A day in the life

FULL FIBRE INVESTMENT

IS A ‘GAMECHANGER’ FOR THE LIVERPOOL CITY REGION’

LCR Connect JV partner ITS Technology Group marked its recent HQ move, incorporating its Network Operations Centre (NOC), to Daresbury Park by hosting an ‘Innovation Day’ opened by Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram.

ITS designs, builds, and operates full fibre networks across the UK, and is leading on the delivery of LCR Connect, a £30m, 212km full fibre network, with fellow JV partners Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA), and French civils firm NGE. The Innovation Day was a chance for business leaders and entrepreneurs from across the City Region to learn more about the benefits of LCR Connect, as well as an opportunity to explore the recently commissioned Network Operations Centre (NOC) – the monitoring and control centre of ITS’ national full fibre networks, which ensures the security, speed, and bandwidth of its UK-wide connectivity service delivery.

Already more than 30% built, LCR Connect is transforming the digital capabilities of the city region’s businesses by delivering reliable, gigabit-capable connectivity services, allowing them to take advantage of productivity-boosting technologies and applications.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of Liverpool City Region, said: “Any successful, ambitious economy requires the modern, thriving infrastructure that will help it to keep pace in an ever-changing world. LCR Connect is a game-changer for our region, offering businesses access to some of the fastest internet speeds in the country, boosting productivity, and creating thousands of jobs and training opportunities in the process. I want our region to be known as the most digitally connected place in the country to grow a business.”

Dave Hudson, head of partnerships and alliances at JV partner ITS Technology Group, and CCO of LCR Connect, said: “It

OVERCOMING BUSINESS

CHALLENGES

As this article is all about the subject of overcoming business challenges, we present the perfect candidate to answer our questions, James Smethurst, Managing Director at The Social Desk.

Do you have an example where you have overcome any workplace challenges, and it has led to a successful outcome?

When you own a business, it feels like you’re constantly putting out fires. I think it’s important to acknowledge and accept the challenges whilst learning and growing from them. As a business owner I am constantly learning how to manage my colleagues to ensure they feel fulfilled in their career, they understand the business and are happy working for the company.

Due to the current financial climate, has your business faced any challenges?

Within my business, I have multiple outgoings and with the pound taking the dive that it has, this has proved costly. As a result, we are being savvy and cautious about where we invest our money.

Have you completed any partnerships with collages or universities, to raise awareness of the different career options open to the younger generation?

We are currently taking part in a graduate scheme provided by Liverpool John Moore’s University for their talented is really exciting to have re-located our HQ and NOC, the nerve centre of ITS’ entire national network footprint including LCR Connect, to Daresbury Park. This move underpins our investment and commitment to the Liverpool City Region and the North West. LCR Connect adds to the significant pull the region has for businesses, and for people to live and work.”

For more information about LCR Connect and what full fibre connectivity services are available in the Liverpool City Region, visit: www.lcrconnect.com

students. I believe in helping the younger generation with their career trajectory, giving them the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to be successful in their marketing career.

Has your business, benefitted directly from support offered locally or nationally?

Financially we have benefitted from the bounce back loan and local grants to help and grow and invest into our business. We have also received support from the Liverpool Growth Hub, Chambers of Commerce and the Liverpool community, who always come together in times of struggle.

Do you have any advice for a young entrepreneur?

I would always recommend gaining experience first, however for those who have sought previous work, my one bit of advice would be to be ruthless with your time. I would highly recommend reading the book “Will It Make My Boat Go Faster” by Ben Hunt Davies MBE, as it teaches us about improving your performance at work.