A look at Impersonation threats from the North West Cyber Resilience Centre.
Chris Jackson, Managing Director, TransPennine Express
sector.
11 : PROPERTY INVESTMENT
The new property landscape and your 2025 plan
Analysis by Nick Thorpe
12 : RETAIL RISK
Interview with Mark Crowley - Customer Care, Theo Paphitis Retail Group
14 : RETAIL SECURITY
Protecting your business -
Review by Joe Makepeace, Nybble.co.uk 15 :
18 : CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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High streets to be revitalised with new legal powers
High Street Rental Auctions will give businesses and community groups a ‘right to rent’ long-neglected towncentre commercial properties.
Councils will be handed new powers in December 2024 to breathe new life back into high streets and transform long-term empty shops, the government has announced.
High Street Rental Auctions (HSRAs) will allow local leaders to tackle persistently vacant properties in city, town and village centres by putting the leases up for auction. This will boost the high street through a ‘right to rent’ commercial lots for businesses and community groups, after the powers come into force on 2 December.
The move will stop disengaged landlords from sitting on empty properties for more than 365 days in a 24-month period, before councils can step in and auction a one-to-five year lease.
Growth is at the top of the government’s agenda and it is committing over £1m in funding to support the auction process which will create jobs for local people and boost trade by bringing businesses, community services and customers back to the high street.
With one in seven high street shops currently closed, the government is committed to revitalising town centres and bringing thriving high streets
back for good. The news comes during Love Your High Street Week, organised by the British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) to champion local businesses and innovation.
Local Growth Minister Alex Norris said: “High streets are the beating heart of our communities. But for too long, too many have been neglected, with more and more empty lots and boarded up shopfronts.
“We are giving local councils the tools to take back control. High Street Rental Auctions will put local communities first, re-energising town centres and driving local opportunities and growth.”
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “This change further helps small businesses across the country.
“We promised to lift the shutters on our great British high streets and we’re delivering real action across the board, to boost jobs, opportunities and get the economy growing.”
Originally introduced by the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, the High Street Rental Auctions powers will come into force on 2 December following the laying of secondary legislation. Before putting a property to a rental auction, a local authority must first seek to resolve the vacancy by engaging with the landlord.
Net Zero North West manifesto gains momentum with new members
Net Zero North West (NZNW) has announced the strategic appointment of three new members: Spirit Energy, Essar Energy Transition and United Utilities.
This expansion comes at a crucial time as the industry-led cluster recently hosted key government leaders at the House of Lords to discuss its transformative manifesto aimed at positioning the North West as a global leader in decarbonisation. The event featured prominent attendees, including Sarah Jones, Minister of State at the Department of Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ), and Rachel Armstrong, Director of Industrial Decarbonisation & Emissions Trading at DESNZ. Their participation underscores the significance of NZNW’s mission and the collaborative efforts to advance the region’s decarbonisation agenda. Central to the discussions was a groundbreaking manifesto that outlines ambitious plans for the North West, projecting over £200 billion in investments for decarbonisation projects and the creation of more than 600,000 jobs.
Speaking at the event, Minister for Industry Sarah Jones, said: “The North West will act as a beacon for other projects around the country, delivering cheaper, more secure, and cleaner energy. We need to see more green industrial clusters taking root right across the country, following the region’s lead. Our Industrial Strategy will unleash the full potential of our cities and regions by attracting investment and creating the best
environment for businesses in them to thrive.”
With a comprehensive strategy that includes a £30billion pipeline of initiatives focused on enhancing energy efficiency, advancing nuclear energy generation, and improving rail infrastructure, the North West is poised to become the world’s first net zero cluster. This initiative not only aims to reduce carbon emissions but also seeks to foster economic growth and job creation, with projections indicating that over 34,000 jobs will be directly linked to these projects.
Net Zero North West represents a unique collaboration of industry leaders, politicians, and academic experts dedicated to unlocking the region’s potential in industrial decarbonisation. The coalition aims to serve as a model for other regions, demonstrating how strategic investment and collaboration can lead to sustainable economic growth.
The addition of Spirit Energy, Essar Energy Transition and United Utilities underscores NZNW’s commitment to fostering a diverse coalition that can drive innovation and implement effective decarbonisation strategies.
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Sarah Jones MP, Julie Minns MP, Jane Gaston, Steve Goldspink, Bill Esterson MP, Andrew Cooper MP
Unicorn Kingdom Pathfinder announce 4 winners
Four innovative tech scale up businesses tackling challenges from connecting cancer patients to clinical trials, to improving IT systems’ resistance to cyber-attacks, have been announced as winners of the Unicorn Kingdom Pathfinder Awards (UKPA) - the largest global awards for tech scale up companies.
The awards, hosted by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), provide a unique opportunity to unearth the most promising businesses in tech and builds on the success of the UK’s Tech Rocketship Awards in 2023, which resulted in £67.4 million investment into the UK.
The awards serve as a reminder
that the UK is the place to do business, helping to advance further opportunities for domestic and overseas investment and growth.
Finalists were drawn from four categories: AI, Cyber Security, Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) technology and Digital Trade Solutions.
Minister for Small Businesses Gareth Thomas said: “We have a thriving tech sector worth over $1 trillion, and our Pathfinder Awards are vital in encouraging more tech scale ups from around the world to do businesses here in the UK.
and expertise from DBT’s Global Entrepreneur Programme.”
The announced winners were:
AI: Massive Bio - an AI-driven platform connecting cancer patients to biopharmaceutical clinical trials.
Cyber Security: CyLock - provides a simple solution to test IT systems’ resistance to cyber-attacks.
£500million has been pledged by government to fund over 4,700 postgraduate students to study biological, engineering and environmental sciences at 45 universities across the UK.
The Doctoral Landscape and Doctoral Focal Awards will open doors to bright students to study projects in biological, engineering and physical, and natural and environmental sciences.
The funding has been made available to universities and prospective students will apply in the coming months ahead of beginning their studies next year. The aim is to commercialise discoveries which could in time bring in millions of pounds to
The winners were announced in November at LinkedIn’s HQ in London, where the 10 finalists pitched to a panel of judges from the tech industry. They also heard from entrepreneur Alpesh B Patel OBE in a fireside chat, alongside panellists Envisionit Deep AI and Shopline - two successful businesses that have set up in the UK. institutions, reflecting the key role they play in getting ambitious projects off the ground.
“Not only does the UK have more unicorns than France and Germany combined, but our country continues to be a prime destination for tech businesses from across the world to come and succeed.
Digital Trade Solutions: Grubtech - empowering restaurants and grocery chains to adopt omnichannel capabilities.
4,700 post-grad places at UK Universities made available through new £500m investment
These successes also enhance the reputation of UK universities, signalling them as centres of excellence in their subjects, which can attract more of the brightest researchers to study there and funding to support further research in their areas of expertise.
Science and Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle, said: “Backing the next generation of great scientific minds to fulfil their potential is crucial to unlocking the discoveries which improve our lives and keep our economy growing over the long term
Retailers reported marginal growth in sales volumes in the year to September, following a three-monthlong downturn. That’s according to the latest CBI Distributive Trades Survey. Firms in the retail sector anticipate annual sales to continue growing going into winter at a broadly similar pace.
• Retail sales volumes grew marginally in the year to September, following a three-month-long downturn. Retailers expect sales to carry on growing at a broadly similar pace (+5%).
• Internet sales volumes bounced back in the year to September at the
fastest rate since June 2023 (+18% from -15% in August). Online sales are expected to grow even quicker (+35%).
Martin Sartorius, Principal Economist, CBI, said: “After a challenging summer, retailers will welcome the modest growth in annual sales volumes this month. While some firms within the retail sector are beginning to see tailwinds from rising household incomes, others report that consumer spending habits are still being affected by the increase in prices over the last few years.”
“Winners of the UKPAs will receive a tailored growth programme to scale up their business in the UK, including support from leading industry and government sector specialists through highly skilled jobs.
“This £500 million investment will support our vitally important higher education sector while supporting
Connected and Automated Mobility: Bottobo - specialises in developing robotics solutions designed to streamline industrial processes. more bright students to pursue their talents and in turn deliver the life-saving drugs and clean energy alternatives of the future, that benefit all of our lives.”
Vehicle tax increases for 2025
From 1 April 2025, registered keepers of electric, zero or low emission cars, vans and motorcycles will need to pay vehicle tax in the same way as registered keepers of petrol and diesel vehicles. This change will apply to both new and existing vehicles.
This new measure removes band A under the existing VED system which is currently £0. Vehicles in this band will be required to move to the first band where a rate becomes payable. How the changes will affect your vehicle...
Electric, zero or low emission cars registered on or after 1 April 2025
You will need to pay the lowest first year rate of vehicle tax set at £10 from 1 April 2025. From the second tax payment onwards, you will pay the standard rate. This will be £195.
Electric, zero or low emission cars registered between 1 April 2017 and 31 March 2025
You will pay the standard rate. This will be £195.
Electric, zero or low emission cars registered between 1 March 2001 and 31 March 2017
These vehicles will move to the first band that has a VED value. This will be £20.
Hybrid and alternatively fuelled vehicles (AFVs)
The £10 annual discount for hybrid and AFVs will be removed, and the rate you will pay will depend on when the vehicle was first registered. If the vehicle was:
Registered before 1 April 2017 - this rate will depend on the vehicle’s CO2 emissions (check the current rates for these vehicles)
Registered on or after 1 April 2017you will pay the standard rate (this will be £195)
Electric vans
Most electric vans will move to the standard annual rate for light goods vehicles. Check the current rates for these vehicles.
Electric motorcycles
Electric motorcycles and tricycles will move to the annual rate for the smallest engine size. Check the current rates for these vehicles.
Additional rate (expensive car supplement)
New electric and zero emission vehicles registered on or after 1 April 2025 with the list price exceeding £40,000 will attract the standard rate, plus the expensive car supplement for the first 5 years from the start of the second licence.
New data reveals the blockchains most hit by scammers
Ethereum has been named the most vulnerable crypto-currency to scammers, although centralised exchanges (CEXs) have been the victim of the largest losses.
Over $1.2 billion has been lost so far this year to scams and hacks. According to a new analysis of the REKT Database from Kryptocasinos. com, cryptocurrency users have lost more than $1.2 billion due to exploits and scams in 2024 so far, with access control exploits and phishing scams proving most prevalent.
Largest funds lost by Blockchain (percentage of total losses along with size of losses):
1 Centralized exchange (CEX) 50.13% $640,000,000
2 Ethereum 17.91% $228,627,141
3 Other 9.97% $127,250,000
9,700,000
The biggest target for hackers in 2024 so far has been centralised exchanges (CEX) (although not technically a blockchain, CEXs utilise the technology to validate transactions), which accounted for a staggering 50.13% of the total funds lost.
The top 10 countries most interested in cryptocurrency
Experts at the trading review website BinaryOptions.com analysed the countries with the highest search volumes for terms related to cryptocurrency, such as “Crypto market analysis” and “Crypto trading.” Each country’s average number of monthly searches was then compared to its population, determining the final list.
Here are the top 10 countries along with their average monthly “Crypto” searches per 100,000 residents:
1 Netherlands 2,698
2 Austria 2,042
3 Switzerland 1,873
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1,417
9 Sweden 1,377
The study identifies the Netherlands as the most crypto-obsessed country, topping the rankings with an average of 2,698 monthly searches per 100,000 people. “Bitcoin” is the leading search term in the country.
Other recurring search terms include “Crypto wallet” and “Bitcoin mining.”
UK aerospace industry pledged £975million to drive growth and jobs
Thousands of highly skilled jobs will be supported across the UK as the government have promised investment for the UK aerospace industry – with £975million over the next 5 years for this key growth sector.
In a boost for aerospace centres in places like Broughton, Filton and Derby, the Government has extended the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme. The extension will speed up innovation, create job opportunities and support an industry that is a source of pride for communities across Britain.
Kier Starmer made his first visit to Wales since the Budget in November, which has one of the largest aerospace clusters in the world, employing over 20,000 people.
Ahead of the visit he said: “From modern aircraft engines to helicopters, the UK’s aerospace industry is truly world-class.
“The UK is at the forefront of cutting-
edge aerospace industry, and by accelerating our investment we will unlock the tech of the future and take a crucial step forward in our mission to deliver growth and opportunity across our country.
“The government’s investment provides industry with long-term confidence in the UK as a place to in turn invest in cutting-edge aerospace technology and help extend the UK’s global lead in wings and engine manufacturing, whilst working to deliver zero-emission flights.”
Bidding for the funding will open in January, with projects expected to begin from the Autumn.
Aerospace will also be at the heart of the government’s industrial strategy, while also having an important global role in achieving Net Zero targets and defence, with the RAF and Royal Navy both relying on its technology.
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “Our world-
class aerospace sector added almost £40 billion to the economy last year, supporting high-skilled jobs in every part of the UK.
“Backing the sector with this funding will ensure the UK can continue to pioneer new technologies, all while delivering the economic growth that will be felt in communities across the country.”
The Prime Minister has also confirmed £49 million worth of aerospace projects in Wales. When combined, the South West and Wales design and assemble around half of the world’s large civil aircraft wings.
First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “Wales is a cornerstone of the UK’s Aerospace industry, with over 20,000 people employed here in high quality, skilled jobs in the Aerospace and Defence sectors.
“I welcome the investment news, another in a succession of job announcements for Wales this autumn.”
commitment of
for the
over five years offers certainty for long-term sustainable aviation investment and highly skilled jobs, delivering on the UK’s R&D and growth plan and acknowledging Aerospace’s key role in the upcoming Industrial Strategy.”
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Airbus UK Chairman John Harrison said: “The
£975m
aerospace sector
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High-profile roles for Animal Direction’s pet stars on ITV and Netflix
Animal Direction, a MediaCity based pet casting agency, is celebrating a record-breaking year with one of their clients recognised by BAFTA, and roles currently in production for ITV, Netflix, and multiple household brands.
Manchester-based founder and director Davinia Hamilton-Maddox set up Animal Direction as a hobby business in 2012 following the completion of a catalogue for a pet brand client. Since then, the unique animal casting agency has grown massively, now with seven staff based across the country to meet national demand.
Animal Direction, which puts the welfare of its clients first, has worked with major pet brands such as Harringtons and Pets at Home, as well as supporting household names including Wren Kitchens and Holland & Barrett with the provision of well-trained and well-looked after animals.
Davinia and her team are reputed for their professional yet caring approach and the ability to offer additional services through their Vet on Set and
Davinia comments: “I’m thrilled with the unprecedented success of Animal Direction and we’re going from strength to strength collaborating with major producers and casting directors on high-profile shows. The welfare of our animals is top priority for my agency and I’m proud of our nationwide availability of cats, dogs, snakes, rabbits, horses and more, meaning we can get to any location, ensuring the animals are not having to travel far, that they are looked after and therefore they can do their best for the shoot with minimal takes.”
One of the agency’s proudest moments to date was to see their client Chilli the Fox Red Labrador being featured in footage for Channel 4’s Late Night Lycett BAFTA nomination earlier this year, and the show went on to win the best comedy entertainment category.
The team at Animal Direction are excited to have pets currently being filmed for a number of upcoming series set for release in 2025 including ITV’s Protection starring Siobhan Finneran, and Harlan Coben’s new
Netflix series Missing You starring Richard Armitage which will air on New Year’s Day.
Commenting on the service provided by Animal Direction, Art Director Leila Alice Smith says: “I have been working with Davinia and the team for a number of years casting different animals for tv shows. They are absolutely great to deal with and their genuine care for the animals and their owners is clear to see with an approach that is far from a transaction.”
animaldirection.com
British Business Bank announces Community ENABLE Funding
The initiative is aimed primarily at Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), with the overall purpose of increasing the supply of debt finance to smaller businesses.
CDFIs are small, regional lenders that operate in the social impact sector, providing debt finance and support to smaller businesses that can find it difficult to access finance from mainstream lenders.
In total, the sector lent £102m to 4,546 smaller business across the UK in 2023, and the new programme is expected to support up to £150m of lending over the next two years.
One of the key objectives of the programme is to help develop the lending sector as a whole so that many more such businesses can access the finance they need.
CDFIs have strong, local knowledge of the smaller businesses they support and the communities they reside in. As such, they are well placed to provide the right finance which can unlock the potential in these communities.
The British Business Bank’s (BBB) Community ENABLE Funding programme will be rolled out in two phases. In the first phase, the Department for Business and Trade will provide 100% of the programme’s funding via the BBB, which will enable CDFIs to make more finance available to smaller businesses.
lenders as they do not pay dividends and their profits are reinvested into their business to increase access to finance for smaller businesses. Their overall goal is to provide fair and affordable finance and create social value for the communities they serve.
The social impact sector is particularly important in serving smaller businesses that are led by underrepresented groups, such as females or people from an ethnic minority group. In 2023, for example, 24% of loans from the sector went to ethnic minority-led businesses, which make up just 6% of UK smaller businesses. Similarly, 41% of the sector’s smaller business lending went to female-led businesses, which make up around 17% of UK smaller businesses.
In total, the social impact sector lent £102m to 4,546 smaller business across the UK in 2023. There is a strong regional focus, with 98% of businesses supported being based outside of London. 99% of the lending the social impact sector provides is to smaller businesses which have been declined by a mainstream lender, with 60% of businesses supported based in the UK’s 35% most disadvantaged areas.
Louis Taylor, CEO, BBB said: “This is an important moment for the social impact lending market and one we’re excited about at the Bank. The Community ENABLE Funding programme is designed to unlock finance across the UK’s Nations and regions for those small businesses who need it but have struggled to access it historically.
In the second phase, the BBB will source additional funding from private sector investors, leveraging the government-backed funding to increase the amount of wholesale finance available under the programme. CDFIs are known as ‘not for profit’
“We hope this can empower local Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) to support the communities they’re a part of and generate the desired growth the country needs.”
Animal Direction founder Davinia HamiltonMaddox on set with some of the agency’s stars
Despite the significant progress made on superfast/gigabit-capable broadband, certain remote locations across the UK still face challenges where satellites offer the only practical solution for connectivity. These areas, often characterised by difficult terrain and sparse populations, make traditional infrastructure costly and impractical.
The UK Space Agency is working closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the European Space Agency’s (ESA) telecommunications research programme to help
close the digital divide.
The new funding call aims to select partners for three projects focused on delivering future satellite services. One of these projects will provide portable gigabit-capable internet speeds, with terminals designed to be mounted on vehicles to improve connectivity for users such as local authorities, farmers, emergency services, and the events and hospitality sector.
In two specific rural and remote islands in Shetland and Northern Ireland, two other projects will test innovative hybrid networks to see if they could be used
to support further locations unable to connect to traditional networks.
This improved connectivity will support education, research, tourism, conservation, local businesses, and healthcare, enhancing the economy and quality of life in very hard to reach places.
Telecoms Minister Chris Bryant said: “Digital infrastructure is essential for our modern way of life. But for too long, many businesses and communities have felt left behind.
“This is why we must do whatever it takes to ensure we harness technological innovation to enrich people’s lives and tackle exclusion, rather than entrench existing inequalities. These pilots, for instance, will help shape the next generation of connectivity, using a combination of satellite technology and mobile networks to test innovative new services that could be a real game-changer for remote and rural communities.
“This work will showcase the potential of integrating different satellite technologies to deliver gigabitcapable speeds at affordable prices.”
Equal pay day
Annie Hodgson, Reward & Benefits consultant at Isio, commented: “Equal Pay Day, earmarked in November, is a stark reminder of the gender pay gap.
“Our research found that the mean hourly pay gap across all organisations who reported in 2023 was around 12.5%, down from 14.3% in 2017 when mandatory reporting started. A likely explanation for this is the shift seen in the representation of men and women in the top 25% of highest paid roles, with men holding 59% of these jobs in 2023 compared to 61% in 2017. At the other end of the scale, women still hold 55% of roles in the lowest paid quartile.
“Encouragingly, around two-thirds (65%) of companies that reported in both 2017 and 2023 have managed to narrow their pay gaps, but progress has been slow. The share of organisations reporting a gap of less than 5% has barely moved, from 19% in 2017 to 22% in 2023. The data from pay gap reporting is a powerful tool, but it’s just the start.”
&property
Glenigan forecasts construction boom for 2025 and 2026
Construction data specialists Glenigan has forecasted that construction starts are set to bounce back over the next two years, driven by a combination of increased private sector confidence and public investment.
The new report predicts a rise of 8% in underlying starts – projects valued under £100m – next year that will increase to 10% in 2026.
The growth will occur at varying rates across sectors, with eight of the 10 sectors covered by the Glenigan forecast projected to see increases of 5% or more in at least one of the next two years.
Glenigan economics director Allan Wilén comments: “A further strengthening in household incomes from 2025 is expected to benefit
consumer-facing construction sectors such as private housing, retail and hotel & leisure.
“An easing in borrowing costs, improved economic conditions and greater political certainty are also expected to boost investor confidence in industrial and commercial property markets from next year.
“Public funded investment has been disrupted this year by the General Election and the subsequent post-election review of existing programmes by the new government.
The spending commitments in the Budget for 2025/26 provide greater clarity and should enable government departments to progress existing projects over the coming year.”
construction
Major North East industrial development enters final stage of construction
Construction is nearing completion at Greenbox Darlington, an industrial development brought forward by Greenbox to deliver over 400,000 sq.ft. of top-tier sustainable industrial space. Greenbox is an innovative new platform which will provide sustainable, Grade A logistics and industrial unit space. The platform has been built by Partners Group, one of the largest firms in the global private markets industry, acting on behalf of its clients, in conjunction with Citivale, a specialist
Caddick hands over affordable new Sheffield homes
Caddick has handed over a new development of affordable homes to northern-based affordable housing provider, Together Housing, as part of a £10m residential scheme at Ferrars Road in Sheffield.
Part-funded by over £4m of the Homes England affordable homes funding programme, the new build project comprised the design and build of 93 contemporary homes and landscaped open spaces, including wildlife ponds and public art.
The Tinsley-based neighbourhood spans six-acres of land and offers local residents a range of energy efficient homes, including 19 two-bedroom, 70
three-bedroom and 4 four-bedroom dwellings, including wider external works, roads, drainage and new incoming services.
Working to a phased programme, Caddick delivered the first set of homes for Together Housing in 2022, with building work reaching final completion this month.
External works on the development included a sculpture by artist, Coralie Turpin, illustrating the iconic Tinsley cooling towers, which originally formed part of the Blackburn Meadows Power Station. The towers were left standing after the station’s closure in 1980 but were demolished in 2008.
Caddick’s appointment to this scheme came through its place on Efficiency
North’s EN Procure New Build Framework. Designed to offer a costeffective and flexible route to delivering new build housing across Northern England, the framework covers building design, site preparations and remediation, civil engineering and infrastructure works, new build construction and refurbishment.
TRA recommends new duty of up to 83.5% on Chinese excavators
A new anti-dumping measure ranging from 33.03% to 83.5% could benefit UK excavator producers by up to £3.4 million per year, the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has found.
TRA has proposed that a new
anti-dumping measure of up to 83.5% be applied to imports of excavators from China to the UK.
The proposed measure would range from 33.03% for sampled producers that took part in the investigation to 83.5% for all other overseas exporters that did not participate. Such a measure could benefit UK excavator producers by up to £3.4 million per year.
TRA Chief Executive Oliver Griffiths said: “Excavator production is an important component of the UK’s
Advanced Manufacturing sector. Our provisional finding is that UK producers are being undercut significantly by dumped imports from China.”
The TRA opened its investigation in response to an application from JCB.
The TRA estimated that during the period of investigation, UK excavator producers employed around 900 workers and had a turnover of around £500 million.
Around 180,000 tonnes of excavators were sold in the UK during the period of investigation.
logistics developer and operator. Greenbox Darlington comprises three prime industrial units, ranging from 84,000 sq. ft to 213,000 sq. ft. Designed to create a lasting positive impact, Greenbox Darlington will embody Greenbox’s ongoing commitment to responsible ESG policies and exceptional sustainability practices, targeting Net Zero Carbon in Construction and Operation alongside an EPC ‘A’ and BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. The three units will utilise LED lighting, 100% photovoltaic panelready roofs and reserve 10% of parking spaces for electric vehicles.
Strategically positioned within close proximity to the A66, and next to three junctions on the A1(M), the development will have excellent road access on a national and local scale.
Call for ban on rental property ‘bidding wars’
A council in south London has called for an immediate ban on “bidding wars” over rental properties in the area. Southwark Council, which has some of the highest rents in England, has called on estate agents to stop pitting tenants against one another.
It has pledged to write to letting agents in the area that have not agreed to end the “exploitative” practice.
It involves prospective renters being encouraged to offer more than the advertised price of a property in order to secure a home.
The average monthly private rent in Southwark was £2,298 in October 2024, compared to £2,172 across London and £1,307 across Great Britain, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The average price varies depending on the size of the home, with average rents for one-bedroom properties in the borough calculated at £1,725, while the average rental price for four or more bedrooms was £3,360. A motion calling for an immediate ban to the tactic, brought by Labour councillor Sam Foster, received cross-party support from the Labour-run council and Liberal Democrat opposition.
property investment
The new property landscape and your 2025 plan
The UK’s property market is going through significant changes due to recent budget adjustments and the current economic climate.
As we move into 2025, it’s vital to understand these shifts to keep your portfolio performing.
Stamp duty hike: a cash grab or a wake-up call?
The government’s recent budget saw the stamp duty surcharge on second homes rise from 3% to 5%. The aim is to cool the buy-to-let market and make room for first-time buyers.
For landlords, this means higher upfront costs when acquiring new properties. The government clearly wants a bigger piece of the investment pie, but in reality, investors will likely push harder on purchase prices to offset this increase.
Interest rates: Slow and steady
The Bank of England has recently reduced interest rates from 5.25% to 5%, offering some relief to borrowers. However, borrowing costs are still high compared to the ultra-low rates of the past decade.
As a property investor, mortgage rates remain a crucial factor in your calculations. It’s likely interest rates will decrease gradually, so be cautious with long-term fixes. Hidden arrangement fees can make a low rate more expensive than it seems.
House prices: Still unpredictable
Predicting house prices is as challenging as forecasting British weather. However, experts expect modest growth in 2025. Rightmove forecasts a 4% increase in asking prices, marking the highest prediction since 2021. While the market looks steady, don’t expect a return to the boom years anytime soon.
Rental market:
Rising rents, tight supply
With fewer landlords entering the market due to higher stamp duty and stricter regulations, rental supply is tightening. This scarcity is driving rents up, creating a landlord’s market. However, tenants are increasingly feeling the pinch, with affordability becoming a growing concern. Balancing profitability with tenant retention will be more important than ever.
Inheritance tax changes: The Grim Reaper’s surcharge
The recent budget introduced changes to inheritance tax (IHT) that could impact property investors. From April 2026, the government will limit Agricultural and Business Property Relief to £1 million, with any excess subject to a 20% IHT rate. Furthermore, from April 2027, unused pension funds and death benefits will be included in the value of a person’s estate for IHT purposes. These changes could mean more of your estate is subject to IHT, reducing what you can pass on to your heirs. It’s crucial to review your estate planning strategies now to mitigate these impacts.
Your 2025 plan: Adapt or get left behind
Given these changes, here’s how to navigate the new property landscape:
• Review your portfolio: Assess the performance of your properties and consider selling underperforming assets, especially those subject to higher taxes.
• Diversify investments: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Explore other investment opportunities that could offer better returns or lower tax liabilities.
• Stay informed: Keep up with policy changes and market trends. Knowledge is power, and staying ahead of these shifts will help you make smarter decisions.
• Focus on tenant retention: With rising rents, it’s more important than ever to keep good tenants. Consider offering incentives or making improvements to encourage long-term leases.
• Plan for higher costs: Budget for increased taxes and potential interest rate fluctuations. A financial cushion will help you ride out any storms.
• Leverage your network: Now, more than ever, your network is your net worth. Get to events like The Property Catalyst Club in Leeds to open up new opportunities, connections, and service providers.
Conclusion: A Time to Grow?
The property industry doesn’t feel like it’s primed for explosive growth right now, but perhaps that’s exactly when opportunity knocks.
Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful. If you need help with your 2025 plan, feel free to reach out. Here’s to a strong start to 2025!
Nick Thorpe
retail risk
The rising cost of
An issue that has long been simmering under the surface, now standing as one of the biggest challenges facing the high street is retail crime.
Shoplifting has reached unprecedented levels, with retailer losses doubling last year to the tune of £1.8bn1 - an alarming sum.
In recent months, partly owing to the great work the British Retail
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Consortium has done in raising awareness of it, the spotlight is on the impact of shoplifting and abusive behaviour on our high streets and how we can positively tackle this.
There’s been much debate on whether shoplifting is simply a cost of doing business or whether it is something that should be taken more seriously. The reality is that it’s a bit of both, and if the public and private sectors work in lockstep to address this, we can continue to make retail a fantastic sector to work in.
Typically, shoplifting forms part of what retailers define as ‘shrinkage’. A combination of losses due to shoplifting, internal theft, poor processes causing accounting discrepancies, and also products retailers have to write-off due to damage or faults often linked to returns.
Every retailer will factor shrinkage in and build it into its margin. But, with shoplifting growing rapidly, BRC estimates putting it at 45,000 incidents per day2, this can only mean a retailer will take the hit on margin - which could lead to increased prices for customers.
Not only do retailers lose money directly from theft, but the indirect consequence is that they also have to scramble around to find the cash to spend on preventative measures. As a customer, you might have already seen some of these
‘‘ ’’
The high street is an intrinsic part of our communities, so it’s only right that we do our bit to make front-line colleagues feel supported and safe.
changes - convenience store till areas converted into mini fortresses, body-worn CCTV providing real-time video evidence of the criminals or training by specialist companies in de-escalation.
The high street is an intrinsic part of our communities, so it’s only right that we do our bit to make front-line colleagues feel supported and safe, even if the preventative measure costs are beginning to dwarf the direct losses from shoplifting.
However, despite the increased investment into preventative measures, retailers up and down the country are sadly seeing more and more people leave the sector due to safety concerns.
It’s clear that there is a problem, but it’s not as clear what the effective solution would be, and this is where it’s up to the government to work closely with retailers to mitigate this growing problem.
The government recently announced it was scrapping the criticised policy where minor thefts under £200 went largely unprosecuted, as well as a commitment to making attacking a shopkeeper a
retail crime
standalone offence - both things that are no doubt music to retailers’ ears.
Yet, with evident strains to public services, it’s clear that the issue of retail crime isn’t an easy problem to solve, and the threat of prosecution will only go far. But, some of the answers can already be seen and are being adopted locally by retailers and collectively in some crime reduction partnerships.
Technology such as facial recognition, which is increasingly being used by UK police on the high street, could be incorporated by retailers on a national basis.
This technology could provide instant real-time alerts of those with criminal intent to police and security teams, potentially through government accreditation to allow data sharing to drive out criminal behaviour.
Another remedy could be taking the licensing of security officers a step further - allowing them to issue fixed penalty notices similar to what the police use when they catch people committing crimes, reducing the burden on our overstretched police service and
effectively allowing businesses to self-police.
These are not extreme solutions but instead are options that help bridge the gap between public and private policing to create safer communities for us all to live, work and shop in.
Retail is an incredible industry to work in, one that offers many people their first taste of employment. It’s one of the few industries where colleagues know their customers on a first-name basis and truly understand their needs.
The impact social interaction between colleagues and customers plays in creating a vibrant community simply cannot be overstated.
The Retail Trust’s Respect Retail and the National Business Crime Centre’s Shop Kind campaigns have been instrumental in bringing the industry together and shining the spotlight on this important issue, but there is still a way to go, and it’s up to us all to do our part.
Creating safer communities for
colleagues and customers, whilst also reducing retail losses, is an issue that requires a national approach.
By combining the expertise of both private and public sectors, we can continue to create a truly thriving high street - a win-win for everyone!
Sources:
1. £1.8bn to retailers.
(Source: BRC)
2. 45,000 incidents per day.
(Source: BRC)
Mark Crowley, Group Director of Risk & Customer Care, Theo Paphitis Retail Group
retail security
Protecting your business in the face of growing retail crime
As the retail industry faces mounting challenges, one issue looms larger than ever: the increasing cost of retail crime.
From shoplifting and employee theft to cyberattacks, businesses are finding themselves under siege from all sides. According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), retail crime costs UK businesses billions of pounds annually, with theft, fraud, and cybercrime being the primary culprits.
While security systems and personnel have long been part of the defence, the increase in digital transactions requires a more integrated approach to safeguarding assets. The modern threat landscape demands a synergy between physical and digital security solutions, enabling retailers and allied businesses to stay one step ahead of criminals.
The evolving face of retail crime
Traditional retail crime, such as shoplifting or organised theft rings, has seen a sharp increase in both frequency and sophistication. Thieves are employing tactics such as signal jammers to bypass security tags or working in coordinated groups to overwhelm staff and security teams. However, the digital era has brought with it an even more complex set of challenges.
Retailers now store vast amounts of sensitive data, from customer payment information to inventory management systems. Cybercriminals target these databases, using tactics such as ransomware to extort businesses or phishing attacks to compromise employee credentials. The introduction of self-service checkouts, online ordering systems, and mobile apps has further
expanded the areas open to attack, leaving retailers more vulnerable than ever.
As Mark Crowley, Director of Risk and Customer Care for the Theo Paphitis Retail Group, highlights in this issue, the stakes are high. “Retailers must view security not as a cost but as an investment. The cost of prevention is always less than the cost of recovery,” he notes.
A holistic approach to retail security
To combat these rising threats, businesses must adopt a comprehensive approach to security, combining physical measures with robust digital protections. This is where technology partners like Nybble.co.uk come into play, offering bespoke solutions tailored to the specific needs of retailers.
1. Enhanced CCTV and monitoring systems
Advanced CCTV systems are no longer just about watching recorded footage after an incident. Modern solutions include AI-powered analytics, allowing for real-time detection of suspicious behaviour. For example, heat-mapping technology can identify areas of high activity, helping staff monitor potential theft hotspots and overlays can monitor cash being placed into and taken from cash-register drawers.
2. Digital signage for deterrence
Digital signage serves more than just promotional purposes; it can be an effective deterrent. By displaying dynamic security messages or footage of live monitoring, businesses can create a perception of heightened vigilance, discouraging opportunistic criminals.
3. Cybersecurity measures
The cyber realm requires specialised defences. Retailers must secure their networks, encrypt sensitive data, and ensure compliance with GDPR regulations. Firewalls, antivirus software, and intrusion detection systems are foundational, but regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing are equally critical.
4. Employee training
Even the most advanced systems are ineffective without trained personnel. Employees must understand the basics of cybersecurity, such as recognising phishing attempts, securing passwords, and properly handling customer data. Physical security training is equally important, ensuring staff can respond appropriately to theft or violent incidents.
5. Integrated EPoS systems
Modern Electronic Point of Sale (EPoS) systems offer more than just transaction processing. These solutions can integrate with inventory management software, helping businesses identify discrepancies in stock levels that could indicate theft.
Collaboration is Key
Addressing retail crime requires collaboration between businesses, technology providers, and law enforcement. Retailers should engage with their local police forces and industry associations to share information about emerging threats and best practices. Meanwhile, technology providers must stay ahead of the curve, innovating to meet evolving challenges. At Nybble.co.uk, we believe that partnerships are central to effective security. By working closely with our clients, we design solutions that address both current vulnerabilities and future threats.
Planning for the future
The cost of retail crime extends beyond financial losses. Businesses also face reputational damage, reduced customer trust, and lower employee morale. As such, proactive security planning is
not just advisable - it’s essential.
For example, integrating cloud-based security systems can future-proof your business. These solutions allow for remote monitoring and updates, ensuring your defences stay robust even as threats evolve. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for access to sensitive systems adds an extra layer of protection.
A free consultation for retailers
At Nybble.co.uk, we understand the pressures faced by retail businesses. We specialise in IT, AV, digital signage, EPoS, and cybersecurity solutions designed specifically for the retail and hospitality sectors.
To help businesses combat the rising cost of retail crime, we are offering a free consultation on retail digital security solutions. Our team will work with you to identify vulnerabilities, recommend tailored solutions, and provide actionable insights to strengthen your defences.
Conclusion
The rising cost of retail crime is a challenge no business can afford to ignore. By adopting a comprehensive security strategy that blends physical and digital measures, retailers can protect their assets, employees, and customers.
Take the first step toward safeguarding your business by reaching out to Nybble.co.uk for your free consultation. Together, we can build a safer future for your retail operations.
To book your consultation or learn more, visit nybble.co.uk or call us on 03300 020886. Protecting your business starts here!
Joe Makepeace Nybble nybble.co.uk
insurance
Is your business covered for the risk of terrorism?
The damages to property and life as a result of terrorism used to be part of insurance policies available to businesses in the past, but in 1993, after a targeted campaign by the Provisional IRA’s bombing of financial targets and city centres, cover was withdrawn by most insurers.
As a consequence, the UK government, working alongside the insurance sector, established the Pool Reinsurance Company (Pool Re). Primarily funded by premiums paid by policyholders, the government guarantees the fund, and the fund has so far paid out over £635 million in relation to 17 separate terrorism events.
The biggest concern though from a business owner’s perspective is that Pool Re doesn’t cover public liability risk, instead the coverage only extends to property damage in the face of a terrorist attack.
Terrorism insurance is important for loss and damage to physical assets such as buildings, contents, business interruption, but also need to address the horrific implications of injury and loss of life.
There are also new threats in the form of chemical and biological attacks, drones, cyber attacks, vehicle attacks and knives. The considerations on a business that is offering a safe space for customers to enjoy spending time visiting their premises need to be addressed, and the work that the Government has done keeping pace with threats have helped support legislation (Martyn’s Law – The Protect Duty for example) that will help all businesses address the security of their customers as well as potentially create additional exposures and gaps in existing coverage.
Many contracts such as JCT and NEC in the construction sector require such cover, and the majority of lenders/ mortgage companies require that the peril of terrorism insurance is covered.
Who should be covered?
Terrorism insurance is a cover that really should be considered for businesses in high threat alert areas and with high public footfall areas, with further
James Woolerton from Tristar Special Risks, working alongside Steve Marrs from Konsileo, is a specialist underwriter for terrorism cover.
He has this to say about current risks and the need for specific cover:
“There have been developments since the Manchester bombings around both risk management and insuring responsibility in terms of responsibility of the safety of the public. This has repercussions around the Public Liability section since insurers are generally now excluding terrorism under the Public Liability section.
“There is currently no general legal responsibility to insure that aspect; but it does mean the insured/proposer ought to be aware of developments, and that it’s very unlikely they have the cover under their usual insurance arrangements (and should check) since its likely they have an uninsured exposure.
“This is fairly likely to become a huge consideration for any risks which effectively invite the public on to their premises for any reason and likely to be governed in part by ‘capacity’ as well as risk type; but I can foresee that shopping centres, individual shops, restaurants, art galleries, nightclubs, pubs, theatres, cinemas, outdoor markets, concert halls, etc may be within scope; although all this remains to be finalised.
“The legislation is not yet finished, and I’d imagine there will be a beddingin period in terms of the legislation and how it’s monitored and enforced, but from a risk management perspective it is something business owners should already be thinking about, and from an insurance perspective it is very likely that it’s a new exposure to be concerned with.
“Ultimately now if the Public Liability Insurers exclude terrorism under the Public Liability section, they already have an uninsured exposure which should be carefully considered and discussed with insurance brokers.
“The solution to this already exists via TriStar Special Risks.”
considerations around busy festivals/ religious celebrations, and periods such as Christmas, Eid and Diwali.
The current national threat level to the UK (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) from terrorism is substantial, which means an attack is highly likely.
Recent notable attacks
To look at the threat of terrorism in perspective, it is prudent to review the incidents that have occurred over the last 15 years or so. For any business to properly plan for any such attack, they must firstly make sure all possible precautions are in place, but also plan for the potential eventuality of an attack, and to ensure that they are both covered from a personal perspective and their customers and staff are also covered.
It’s a horrendous thing to consider, and the emphasis here is on prevention rather than mitigation, but what can be learned from past atrocities is that the style and nature of attacks can be understood and actions can be taken operationally within the retail and hospitality sector. There are many resources available to help businesses safeguard against such events, making it difficult for terrorists to carry out an attack and ultimately ensure the safety of staff and customers.
However, the insurance sector can offer specific terms and cover for a specific business or organisation. All venues, and business environments (let’s not forget Cyber Terrorism) can be a target. Damage and duress can be more than physical attacks on customers. Property damage, business interruption, for example – these are the hardships that can inflict additional damage to a business that simply wished to accommodate their customers and keep both customers and staff safe.
So, what are my options?
Terrorism cover is most conventionally placed with Pool Re (issued through a property insurer, for example Aviva, AXA etc.) who provide cover for the peril of explosion and act as a government backed reinsurance facility for the provision of terrorism cover. This coverage however has weaknesses, since it does not automatically cover non-damage BI, denial of access, loss of attraction or individuals acting alone and selection against is not permitted. However, there are other options to consider for the purchase of terrorism cover such as the extension of explosion cover to satisfy the contractual requirements; including for blocks of flats as a result of Qdime Limited v Bath Building Management Company Limited & Ors.
If you have premises that regularly entertain customers, it may be a good option to consider terrorism public liability insurance (which is increasingly being excluded under standard PL policies), plus further covers related to the threat as relevant.
If you do feel you have potential risks to address, and would like guidance on the differing covers available, please contact me to arrange a chat.
Every business is different, and specific terms can easily be arranged to accommodate your individual business needs.
Steve Marrs, Client Director, Konsileo
Identifying impersonation cyber security threats to businesses Cyber Security
The North West Cyber Resilience Centre (NWCRC) is a not-for-profit organisation, which was created to strengthen cyber resilience in the North West’s business community. The organisation works closely with the regional police authorities and the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, and offers free training and membership for small businesses right across the North West. The organisation was launched in 2019, and has just celebrated its fifth anniversary.
Business Connect talked to DI Dan Giannasi, Head of Cyber and Innovation at the NWCRC, about what the biggest threats to businesses are expected during 2025.
DI Giannasi said, “There have been huge technological advances recently, especially around generative AI. The result of this is that there has been an increase in the sophistication of cyber crime, and this will continue to increase next year.
“It’s vital that businesses understand
the threats around cyber breaches and how they can affect their business. Many businesses don’t think about the outcomes until it’s too late - until one of their employees accidentally clicks on that phishing email and downloads malware onto their systems. If you’re locked out of your IT systems, then the business cannot trade, creating financial implications from the beginning - and that’s before you’ve even looked at how much it costs to resolve the situation.
“We’re asking businesses to take the risks very seriously and use the membership and free advice on offer by our organisation to help prevent such attacks.”
DI Giannasi outlined the key cyber crime threats to businesses for 2025:
Ransomware attacks
“A ransomware attack is a type of malware that is installed onto a computer, or a network, and locks the owner out of their device, systems and data until a ransom is paid. The latest statistics from Microsoft’s Digital Defense Report found that humanoperated ransomware encounters had increased by 2.75 times in the past year.
“Educational institutions and businesses are frequently the targets of ransomware attacks because criminals recognise that they have financial resources and may be more inclined to pay the ransom to regain access to their systems.
“This extortion often results in significant business disruptions, as day-to-day operations are instantly inaccessible. The consequences of a ransomware attack can be huge, from financial losses through to long-lasting reputational damage.
“The usual entry point to a ransomware attack is through a phishing email.”
Phishing attacks
“With 84% of businesses stating in the last Government’s Cyber Security Breaches
DCI Chris Maddocks, Greater Manchester Deputy Mayor Kate Green, Dept Supt Jon Salisbury-Jones, DI Dan Giannasi
cyber threats in 2025
Survey that they have experienced a phishing attack in the last year, phishing remains the most common attempt at a cyber attack.
“Phishing schemes are getting increasingly sophisticated, especially with generative AI, often masquerading as legitimate business emails to trick employees into revealing sensitive information or clicking malicious links.
“Every single business, charity or educational establishment should ensure their employees are aware of phishing emails, text messages or social media messages - and what they need to do if they realise they have clicked on a phishing message.
“All employees should be given training around how to remain vigilant around phishing attempts. It only takes one click by one employee for a large-scale cyber attack to potentially unfold.”
Spear phishing
“Spear phishing is a type of phishing that is highly targeted at someone, with a specific purpose. These scams will be very convincing and perhaps incorporate
some element of social engineering.
“When aimed at a business, they may be designed to trick someone into paying a large invoice by imitating a senior figure to authorise the invoice, for example.
“Most people don’t realise just how much personal information can be accessible online, through their LinkedIn or Instagram accounts, for example, which fraudsters can use to gain valuable information about them in order to either hack their accounts, or use the information to imitate them in a spear phishing attempt.
“On top of this, AI is being used to create incredibly realistic spear phishing attempts, which is going to be a growing threat for businesses to watch out for. One of the most common ways that AI is used in spear phishing is to create realistic, personalised emails, with the information that is freely available online, which makes it all the more believable.
“This level of personalisation helps to
build trust with the victim and makes them more likely to take the bait.
“In addition to creating realistic emails, AI can also be used to automate the spear phishing process. This means that attackers can send out hundreds or even thousands of spear phishing emails at once, without having to manually create each one. This automation makes it more difficult for businesses to detect and block spear phishing attacks.”
Supply chain attacks
“Cyber criminals can often target smaller businesses or vendors as a way to gain access to, or launch cyber attacks on, the larger businesses. This is usually because smaller businesses do not have as sophisticated cyber defences as larger companies, so it is seen as an easy way in.
“This can result in a number of serious consequences, including data breaches, financial losses and a huge reputational damage.
“This means that all organisations need to implement robust cyber
security measures to protect their own systems, and also those of their supply chain. This includes regularly patching software vulnerabilities and ensuring all software across the business is updated, strict controls on accessibility and a good awareness of good cyber security hygiene habits across the whole business.
“In conclusion, each of these threats reflects the constantly evolving tactics used by cyber criminals, requiring businesses to invest in good cyber hygiene across the whole business and ongoing regular training.
“It’s also vital for every business to have a plan, which lays out exactly what needs to be done and who needs to do it, in the event of a cyber breach or attack. All of these elements are essential to maintaining resilience in today’s digital landscape.”
DI Dan Giannasi Head of Cyber & Innovation nwcrc.co.uk
gmcc news
Chamber opens Building of the Year and Apprentice of the Year nominations!
Greater Manchester Chamber has opened nominations for the Building of the Year Award and Apprentice of the Year award 2024.
The aim of the Building of the Year award is to recognise a building’s contribution to Greater Manchester in terms of construction and development. This could include the building’s significance to the City Region, its impact on the local economy, its effect on the local community, its importance in terms of urban regeneration and environmental enhancement, its design excellence, or its contribution to urban design and townscape.
Previous winners include: The Christie Paterson Building (2023),
Energy House 2.0 (2022), RHS Garden Bridgewater (2021), The Oglesby Centre at Halle St Peters (2020), Manchester Alliance Business School (2019).
The winning building will be announced at the GM Chamber Property & Construction Awards Dinner, which takes place on Thursday 6th March at Imperial War Museum North. The winner of the Steve Burne Apprentice of the Year Award will also be revealed at the highly regarded black-tie event, which will be hosted by TV presenter Roger Johnson.
An Early Bird Offer on tickets is available until 4pm on 20th December - click the QR below.
Tickets can be booked online (click the QR code).
Tables are available in formations of 10 – to book a full table of 10 email events@gmchamber.co.uk
Sponsorship packages are available for the dinner – email diane.elebertmorgan@gmchamber.co.uk for more information.
New Key EU regulations - Opportunities and Challenges for British traders
Since we left the EU, the regulatory landscape has posed challenges to traders in both the EU and the UK. Whilst we have successfully signed over 70 trade agreements, the EU continues to be our largest trading bloc partner for both goods and services.
Total trade with the EU as of 2023 was valued at £823bn, accounting for 41% of the UK’s total exports and 52% of the imports. It is estimated UK companies could be exporting an additional USD$75bn to EU countries in the next few years.
The way we trade has fundamentally changed since we left the EU, and even though there are no tariffs on most of goods traded, there are conditions that have created trade barriers for some sectors.
Recent UNTACT statistics showed the UK has experienced a boom in the export of services. Since COVID, exports of goods have grown a
Visit: gmchamber.co.uk
more information on how to get involved please contact Diane Elebert-Morgan: diane.elebertmorgan@gmchamber.co.uk
Join the Chamber’s next Trade Forum on the 10th December in Manchester.
modest 8% compared with 35% for services. There is no doubt traders will continue to face some challenges though - new UK and EU regulations will continue to impact exporters and importers, and it is imperative that businesses are aware and prepare.
This includes the Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) which is at the heart of the EU’s approach for promoting more sustainable and circular products. Also, the EU has launched a new Deforestation Regulation - due to be in force from the end of 2024.
Another regulation is related to batteries, which includes due diligence and traceability requirements. Lastly, let’s not forget upcoming changes in EU VAT taking place next year.
Complying with these regulations will help exporters to continue selling to our largest trading bloc, which still offers great opportunities for growth.
Customs compliance processes - Check the Chamber’s wide range of support.
more information on how to get involved please contact Lucy Mulligan: Lucy.Mulligan@gmchamber.co.uk
pay per click
Exceeding expectations through performance marketing
Digital marketing can offer an enormous range of services, but when it comes to Pay Per Click (PPC) it can be an enormous advantage using the services of a dedicated PPC agency.
We met with Zak Mulla from Leedsbased ‘Exceed’ to chat about his business journey, creating an awardwinning PPC agency renowned across Yorkshire and the North.
Zak – please tell us how you started your business?
“After graduating with my degree in business around 12 years ago, I worked in a few different jobs, but quickly settled into PPC as a role and skillset I felt passionate about.
“A couple of years with MediaCom served to guide me on the path of working as a PPC executive. When I first settled into the role, I was surprised by the sheer size of the agency and its high-profile clients –The Co-op, Machine Mart, Goodyear Tyres, and working with some of the top professionals at the Manchester agency was the real start for me learning everything I could about PPC.
“After MediaCom I spent time with other agencies, and also client-side too. One of the businesses I helped develop was selling car-park spaces all over the world at airports. It was incredibly interesting – working in so many different languages. However, PPC is PPC wherever in the world you are, and the brand became massively successful, finally being sold to Manchester Airport Group (MAG) for millions. That is where Exceed was born. MAG had their own PPC team, and the writing was on the wall - I finally felt the time was right to set up on my own. My family had always owned their own business, and I was comfortable following that path too.”
You launched in 2019 – how was the business affected by Covid just over a year later?
“I guess as we were so new, having only just found our feet with a number of smaller clients, we felt as if there was only growth ahead. With our nature of business we met
new customers online, took care of business online, we were fairly insulated. We didn’t suffer from any large existing clients cutting back on spend due to the pandemic, perhaps the opposite was true – there was a shift in spending over to PPC.”
What kind of clients are you working with?
“We don’t specialise in any specific sectors, but I love the idea of seeing a brand take shape and grow. We’ve seen businesses coming on board at start-up, with one in particular growing specifically through PPC marketing, to the point where they have now spent over £100,000 during Black Friday month. We won a Northern Digital Award for the work with this particular business.
“It’s so important to work closely with your clients. Some we control the pricing for their products, ensuring direct profitability from the expenditure on PPC, and it’s that level of trust that produces the best results.
“One of the key things I am proud about is our long-lasting relationships. We are after businesses that are serious about growth, and PPC is still one of the best marketing tools that can be used to accelerate a businesses potential. We need a certain amount of investment to quickly measure a campaign and to craft it into a successful method of achieving a measurable return on investment. At the moment, this can really only be achieved on a decent monthly spend of a minimum of £5,000 for an effective paid search campaign, any less, you would need to wait a significant amount of time to
see any necessary trends in the data to guide changes to your campaign.
“Interpreting the data is a skilled job and the ability to do it well will significantly increase the success of your campaign, but you need data, and need it quickly, to guide the campaign and see a strong return. The same goes for different types of campaigns – online shopping, paid socials, etc, but the budgeting is different according to your needs.
“Going back to the point about encouraging long-lasting relationships - the owners of the business that I helped grow to the point where it was bought by MAG have now come back to me as clients with their new start-ups. Personal relationships and respect are super important for any business to succeed, and turning a relationship with my previous bosses into a relationship as clients sums up how precious good business relationships are to us.”
Tell us about your team?
“When you compare to an average sized full service agency, most will only have a couple or so PPC experts sharing work from multiple clients. Going to a specialist PPC agency like ourselves will ensure the level and consistency of support is guaranteed.
“Our team have decades of experience between them working from start-ups to the biggest brands. The level of expertise is exceptional too. For example we have colleagues who have spent years at Google in high calibre roles understanding every nuance of the platform’s functionality. We’re actually a Google Premier Partner which I’m incredibly proud about.”
What are your plans for growth?
“I’d be very happy growing our team more. One of the reasons we’re located in Leeds (outside of the city centre, but well connected by major roads), is as well as being able to visit more clients, we can attract more colleagues due to our position so close to a major city.
“Our trajectory of attracting bigger clients with larger budgets is also very important. It’s an objective that we’re very mindful of. “Finally, and this is more long term, I’d like to look at expanding into more performance marketing channels - like Amazon PPC, affiliate marketing, for example. These are all performancebased, similar to what we’re already doing. We’d like to retain the feel of a niche agency, a team of paid-for specialists with a targeted range of skillsets offering highly effective bespoke campaigns.”
“We’re growing the business at a comfortable rate. We’ve got two new staff coming on board shortly, a new PPC Manager at the beginning of December, and a PPC Executive will join us at the beginning of January. This will give us a highly effective team going into 2025 with a half dozen of us sharing a multitude of skills all of course specific to PPC. Find out more. For a free audit and proposal contact Zak and his team on 0113 3222 195 or email hello@exceedonline.co.uk exceedonline.co.uk
business travel TransPennine Express are going places!
Chris Jackson is now almost 18 months into his tenure as Managing Director at TransPennine Express (TPE) and has been key in helping the train operator get back on track after it transferred to public ownership in May 2023.
Chris joined the rail industry in 2001 and has held numerous senior leadership roles across Network Rail, train operating companies, and light rail.
He has significant experience in front-line operations, project, and station management, overseeing train crew, network control, and electrical control centres. Prior to joining TPE, Chris was regional director for the north west at Northern, where he led a team of more than 2,400 staff responsible for service delivery, customer experience, safety, operational strategy, and stakeholder relations.
Chris joined TPE during a challenging period. His main objectives when joining the business were clear; stabilise train performance, rebuild relationships with staff, customers and stakeholders, and help deliver the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU).
Since then, TPE has launched its prospectus, Making Journeys Better, in October 2023, outlining plans to rebuild customer trust, improve services, and deliver a more sustainable, efficient rail operator.
With the December 2024 timetable about to launch, we spoke to Chris about the turnaround in performance,
the business travel options, and what makes TPE the most exciting place in UK rail right now.
Could you give us an overview of TransPennine Express (TPE) and its core mission in the rail industry?
“Our core vision is simple, we’re going places. We aim to provide a premium service that connects key destinations across the North and into Scotland. In doing so, we will deliver more reliable journey opportunities - leisure and commuting - to support economic growth in the towns, cities and communities we serve.
“We directly employ more than 1,800 colleagues and they work around the clock to provide those better journeys, raising the bar each and every day to give our customers the best possible experience from booking a ticket to reaching their destination.
“Our network connects several key destinations across the region, including:
- North TransPennine: Newcastle to Liverpool, Redcar/Middlesbrough to Manchester Airport, Scarborough to York, Edinburgh to Newcastle, and Hull to Liverpool.
- South TransPennine: Cleethorpes to Liverpool, Sheffield to Liverpool, and Manchester Airport to Sheffield.
- Anglo Scottish: Liverpool to Glasgow, and Manchester Airport to Edinburgh.
“When we launched our ‘Making Journeys Better’ plan last year, we set out a clear process for stabilising operations, re-engaging with customers and stakeholders and transforming the company.
“We’ve made real progress in the past 12 months - cancellations are down by more than 70 per cent, we’ve brought back our full Sunday timetable, and we’ve even launched West Coast Kitchen, an onboard catering service for First-Class customers travelling on our Anglo-Scottish services.
“We’re also proud of the new journey opportunities we have provided for people living in places such as Castleford, Wakefield and East Linton - towns which have not previously had a TPE service before and, in some cases, have not had any train services for many years.”
How would you summarise TPE’s performance over the past year? What key achievements stand out?
“Looking back, the past 12 months have been all about transformation. We’ve stabilised operations and really worked to rebuild customer confidence. We’ve become the second-fastest growing train operator in the UK.
“The launch of our December timetable in 2023 was a real turning point for us, but the December 2024 timetable is where things really start to take off.
“We’re adding 12 per cent more seats across the network - around 1,300 additional seats every day - and increasing frequency in many areas, with, for example, an average of 50 trains every day between Liverpool and Manchester. We’re also delivering four express trains an hour - at 15 minute intervals - between Manchester and Leeds.
“We have also dealt with many of the root causes of the difficulties TPE experienced in the recent past. Perhaps the most important achievement was the completion of more than 20,000 days of driver training in the past 18 months. This significant step forward has reduced abstractions for training and, importantly, means our drivers are now ready to deliver the uplift in services our customers and stakeholders deserve.”
TPE plays an important role in business travel across the North of England and Scotland. What are the main benefits of choosing train travel for business?
“You’re absolutely right. We play a vital role in business travel, and there are several advantages to taking the train with TPE.
“For business travellers and commuters, our services provide a faster and more convenient way to travel between major towns and cities, without the hassle of congested roads or high parking costs.
“Business travellers can also maximise their time during the journey by working on board. All our trains offer free Wi-Fi and USB power sockets at every seat,
One of TransPennine Express’s Nova Trains
Express places!
meaning our customers can catch up on emails, make calls, or finish vital reports on the go. Personally, I like to be out on the network as often as possible and I can make best use of my time on our trains not only by meeting colleagues and customers, but also getting some quiet time to get some extra work done.
“We also offer great value for business travellers. For instance, you can get tickets between Manchester and Edinburgh, or Manchester and Newcastle, for as little as £23.40 if you book in advance. Advance purchase tickets are subject to availability.
“Plus, it’s greener, as rail travel has been proven to reduce carbon emissions when compared to driving.
“And, of course, a real advantage of travelling with us - and one that we are all proud of - is our new First Class catering. West Coast Kitchen offers a menu that includes a range of highquality products, locally sourced from the communities we serve, and is available on services between Manchester/Liverpool and Glasgow/Edinburgh.”
How is TPE approaching sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint?
“Every business that wants to be taken seriously, and that genuinely cares about the people and places it serves, should make sustainability a priority. Whether that is a focus on reducing emissions, reducing waste to landfill, promoting biodiversity, or ensuring colleagues are representative of the local communities - sustainability in all its forms is key for TPE.
“Our approach to sustainability is defined by understanding our contribution to society, the economy, and the environment, and what is materially important to our colleagues, our customers, and our stakeholders. This is integral to our transformation plan, attracting more people to rail and convincing more to leave the car at home - a crucial step which will help the UK to fulfil its sustainability commitments.
“The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU),
a multi-billion-pound infrastructure project that will fully electrify the line between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, and York will allow us to operate more reliable, faster, greener trains which will significantly reduce emissions. It’s a crucial step towards helping the UK meet its net-zero targets.”
Can you explain more about how TPE serves business travel needs and the services you provide for companies?
“We know how important business travel is, and we want to make sure travelling with us is as easy as possible. We offer a range of services tailored to the needs of business travellers, with different options for small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs), and group travel offers, as well as options for large organisations who book with travel management companies.”
How can small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) benefit from using TPE for business travel?
“SMEs can significantly benefit from using our services, especially through our Business Direct platform. This free, online booking system is designed for SMEs that don’t book travel via a travel management company.
“The platform provides the lowest fares and detailed spending reports, helping businesses keep track of their travel costs. This makes it a highly efficient tool and, best of all, it’s free to use with no booking fees.
“It also enables companies to set up travel restrictions, assign bookings to specific cost centres, and manage travel across multiple users or departments. The platform simplifies the booking process for SMEs, making it easier for them to manage their employees’ travel without any hassle.
“One of the most exciting features is the ability to track and compare rail journey emissions against the emissions from car travel. This allows SMEs to make more environmentally
conscious decisions and highlight the greener travel options.
“In addition, e-tickets are available as well as the option to collect at stations. And, since we don’t charge credit card fees or booking fees, the service provides a cost-effective way for SMEs to manage their business travel needs.”
Can you explain how TPE handles group travel, and what makes it a great option for companies?
“Our group travel service is ideal for businesses needing to arrange travel for 10 or more people. We offer a 20 per cent discount, and our team is on hand to help manage the booking process.
“E-tickets make it really easy to distribute and manage, and we can issue just one ticket for the whole group, providing a greener way to purchase tickets.
“We’ve also introduced a pay-by-link option, which is really popular with customers. Once you choose your service, a link is sent, you pay securely, and you’re good to go.
“For companies looking for something even more bespoke, you can hire an entire carriage, subject to availability. It’s a fantastic way to transport a large group to an event or conference, and you can even personalise the carriage with your company branding.
“It’s a great way to give your clients or employees a professional, memorable experience.”
What excites you the most about leading TPE in the business travel sector?
For SMEs wanting to set up an account, or if you have any questions, get in touch with our Business Account Manager, Jill Bollard, at jill.bollard@tpexpress.co.uk, or give her a call on 07773 122978. For booking Group Travel, visit tpexpress.co.uk/groups or contact Jill.
“For me, TPE is the most exciting place to work in UK rail right now.
“We’ve come so far in the past 18 months - improving performance, reducing cancellations, and increasing customer satisfaction through a range of enhancements on-board and at our stations.
“The December 2024 timetable is an important milestone. I’m particularly pleased that we’re able to deliver on our promise of increasing the number of services and, in turn, will be providing 1,300 more seats each day that will make it easier for business customers to travel with us.
“As TPE continues to grow, I’m looking forward to seeing how we
Chris Jackson, Managing Director, TransPennine Express
Bringing businesses across South networking
Simon Edmondson, who along with his wife Win Edmondson, are the dynamic duo of business networking, offering the opportunity for businesses across South Manchester and Chester to meet under ‘The Business Network’ brand at regular monthly lunches.
Business Connect caught up with Simon and Win to find out more...
Business networking - probably the easiest and best way of
generating leads for your business - but why do we go networking and is it as easy as just turning up to the event and walking away with a stack of business cards?
“At The Business Network South Manchester and Chester, we see our members collaborating with each other week in week out, referring their clients to each other and creating a community of trust and a safe secure network of businesses working together. But there is a lot of work which
goes in before all that happens.”
Let’s have a look at why we go networking?
“Obviously the first reason is to generate business, grow and sustain growth. We all want to see a return on our investment whether that be a monetary spend or cost of your time. If you think a free event costs you nothing you have to look at the time out of your business when you could be earning money by selling a product or your service, parking fees, travelling expenses etc.
“We want to be dynamic and be recognised, be the go to person for your services or products. Regular attendance helps with gaining that recognition.
Knock out the competition.
“You may not be there but your competition could be, and if they are there, remember people buy from people, so your next client may choose you due to the relationship you create.
“To learn, at The Business Network South Manchester and Chester we always have seminars and short talks at all our events. Whether it is a talk on social media to beaming
in an AI specialist from India there is always something to learn. Remember “every day is a school day” and “you don’t know what you don’t know”. Meet suppliers - it’s not all about selling.
“We have members that know that within our membership all their business needs can be serviced. Furthermore, as they are all members they know that there is trust and accountability to give peace of mind.
“It’s a social network. There are members in both our groups I can call friends and members I can ask for considered expert advice. Don’t forget no matter how big your business is it can be lonely at the top, and most directors/business owners have all experienced the same issues.
“Finally, you want to be successful, but as we mentioned at the beginning it’s not just a matter of attending a meeting. There are a few rules you need to follow to be a successful networker.
“I was taught ten words by networking guru and Business Network member Will Kintish, and if you follow them too you should find that “Networking Works”.
Turn up!
Simon and Win Edmondson, The South Manchester and Chester BusinessNetwork
Photo by Martin Hambleton
together South Manchester and Chester
“That is obvious, isn’t it? It should be, but you would be surprised even for paid events the number of people who miss out.
“It just takes one person to change your business, and you could miss that opportunity.
“As networking hosts it’s our job to ensure that connections are made. This could be sitting you at a table with a potential client or an introduction during social networking. Your host will know
everyone in the room, and what they do to ensure you have the best experience.”
Be nice!
“What, who isn’t nice at a networking meeting? It is more about not being dismissive, it is easy to assume that a person is not a good introduction as they are in a completely different field, or they are a very small company and would never buy from you.
SOUTH MANCHESTER & CHESTER
have given them a good turn.
Finally, and the most important rule of networking is –
Follow up!
“If you don’t arrange those 1-2-1 meetings either in person or virtually you have probably wasted all that time by going to the event in the first place.
“You, however, do not know who they know. Their little black book of contacts may have your “Golden Goose” of all time clients who just keeps giving.”
Listen carefully.
“Never ask what your networking community can do for youask what you can do for your networking community. It is better to be a giver rather than a receiver, so by asking lots of questions you will hear how you can help them.”
Ask questions.
Asking questions again gives you a better understanding of the people you are speaking to. Don’t forget you are building up your little black book of potential suppliers for your clients.
“Be the enabler as people will be more likely to refer you if you
“Go out have a coffee and find out more about each other. Every time we meet with one of our members, we find out something new about them. It may be some new work they are doing or something we had failed to discuss in previous meetings.
“As a well know networking organisation says, “Givers Gain” and they really do.
“This article started as why you should come to The Business Network South Manchester or Chester, but we wanted to give something back.
“Are we the biggest and the best? Maybe, maybe not, it depends where you feel you fit in.
“Sample plenty of networking groups, try us first of course but before you decide, find your tribe, where you will fit in where you can refer business and where you feel you will be referred business - but most importantly enjoy!
The MagnifyB 24/7 AI-powered virtual adviser platform has been called a game-changer for small businesses by accountants and coaches.
Why not join the MagnifyB revolution today?
&exporting logistics
Every new Government wants to show that they are doing ‘something’, and the current Labour administration is no different.
The perennial question is what? It is not as though every preceding Government hasn’t tried something new. So it was with a certain anticipation that
on a freezing November evening we entered the equally cold conference hall in the 1830 warehouse, that forms part of the Science and Industry Museum in Central Manchester.
The roll out of an ‘Enhanced Trade Partnership’ between The Department of Business and Trade, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, The Growth Company and Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce was announced to bring joined up guidance and support to helping exporters win more business.
Why was Greater Manchester chosen for this initiative?
Well, it was not just because the Secretary of State has a Greater Manchester constituency; Jonathan Reynolds has been MP for Stalybridge and Hyde since 2010, but also there is already close alignment between the partners.
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce is the largest in the country and already has a well-developed international trade team.
The city region’s Combined Authority developed its own export plan with the assistance of the representatives of the Department of Business and Trade, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and local industry representatives (I remember helping to draft the plan as a Department of Business and Trade Export Champion).
The scheme will pool resources available at an international, national and regional level into one easy to access place to ensure new and existing exporters have the best tools at their disposal.
It will mean expert International Trade Advisors will combine resources for the very first time with partners like the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and the Growth Company.
As the experts on the ground, they will work with businesses to help them set up and expand on their export growth plans. At every step of the journey, bespoke support will be on hand to accelerate the aspirations of thousands of small firms hoping to get trading around the world.
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “My message to any business in the region looking to make their exporting ambitions a reality, we want to help, and hope that the new hub will pave the way to get more businesses trading right around the world.
“We know that businesses who export, grow even faster, which is why this government is determined to get even more small firms on the exporting ladder”
Clive Memmott, OBE, Chief Executive, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce said: “In the post-Brexit world and the current geo-political tension in global markets there has never been a more important time for making sure that we efficiently connect our businesses to international opportunities and then provide top quality support to make this happen.
“It’s vital that the critical help and support that businesses require is delivered by the key partners in a coherent, accessible and helpful way to encourage businesses new to exporting or for those already active in international markets to expand and diversify where they trade.
“This initiative is based on these principles and builds on the sound foundations already in place but wants to take this to the next level to deal with the challenges and maximise the opportunities that exist worldwide.”
The UK is the fourth largest exporter of goods and services in the world, with more than 320,000 small firms exporting, and the government is keen to grow on that number and get even more reaching international markets.
Quick Update – still not motoring
I recently wrote about the distortions occurring in the motor vehicle industry due to the rapidly escalating quota
Continued from previous page
&exporting logistics
Pall-Ex member Harbour International Freight accreditation
Harbour International Freight, a leading provider of quality, customer focused logistics solutions, has earned a prestigious ‘AA’ accreditation for ambient storage, distribution and cross docking following an auditing process conducted by global supply chain standards arbiter BRGCS.
Founded in Ireland more than 50 years ago, Harbour International Freight has significantly expanded its presence in the UK in recent years, with a move to new national headquarters in Trafford Park, Manchester, which opened its doors in 2022 at the same time as new purpose built group offices in Dublin.
To achieve the coveted ‘AA’ rating, Harbour welcomed external auditors to its Trafford Park facility, who conducted a rigorous 10-hour inspection of the site.
The inspection took place in August of this year, with grading confirmation following in September.
for the freight forwarder, which has been a member of the Pall-Ex network, the leading palletised freight distribution network for quality, since 2016.
Steve Swinburn, managing director, said: “We are incredibly proud to have secured the highest possible
our business, and the efforts they go to ensure we’re able to offer a best -in-class service.
“The rating will help us forge new relationships with key FMCG and food manufacturing businesses, and enables us to work with larger, blue-chip multinationals which
require their carriers to have such certification.”
Rebecca Wayte, Network Director at Pall-Ex added: “We’d like to extend our sincerest congratulations to Harbour International Freight on their achievement. They have been a valued member of our network for nearly a decade, and securing such a top-standard rating is no mean feat.
“The BRGCS serves as a real mark of quality, and can act as a point of differentiation for potential customersparticularly those operating in spaces where such certification is a legal necessity.”
To find out more about the full range of services offered by Harbour International Freight, please visit: harbourfreight.co.uk
To learn more about Pall-Ex, please visit: pallex.co.uk
e commerce
Top tips for growing your e commerce revenue in 2025
As we slowly head toward the end of another year many ecommerce operators are now in full flight with ecommerce sales looking promising for Q4.
It is quite easy to get caught up in crisis management, but over the last 20 years I have seen firsthand that the ecommerce websites that take the time to plan for the year ahead (even when they are busy) are the ones that enjoy consistent growth.
Here are the 5 things that our most successful ecommerce clients look at every year to ensure they are always at their best.
1 : Freshen up
Success in 2025 is all about preparation. Create new imagery and messaging to welcome in your customers and create a consistent ‘Call to Action’ (CTA) across all the platforms you use.
In the early days of your peak season, you want to maximise brand recognition and recall. Using consistent messaging and brand imagery online increases the chance that your potential customers come back when it is time to buy.
2 : Update product and product categories
Take the time to review your products and product categories. Use this time to weed out categories that did not
perform well last year. When it comes to categories make sure that you are grouping your products in a way that customers can understand.
Many retailers fall into the trap of thinking like their suppliers, rather than their customers. Take time to evaluate your categories for customer appeal.
When it comes to products it is not about throwing out anything, but more about prioritisation. Position products that sell well in easy to access sections.
Look at your sales from last year and make sure it is as easy as possible for customers to access the top sellers. Update the home page with these best sellers.
3 : Review Ad spends and targeting
For any business that has a seasonal sales cycle (don’t we all?), the online Ad spend should increase and decrease in line with customer intent (how likely they are to buy).
With the first signs of growth, you should review all Ad spends. Start with the basic how much did you spend and how much did you make and start drilling in from there.
Look at specific campaigns and use your analytics data to measure the Cost per Acquisition (total cost of campaign divided by the number of products sold through that campaign).
Make sure the cost of sale is well within the margin for the products, and if not, the campaign needs to be reworked.
Equally for brand campaigns, look at the volume of exposure versus the cost. Make sure that you align your campaigns with the products and messaging that you have chosen for the season. Keep that consistency going.
4 : Update/Increase communications
Look at your contact points.
Everything from order confirmation emails to marketing emails can be updated to make them appropriate for the season ahead.
This is an opportunity to show customers that you are alive and kicking. Impart confidence to the customer before, during and after their buying journey.
5 : Implement loyalty strategies
We are all too familiar with the ‘Do you have a loyalty card?’ question, and yes, having a formal loyalty system in place will bring a new dimension to your marketing efforts.
But there are many simple loyalty tactics that will encourage your customer to return. Highlighting the ‘support local’ in messaging; showing
gratitude in the form of discounts off their next order or including a delighter in the delivery are minor but effective ways of increasing that brand loyalty.
There are a hundred other steps you could take to nurture your online revenue, but those mentioned above are the ones that our high revenue clients engage in regularly, and they are a great starting point.
If any of the above seems like a foreign language or too difficult to take on, then you really should get in touch. If this type of thing is not easy for you, then you may need better tools or a better partner.
Dmac Media are always happy to have that conversation.
crm success
How businesses can unpack the holiday advantage with a CRM solution
Holidays can be the make-or-break moment for businesses, shaping the annual revenue, setting the tone for the year ahead, and providing a valuable opportunity to deepen customer relationships. Yet, according to Forbes, 78% of business owners aren’t certain their holiday efforts were effective last year, so they’re not sure what to do.
How an effective CRM solution can help businesses over the holidays CRM
discounts or early-access, boosting urgency and loyalty.
Streamlined follow-ups to nurture repeat customers: By analysing past purchase data through Bigin’s 360-degree view of client interactions, you can identify high-value shoppers primed for re-engagement. Follow up with them over calls/meetings with the help of task management and reminders in Bigin.
In this December/January edition, I’m thrilled to share a recent success story from one of our Bigin by Zoho CRM clients in the UK.
With over 20 years of expertise, ACF Events caters to companies of all sizes, from startups to large corporations, and offers tailored solutions that leave a lasting positive impact. As a leading provider of corporate event experiences, ACF faced the challenge of scaling operations smoothly. They initially relied on spreadsheets to manage operations, but as the team grew, inconsistent methods for tracking client details and followups led to missed opportunities and communication gaps. The lack of visibility into team activities also made it difficult to step in during absences.
With Bigin by Zoho CRM, ACF Events streamlined sales and administrative workflows. They were able to track and engage with customers effectively, analyse data through customisable dashboards, and maintain seamless
communication through mobile channels, even outside the office.
Key outcomes:
• Using dashboards, the company can now anticipate upcoming trends and make informed business decisions that help them to stay ahead of the curve.
• Christina Cooke, Director of ACF Events, relies on Bigin’s mobile app to manage tasks and monitor progress so she can ensure operations run smoothly even when she’s away from the office.
• Efficient handling of multiple communication channels, such as email, telephony, and accounting in one place, making Bigin a centralised tool for their operations.
• ACF Events doubled their revenue by streamlining sales and admin operations with Bigin.
“For me, it’s so important to look at the data. You can’t manage what you can’t measure, so data is key. Now that we have Bigin, it’s enabled us to see who our clients are, what they’re doing with us, what their trends are, how we’re operating as a business, and where we’re heading.”
Rather than relying solely on broad holiday promotions, smart brands use CRM to build trust early and create connections with targeted campaigns that feel relevant and timely. In recent years, brands of all sizes have embraced CRM platforms to navigate the holiday sales rush.
How CRM can help you this holiday season
Streamlined customer communication: Today’s customers engage across multiple platforms – email, WhatsApp, social media, phone, and more. Bigin’s multi-channel capabilities allow you to communicate seamlessly across these platforms, ensuring your message reaches your audience wherever they are.
Getting better ROI from your ads: Running seasonal ads to attract customers?
Easily manage all the leads you get with a CRM like Bigin which has direct integration capabilities with popular social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and TikTok.
Customer segmentation to add a personal touch:
Segment customers by purchase behaviour, holiday spending patterns, and engagement history. Tags in Bigin can help with this. Categorise easily and send personalized offers like exclusive
Automated holiday messages: Identify customers who might appreciate a little something extra, whether it’s a holiday card, a product sample, a free service, or a digital gift card, and schedule personalised automated messages.
Data-driven campaign optimisation: Tracking allows you to see what’s working, optimise on the go, and refine future campaigns for better results. With Bigin’s customisable dashboards, get detailed charts and track key performance indicators, from engagement metrics to sales outcomes.
Imagine your holiday sales skyrocketing with data-driven, personalised, and timely campaigns, all easily managed with a CRM like Bigin by Zoho CRM.
Are you ready to get started?
Visit bigin.com and you can sign up for a free 15-day free trial (don’t worry, we don’t need your credit card details!), or reach out to our team at 0288 646 2004 for any questions.
Christina Cooke, Director ACF
Events
Yatheesh Raj Product Marketing Manager Bigin by Zoho CRM
finance
Autumn budget has dramatic impact on businesses and the self-employed
At the end of October, Chancellor Rachel Reeves presented her first budget to parliament. This was intended to restore stability to our economy and to begin a decade of national renewal. The headlines have predominantly impacted businesses as part of the overall hefty £40 billion of tax rises. Below we explain what the tax changes will be and how you can navigate the impact on your business.
National Insurance Contributions (NICs) rates and annual thresholds
The Chancellor announced a package of changes to employers’ Class 1 NICs that will apply from 6th April 2025:
• An increase in the employers’ NICs rate, from 13.8% to 15%;
• A decrease to the threshold at which an employer starts to pay NICs on each employee’s salary (the ‘secondary threshold’) from £9,100 to £5,000*; and
• A widening of availability and an increase in the amount of the ‘employment allowance’, which eligible employers can offset against their employers’
Class 1 NICs liability, from £5,000 to £10,500. In particular, the employment allowance has only been available to businesses who have incurred an employers’ Class 1 NICs liability of less than £100,000 in the previous tax year but that restriction will be removed for 2025/26.
* A higher secondary threshold of £50,270 applies for employees who are under 21 and apprentices under 25. Other variations can also apply. This increase in employers’ NICs is undoubtedly a blow to some businesses and, indirectly, employees. Combined with the increases in the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and potential costs associated with reforms in employment law, these measures will stretch employer wage budgets and potentially lead to slower growth in some employee wages or higher costs for consumers.
National Insurance for the self-employed Self-employed individuals pay Class 2 and Class 4 National Insurance Contributions (NICs). The relevant rates and thresholds are:
* From 2024/25 onwards, Class 2 NICs are effectively abolished. If trade profits exceed the SPT, the individual will accrue entitlement to state benefits such as the state pension.
However, if trade profits fall below the SPT, the individual will need to pay Class 2 NICs voluntarily if they need the tax year to qualify for state benefit purposes.
National Living
Wage (NLW) And National Minimum Wage (NMW)
Employers must pay their employees at least the NLW, for workers aged 21 and over, or the NMW otherwise. The minimum hourly rates change on 1 April each year and depend on the worker’s age and if they are an apprentice.
The percentage increases for the 18-20 year old rate (16.3%) and the 16-17 year old and apprentice rate (18.0%) are significant. This is a step towards Labour’s ambitions for all adults to receive the same minimum wage. While this is good news for workers, employers will need to carefully consider affordability when planning their headcount for the year ahead.
Inheritance Tax for farmers and business owners
The government is proposing to reform IHT agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR) from 6th April 2026. Relief of up to 100% is currently available on qualifying business and agricultural assets with no financial limit.
From 6 April 2026, it is proposed that 100% relief will only apply to the first £1 million of combined agricultural and business property, with the relief reducing to 50% on the value that exceeds £1 million. This means the relief will be focused on small family farms and businesses.
In a further proposed change, the rate of BPR available for shares designated as “not listed” on the markets of recognised stock exchanges, such as AIM, will be reduced from 100% to 50%.
As an anti-forestalling measure, the new rules will apply to lifetime transfers made on or after 30th October 2024 if the donor dies on or after 6th April 2026.
Capital Gains Tax for entrepreneurs
As expected, and with immediate effect from the budget date of 30th October 2024, the rates of capital gains tax (CGT) have been increased on some asset types as follows:
Entrepreneurs will be pleased to learn that Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) will continue to apply when they dispose of their business.
However, the rate of CGT on BADR qualifying disposals is increasing from 10% to 14% for disposals made on or after 6th April 2025, and from 14% to 18% for disposals made on or after 6th April 2026.
These rates apply to the first £1 million of qualifying disposals.
LWA are here to help you
If you need bespoke advice on any aspect of the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget 2024, or have any other corporate or personal tax issues you would like to discuss, please contact a member of our team – we’re here to help.
Call 0161 905 1801 in South Manchester or on 01925 830 830 in Warrington, or email mail@lwaltd.com
How to get more eyes on your business using SEO
Have you ever wondered what would happen if you bought a brand-new car, but never serviced it?
How long do you think it would last?
Do you think it’s performance might deteriorate over time?
It seems self-evident that there is a need to maintain machinery, yet when it comes to websites, people seem to have a blind spot. But your company website is a machine, and it needs care, attention, and servicing to get the very best performance. This is where Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) comes in.
To help demystify SEO, Founder and Managing Director of award-winning agency Aqueous Digital, Jonathan Guy, answers some of the most frequently asked questions.
What is SEO?
“At its core, SEO is simple. It’s the process of making your website more attractive to search engines, to help you to appear higher in the search results. When it’s done right, this leads to an increase in your online visibility and unpaid traffic.
“However, SEO is often unnecessarily made more complicated with technical jargon. It can also involve a wide range of different activities, such as keyword targeting, page speed optimisation, backlinking and PR (Public Relations), content creation and technical SEO. Sometimes for business owners, it can all feel like too much to wrap your head around. This is what led me to write ‘Search Never Sleeps’.
“A clear, plain English guide to understanding the SEO basics, it delves into the ‘why’ instead of focusing solely on the ‘what’. This means you don’t need to understand every aspect of SEO to create an effective SEO strategy.”
Why is it so important for businesses to have SEO as part of their marketing activities?
“According to EnterpriseAppsToday, 69% of companies actively invest their time in SEO. The reason for this is simple; if you can attract the right customers to your website without
spending big on advertising, you can develop a steady stream of enquiries.
“Without this source of business, you are simply missing out. With fewer potential customers finding your products and services, you’re missing out on organic traffic, brand awareness, and online visibility.
“It doesn’t matter whether you run a UK-wide e-commerce business or provide a local service, SEO can play a big role in helping you build your business and drive sustainable revenues.”
How can companies use SEO to get more eyes on their business?
“While SEO is often misunderstood, getting the most out of it for your business needn’t be difficult. As outlined in ‘Search Never Sleeps’, our approach to SEO as an agency involves following just three simple rules:
1. Nothing, but nothing beats great content.
2. Google is just a machine.
3. One page, one keyword or phrase.
“As Google is just a machine, it’s important to make your website easy for both humans and machines.
“Every page on your website should have a clear purpose. By creating relevant and specific content that answers your customers’ questions, you’re already halfway there to generating long-term, ethical, and sustainable SEO results.”
How will SEO change in the future and what should businesses do to prepare?
“The biggest change to SEO, that’s already starting to be felt by businesses, is in fact AI (Artificial Intelligence).
“This technology is being used by Google and other search engines to create AI-generated answers that appear at the very top of the SERPs (Search Engine Result Pages). In turn, this pushes down other websites that AI has used to create its ‘original’ answer.
“To tackle this, it’s important to create content that your customers (not search engines!) want to see, as your customers’ needs ultimately matter the most. It’s also equally as important not to rely solely on Google to support the success of your business. Remember, people buy your products, not Google, so build something your customers want and need.
“As the way we search evolves, businesses should refocus on what buyers want and need. Twenty years ago, people thought the Yellow Pages was all they needed. Ten years ago, few people were predicting that their sales could come from social media. Today, with your website at the hub of all marketing, SEO needs to be a central component, whilst diversifying your marketing to future proof the success of your business.”
“If you want to know more, at Aqueous Digital we offer a free consultation and website audit for any business. Please scan the QR code below or go to aqueous-digital.co.uk/eyes to book yours”.
Jonathan’s book is available to purchase on Amazon.
Jonathan Guy Managing Director and Owner aqueous-digital.co.uk
training
Jon Edwards has been designing and delivering corporate training strategies for almost 25 years.
Turning a call centre workshop into a roaring success
Working with some of the country’s largest organisations such as Aviva, BT and most recently Openreach, Jon and his team have been delivering behaviour-change management programmes for key people within organisations in a range of environments.
We asked Jon to explain more:
“In 2019 I received an award for a workshop that I created, to help advisors and managers cope better when faced with adversity in the workplace.
“This was the point where many years of developing and honing our training programmes had finally coalesced into something that was delivering tangible and effective results.
“The head of BT customer care recognised the powerful impact that these simple techniques had, not only for performance and productivity, but also for selfawareness and self-management.
“We offer elite training and
development services that empower and inspire. Our unique approach is based on military training principles, which are particularly effective with front-line retail staff, the hospitality sector, call centres and forward-facing colleagues in any organisation or sector.
“Our behaviour-change management programmes focus on employee engagement. The culture of any business can be defined by its people.
“Unity, community - your people are the foundations of your organisation, and when they work as a team, in the same way any elite military unit works collaboratively to achieve specific goals, your business will flourish with renewed energy and vigour.
“We show your people how to break the boundaries of self-limiting behaviour. We teach how to be unafraid, how to develop self-belief and above all how to embrace courage and resilience.
“By ensuring every key member of an organisation embraces this resilient mind-set and behaviour, the ability to bounce back quickly and re-focus after any adversity
Organisations that utilise our services can expect to see significant returns on investment, including a reduction in absenteeism and staff turnover.
The Centre for mental health research reports that investing in mental resilience can return between £5 to £9 for every £1 spent.
means your people form an unbreakable chain.
“Once an individual has personal power, and learns how to apply and share that power within a team, working collaboratively with colleagues can offer a much sharper and clearly defined approach to any task, and a robustness to apply determination, belief and a willingness to see a task completed will ensure a business has the agility and ability to forge ahead to greater success.
“This strengthens our value proposition and it backs up a return on investment with some evidence based substance.
“Our military resilience training can have a profound effect on growth which can reduce costs, improve performance and help you retain valuable talent.”
Jon Edwards, Managing Director, The Lion Consultancy
&out about...
The Business Catalyst Club meet on a regular basis in Leeds and Manchester, and attracts high calibre business owners and decision makers on an invite only basis.
The Property Catalyst Club celebrated its first Anniversary in October with another well attended Lunch in Leeds City Centre. The format of the invitation-only Lunches has gained rapid popularity with residential and commercial landlords, investors, developers and property professionals, with members and guests landing in Leeds from as far afield as London, Manchester, Birmingham and Leicester.
The next Property Catalyst Club Lunch is on Thursday 16 January 2025 – for more information or to request an invitation please contact info@propertycatalystclub.co.uk
It was great news that one of our advertising partners attended ‘The Royal Variety Show’ in London with His Majesty the King. Saj Kadva of Leisure Guard Security said “It was an absolute honour to be invited for services to Charity and Industry.”
Graham Shiers, Louise Turner, Chris Jackson
Chris Cassar
Graham Shiers
Joe Robertson
Dave McEvoy, Paul Mirage, Ben Schmidt, Benjamin Carolan
Kelley Williamson
Jonathan Guy
Emma Beal
Paul Mirage, Chris Jackson (TransPennine Express)
Martin Duddridge
Harry Sekhon Barney Mynott
Saj Kadva
Nick Thorpe, Graham Shiers
Paul Lanfear Michael Devanny, together
Suzanne Teale, Paul Mirage, John Spencer
Michael Allison, Barry Dillion
Stuart Wild
connectworking EVENING
ConnectWorking Evening with Rasassi Restaurant in Altrincham
Business Connect hosted a special evening with Rasassi Restaurant in Altrincham and invited guests who have contributed to the publication over the last 11 years. Taking place in the private dining room, guests were treated to drinks on arrival and authentic Indian cuisine - and of course Cobra beer.
Restaurant manager Abdul said: “It was a pleasure to host an event for Business Connect Magazine as I have been a supporter for over 10 years now. We created a special evening which showcases what we can provide for corporate and private parties”.
You can contact the team on 0161 928 1430 or tablebooking@rasassiuk.com visit rasassiuk.com - 21 The Downs, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 2QD
BITA Lunch Manchester - Eventbrite for details, or visit Bita.ie
Abdul, Simon Edmondson, Win Edmondson, Palani Kandaswamy, Tony Goodman MBE, Paul Mirage, Marie Boyer, John Spencer, Paul Quin
Jude Harrison-Smith Paul Mirage, Michelle Masters
Speed of Sight Paul Mirage, Russell Silverman Tom Higgins
Richard Roe
Photos by Martin Hambleton
wellbeing
The importance of checking for signs of cancer
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF BREAST CANCER – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer.
If you’re over 50, or you’re black, or your dad or brother had it, you’re at even higher risk. Prostate cancer is not always life-threatening. But when it is, the earlier you catch it the more likely it is to be cured.
Tim Scane, 66 from Didcot in Oxfordshire, got a life-changing early diagnosis after seeing an advert on social media, and is now cancer-free.
“I’m a keen walker and a cyclist, so I felt fit and healthy except for the fact I was getting up to go to the bathroom at night.
“One day I was scrolling through Facebook and an advert came up from Prostate Cancer UK encouraging men to take their Risk Checker tool.
“I clicked through and completed it, and that prompted me to make an appointment with the GP.
I’m so glad I did, because after an initial blood test I was referred for scans in hospital which showed I actually had prostate cancer.
“It was a tough time, but I had great support from my family and the doctors and nurses.
“They found it early, fortunately, so the cancer hadn’t spread and was able to have it removed surgically. Now I’m recovered and totally well. Seeing that advert online is why I’m cancer-free today.”
Check your risk - visit prostatecanceruk.org/risk-checker
Their mission is to make breast cancer a preventable disease for future generations by funding vital
research into prediction, prevention, and early detection, so no one has to go through it in the first place. It’s important you get to know you’re normal by checking your breasts once a month.
If you have periods, it’s best to check after your period. If you’re post-menopause, any time of the month is fine.
You can check whilst lying down in bed or in the shower, using some shower gel. Make sure you lift your arm above your head to spread your breast tissue.
If you find a lump or notice any other changes to your breasts, get checked by your GP as soon as possible. Your doctor may then refer you to a breast clinic where you will be seen within two weeks.
Many signs and symptoms of breast cancer, including breast lumps, are non-cancerous and caused by normal breast changes. But it remains vital that you pay attention to your body and seek help if you notice anything that’s abnormal for you.
If you’d like to find out more or would like to support Prevent Breast Cancer, please email info@preventbreastcancer.org.uk
Bringing high performance therapy to business
The rise of personalised programmes of therapy
Netherlands-based mental health provider ‘Oh My Mood’ have been establishing a growing reputation during the last 5 years offering treatment programmes for a number of mental health issues.
They offer personalised programmes that are designed to help with a whole range of different mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression and burnout. By offering tailored treatments, Oh My Mood empowers individuals to enhance their mental well-being, thereby fostering resilience and fulfilment in both personal and professional domains.
Jonathon McCauley is driving Oh My Mood’s UK expansion, launching its specialist online therapy service in January 2025 to help organisations ensure tailored mental health support is available when needed.
Renowned for his focus on mindset development, Jonathon McCauley has spent the past decade sharing his expertise in over a hundred educational and sports organisations. Now, as the UK managing director of Oh My Mood, he is committed to drawing on proven expertise from the Netherlands to advance mental health support in UK businesses.
We asked Jonathon to explain more:
“With growing evidence supporting the value of investing in employees’ mental health and well-being, decision makers are increasingly prioritising high-quality mental health therapies. For decades, industries like professional sports, entertainment, and performing arts have leveraged expert, bespoke psychological support to help individuals optimise their mindset.
“Now, the tailored approach is proving effective for a wider range of businesses aiming to enhance employee well-being and drive organisational success. A recent Deloitte report highlights this potential,
noting that ‘for every £1 spent on supporting the mental health and wellbeing of their workforce, employers get (on average) about £4.70 back in increased productivity.’”
Do you have any simple suggestions that leaders can implement to optimise their colleagues’ mindset?
Structured Reflection
“In high-stress roles, self-awareness is crucial. Metacognitive journalingreflecting on thoughts, reactions, and emotions - helps colleagues identify cognitive patterns and emotional triggers. This practice builds resilience, reduces burnout, and supports intentional decision-making.
• Cognitive Reflection Loop: Reflect on key events daily to identify thought patterns.
• Trigger Analysis: Recognise emotional triggers and plan adaptive responses.
“By dedicating a few minutes each day to structured journaling, colleagues gain clarity and control, equipping them to handle challenges with composure.”
Sleep for Cognitive Performance
“Quality sleep sustains cognitive coherence - essential for clear thinking and emotional regulation under pressure.
• Consistent Routine: Regular sleep and wake times.
• Screen Time: Limit exposure before bed for better melatonin production.
“Investing in quality sleep helps colleagues improve focus, stabilise mood, and reduce burnout risk.”
Intentional Movement
“Individuals in high-pressure roles can cultivate a deeper awareness of their physical presence, which can be otherwise diminished by cognitive overload and stress.
“The integration of intentional physical activities into daily routines can benefit physical health while simultaneously fostering a renewed sense of embodiment.
“This embodied awareness enhances the connection between mood, emotion, and cognition, which is essential for maintaining balanced mental health and effective self-regulation.
“Cognitive functioning, researchers have shown, has strong ties to physical experience. When individuals participate in regular, structured physical activities, such as yoga, they can achieve more purposeful decision-making and improved stress management.”
Networked Empathy
“Peer networks, or ‘mastermind groups’, can help colleagues build empathy, strengthen emotional connections and gain new perspectives. These groups foster empathy through intersubjectivity - shared understanding between individuals.
“Connecting with peers gives colleagues a more nuanced understanding of their experiences, essential for compassionate leadership. It has become increasingly accepted that mastermind groups support empathy and resilience, transforming shared challenges into opportunities for an optimised mindset.”
Jonathon McCauley, Managing Director, Oh My Mood UK
wellbeing
Can you recognise your own signs of stress?
When we lead such busy lives we often find that there’s another task we could, should or ought to be doing, there’s always another job that needs our attention. From juggling work, family responsibilities, catching up with friends and household chores we could productively occupy every minute of each day.
But interspersed with work tasks and concerns we should also remember to look after ourselves and maintain good self-care. After all, we wouldn’t expect our car to run continuously for twenty-hours a day, every day of the year without occasionally cooling down, being serviced and topped-up with fuel!
Let’s tune in to some of the early warning signs of stress and overwhelm, which enable us to recognise when we’re teetering on the edge of overtired and worn out. These could be called our amber lights, our early warning signs to slow down and take care before our dangerous ‘red traffic light’ to stop appears.
Here are some of those all-important warning signs;
- You’ve no patience and are easily irritated by anything and everything! Your sense of humour has evaporated under a mound of frustration and low mood. You may even be fed up with yourself for feeling this way, as you know there’s no particular reason for it!
- You’ve lost your interest in food. From always having a healthy appetite and enjoying good home-cooked meals, sometimes shared with friends, eating now has little interest or appeal for you. Or conversely you’re comfort eating all the ‘wrong’ foods.
- Alcohol has become too much of a comforter, an easy fix with which to drown your sorrows, relax after a busy day or reward yourself for having got through it and survived.
- Your ability to concentrate has become erratic. Focussing on each current task has become difficult, as you constantly forget what you’ve done or are supposed to be doing. You may be aware of a vague cloud inside your head, obliterating any clear thinking and motivation.
- Sleep is restless, fitful and maybe even elusive. Some people find that
stress affects their dreams and they become unpleasant, disturbing and sometimes repetitive, churning over the same problems and issues on a regular basis, only to awaken feeling groggy and unrested.
- Random aches and pains seem to be ever present. When we’re stressed our body reacts as if under siege. We’re ready to react quickly in order to prepare for a potentially threatening situation. So we create more cortisol, tense our muscles and enter fight or flight mode.
- You’ve lost the joy in life. Everything has become an effort. You may find that you’re not interested in spending time with your children, grandchildren or friends. It’s all become an additional chore that you could do without!
So, reclaim a better quality of life and;
- Feel more in control by introducing a regular routine, including short breaks, stopping for lunch. Plan your evenings and enjoy spending time eating a meal or having leisure time with family or friends. Arrange to have fun and get outside, go for a walk and enjoy the views.
- Start to prioritise your tasks. Some will need doing as a matter of urgency, whilst others can be rescheduled for another time. Saying ‘no’ appropriately can be quite
liberating when you decline excessive demands on your time and energy.
- Teach others to value you more. When you stop being so readily available, other people learn to respect you, your time and your input; yet another important way to reduce stressful demands on you and your energy.
- Have a regular time for turning off your work-related tech and allowing yourself to become quiet. Calm the stimulus of constantly scrolling, checking and reacting and allow yourself a couple of hours to relax before bedtime.
- Recognise that if you’re working in a physical environment it can be tiring for your body, but you may still need mental stimulus in order to tire yourself mentally. Quizzes, music, reading, interesting conversations can all help establish a good mind/ body balance, and consequently, better sleep. Conversely, intensive mental work may need to be counter-balanced with physical effort like running, exercise classes and gardening.
- Investigate if there is someone you could share work with or delegate to. Maybe a skill swop could be viable. Are you good at baking, social media, admin, gardening or would you be interested in alternating child care arrangements with someone
who could help you now and you help them another time, both benefitting from sharing the load. That way, everyone gains free time with which to do something else!
- Ask around if there’s a support network where you could talk through challenges, share success stories and generally support each other by ‘chewing the fat’ together. Sometimes online forums can help, where you dip in and out at your convenience to discuss any issues, or perhaps access support help lines, often regularly manned and there to help if you’re struggling and in need of someone to talk to.
Take control and find that your stress levels reduce as your work/life balance improves.
Manchester counsellor, hypnotherapist, relationship counsellor, writer and media contributor offers help with relationship issues, stress management, assertiveness and confidence. She works with individual clients, couples and provides corporate workshops and support.
She’s author of 3 books, ‘Dealing with Stress, Managing its Impact’, ‘101 Days of Inspiration #tipoftheday’ and ‘Dealing with Death, Coping with the Pain’, all on Amazon and with easy to read sections, tips and ideas to help you feel more positive about your life.
To order a copy or for more information, help and free articles please call 0161 928 7880 or visit
www.lifestyletherapy.net
Susan Leigh MNCH (ACC) South
places to meet
Chamber Space
Meeting and Conference Facilities, Hourly rates, 4-160 capacity, Full venue capacity 400, range of catering options, unlimited tea/coffee with room hire
Meeting Rooms (1-20 seats), Hourly, Half Day and Full Day rates, Free refreshments, Free Hi-Speed Wi-Fi, Co-working space available, Breakfast and Lunch can be ordered upon request
Chancery Place, 50 Brown Street, Manchester M2 2JG
3 Hardman Square, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3EB
Large and small scale conferences, Meeting rooms, Event spaces, Central location Petersfield, Manchester M2 3GX sales@manchestercentral.co.uk 0161 834 2700 manchestercentral.co.uk
Marriott Hotel
Manchester Airport
Brasserie Blanc Bar & Restaurant, San Carlo Bar & Restaurant, Executive lounge, 2 Function spaces (140 and 50 capacities), Courtyard (private outdoor dining)
148 bedrooms and suites, 9 meeting and event rooms with capacity for 240 people theatre style, Restaurant and bar, South facing terrace, Private dining, Business centre
Water Street, St John’s, Manchester M3 4AW askus@thevanda.co.uk 0161 832 1188 marriott.com/manva
Marriott Hotel
Liverpool City Centre
Brew Bar (food and drinks), Oliviers breakfast restaurant, Merchant Bar (private bar/event space), 2 Function spaces (240 and 50 capacities)
One Queen Square, Liverpool L1 1RH libby.blackwell@deltahotels.com 07881 312158 liverpoolmarriott.co.uk
[One] London Road
Meeting Rooms, Co-working space, Free tea and coffee, Free WiFi, Screen and projector, Roof terrace
The Life Centre 10 meeting rooms, Capacity of 2 - 250 people, In-house catering, Free WiFi, Free onsite parking, Projector or TV in every meeting room 235 Washway Road, Sale, Cheshire M33 4BP enquiries@lifecentremcr.com 0161 850 0770 lifecentremcr.com
voco Manchester Bed and breakfast, Cosy meeting rooms, Large banquet space, Accessible rooms, Designed for disabled guests 59 Portland Street, Manchester M1 3HP khealey@bespokehotels.com 0161 518 2936 www.hotelbrooklyn.co.uk
Worsley Park Marriott Hotel
Restaurant and Bar, 9 Meeting rooms, Leisure club & Gym, 18 Hole Golf Course Walkden Road, Manchester M28 2QT
If you currently have the printed edition of Business Connect Magazine available at your venue and you’d like to feature in our Places to Meet section please contact Paul Mirage at paul@businessconnectpublishing.co.uk
If you’d like to host our magazine at your site and feature on this page please contact Paul at the above email.
BITA (British and Irish Trading Alliance)
BITA London Construction Networking Lunch
24 Jan 2025 11.30am - 5.00pm
Venue Royal Horseguards Hotel, 2 Whitehall Court, London SW1A 2EJ
Cost £215+VAT, Table of 12 £2,500+VAT
BITA Liverpool Monthly Social Networking
12 Dec
5.00pm - 7.00pm, every 2nd Thurs
Venue Gaucho, 7 Water Street, Liverpool L2 0RD
BITA Manchester Monthly Social Networking
19 Dec 5.00pm - 7.00pm, every 3rd Thurs
Venue The Lawn Club, Hardman Square, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3HG
Leeds Networking Lunches for the Property Sector - 16 Jan, 3 Apr, 19 Jun, 9 Oct
Costs, Timings, Venues and booking detailscontact organisers below (invitation only):
Contact Graham Shiers 07818 675 310 www.propertycatalystclub.co.uk
SHOUT BUSINESS EXPOS 2025
Annual business fairs across Northern venues. Free to visit, all sectors welcome to exhibit Business Connect Magazine are media partners and supporters.
Lancashire Business Expo 2025 4 Apr 9.00am - 3.00pm
Venue Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE
Liverpool Business Expo 2025 23 May 9.00am - 3.00pm
