Saving lives with business support
A look at the work of the North West Air Ambulance Charity, celebrating their 25 year anniversary, and the support the charity receive from the business community.
Celebrating 230 years of business support
Interview with Clive Memmott, OBE, chief executive of the largest Chamber of Commerce in the UK.
Carters Solicitors open new office
Interview with property expert Claire Egerton, practice director at new office in Delph, part of the Watson Ramsbottom group.
Bigin by Zoho CRM
Review of the CRM app designed for small businesses.
Business growth
Digital specialists Dmac Media expand into Manchester.
AnintegratedapproachtomanagedITsolutions InterviewwithRamGupta,MDofNybble,lookingatthebusiness NationalApprenticeshipWeek CelebratingNationalApprenticeshipWeekwithSalfordCityCollege.
onReviewofWildeAparthotelsbyStaycitylatestsiteopened 9FebruaryatSt.Peter’sSquareinCitycentreManchester.
Frommutineerstotradeagreements
Keepingtheworkplaceandpublicsafe Focusonriskmanagementforbusinesses,alsotherolloutof ‘Martyn’sLaw’makingvenuessaferfromterrorism.
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Greater Manchester is preparing to submit an updated Clean Air Plan to government, as the latest air quality data shows improvements on local roads across the city-region.
The preferred plan would still mean that there would be no charges for any vehicle driven on a road in the cityregion, as well as investment in new buses and a fund to help taxi drivers upgrade their vehicles.
Modelling shows the plan would meet a legal requirement to improve air quality by 2026 at the latest, rather than in 2025, as stated in GM’s 2023 submission to government.
An alternative plan that models a benchmark charging Clean Air Zone in the centre of Manchester and bordering parts of Salford would not
Greater Manchester preparing to submit updated Clean Air Plan proposal to government
meet the legal deadline.
A key element of the proposed plan is investment in cleaner buses, and latest figures show improvements in the Greater Manchester bus fleet is already helping to improve air quality, with air quality monitoring data for 2023 showing that air pollution has fallen compared to 2022 – and is significantly lower than levels recorded pre-pandemic in 2019.
Five years ago, air quality monitoring data showed 129 locations of nitrogen dioxide exceedance. This has now fallen to 64 sites across the city region. The gradual improvement has been partly driven by the investment in hundreds of cleaner buses, including Zero Emission Buses for the Bee Network.
Prior to franchising, less than 1% of vehicles were electric, and that is now more than 10% in areas where buses are under local control – and will rise to more than 15% following completion of bus franchising in January, when
around 70% of the fleet will be, on average, less than 12 months old.
It means that Greater Manchester is on target for a third of its bus fleet to be electric by 2027 and is working towards an ambition to have an allelectric bus fleet by 2030.
Despite delivering the electrification of bus depots at pace, with work already complete at Bolton and Oldham, and further upgrades to be made at Middleton, Ashton, Hyde and Bolton in the next 12 months, the revised plan takes into account a delay to a new all-electric depot at Stockport which will now not be available in the timescale required for the GM Clean Air Plan. Electrification of the Queens Road depot is now expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Transport for Greater Manchester remain absolutely committed to having an all-electric bus depot and fleet in Stockport.
The revised Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan also includes updates
to air quality modelling – the process of forecasting, understanding and managing future levels of air pollution. This includes the latest information on where Bee Network buses are running in the city region, and a correction to modelled emissions of government-funded retrofitted buses.
Leader of Bury Council and Clean Air lead for Greater Manchester, Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, said: “Poor air quality affects us all and particularly the most vulnerable among us. We have a longstanding commitment to cleaning up our air and Greater Manchester has carried out a tremendous amount of work to get us to a place where we are seeing air quality improvements.
“The latest air quality monitoring data shows a really encouraging trend and indicates that the steps we’ve already taken to invest in cleaner buses through the Bee Network are making real inroads to cleaning up the air. We’ve done this without the hardship to residents and businesses that a charging Clean Air Zone could cause.”
Business Connect Magazine partners with The Liverpool Network
As part of our ongoing commitment to grass roots business networking Business Connect has become Media Partners with the Liverpool Network. As a networking membership organisation, the meetings take place on the last Wednesday of every month
Don’t
at the same venue – The Municipal Hotel in the heart of Liverpool. 10am to 12noon.
Organiser Luke Maher commented:
“It was an easy decision to partner up with Business Connect. They appeal directly to our target audience of decision makers – Managing Directors, CEOs, CFOs, COOs.
“The group was brought about when myself and 5 other MDs got together and we discussed the problems and positives about networking across many existing groups. We all got
value out of networking, but the experience always seemed to attract sales people and we simply didn’t wish to be sold to. Networking for us was about building and growing our professional networks, and if there were any deals to be done, they would be part of a wider conversation around support and collaboration.
“So we created The Liverpool Network for decision makers only – no sales managers or BDMs. We feel that by making a decision to exclude sales people we’ve piqued the interest of
those decision makers that would otherwise have stayed away.
“The meetings are open to people from all sorts from different sectors – our only limitation is for decision makers and business owners.
“We’ve also noted the value of bringing business owners from smaller companies into the meetings, so we’ve capped our membership fee at £350 per year. The value to us is in making those connections, not in driving profits for the organisation.”
theliverpoolnetwork.co.uk
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UK joins WTO Joint Initiative on E-commerce
The Joint Initiative (JI) on Electronic Commerce (E-Commerce) at the World Trade Organization (WTO) is the first global digital trade agreement.
This is an economy-wide deal that will boost global trade in goods, services and information and help to make trade faster, cheaper, fairer and more secure. The JI is set to deliver new growth opportunities for the UK, with global digital trade already worth £4 trillion and growing strongly.
Increased digital trade, with fewer barriers, will lead to more opportunities and less red tape for UK businesses, new employment opportunities and higher wages for workers and increased choice and lower prices for consumers across the UK.
The core elements of the E-Commerce JI cover the following areas:
Enabling E-Commerce
• electronic transactions framework
• electronic authentication and electronic signatures
• electronic contracts
• electronic invoicing
• paperless trading
• single windows data exchange and system interoperability
• electronic payments
Openness and E-Commerce
• customs duties on electronic transmissions
• open government data
• access to and use of the internet for e-commerce
3 Trust and E-Commerce
• online consumer protection
• unsolicited commercial electronic messages
• personal data protection
• cybersecurity
4 Transparency, cooperation and development
• transparency
• cooperation
• development
5 Telecommunications Global trade is becoming increasingly digital, and harnessing its potential is central to growing a strong and resilient economy in the UK. By 2020, digital trade represented 25% of global trade, around £4 trillion.
The UK is at the forefront of digital trade and has a comparative advantage in digitally-delivered services such as finance, professional business services, creative industries, engineering and much more. UK trade is driven by digitally-enabled businesses, with exports of digitallydelivered services amounting to £252 billion in 2021, or 77% of total UK services exports.
Until this JI, there has been no common set of global rules on digital trade. This lack of rules has led to fragmented approaches to digital trade regulation, resulting in increased barriers for businesses, workers and consumers.
The E-Commerce JI, having brought together 91 negotiating countries, representing all levels of development and all the regions of the world, has sought to rectify this fragmentation of digital trade regulation. The Joint Initiative is a standalone agreement done at the WTO. The UK will set out its broader approach to trade in due course.
Small businesses feeling frozen out by big banks
Big banks are letting our smaller businesses down, according to new research: the UK’s small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) say they are languishing in the economy compared with the first-class treatment given to bigger businesses by the banking industry.
A new report from the Saffron Building Society found that almost two-thirds of SMEs (60%) – those businesses which collectively account for almost 17 million jobs and 50% of the UK’s turnover – believe bigger banks prioritise larger companies, giving them a superior service.
On top of that, almost half (49%) feel big banks are limiting access to cash and cheque transactions, something much more important to smaller businesses than large ones.
The shift towards automation and AI is also causing ripples of concern among SMEs: they believe it heralds
a move away from the personal service they rely on and towards a hands-off approach.
Saffron Building Society’s John Penberthy-Smith said: “Despite their significant contribution to the UK economy, SMEs often encounter substantial barriers when seeking financial services from large banks.
“Why is it that such a crucial part of the UK economy is floundering when it comes to financial advice, support and options? We must unlock the potential of these millions of businesses and empower them to thrive.”
Ian Cass is the managing director of the Forum of Private Business and chair of the Micro Biz Alliance.
He said: “It’s past time the bigger banks recognised the importance of our small businesses and provided them with the support and the services they need and, frankly, deserve.”
Retail still under pressure
The retail sector is going through a prolonged period of upheaval – the Centre for Retail Research have described the industry as undergoing a “permacrisis” since the 2008 financial crash.
Factors such as changing consumer behaviour, increased internet shopping and challenging economic conditions are changing the way retailers operate and engage with their customers.
The coronavirus pandemic and increased cost of living have added to these challenges and accelerated trends such as increased online shopping and closures of retail premises.
Key figures indicate:
• Retail sector economic output was £112.8 billion in 2023, 4.9% of the UK’s total economic output and a 2.4% increase on 2022.
• There were 2.7 million jobs in the retail sector in 2022.
• There were 314,040 retail businesses as of 1 January 2023.
In 2023, retail sales in the Great Britain were worth £510 billion, an increase of 3% on 2022.
For every pound spent in 2023:
• 40 pence was spent in food shops –a 9% rise on 2022.
• 11 pence was spent in clothing shops (including textiles and footwear) – an increase of 7% on 2022.
• 9 pence was spent on automotive fuel – a fall of 12% on 2022.
• 7 pence was spent in household goods shops (including electronics
and furniture stores) – a fall of 1% on 2022.
At the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, retail sales fell dramatically as lockdown restrictions closed non-essential retail stores. Trends in retail sales were erratic for the remainder of 2020 and 2021, though overall, broadly returned to pre-pandemic levels from March 2021.
Since August 2022, retail sales have generally fallen back below prepandemic levels, with the exception of sales in household goods stores, which have remained above prepandemic levels.
Internet sales have also been rising since 2008 (when ONS data began) reaching around 20% of all retail sales in Great Britain in 2019.
Online sales rose sharply at the onset of the pandemic as physical stores were closed, reaching a record high of 37% in February 2021.
Internet sales as a proportion of all retail sales have generally fallen since February 2021, though remain above pre-pandemic levels. Internet retailing is more popular in the UK than other European countries and the USA.
Data from the Local Data Company indicates that the rate of vacant retail units increased steadily in 2020 and 2021, from 12.2% in Q1 2020 to a high of 14.5% in Q2 and Q3 2021.
While vacancy rates fell in five successive quarters following Q3 in 2021, they remain above pre-pandemic levels.
Lord Richard Harrington appointed as UKREiiF Advisory Group Chair
UKREiiF (The UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum) has announced the appointment of Lord Richard Harrington as UKREiiF’s Advisory Group Chair.
He’ll assist UKREiiF with their growth strategy following their acquisition by Infopro Digital in July. Alongside his role in chairing the UKREiiF Advisory Group, he’ll help advise around key growth areas for the business.
Nathan Spencer, Managing Director at UKREiiF, said: “With his vast experience in business prior to his time in Parliament, and the work he’s done in more recent years, such as the review into foreign direct investment, there’s a clear alignment of interest that has seen him attend UKREiiF over the past couple of years.
“But having met Richard, there’s also much more than that; his versatile and pro-active nature, alongside his experience of running a successful global business, is going to be a real enabler in helping advise the business in crucial areas as we move to the next part of our journey. The fact both UKREiiF and Richard are Leeds born and bred is the cherry on top.”
Lord Harrington added: “I am delighted to be taking up this role at an exciting time for UKREiiF. Having attended and spoken in previous years, I am excited to be helping the organisation cement its role as the leading investment and infrastructure group. I look forward to working with UKREiiF and partners over the coming months and, of course, meeting you all in my
hometown of Leeds again next year.”
Richard has more than 30 years’ experience in the real estate business across the leisure, residential, and commercial fields. He is currently Chair of Regal, one of London’s leading residential-led, mixed-use developers. Lord Harrington’s political career began after being elected in 2019 as the MP for Watford; serving as a Government Minister he was responsible for the construction industry and recently carried out a review on Foreign Direct Investment, the recommendations of which have been supported by the current Government. He became a Life Peer in 2022 and has also served as Minister of State for Refugees.
UKREiiF will take place between 20-22 May 2025, in Leeds. The event connects people, places, and businesses to accelerate an unlock sustainable, inclusive, and transformational investment. The forum will attract inward investment, generate economic growth, and drive a more sustainable and inclusive culture within the property and construction industries. www.ukreiif.com
UK signs trade pact with Thailand to boost exports
The UK and Thailand have agreed on an Enhanced Trade Partnership to boost trade and investment between the two countries.
Trade Minister Douglas Alexander signed the pact alongside Thai Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan in Bangkok as part of his first visit to Asia since being appointed in July.
Thailand is the second-biggest economy in Southeast Asia and trade between the UK and Thailand is already worth £5.9 billion a year. The Thai economy is rapidly growing and its middle class is expected to more than double to almost 14 million by 2030, creating huge opportunities for UK businesses to tap into.
The new partnership is designed to help the Government achieve its driving mission to grow the economy by boosting sales and investment in priority sectors such as automotive, tourism, investment, digital trade, financial services, education, and many more. The pact also commits both sides to identifying opportunities that could be delivered through a potential future UK-Thailand Free Trade Agreement.
Following the signing, Minister of State for Trade Policy Douglas Alexander said: “Thailand’s growth is something the UK can and should be capitalising on. This Partnership will bring our two countries closer together and help British
businesses sell to Thailand, supporting jobs and growth around the country.” It follows a string of changes which have made it easier for UK companies to sell to the Thai market. This includes an agreement on vehicle emissions testing which saw Thailand accept the UK’s testing standards and waive the need for cars to be re-tested at Thai standards. Re-testing was time-consuming and expensive, and its removal could save UK car manufacturers millions of pounds. A similar agreement is now being progressed for British motorbike manufacturers.
The UK and Thailand also recently made it much simpler for Thai companies to import UK food and drink – from chocolate and cheese to soft drinks and frozen foods. They can now submit conformity documentation by email instead of the time-consuming process of getting paperwork physically stamped by the British Embassy. Removing this barrier will be worth around £40m-£70m to UK businesses over five years.
During his first visit to the region, Minister Alexander also travelled to Laos to attend the 56th ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting. He used the visit to speak to partners from across the region about the new government’s plans for trade, and how this will support the government’s mission to drive growth throughout the economy.
New Liverpool-Manchester Railway Board to lead transformation of rail connectivity
A new Liverpool-Manchester Railway Board has been established to maximise the economic and social benefits of a new railway between the Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester.
On the 200th anniversary of the formation of the original Liverpool and Manchester Railway Company, which oversaw the construction of the world’s first inter-city passenger railway, the Mayors of Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region launched the Board and set out their preferred options for improvements to rail infrastructure linking the North West’s two largest city-regions. The plans include transformational investment in city centre stations in Liverpool and a modern, underground station at Manchester Piccadilly. A new, high-speed rail line would run through new stations at Warrington Bank Quay and Manchester Airport, connecting the Investment Zones in Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester via prime development sites.
Following the scrapping of the northern legs of HS2, the government invited the two Mayors to advise on the best solution for improved connectivity between Liverpool and Manchester as part of the Northern Powerhouse Rail scheme.
Announced on May 22 at the
UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF), the Liverpool-Manchester Railway Board will advance a place-based, bottomup approach to deliver world-class connectivity and turbocharge the economy of the North West.
The new Board will be chaired by the two Mayors with the leaders of Manchester City Council, Cllr Bev Craig, and Liverpool City Council, Cllr Liam Robinson, serving as vice-chairs, and will involve local authorities along the route, as well as the Port of Liverpool, Manchester Airports Group, and other stakeholder organisations.
The Board will be tasked with working with the government and engaging with the private sector to help build the business case for the most ambitious line possible. Expressions of interest are now being invited from private sector partners who are interested in engaging with the Board.
At the unveiling of the New LiverpoolManchester Railway Board, Mayor of Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, said: “From the world’s first passenger railway powered by Stephenson’s Rocket to the Dockers’ Umbrella, our region has been revolutionising Britain’s railways for centuries. But sadly, regions across the North have been forced to contend with infrastructure that wouldn’t look out of place 100 years ago. It suffocates
growth and holds the country’s economy back.
“Transformative investment in better rail connectivity between our two city regions is more than just a regional project. This is a nationally important infrastructure scheme that would help to unlock the North’s enormous potential and deliver a greater return to the Treasury.
“There are fantastic, passionate leaders across the North in business, infrastructure and a wide range of sectors. We want their help to join us to deliver the same transformation that the Liverpool Manchester Railway did 200 years ago.”
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “Our region was home to the first inter-city railway anywhere in the world, but today our rail network is now not fit for purpose after decades of underinvestment. The scale of economic opportunity right along the line is huge, with Investment Zones
in both city-regions and several major development sites, but the North West can only reach its potential with better rail connectivity.
“We’ve been successful in making the case to government for our preferred options – in Greater Manchester that means a new, underground station at Piccadilly. The new Board will help us accelerate these plans and capitalise on a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build the railway the North needs.”
Leader of Liverpool City Council, Councillor Liam Robinson, said:
“For Liverpool and the North West to truly realise our economic potential, we need a new age of the train – with a focus on investment in infrastructure.
“The benefit of a better connection between Liverpool and Manchester would not only supercharge our economies, the impact would be felt throughout the UK. This region gave birth to the era of customer train journeys. It’s time we upgraded for the 21st century.”
Business leaders urged to join new board to shape Herefordshire economy
Herefordshire’s best business leaders are being urged to join a new independent board to help shape the county’s economic future.
The Herefordshire Business Growth Board will play a leading role in driving the economy, supporting business growth, promoting innovation and collaboration and being a champion for inward investment.
The board – the independent voice of the county’s business community – is now seeking passionate business leaders who want to play their part in setting the agenda for growth.
Leaders from key county business sectors such as cyber security, the green economy, food and drink, agriculture, tourism, engineering and the creative industries are being particularly targeted.
Key objectives of the board include:
• Influencing and shaping the county economy and ensuring the needs and perspectives of the private sector are reflected.
• Supporting business growth through collaboration with initiatives such as the Herefordshire Growth Hub and helping direct the delivery of grant funding such as UK Shared Prosperity and Rural Prosperity funding.
• Being a champion of inward investment by identifying and promoting opportunities.
• Creating platforms for business leaders to contribute to innovative thinking and policy development.
Board members will help identify barriers to growth and opportunities for the future, reflect Herefordshire’s full, diverse business community, and work to create a strong working partnership between the public and private sectors.
The board will meet six times a year with members serving an initial term of two years.
For more information and to register your interest visit: https://bit.ly/4dNlcTN
Harlyn wins third Oceans Winds project to collect and store spare inter array
cables at Moray West
North East-based Harlyn Solutions Ltd (Harlyn) has signed an agreement with Ocean Winds for the collection, storage, and emergency preparedness of Moray West’s spare inter array cables (IACs).
Moray West is a new offshore wind farm in the outer Moray Firth and this exciting project is set to make a vital contribution to Scotland’s renewable energy and climate change targets. Moray West is overseen by Ocean Winds, the 50/50 joint venture between EDP Renewables and ENGIE.
Moray West, a key part of the energy transition and the drive to Net Zero emissions, started generating power to the grid in July and will consist of 60 wind turbines, each with a generating capacity of 14.7 megawatts.
Harlyn, a UK engineering company, has been appointed to collect and store the spare inter array cables at its facility in the Port of Blyth. This comes after Harlyn successfully delivered two other projects for Moray West, including the transportation of both substations and the cleaning of monopiles infield.
Harlyn has an excellent track record of delivering flexibles. Last year, the engineering company designed bespoke baskets to transport two fibre optic cables and also delivered six 1,500 tonne baskets of flexible pipe.
Hamish Adamson, managing director of Harlyn, said: “I am thrilled that our unique problem-solving approach to projects has been picked up and understood by Ocean Winds. Our teams have worked hand-in-hand across multiple scopes and this longterm project shows the dependability of the team we have at Harlyn as being the partner of choice for these complex challenges.”
Pete Geddes, Moray West Project Director at Ocean Winds, said: “We’re delighted to be using Harlyn to store our cables in the UK. Delivering local content is important to Ocean Winds and working with Harlyn for a third scope we are able to support a thoroughly competent UK supplier.”
Joanna Stewart, Harlyn project manager, said: “The project highlights the skills and expertise that Harlyn has to offer, from complex project management through to detailed spooling and flexible engineering.”
OX delivers plans to double UK workforce by the end of 2025
OX Delivers has outlined plans to almost double its UK workforce with the launch of a campaign to recruit a significant number of personnel for a wide range of highly skilled roles at its headquarters in the West Midlands.
As the company prepare to enter the latest stage of development of its nextgeneration electric truck development, these roles will be vital to support the ramp up to continuous truck build.
Natalie Dowsett, CCO and CoFounder, said: “We are creating a world-class team to deliver our mission to revolutionise the way the Global South does business.
“We have spent the past four years developing and validating our technology, building our infrastructure and proving out the as-a-Service model. Now, we are significantly expanding our UK team to deliver the next exciting phase of development of our all-electric truck and getting prepared for continuous truck build next year.
At OX Delivers, we’re supercharging African trade by improving access to clean, reliable, affordable transport in underserved markets. We are seeking
passionate individuals with a desire to shape the future of transportation and develop ground-breaking technology to improve people’s lives.”
For less than $1, an OX Delivers customer can transport a sack of goods to market across poor quality roads, which are typical in the Global South.
Efficiently and sustainably completing the task in a matter of hours instead of days by foot or bicycle, the OX Delivers transport-as-a-service model enables farmers and traders to access larger markets further from home, where prices are higher and new opportunities are available.
This generates profit for OX Delivers, and creates a self-reinforcing cycle of economic and social growth within local communities across the Global South.
Parcel delivery lockers coming to 50 railway stations across UK
As many as 50 railway stations across the North of England are set to get new parcel delivery lockers. It follows a deal between Northern and Quadient who operates parcel lockers at more than 20,800 locations globally.
Parcel Pending by Quadient is a growing network of smart lockers that are used for deliveries from major carriers including Royal Mail, DPD, Evri and UPS - and for new services such as convenient key drop-offs with Keynest across the UK.
Lockers have already been installed at stations in Apperley (West Yorkshire), Bamford (Derbyshire), Burnley (Lancashire), Clifton (Greater Manchester), Euxton (Lancashire) and Penistone (South Yorkshire).
By the end of September, lockers will also be installed at stations in:
• Adlington, Disley and Lostock Gralam in Cheshire
• Hathersage in Derbyshire
• Bolton, Hag Fold, Hyde North, Humphrey Park in Greater Manchester
• Burnley in Lancashire
• Ulleskelf and Lealholm in Yorkshire
• Alnmouth in Northumberland
A further 30 locations across the Northern network are currently being identified, with a view to lockers being installed by spring 2025.
Mark Powles, commercial and customer director at Northern, said: “Our stations are at the heart of the communities they serve and as such they are the perfect base for other popular services that people require.
“Access to parcel delivery lockers at stations is something our customers have told us makes their life easier, as they combine travelling with collecting or dropping off their parcels.
“Quadient has a great reputation for customer service and we are delighted to partner with them to bring their services to thousands of our customers each and every day.”
&property
Fully established taskforce begin mission to drive forward next generation of new towns
The Deputy Prime Minister Angela Raynor recently addressed the first meeting of the New Towns Taskforce, asking them to identify and recommend locations for new towns within the next year.
Building on the appointments of Sir Michael Lyons as Chair and Dame Kate Barker as Deputy Chair in July, the government has appointed an additional 8 members to drive forward the government’s ambition to deliver the next generation of new towns. Together, the Taskforce brings vast knowledge across key sectors including planning, infrastructure delivery, architecture, investment, funding, and urban regeneration.
The Taskforce met for the first time recently in Milton Keynes, one of the most successful 20th century new towns. The Deputy Prime Minister and the Housing Minister attended the meeting to set out their ambition for the Taskforce to play a leading role in addressing housing demand and accelerating economic growth in towns and cities across England.
The launch of the Taskforce marks a major milestone in the government’s mission to drive economic growth by delivering the homes and infrastructure the country needs. The Taskforce will be vital to this mission, by providing expert independent advice on potential locations for new town locations within the next year, with a focus on supporting sustainable communities and helping to tackle the national housing crisis.
The Taskforce will report to the Deputy Prime Minister and meet on a monthly basis. It will be supported in full by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and by Homes England, as well as civil servants across all government departments and agencies.
Ahead of submitting a report to ministers next summer, Taskforce members will be asked to consider key matters including: the strategic case for new towns; location identification and selection; placemaking; design and standards; funding, risk and institutional investment; and unlocking delivery and innovation.
Goodknight Property Management expand its team with new Property Manager
Goodknight Property Management have appointed Katie Ede as their new dedicated Property Manager.
“I am delighted to welcome Katie into the Goodknight family,” founder Leana Knight commented. “Katie has garnered a reputation for her commitment to providing excellent customer service and ensuring smooth and successful property management experiences for both landlords and tenants. “Her exceptional attention to detail and strong organisational skills have been instrumental in her ability to effectively navigate complex property management challenges.”
Katie added, “I’m excited to be working with Goodknight Property Management, it’s been a pleasure to join a team so dedicated to providing exceptional service. I’m eager to contribute to the growth of Goodknight’s management portfolio, as I genuinely believe in the quality and care they bring to property management.”
Amey secures £235m sustainability-linked loan to drive ESG commitments construction
Amey, one of the UK’s largest infrastructure services and engineering companies, has announced the successful conversion of its £235 million external borrowing to a Sustainability Linked Loan (SLL).
This financial development reinforces Amey’s commitment to achieving its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) targets, aligning its financial strategy with its sustainability goals.
The conversion is designed to drive Amey’s long-term ESG strategy and includes key commitments:
• Net Zero by 2040: Year-on-year emissions reductions, supporting Amey’s goal to be a Net Zero organisation by 2040.
• Supplier Sustainability: By 2028, 60% of Amey’s suppliers with annual spending under £1 million will have committed to or approved ScienceBased Targets initiatives (SBTis).
• Inclusive Recruitment: By 2028, 8% of new hires will come from target groups, including previously unemployed individuals, NEETS (not in education, employment, or training), veterans, prison leavers, and care leavers.
The conversion is supported by a distinguished group of lenders, including ABN AMRO Bank N.V., The Governor and Company of the Bank of Ireland, Citibank, N.A.,
London Branch, HSBC UK Bank plc, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., London Branch, and National Westminster Bank PLC. Leading the transaction as the Sustainability Coordinator is ABN AMRO Bank N.V.
This SLL exemplifies Amey’s dedication to embedding sustainability into its core business practices and also highlights the importance of linking financial performance with measurable environmental and social outcomes.
Andy Milner, CEO of Amey, says: “Converting our borrowing to a Sustainability Linked Loan marks a significant milestone in Amey’s journey towards becoming a more sustainable and socially responsible business.
“This facility not only provides the financial flexibility to meet our operational goals but also ensures we remain accountable for delivering on our ESG commitments. We are grateful to our lender group for their support in progressing our sustainability vision.”
Richard Wilkins-Smith, Director at ABN AMRO Bank N.V., says: “We are proud to have supported Amey as Sustainability Co-ordinator for their inaugural Sustainability Linked Loan facility. It was a pleasure to work closely with them throughout this process, and we are pleased to have played a role in advancing their sustainability journey.”
Campbell West wins £6m contract to revamp Ashford Hospital in Surrey
Berkshire-based Campbell West is set to deliver mechanical and electrical services for clients Cuffe plc and Forest Gate Construction after signing a series of three contracts to spearhead a £6million mechanical and electrical hospital transformation project.
The specialist mechanical and electrical engineering company has put pen to paper on a third phase of work at Ashford Hospital, Surrey, that includes the creation of four new operating theatres for the Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The team will play a key role in the formation of an ophthalmology department and two ward refurbishments as well as the comprehensive installation of advanced systems and infrastructure, designed by ETA Projects.
Campbell West co-owner Steven Campbell said: “We have a strong track record of working with the NHS and we are extremely proud to contribute to the transformation of Ashford Hospital.
“We’re all looking forward to bringing this project to life in close collaboration with our clients and our NHS partners.”
The highly anticipated Health Innovation Hub (HiH) in Glasgow has reached a significant milestone with the completion of the building’s primary structure.
Glasgow’s new purpose-built life science facility will focus on advancing and delivering precision medicine technologies through the R&D stage ahead of commercialisation.
The development of the site further cements Glasgow as a leader in the science sector.
This flagship investment located within the Glasgow Riverside Innovation District (GRID) is being delivered by Kadans Science Partner, in collaboration with The Living Laboratory, a partnership made up of the University of Glasgow, Scottish Enterprise and Glasgow City Council.
As part of this, the facility will welcome the new Digital Health Validation Lab (DHVL) as the first tenant.
A partnership between the University of Glasgow and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, the DHVL provides essential infrastructure and expertise to evaluate digital health technologies for clinical use. By accelerating the
development and clinical adoption of innovative solutions, it supports the Living Laboratory’s mission to tackle critical healthcare challenges and improve patient outcomes.
The Living Laboratory is also committed to driving local economic growth, attracting precision medicine industry to Glasgow to create new job opportunities and enhance local skills development.
Located in Govan, on the south side of the River Clyde, and within close proximity to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH), the Health Innovation Hub is due to officially open its doors to tenants in Autumn 2025. The scheme is being delivered for Kadans by appointed main contractor, Morrison Construction.
The site will provide 87,000ft2 of state-of-the-art flexible laboratory and office space for up to 450 people. With facilities available from 1,700 ft², life sciences businesses of varying sizes, from university spinouts to more established operations, will be able to make full use of the industry-leading amenities.
Pitched roof tile manufacturer Russell Roof Tiles is supporting East Midlands Residential Developer, MyPad on three significant Social Housing developments in partnership with Nottingham Community Housing Association.
The firm has been specified on major developments across the Midlands over the last 12-months.
The first, located in Chesterfield (Derbyshire), is a £4.2m development of 26 two and three-bedroom bungalows and houses situated near the Midland Main Line (railway line).
MyPad proposed the social housing development to utilise the vacant land to provide high quality housing that is sustainable and attractive. The project is expected to be completed soon.
Further south in Melton Mowbray
(Leicestershire), the roof tile manufacturer is also assisting MyPad on the £12.8m Lake Terrace development which will see 90 affordable homes built. The waterside homes will be a mix of one, two and three-bedroom properties.
The third development was completed last year when the manufacturer supplied Lothian tiles in Slate Grey for a £5.8m social housing solution in Ashbourne (Derbyshire). The project saw 37 two bed and three bed houses built on a plot of land that was previously home to a service station.
Ross Hayward, Area Sales Manager at Russell Roof Tiles said: “We are proud to be maintaining our strong relationship with MyPad through these social housing projects, and continue to enjoy working in tandem with Taylor Roofing.”
property investment
Rental reform needs to work for tenants and landlords
Ahead of the publication of the Renters’ Rights Bill, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has issued a statement which responds to the Bill’s key proposals.
In the statement they call for the reforms to be as balanced as possible to ensure that the needs of both landlords and tenants are addressed appropriately.
Ben Beadle, the Chief Executive of the NRLA, has emphasised the importance of transparency and fairness in the upcoming changes to the private rented sector. He also notes how it is crucial that steps be taken to deal with wait times which prevent the courts from ruling on cases in a timely manner.
Speaking ahead of publication of the Bill, he commented: “Plans to reform the private rented sector have been on the table for over five years now.
“Above all, renters and landlords need certainty about what the future looks like. Whilst we await the precise details of the Bill, it is vital that it works, and is fair, to both tenants and landlords.
“The end of Section 21, ‘no explanation’ repossessions represents the biggest change to the sector for over 30 years. Once the Bill is passed, it is vital that sufficient time is provided to enable the sector to properly prepare.
“Over 4.5 million households will need tenancy agreements updating, letting agent staff and landlords will need to undertake training and insurance and mortgage providers will need to adjust policies and rates. None of this will happen overnight, and the Government needs to publish guidance.
“In addition, ending Section 21 will leave the courts needing to hear possession claims where landlords have a legitimate reason.
“The cross-party Housing Select Committee has warned that without reforms to ensure the courts process cases much more swiftly, they risk becoming overwhelmed. This will not serve the interests of tenants or landlords seeking justice.”
In respect of plans to improve the quality of rental housing, Ben Beadle said:
“Too often the actions of a minority of rogue and criminal landlords have brought the sector into disrepute. We therefore support measures to ensure every rental home is of a decent quality, and swift action is taken where standards threaten the health of tenants.
“However, this all needs to be backed up with robust enforcement by councils.”
Private rented sector makes £4 billion contribution to
A report authored by PwC reveals that the private rented sector (PRS) in the North West region of England makes a gross value added (GVA) contribution of £4bn to the UK economy.
The report examines the impact generated by small and medium-sized landlords (classified as those with 15 or fewer properties) across England and Wales. It highlights that the North West’s PRS accounts for 1.76% of the region’s total GVA. The report also underlines how North West’s PRS supports 34,000 jobs both directly and indirectly across various industries in the region. This finding demonstrates the importance of the UK’s PRS in driving investment and employment across the UK.
Record levels of former rental homes for sale
Rightmove suggests that there needs to be incentives for landlords to stay and continue to invest in the private rented sector to provide a healthy market for tenants.
The latest real-time market data from the Rightmove’s property website reveals that the proportion of former rental properties moving into the sales market is at its highest point on record, suggesting more landlords are selling up.
The Autumn Statement on 30th October is one potential driver of the increase, as it is mooted to include an increase to Capital Gains Tax, which could affect landlords.
Nearly a fifth (18%) of homes currently for sale were previously available on the rental market, compared with 8% at this time in 2010.
The trend is most prominent in London, where nearly a third (29%) of all homes for sale were previously available on the rental market.
Scotland is second on the list (19%) and the North East is third (19%).
Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s property expert, says: “In recent years it has become more attractive for some landlords to leave the rental sector rather than to continue to invest in it, due to rising costs, taxes, and legislation.
“A healthy private rented sector needs landlord investment to provide tenants with a good choice of homes. We’ve seen over the last few years how the supply and demand imbalance can contribute to rising rents, so there is a worry that without encouragement for landlords to stay in rather than leave the rental sector, it is tenants who will pay the price.”
The prime rental hotspots where a month’s rent costs a year’s salary
The latest insight from London lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, has revealed that one in five rental properties across Britain command an average rent equal to that of the average monthly income, however, some properties require an entire year’s income, or more, to rent for a single month.
Benham and Reeves analysed current rental market stock looking at asking rents and how these compare to the earnings of the average person.
The research shows that the average person in Britain takes home £35,481 per year – equating to £2,957 per month.
The analysis of current rental market stock conducted by Benham and Reeves found that more than one in five rental properties (22%) are
currently listed with a monthly asking rent at, or above, that of the average monthly earnings of £2,957.
Almost half (47%) of London rental properties commanded an asking rent in excess of the average monthly British income, whilst the East Midlands proved to be the most affordable where just 2.5% of asking rents exceeded this benchmark of monthly income.
There are some rental properties that actually command an average monthly asking rent at, or above, the £35,000 threshold of the average annual income in Britain.
Granted, they only account for 0.3% of all current rental listings, but this still amounts to no less than 289 properties currently up for rent.
When it comes to London’s super prime rental market, these very top end rental properties are located across just 11 boroughs.
Westminster is home to the highest volume of London’s super prime lets at 160, with these properties accounting for 3.3% of all Westminster rental listings.
Carters Solicitors
open new office in Delph
Claire Egerton, a property expert and Mossley resident who has recently joined Carters to head up the new office in Delph. Over the past 15 years Claire has built a reputation as one of the foremost property experts in the industry.
New build property expert Claire Egerton heads up new team
There’s a lot to be said for offering strength in numbers. Watson Ramsbottom are a great example of merging and acquiring quality, wellestablished businesses that have been growing in reputation and trust for not just decades but over generations. As a law firm offering a full range of services to both personal as well as commercial clients, Watson Ramsbottom were born out of a merger in 2003 between Watsons Solicitors of Darwen and Ramsbottom & Co. with offices in Blackburn, Accrington and Great Harwood.
The group has been growing at pace since then, and amongst the acquisitions, Carters Solicitors, based in Pontefract, are a perfect example of a long-established brand retaining their reputation going back to their roots in the Victorian era that the business were keen to bring on board.
Carters have now opened their second office in Delph, bringing the tally of Watson Ramsbottom sites to 12 offices, with an impressive 265 staff servicing not just a regional client base but a national one too.
Business Connect caught up with
Her extensive experience, particularly with regards to new build homes, has set her apart as a leader in the field, often placing her in direct competition with industry leaders, including Watson Ramsbottom themselves on occasion! Carters, as part of Watson Ramsbottom, have a long established and industry leading property department.
They were already the largest new build property practice in the UK prior to Claire’s arrival, and the addition of Claire and her team brings a whole new dimension to the wider group’s support for clients in the property sector.
“We’ve been in Mossley for over 9 years now. It’s such a perfect place to raise our children. The area is lovely, along with the people around here who are so friendly. It’s only 25 minutes from the centre of Manchester, but the rural countryside is beautiful.
“When the opportunity to establish a new Carters office in Delph came up, I could see how perfectly it would fit in with the local people and businesses.
Also, as part of the growing Watson Ramsbottom group of firms, the expertise we can offer can form part of a national range of law services that fits in with a larger pool of resources within the group.
“Carters as a trusted brand was established in 1858, and for well over 150 years has been building a reputation for reliability, trust and expertise across a broad range of services. Opening a second office in Delph brings this established brand across the Pennines to the Greater
Manchester region, where we intend to offer the same high quality service to both individual and commercial clients.
“We have built a fantastic team so far, and intend to grow the office as we attract more expertise and specialist staff members. With the backing of the wider Watson Ramsbottom group, I am confident that we can excel in every aspect of law, and can bring a full service offering at the highest of standards in every area.
“We all have specialisms, and my area is property, particularly in relation to new builds. My team are all experts, and we will be promoting a wider range of legal services to our clients whilst equally offering our expertise across the whole group.
“Being part of a much larger group can always seem a bit ‘corporate’, and I have worked with many of the larger firms in the past where this has been the case. However, the Carters and wider Watson Ramsbottom group still has that ‘family’ feel. Yes, they have a terrific reputation for their skills in the many areas of law they offer, but as a group of professionals, working within the larger business still feels like a big, friendly team.
“Our strapline is that we’ve GotYourBack, and this personal approach has been a common theme through the history of the group as a whole. This culture of putting clients first and offering a ‘personal’ approach will continue to be a cornerstone in how we do business.”
Claire Egerton, Practice Director and New Build Property Solicitor
The Carters Solicitors team : Back left - Lynn Mooney, Back centre - Claire Egerton, Back right - Gaynor Turner, Front left - Natalie Wright, Front right - Qulsoom Razaque Not Pictured – Sarah Pyatt, Emma Choijil
networking Celebrating 10 years with the High Peak Business Club
The High Peak Business Club runs a monthly breakfast meeting hosted by former parliamentarian, author and broadcaster Edwina Currie.
The last Friday of the month sees the regular early morning meetings held at Disley Golf Club, featuring a mix of networking along with presentations from many highly influential business people covering an eclectic mix of sectors.
Marking 10 years as a business club, Business Connect shared the landmark celebration by catching up with Edwina to find out more:
Good to catch up again Edwina!
Congratulations on your 10 year celebration. What inspired you to originally set up the club?
“I started it because I wanted to go to a business club and there wasn’t the type of club available that interested me. I wanted somewhere wasn’t going to charge £250 for a black tie dinner, wasn’t going to teach me how to complete my VAT return, a club that offered interesting speakers, local networking, not people running training courses and telling me how to run different aspects of my own business.
“The speakers are important. I wanted to feature something like the public lectures that are available to graduates of Manchester University – that level of interest and speaker quality. The only thing missing from those events is a level of interaction, a level of informality.
“Speaking at the time with my local MP – he said why don’t you simply set one up yourself… so I did!”
What aspects of running a business club do you find most interesting?
“What interests me is what
generates growth in a community. Sometimes it’s simply decent connectivity and good transport links. It can also be more subtle –this person with a good idea meets that person with some spare capital. This person needing expertise in a particular area meeting the exact person they need with that expertise.
“Before you know it, you’ve got a network. You can then see investment and growth. It may start small, but it has the potential to assist in the prosperity of a whole region.”
Tell us about your challenges in setting up and running a business club?
“For me personally the challenge has been listening to other people as I’m very good at talking. I’ve spent much of my life not listening to what other people say in return, and I’ve had to learn how to do that!
“I’ve found the challenge is to learn how to ask the right questions, and of course listening to the answers. Most of the people at the business club are much younger than me, but these are the people with the energy and the drive for delivering a prosperous future.
“I have a little expertise and a lot of experience, and when we mix those together the result is a springboard for the club, its members and their businesses to grow.
“Some of our meetings are astonishing. We have a speaker from a well-known company, who doesn’t normally get asked probing questions, leave with an exhilarating feeling from the discussions in the meeting and many interesting ideas they wouldn’t normally get from a more usual speaking engagement.”
How does your format work?
“It’s a 7.30am start, where tea,
coffee, soft drinks are served and registration and networking takes place. Our speakers talk from 8am to 9am, which include questions and answers. 9am sees our Bacon Baps delivered – we are in the Peak District of course. Then we finish at 9.30am and I usually find myself reminding the members they have business to run!
“There is no annual fee, the club has its regulars but you are free to simply attend whenever you like. It’s a flat £25 per meeting. Anyone in business can attend. The drive and energy comes from those people running their own businesses.
“Interestingly a number of regular members have come from big business backgrounds. For whatever reason their background has changed and they have left a corporate background to set up their own business. We have ex bank managers now working as individual financial consultants.
“Nowadays, with the nature of excellent digital communication links, many successful businesses can be run from home. That wasn’t the case 10 years ago when we first set up the business club.”
Talking about working from home, how did Covid affect the business club?
“For a little while we ran some meetings on zoom. They worked, but they didn’t sparkle. We decided to just take a break until face to face meetings were allowed again. That gave everyone chance to work on their own businesses to innovate within the limitations of the pandemic.
“Covid changed everybody’s lives in major ways. For example people on furlough had to decide if going back to a particular business was right for them. Businesses themselves
needed to see if they could survive. It was two years of hell. However, as far as I can see businesses and the people running them have come back stronger, more adaptable.”
Have you got plans for expanding the club?
“Apart from keeping the momentum going with a packed format for meetings - at the moment we have a full schedule of amazing speakers and subjects lined right up until Christmas! Then the answer would be to keep delivering those great meetings and speakers.
“We also run a Share Club. No real money - just a virtual portfolio. We meet once a month over a pub lunch somewhere in the Peak District to discuss strategy and plan for the ups (and downs!). It’s a small group, of ‘Virtual’ retail investors - we learn a lot from each other.”
Find out more about the High Peak Business Club Meetings are held monthly on Fridays, 7.30am - 9.30am.
Friday October 25th: “Water water everywhere... but what’s in our rivers?” Water engineer Jane Simpson of United Utilities.
Friday November 22nd: “Want to Buy a Luxury Yacht?” with Martin Berman of Go Earth Yacht Brokers.
Friday December 13th: “What’s gone wrong in Pharma?” Dr Nigel Eastmond of Eastmond Medicomm.
Share Club meets monthly on Thursdays. Contact Edwina on edwinacurrie@sky.com for further information: highpeakbusinessclub.co.uk
air ambulance
North West businesses forge closer links to the North West Air Ambulance Charity
45,000 life-threatening incidents.
That is how many times the North West Air Ambulance charity (NWAA) has been called out since its inception in May 1999.
To coincide with its 25th anniversary year in 2024, the charity launched the Corporate Crew members club.
The club gives North West businesses the opportunity to support the charity’s lifesaving work, and benefit from a close relationship with the air ambulance.
So far this year, founding members Amazon, Fletchers Solicitors, Glasdon Group and BrightHR have been able to access the charity’s operational base in Greater Manchester, enjoyed a golf day at Royal Lytham & St Annes
Golf Club, and were invited to hear exclusive talks from former patients about their experiences.
They’ve also been given exclusive insights from NWAA’s Operations Director, Dave Briggs, who chatted through the future of the charity.
In addition, all members have benefitted from endorsement from the North West Air Ambulance charity and a wide range of promotional activity, highlighting each company’s support of the charity’s lifesaving work.
Josh Griffiths, GMA from Amazon said: “We are delighted to be a founding member of the Corporate Crew. Not only are we supporting the worthwhile work of this amazing charity, but I’m looking forward to building connections with other businesses across the North West and publicising our partnership with the North West Air Ambulance Charity.”
Joy Kavanagh, Director from Glasdon Group and Alan Price, CEO from BrightHR both highlight the business benefits of being a member.
Joy said: “The Corporate Crew membership presented a fantastic
opportunity for Glasdon to generate new opportunities for collaboration and we look forward to meeting partners and businesses who share our ethos.”
“BrightHR get to gain an insight into how the charity operates,” said Alan, “and how the unwavering efforts of the team respond to over 3,000
incidents every year, empowering us to get our client base on board with the fundraising efforts too!”
The next members’ event takes place in November 2024, during which one company will win a sponsorship package for a charity-led event in 2025, another of the benefits afforded to Corporate Crew members.
Or
about
Contact Chris Andrews or Rachel Bates by phone: 07885 432 941 or 0800 587 4570
GMCC
Celebrating 230 years of and guidance
The Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce is currently celebrating its 230th birthday. To help commemorate the milestone, Business Connect caught up with Chief Executive Clive Memmott, OBE, to find out more about his role, his views on the economy, and the wider work the Chamber does:
Clive, please tell us about your position with the Greater Manchester Chamber, and the growth of the organisation from when you became Chief Executive?
“I’ve been Chief Executive now for 14 years. It’s an interesting role, somewhat different as Chief Executive of other businesses and organisations. The main task of a Chief Exec traditionally is to run an organisation and all the services it provides, however, for the Chamber you’re also there as a spokesperson, and representative of businesses. These are two interrelated but distinct roles as well, involving two skillsets, both of which I enjoy enormously.
“The Chamber isn’t just a private sector supplier of business services, we represent something greater than that. We are a prominent, influential voice of businesses in the city region, and we need to ensure issues get addressed. We need to make sure if you’re a business in Oldham, Rochdale or Stockport, you get as much representation as you do here in the middle of Manchester. We’re then of course representing Greater Manchester down in Westminster as well.
“Things have changed dramatically over the years. Looking back at the early days of devolution and the beginnings of the Northern Powerhouse - the whole excitement at the time that we had to do something different. Manchester was the starting point, and sat at the centre of that with the impressive economic growth it was
generating. Manchester could prove it could use the public money invested in it consistently well, use it to make a good economic and social return, and gradually that whole bandwagon began to roll. That’s when the voice of Greater Manchester needed to make itself heard and was very successful in that respect.
“As well as working alongside other organisations like the British Chambers of Commerce, we were ensuring that the voice of GM’s businesses was heard directly by key politicians in Westminster. It was a fascinating time to start a fascinating job.”
How is the Chamber planning to attract new members, and which sectors are you targeting?
“It’s important to promote the city region as a place for business. There are two dimensions here. There’s international investment into the region, but you also have the region itself as a great place to do business. What is the reason you would come to Manchester? What makes it distinctive and helpful? It helps that growth has been spectacular and consistent over the years, and that in itself attracts people. The more successful an area becomes economically, the more it is seen as a thriving business environment which in turn encourages relocation and investment.
“There is also a distinctiveness about the region. When you compare us to London, with an economy valued at £86 billion compared to £550 billion for London, we still offer a sizeable business environment, yet we are very accessible. We offer far easier opportunities for connecting to the right people. This applies both internationally and nationally.
“It’s one thing to have the right offices and the right incentives and support located here, but on the back of that we must ensure that connectivity with
the city region and the rest of the country is top class.”
What has been the impact for small businesses with Covid and Brexit – what support has the Chamber made available?
“95% of businesses across Greater Manchester are SMEs, so the Chamber’s support reflects that. People tend to homogenise the sector, however, the difference between a micro business and reasonablysized SME is substantial. Take tech companies – they can have just a few people working for them, but the global reach and profitability can be substantial.
“We have to treat them all differently. In terms of business support, whether it’s start-up, scale-up, growth or survival, we’ll find a service for you. There have been two recent, pivotal events – Brexit and Covid – which brought incredible difficulties and challenges for businesses. At the start of the pandemic we introduced a helpdesk which was dealing with the most complex range of enquiries from people looking for help to get through something that they’d never faced before.
“We did the same for Brexit creating a helpdesk relating to issues leaving the EU. It was overwhelmed with enquiries. We have some very highly skilled people, and it was tough sharing their skills across so many enquiries. We had to reskill some of our non-international team to help, but to be fair the main role was to be there for members, being able to listen, and to show they weren’t alone when they felt most vulnerable.
“Let’s be clear. After a number of years out of Europe you’ve got the Office for Budget Responsibility, the OBR, clearly stating that leaving Europe has substantially damaged the economy. Thousands of small businesses have simply given up trading with Europe because it’s too tough. So, we’ve really got to work out how to put
things right – how we can give those businesses better support, and how to scale that support.
“We also need to ask what does our future relationship with Europe looks like? The new government has a more positive tone when looking at that relationship, however, I find it difficult to understand what they mean by saying they want to increase ties with Europe without wanting to rejoin the Single Market or Customs Union. That needs to be understood.”
Tell us about networking opportunities for Chamber members?
“Networking is such an overused phrase, but we see the Chamber’s role in bringing together members as very important. We host and curate events based on place, on sector, on areas like international trade. We also do events based on subjects, for example leadership.
“Round tables are also great opportunities for networking, and offer really interesting meetings between national and local politicians, national institutions like the Bank of England and the Competition and Markets Authority, corporates and tech giants like Facebook, Cisco, TikTok, Microsoft and Amazon. We try and bring people together who wouldn’t normally get the opportunity to meet and talk, encourage thinking in different ways, finding new viewpoints.”
What benefits do the Chamber offer their members?
“Back in June we hosted our 230th birthday party. At that event I charted all the changes the Chamber has been through from 1794 as the Manchester Commercial Society, and the point here is that a lot of the issues in those days are the same as we’re experiencing today. For example, trade barriers and international trade, and making sure the local business environment is there to help, not penalise local businesses.
“I finished speaking at the event highlighting that 230 years have shown the resilience of the Chamber in the
of business support guidance
Interview with Clive Memmott OBE, Chief Executive of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
business environment. It means that as an organisation you have to be relevant in a modern economy, and the relevance of the Chamber is seen in the support it gives to members.
“The main pillars of our membership would be networking which I’ve discussed already. Also, we can help you market your message. This is particularly effective when your message is different from the norm, where you have something to say that needs promoting across a wider network. Another is international trade. It’s been our message since we started. We can connect you anywhere round the world through our international network. We can find a contact for you anywhere in the world and it’s our job to make sure that contact works with you.
“Also, one of the areas that we work hard at is business support. If we can’t help you directly, we can find someone who can. We work with organisations like the Growth Hub. It’s our job to connect the right people together to offer the exact services that a particular member needs for their business.
“Possibly the biggest benefit we bring is that it’s our job to represent the members. Many small businesses think that government is simply not interested in them. It’s our job to make sure they are. As long as the issues raised are relevant, we can push hard to make a change. We want to see the best business environment possible created in this region, this is where we can make a difference.”
How does the Chamber work with the local community, in terms of Corporate Social Responsibility?
“Although we do deliver business services, our job is to help with the wider issues of sustainability and social responsibility. We are active in the civic life of the region. The educational life too, also the cultural life of our city region. We have long supported the Manchester Jazz Festival, the Manchester Literary Festival. We’ve also got a fantastic collection of art in Elliott house from Eccles-born Ghislaine Howard. It’s a huge honour to display the work of a nationally acclaimed artist in this building. Rather than have pictures of buildings on
the walls of our building, we wanted visitors to see top quality art reflecting more about the spirit of Manchester than the expected look and feel of a corporate space.
“Whether it’s an animal sanctuary, or a hospice, we have a strong tradition of helping those businesses that define our communities. By supporting our local members, we feel by being at the heart of our city region we can do most good for everyone in it.”
What do you feel are the biggest challenges that businesses are facing in terms of the economy?
“It’s a tough time at the moment for many businesses. The change in government has bought in a new wave of optimism across the country. That’s not a political view though. We’ve seen a ridiculous amount of volatility over the past few years, and that was affecting the economic credibility of the country.
“Apart from the periodic economic ups and downs, we’ve always been seen as a stable country politically, which means we have been seen as a safe place to invest in. The recent turmoil though has had an impact on international investment during this time, but we can now see a better outlook economically. We had a very short, sharp recession at the end of last year, and we seem to be doing a little better now.
“Growth in Quarter 2 was 0.6%, and we should finish the year at about 1% on GDP. Inflation’s down to 2.2% at the moment, however, we do still have a few issues around Services Inflation which is still high at 5.3%, but broadly speaking things aren’t too bad. There is still some Wage Inflation in the economy, and I don’t see that falling away in the near future.
Interview continues over the page
GMCC
“Also, there’s still a lot of geo-political uncertainty, and that could push inflation up again.
“So, although you look at our GDP figures in the last quarter and they seem to be the best of the G7 countries, we need to look deeper at what’s happening now. Any growth we’ve had recently can be seen less as a result of productivity improvement, but more a result of population growth. GDP per head has been poor for a long time.
“We’ve got some improvement, but it’s still not ideal. We’ve all heard what’s happening in public finances – there’s too much debt. We’ve heard about the £22 billion black hole, and we’re going to have a really tough budget. They’re not putting up income tax, or VAT, or corporation tax, but they are going to put up some taxes. We’ve seen the government pulling back from some large infrastructure projects too, but the only way to make the country’s economy grow is to actually invest in growth.
“The only way is to invest in our transport system, our education system, and our health service.
We’ve had years of under-investment, and that has undermined our economic strength.
“I think it will be a fairly tough five years ahead, but for growth across our region over the next 3 years we’re looking at a higher rate than the national average. This has been the case over the last few years, and the challenge we will face is that population growth will follow, particularly in Manchester itself, and we need to ensure transport growth can support the upturn. I am a firm believer we can do this. We are the most devolved region in the country, and as such we can push for the infrastructure growth that we need to accommodate our growing workforce.”
Talking about infrastructure, what are your views on the cancellation of HS2?
“It was absolutely disgraceful. How can you talk about levelling up and yet the HS2 project was gutted? If you travel on the Elizabethan line in London it’s a magnificent piece of engineering. I am so proud of our capital city, I love going to it, and I love travelling around it. So
when I return home, the infrastructure we have here is in stark comparison, simply unacceptable, and the problem is that this becomes, over time, acceptable. However the transport system in Greater Manchester is one of the best compared to other northern regions but that is certainly no reason to celebrate.
“I’m really pleased to see the proposals for a high speed link between Manchester and Liverpool that Andy Burnham and Steve Rotherham are putting forward.
“Economic growth is all about increasing the size of your labour market, something that goes back to the Northern Powerhouse days. If you link Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield, you get that huge labour market. Add increased connectivity with high speed broadband, you will create a significantly bigger and more effective economic zone, and that work still has to be done and mustn’t be neglected.”
What is the Chamber’s stance on the clean Air Zone due to be introduced by the Local Authority in Greater Manchester?
“Greater Manchester submitted proposals to government for an investment-led plan as an alternative to introducing a clean air charging zone which was not seen as the best way to deal with the problem.
“It would still not achieve compliance with the legal limits for nitrogen dioxide levels by 2026. In a nutshell, compliance can be better achieved through cleaner bus and taxi measures, alongside some localised traffic measures in parts of central Manchester and Salford.
“If the new government approves the plan submitted by all ten local authorities, the clean air plan would use government funding already awarded to buy new electric buses and fund grants for eligible taxis.
“This makes good sense as it deals with the critical air quality and health related problems in a much less disruptive way than the introduction of a charging zone. Therefore we must hope that there will be a favourable response from the government. The process has obviously been delayed by the recent change of government.”
Trafford Docks site can handle barges and ships carrying from one tonne up to 4,500
Across our two Trafford Park sites Esprit provide warehousing for 10,000+ pallets of all shapes and sizes or loose goods.
We also offer container de-stuffing, freight consolidation, pallet banding, wrapping and rebuilding, order fulfilment, goods collection and delivery.
Also parking for up to 100 HGVs and buses plus office space to rent.
managed IT
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, staying ahead of technological advancements is not just a competitive advantage – it’s essential for survival.
Adding value to Greater Manchester Chamber members: technology for tomorrow’s business
As the proud Technology Partner of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Nybble are committed to helping members harness the full potential of technology to drive growth, improve efficiency, and remain resilient in the face of future challenges.
At the core of our collaboration with the Chamber is a shared belief in the importance of innovation and adaptation. While the Chamber’s Clive Memmott, OBE, highlights in this issue the importance of collaboration to unlock growth and access future technologies, we echo that sentiment by ensuring every member has access to cutting-edge solutions that can shape the future of their business.
Our commitment to Chamber members
As a valued member of the Chamber, you can take full advantage of our extensive suite of technology services, all designed to meet the varied needs of modern businesses.
Whether you’re a start-up finding your feet or an established organisation looking to innovate, our expert team is here to support you. And, as part of our commitment to the Chamber, all members benefit from a 15% discount on every service we offer.
We understand that technology can often feel complex and overwhelming, that’s why we’ve made it our mission to simplify it for you, ensuring that you can focus on what you do best – running your business.
Our broad range of services includes:
• Software Integration – Seamlessly connect your business systems for smoother operations.
• Digital Signage and Audio-Visual Solutions – Create engaging and dynamic visual experiences for clients and employees alike.
• Managed IT Services – Leave the day-to-day management of your IT infrastructure to us, so you can focus on growth.
• Cybersecurity – Protect your business from the increasing threat of cyberattacks with our robust security solutions.
• New and Refurbished IT Hardware – Access high-quality equipment, from the latest innovations to cost-effective refurbished options.
Technology surgery : Here to help
One of the ways we continually support the Chamber community is through our regular Technology Surgery, held in the Chamber’s Members’ Lounge.
This initiative is specifically designed to make expert tech advice easily accessible for all members.
Whether you’re grappling with a specific issue, such as network security concerns, or looking to explore how emerging technologies like AI or cloud computing might benefit your business, our team is on hand to provide tailored guidance.
The Technology Surgery is a relaxed,
open forum where any question is welcome – no matter how big or small.
We believe that technology should be an enabler, not a hurdle, and our goal is to ensure that you feel confident in navigating the digital challenges and opportunities ahead.
Our experts, drawn from diverse fields, ensure that every member, regardless of their sector, receives actionable advice that aligns with their business goals.
Future-proofing your business
In a world where technological advancements happen at breakneck speed, businesses must keep pace or risk being left behind.
With the rise of automation, artificial intelligence, and data-driven decision-making, the future is now. We believe that every business, regardless of size, should have access to the tools and knowledge that enable them to thrive in this new era.
Our team is not just here to solve today’s problems – we’re here to help you prepare for tomorrow.
By regularly engaging with us through one-on-one meetings or consultations, you can gain insight into the latest trends and innovations, from sustainable IT solutions to cutting-edge cybersecurity measures that will keep your business secure in an increasingly connected world.
Why choose us?
Because we employ the experts so you don’t have to...
One of the core advantages of partnering with Nybble is the access to our team of seasoned professionals who bring a wealth of experience across a broad spectrum of technology disciplines.
We understand that many small and medium-sized businesses can’t afford the luxury of in-house IT departments. That’s where we come in – providing top-tier expertise and support on demand, without the overhead costs.
By working with us, you gain access to a full team of specialists dedicated to ensuring that your technology investments deliver tangible results. Our commitment to excellence is underpinned by our passion for helping businesses thrive through innovation.
Let’s collaborate
We invite all Chamber members to take full advantage of the services and opportunities we provide.
Whether you’re looking to solve a specific issue, explore new technologies, or simply want to understand how to future-proof your business, we’re here to help. Arrange a call or an in-person meeting with myself or another member of our senior team at your convenience.
We’re eager to share the benefits of your Chamber membership with you, and help you unlock new possibilities for growth.
In an era where digital transformation is reshaping industries across the board, partnering with us ensures you won’t just keep up – you’ll lead the way.
Ram Gupta Nybble nybble.co.uk
&exporting
The law of unintended/intended consequences logistics
New car sir?
Sorry, we can’t sell you the one you want.
Do you want an electric vehicle instead?
Possibly you were still living under the delusion that we live in a free market economy; we don’t, at least not in the new car market.
And this has nothing to do with Brexit, exports, or import problems as you may have thought.
But also, would you have thought that the Government are deliberately reducing tax revenue? And increasing CO2 emissions by keeping older cars on the roads for longer?
The problem is that the Government has imposed market distorting, escalating, targets for sales of zero emission cars. This year those targets are 22%, rising to 80% by 2030 and 100% by 2035, and not enough people are buying EVs!
This could result in months of delay in taking delivery of the car of your choice.
This lack of popularity for EVs is making it a great time to buy them as manufacturers subsidise prices in order to try and meet their quotas. The “incentive” for them to discount is the threat of fines of £15,000 for each non-EV vehicle that exceeds the quota.
Perversely, this is having a seriously
deleterious effect of Government revenue as delayed car sales contribute massively to taxation with approximately £7bn in VAT on new cars as well as the wider economic implications.
With quotes from industry leaders that they are operating under a “state-imposed supply chain” (Vertu Motors CEO Robert Forrester) and with rising annual targets, the problem seems likely to get worse.
Current UK EV car sales represent 16.8% of all sales, which is a 10% increase on 2023. However, this is still a shortfall of 24% on the 2024 target.
Targets will increase by 27% in 2025 from 22% to 28%, 18% in 2026 to 33%, 15% in 2027 to 38%, a whopping 37%
in 2028 to 52%, 29% in 2029 to 67%, and 19% in 2030 to 80%.
These dramatic increases currently look wholly unrealistic and unachievable. If that is the case, then there will be substantial disruption to the marketplace.
This raises the obvious question of whether there are any solutions to the situation?
I can see several options for Government, none of which will be popular with the industry or drivers, and some severely damaging to the economy:
1) Reduce taxation on new electric vehicles - VAT is currently 20% on all vehicles; Government could decide to reduce to the rate on electric vehicles.
This measure would cost £billions a year. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has suggested halving VAT for three years.
2) Increase taxation on new nonelectric cars – a progressive increase in VAT would cause a rise in inflation, it would reduce sales and would also increase the value of second-hand cars, probably extending their usage.
Over the past few decades, the landscape of press release promotion has transformed dramatically.
media How to promote your press releases
Today, press releases can be distributed broadly or targeted to a specific audience using digital channels.
Online platforms, social media and email marketing can be used to reach a wider audience.
Effective ways to promote a press release
A modern PR release strategy has to adapt to new algorithms, platforms and channels:
Amplify your message with social media - Social media platforms are one of the most important ways to amplify the reach of your press release. Social media press release promotion can include both paid media and shared media tactics, including:
Building relationships : Engage with journalists, influencers and relevant organisations. Comment thoughtfully and interact positively.
Writing compelling copy : Tailor your press release snippets to each social media platform.
Making it easy to share : Use appropriate hashtags direct links to the press release on your website.
Using paid advertising :Target specific audiences through boosted posts or sponsored campaigns.
Understand the role of networking in press release promotion
There’s one thing that hasn’t changed about press release promotion: Like all public relations tactics, it’s ultimately about making a human connection. Building and maintaining relationships with journalists, bloggers and influencers remains key to how to promote a press release effectively. Here are our top tips:
Be genuine : Foster relationships by engaging with journalists’ work, commenting thoughtfully and offering help without expecting immediate returns.
Offer value : Tailor each pitch to the journalist’s beat and audience, showing that you’ve done your research. Provide exclusive insights,
interviews or data to enrich their story that they can’t get anywhere else. Be respectful of time : Make press kits, images and supplementary info easily accessible. If a journalist reaches out, respond promptly to maintain credibility and reliability.
Host press events : Arrange events that bring together industry stakeholders, allowing journalists and bloggers to interact directly with your brand and explore your message in a more engaging way.
How to promote a press release: a step-by-step guide
A well-thought-out press release strategy ensures your news gains attention, expands your reach, improves brand awareness and achieves your goals. Here’s a step-bystep guide:
1. Define your objectives
Start by clearly outlining the goals you want to achieve. Whether it’s driving website traffic, increasing brand visibility, gaining media coverage or promoting a specific product or event, your objectives will guide your messaging and distribution channels.
2. Identify your target audience
For each press release, you’ll need to determine who will find it most interesting or useful. Is it industry professionals, potential customers or investors? A good media database will
allow you to identify specific media outlets, bloggers and influencers that cover your industry or the type of news you’re sharing, and make sure you have accurate and up-to-date contact information.
3. Craft your message
Once you know your audience, you can tailor your message to what they care about. This is where best practices for how to write a press release come into play: Develop a headline and lead paragraph that summarise your message in a compelling way. And always write press releases that answer the five Ws (who, what, when, where and why).
4. Choose your distribution channels
Identifying a specific audience also helps you decide which distribution channels to use. A global distribution service will allow you to reach as broad or targeted an audience as you’d like through various channels.
Personalised pitching, for example customised press release email subject lines, can make a direct connection with relevant journalists, and social media amplification can also complement traditional distribution.
5. Optimise for SEO
No matter what channels you choose, SEO is a must. Craft your headline and body content using relevant keywords
strategically to increase your press release’s online visibility. Add meta descriptions and use alt text for images to make sure your press release is easy to find through search engines.
6. Add Images and Video
Multimedia assets like images and video are one of the most effective ways to boost engagement. A single image can double the engagement of text-only releases, while multiple images drive six times more engagement. Additionally, videos drive three times more engagement than a text-only press release.
7. Include other supporting content
Supplement your press release with blog posts that expand on the topic and keep the audience engaged. Consider directing readers to a landing page for further details that will keep them engaged. And always provide media kits with logos, backgrounders and executive bios for journalists needing additional information.
8. Decide on timing
Distribute your press release strategically. Consider factors like the day of the week, season or industry events, and avoid periods when your contacts are likely to be occupied.
Pay attention to noisy news cycles and take advantage of slower months, like the summertime. We also recommend sending press releases at “off” times, like 11:17am instead of 11:00am. Create an editorial calendar to schedule and track each press release.
9. Analyse and refine
Track key metrics like website traffic, social media engagement, web traffic and media coverage to evaluate the effectiveness of your press release strategy. Compare the results with your initial objectives, analyse what worked well and identify areas for improvement. Stay proactive in building media relationships and keep testing new ways to engage your audience.
Article courtesy of PR Newswire: prnewswire.co.uk
focus Developinggrowth in new markets
a similar volume of demand for web development and digital marketing services, but unlike London, there was a significant undersupply of on-the-ground providers. From there Manchester gave us the greatest geographic spread in the Northwest and became the front runner.”
How did you find your feet?
Business Connect always like to get into the story behind businesses.
For any business to do well, the ability to identify and take action on available opportunities is crucial in ensuring growth.
It’s a natural process for any business to seize those opportunities, and with that in mind, we chatted to Owner and Sales Director, Dave McEvoy, from Dmac Media, about their own story of their expansion from Ireland to the UK:
Dave, tell us about Dmac as a business, and why the decision to expand to the UK?
“We’re an Irish web development firm that have built a strong brand in the Irish market. In 2022 we decided to open our first international office in Manchester. We’re now servicing close to a thousand customers across the UK & Ireland.
“Coming off the back of some very strong years in the Irish Market we had an opportunity to expand. We aren’t driven by growth for growth’s sake, but there were two factors which led to us taking the leap.
“Firstly, no matter how strong you are in a market, you’re at the mercy of the overall economic strength of that market. Growing our business in another market would make our company more robust in the long term.
“Secondly, we knew we had a solid
business, but if we stepped back from it we did not know if the business model would hold up without our support. In the long term this makes an exit strategy more difficult to implement. If you want to develop your business model rather than your business, you have to look at creating a situation where you are not hands on with the day-to-day operation. A new market forces us to work on achieving that sustainable model for our business.”
Why go to Manchester?
“With the decision to go international made the burning question to be where to start?
“We spent a little over a year researching international sales development, and devised a set of metrics for analysing different regions. The UK was an obvious choice as our nearest and largest trading neighbour, but ultimately it was the shape of the web development sector and its similarity to the Irish sector that made it our first choice.
“Once we focused on the UK, the decision came down to where we would find a fertile area for business development. There was no need for us to reinvent the wheel here, so we took a simple Supply v Demand approach.
“Through researching the market we found that the North of England had
“It was a lot simpler than we expected if I am honest. Thankfully Manchester was just as keen to have us as we were to be there. From finding locations to availing of network supports there were a multitude of options. In particular, I have to give credit to MIDAS (Manchester’s inward investment promotion agency), they were so proactive about getting setup in Manchester and introduced us to many key organisations and people across the region.
“In addition to government backed supports, we also found a really strong networking group in South Manchester, headed up by Simon & Win Edmondson (The Business Network, South Manchester). Simon made some key introductions in our early days and has been an ongoing support in terms of our business development.”
What were the major challenges?
“The most challenging aspect of opening in a new market was managing our own expectations. The strength of our brand in Ireland, coupled with a solid customer base, meant that we had grown used to a solid pipeline and lots of inbound leads.
“In a new market you have neither the customer base nor the brand recognition, so it was a case of going back to tactics and strategies we used in our early days. The first year was a massive amount of effort for very little return, the second year was
better, and now heading into our third year we are starting to see real growth.
“More specifically we faced a daunting challenge with recruitment. Finding people that you can trust with your company’s reputation is challenging, and we have had a lot of trial and error. But again, our network connections introduced us to people who understood the challenges, and in particular Owain Wilson from Hug Recruitment has been instrumental in overcoming the recruitment problems we have had.”
Where to from here?
“As we embark on our third year in Manchester the future is bright. We have a growing network of customers and partners who trust us to deliver good websites within their budget, and coupled with solid advice on how to grow their digital footprint, we are quickly gaining the same level of reputation we enjoy at home.
“Our next steps will be focused on growing the brand further in the UK and expanding our team of experts. We’ve also recruited Craig Thompson as Head of UK Sales. Craig’s got a fantastic reputation in business development and client retention, we know he’s going to be a massive asset to our growth plans across the UK.”
Craig Thompson Head of UK Sales, Dmac Media Dmac Media are based in the heart of MediaCity UK. To find out more contact Craig on: 0161 710 2094 cthompson@dmacmedia.com dmacmedia.com
media Blockchain meets PR: the future of press releases?
In a world where “fake news” has become a household term and trust in media is at an all-time low, blockchain technology is emerging as a potential solution for the challenges facing press releases.
This revolutionary technology, best known as the backbone of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, could be about to shake up the world of corporate communications.
The PR problem
Press releases, once the gold standard for company announcements, are facing a crisis of credibility. Journalists and readers alike often question the authenticity and timing of these corporate communications.
In today’s 24/7 news cycle, even a few minutes’ delay in distribution can make or break a story.
Companies are struggling with the limitations of traditional press release distribution, battling issues of timing, reach, and authenticity. The question on everyone’s lips: Could blockchain be the solution PR pros have been waiting for?
Blockchain 101: more than just bitcoin
Before we dive into how blockchain could revolutionise press releases, let’s break down what this tech actually is. While blockchain is often associated with cryptocurrencies, its potential applications extend far beyond digital money.
At its core, blockchain is a digital ledger – a decentralised database spread across a network of computers. This structure makes it incredibly difficult to hack or alter, providing a level of security and transparency that’s unprecedented in the digital world.
The key features of blockchain –transparency and immutability – are what make it so intriguing for the world of press releases. Once information is recorded on the blockchain, it’s there for good, creating a permanent and verifiable record.
Press releases on the block(chain)
So how would blockchain-based press releases actually work?
Here’s a simplified breakdown:
Creation : A company writes their press release as usual.
Blockchain Entry : Instead of just sending it out, they’d create a transaction on the blockchain containing the press release’s content (or a unique digital fingerprint of it).
Distribution : Smart contracts (self-executing contracts with the terms directly written into code) could automatically distribute the release to pre-approved journalists or publish it at a specific time.
Verification : Anyone receiving the press release could check the blockchain to verify its authenticity and exact time of release.
This system would essentially create a digital notary for every press release, eliminating questions about whether a release has been altered or when exactly it was distributed.
The tech behind the hype Implementing blockchain for press releases isn’t without its challenges. There are several key technical considerations:
Choice of Platform : Companies could use a public blockchain like Ethereum, offering maximum transparency but potentially higher costs. Alternatively, a specialised blockchain just for press releases could provide more control over the system.
Data Storage : Decisions need to be made about whether to store data on-chain or off-chain, each with its own pros and cons.
Identity Verification : Ensuring only legitimate companies can issue releases is crucial for maintaining the system’s integrity.
Scalability : The system needs to be able to handle potentially thousands of releases a day.
Smart Contracts : These could automate much of the release process, potentially even triggering releases based on predefined conditions without human intervention.
Real-World Applications
While widespread adoption is still in the future, some companies
are already experimenting with blockchain-based press releases. In the cryptocurrency world, where transparency is particularly valued, several news outlets have begun timestamping their releases on the blockchain.
Beyond crypto, industries where timing and accuracy of information are critical – such as pharmaceuticals and financial services – are exploring blockchain for announcements. For example, it could provide an indisputable record of when clinical trial results were announced, potentially heading off accusations of data manipulation or selective reporting.
Challenges on the horizon
As with any new technology, there are hurdles to overcome. Cost remains a significant factor – while blockchain transaction fees have decreased, they can still add up for companies sending out multiple releases a day.
Adoption is another key challenge. For blockchain press releases to become standard, there needs to be buy-in from both companies and media outlets. It’s a classic chickenand-egg problem that will take time to resolve.
Privacy concerns also need to be addressed. While blockchain’s transparency is generally a benefit, there may be cases where companies need to control who can access a release, at least initially. Technological solutions like zero-knowledge proofs are being explored to allow proof of a release’s existence and timing without revealing its contents – potentially useful for embargoed releases.
The future of PR?
As the technology matures and solutions to these challenges emerge, we’re likely to see increased experimentation with blockchain in PR over the coming years. While it might not replace traditional press release distribution entirely, it could become a standard part of the PR toolkit, especially for sensitive or high-stakes announcements.
For journalists and the public, blockchain could provide a new level of trust in corporate communications. However, care must be taken to ensure the technology is accessible to all, not just large corporations with significant resources.
Photo by Mitchell Luo
crm support
Finding the perfect CRM solution for small businesses
allowing you to track deals, communicate with customers and more, right from your smartphone or tablet. We also offer a dedicated application for macOS users.”
quietly grown year on year to become one of the most successful business software solutions companies on a global scale.
The core of their successful stable of apps have been Customer Relationship Management solutions (CRM), and they are currently building on that success with a version specifically aimed at small businesses. We caught up with Yatheesh Raj, Product Marketing Manager for the app:
Yatheesh – tell us about Bigin by Zoho CRM? What does it do and how does it help businesses?
“Bigin is a CRM solution tailored specifically for small businesses and startups to centralise their customer information in one place and manage their day-to-day business operations better.
“We are one among the 50+ apps from Zoho that serve more than 100 million users across the world.
“In 2020, we wanted to build a CRM solution specifically to help more small businesses go digital, and that’s how we launched Bigin.
“Bigin helps businesses streamline their sales and other business processes, manage customer interactions, and organise data under one roof. For small teams or businesses that are just starting to scale, Bigin allows them to focus on building better relationships with their customers, stay organised, automate, and close more deals, all while keeping things affordable and easily accessible.”
Why is a CRM system essential for a small business that doesn’t use one?
“A CRM is essential for any business,
finding and retaining customers is crucial for their long-term success.
“Currently, most small businesses don’t have an organised way of managing their customer data. The data is often scattered across spreadsheets, notes, and other apps. Bringing them all together under one roof and getting actionable insights from that data is crucial. It also enhances efficiency and reduces human errors by automating tasks like follow-ups and reminders.”
What makes Bigin different from other CRMs in the market?
“Most CRMs in the market can be too complex or expensive for smaller teams because they are built for bigger enterprises and their needs in mind.
“Bigin is designed to be easy to use without sacrificing essential features.
“It offers powerful capabilities like contact and deal management, workflow automation, multi-channel communication, business analytics, integrations with top business apps and more in a user friendly interface that requires minimal setup and training.
“Another key differentiator is Bigin’s affordability.”
What type of business use Bigin? Can it be customised?
“Bigin is designed for a wide range of businesses, but it’s especially well-suited for small businesses, startups, solopreneur, agencies, and freelancers.
“Be it a local retail shop, a growing consultancy, a real estate agency, or a service provider, Bigin helps businesses of all types. We have 25+ free templates for different kinds of
“The app also offers customisation options, including custom views, fields, modules, and workflows to match unique business processes and requirements.”
You mentioned the solution is highly affordable. Are there different costs – and is there a free version?
“Bigin has a forever free version for individuals with all the basic CRM features. Additionally, the app offers paid plans like Express and Premier that starts at £5 and £10 per user, per month, with advanced features. Plus, we don’t force any annual contracts or lock-ins. We believe in flexibility and giving full control to users on how they want to get started with us.
“We also offer a 15-day free trial for users to test features like multiple pipelines, workflow automation, and integration with other apps, helping you figure out how to fit the CRM solution for unique business requirements.”
What operating systems support the system? And what about an app to use on mobiles?
“Bigin is a cloud-based CRM which means it can be accessed on any operating system, as long as you have a web browser.
“As for mobile applications, Bigin offers dedicated apps for both iOS and Android devices, helping you manage your CRM on the go,
What kind of customer support does Bigin offer?
“Bigin provides various support options, including a comprehensive knowledge base with articles, video tutorials, email & phone support, and live chat.
“We also offer free personalised onboarding up to 60 days. For businesses based out of the UK, we have a direct toll-free customer support telephone line. For any queries, just write to us at sales@eu.bigin.com”
How does Bigin handle data migration from other CRM systems?
“The app provides support for data migration, allowing you to import data from other CRMs, spreadsheets, and notes. Our onboarding team also assists with data migration for users.” How does Bigin handle data privacy and compliance?
“We believe in a privacy-first business model. Bigin adheres to industry standards for data privacy and security, including GDPR compliance for users in the European Union and the UK. Bigin employs encryption and secure access controls to protect your data and ensures that your information is handled according to applicable privacy laws and regulations.”
Where can I find more information about Bigin?
You can visit bigin.com or phone 0288 646 2004
Yatheesh Raj Product Marketing Manager Bigin by Zoho CRM
&out about...
Cheshire Business Exhibitions
Cumbria Business Expo 2024
Gareth Marsh, General Manager, Worsley Marriott
John Dunwell
Zoe Hands, Marriott Leeds
Tony Hudson, General Manager
Colin Glass, Tas Hadjisavva Paul Mirage, Paul King
Tom, Paul and Aidan
Mike Dunn
The Lowry Hotel –Paul Mirage, Rachael McKechnie
Luke Maher, Paul Mirage, Anthony Stonebanks
Matthew Kinsman
Paul Mirage, Fiona McNichol
Verity Thomas, Leeds Knights Ice Hockey Darren Stone, Winner Barbara Lazcano, Graham Shiers
wellbeing
Is it time to work smarter not harder ?
Some of us will remember those days when people at work walked aimlessly from office to office, file under their arm, seemingly busy, as they booked endless meetings to justify their existence even though nothing ever seemed to materialise as a consequence.
Equally important was to be first in and last out of the office each day.
Post lockdown many attitudes to work have shifted and staff are often disinclined to travel into the office as frequently as they once did, sometimes to the detriment of working relationships, team mentality and continuity. Post-pandemic labour shortages and intensified workloads for the remaining staff have become more commonplace.
Increasingly many businesses now recognise the value of working smarter, not harder. According to new 2024 research conducted by Indeed Flex, (the online market place for flexible and temporary work), the number of UK staff suffering from burnout or stress has grown to concerning levels, doubling in 2023 compared to previous years, with 92% admitting to having experienced stress or burnout during their careers.
Of added concern, recent data published by the NHS shows that almost 11 million fit notes were issued across England last year, with 94% being signed ‘not fit for work’.
A large proportion of these were repeats, issued without any guidance or advice.
So, let’s look at ways to work smarter, not harder.
Working smarter begins with staff acknowledging that they work to live rather than live to work. Enjoying a job, a career that inspires them is important, but so too is making time to nurture relationships and external interests that feed their soul and provide valuable, satisfying down time.
Breaking the cycle and introducing a different focus allows the mind to have a change of ‘scenery’.
In the early days of your business or career you may have insisted on doing every aspect of the work yourself.
You wanted to learn, understand what was involved and also ensure that quality control was maintained. But holding the reins so tightly precludes anyone else from becoming fully involved, contributing new ideas or investing in better ways of doing things.
And trying to do everything yourself is often counter-productive. There could well be more important things you need to spend your time and focus your energy on.
Delegating responsibility to others allows them to feel involved in their work and care about the business. They can feel proud of their suggested ideas, especially if they are recognised, discussed and perhaps adopted. Engaged staff feel positive and valued.
It’s worth investing in staff training and appraisals once your business starts to grow, as this provides an opportunity to focus on staff development and clarify the direction the business is taking. Everyone can then discuss ways to work smarter and more efficiently. Plus, when you invest in your staff they feel relevant, involved and nurtured, freeing you to work on other areas of the business, or even take a break.
Some areas of your business may involve skills that you’re not proficient or even especially interested in. They’re outside your comfort zone, your area of expertise or may only occasionally be required.
Working smarter means questioning if it’s worth outsourcing these tasks, rather than trying to master them yourself, especially if you’re labouring over your accounts, social media or health and safety, potentially costing you more in wasted time than it would to engage a professional.
And equally, just because a potential client approaches you doesn’t mean you have to accept their request.
Sometimes recommending work to someone who’s better equipped is a smart decision and could pay dividends in the long run, helping you improve your reputation for integrity and become the ‘go to guy’ in your particular field. This is a proactive way to forge good cross-referral relationships with others in your network.
Working smarter also means making a commitment to regular breaks
A break provides an opportunity to detach from a problem, gain new insights and perspectives, often returning ready to deliver valuable new ideas and suggestions.
Even a 20-minute interlude can make a difference, teaching your mind and
body to switch off and introduce a little distance between you and what you’re working on. You wouldn’t run a machine continuously at maximum capacity!
Sometimes, letting it cool down avoids over-heating and ensures more efficient performance. It’s important to apply that principle to yourself!
Having interests away from work that distract, inspire and maybe even provide a different kind of challenge can deliver a positive stimulus into your life.
Then, when you do return to work, you feel refreshed, recharged and ready to bring a motivated and enthusiastic approach back to your thinking.
All ways to achieve a better work/life balance as you work smarter, not harder.
Susan Leigh MNCH (ACC) South 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
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
Elliot House, 151 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WD chamberspace@gmchamber.co.uk 0161 393 4321 gmchamber.co.uk/chamber-space ---------------------------------------
Cottons Hotel & Spa
10 minutes to Manchester Airport, 138 bedrooms, 13 meeting rooms capacity 200 delegates, 3 dining areas, AA Rosette awarded terrace restaurant Manchester Road, Knutsford WA16 0SU
mandyrenshaw@cottonshotel.co.uk 01565 600333 www.cottonshotel.co.uk
DoubleTree By Hilton
Manchester Airport
230 bedrooms, 11 meeting rooms, restaurant and bar, 24Hr gym, On-site parking, airport shuttle
Outwood Lane, Manchester M90 4WP
cheryl.garnett@dtmanchesterairport.com 0161 435 3000 www.hilton.com/manchesterairport
Hollinwood Business Centre
Meeting rooms, Free hi-speed wifi, Free Parking, Café, Touch screen TV, 60 people capacity
Albert Street, Hollinwood, Oldham OL8 3QL walter.urquhart@bizspace.co.uk 0161 511 9450 bizspace.co.uk --------------------------------------
Incspaces
Meeting rooms, Office space, Free Wi-Fi, Event space, Co-working, Capacity 1-50 2 Mount Street, Manchester M2 5WQ
joanna.pawlikowski@incspaces.co.uk 07717 191851 incspaces.co.uk
Landmark Manchester Venues
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
Enquiries@landmarkspace.co.uk 020 3993 7487 landmarkspace.co.uk
Leeds Marriott Hotel
Events space, Executive Lounge, Bar & Grill, Executive Rooms and Suites, 17 Meeting and Event Spaces
4 Trevelyan Square, Boar Lane
Leeds LS1 6ET zoe.hands@marriott.com 01132 366366 www.leedsmarriott.com
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Manchester Central Convention Centre
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)
Hale Road, Hale Barns, Manchester WA15 8XW
libby.blackwell@deltahotels.com 07881 312158 manchesterairportmarriott.co.uk
Marriott Manchester
Victoria and Albert Hotel
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
1 London Road, Alderley Edge SK9 7JU
host@onelrd.com 01625 856666 onelrd.com
Orega Arkwright House
Crompton (seats 10) and Hargreaves (seats 8) meeting rooms, both come with Free WiFi, Clevertouch screens, Video Conferencing, Catering (extra cost) Parsonage Gardens, Manchester M3 2LF reception.arkwright@orega.com 0161 667 8100 orega.com/manchester-arkwright-house
Regus Digital World
Meeting rooms of various sizes, Free hi-speed WiFi, Central location, Beautiful roof terrace
1 Lowry Plaza, The Quays, Salford M50 3UB
uk.meetingrooms@regus.com 0161 601 7700 regus.com
Regus Preston The Docklands
Fully serviced, Offices & meeting rooms of various sizes, Free hi-speed wifi, Business lounge
Unit 5, Albert Edward House, Preston PR2 2YB
preston.thedocklands@regus.com 01772 889800 myregus.com
Regus Spinningfields
Fully serviced, private meeting rooms, Free high-speed broadband, whiteboards, TV/projector, refreshments, Meeting rooms of varying sizes
10th Floor, 3 Hardman Street, Manchester M3 3HF
uk.meetingrooms@regus.com 0800 279 7131 regus.com
Regus St James Tower
Meeting rooms of various sizes, Hi-speed WiFi, Central location and good traffic links
7 Charlotte Street, Manchester M1 4DZ
uk.meetingrooms@regus.com 0161 521 9800 regus.com
Regus Trafford Park
10 person, 6 person and 4 person meeting rooms, Free WiFi, Free Parking, Close to Motorway 4th Floor, Centenary House, 1 Centenary Way, Manchester M5O 1RF
manchester.traffpark@regus.com 0161 504 2500 www.regus.com
Shout Connect
Meeting and Conference rooms (1-80 persons), Free WiFi, Free parking, Co-working space, Podcast suite, American style diner with free tea/coffee/water when booked
Unit 2, Edward VII Quay, Navigation Way, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston PR2 2YF richard@shoutnetwork.co.uk 01772 935930 shoutconnect.co.uk
SPACES Deansgate
Boardroom style meeting rooms, Presentation style training room, On-site Deli, Parking (chargeable), Hi-speed WiFi, Cycle store 125 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2BY
uk.meetingrooms@regus.com 0161 519 2000 www.spacesworks.com
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 Aimie.spearpoint@marriotthotels.com 0161 975 2000 www.marriottworsleypark.co.uk
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.
diary dates
BITA (British and Irish Trading Alliance)
BITA London Monthly Social Networking
6 Nov 6.00pm - late, every 1st Weds
Venue The Rising Sun, 61 Carter Lane, Fleet Street, London EC4V 5DY
BITA Liverpool Monthly Social Networking
14 Nov 5.00pm - 7.00pm, every 2nd Thurs
Venue Gaucho, 7 Water Street, Liverpool L2 0RD
BITA Manchester Monthly Social Networking
21 Nov 5.00pm - 7.00pm, every 3rd Thurs
Venue The Lawn Club, Hardman Square, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3HG
Cost FREE for all events
BNI Vision Stockport
Weekly every Weds 9.15am
Venue Bramhall Park Golf CLub, 20 Manor Road, Bramhall, Stockport SK7 3LY
Cost Please enquire
Contact Stephen Gomes 0161 956 2656
BUSINESS FAIRS 2024
Annual business fairs across Northern venues.
Free to visit, all sectors welcome to exhibit.
Business Connect are media partners.
Halton & Warrington Business Fair
14 Nov 10.30am - 3.00pm
Venue DCBL Stadium Halton, Lower House Lane, Widnes WA8 7DZ
Cost FREE to visit (pre-registration required)
Contact Tony Haines tony@liverpoolba.com 0151 709 8932
Business Catalyst Club
Manchester and Leeds Networking Lunches
Manchester – 24 Oct
Leeds – 28 Nov
Costs, Timings, Venues and booking detailscontact organisers below (invitation only):
Contact Graham Shiers 07818 675 310 www.businesscatalystclub.co.uk
Carlisle Ambassadors
Regular showcase and networking events.
21 Nov 11.00am - 2.30pm Topic – Health & Wellbeing
Venue Carlisle Racecourse, Durdar Road, Carlisle CA2 4TS
Cost FREE (pre-reg on Eventbrite required).
Contact Michelle Masters 07810 224 735 carlisleambassadors.co.uk
CHESHIRE BUSINESS EXHIBITIONS 2024
Business fairs across Cheshire venues.
Business Connect Magazine are media partners.
Stockport 4 Dec 10.00am - 3.00pm
Venue Edgeley Park, Hardcastle Road, Edgeley, Stockport SK3 9DD
Cost FREE to visit (pre-registration required)
Contact Leon Broster 01270 919 500 leon.broster@cheshirebusinessexpos.co.uk
DTX Digital Transformation Expo
2 Day Expos in Manchester and London
2 Apr 2025 9.30am - 5.30pm
3 Apr 2025 9.30am - 4.30pm
Venue Manchester Central, Windmill Street Manchester M2 3GX
Cost FREE (pre-registration required).
Contact dtxevents.io/europe/en/page/dtx-europe
FM North
Networking event for professionals in the FM, Cleaning and Construction Sector
4th Weds of each month
23 Oct, 27 Nov 4.00pm - 9.00pm
Venue The Lawn Club, Hardman Square, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3HG
Cost FREE
Contact danny.cross@tennantco.com
GC Business Growth Hub
Events and Networking - BGH Match
10 Oct 9.30am - 11.30am
Venue 2 Edward Street, Stockport, SK1 3NQ
7 Nov 9.30am - 11.30am
Venue 1872 Lounge, Wigan Warriors, Robin Park Arena, Wigan WN5 0UH
Cost all events and networking FREE
Contact nick.shepherd@growthco.uk businessgrowthhub.com/match
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
Events, support, updates, revues, networking Inclusion & Diversity - Breaking down barriers for mothers returning to work
29 Oct 12noon - 2.00pm
Venue GM Chamber, Elliot House 151 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WD
Cost FREE for members & non-members
Business Women’s Network Lunch
30 Oct 12noon - 2.30pm
Venue Emirates Old Trafford - The Edge, Talbot Road, Old Trafford, Manchester M16 OPX
Cost £60 (£30 for members)
GMCC Networking
7 Nov 8.30am - 10.30am
Venue The Alchemist Media City, The Bund The Quays, MediaCity UK, Salford M50 3AB
Cost £20 (Free for members)
Contact Reetb Dhallu 0777 001 7534 reet.dhallu@gmchamber.co.uk gmchamber.co.uk
High Peak Business Club
Regular monthly breakfast networking
All meetings - Fridays 7.30am - 9.30am
Venue Disley Golf Club, Stanley Hall Lane, Disley, Stockport SK12 2JX
Cost £25
25 Oct Water, Water, everywhere... Jane Simpson, United Utilities
22 Nov Want to buy a luxury yacht? Martin Berman, Go Earth Yacht Brokers
13 Dec What’s gone wrong with Pharma? Dr Nigel Eastmond, Eastmond Medicomm
Share Club meets monthly on Thursdays: Contact edwinacurrie@sky.com highpeakbusinessclub.co.uk
Industry Connect!
National Supply Chain networking events. Business Connect Magazine are media partners.
Dates and Venues to be announced - please see website
Cost from £25
Contact Paul Stoneman 07724 839620 connect@thenetworkings.co.uk TheNetworKings.co.uk
K-Club
Entrepreneurs
Networking Manchester based
Contact Amanda Manson 07754 069 829 k-club.co.uk
MBH Business Networking
Business networking
Venue Manchester based
Cost FREE Contact kyle@mpostcode.co.uk manchesterevents.mpostcode.co.uk
Multimodal 2025
3 Day Supply Chain Expo
Business Connect Magazine are media partners
17 Jun 2025 10.00am - 5.00pm
18 Jun 2025 10.00am - 7.00pm
19 Jun 2025 10.00am - 3.00pm
Venue Hall 4, NEC, Marston Green Birmingham B40 1NT
Cost FREE (pre-registration required, tickets available soon from website).
Contact multimodal.org.uk
pro-manchester
Full programme of events available online
Contact Nicola McCormick 07929 671755 nicola.mccormick@pro-manchester.co.uk pro-manchester.co.uk
SHOUT BUSINESS
EXPOS
Annual business fairs across Northern venues. Free to visit, all sectors welcome to exhibit
Business Connect Magazine are media partners and supporters.
North West Business Expo
18 Oct 9.00am - 3.00pm
Venue Bolton Stadium Hotel, De Havilland Way, Bolton BL6 6SF
Lancashire Business Expo
4 Apr 2025 9.00am - 3.00pm
Venue University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE
Cost FREE to visit (pre-registration required)
Contact shoutexpo.com
Shout Network
Fortnightly networking. Breakfast included. Venues across the Northwest.
Accrington Wednesday at 9.30am
Accrington Stanley Community Trust BB5 6BD
Blackburn Friday at 8.00am
Blackburn Rovers Football Club BB2 4JF
Blackpool Friday at 12.00noon
Hampton by Hilton, Blackpool FY4 1NG
Bolton Tuesday at 9.30am
Dunscar Golf Club BL7 9QY
Bolton Wednesday at 8.00am
Bolton Stadium Hotel BL6 6SF
Burnley Thursday at 9.30am
The Oaks Hotel BB10 2LF
Bury Tuesday 9.30am
Red Hall Hotel BL9 5NA
Chorley Thursday at 9.30am
Oak Royal Golf Club PR6 8SW
Clitheroe Tuesday at 9.30am
Holmes Mill BB7 1EB
Leyland Thursday at 9.30am
Lancashire FA PR25 2LF
Liverpool Friday at 12.00noon
Delta Hotels By Liverpool City Centre
Marriott L8 5XJ
Manchester Wednesday at 12.00noon
Worsley Park Marriott Hotel M28 2QT
Preston Tuesday at 9.30am
Shout Connect HQ PR2 2YF
Preston Wednesday at 9.00am
Shout Connect HQ PR2 2YF
Preston Friday at 12.00noon
Shout Connect HQ PR2 2YF
Rossendale Friday at 9.30am
Rossendale Golf Club BB4 6LH
Southport Tuesday at 9.30am
The Grand, Southport PR9 0QG
South Ribble Tuesday at 9.30am
Civic Centre Leyland PR25 1NS
Wigan Wednesday at 12.00noon
The Brick Community Stadium WN5 OUH
Wrea Green Friday at 8.00am
The Villa Wrea Green PR4 2PE
Fortnightly networking is on a sector lock-out basis. Costs also vary. Contact 01772 935930 info@shoutnetwork.co.uk shoutnetwork.co.uk
Don’t forget your business cards!
Small Business Sunday #SBS
Competition every Sunday for Small Businesses to raise their profiles on X and Instagram 5.00pm - 7.30pm Info www.theopaphitissbs.com/about/ ---------------------------------------
The Business Network Manchester
Business networking lunch - inc seminars. 24 Oct Noon - 2.00pm (Optional seminar 10.00am start)
Venue Lowry Hotel, 50 Dearmans Place, Salford M3 5LH
Cost £55.00
Contact Helen Bennett 0161 823 1384 helen@business-network.co.uk business-network.co.uk
The Business Network South Humberside
Business networking lunch - inc seminars
6 Nov 11.45am - 2.00pm (seminars start 10.15am)
Venue Oaklands Hall Hotel, Barton Street, Laceby, Grimsby DN37 7LF 4 Dec 11.45am - 2.00pm (seminars start 10.15am)
Venue San Pietro, 11 High Street East, Scunthorpe DN15 6UH
Cost for all events £38.00
Contact Amy Heward 07908 258 354 amy@business-network.co.uk business-network-south-humberside.co.uk
The Business Network
South Manchester + Chester
Business networking lunch
- inc seminars (all optional 10.30am start).
South Manchester
7 Nov 11.30am - 2.00pm
Venue The Pinewood on Wilmslow, 180 Wilmslow Road, Handforth SK9 3LF
5 Dec 11.30am - 2.00pm
Venue The Alderley Edge Hotel, Macclesfield Road, Alderley edge, Cheshire SK9 7BJ
Chester
13 Nov 11.30am - 2.00pm
Venue The Queen At Chester Hotel, City Road, Chester, CH1 3AH
11 Dec 11.30am - 2.00pm
Venue DoubleTree by Hilton & Spa Chester, Warrington Road, Hoole, Chester CH2 3PD
Cost for all events £55.00
Contact Simon Edmondson 07766 493428
Simon.Edmondson@business-network.co.uk business-network-south-manchester.co.uk
The Liverpool Network
Monthly Networking for Decision Makers
23 Oct, 27 Nov 10.00am - 12noon
Venue The Municipal Hotel, Municipal Building, Dale Street, Liverpool L2 2DH
Cost FREE first visit, annual membership
Contact Luke Maher - theliverpoolnetwork.co.uk
The Heath Networking
Monthly Informal Networking for SMEs
24 Oct, 21 Nov 11.45am - 1.45pm
Venue The Heath Business & Technical Park Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 4QX
Cost FREE
Contact Anthony Stonebanks 01928 513368
The Original Manchester Curry Club
Monthly Informal Networking lunches for SMEs
Contact organisers for details.
Venue Rajdoot Tandoori, Carlton House, Albert Square, Manchester M2 5PE
Cost £20 for 3 courses
Contact Kerry Bland 07966 275454
Please note
If you plan to attend any of the above events please ensure all details are correct in advance.
Whilst every effort has been made to confirm accuracy, some details may be subject to change.
