drive the northern economies and create new jobs.”

Ria added: “I’m excited to be part of a business that’s still in its infancy and with such ambitions. TDC has found its niche and the funding that the team delivers helps to make a real difference to the health and wealth of the northern region.”

Sage research reveals UK is set for talent boost as 1 in 4 young people are ready to consider a career in Artificial Intelligence

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Sam Whitear

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01/05/2018

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Sage, the market leader in cloud business management solutions has revealed encouraging signs that the UK’s emerging role as a world leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI) could be boosted by homegrown talent; as 1 in 4 (25%) young people aged 8 to 18 are considering a future career in the industry.

Undertaken by YouGov, the findings are based on responses from 1,484 children aged 8 to 18 in the UK. They indicate that the talent pipeline is being spearheaded by young people who cite their existing enjoyment of technology in general (66%) and believing a career in AI would be exciting and motivating (37%) or wanting to work at the cutting edge of technology (31%).

Whilst these are reasons to be optimistic, there are also warning signs the diversity essential to building both an inclusive AI industry and one that mitigates negative job prospects for tomorrow’s workforce, could be at risk if not addressed now. Of the young people surveyed, those who were unlikely to consider a career in AI (56%), said:

The most cited reason (29%) was that they would prefer a more creative career

Nearly a quarter (24%) said they did not think they would have the right educational qualifications.

A worrying 21% simply did not think they would be smart enough for a job in AI

These findings indicate that there are still too many young people being left in the dark when it comes to understanding the breadth and diversity of expertise, experience and education that the emerging AI industry will need to thrive; from artists, creative writers and linguists to programmers and problem solvers. This could potentially hamper the strides the UK has made in becoming a global leader in AI.

The research marks the UK launch of a series of events showcasing AI for young people. Sage FutureMakers Labs, run through Sage Foundation in partnership with charity Tech for Life, is educating young people on the diverse range of opportunities available to pursue a career in AI. Critically, an introduction to ethical design is provided as part of the course, an essential framework for children to embrace at an early stage in their education.

Sage has already highlighted the need to ensure the UK has a diverse and healthy talent pipeline to support its customers, the business community and UK economy to deliver on the potential productivity benefits of AI in 2017’s Ethics of Code. Now, Sage is calling for more action from government and the tech industry to tackle the elitism problem in the AI industry and emerging technologies.

Kriti Sharma, VP of AI at Sage said: “It’s great to see the government starting to assess the importance of AI, evidenced in the comprehensive sector deal announced recently, committing extra resources and funding to help grow this promising sector. However, there’s still a huge amount of work to be done, particularly when it comes to the elitism problem in the AI industry, as our research confirms.

“It’s no longer the case that you need a master’s degree to consider a career in emerging tech; yet 24% of young people we surveyed think you do. We need to educate young people what working in tech really means.

“At Sage we are passionate about safeguarding the future of this important technology, and I am proud our Sage FutureMakers Labs are bringing technology education to young people from all backgrounds. We want to work with more tech leaders to ensure the UK can seize our unique opportunity to shape AI positively and lead the international community in its ethical development.”

Lyndsey Britton, Founder, Tech for Life said: “It’s encouraging to see how many young people enjoy technology and believe having a career in the sector will be exciting. We need to make sure that the support is there for them to get the right skills to be able to work in future jobs at the cutting edge of digital like AI. The young people’s events we put on are increasingly popular and there’s a real thirst from young people to learn, especially from industry experts.

Working with organisations like Sage means we can help make sure that opportunities and learning are accessible to young people from any background and ensure there is a future workforce with the right skills and knowledge to do jobs that probably haven’t even been invented yet.”

Over the next six months, the free to attend, Sage FutureMakers labs will run across the UK and Ireland; empowering over 150 young people, aged 18 and under. After these initial courses, around 30 young people will be offered a more in-depth one-day course in September, with around 15 then offered a relevant placement with Sage or a Sage partner working in AI.

New head for Bromleys’ flagship team

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Sam Whitear

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01/05/2018

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A solicitor who has clocked up more than 50 years at Bromleys has stepped down as head of the Tameside law firm’s flagship team in line with its succession plan.

John Longworth, 70, who joined the firm in 1967, has handed over the reins of the 10-strong Court of Protection and Powers of Attorney team to David Hilton.

David joined Bromleys last year as a senior associate from Irwin Mitchell.

John continues to practise at Bromleys as a solicitor, acting for clients who lack the mental capacity to manage their own property and financial affairs.

He began his career with the firm – which was then known as Bromley Hyde & Robinson – as a clerk earning £6 a week.

The married father-of-three, who has four grandchildren, became a partner in 1977 and rose to become senior partner, a post he held for 15 years until 2013.

Outside of work, John is a non-executive director – and former chairman – of Vernon Building Society, and with his wife Diana is an active fundraiser for Community Action Nepal, a charity which helps the mountain people of Nepal.

In his younger days John was a keen climber and has reached the summits of mountains such as Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Machu Picchu in Peru and others in the Himalayas and the Alps.

He said: “When I reached 65 I stepped down as senior partner but agreed to carry on as head of the Court of Protection and Powers of Attorney team until the time was right to hand over.

“We recruited David last year and saw him as the right person to be my successor.

“I’m continuing to work closely with him and the rest of the department as a solicitor, with an active caseload.

“I have always gained a lot of satisfaction from helping people who are in substantial need of support. In my own way I hope I have helped to enhance and improve their lives.

“I’d definitely recommend a legal career to young people – it’s rewarding and you can make a real positive difference.”

David specialises in all aspects of Court of Protection work and is on the national committee of the Court of Protection Practitioners Association.

He said: “I have had the privilege to work alongside some of the biggest names in Court of Protection, and John is top of my list.

“I have a lot to live up to as the new head of department, but John has supported me over the last 12 months and the transition has been remarkably seamless.

“The department has tremendous strength in depth and rivals any other in the north west.

“We continue to expand and attract new sources of work while also cementing our partnerships with existing work referrers.

“The future is very bright and I am committed to building on John’s legacy.”

E3 Business Awards 2018: finalists announced

Awards

Sam Whitear

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30/04/2018

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1 Events Media, the host of the 2018 E3 Business Awards, has named the 80 finalists that will be competing for this year’s 16 award categories. The results will be announced at the E3 Business Awards Dinner, which will take place on Thursday 12th July 2018 at the Macron Stadium in Bolton.

Launched in 2013, the E3 Awards are now in their sixth year. Designed to be the North West’s most inclusive business awards, they celebrate diversity and outstanding achievement on the part of companies, charities, social enterprises and individual entrepreneurs.

“The E3 Business Awards are now an established part of the regional business calendar,” said 1EM managing director Mubarak Chati. “Every year, the number and calibre of applicants has risen; finalists in this year’s event have risen to the top a pack that was almost 300 strong.

“Each year produces its surprises, too. We were really taken aback by the strength of nominations in certain categories; so much so that we felt obliged to expand the usual number of finalists. This year will see a total of 80 finalists, which compares against 71 last year.”

Finalists

New Business Start-Up of the Year:

Candy Management Consultants Limited Stockport

Easy Crypto Hunter Bury

gymcareer Ltd Wigan

In-House Legal Solutions Limited Liverpool

KLNIK Wilmslow

PPC Protect Limited Bolton

Corporate Social Responsibility Award:

RapidIT LTD and LCWS Recycling Ltd. Padiham

Sterling Finance (UK) Limited AshtonUnder-Lyne

The School of Military Wigan

VS Group Manchester

Your Tax Shop Ltd Ashton-Under-Lyne

Charity of the Year

Advocacy Focus Accrington

Birtenshaw Bolton

DanceSyndrome Accrington

Mancunian Way Castlefield

Preston Vocational Centre Ltd Preston

Social Enterprise of the Year:

Artz for All C.I.C Skelmersdale

Musical Moments Stoke, Crewe and Nantwich Stoke-on-Trent

Nightstop Communities Northwest CIC Widnes

Ribble FM CIC Clitheroe

Skills, Education & Training Award:

3B Training Limited Wigan

Advocacy Focus Accrington

Curtis Law Solicitors LLP Blackpool

StedyChefs Ltd Liverpool

Employer of the Year:

Advocacy Focus Accrington

Bridgewater Home Care Wigan

d3t Ltd Runcorn

Hallidays Group Limited Stockport

Packaging Automation Ltd Knutsford

Utiligroup Chorley

Digital, Creative & Media Award:

Bring Digital Bolton

Door4 Burnley

Fat Media Lancaster

House Creative Macclesfield

Social Chain Manchester

Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award:

Josh Riddett – Easy Crypto Hunter Bury

Samuel Riley – North West Skills Academy Ltd Worsley

Chris Smith – Pendle Engineering Ltd Nelson

Jason Fisher – Social Chain Manchester

Brodie Taylor – Taylor Made Pet Care Kendal

James Harper – Walton Flooring Centre Huyton

Outstanding Woman in Business:

Lisa Gawthorne – Bravura Foods Ltd Southport

Nikki Wilson-Cook – Market Place Shopping Centre Bolton

Susan Robinson – Nanny Brow B&B Cumbria

Terri Kearney- Nightstop Communities Northwest CIC Widnes

Kath Lord-Green – Ribble FM CIC Clitheroe

Yvonne Cookson – Your Tax Shop Ltd Ashton-under-Lyne

Family Business of the Year:

Anrich Vets Wigan

Bring Digital Bolton

Crow Wood Leisure Ltd Burnley

Francis Kirk & Son Ltd Manchester

Relative Marketing and Creative Bolton

Walton Flooring Centre Huyton

Professional Firm of the Year:

Curtis Law Solicitors LLP Blackburn

Momentum Legal Ltd Bolton

The Willwriting Partnership Bury

Your Tax Shop Ltd Ashton-Under-Lyne

Customer Service Award:

Anrich Vets Wigan

Ashburton Prescribing Consultants Wirral

Exchange Utility Bury

Involvement Packaging Ltd Hyde

Manufacturing Business of the Year:

Easy-Trim Roofing and Construction Ltd Accrington

Lancashire Trade Frames Bury

Packaging Automation Ltd Knutsford

Pendle Engineering Ltd Nelson

High Growth Business of the Year:

Aviate Cheshire

Bravura Foods Ltd Southport

Bridgewater Home Care Wigan

Cartime Bury

Easy-Trim Roofing and Construction Ltd Accrington

North West Skills Academy Limited Worsley

International Business of the Year:

EKO 4 Global Services Ltd. Manchester

Levity CropScience Preston

Thomas UK Consulting Services Manchester

Business of the Year:

Cloudsource Technologies Bury

Curtis Law Solicitors LLP Blackburn

Exchange Utility Bury

Involvement Packaging Ltd Hyde

Packaging Automation Ltd Knutsford

Utiligroup Chorley

MHA boss welcomes Airport City hotel district

Blog

Sam Whitear

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30/04/2018

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The man at the helm of city region’s hotel sector has welcomed the proposed £180 million hotel district development at Airport City Manchester.

Adrian Ellis, Chair of Manchester Hoteliers’ Association (MHA), said the district will enhance Manchester’s reputation internationally.

He also believes the district – coupled with the wider £1 billion Manchester Airport transformation programme – will boost visitor numbers in the city centre.

When complete the proposed development at Airport City Manchester will see four hotels built and open by 2021 – providing 1,171 new hotel rooms.

Mr Ellis said: “There’s no question that the growth expected at the Airport and Airport City will be beneficial for city centre hotels.

“The new hotel district at Airport City will enhance Manchester’s reputation internationally – with the continued Airport growth and increase in direct flights to China, India and America certain to boost the number of international visitors to Manchester.

“For a large part of the hotel community in Manchester, international bookings represent about 10-15% of bookings.

“Because of the airport growth, I’d expect hotels in the city to almost double international bookings.”

There are currently 22,000 hotel bedrooms in Greater Manchester, with 9,000 of those based in the city centre.

“Manchester’s offer to visitors and tourists is phenomenal and the international market potential here is huge,” added Mr Ellis.

“In 2017 26 million passengers passed through Manchester Airport. By 2027 that figure is expected to hit 35 million.

“The new hotel district will sustain the amount of passengers expected by 2027 while the city centre hotels will also benefit too.”

Chase de Vere appoints Ben Willis as it plans to launch new investment service

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Finance

Sam Whitear

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30/04/2018

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Chase de Vere, the firm of independent financial advisers with offices in Manchester, is delighted to announce that Ben Willis has joined the company as Head of Portfolio Management.

Ben will have overall responsibility for managing Chase de Vere’s new discretionary model portfolio service, which is expected to be launched on 4 June 2018. He will work alongside Investment Research Manager, Justine Fearns.

Ben entered the financial services industry in 1999 when he joined Chartwell Investment Management. He left Chartwell in 2006 and joined Whitechurch Securities as Head of Research and Senior Investment Manager. He was lead manager on several of Whitechurch’s discretionary portfolios which won investment awards for risk adjusted performance, and had joint responsibility for running around £400 million, before leaving Whitechurch to join Chase de Vere.

Ben Willis, Head of Portfolio Management, Chase de Vere, said: “I am very excited about launching Chase de Vere’s new discretionary investment service, as I know that I have the skill set, experience and expertise to make it a success. I am aiming to translate the award-winning performance I’ve achieved previously to the new portfolios I will be running.

“It has been relatively straightforward to make gains over the past decade, as most assets have risen in value. However, it is likely that we face more challenging times ahead and my experience in generating returns, while effectively managing risk, should prove beneficial for Chase de Vere’s clients.”

Stephen Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Chase de Vere, said: “I want to make sure that Chase de Vere has a market-leading discretionary model portfolio service. This is why we have recruited Ben Willis, who is an experienced and successful investment manager.

“With the launch of this new service, we will be able to manage our clients’ investments and pensions on either an advisory or discretionary basis, whichever suits their needs best. This is a big step forwards as we aim to provide the best overall service for our clients and to be recognised as the leading firm of independent financial advisers in the UK.”