DQ Issue 6

DOWNTOWN QUARTERLY • SPRING/SUMMER • 2012 THE MAGAZINE FOR DOWNTOWN IN BUSINESS

City of Manchester In these times of economic turbulence, information, intelligence and data about the business environment is crucial. That is why Downtown Manchester in Business (DMIB), alongside Lombard have taken the decision to launch an annual Manchester Business Survey.

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What do you think of the county’s Local Enterprise Partnership? Are the banks really open for business? What issues are key to business growth?

The Red Rose Business Survey gives you the opportunity to have your say on the major issues facing Lancashire’s business community.

The survey will be available for you to take in late May. Visit www.theredrosebusinesssurvey.co.uk Sponsored by:

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WELCOME

T

he lack of female presence in UK’s boardrooms, and within the corridors of power, whether that be in Westminster or in Town Halls up and down the country, is nothing short of scandalous. There are bigger and better organisations than Downtown in Business to highlight the problem, and come up with some much needed solutions. Nevertheless, as the leading business group in the region, we do have a responsibility to raise the issue regularly – and maybe remind folk of what they are potentially missing.

In this DQ, we have selected just a few of the women who are involved in the Downtown network to demonstrate that the North West boasts some fabulous females, both in the private and public sectors, and we need to do more to get more of them!

We have always been delighted with the healthy number of women who attend Downtown events, and in 2012 that happy precedent has continued. Find out what the ‘business club with attitude’ has been up to in Liverpool, Manchester and Lancashire as we report on the Global Entrepreneurship Congress, the City of Manchester Business Awards and the ‘Big Conversation’.

In this issue we also welcome two new columnists. Our very own ‘Uptown Girl’ Laura Wolfe and one of the region’s most respected political commentators, Jim Hancock have joined the DQ team – and we look forward to reading their regular contributions.

What with all of this and features on Business Improvement Districts, recruitment and even entrepreneurship in the Silicon Valley, this latest edition of DQ is a must read – even if we do say so ourselves. Read on, enjoy, have a great summer – and don’t do anything Frank wouldn’t do...

Best Wishes Chris Wilcox Editor

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TOTALLY FRANK

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DOWNTOWN LIVE Liverpool - The GEC Fringe

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DOWNTOWN LIVE Lancashire - The BIG Conversation

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DOWNTOWN LIVE Manchester - COMBA 2012

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JUST JIM Women in Politics

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DQ FEATURE Silicon Valley’s Secret Sauce

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UPTOWN GIRLS

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RECRUITMENT William James Recruitment

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DQ ICON Richard Branson

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UPTOWN GIRL Laura Wolfe column

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LIVERPOOL COMMUNITY COLLEGE A catalyst for change

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COMMERCIAL BID ONE YEAR OLD

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THE COOL LIST

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JUST JONAS

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WORK HARD, PLAY HARD

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16

36

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Financial Recruitment Specialists

FRONT COVER PIC: Chuka Umunna addresses the City of Manchester Business Awards at the Manchester Cathedral THIS MAGAZINE IS WRITTEN, DESIGNED AND PRODUCED BY THE DOWNTOWN IN BUSINESS TEAM, AND PRINTED BY KALL KWIK. © DOWNTOWN IN BUSINESS. Downtown in Business can accept no responsibility for the veracity of the claims made by advertisers. The views expressed are not necessarily the views of the publisher (DIB).

DQ 5

IT’S LIVERPOOL THE PROPERTY CONFERENCE Thursday 19th July 2012

PART OF DOWNTOWN LIVERPOOL BUSINESS WEEK

CONTACT JAMES TOPPING TEL: 0151 227 1633 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

TOTALLY FRANK

POLITICS AND THE ‘X’ FACTOR

I

s politics boring? I’m sure some people will answer ‘yes’ to this question whenever they are asked, but in May 2012 the UK political landscape does appear to be bereft of any real characters and big beasts on the respective front benches in Westminster.

David Cameron can best be described as Blair-light, Ed Miliband, despite all the trials and tribulations of the coalition government this year, is still looking more public school debater than Prime Minister, and Nick Clegg seems as if he has resigned himself to hanging around in wait for his appointment to the European Parliament as a Commissioner. The hullaballoo of those heady days when swathes of citizens were wearing ‘I agree with Nick’ badges are but a distant memory.

What all three party leaders lack is the personality, panache or oomph to inspire us and inject some much needed excitement and interest into our benign political environment. Whatever your politics, it is hard to claim that Cameron, Clegg or Miliband have the ‘X’ Factor.

Indeed, part of the reason for George Galloway’s recent surprise By- election victory in Bradford, where the flamboyant Scot stood for the Respect Party, was his appeal as a ‘character’. He may have once pretended to be a cat on Big Brother and be portrayed as a dangerous eccentric by his opponents, but at least he appears to have a clear set of convictions – and people know who he is.

The last time I remember our party leaders being this dull was back in 1992. John Major, who was a more likeable guy in the flesh than he ever appeared on TV – ask Edwina Currie – and Labour Leader John Smith, an absolute gentleman, with a superb political mind, both had huge qualities, but could not ever claim to be the most exciting of politicians.

It wasn’t until Tony Blair came along that we had a Kennedy-esque figure who both the media and the electorate fell in love with. It may have been a love affair that ended in tears, but there is no doubting Blair’s ability to motivate, his natural leadership skills, nor his media savvy.

The exuberance and euphoria that greeted Blair’s landslide victory in 1997 will live long in the memory, and even through many a cock-up, Tony’s twinkling smile, his cheeky chappy persona when required, and his acting prowess, kept him in number ten for a good few years longer than would have been the case for a mere mortal.

I think we can rule out any of our current leaders having a positive personality transplant any time soon, so where is the next ‘Blair’ or ‘X’ Factor candidate likely to come from?

By the time you read this I expect Boris Johnson will have been reelected as the Mayor of London. Despite failing to deliver on many of the promises he made to Londoners four years ago, his sheer sense of self belief, confidence, arrogance, and a perception that he is a conviction politician sustain him in his political career. David Cameron and his Tory colleagues fear a challenge from Boris far more than they do a challenge from Miliband – Ed or David. By the time his current Mayoral duties end, he will be ready for another challenge, and the Boris for PM campaign has already started in earnest according to many political commentators.

Words: Frank McKenna, Downtown in Business

Could we ever elect an eccentric Toff with a blonde wig that looks like a burst cushion? I think in their frustration and boredom with what we are currently being offered, the answer may well be ‘yes’ to that too.

Can Labour stop the blonde bombshell? Well, maybe they can. A young MP who has recently addressed and wowed Downtown members in Liverpool and Manchester, Chuka Umunna, may be his party’s next big thing. He has already risen to the heights of Shadow Secretary for Business, Innovation & Skills within two years of taking his parliamentary seat, and he has an easy manner, is extremely articulate and he’s pretty cool. You can’t say that about many politicians.

It may be a few years off yet, but don’t rule out a Boris vs Chuka contest. A debate between those two would be worth staying in for, and may shake the Great British electorate’s inertia in our political process once again.

LEEDS HERE WE COME! Downtown Liverpool celebrated its eighth anniversary this month.

It has been an interesting and eventful journey, as we have provided a genuine independent voice for the private sector in a city that, up until 2004, had often seen ‘business engagement’ as a meeting in a smoke filled room with the usual suspects; a box ticking exercise.

Downtown has helped to change that, and we have delivered some real changes. We have successfully campaigned to have an elected mayor for the city. We have seen the idea of a business champion on the council’s cabinet adopted. We are the lead private sector partner in the Liverpool Embassy in London initiative. And we prevented the planners daft suggestion of the introduction of a ‘tall buildings’ policy, which would have stifled development and regeneration in the city.

In 2004 Liverpool City Council’s leaders did all they could to kill Downtown before it got started. I’m delighted that they failed, and that we have been able to go on and establish the Downtown brand in Lancashire and Manchester too. The next stop for us is Leeds. We will launch there officially in September. The Yorkshire city is a modern, vibrant and dynamic place. I am confident we can add value to the businesses that work there, and add some useful ideas as to how Leeds can grow its economy even more successfully in the future. Our Leeds office is right in the heart of the city centre, Wellington Street, and I can’t wait to get started. Watch this space for further information.

Frank McKenna is the chairman of Downtown in Business. You can hear his business programme on City Talk 105.9fm every Sunday at 10am.

DQ 7

DOWNTOWN LIVE

Downtown Live // Liverpool THE GEC FRINGE LABOUR ENTERPRISE FORUM “A stronger department for business is what the government needs!” According to Shadow Business Secretary, Chuka Umunna as he addressed a strong audience of Downtown members and associates at Liverpool’s Hilton Hotel during GEC week.

Chuka was joined onstage by the leader of Liverpool Council, Joe Anderson, Chair of the Transport Select Committee and local Riverside MP, Louise Elman and Wavertree MP and Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Luciana Berger.

Chuka recognised Liverpool as the host city for the 2012 Global Entrepreneurship Congress, is a City that is “really going places,” and that the GEC would help to promote the city’s image.

Frank McKenna commented, “We were delighted to welcome Chuka to Liverpool and thank him for his contribution to Downtown’s programme of fringe events during the GEC. Chuka is most certainly one to watch for the future, definitely a man with ambition and the skill to back it up!”

GLOBAL BRANDS, GLOBAL PEOPLE

Photography Adam Kenrick, Adam Kenrick Photography

Liverpool FC’s Ian Ayre and Everton FC’s CEO Robert Elstone headlined Downtown Liverpool’s GEC fringe event “Global Brands, Global People” in front of what’s best described as a capacity crowd at the city’s Hilton Hotel. Covering a wide range of issues including creating a global reach, emerging markets, new stadia and the infamous 39th game.

Following Ian and Robert, Downtown Chairman, Frank McKenna lead a discussion with James Barton of Cream, Bev Hurley from YTKO and Deloitte’s Sean Beech on developing and creating entrepreneurial businesses, with Barton urging the audience, which included a group of budding future wealth creators from Liverpool Community College’s Liverpool Entrepreneur’s Club “If you believe in the pit of your stomach you’re right, go for it like I did.”

DLiB chairman Frank McKenna said: “Organisations like Everton FC, Liverpool FC and Cream are on our doorstep but are known and loved all over the world. It is testament to the reputation of DLiB that we could attract the people at the top of these organisations to speak at what was simply the most exciting fringe event of the GEC.”

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DOWNTOWN LIVE

ARE YOU A MEMBER OF THE TWITTERATI? The message was clear: Get a social media policy in place! Three experts in the laws and legislations of social media, Victoria McKenna, High Performance Consultancy, James Corlett, Kirwans Solicitors and Brian Adams, Ph.Creative, joined forces during this GEC fringe event to bang home this valuable message.

Guests were exposed to the numerous pitfalls that can often manifest as major issues if staff (at any level!), misuse or mislead using social media. The threat of a two year prison term for infringing the laws, noticeably gripped their attention!

Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook are essentially databases that require conformity regarding data protection legislation, and employee’s need to be made aware of the impact and implication of their potential abuse of what is a relatively new global phenomenon.

It is worth taking some time to review your own policy (if you have one), or potentially suffer the consequences.

THE DOWNTOWN GEC FRINGE EVENTS WERE SPONSORED BY:

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DOWNTOWN LIVE

Downtown Live // Lancashire The BIG Conversation

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owntown has embarked on a series of events seeking the views of business leaders from across Lancashire about the future of the county.

With the Local Enterprise Partnership now up and running, the Preston Guild Year upon us, and decision makers from across the political spectrum claiming that they want to hear from the private sector, what better time to undertake such a project?

Already ‘Big Conversation’ events have attracted some prominent leaders including Peter Rankin, Leader of Preston City Council, and Geoff Driver, Leader of Lancashire County Council. The Chief Executive of Salford City Council, Barbara Spicer, and Centre for Cities Director, Paul Swinney have also joined the debate.

The ‘Big Conversation’ will continue throughout 2012, and includes the biggest business survey that Downtown has undertaken – The Red Rose Business Survey. This comprehensive piece of work is also being supported by Forbes Solicitors and Lancashire Business View, and will be launched in May. Three business leaders who have contributed to the conversation so far share their thoughts with you in this special Lancashire feature. If you want to have your say, attend a future ‘Big Conversation’ event, complete the survey at www.theredrosebusinesssurvey.co.uk or contact james.topping@downtowninbusiness.com

Norman Tenray, Managing Director, OBAS UK Ltd

We find ourselves in challenging and demanding times, with little certainty of when things will improve. The business community has restructured itself to work within the constraints of the financial climate to survive one of the most difficult trading conditions since the war.

There has been little support available for the business community and yet despite this businesses have made some very difficult decisions and against all the odds are still trading. We

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have to applaud the resilience, tenacity and abilities of the business community who with improved support will provide the growth and employment the country so desperately needs.

Lancashire is the home of my business which trades on a national platform; the problems we face in Lancashire are no different to those found anywhere else in the country across all market sectors. But we have yet to define ourselves as a city or region, there is a need for our identity and USP’s to be marketed locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

There should be more focus on integration and less time spent arguing within our region and whilst debate can be positive, it should be done behind closed doors, we should promote a united cohesive community.

Politicians cannot define the way forward but can provide the environment, by working in partnership with businesses, who have the vision, skills and ability, we can enhance the opportunities and environment for

growth. Our present problems cannot be fixed with a simple solution, we must have a clear vision with long term strategies linked to short term achievable solutions that will act as a catalyst to inspire confidence.

There is a need for strong partnerships and leadership, we must be brave and recognise our strengths and weaknesses and find solutions and strategies that may not be popular in the short term but will lead to long term sustainability and continuity. Too much time and resources appears to be wasted on activities which do nothing to promote growth and employment, in a recent forum I was told that our assets are our buildings, I totally disagree as in any business its most important asset are its people – in Lancashire we have some incredible businesses with an amazing portfolio of inspirational and talented business people.

The fundamental skill of an entrepreneur is that we make things happen, we work within the constraints of legislation and finances, by thinking

outside of the box. In my mind policy is supposed to reflect the needs of the environment and business community and flex controlling growth, we need the taps turned on as we are open for business and ready to push forward.

The business community has proven itself, give us the tools, trust and respect we deserve and environment to drive change.

We have a major opportunity with the Guild this year, whilst I applaud the focus we should use this to put Lancashire on the map and more importantly provide the foundations for generating business opportunities and revenue in the future, I believe that the Guild could act as a fantastic catalyst to consolidate, focus and integrate our ideas and vision for growth and employment for the next twenty years.

I remain pessimistically optimistic and am proud to work in Lancashire, every journey starts with a single step, let’s be brave and move forward together!

DOWNTOWN LIVE

Angela Smith, managing director, The Write Angle

Over the past few months I’ve attended a number of events to hear people’s views on where the future of Preston and the wider Lancashire county lies.

As a Lancashire girl through and through I am passionate about this great area and have a vested interest in seeing the improvements that have been mooted actually become reality.

But I can’t help thinking that while the discussions that I have listened

to have raised a myriad of great ideas and suggestions for how we can up our game, now is the time for action, not just words.

2012 is Guild year and a fantastic opportunity to put not just Preston, but the whole county, in the spotlight. It is anticipated that over one million people will visit Preston to attend the fantastic range of events planned during the year and there’s absolutely no reason (dare I say it) that whole county should not be involved and benefit from this once every twenty years event. Let’s get over the notion that if it’s not in my town then I’m not going to support it and look at the bigger picture.

Partnership working is a phrase that’s banded about quite easily, but it seems to me that true partnerships are the key implementing change. We need to forget our political differences and get the whole county working together – across private and public sector. My sense is that business people will no

longer accept the mythical barrier between east and west as a reason for political differences that hold back change.

To make things happen we undoubtedly need the political will and resources of the public sector, but we also need the drive, rapid decision making and the determination to turn words into action that the private sector can bring to the table. We don’t have to look much further than Manchester to see how a model like that can make a huge difference.

At a recent Downtown event Paul Swindells of Centre for Cities highlighted that a major problem for Lancashire is that it doesn’t have a natural hub, and that having a strong city as a focus is essential to attracting investment and achieving growth that will have a ripple effect across a much greater area.

Preston has been a city now for ten years. However, during that decade there is little that you can point to that

indicates that real change has taken place. The aftermath of the Tithebarn project has left us with swathes of empty properties and areas that are quite frankly grim in the city centre. Go into Preston after 6pm and it is more or less deserted and there is a distinct lack of decent restaurants and bars (with the exception of places like Forum, Kuckoo and eastzeast) – not exactly what you would expect of a thriving city.

But it’s easy to be critical.

Lancashire has much to be proud of. We have a great quality of life and some of the most beautiful countryside in the UK; we have a strong manufacturing heritage and a burgeoning creative sector and we have two of the country’s leading universities. Now is the time to harness all that is good about Lancashire, define what Lancashire can offer to the outside world and work together to make the future of Lancashire happen. And let’s not wait until the next Preston Guild to make it a reality.

Chris Scott, Commercial Partner, Taylors Solicitors

Integration or isolation.

For as long as I have lived in Lancashire, and that’s 25 years now, there seems to have been tension between it’s urban centres. Where there should be a strong economic team with an established ethic of working together, in areas with mature identities, making headlines for the excellence that is in the region, presenting an attractive proposition for investment, business and visitors, there is instead lack of foresight, lack of political leadership and infighting between those urban centres. In this economic climate, unless remedied, and quickly, the visage of the region thus created will deter investors and reduce our share of government money.

As things stand, it is hardly an attractive proposition for new business,

for relocations or even visitors, when a prestigious scheme such as Tithebarn was so publicly sank due to petty, incorrect challenges by, should be allies. When it was so difficult to secure commitment to a single pan Lancashire LEP, which is suspect when one of its number really wants to be part of Greater Manchester and another whose regeneration is led by one who makes no secret of his focus on Manchester. When the centre of a would be City region considered the “3rd City” branding was attractive and gave Preston an identity and opportunity.

Failure to create a positive environment for the region borders on criminal. An article I read recently from the LSC advocated ‘prioritising growth in our more successful cities even if this leads to more uneven development ‘. Who could blame government or investors looking at Salford and the Greater Manchester Region... or at Newcastle Gateshead where cooperation not isolation has proved a boon for all partners.

The urban centres across Lancashire are too small individually to compete with the pulling power of Manchester or the large economic areas beyond; too small to attract the level of investment and create the right

environment needed to provide the bedrock for business to thrive in the future; simply too small to serve as a magnet for the critical mass of direct investment that is needed to revitalise town and city centres and deal with the change in industry and commerce necessary to re-orientate the region’s industry and commerce towards the industries of the future, innovative and more export-based; to regenerate the infrastructure, create homes and urban centres others would want to visit, to shop and spend leisure time in.

Addressing those issues should have occurred by now, but they are still being discussed and need yet more time to get to delivery. Continual, ineffective talk about doing something is doing nothing and will achieve nothing.

Left to the politicians our region and our businesses will decline. The political establishment has historically been entrusted with promoting the region and managing development. It has hardly been a success and even if not hamstrung in coping with imposed cuts, it is doubtful if history would be put aside overnight. Business does not have that baggage. Businesses have long recognised the benefits of partnering, consortia, JVs and other vehicles affording co-operative approaches to

delivery of economic objectives and opportunities for a larger group not available to individual members.

The Blueprint for success is in every successful business in the region, and there are many, and in our centres of learning. The feeling I get from attending forums for businesses in the region is that the time for talking has ended and there is an appetite for action.

There are many innovators, organisers, marketeers, strategic thinkers and business developers among us. It is time that business led change. The long tradition or mindset of infighting and doing each other down is over, it is time for the economic architects and entrepreneurs of tomorrow to be brought to the fore. Economic linkages and cross boundary collaboration are essential in this delivery. If the politicians won’t provide it perhaps others will.

I look to IoD, whose members are the business leaders, and Chambers of Commerce, whose members are the regions businesses, to promote the leaders and visionaries in the region, to assist and organise a truly pan Lancashire movement to immediately accentuate the positives in Lancashire, provide the leadership, business focused strategy and the alliances to deliver change and growth.

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DOWNTOWN LIVE

Downtown Live // Manchester The City of Manchester Business Awards 2012

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ome of the biggest names on the Manchester business scene celebrated their achievements at the City of Manchester Business Awards 2012.

Hosted by DMIB, the second award ceremony was held at Manchester Cathedral.

Business leaders from a host of different sectors were in attendance to celebrate the city’s buzzing business scene.

By attracting some of the most high-profile business leaders in Manchester, the event provided a great networking opportunity. Sponsored by Lombard, Leader 1 and Manchester City Council, businesses were recognised across 12 award categories, demonstrating the breadth of expertise and talent Manchester has to offer.

Frank McKenna, Chairman of DMIB commented: “City of Manchester Business Awards are held to recognise businesses that continue to raise standards in the challenging current economic climate. The nominees and winners demonstrate that Manchester continues to attract and sustain some of the most innovative and well-known businesses in the UK. On behalf of DMIB, I’d like to thank all of our guests for making the night a great success.”

WINNERS Best Newcomer: Archive Solutions

Best Bar/Restaurant: Rosso Best Hotel: The Abode Best Legal Firm: Brabners Chaffe Street Best Marketing Campaign: I LOVE MCR (Marketing Manchester) Business & Professional Services: TNT Post Creative Business: Creative Lynx Financial Business: Deloitte Property Award: Bruntwood Business Of The Year: ANS Group Deal Of The Year: Applied Language Solutions Chairman’s Award: BCH Digital

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TER THE CITY OF MANCHES BUSINESS AWAR2D0S12

Photography Adam Kenrick, Adam Kenrick Photography

DOWNTOWN LIVE

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JUST JIM

WOMEN IN POLITICS:

MORE TO DO Words: Jim Hancock

W

ould Emmeline Pankhurst be proud of the progress that Blair’s Babes, Gordon’s Girls and Cameron’s Cuties have made in breaking the glass ceiling in British politics?

One thing’s for certain the Suffragette leader of a hundred years ago would be appalled that the popular press can still get away with the sexist headlines that so often accompany commentary on the role of our female MPs at Westminster.

Despite women only shortlists and determined drives by political parties to rectify the problem, there is still a lack of women in leadership roles at Westminster and in our Town Halls.

You would expect that the greater the number of women MPs and councillors would lead to more of them emerging into top jobs, therefore the following statistics are worrying.

Men outnumber women 4 to 1 in Westminster, at this rate it will take another fourteen General Elections for parliament to reflect the population it purports to represent.

Only 5 out of 23 cabinet ministers are women. Just 31% of councillors are female and 13% of local council leaders are women.

The Town Hall figures contradict the notion that women find it easier to be involved in local politics. The argument goes that as the activity is local it is easier for women to manage the demands of work and family.

We can all recall some formidable female local government leaders in the North West and more widely. Louise Ellmann, the current MP for Liverpool Riverside, had her most prominent years in politics as leader of Lancashire County Council.

At County Hall in Preston in the 1980s she developed the then pioneering notion that local government could be a partner with business in creating jobs. Lancashire Enterprises was her vision.

Politicians on police authorities have recently been accused of being low profile.

That charge could not be laid against Margaret Simey in Merseyside and Gay Cox in Greater Manchester. In the troubled early 1980s these chairs of their respective police committees were more than a match for powerful Chief Constables Ken Oxford and James Anderton.

Turning to the present, Marie Rimmer gives robust leadership to St Helens council, fiercely protecting what she sees as the interests of her town from the potentially overbearing influence of Liverpool.

But these women are the exception. Down

the years and across the region the vast majority of Town Hall leaders are men.

When it comes to the Chief Executives of our local councils, the position is very different.

Salford, Wigan, Trafford, St Helens, Knowsley and Cheshire East are among the authorities with a woman on top.

The reason for this perhaps gets us to the heart of the problem of why there aren’t more prominent women in politics.

Although Chief Executives work hard, they owe their positions to competitive interview. It’s a process that generally leads to appointment on the basis of ability. Once in post, the employment contract goes a long way to protecting job security.

To become leader of a council, you first have to get selected by your party, then elected to the council, then get elected by your group to the position of leadership. It involves the sort of 24/7 commitment that few women can contemplate.

It is also often a very male world of clans, macho politics and the pub.

I realise I am generalising here. I have personal knowledge of men who have taken on domestic responsibilities to allow their partners to pursue a political career, but they are the exception.

Now, let us turn to Westminster where some parties have introduced artificial methods to boost the female count. Labour’s women only shortlists and the Tories A list of candidates being the most promising examples.

In the eighty odd years between 1918 when women first stood for parliament and 1997 when MPs first entered parliament from women only shortlists, progress was slow. Parliament remained largely male, pale and stale.

However those women that did break through made a big impression. It may be their rarity value that drew the public’s attention but the North West had a remarkable collection of women MPs amid the massed ranks of the men in the post war years.

Leading the way was Barbara Castle. The

Only 5 out of 23 cabinet ministers are women. Just

31%

of councillors are

female and 13% of local council leaders are women.

MP for Blackburn for over thirty years. In her ministerial posts she introduced seat belts, the breathalyser and earnings related pensions. As First Secretary she fought a mighty battle with the unions on curbing wildcat strikes.

She thrived under the patronage of Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson, one of the few holders of that office to actively promote women.

She was sacked by Wilson’s successor Jim Callaghan, a product of the male and stale trade union brigade.

Bessie Braddock was elected at the same time as Red Barbara and although she never held ministerial office, she was a major figure in Liverpool politics for thirty years. Gwyneth Dunwoody served Crewe for even longer and made ministers that appeared before her Transport Select Committee tremble. Angela and Maria Eagle have made their mark in the last fifteen years representing Merseyside seats.

On the Conservative side Margaret Thatcher had to battle male prejudice before rising to the top job as did Lynda Chalker in Wallasey and Dame Elaine Kellett-Bowman in Lancaster, one of the last Tory dames to grace the back benches.

It was always said that Conservative women were the main block on female advancement in the party, believing for a long time after it became publicly unfashionable that a woman’s place was in the constituency helping her male MP husband. That way they got two for the price of one.

The lack of women MPs has been a severe problem for the party that should find it most easy to select females, the Lib Dems. They have 7 women MPs out of 57 and they are all in marginal seats. 2015 could see the party with no female representation at Westminster at all.

Sporadic attempts to introduce quotas or women only shortlists have been thwarted by activists who have argued that such methods are fundamentally illiberal.

Will women make the breakthrough to equality of representation at Town Hall and Westminster? It is difficult to be optimistic particularly because one senses an irritation when the issue is mentioned. There’s a feeling that the issue has been dealt with or not enough qualified women put themselves forward.

The only hope lies in a fundamental shift in the way we do politics. The Bradford West by election showed that there isn’t much enthusiasm for the conventional parties or the way they do politics. Perhaps a breakdown in traditional allegiances will lead to new parties with greater appeal to women to put themselves forward.

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DQ FEATURE

Silicon Valley’s secret sauce

Words: Michael Taylor

S

ometimes we can get very over excited how great our cities are and what challenges we face. Don’t get me wrong, I suffer from an excess of civic pride for my adopted city of Manchester and the North as a whole.

But for those of us who are serious about fostering a culture of enterprise and entrepreneurship here - and I am then there is no better place to look than Silicon Valley - home to some of the most innovative and successful companies on the planet.

I was fortunate enough to go on a Learning Journey, an organised tour around businesses and institutions in California with a group of entrepreneurs from around the UK. It was an incredible life changing experience - not just for the companies we visited, but for the intense discussions and iterations within the group.

It’s difficult to tell the story in any other way than a chronological diary.

Day one - Security, sales and thinkers We headed south first thing in the morning to Mountain View in Silicon Valley for the first appointment with Symantec with company evangelist Dale Zabriskie. The security software company is best known for consumer security software product Norton Utilities. Symantec has embedded a culture of innovation into the business to make them able to provide the thought leadership that can maintain their business and on top of their sector and even acquire businesses that give them a strategic edge. And to innovate the key is to fail quickly, take heed, move on. What matters is being able to understand which bits of data require a layer of information that make them intelligent and worth backing up and securing.

Then we headed back to the city to meet Salesforce.com. It takes balls of steel to cull a chunk of your business at a time of maximum growth. Especially so when you grow by 40 per cent a year, every year, for 13 years. That was just one of the hundreds of anecdotes, insights, facts and spellbinding insights from a trio of presentations and discussions we were part of at Salesforce.com the most innovative company in the world. At the centre was the transformation of the business – essentially an internet based sales CRM management system - into a social enterprise – one that embraces and enhances the social networking revolution and places it at the centre of everything the company does.

To understand the entrepreneurial mindset of Silicon Valley it's important to get your head around the contribution of the universities – in particular Stanford, our next stop off. We were hosted at Stanford by Tom Byers, the head of the technology ventures program. His talk included video presentations from a bunch of his friends – Jack Dorsey, one of the creators of Twitter, venture capital investor Marc Andressen, entrepreneur Steve Blank, evangelist Guy Kawsaki, and Randy Komiser author of Getting to Plan B. He capped it off with a clip of Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook's COO and a hot tip to be the first female President of the United States.

Day two - The way to San Jose The team answered in the affirmative the question posed by Dionne Warwick as we found our way to San Jose to meet Dan Harden of Whipsaw, a product design company that makes stuff users will find lovable and tactile. “There can be glory in anything you can design,” is Dan's philosophy. It was this passion, his love of design that shone through everything he told the group in an illuminating and inspiring session, but it was also what led him out of Frog Design in 1999 which had got too big, he felt.

But that Valley commitment to excellence has also driven him to embrace the social craft of what they can bring to a business. The world needs to improve so many everyday experiences – the flights we took to get here, driving, even hospital visits. Whipsaw even admitted an intern into hospital to observe the patient experience.

16 DQ

DQ FEATURE

Just in case you think this is all technology companies, our next stop for nourishment - both mental and gastronomic - was DPR Construction in Redwood City.You don't get to the exalted heights of 13th in the Fortune magazine ranking of the Best Companies to Work For by accident. You have to embed excellence into your organisation and be prepared to fire high performers who are jerks. We were here to learn about the company from founder Pete Nosler and of this commitment to teamwork and how they are set up, but this is no hippy colony – DPR work on huge schemes for major customers and work with renowned architects.

Bridge Bank, our next visit was another stimulating charge. A fair few of the group have bad experiences with their banks – some have kinder words to say about theirs. But for better or for worse none of us have encountered a banker quite like Ed Lambert of Bridge Bank, a key figure in the technology sector in Silicon Valley, who we spent sometime with at his office in Palo Alto and who embodies the Valley's secret sauce - quoting Roger Daltrey, Voltaire and the Chinese philosophy which decrees that a wise man knows almost everything, but a brilliant man knows everyone.

Day 3 - Google, LinkedIn - the usual crew It's difficult to know where to start with summing up our visit to Google's funky downtown San Francisco offices – so I'll follow the money. The business makes 95 per cent of its profits and revenues from advertising. They also give a large number of their 25,000 global workforce tough and aggressive targets – they hire the best people with a gruelling interview process. Yes, the company give everyone 20 per cent time to work on their own projects. In reality that though is 120 per cent time. Yes, they innovate through accessibility. And yes, genuinely Google stays true to its mantra of making the world's information accessible and organised for everyone. They are tactics that ultimately serve the strategy – all the time, relentlessly.

So Professor Jerry Engel starts telling us all a story about the conversation at his book club the night before. There were a few VCs, some entrepreneurs, and him of course a guru of innovation and entrepreneurship and an adjunct Professor at the Haas School of Business at the University of California at Berkeley. You know, he says, your typical crew. Wow. Innovation happens he says when it collides with waves of change – what waves of change are you part of, he asked? Position yourself at the crossroads of innovation and exploration. He went a long way again, to describing how Silicon Valley works.

We then drove to past the prime premises of Facebook and Google and into the home of LinkedIn to meet one of the founders Allen Blue. We signed non-disclosure agreements and so can't say too much about what we talked about. Suffice to say just this – what you see in LinkedIn now is just the beginning, there is so much more to come.

The last stop of the day was at the post-industrial creative factory of ideas that is Obscura Digital, officially the coolest office in the world.

Shawn Biega, their VP of sales treated us to a demonstration of innovation and technology in action – how these awesome interactive video wall installation transform a retail experience, but also how they work in hotels, businesses and even as projected light shows on buildings.

Day 4 - how contextual intelligence works So, there we were on the 25th floor of a corporate law firm's offices on Market Street in the heart of San Francisco's Financial District, listening and taking notes in a meeting with Judith Iglehart from the Keiretsu Forum when the door flung open and in burst Randy Williams, the founder and CEO of the angel investing network. He invited us into the room to watch him work. We lined the wall and stood transfixed as they first passed verdict on an entrepreneurial business that had just been in to pitch for funding.

This is how business angel financing in the Valley works - more of that secret sauce. This is quickfire, brutal and unforgiving - you can't waste time. You get to the point, you get it across. And if you can't do that in front of a panel of people who want to give you money, what chance would you have with customers?

The last visit of the trip was to Plantronic, a 50 year old company that started making the telephonist head sets the receptionists may wear in Mad Men. What was fascinating about this tour de force was the thought that has gone into how voice technology will change – and how work patterns have changed too. The chief executive Ken Kannappan described it as contextual intelligence – understanding the waves of innovation and social change and being there.

It's been amazing how many themes keeping cropping up again and again with these successful companies – creating an emotional connection between product and consumer, often through design.

How do you summarise all that? It’s hard and you can’t do so easily the lessons come later, as you alter your axis and think more deeply and think more intensely about your own business and where we all go from here. if you ever get the chance - grab it.

DQ 17

UPTOW impressions of you might be, you are eventually always judged by your results, whatever your sector.

I certainly wouldn’t want to be judged as a ’female’ Chief Executive, just as a Chief Executive. That said I do think that women bring a very different style of leadership; so I am proud to be a woman and very happy in my own skin (and shoes . . ! ).

I

t is widely acknowledged that there are nowhere near enough women involved in the world of business, or in politics for that matter. The government is attempting to persuade major companies to appoint more females into their boardrooms, political parties have introduced all women shortlists for some of their parliamentary seats and there is a greater awareness than ever about the gender gap that exists. However, even the most optimistic would concede that there is a hell of a long way to go before we get near to anything approaching ‘equality’. Often though, quality counts over quantity, and here in the North West we boast some of the most talented women around. Our ‘Uptown Girls’ feature gives you a snapshot of what drives some of the most successful females from Liverpool, Lancashire and Manchester – and offers a small insight into how we can encourage more women into senior positions.

BARBARA SPICER The Scouse Chief Executive of Salford City Council who delivered the multi million pound Media City project to the city last year. A woman who started her career in public service at an early age, and in the lower echelons of local government, Barbara has progressed in the challenging environment of the public sector to become a leading player not only in Salford but in the wider city region of Greater Manchester.

Is the Public sector more ‘female friendly’ than the private sector?

I don’t think so. All of my experience tells me that whatever people’s first

What is your greatest achievement in local government so far?

Boring as it may sound I would have to say MediaCityUK because of the sheer scale of opportunity it presents to deliver change. Whilst for the BBC it is certainly delivering cultural change what matters for me is how much local people and businesses are connected and benefitting from it.

Throughout the construction period, in the middle of the recession, we worked incredibly hard to ensure that there was money going into the pockets of local people and businesses as a direct result of building MediaCityUK. We are now in the delivery phase and seeing local people move into permanent new jobs and businesses continue to benefit from the supply chain.

And that prosperity can only grow; ensuring that the North of England is able to compete on an international basis for creative, digital and media

Owner of one of Manchester’s leading Public Relations agencies, Lisa is recognised as one of the best in her profession. Delivering PR services to a range of impressive clients, she not only talks the talk but walks the walk in promoting and providing opportunities for women in business.

LISA MORTON 18 DQ

Tell us about RDPR? Roland Dransfield is an awardwinning PR, social media and public affairs consultancy to a diverse range of North West and UK-wide clients across the corporate, built environment, retail and knowledge/ innovation sectors.

I set the business up 15 years ago and named it after my godfather, who was a larger than life character, a fantastic businessman and a real inspiration to me when I was growing up.

Your team is predominantly female – what advantages do you think this brings to the business?

This is not a deliberate policy!

We would be very happy to have more men in the team as I think it’s healthy to have a balance.

We have an incredibly hardworking, loyal, committed team.

Consultancy work requires you to

WN GIRLS investments into the future.

However, on a completely different scale, I am also incredibly proud of a project I worked on with a group of local women from Kirkby some twenty years ago. These women designed, built and ran their own new estate as a housing co-op. And, what makes it extra special for me is that they called it ‘Spicer Grove’ . . .

What’s it Like for a Scouser to be leading one of the largest council’s in Greater Manchester?

As a number of people commented when this Scouser ventured down the M62 to run a Greater Manchester council - there is a God! On a more serious note I could not wish for better, more experienced and supportive colleagues or stronger political leadership than I have experienced since I got here.

Which woman in the public sector do you most admire and why?

I’m afraid that I don’t really do ‘heroes’. Working in the public sector is always meant to be about doing something on behalf of others, whether you are a politician or an officer.

However, I have had the very good fortune to work for and with some amazing people in the public sector. . . long may it be the case !

wear many hats and spin many plates – that’s something generally women seem to be good at.

We also have flexible working arrangements for team members who have children and the commitments that a family brings.

As a Mum, how do you manage the work/life balance issue?

I have great family, friends and work team who give me a great deal of support – and understanding kids, thankfully. I do try to balance things out as much as possible. I don’t want to look back and think that I missed out on my children growing up.

On average about 30 per cent of selfemployed women work at home

LUCIANA BERGER One of Labour’s rising stars the Liverpool MP has had rave reviews for her tenacious performances in the Commons as the Shadow Minister for Energy & Climate Change. Luciana has also established a reputation as a hard working, effective constituency MP in Wavertree, and she is certainly ‘one to watch’ in the world of politics.

What inspired you to become a politician?

The opportunity to help people, change the world and make a difference – creating a society that is more just and equal.

You have been in Parliament for two years now. How are you finding it?

It’s an enormous privilege and responsibility – every day I love my job.

You have a good number of clients in the property sector.

Are you seeing any signs of real recovery in that industry?

Real recovery will take some time yet and I doubt we will ever see the industry where it was at its height, which is not a bad thing.

Our public affairs/stakeholder engagement consultancy has been very active for the past six months, as a result of developers starting to acquire land again and kick-starting regeneration or banks starting to manage out distressed assets, so things are definitely moving in the right direction.

Is the House of Commons ‘female friendly’?

It’s getting better – we’ve got a nursery in the past year – but we still need to do more about the late sitting hours which aren’t good for mums or dads.

What is the most enjoyable part of your job?

Helping my constituents. Every week I have a surgery and on average I action 600 pieces of casework and correspondence a month.

And what do you find most difficult?

Trying to use and balance my time effectively.

DQ 19

UPTOWN GIRLS

MAGGIE O’CARROLL Maggie is the formidable force that has articulated and promoted the women in business agenda in a consistent and pragmatic fashion for many Years now.

The Chief Executive of the Women’s Organisation was also instrumental in bringing the Global Entrepreneurship Congress to Liverpool earlier this year.

Maggie was named as Downtown’s ‘Woman of the Year’ in 2011.

There is huge disparity between the number of men and women business

owners in the UK. Why? Although representing only around 15% of the total business base, there are more than 700,000 women-owned businesses operating across the nation, in every sector – and their role in growing the economy, by creating and sustaining new jobs, is crucial to recovery and growth.

Despite this level of activity, and when compared to for example, our US counterparts, women are too often invisible within the business arena – in the media, within business decision making bodies, and when it comes to influencing enterprise policy. The US experience demonstrates that with a concerted effort which focuses and targets specific policies and initiatives towards supporting female entrepreneurs that a measurable increase in the numbers of women starting and growing their businesses can be achieved. There are 7.8 million women-owned businesses in the US and this reflects a 20.1% increase from 2002 to 2007 and today women make up 47% of all US business start up’s. At a time when government support for business creation has been cut, and when many businesses are struggling to survive and grow, there is a danger that the progress

made to date will falter, and the ‘multibillion £ opportunity’ which growth from female-led enterprises can bring to the economy will not be realised.

What can be done to address the problem?

Plenty; • Realign local and national blanket enterprise policies that take the perspective of large companies, or that fail to consider differences between women and men, or even among groups of women. Policies will need to consider diversity and its relationship to motivations, attitudes, and approaches to start-up and growth, as well as the frequency and profile of women’s entrepreneurship.

• Assist women business start-ups through the provision of appropriate business support – to include advice, training, premises and leadership.

• Support women’s business growth with technical assistance and education; and accessible financial tools.

• Promote societal attitudes toward entrepreneurship, and in particular, women’s engagement in entrepreneurship through positive media profiling and education.

There are roughly 620,000 majority wom businesses in the UK generating around £130

KRISTEN DUROSE Kristen is the driving force behind Red Star Wealth, a dynamic professional firm of independent financial advisers. She spent more than 10 years as an IFA before launching her own business with a commitment to excellence. Passionate about the industry, she 20 DQ

is building a reputation as one of the region’s preferred IFA practices, proving that fabulous things can come in small packages. Kristen’s business motto is taken from Coco Chanel – “In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.

but I also coach a girls football team, St Annes FC Red Stars (yes I am their sponsor) with my partner Nick and I have a season ticket at Blackpool FC. I am passionate about music and travel and think a chilled glass of wine is a must after a busy day, or a run (when I have the energy)!

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and Red Star Wealth Management?

I started RSW in April last year, having spent over a decade in financial services working as an Independent Financial Adviser in Preston. My aim was to launch a firm to provide professional financial advice, tailored for the individual with exceptional service: think of the finest hotels, all the extras you get, attention to detail, that’s what I strive for with RSW. The team has grown to include Paul Gardner and Janet Maggs and we have recently moved to new offices, which reflect the ethos of the Company.

On a personal note, I spend most of my time outside of the office running about after my daughter Izzy (as most working mum’s do)

Have good financial products for entrepreneurs been more difficult to find during the recession?

I do not think good products like pensions or investments have been any harder to source during the recession, but I do think funding is a major problem.

Whatever the stated objectives, I think lenders are reluctant to lend to businesses of all sizes but definitely new business ventures, with little or no track record to rely on. I also think that the stricter criteria for residential lending is a problem for new business owners, who might only have accounts over 12 months or 2 years; lenders want a much longer income history or in

UPTOWN GIRLS

You played a major part in bringing the GEC to Liverpool. Was the event a success?

Yes it was, as it; • Brought international participants to the city.

• Gained national and international coverage on issues such as women in business, with BBC Radio 4 outside broadcast, Financial Times and global online media.

• Provided a forum for businesses to meet each other and business to be done.

• Brought the research, policy and business community together in one gathering.

• Delivered a highly successful women’s enterprise fringe which attracted a global audience.

Which female entrepreneur do you most admire and why?

Josephine Cochran (1839-1913) invented the first practical dishwasher and formed the Garis-Cochran DishWashing Company to manufacture and market it Why – she was before her time, she invented a useful tool and who wants to spend time washing dishes, not me!

men owned billion turnover some cases, refuse to lend altogether. I wonder if this puts people off taking the decision to “go it alone” for fear they won’t secure any financial assistance if they need it?

How difficult is it, in your view, for females to progress in the Wealth Management sector?

I think financial services as a whole is still male dominated but I don’t understand why more women do not enter the industry beyond working in the administration roles.

I have found the industry very accepting of myself and the other women I know, yes there are times when there is prejudice but I would expect that anywhere that you come across “the old boys network”.

I find it outdated and slightly ridiculous whenever I have encountered men who have a problem dealing with women in the industry but thankfully it is dying out. Wealth Management is about understanding your client, their dreams and aspirations and

products under license for food service and supermarkets. We are currently only in the UK but we will be launching products in the USA and Europe this year.

You were a successful candidate on ‘Dragon’s Den’. Was that a positive experience for you?

100% positive for me and the business, no regrets whatsoever! It was a life changing experience and one that will never be forgotten. I learnt a saying recently whilst in Newcastle "shy bairns get nowt!" Couldn't agree more.

KIRSTY HENSHAW The Lancashire lass first found fame on Dragon’s Den and is about to establish her brand internationally. The successful mum from Preston has been in business since her teens and has big plans for the future. The winner of Downtown Lancashire’s ‘Business Personality of the Year’ award in 2011 has a story that can inspire future entrepreneurs – male or female!

Tell us about your business?

My Company is called Worthenshaws however we trade under the brand Kirsty's. We have a health and nutrition focused website packed with free information. We produce healthy food

managing their expectations; I think at times women can do this better as we tend to be more attentive listeners and have more empathy.

What are your biggest career challenges?

Competing with the big firms I would say. There can be a perception that a small firm such as RSW will not have the same level of experience or professionalism, that we won’t be able to do the job as well as a firm employing 60 staff but the reality is very different to that. Our clients are people, not numbers, and we are absolutely committed to providing the very best advice so we all keep ourselves up to date with qualifications, regulations and changes to the industry and I believe that our size is our strength. Our clients can be sure that if they are paying for a qualified adviser to research an investment for them, then that’s what they get; no passing the work on to a junior in our office.

Convincing new clients that good things do come in small packages is a challenge but

Your brand has taken off big time. Any plans to move out of Lancashire?

I have no plans to leave Lancashire, it is a fantastically located county, however I would like a bigger house with a garden in the near future! My long term ambition is to emigrate to Australia.

How do you combine the role of businesswoman and Mum? Being prepared is key... I did learn something at girl guides! I have a supportive family who help me immensely but most importantly I have a fantastic son who understands I have to work hard.

Dragon’s. Slay ‘em or cuddle ‘em?

Tame em, cuddle em and be very thankful to em!

then I love to change people’s minds and prove that RSW is as capable as any other firm.

Can Lancashire compete in your sector with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester?

Strangely in a similar way to people’s perceptions of size, some potential clients may well feel a Liverpool or Manchester city centre firm will somehow be better; professionals such as solicitors and accountants can sometimes also take this view but again I don’t agree. Wealth Management is a long term relationship and you build that relationship with a person, not an address. If the adviser you choose is committed to your best interests, to the industry and to doing an exceptional job then why can that firm not be based in Lancashire?

I travel all over the country to see clients across Oxford, London, Cheshire, Carlisle, even Belfast, so for RSW anyway our location has not held us back.

DQ 21

UPTOWN GIRLS

If women started businesses at the same rate as men, we would have 150,000 extra start-ups each year beauty business at 19. My business career began with a little pink beauty box. This was a great success and grew from strength to strength. I have owned the business for over 10 years now and own beautiful premises in Liverpool. This business provided me with the experience and financial platform to launch HPC in 2007.

How many businesses do you have now?

Four – The most recent being the recent launch of my HR online software – ONE HR.

VICTORIA McKENNA She started her first business at 19 and ten years later she owns and manages four companies. The HR consultant has won an impressive haul of awards over the years, including Downtown’s Young Entrepreneur award in 2011. She arguably took on her biggest challenge yet in December when she married Downtown Chairman Frank McKenna.

What was your first business?

I decided that a weekend job whilst studying at University was just not enough, so I went to night school and became a beautician. I set up a mobile

Tell us about High Performance Consultancy?

High Performance Consultancy (HPC) is an outsourced Human Resource service provider. Primarily our target audience is the SME market – providing a fully outsourced service to Employers who have as little as one Employee right up to five thousand. HPC have offices in Liverpool and Manchester, however the client base is across the UK, Ireland and most recently America. Outsourcing is increasingly becoming a more favourable option to Employers, particularly in functions such as HR and Payroll. Our vision is to become the leading HR outsourced service provider across the UK and long term Europe.

What is One HR? It is an online HR software product for the SME market. From working with clients within the SME market for many years now, but with a background of working in blue chip and large public sector HR departments in the past, it was very clear that there is a huge gap in the market. Most interactive HR software products are incredibly expensive and include licensing and technical support fees each year. This is quite simply a luxury that most of my clients could not afford. I have therefore launched a product last year that provides HR admin support to my clients such as holiday, absence and lateness management of employees, online personnel records and an assurance to my clients that they have the most up to date policies, procedures and contracts online and visible to all staff. It is affordable, easy to use and there are no hidden costs with just a one month rolling contract tie in.

What is easier to manage, four businesses or Frank McKenna?

I don’t find it too difficult to manage them all, as Frank frequents my hair and beauty business (Glamor) that often that I just see our marriage as a continuation of that now!!!!

The winner of Downtown’s chairman’s award last year, Natalie was also a £50,000 winner of the Steve Morgan Foundation Young Entrepreneur award in 2010. Her bubbly personality and the creation of unique venue Leaf has made her one of the region’s most talked about female business women.

The most entrepreneurial age group for females is 35 – 44 NATALIE HAYWOOD 22 DQ

Tell us about Leaf?

Leaf is a unique independent tea shop and bar in the heart of Liverpool city centre. Our recent move to our new home on Bold Street expands our ethos in a

UPTOWN GIRLS

needs and to promote the strategies and ethos of Archive Solutions. There are many other hats including HR, Operations and Sales. One of client’s recently said to me “thanks so much for loving our problems and helping us overcome them”, which made my day!

CLAIRE DUNN Claire is the head honcho of innovate business services firm Archive Solutions.

Her company works with some of the biggets brands in the region, including Hill Dickinson, Begbies Traynor and Winning Pitch, and recently picked up the ‘Best New Business’ gong at Downtown’s City of Manchester Business Awards.

Can you explain what Archive Solutions does, and what is your role in the company?

Archive Solutions provides effective solutions to manage your information and records; be that in physical or electronic format. Our solution can be as simple as storing your files in a secure off site location and delivering them back to you when required, to scanning your business critical documents and hosting them in the ‘cloud’ for instant retrieval. We look after the entire life cycle of your records from collection, storage and subsequent certified destruction when you need it.

My role as Managing Director, first and foremost is looking after our clients’

space that can accommodate more and present a variety of events in a distinctive setting.

Leaf on Bold Street has a unique vibe and personality, using 2 floors to deliver diversity.

We host art, vintage markets, music and club nights, plus serve up delicious, wholesome food and hundreds of varieties of tea while delivering a great atmosphere. Leaf is a place for people to relax and enjoy culture and soak up the best in new music.

We are passionate about good quality food and drinks

What is your biggest achievement to date?

I feel very fortunate to have been given such a great opportunity to transform a business that was losing customers, staff and money a few years ago to one that is totally customer and staff focused. We recently gained our ISO 9001:2008 and then going on to win the ‘Best Newcomer’ award in the Downtown City of Manchester Business awards is testament to the hard work that we all put in to ensure that the customer’s needs always come first, resulting in day-by-day growth.

What are your ambitions for the future?

To acquire more service businesses; by developing genuine and long lasting relationships within new business areas with clients and staff alike to make the customers smile...

Which female entrepreneur do you most admire and why?

Karen Brady; She has charisma, warmth and she works in a male dominated environment showing men the way forward!

Women are more likely than men to think that social, ethical and environmental considerations in business are important

You support Manchester City – why?

My dad is a blue through and through, then my best friend supports Man City and as if I planned it my other half supports City too... so it is kind of in my genes!

and a creative and imaginative space to hang out at any time of the day. We work closely with foodies, creatives, academics and musos to develop an events programme to appeal to likeminded individuals.

What made you decide to start your own business?

I think I was always destined to work for myself. I had several small businesses growing up and I liked to make my own money. Why work hard for someone else, when you can do it yourself and reap the rewards?

What have been the biggest challenges you have faced?

The 2008-2009 period was difficult, when the recession hit.

We were just staring out so faced problems trying to raise funds to grow.

Dealing with HMRC has also been a challenge. They have become more aggressive despite what the government says about creating an environment for business growth. Keeping on top of changing rules and regulations when you are an SME with few resources, is a challenge.

What ambitions do you have for the future?

We would like to open in other cities and finish our online shop, which has been long in the making!

What one piece of advice would you give to someone who was thinking of establishing a business?

Do something you are passionate about. When the going gets tough, you have to really dig deep and not give up, so being passionate is really important.

DQ 23

NSG U.K. Limited Fourth Avenue Deeside Industrial Park Flintshire, CH5 2NR Tel: 01244 833100 Fax: 01244 833101 Email: info@nsguk.com

Archive Solutions Not only can we provide solutions for physical documentation with services such as: Document Storage Secure Shredding & Destruction

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Established over 35 years

Cutting Edge of Safety

BSC 5 Star Award

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www.nsguk.com

We offer innovative digital solutions including…

‘Cloud’ document collaboration solutions & deal rooms Electronic Document Management solutions (EDMS) Business Process management & improvement Scanning & Capture solutions Ensuring your information is completely future-proof

Registered with BSI to: ISO 9001 - Quality

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www.archive-solutions.co.uk www.infostream.co.uk

RECRUITMENT

H

aving just opened offices in Liverpool’s Exchange Flags in addition to a head office in Manchester’s thriving commercial district of Spinningfields, expansion, growth and pushing boundaries are clearly on the agenda for specialist recruiter William James Recruitment and their dynamic Managing Director Paul Wingfield.

With three specialist divisions covering Legal, Finance and Personnel, William James Recruitment has quickly established itself as a leading player in the North West professional services market. They have seen rapid growth since their inception in 2009 and now boast an impressive team of skilled consultants and support staff. The company works with an impressive array of regional, national and international law firms, accountants, architects and other professionals, including companies from sectors as diverse as, training, construction, manufacturing and retail.

Having developed William James Recruitment after a decade of recruitment experience as a Partner with another legal recruiter running offices in Dublin, Edinburgh, Leeds, Birmingham and Manchester, Managing Director Paul Wingfield, has played a pivotal role in the company’s development, “I have a very hands on approach, so can be found training and providing guidance to new consultants as well as looking for new opportunities to expand the business across our three divisions” says Wingfield.

Indeed this hand’s on approach has seen him work on many high profile roles across the North West making strategic appointments at Partner and Director level across a range of leading North West Firms. Wingfield credits his drive and determination to his earlier career as a professional Rugby League player with

Warrington Wolves and Leigh RFL, “As an ex-professional sportsman, I believe that professionalism, dedication and a passion for what you do in business and life more generally is of the upmost importance.

At William James, without taking life too seriously, we strive everyday to be the best at what we do and my vision for the business is shared with each and every one of our team.”

Having established it’s expertise as a specialist recruiter across all disciplines and levels of the legal sector including, Insurance, Corporate, Real Estate and Construction, Commercial Litigation, Employment, Insolvency, Private Client and Family, William James Recruitment have now used this foundation to develop other sectors in response to client demand, notably in Finance and Office Support roles, as Wingfield explains “Having over a decade of recruitment experience means we fully understand our clients businesses and requirements and we put them first. Both clients and candidates can be reassured of the quality of our bespoke services and our professionalism at all times”.

The William James ethos is built on truly understanding client needs and candidate aspirations, as Paul Wingfield explains “We work in close partnership with our clients, we provide clear, practical and cost effective solutions which allow us to play a significant role in helping clients and candidates achieve their business and career goals.”

Having seen impressive growth even in what has undoubtedly been a challenging North West professional services marketplace and with a team that boasts genuinely inspirational people and the drive and determination of a highly focussed leader, one can only wonder what the next three years might hold for Wingfield and the team at William James Recruitment.

About William James Recruitment A specialist provider of legal, finance and office support recruitment services across the North West. Established in 2009, the company now has offices in Manchester and Liverpool, and counts a wide range of the region’s leading firms amongst its many clients. With a dedicated team of consultants they are able to work at all levels and across all sectors within the North West professional services market.

For further information on the services they provide please contact them on 0161 932 1527 or www.williamjamesrecruitment.com DQ 25

DQ ICON Words: Craig Sergeant

RICHARD BRANSON 1973 - Launches Virgin Records record label 1983 - Virgin Vision, later to become Virgin Communications, is formed to distribute films and videos in the television and broadcasting sector

1970 - Starts selling records by mail-order 1971 - Opens his first record shop on Oxford Street

1981 - Virgin buys the Kensington Roof Gardens

1960’s

1970’s 1972 - Opens a Virgin Recording Studio

1966 - After failed attempts to grow and sell both Christmas trees and budgerigars, Branson launches his first successful business, a magazine named Student, the first issue of which appeared in January 1968

26 DQ

1984 - Virgin Atlantic Airways and Virgin cargo are launched

1980 - Virgin Records goes international

1979 - Buys the gay nightclub Heaven, located under Charing Cross railway station. It was eventually sold in 2003 to a private buyer

1983 - Virgin Games is launched

DQ ICON

A

hush of anticipation descends over the gathered crowd.

The phrase "Screw it, let's do it" is emblazoned across the stage wall. A video montage of achievements drifts away from the big screen like the retreating sounds of a fading storm. Then, out walks Sir Richard Branson towards the centre stage. Languid yet purposeful, relaxed but focussed; he is at the Global Entrepreneurship Conference 2012 in Liverpool and he's here to talk business.

And business is what he does best.

Meanwhile, as he speaks a thought keeps repeating through my head: Just how on earth does he manage to do all these things?

Everybody knows Branson as the head honcho, the big cheese, the Mr Big of the Virgin Group but although I knew this (and his various extra curricular activities such as hot-air ballooning), I never realised the extent of his achievements, the myriad of Virgin companies and endeavours, and the far reaching grip of his empire. They used to say the sun never sets on the British Empire, but the same can also be applied to Virgin.

No, that's not enough.

Branson and Virgin - as we will see - have reached all four corners of the globe, soared highest through the sky and explored the depths of the deepest oceans. Virgin is even scheduled to leave our planet in the next few years with Branson on its maiden voyage. The sun may never have set on Great Britain, but Virgin flies closer to our star.

So back on terra firma. The Echo Arena and BT Convention Centre in Liverpool, Merseyside to be exact.

Branson is being interviewed on stage in front of an enthralled audience hanging onto each word, nets out ready to catch a falling gold nugget of advice as they hope to begin their own entrepreneurship voyages. There's hope for everyone. As Richard takes us back to his youth he tells us of a time when he was "not the most academic" and "was - and still is - dyslexic". Branson is telling us that anyone can do it, but the best way is not to "think 'how can I make a lot of money?', think 'how can I make a difference to people's lives?' Embark on that and try to pay the bills at the end of the year".

1984 - Virgin Vision (launched the previous year) launches “Music Box”, a 24hour satellite music station

VIRGIN’S FORMER FLASHIP MEGASTORE ON OXFORD STREET, LONDON

A Virgin Birth Richard Charles Nicholas Branson came to be on July 18 1950 in Surrey. His aforementioned dyslexia hindered his education and he dropped out from academic life aged 16. Rather than moping around, dossing and wasting time he began a youth-culture magazine called Student. Run by students for students, for the first edition Branson sold advertising space worth a fortune (in those days) meaning that all costs were covered and its entire run of 50,000 copies were simply given away.

In one fell swoop Student had its audience and it had cost nothing. Branson's journey had begun and it was only going one way.

Up - quite literally.

Back to 2012 and at the GEC in Liverpool, Branson chats amiably and warmly, and it's almost as if he's unaware of the people in attendance watching and listening in. Dressed casually in jeans, shirt (no tie) and jacket, he still exudes the aura of money and success, but it's not tainted with the stuffy and obnoxious vibe of the grey-suited and booted, ruthless, money making high-profile fat cats (I'm looking at you, 'Dragons'). Branson's cool, man.

Yes his formative years were for a time based in certain countercultural - ahem - illegal activities, and despite his success, he still retains that youthful freedom in his character. As he says during the GEC interview, in business "the most important thing is the art of delegation. Find people better than you to almost do your job". This meant by age 19 or 20 he had adequate people running his business which freed him to have time to think about the next business he wanted to get involved in.

An eye-opener for me, is to see a businessman that doesn't rule with a vice-like grip over his company. He says "you've got to be brave early on and step aside as often as you can. Give the people you put in charge the freedom to make mistakes and changes - don't second guess them".

How refreshing to hear. How many of us, at some point or other, have worked under draconianlike conditions with no room for manoeuvre? Almost everyone, surely. I've since learned that in business lexicon (or jargon more like), this classes Branson as a "transformational leader" where the company's emphasis is on information and informality, and is focussed on it’s lower levels rather than being controlled by a remote, dictator-like figure perched on top of the hierarchy.

And this is the lesson that Branson seems to have self-learnt, almost instinctively. Because no more than two years after the launch of Student, the 'tuned in and turned on' Branson left that in the hands of others (it's still running to this day) started his mail order business selling records at cut prices. It’s name was suggested by one of the girls working with him, as he recounted in his book Losing My Virginity : '"Virgin, as we're complete virgins at business" Great - I decided on the spot. "It's Virgin"'.

So I'm beginning to see how Branson manages to do so many things. He does things that he has a genuine love and enthusiasm for, things that he believes he can make a difference doing, and he also spots where he can make a couple of dimes by doing them. For example, he noticed that people wouldn't dream of spending 40 shillings on a meal, but they "wouldn't hesitate to spend [it] buying the latest Bob Dylan album". Then once that venture is up and running, he's onto the next one. But so far we've only seen two things he's done. The sheer magnitude of what becomes of Virgin after this is quite simply mind-boggling.

1987 - The Virgin Group, along with Granada, Anglia and Pearson, founds BSB (British Satellite Broadcasting) and receives a UK license to broadcast five new TV channels by satellite in the UK

the most important thing is the art of delegation. Find people better than you to almost do your job

1987 - Virgin sets up “Music Box” as an independent producer of music programmes 1985 - Branson starts Virgin Holidays

1988 - Virgin sells some of its smaller UK retail stores and puts more money into Virgin Megastores, opening new stores both in the UK and abroad

1987 - Virgin buys a 45% stake in Mastertronic Group.

Later Virgin Mastertronic becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Virgin Group, creating, marketing and distributing computer games software and Sega consoles in several European countries

1987 - Virgin buys Rushes Postproduction in London

1988 - Virgin re-opens the recently acquired and re-modeled Olympic Studios in Barnes, London

1988 - Virgin sets up Virgin Broadcasting

1980’s 1987 - Virgin launches Virgin Airship & Balloon Company

1987 - Branson takes Virgin Records to the United States

1985 - Virgin Group now includes record labels, retail outlets, exported music publishing, broadcasting, satellite television, and film and video distribution

1987 - Virgin sets up 525, a post production facility in Los Angeles, to work on high-end commercials and pop videos

1988 - Virgin launches Virgin Classics, another Virgin international record label specializing in high-quality classical music

1987 - Richard Branson launched Mates condoms in the UK to promote condoms to young adults

1988 - Virgin sells its shareholding in BSB

DQ 27

DQ Icon

NECKER ISLAND, A HOME AWAY FROM... WELL, ANYWHERE

Early Expansion A near-crippling postal strike almost saw to the end of the Virgin mail-order company, but like any company you can never stand still. You have to "be brave" and evolve, so Branson opened the first Virgin record shop on Oxford Street, London. He'd earlier staked the best place out, spotting where the most people walked by in the street. At the GEC, Branson tells us that "if your company is smaller, you just have to be better than the big chains" and so it was with the Virgin record store. A cosier, bohemian atmosphere complete with cushions to sit on, free coffee, and free-to-read copies of NME and Melody Maker; customers were allowed to stay as long as they wanted. A stark contrast to the oppressive nature of existing record shops.

You can't help but realise that this is the ethos that Virgin continues to hold dear to this day.

Pioneering yet laid-back. Reactionary to what's gone before, improving upon it and making it accessible to the common man. And never once resting on one's laurels.

So where to go next? You're selling the records, how about making the records? In 1972 Branson opened a live-in recording studio near Oxford bringing in big names like Tangerine Dream, Sandy Denny and John Cale. And then where do you go from there? The following year the Virgin Records label is launched releasing Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells, one of the best selling albums of all time.

Not to mention, infamously signing the Sex Pistols to their roster.

artists on the label included The

Branson's foray into the music industry was a labour of love and became a massive success.

Later artists on the label included The Rolling Stones, Genesis, Janet Jackson and Culture Club making Virgin Music one of the top six companies in the world. If I were he, I'd most probably take a step back and think "My work here is done". But Branson continued to expand his entrepreneurial efforts again and again.

Throughout the 1980s, an astonishing array of companies came under the Virgin Group banner: Amongst others, Virgin Games (later Virgin Interactive) was launched in time for the home computer revolution, London's Heaven nightclub was purchased, and Virgin Atlantic and Virgin holidays were born as Branson took to the skies.

Rolling Stones, Genesis, Janet Jackson and

Culture Club making Virgin Music one of the top six companies in the world

1995 - Virgin Express a European low cost Airline is launched in Brussels after the purchase and rebranding of EBA Express 1990 - Virgin Megastores arrives in Japan

1998 - Virgin Active Launches in South Africa, UK and Italy 2004 - Virgin launches Virgin Galactic

1996 - Virgin Group becomes majority shareholders in London Broncos rugby league team

1992 - Virgin Records is sold to Thorn EMI

1996 - V2 Music is created

2000 - Virgin launches Australian airline Virgin Blue (now called Virgin Australia)

1997 - Virgin Cosmetics launches

1994 - Launch of Virgin Vodka and Virgin Cola

2005 - Virgin Active UK acquires Holmes Place

2000 - Virgin launches Virgin Energy

1990’s 1993 - Virgin Radio hits the airwaves with Virgin 1215AM

1996 - Virgin.Net launches

1991 - Virgin Publishing (Virgin Books) is formed

1999 - Majority shareholders in London Broncos is sold to David Hughes

1996 - Virgin Trains is launched 1995 - Virgin Direct Personal Financial Services opens for business

28 DQ

1997 - Virgin Radio is acquired by Chris Evans

1998 - Virgin Mobile launches Virgin’s first telecoms venture

2000 - Virgin launches Virgin Cars

2000 - Virgin sells Rushes Postproduction to Ascent Media - then Liberty Livewire

2005 - Virgin Express merges with Sn Brussels Airlines to form Brussels Airlines. Virgin retains minority share

2006 - V Virgin compan clean fu

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Flying High It became quite difficult to bring him down from the clouds. Not content with spearheading a rapidly expanding empire, Branson set himself personal goals, a philosophy he has always followed admitting "I set myself apparently unachievable challenges and try to rise above them... from the perspective of wanting to live life to the full". This merely involved the record breaking feat of crossing the Atlantic in Challenger II in 1986, the first hot-air balloon crossing of the same ocean in 1987, oh and then the crossing of the Pacific in 1991. He even ran the London Marathon in 2010 carrying a giant set of wings on his back - in five hours. Quite unbelievable.

These are feats where people are usually required to focus 100% of their attention in preparation, but simultaneously Branson has managed to build the Virgin Group to consist of over 400 companies! And it's still growing. That thought again - just how does he manage to do all these things? There's delegation yes, but still, are there two Sir Richard Bransons? Three?

Four? Surely there must be...

I set myself apparently

unachievable challenges

and try to rise above them... from the perspective of

and Jimmy Carter amongst others), "try to tackle conflicts" in the world and work objectively without any vested interests. There's the Virgin Earth Challenge, a prize of $25 million to be awarded to any individual or group that can demonstrate a commercially viable design that reduces anthropogenic, atmospheric greenhouse gases for at least ten years without simultaneously damaging the Earth.

These are what Branson calls "the Bigger Picture things" and the former global warming-sceptic is now an incredibly high profile and award-winning champion of all things green - a Virgin 747 was even the first to fly with biofuel. Which brings us to the latest and most grand idea Branson has had:

Virgin Galactic.

At the GEC Branson again confirms that this wasn't started as a business, just that he's always wanted to go into space, "hopefully with a return ticket" he quips, much to the merriment of the crowd. But in discussing this venture, it's a delight to see his mind in action; quickly expanding on and hypothesising the various possibilities and benefits of Virgin Galactic. "Maybe it can provide intercontinental travel in a fraction of the time... we'd be travelling outside the atmosphere so as to not damage it further... maybe launch satellites for a fraction of the price... maybe begin deep space exploration... maybe we can put hotels in space".

Bookend The Planet And while Virgin Galactic took its first test flight in 2010, the following year a Virgin Oceanic deep-sea exploration submarine began its life. Virgin quite simply bookends every part of the planet.

From the top to bottom and from corner to corner. Hopefully, the humanitarian and ecological work Branson is now heavily involved in will also help to heal the planet and it's a great thing that he is using his money and success to do so.

I have to say that I've found it inspiring to learn more about the inexhaustible Sir Richard Branson and am truly astonished that one man has managed to achieve so much. And the thing is, it shows no sign of stopping. No, he's on a roll and seems to be doing even more. Just a quick search of news stories over the past few days reveals he's written a letter to the PM about renewable energy, called for a third runway at Heathrow, discussed "crippling" air taxes and invested $1 million in MySocialCloud with Jerry Murdock.

Not everybody can complete such a superhuman-like amount of things in life, but if there's one thing everybody can take away and use in life - no matter how small the task - then it's simply just to take a step back, be brave and say "Screw it, let's do it".

Photograph Courtesy of Liverpool Vision/Raymond Farley Photography

live life to the full wanting to

United Front Branson gives those in attendance at the GEC a little insight to the future of Virgin and the current projects he's involved in. There's Virgin Media Pioneers which he says is there to "give a leg-up" to any wannabe entrepreneurs looking to get started but can't raise the capital - in fact, at the GEC he's so inspired by a Liverpool schoolboy's passionate business pitch that on the spot he hands over £200 to get him started up.

There's Virgin Unite which brings together all the Virgin companies "and do good in the world". For example The Elders (whose number include Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Kofi Annan SIR RICHARD AT THE GEC 2012 IN LIVERPOOL 2007 - Virgin Money becomes preferred bidder for acquisition of Northern Rock (but is ultimately unsuccessful)

2007 - Virgin launches Virgin Health Bank

2009 - Virgin launches Virgin Money Giving

2007 - Buys 20% stakes in AirAsia X

2007 - Virgin launches Virgin Media

2006 - Virgin Active Spain is Launched

2010 - Virgin launches Virgin Racing, a Formula One team previously known as Manor Grand Prix

2007 - Closes Virgin Digital in the UK (Virgin now sells music downloads through Virgin Media’s website)

2007 - Virgin Radio Italia launches in Italy in joint venture with Gruppo Finelco S.p.A.

2010 - Virgin launches Virgin Produced, a film and television development, packaging and production company based in Los Angeles, California

2000’s 2007 - Virgin Active Portugal is Launched

Virgin announces n Fuel, a new ny to produce a uel in the future

2010 - Virgin Money buys Church House Trust

2010’s 2007 - Sells Virgin Megastore in the UK and Ireland

2007 - Virgin Fuel US$400 million in Virgin Atlantic jet flight on biofuels and in renewable energy

2007 - Virgin launches Virgin America

2007 - Virgin Media Television Launchs Virgin 1

2008 - Virgin launches Virgin Healthcare

2008 - Virgin Australia Airlines offers competitive prices between Australia and Los Angeles.

Known as V Australia due to naming rights

2010 - Virgin launches Virgin Gaming, a service for people of all skill levels to play competitively on popular Video Games

2012 - Virgin Money buys Northern Rock

2010 - Virgin launches Project, a digital magazine created exclusively for Apple, Inc’s iPad

DQ 29

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UPTOWN GIRL

“I just don’t ‘get’ twitter.”

“Why is anyone interested in what I had for breakfast?”

The truth is they are not.

UPTOWN GIRL Words: Laura Wolfe

A bit about me…

I am a full time working mum of 2 boys, who juggles home and work... sometimes with some success. I run Journey9, an award-winning marketing services company based in Spinningfields, Manchester. I also support Manchester City.

Email – laura@journey9.com Web – www.journey9.com Twitter - @laurawolfe Red or Blue?

My footballing allegiance is no secret and is well documented – just ask Eric Cantona who was a bit taken aback by my not so complimentary reference to “Fergie time” when he dropped round for coffee a couple of seasons ago.

You can’t seem to attend a business event in the region without some reference to football, however tenuous the link.

Much of my own business is done over footballing discussions or attending matches. The (mostly) friendly Red and Blue rivalry of Manchester and indeed Merseyside makes for some interesting business meetings.

My six year old came with me to City’s 4-0 win over West Brom in April. As Wigan scored against Man U, he burst into tears as without thinking and with much gusto I shouted, “Come on Wigan!”.

“But, why can’t you support United mummy? Why? Please, for

me” he cried.

“You see, it’s like this. I’ve supported City all my life darling.

In that time, we’ve never won the title. So what do you think I want to happen this season?”

“You want to win the title mummy.”

“That’s right. Do you understand?”

“Yes mummy, but why do you support City?”

“Because my mummy and my brother supported City and it’s how I was brought up. You’ve made your choice son. Blame your father.”

(I married a Red. I know, I know. I don’t know how it happened either.)

By the time you read this, the battle for the Premiership title will be decided.

The battle in my house however rages on and on.

Working mum v Stay at home mum Hilary Rosen sparked controversy last month by claiming Ann Romney, the wife of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, has never worked 'a day in her life' as she’d chosen to stay at home to raise her five sons herself.

I have two young sons, aged six and almost one. My life is one big juggling act. I try to do the “right thing” by my children, my husband, my colleagues, my clients, my friends and myself. I don’t always

The (mostly) friendly Red and Blue rivalry of Manchester and indeed Merseyside makes for some interesting business meetings.

get it right. My kids are in full time school, nursery, afterschool care and part time nanny cover, plus I have a very supportive and understanding mother. Some would call me a bad mother and say that I should be at home full time with my kids.

The reality is - this isn’t an option for me. That said going back to work when my second son was not even twelve weeks old and putting him in full time nursery was not an easy decision. The pressures on women have always been great.

There are always people ready to judge and to throw their often unfounded opinions at you.

The truth is you can’t have it all. My life, as with many women I know, is about choices, compromise, sacrifice and guilt.

I am trying to build my business whilst raising a young family. My eldest son is used to mummy working. He is used to the fact that I can’t go on school trips and don’t go and help out in his classroom like lots of the other mummies.

That doesn’t mean he likes it any more though. He also understands why I do it and this is his normality.

Comments like those of Hilary Rosen are unhelpful and misguided. Being a full time stay at home mum is no easy ride and I certainly would not say that Ann Romney had ‘never worked a day in her life’.

The Power of Being Social – Bridging the Virtual Gap Everyone is slowly but surely catching on. You’ve got to be in it to win it. But what does this mean?

“I just don’t ‘get’ twitter.”

“Why is anyone interested in what I had for breakfast?”

The truth is they are not.

They are however interested in you and in who and what you know.

More than that, twitter (and other social networks) give you access to people you’d never be able to have such direct access to.

Within 24 hours of opening his twitter account, Pele had posted one tweet and had over 116,000 followers.

I can’t overestimate my excitement when Carol Decker (of 1980s band T’Pau) tweeted me recently. Sad I know, but you have to understand I grew up singing ‘China in your Hand’ into my hairbrush thinking I was in fact Carol Decker herself.

Okay so a tweet from Carol Decker is not the greatest

argument for the virtues of engaging in social media. However, what engagement gives you is a voice, access to a world of opinion and direct contact with people, brands and businesses who also want to talk and more importantly listen to you. Social media has been central to the growth of Journey9 and we’ve certainly found engaging in this way has helped our business.However, I didn’t actually start a twitter account for business – far from it – I started because I am naturally nosey and I like to talk.

I’m also not advocating living your entire life through Facebook or Twitter like I do. I find it quite unnerving when I meet someone for the first time and they ask me how my teething baby is, how I am managing with little or no sleep or whether I managed to save the second phone that I dropped down the loo, because I’ve tweeted about it only hours earlier.

You also have to remember that you should not say anything on a social networking forum that you wouldn’t say face to face. Just think Liam Stacey – an out and out racist who thought he was big and clever hiding behind his computer screen to post vile tweets when Fabrice Muamba collapsed on the pitch during Bolton’s FA Cup tie with Tottenham. He then cried to his mum when he realised what he’d done and the backlash it had caused. But it was too little too late.

So, he’s a racist; an abhorrent individual for whom I have no sympathy at all, but in the space of a minute’s drunken rant, he destroyed his life, that of his family, and probably will not have a university place to return to when he gets out of prison.

His tweets were certainly revolting. He used some choice language (nasty, but not actually criminal in itself), but he also used some vile racist language that sealed his fate.

The court system – there to discipline the most violent instincts both of offenders and the offended into something civilised and just – made the decision to incarcerate him. A district judge, citing "public outrage", put him away for two months.

It isn't illegal to be a stupid idiot. Maybe it should be – but that would be terribly impractical.

When people applaud Liam Stacey's jailing without knowing exactly what he did, or even what he's officially guilty of, I fear where all of this will lead.

DQ 31

LCC

a catalyst for change

L

iverpool Community College is one of the leading further education colleges in the country.

Rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted (2005 and 2009) the college provides a wide range of education and training to a diverse community. We serve more than 17,000 students, including a third of all 16-18 year olds in the city, who follow courses that lead to employment and university. In 2009 an economic impact assessment revealed that the present day Liverpool workforce embodies 129,000 qualifications gained by past and present learners.

Much of the college’s success is rooted in its presence across the city with a state of the art city centre campus and twelve neighbourhood drop in study centres. Staff expertise coupled with estate management has enabled the college to create and develop specialist National Skills Academies linked to the region’s transformational drivers: visitor economy; low carbon; superport; and knowledge economy.

Under the leadership of Elaine Bowker, Principal and Chief Executive, Liverpool Community College has been instrumental in a number of initiatives that demonstrate its mission to create opportunities by working closely with employers. These include the launch of Liverpool Futures; growth of National Skills Academies; sponsorship of Global Entrepreneurship Congress; partnerships with Gazelle and 157 group in the further education sector; development of a Maritime Academy; curriculum development in pharmaceuticals; launch of Liverpool Enterprise Club; and the growth of Apprentices in the hospitality sector.

The college is committed to the people and businesses in the City, and works closely with organisations to design flexible, bespoke, training relevant to the needs of the diverse industries in the region.

If you feel the College might hold the key to making your business more competitive, talk to one of our trained business advisors who specialise in identifying skills gaps. In partnership with your workforce, they will design a training programme guaranteed to boost morale and increase productivity of your business. Call 0845 013 1515 now to see how Liverpool Community College can get your business back on track. Or visit us at www.liv-coll.ac.uk.

32 DQ

ry 2012, Liverpool Futures to create hundreds of Apprenticeships: 7 Februa Liverpool City Council website Liverpool Chamber Liverpool Futures is a partnership between Liverpool City Council, help to create more than will that Group Eldonian the and College ity Training, Liverpool Commun Region.

City the 1,300 new apprentices in the next three years across ities within local The new service will focus on the creation of new Apprenticeship opportun jobs. term long businesses to help Liverpool people find employer until The distinctive feature of the Liverpool Futures is that it acts as the the end of their at or during either jobs nt permane offer to ‘host’ organisations are ready Apprenticeships. be a lengthy and By removing the barriers of recruitment and employment which can will take the plunge and rs employe more that hoped is it expensive process for small businesses, recruit an apprentice.

Green Energy Centre Opens: 14 November2011, Liverpool Daily

Post

What is claimed to be one of the largest green training centres in the country has opened its doors in Liverpool.The centre – which features a full-size indoor house – has been opened by Liverpool Community College as part of its drive to invest in the sustaina ble sector.

The £250,000 facility at the college’s construction and engineering faculty on Vauxhall Road is seen as vital to ensure that Liverpool and the wider North West economy can benefit from the high growth levels in that sector.

Elaine Bowker, principal at Liverpool Community College, said: “The growth in the sustainable sector is a huge opportunity for this region. With the launch of this training centre, one of the largest in the UK, we will be able to train the existing and future workforce.”

LCC

Cruise passengers lured to St. George’s Hall for high tea: 9 April 2012, Liverpool Echo Cruise liner passengers are to be tempted to Liverpool’s magnificent St George’s Hall to take traditional English high tea. The Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Frank Prendergast, opened St George’s Hall’s new cafe over the Easter weekend by ceremonially biting into a hot cross bun.

Now in a new scheme catering apprentices from Liverpool Community College will run the new cafeteria situated near the St John’s Lane heritage entrance.

Eight new catering apprentices will be hired later this month specifically to run the cafe which will offer cakes, pastries, pasta, light snacks and beverages.

Branson backs student’s cake venture: 16 March 2012, Liverpool

Echo

Branson to invest in his cheesecake venture.

A city teenager was hoping to taste success after convincing Sir Richard being blown away by the “directness and passion” of 16-year-old after pocket his in hand his put to decided Richard Self-made billionaire Sir Congress (GEC). neurship Entrepre Global the Aaron Booth during his visit to Liverpool this week for help to start up a planned mobile cake business an impressed Sir financial g accessin in n frustratio student’s A-level Crosby the of After hearing College’s off the ground. The student is a member of Liverpool Community Richard immediately offered to give him £200 to help get the company experts.

Enterprise Club which receives support and advice from business

Plans to create pioneering college to support Liverpool’s ‘super-port’ revealed: 29 December 2011, Liverpool Echo Plans to create a pioneering college to support Liverpool’s growth as a “super-port” will be launched in the New Year.

The bid to bring a second University Technical College to the city will be spearheaded by Liverpool Community College and John Moores University.

It was not among successful proposals approved in October, but, armed with business and MPs’ backing, and a more developed it is business case, officials hope it will win over the Government when January. in submitted UTCs are university and business-sponsored colleges for 14 to 19-year-olds, combining practical and academic studies.

Employers shape the curriculum, set projects and offer work placements.

More than 35,000 jobs are expected to be created by 2020 in as careers such as logistics, low- carbon technologies and engineering to Liverpool benefits from a new post- Panamax shipping terminal able handle bigger vessels.

The UTC, which is also backed by Liverpool council and key city businesses, would deliver a mix of academic and technical education around engineering, the skills linked to green industries and the growth of Liverpool as a super-port. It has won the support of a number of port-related firms, ranging from Balfour Beatty and Merseytravel to Peel Ports.

Liverpool Community College launches maritime academy based in tall ship; 19 December 2011, Liverpool Echo A Restored tall ship berthed at Liverpool’s Albert Dock is to form the centre piece of a city college’s new maritime academy.

The Glaciere, a Baltic trader ship built in 1899, was raised from the bottom of South Collingwood Dock in October 2003 and now fully restored and functional sits proudly in Albert Dock.

Now it is setting sail into the world of academia as the ship will be the home of Liverpool Community College’s new Glaciere Maritime Academy.

The academy will offer a wide range of water-themed courses including diving, sailing and power boating.The courses will be open to students at Liverpool Community College but the hands-on training is also designed to benefit businesses too.

DQ 33

Sponsored by:

TENNiS LEgENDS COmE TO LivERPOOL THE LIVERPOOL INTERNATIONAL

CALDERSTONES PARK

TickeTs on sale now for Europe’s largest Tennis Exhibition Event, warm up for Wimbledon and London 2012 qualifiers.

Experience great legends Bahrami, Krajicek, Rusedski and ATP & WTA contenders in Calderstones Park.

Go to www.liverpooltennis.co.uk or email us at admin@liverpooltennis.co.uk Call 0151 227 5940 for Corporate Hospitality packages Event Partners:

DLIB A4 advert.indd 1

26/04/2012 11:09

COMMERCIAL BID

COMMERCIAL DISTRICT BID

I

n May last year many DLIB members took part in the ballot for businesses in the Commercial District to determine whether the area would achieve BID (Business Improvement District) status.

The result was a resounding ‘yes’ vote.

The BID area is bounded by Leeds Street to the North and The Strand to the West. It includes Old Hall Street, Castle Street, Lord Street, Fenwick Street and North John Street as well as part of Dale Street. It is home to some of the City Region’s large employers, leading professional firms as well as retail and leisure operators and smaller businesses. The BID term runs from June 1st 2011 until 31st June 2016. All organisations with a rateable value of £10,000pa or over pay an additional 1% levy which creates an annual budget of around £550,000. This cash is then used to fund a range of activity designed around inward investment, making the area cleaner, greener and safer as well as more accessible and business friendly. The BID model was originally conceived in Canada and has since been adopted successfully all over the UK and internationally in cities such as New York and Cape Town.

DLIB worked closely alongside the then Liverpool Commercial District Partnership to inform members about what BID status meant and both organisations campaigned for a successful outcome.

DLIB’s Frank McKenna said: “We believed from the outset that BID status was a natural progression for the Commercial District Partnership and that it would bring real and tangible benefits to businesses in the area.

The District is one of the City region’s most vital economic assets and it needed a new mechanism to deliver its aims of becoming a world class business destination. DLIB staged consultation events to allow members to ask questions and understand what BID status really meant. The response we saw demonstrated the appetite for the proposals so we were delighted with the result and continue to work closely with the BID team on a number of initiatives.”

Throughout the campaign Paul Rice articulated the message clearly that the concept behind the BID was to provide a collective voice representing the interests of the area and make it “a thriving business location at the heart of a revitalised and vibrant premier European city.”

The “It’s Liverpool – the Business Conference” hosted by DLIB in UK Enterprise Week last year featured a panel debate with the Chief Executive of Philadelphia’s Business Improvement District, Paul Levy alongside representatives from both Commercial District and City Central BIDs. Mr Levy talked about how, since becoming a BID, Philadelphia has seen a 45% drop in serious crime as well as a 34m dollar investment programme which has funded major capital improvements as well as the renovation of theatres and the building of a new convention centre. He said that Philadelphia’s night time economy grew massively and, what was previously an office district now has 25000

people living in it. He also spoke highly of his impressions of Liverpool and heaping praise on the city told DLIB delegates: “I have been here three days and am extraordinarily impressed by the vitality of your city centre. It’s not just old and new, but mixing them together.”

The Commercial District is the second BID in Liverpool. In addition to working towards the inward investment objectives in the business plan, The BID team runs a range of initiatives including the ‘member offer scheme’ where businesses can promote deals and discounts for employees to use in the area as well as networking events and specific programmes around smarter travel, crime reduction, safety and being ‘clean and green’. If you would like to find out more about the Commercial District BID visit www.thecommercialdistrict.com and follow @lplcommdistrict on Twitter.

Tribute to Paul Rice When Liverpool’s Commercial District secured a resounding ‘yes’ vote to achieve its BID status, one man was credited with the result. CEO Paul Rice tirelessly led the campaign ensuring the business community understood the widespread benefits a second BID in the city would bring.

Paul engaged with people at every level bringing the concept of a BID to the forefront of debate and discussion. His passion and likeability coupled with his gift for articulate, reasoned argument generated a widespread positive response.

Virtually as soon as the campaign got underway, after a routine visit to the opticians, Paul was suddenly diagnosed with MDS - a life threatening form of leukaemia. For 12 months he underwent months of gruelling chemotherapy and other invasive treatments including a bone marrow transplant in January 2011. Despite this he worked virtually non-stop campaigning via phone, Skype and email from his hospital bed in The Royal University Hospital.

On winning the vote meant Paul stated “the work begins now” and, despite his deteriorating health, he took on the role of CEO of the Commercial District and immediately started implementing the vision set out in the business plan – again sometimes from a hospital bed or en-route to treatment sessions. Paul’s death on January 21st this year shocked and saddened the business and wider communities of Liverpool.

Chairman of the Commercial District BID David Guest said: “There are no words that can do justice to such an inspirational character. Both professionally and personally I had the utmost respect and affection for a much loved man who was genuinely committed to Liverpool and whose achievements for the city will leave a lasting legacy. Paul’s unique personality shone with his sense of humour, warmth and likeability. He had the ability to relate to anyone whatever their status or walk of life and always made an impact on people. He will be sorely missed but never forgotten.”

In recognition of the quality of care he received from the staff on wards 7Y and 10Z in the Royal Liverpool University Hospital Paul set up a charity called SPLOSH – staff, patients and loved ones supporting Haematology. www.splosh.org

DQ 35

THE COOL LIST

THE DOWNTOWN GUIDE TO THE COOLEST STUFF IN THE DOWNTOWN UNIVERSE

Chuka Umunna

THE PRESTON GUILD 2012 What is Preston Guild? Why is it so special? Why would you be mad to miss it?

Preston Guild is a historic celebration dating back to 1179. It is the only Guild still celebrated in the UK and as such is unique.

The 2012 celebration will be the first Guild in the 21st century and the first since the granting of Preston’s city status in 2002.

Held only once every twenty years, the Guild plays an important role in the development of Preston as a thriving and important Lancashire city. The changing times mean that each Guild has its own identity but shares a heritage of over 800 years.

Residents and visitors, artists and businesses, athletes and performers – everyone gets involved in Preston Guild. The Guild has a long history and has evolved over the centuries, but one thing that has always remained the central focus of the Guild is people -the people who plan it, participate in it, promote it and the people who tell their stories of the Guild to children and grandchildren.

COLBA 2012 This black tie dinner will be held in the spectacular setting of the Sefton Park, Palm House. A three course meal will be served, entertainment provided, and you will have the opportunity to network with some of the region’s leading movers & shakers.

As always the City of Liverpool Business Awards, will reward the best businesses in the Liverpool city region.

Look out for further details in the coming weeks and months.

The Shadow Minister for Business, Innovation & Skills addressed Downtown members in Liverpool and Manchester recently, and impressed all those who were there to listen – whatever their political persuasion. There are few politicians who can claim to be ‘cool’ but Umunna is a sharp dressed, smooth operator and destined for big things in the future. A Labour leader in the making for sure.

SCREENFIELDS

The Big Screen is back in Spinningfields After last year’s success, the big screen is back! Running until July 26th classic movies like ‘Big’ ‘Notting Hill’ and ‘Chicago’ can be seen in the heart of Spinningfields. Downtown recommends you take time out to catch one of the screenings during the summer months.

Spinningfields is rife with fantastic shops, bars and restaurant’s so you can really make a day of it.

A full list of screenings can be found at www.spinningfieldsonline.com

MAN ABOUT TOWN: THE BUSINESS EDITION The latest issue of Leading Liverpool publication ‘Man About Town’ is out this month, with our very own chairman Frank McKenna featuring on the cover. All Downtown members who received DQ by post will have also had a complimentary copy of the ‘business’ issue, but if you want to know more about this fabulous new magazine please contact info@mat-mag.co.uk w: www.mat-mag.co.uk e: info@mat-mag.co.uk t: @Man_AboutTown

36 DQ

THE COOL LIST

ANGELO’S Welcome to Angelo’s, Preston La famiglia Bragagnini welcome you to Angelo’s Ristorante Bar and Grill.

Their menu offers something for everyone, with a wide range of both modern and classic Italian dishes, prepared in their open kitchen using only the finest ingredients.

The extensive menu is complemented by their personally selected wine list. After tasting literally hundreds of wines over the years they only approve a handful for consideration, tasting the bad wines so you don’t have to.

Angelo’s hope you get as much pleasure drinking their wines and eating their food as they do.

Buon appetito!

For bookings contact 01772 257133

LEAF

Pertutti Restaurant

Leaf on Bold Street is a unique independent tea shop and bar in the heart of Liverpool city centre. Their recent move to a new home on Bold Street expands their ethos in a space that can accommodate more and present a variety of events in a distinctive setting. Leaf on Bold Street has a unique vibe and personality, using 2 floors to deliver diversity.

Leaf host art, vintage markets, music and club nights, plus serve up delicious, wholesome food and hundreds of varieties of tea while delivering a great atmosphere. Leaf is a place for people to relax and enjoy culture and soak up the best in new music.

‘Authentic Neapolitan Pizzeria & Delicious Italian Pasta’ Two brothers, a love for Italy, a passion for pizza. Their dream Neapolitan pizzeria a reality for all to experience in Castlefield Manchester’ Italian pizza is the best in the world.

Thinner and lighter than American-style pizza, it’s better because the ingredients are better.

In Italy, they take their pizza very seriously.

In fact, the Italian government has established rules for how to make an authentic Neapolitan pizza. Everything from the type of flour, the baking temperature, and the size and thickness of the crust is clearly defined.

But you don’t have to go to Italy to get a great Italian pizza. Come along to PerTutti!

For Bookings Call 0161 834 9741 3-11 Liverpool Road, Manchester, M3 4NW

65-67 Bold Street Liverpool L1 4EZ 0151 707 7747 info@thisisleaf.co.uk www.thisisleaf.co.uk

The Olympics 2012 comes to Manchester!

26th July – 7th August Old Trafford will host nine Football matches during the Olympic Games, including a semi-final in both the men’s and women’s competitions. It was announced in November 2011 that the men’s Great Britain team will play a group match at the stadium. Interested in going to Old Trafford for the 2012 Games? Hospitality packages for the Olympic Football Tournament are available to purchase directly from www.manutd.com

The Radisson Blu, Liverpool Meetings & Events The Radisson Blu Hotel features versatile conference rooms in Liverpool that are ideally suited for hosting small gatherings or events. The hotel can host up to 200 guests for meetings, dinners, events and weddings. All nine meeting rooms at this hotel are designed in a minimalist manner, allowing for flexibility in creating the desired style for a specific meeting or event.

Downtown regularly hosts a wide range of events at the hotel and it comes highly recommended from the team!

For Bookings call 0151 966 1500 or e-mail: events.liverpool@radissonblu.com

DQ 37

JUST JONAS

First in,

Words: Roger Jonas, Downtown in Business

T

o dispel that urban myth that events just happen by themselves, my feature in this issue delves into the backstage antics of those involved in creating what are often regarded as the best networking events this side of Watford Gap, and to pay tribute to their enduring hard work and tolerance in dealing with ME!

It takes the combined efforts and skills of a whole range of industry professionals to bring together what is essentially a full scale production, often in quite hostile environments.

We choose venues for our awards dinners for their magnificence and not their technical adequacy. More often than not, their technical resource amounts to no more than a plug! (Quite a big one I might add!)

Creating the right atmosphere is the job of Andy Weir and his henchman Lee. Stage and Events Solutions have worked with Downtown for the past three years now and it is their sense of theatre and technical prowess that dictates our decision to work with them again and again.

Remember, we have just ten hours to prepare

THE NERVE CENTRE. SO CALLED BECAUSE THIS IS WHERE WE GET NERVOUS logistics are all pre-planned and the event itself is produced “by the seat of it’s pants!” as they say.

On top of this we have to work around the team that provide the scran! (Scouse for A La

prep starts way before the event itself with a

consultation over the menu and the necessary food tasting. (I hate my job!) the staging, lighting, sound and the audio visuals, quite a challenge when all you have is a plug! It is also important to bear in mind that on the day, we actually get no rehearsal, so the

ADAM ‘DOUGAL’ KENRICK, THE MAN BEHIND THE LENS

andyweir@mersinet.co.uk

38 DQ

Carte!). Award winning, Pickled Walnut has catered for many Downtown Awards Events, and Mark, Jamie and the team have got it down to a fine art. Again, prep starts way before the event itself with a consultation over the menu and the necessary food tasting. (I hate my job!)

Timing is critical when you have 400 guests to feed in just two hours, especially in a venue where there are NO kitchen facilities. You will never please all of the people all of the time, but rarely have we had any negative feedback about their quality or their slick performance.

Finally, there is Dougal the photographer, his real name is Adam, but for those who remember the Magic Roundabout, Dougal is a good fit!

Adam Kenrick is the man we challenge to capture the essence of the night through the lens of his camera. Since digital took over celluloid,

rob@pickledwalnut.co.uk

it is quite hard to find a real photographer and not just a snap shooter with an expensive camera, but we have found our man! Adam has a natural eye for a good image and wears deodorant, which has not been the case with some of our previous engagements! All round he fulfils our brief and more. He also runs his own photographic studio in Liverpool, but works through the UK. TESTING...TESTING...1...2...TESTING

This would turn into a book if I were to mention the support and cooperation of everyone we engage with throughout the year. I will mention however, Stanley House in Mellor and the Crowne Plaza in Liverpool, both venues who maintain their excellence year on year, making it an easier challenge to deliver the quality we have become renowned for at Downtown..... much appreciated!

info@adamkenrick.com www.adamkenrick.com

WORK HARD PLAY HARD

LIVERPOOL

Restaurant Bar & Grill Tel: 0161 8320082 Email: Cherryl.Pinnington@ircplc. co.uk Web: www. therestaurantbarandgrill.co.uk

ACC Liverpool Tel: 0151 703 7268 Fax: 0151 475 7777 Email: kate.nolan@accliverpool. com Web: www.accliverpool.com Alma De Cuba Tel: 0151 702 7394 Email: info@alma-de-cuba.com Web: www.alma-de-cuba.com

Royal Exchange Theatre Tel: 0161 833 9833 Email: box.office@royalexchange. co.uk Web: www.royalexchangetheatre. org.uk

Bem Brasil Tel: 0151 709 0044 E-mail: liverpool@ bembrasilrestaurants.com Web: bembrasilrestaurants.com

Rosso Tel: 0161 832 1400 Email: enquiries@rossorestaurants. com Web: www.rossorestaurants.com

Crowne Plaza Liverpool Tel: 0151 243 8000 Web: www.cpliverpool.com

Sapporo Teppanyaki Tel: 0161 831 9888 Fax: 0161 839 4030 Email: Manchester@sapporo.co.uk Web: www.sapporo.co.uk

Everyman Playhouse Tel: 0151 706 9115 Email: development@ everymanplayhouse.com Web: www.everymanplayhouse.com Gusto Tel: 0151 708 6969 Web: www.gustorestaurants. uk.com Hard Days Night Hotel Tel: 0151 236 1964 E-mail: enquiries@ harddaysnighthotel.com Web: www.harddaysnighthotel.com Hilton Liverpool Tel: 0151 708 4200 Email: lauren.leonard@hilton.com Web: www.hilton.co.uk/liverpool Il Forno Tel: 0151 709 4002 Email: info@ilforno.co.uk Web: www.ilforno.co.uk Liverpool Empire Theatre Tel: 0151 708 3200 Email: JayneLloyd@ theambassadors.com Web: www.liverpoolempire.org.uk Malmaison Liverpool Tel: 0151 229 5000 Email: ssimons@malmaison.com Web: www.malmaison-liverpool. com Merchants Bar & Restaurant Tel: 0151 702 7897 Email: dining@62castlest.com Web: www.62castlest.com/ merchants-restaurant.php Novotel Hotel Tel: 0151 702 5100 Fax: 0151 7025110 Email: h6495-sl@accor.com Web: www.novotel.com

Restaurant Bar & Grill Tel: 0151 236 6703 Email: rbg.liverpool@ therestaurantbarandgrill.co.uk Web: www. therestaurantbarandgrill.co.uk Radisson BLU Liverpool Tel: 0151 966 1500 Email: info.liverpool@radissonblu. com Web: www.radissonblu.co.uk/hotelliverpool Royal Court Liverpool Tel: 0151 702 5892 Email: stacey@royalcourttrust.org Web: www.royalcourttrust.org Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Tel: 0151 210 2921 Email: donna.stuart@liverpoolphil. com Web: www.liverpoolphil.com Sapporo Teppanyaki Tel: 0151 705 3005 Email: liverpool@sapporo.co.uk Web: www.sapporo.co.uk Sir Thomas Hotel Tel: 0151 236 1366 Email: reservations@ sirthomashotel.co.uk Web: www.sirthomashotel.co.uk The Living Room Tel: 0151 236 1999 Web: www.thelivingroom.co.uk The Noble House Tel: 0151 236 5346 Email: info@thenoblehouse.co.uk Web: www.thenoblehouse.co.uk

MANCHESTER ABode Manchester Tel: 0161 247 7744

Email: reservationsmanchester@ abodehotels.co.uk Web: www.abodehotels.co.uk / manchester Bem Brasil - Deansgate Tel: 0161 839 2525 Email: deansgate@ bembrasilrestaurants.com Web: www.bembrasilrestaurants. com Bem Brasil – Northern Quarter Tel: 0161 923 6888 E-mail: northernquarter@ bembrasilrestaurants.com Web: www.bembrasilrestaurants. com East Z East - Riverside Tel: 0161 834 3500 Email: info@eastzeast.com Web: www.eastzeast.com East Z East – Ibis Hotel Tel: 0161 244 5353 Email: info@eastzeast.com Web: www.eastzeast.com Grill on The Alley Tel: 0161 833 3465 Web: www.blackhouse.uk.com Living Room Tel: 0161 832 0083 Fax: 0161 8320082 Web: www.thelivingroom.co.uk/ venues/manchester PerTutti Tel: 0161 834 9741 E-mail: info@pertutti.co.uk Web: www.pertutti.co.uk Piccolinos Tel: 0161 835 9860 Fax: 0161 834 9563 E-mail: piccolino.manchester@ piccolinorestaurants.co.uk Web: www.piccolinorestaurants. co.uk

LANCASHIRE Angelo’s Tel: 01772 257 133 Email: info@angelospreston.com Web: www.angelospreston.com East Z East Tel: 01772 200084 Email: info@eastzeast.com Web: www.eastzeast.com Fusion Room Tel: 01772 880180 Email: info@fusionroom.co.uk Web: www.fusionroom.co.uk Glovers Bar Tel: 01772 561410 Email: www.facebook.com/ gloversbar Web: www.gloversbar.com Holiday Inn Tel: 01772 567 000 Email: enquiries@hipreston.com Web: www.hipreston.com Invincibiles - PNE Tel: 01772 759 900 E-mail: info@invincibles-pne.com Web: www.invincibles-pne.com Legacy International Hotel Tel: 0844 411 9028 E-mail: res-prestoninternational@ legacy-hotels.co.uk Web: www.legacy-hotels.co.uk/ legacy-preston Marriott Hotel Tel: 01772 864087 Fax: 01772 861728 Web: www.marriott.co.uk/preston The Whalley Wine Shop Tel: 01254 822581 Web: www.thewhalleywineshop. com

DQ 39

THE CITY OF LIVERPOOL BUSINESS AWARDS 2012 SEFTON PARK PALM HOUSE, THURSDAY 26TH JULY 2012 For further information visit www.downtownliverpool.com