Downtown Monthly 14 by Downtown in Business

Issue 14 // Lockdown Edition

Business Heroes - Page 6

Western Union Downtown Den Women in Business Awards 2020 & Tom Cheesewright

Downtown in Business is providing businesses with free business support and advice in the Liverpool City Region via European Regional Development Funding. Downtown in Business

can provide you with a minimum of 12 hours of support for desired outcomes and use it to assist the growth of your company. As part of this offer you will have access to:

// 6 months membership in Liverpool

// Brand Awareness

// Access to Liverpool events calendar

// Content Marketing – ‘Downtown Discusses Video’

// 2x key facilitated introductions // 6 months comms package in Liverpool

// Podcast opportunity

// Access to 1x cross region DIB event

To qualify for this service your business must: // Operate within the Liverpool City Region

// Employ at least 1 member of staff

// Pay business rates within the Liverpool City Region

// Have been trading for at least 1 year

The secured funding will help to support SME’s in the Liverpool City Region with key support in growing your business through DIB’s unique offering: raise profile, brand awareness and key relationship building. The aim of the NM2 project is to help your business to grow, create more opportunities and employ more people.

For more information, please contact Sarah Wilcox at: sarah.wilcox@downtowninbusiness.com or call 0151 556 1897

Downtown Monthly

Design: Jack Hunter Research: Sophie Rooney Contributions: Frank McKenna Western Union Tom Cheesewright

- Page 6

A message from the CEO...

Business Heroes

Liverpool Business Heroes

Birmingham Business Heroes

Manchester Business Heroes

Leeds Business Heroes

Thank you NHS

Western Union

Downtown Den

Women in Business Awards 2020

Tom Cheesewright

Downtown Monthly

A message from the CEO... Words by:

Frank McKenna Chief Executive & Group Chairman of Downtown In Business

It wasn’t so long ago that the Prime Minister, before he was Prime Minister, was saying “Fuck business”. Well, nobody in the world of politics is saying that now. If the pandemic has highlighted anything it is how important business, small, medium and large, is to the country. An incredible effort has been led by Corporate Britain through this unprecedented crisis, with private sector initiatives being launched on a 4

daily basis by entrepreneurs, business owners and their teams to alleviate some of the harsher challenges of the coronavirus crisis. Of course, there are exceptions, and it is to be hoped that those firms who dragged their feet protecting staff or banks who are proving slow to lend to those in need, will pay a heavy price when we get through this thing. But, by and large, the world of commerce has proved that when the going gets tough they

step up to the plate and do what they can to help. So, in this special issue of DM, we have focused on ‘Business Heroes’ – those who have gone that extra two meters to make a difference during these unprecedented times. It must also be said that the government has, by and large, reciprocated in returning the favour and offering support to business in ways previously we would have thought impossible.

Downtown Monthly Tax holidays, grants, picking-up of salaries and a host of other offers. Inevitably some have fallen through this support net. The self- employed, rightly, fee hard done by. Nonetheless, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has done a sterling job in doing what he can to ensure that post-COVID19 the economy has a fair to middling chance of bouncing back.

It will have to, because we are about to see eye watering numbers that make previous recessions look like a cakewalk. Nonetheless, this situation is like no other, and if politicians and business hold its nerve then there is reason for optimism.

“Scapegoating immigrants is harder to do when immigrants have nursed the country’s leader back to health. Convincing the community that cleaners, shopkeepers, care workers and the myriad of NHS staff are ‘non-essential’ will be a tad more difficult, as will measuring the worth of an individual by their annual salary alone.”

The crisis also marks the death knell of the abhorrent economic approach that has become to known as austerity. The woefully inadequate infrastructure in our health and care sector and our shameful inability to look after our elderly has been a lesson that will surely have been learned by those in the corridors of power. A decade of underfunding of our local authorities and other public services cannot be corrected overnight. But

I expect a very different approach from government budgets of the future. This has been a horrible time for the country and indeed the world. However, out of adversity can come good. If attitudes towards those who have been somewhat taken for granted in recent times, including those of us in business, change for the better, then that is something positive that can be taken away from this exceptional period in all our lives.

“The woefully inadequate infrastructure in our health and care sector and our shameful inability to look after our elderly has been a lesson that will surely have been learned by those in the corridors of power.” 5

Downtown Monthly

Business Heroes What Constitutes A Business Hero? During the testing times following the outbreak of COVID-19, numerous Business Heroes helped people nationwide. No matter how big or small the help, each of these Business Heroes contributed to helping people in need across the UK.

Downtown Monthly

Nominate Your Business Hero Please contact DIB with the name of a company or an individual who has gone that extra two metres to help others. Click the button below and we will feature your nominee on our media platforms.

Nominate Your Hero

Liverpool

Downtown Monthly

Everton F.C Liverpool based football team, Everton called the elderly and see how/where they can help them. Using the hashtag #BlueFamily, Everton players called older people within the Everton

community to raise morale and see if there are any ways in which Everton and Everton in the Community could help people during the period of isolation.

Liverpool

High Performance Consultancy The High Performance Consultancy team have held a strong focus on being a beacon of free support for businesses at this troubling time. HPC have been hosting weekly Webinars, providing insightful updates on the current COVID-19 situation as well as providing guidance on how to best support and manage their people whilst working remotely.

Salthouse Bacaro

Downtown Monthly

Carolyn Hughes PR Carolyn Hughes PR is Public Relations consultancy service which specialises in Leisure, Lifestyle and legal services. She offered to support DIB members with their PR during lockdown due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

The City of Liverpool College The City of Liverpool College donated lots of PPE from across their construction and hair & beauty and motor vehicle to Arrowe Park Hospital.

Following their closure due to COVID-19 outbreak, Salthouse Bacaro donated pizzas to the Ronald McDonald House at Alder Hey Hospital.

Gusto Liverpool

Luban

During this period of panic following the outbreak of COVID-19, Gusto offered 50% off on takeout for NHS staff. Since lockdown and there subsequent closure, Gusto have given all foods leftover to local food banks.

Executive Head Chef Dave Critchley started up Liverpool Independent Delivery Services.

Donated all food to local food banks after forced to close.

A way to deliver food to people unable to leave their homes following COVID-19 outbreak.

Downtown Monthly

Liverpool

Bongoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bingo The International Bingo craze that is Bongos Bingo are offering free taxis for NHS working from The Royal Liverpool Hospital as a helping hand to support the heroes working for the NHS.

Birmingham

Downtown Monthly

The Belfry Heart of England Community Foundation – Tina and the team at the Foundation were very reactive and set up a Coronavirus Resilience Fund to channel money into local communities who are struggling in these uncertain times.

Karl Ward Karl Ward, MD of Office Recycling Solutions Ltd has long been a contributor to the Birmingham community. Well known for his luxe sporting lunches at OPUS which raise thousands of pounds each year for a variety of causes. Since the pandemic he has provided a local hospital with 24 chairs free of charge for their staffroom and installed 60 desks at another NHS site. ORS UK have also launched ‘home office in a box’ – a reduced priced setup for individuals finding themselves working from home.

Birmingham City University Birmingham City University has announced it is to reopen its Seacole Building to help train hundreds of students taking on frontline NHS roles in the fight against Coronavirus. The University will make its facilities available for students who will take up extended work placements within the NHS to help boost the workforce. The building features mock wards, as well as skills, practices and care enhancement facilities.

Adam Whitehouse, Rich Morris and team Nettl Nettl have launched Support Birmingham a free platform with a beautiful interface for local businesses – the businesses ran by our friends, families or neighbours. Information on how to support your fellow businesses from leaving an online review, ordering online or sharing a referral.

LoveBrum LoveBrum have launched a new campaign #OneBrum which centred around uniting Birmingham at this critical time. The initiative is financially supporting a handful local causes delivering COVID-19 specific services to vulnerable members of the Birmingham community. Donations have been raised by texting ONEBRUM to 70085 to donate £1 alongside a string of family friendly virtual events.

Kate & Co Recruitment company, Kate & Co offered free video technology to DIB members with lots of people now working remotely. This enabled people to have meetings whilst being away from their usual day to day offices.

Birmingham

Downtown Monthly

Alex Claridge Alex Claridge, local Birmingham chef and restaurant owner who sprung into action when covid-19 first hit the hospitality industry. Alex launched an online petition raising over 350,000 signatures calling on support from the industry from the government. Alex has also since been working tirelessly at his position of Patron for local charity SIFA Fireside. As well as assisting with organising ‘The Big Brummie Camp Out’ which helped the charity raise over £50,000 alongside it’s emergency appeal, he and the rest of the kitchen team have been preparing freshly made ready meals for the those housed in emergency accommodation with no kitchens. local Birmingham chef 12

and restaurant owner who sprung into action when covid-19 first hit the hospitality industry. Alex launched an online petition raising over 350,000 signatures calling on support from the industry from the government. Alex has also since been working tirelessly at his position of Patron for local charity SIFA Fireside. As well as assisting with organising ‘The Big Brummie Camp Out’ which helped the charity raise over £50,000 alongside it’s emergency appeal, he and the rest of the kitchen team have been preparing freshly made ready meals for the those housed in emergency accommodation with no kitchens.

Birmingham

Downtown Monthly

Tara Tomes Tara Tomes has continued to support businesses throughout these unprecedented times, offering her expertise and knowledge to support businesses small and large across the region. Not only has she shared her knowledge via webinars and classes, but has also offered free consultations for businesses, in order to help them with best practice during COVID-19. Following her continued support for the charity, Tara was also recently appointed a patron of SIFA Fireside. In her new role, Tara helped the team to launch the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Big Brummie Camp Outâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, helping to bring people across the city together whilst at home and raising vital funds in order for the charity to continue to provide its all-important services. In the #SIFASurvives campaign, Tara assisted the team in securing over ÂŁ50,000 which the charity needed to stay open during the pandemic.

Manchester

Downtown Monthly

Gary Neville & Ryan Giggs

Holly Moore

The Manchester based company run by former premier league footballers, Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs opened their hotels, The Stock Exchange and Hotel Football to healthcare workers and medical professionals, free of charge.

Offering to do calls with Uni students and young people who might want to be in the Events Industry. Also just showing honesty but POSITIVITY on all of her socials with ideas of how to stay positive during the isolation period.

The company also created a package to support their own staff members for the upcoming months until the hotel is reopened.

The Hut Group The Hut Group, pledged £10 million worth of aid, products and services to those in need. £5 million across Manchester and £5 million elsewhere in the UK.

Manchester Central Hospital Manchester Central was transformed into NHS Nightingale Hospital North West in just two weeks. Liaising with local authorities, a team of people including Manchester Central and BDP quickly transformed the event and conference space, which is now equipped to receive up to 750 coronavirus patients from across the region.

Manchester

Downtown Monthly

Sacha Lord Entrepreneur and co-creator of Parklife Festival and The Warehouse Project, Sacha offered to help one person a day by going to the local shops and delivering essentials to vulnerable people across Manchester. Sacha was also involved in launching â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;United We Streamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; which is raising funds to support venues during the crisis.

Downtown Monthly

Julian Gratton Managing director of creative marketing agency, Julian Gratton has planned to turn a disused shop in Leeds into a creative hub in an attempt to boost charity. Gratton also established an organisation that aims to help bring young people into the marketing and PR industry through agencies in Leeds over a 12-week period.

Leeds

Fazenda Fazenda donated food left over following their closure to staff who had been placed on furlough. Following this, they donated the rest of the food to local food banks. ÂŁ10,000 worth to staff, and a further ÂŁ10,000 worth to food banks

Herida Healthcare Staff from Herida Healthcare are helping to make specialist mattresses for the Nightingale Hospital down in London. Equipment was created at the Leeds based company, and being transferred down to London by their own staff. The staff members of Herida Healthcare work 24 hours a day to produce equipment needed.

Downtown Monthly

Yorkshire Choice Awards & Leeds United Elland Road Following the postponing of the Yorkshire Choice Awards event, hundred of meals were donated to homeless charities across Yorkshire with help from sponsors to deliver the meals to the people who needed it most.

Food4Heroes Food4Heroes was a new initiative, bringing together chefs from local restaurants and catering businesses to prepare healthy meals, fruit and ice cream for the staff at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

On Behalf of DIB and our Members a huge thank you to... // // // // // //

Our Amazing NHS Care Workers The Police The Fire Service Rail Staff Bus Drivers Refuse Collectors Shop Workers

// // // //

Postal Workers Local Authority Officers Educators Business Heroes

and everyone else who is keeping us safe and keeping the country moving at this challenging time!

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to give a round of applause to all those who are making our lives easier at 8pm every Thursday evening.

During these uncertain times, Western Union Business Solutions, alongside their partners, Fulham Football Club and Oxford Economics, joined in a panel discussion to speak about the latest impacts on businesses and the economy. Watch Martin Beck, Lead UK Economist at Oxford Economics present his outlook, and hear from James Ratcliffe, Fulham Football Club’s Financial Controller as he provides a perspective from the club. Also get insights from ‘Western Union Business Solutions’ Head of Insight, Nawaz Ali and Director of Hedging UK, Alex Lawson. The discussion covers an overview of the current macro-economic landscape, a discussion around the currency impacts as well as insights about how businesses could manage their currency risk.

Watch the webinar

Further reading:

Downtown Director, Chris McKenna caught up with Mark Williams from Western Union Business Solutions to talk the economy, cyber security and what post COVID-19 might look like for business.

Downtown Monthly

Downtown Den A place where DIB members, entrepreneurs and decision-makers unite during the Coronavirus challenge.

Get daily updates 20

Downtown Monthly

Watch Now

Downtown boss Frank McKenna was in conversation with the CEO of Liverpool John Lennon Airport John Irving, the Managing Director of Merseyrail Andy Heath and Managing Director for Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire, Matt Davies, to discuss the challenges and opportunities the transport sector faces once we get through the Coronavirus crisis.

Watch Now

Recently appointed shadow sports Minister Alison McGovern was in the Downtown Den, offering her views on how the football season may resume; how business can learn from sport; and what she hopes Birmingham can achieve by hosting the Commonwealth Games. Liverpool fan Ali also revealed that Gary Neville is her ‘guilty pleasure’ and offered her thoughts on new Labour leader Keir Starmer.

Watch Now

City region metro mayors Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram spoke passionately about their ‘Build Back Better’ campaign, their briefings with prime minister Boris Johnson and their ambitious plans for the future, despite the tough environment in which we are currently operating.

Watch Now

If the UK had a ‘Brains Trust’ the head of Strategy for Bruntwood Jessica Bowles and Mike Emmerich from Metro Dynamics would certainly be in it. It was a pleasure to welcome the pair to the Den and hear their thoughts and predictions about the current crisis and the opportunities and challenges we are likely to face in its aftermath.

Watch Now

Downtown in Business invited four of Birmingham’s leading property personalities into the #DowntownDen for a discussion on how the current COVID-19 crisis is affecting the regions property sector. Thanks to Rob Day from Blueprint Interiors, Alex Tross from Lambert Smith Hampton and Deborah Ritchie from Knights PLC for joining us and James Forrester from Barrows & Forrester for chairing this discussion.

Downtown Monthly

Andy Grant Watch Now

When your guest says “Getting blown up in Afghanistan was the best thing that ever happened to me” you know you are listening to an incredible tale of courage, commitment, and fortitude. Ex-Marine Andy Grant has been in the Downtown Den and sharing his amazing story with DIB boss Frank McKenna. This is a ‘much watch’ interview with a man who takes you through the lows and highs of his life. An inspirational personality who delivered one of the standout conversations of the Lockdown.

Downtown Monthly

Watch Now

Downtown London hosted a high street experts panel to discuss the impact of the coronavirus and much more. Joining Simon Danczuk, London chairman, in the #DowntownDen were: Professor Kim Cassidy, a retail marketing and behavioural expert from Edge Hill University and member of the Grimsey High Street Review; Joe Barrett, member of the Government’s High Streets Task Force, co-founder of The Teenage Market, and Chairman of Stockport’s Portas Pilot Delivery Group; and Matt Baker, also a member of the Grimsey High Street Review, and someone who has developed and delivered the Local Government Association’s High Street Leadership course, and is helping with York City Council’s high street strategy.

Watch Now

Downtown Chief Executive, Frank McKenna was joined in the #DowntownDen by the author of Carlo Ancelotti’s book ‘The Quiet Revolution’ Chris Brady and Andy McIntyre, the Managing Director of leading sporting executive training company VSI. They discussed the way the ‘beautiful game’ has handled the Coronavirus crisis, the financial implications for clubs and what happens next. Downtown in Business is pleased to work in partnership with VSI to provide executive sport/sporting director networking opportunities and events in the North-West.

Watch Now

Sacha Lord joined DIB chief executive Frank McKenna in the Downtown Den. The Night Time Economy Czar for Greater Manchester told us about the entrepreneurial approach and his first gig at the Hacienda that launched his fascinating journey into the world of music, events and hospitality; the emergence of the Warehouse Project and Parklife; his current role within Andy Burnham’s team; the United We Stream initiative – and how he got such a cool name!

Liam Byrne MP the West Midlands Mayoral Candidate for Labour joined Downtown Birmingham Chair Paul Cadman in the #DowntownDen recently. In an open discussion, Liam shared a brief story of his backstory and how he got involved in politics, talks about how he thinks the government has handled the COVID-19 crisis and how the global economy will be impacted, along with a variety of other topics.

Downtown Monthly

Holly Moore Watch Now

Downtown CEO Frank McKenna has a ‘Totally Frank’ conversation with Make events CEO, Holly Moore. Holly discusses how and why she started up Make Events, how she is staying positive in the current climate and how she has ensured her staff and their partners feel a part of the ‘Make Events’ family.

Don’t lockdown your business growth ambitions. // Grow Sales // Grow Connections // Grow Influence

Join Downtown In Business Today To find out how, click on one of our Downtown representatives, and they’ll start you on your journey.

// Grow Profile // Grow your Business.

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Downtown Monthly

#WIBA20

Women In Business Awards 2020

Crowne Plaza Hotel Liverpool

Downtown Monthly

#WIBA20 Downtown in Business Liverpool hosted the Women in Business Awards 2020 on Friday 6th March 2020. Hosted by BBC presenter Jacey Normand, the awards celebrated the female entrepreneurs, business owners and decision-makers who have made a significant contribution to the economic growth of the Liverpool City Region. The awards sponsored by Uber, also saw the launch of a unique partnership between Downtown and Archbishop Blanch school.

Among the winners for this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s awards were, Sally Bloor, Cllr Anna Rothery and Dame Janet Beer, who won the Chief Executive, Liverpool BID Company and Woman of the Year Award respectively. B&M Waste were also big winners taking home the Business of the Year gong along with the Outstanding Employer of the Year Award.

Change Champion of the Year 2020

Outstanding Employer of the Year 2020

(Open to Women & Men)

B&M Waste Services

Richard Kenyon, Everton F.C Sponsored by: Innside by MeliÄ

Outstanding Employee of the Year 2020 Jacqui Hughes, Sutcliffe

Sponsored by: The City of Liverpool College

Sponsored by: High Performance Consultancy

Outstanding Newcomer of the Year 2020 Louise Kemp, Nineteen Agency Sponsored by: Shape Engineering

Downtown Monthly

Outstanding Business Development Manager of the Year 2020 Anne King, Steven A Hunt & Associates Sponsored by: Stagecoach

Outstanding Legal Services Personality of the Year 2020 Lesley Sullivan, Excello Law