Move Commercial 50

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LIVERPOOL CITY REGION CHESHIRE MANCHESTER

APRIL - MAY 2016

FREE

MOVE COMMERCIAL The north-west’s guide to property and business

Issue 50

Tech talk Experts debate the North West’s digital potential

Flexi to Grade A The region’s current office market IFB2016 ambassador Sarah Wood’s scale-up success

LIVERPOOL'S BEST PERFORMING OFFICE BUILDING

FOCUS

The women driving the Northern Powerhouse

How will the Budget benefit small firms?

Ditto Music’s sound investment pays off

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JOINT AGENTS

High quality, refurbished office space from 1,000 sq ft up to 30,000 sq ft complemented by innovative design, forward-thinking management and a range of retailers and restaurants.

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Take Note

Due to continuing demand we’ve just VIPIEWIH QSVI FVERH RI[ *PI\M 3ȝGI suites at Graeme House, Derby Square and at No1 Old Hall Street. Suites suitable for one person upwards.

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Issue fifty Move Commercial

Welcome to Move Commercial

Contents News

With the creative and digital sectors highlighted as key growth industries, we bring a host of experts together in this issue to discuss how the likes of Liverpool and Manchester are already benefitting from a tech boom.

In a four-page debate we look ahead to how the region can keep on thriving in the sectors, plus we catch up with ad tech leader Sarah Wood about her success with growing firm Unruly, and her plans to return to Liverpool as an International Festival for Business ambassador.

Plus as the Northern Powerhouse agenda continues to attract the limelight, also prompting concerns in the national media of the lack of women at the helm, we cast the spotlight on some of the female leaders playing an active role in driving growth across the North West.

07 New judges join NWPAs panel 08 Firm plans to double in size at new Chester base 09 St. Modwen agrees Kirkby regeneration deal 10 New Flexi-Office phases attract potential tenants 11 Final units draw interest at Meridian Business Village

Christine Toner, editor christine@movepublishing.co.uk

12 Liverpool2 prompts demand for surrounding office space 13 Shipping firm’s Dale Street headquarters nears completion

Features 18 Bitesize Thinking Food for thought 20 Appointments Who’s moving where 23 My Month Peel’s Liza Marco reflects on a busy month for Liverpool Waters

30

26 Debate Why are digital and media firms drawn to Liverpool and Manchester, and how can the region keep the industries thriving?

30 Interview Ditto Music’s Matt Parsons reveals how Liverpool has boosted the firm’s success

44

34

34 The changing face of workspace From flexi to grade A: Exploring both ends of the region’s current office market 36 Interview Tech leader Sarah Wood to return as an IFB ambassador

Advertising Director Fiona Barnet. Tel: 0151 709 3871 Advertising Manager Catherine McCarthy. Tel: 0151 709 3871 Editor Christine Toner. Tel: 0151 709 3871 Editorial Team Natasha Young, Lawrence Saunders, Hannah Fowler, Nick Hughes Tel: 0151 709 3871 post@movepublishing.co.uk Design Mark Iddon.

Email: mark@movepublishing.co.uk

Published by Move Publishing Ltd Directors David O’Brien, Kim O’Brien, Fiona Barnet.

Printed by Precision Colour Printers Ltd Distribution Liaison Manager Barbara Troughton.

Tel: 0151 733 5492 Mobile: 077148 14662 Credits: Liam Deveney – Cannes Do / Debate / Ditto Music

Copyright Move Publishing Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced copied or transmitted in any form or by any means or stored in any information storage or retrieval system without the publishers written permission.

Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published, Move Publishing can accept no responsibility for the veracity of the claims made by advertisers.

38 Event The property industry comes together for Professional Liverpool’s Cannes Do 42 Event Planner Forthcoming regional events 44 Women in Power Female leaders playing a key role in the Northern Powerhouse 47 Ask the Panel How will the Chancellor’s ‘Budget for small businesses’ impact on the North West

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www.nwpas.com @theNWPAs

The North West’s Hottest Property Awards

CLOSING DATE for all entries 1 JULY 2016

Thursday 20th October 2016

LUTYENS CRYPT, LIVERPOOL METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL

For more information visit

www.nwpas.com

ASSOCIATE SPONSORS

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Latest News

New judges join NWPAs’ expert panel

Fiona Woodward-Kelly will join the judging panel this year

Two new judges will help choose the winners of this year’s prestigious NWPAs, organisers have announced.

Interior design and property expert, Fiona Woodward-Kelly and Greater Merseyside Learning Providers’ Federation (GMLPF) chief executive, James Glendenning will join the panel as the awards celebrate commercial and residential property achievements across the North West.

The newcomers will accompany existing expert panellists Eric Wright, Elaine Cunningham, Alastair Shepherd and Lesley Martin-Wright.

Newcomer Fiona brings more than 25 years of experience to the panel, having started her career as an interior designer and construction project manager at Urban Splash, and has worked on residential and commercial projects

throughout the region.

She also launched a successful interior design and property marketing company in 2007 named Woodward-Kelly & Co Ltd, and clients have included Peel Group, Plumlife, Tamewater Developments and Bruntwood.

Fiona says: “Having worked in marketing in the property industry across the commercial and residential sectors for the last 25 years I hope I can bring something to the panel and I will find it fascinating to look at all the entries, visit the schemes and work with the other judges to choose the winners."

Meanwhile James Glendenning from nonprofit GMLPF, which supports over 80 Merseyside skills and education providers, is a fitting judge for the Property Apprentice category.

Ahead of the 20 October ceremony, a rebrand and expansion of the awards into the wider North West is said to have been well received amongst the region’s commercial property sector.

Kim O’Brien, director of Move Publishing which organises the NWPAs, says: “The response to this year’s event has been fantastic, with tickets selling out to members of the property industry right across the North West.

“We can’t wait to celebrate a year of achievements throughout the region in 2016.”

The entry process for the awards is open until 1 July.

For more information visit www.nwpas.com.

Bootle Glass aims to crack restoration market Merseyside-based company Bootle Glass has set its sights on two “major” projects as it looks to expand its portfolio of restoration work.

The firm, which provides domestic, commercial and industrial glazing services, is in touch with a number of restoration companies over potential projects.

Sharon Clarke, managing director of Bootle Glass, says: “We have quoted on two major projects and should find out in the coming weeks if we have been successful.

“Restoration is definitely the work we are interested in getting more of.

“We are able to source glass from across Europe and have invested heavily in experienced personnel specifically trained in all aspects of restoration work.”

Bootle Glass has previously worked on the restoration of a Victorian conservatory at Wentworth Castle near Barnsley and has recently finished installing new mirrors in the dance studios at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA).

Bootle Glass is looking to expand its restoration protfolio

Falconer Chester Hall up for two RICS regional awards Falconer Chester Hall has been shortlisted for two regional honours at the upcoming RICS Awards North West 2016.

The architectural firm has been nominated in the tourism and leisure category for the DoubleTree by Hilton in Liverpool and in the commercial category for the Tower Wharf office scheme in Birkenhead.

For the new DoubleTree, situated within a Grade II*-listed building, Falconer Chester Hall was instructed by Iliad Group to restore the original features of the building whilst incorporating a new-build extension that complimented the original architecture.

Tower Wharf, an £8.5 million four-storey 48,000 sq ft office development in Birkenhead, was delivered for client Longmeadow Estates Ltd. Taking place at Titanic Hotel’s Rum

Warehouse on 22 April, the awards will be hosted by television presenter and property expert Martin Roberts and will celebrate property and construction projects from across the North West.

Adam Hall, managing director of Falconer Chester Hall, says: “We are delighted to have been nominated in these categories – especially for such prestigious awards.

“After a strong end to 2015 and a promising start to the new year, being shortlisted for these awards will hopefully continue 2016 on the right track.”

Falconer Chester Hall rounded off a successful 2015 by taking home the Building Project of the Year (£10-£50m) award for Aloft Hotel in Liverpool at the British Construction Industry (BIC) Awards in November.

Tower Wharf has been shortlisted for a RICS award

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News Latest

Recruitment firm to double in size at new Chester base

Matt Burton and the MBA team at their new Honeycomb Chester office

A recruitment firm part owned by former Dragon’s Den star James Caan is planning to double in size after relocating to a larger Chester office.

The growing Matt Burton Associates (MBA), which has received investment from Caan’s Hamilton Bradshaw Group, will recruit over the next 12 months to fill its new 60capactity base at Honeycomb Chester.

The firm, which manages recruitment services on behalf of banking, retail, automotive and professional services businesses, moved to the 3,000 sq ft site in March after Beresford Adams Commercial and Legat Owen secured the deal.

Matt Burton, chief executive of MBA,

says: “The business has grown year-on-year by about 28%, and we’ve ambitious plans to continue to grow over the coming year.

“I’m from Chester originally and have always had a vision of developing the business here. We’ll be looking to recruit from the Chester area to meet our growth plans.

“There’s a good pool of talent locally and the area offers a great proposition for our employees, with good schools and the university close by.”

MBA has joined fellow occupants including jewellery manufacturer ChloBo and investment management firm Deepbridge Capital at Honeycomb Chester.

Long wait for North West business queries Businesses in the North West which query the amount of businesses rates they pay now have to wait over a year to get clarification of their appeal, new data has shown.

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request revealed that North West companies are on average left in limbo for 371 days by the government’s Valuation Office Agency (VOA), which sets business rates in the UK. Businesses in the North West can actually count themselves lucky as their counterparts in South Oxfordshire can wait as long as 526 days for clarification.

Beverley McDougall, a director who heads up Lambert Smith Hampton’s Manchester business rates consultancy team, says: “Over the last seven years, the system has been getting progressively worse to a point of almost meltdown.

“Unfortunately the VOA is struggling to get enough qualified staff to do the work, and as a result cannot cope with the number of outstanding appeals.

“What this means is that businesses that query their rateable value may have to pay significantly more than they should for more than a year, which could drive some businesses under.

“The government is planning to implement new regulations soon, which is likely to mean that businesses will wait even longer.

“The sooner that businesses can assess the accuracy of their rateable value, the sooner they can join the increasingly long queue of businesses trying to get their rates bill adjusted, should they need to.”

MWH Global wins regional diversity award Warrington-based engineering and construction firm MWH Global has been honoured with a diversity award from the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).

The company, which has its UK headquarters in Birchwood, was singled out by the professional body for its efforts to create opportunities for women and people from minority backgrounds.

Cath Schefer, MWH UK managing director, says: “We are truly delighted to win the first ever ICE Diversity Award.

“It’s great to have recognition of our commitment to actively recruiting top talent with diverse skills, backgrounds and personal 8

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experiences.

“It is important to us to provide all of our employees with a supportive environment in which to flourish.”

MWH Global employs 7,000 experts across the world including consultants and construction professionals in 35 countries.

Darrell Matthews, North West regional director at ICE, adds: “We introduced this award because we wanted to encourage best practice in the civil engineering and construction sectors.

“MWH Global has shown that it deserves to be recognised for the steps it has taken to promote diversity and inclusiveness.”

Graham Dickinson (centre) receiving MWH’s award from Sir John Armitt, President of the Institution of Civil Engineers and Gareth Scott, chair of ICE North West

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Retail News

St. Modwen agrees to Kirkby regeneration deal

St. Modwen’s outline plans for Kirkby town centre

Transformation of Skelmersdale shopping centre moves step closer The £10 million regeneration of The Concourse Shopping Centre in Skelmersdale is firmly on track after The Light cinema signed a lease agreement for an eight-screen facility.

London & Cambridge Properties (LCP), which is delivering the project on behalf of its joint venture partners Columbia Threadneedle Investments, is also in talks with a number of food and beverage operators about opening outlets at the new centre.

Jo Salmon, retail portfolio manager at LCP, says: “This is exciting news for the people of Skelmersdale.

“It represents a continuing commitment towards the regeneration of the town centre and will provide a valuable leisure and entertainment hub.

"We are now working to bring nationally known food and beverage operators to The Concourse and look forward to announcing further letting agreements over the course of coming months.”

John Sullivan, managing director of The Light, says: “The Light will offer a dynamic cinema experience providing Skelmersdale with an exciting, highly inclusive, social venue the heart of the town, attracting a mix of families, young people and mature adults.

“In partnership with a range of food and beverage operators, including restaurants, cafés, bars and other leisure operators, we will offer customers a quality night out experience.”

St. Modwen has signed an agreement with Knowsley Council to begin work on the regeneration of Kirkby town centre.

The developer has designed an outline scheme for the site, including a supermarket and around 100,000 sq ft in new retail floor space.

St. Modwen acquired Kirkby town centre from Tesco for £38.5 million in November 2015 and has already reported significant interest from national retailers for the scheme, with talks with major food stores to anchor the development said to be at an advanced stage.

Paul Batho, project director at St. Modwen, says: “From the minute we acquired Kirkby town centre we have made it our priority to drive forward immediate improvements and this agreement with the council now paves the way for wider, more significant change in the centre.

“Our plans will see the strengthening of the existing town centre and the provision of new accommodation to be developed to accommodate

the requirements of modern retailers.

“We have received very strong interest from both retailers and leisure operators, so much so we hope to also be able to introduce a leisure offer to the town which would be anchored by a cinema.

“We will be undertaking public consultation on our plans in the next few months and we are on track to submit a formal planning application later this year.”

Councillor Mike Murphy, Knowsley Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, adds: “The council and our partners have delivered major multi-million pound improvements to the town centre and wider Kirkby area in recent years.

“I’m now very much looking forward to working with St. Modwen to bring forward the much needed retail and leisure developments which will transform the town centre for the benefit of our residents, businesses and visitors.”

Liverpool ONE celebrates 200-millionth visitor

Liverpool ONE is marking its latest growth milestone

Grosvenor Fund Management (GFM) has welcomed its 200-millionth visitor to Liverpool ONE, signifying the retail and leisure development’s continued growth.

Footfall at Liverpool ONE exceeded 28m for the first time in 2015, a 3% increase on 2014’s figures with sales up 8.5% on last year.

Chris Bliss, Liverpool ONE estate director, says: “A great range of exciting brands have chosen to invest at Liverpool ONE and these have certainly played a key role in reaching this incredible milestone so quickly.”

The news comes as Victoria’s Secret prepares to unveil its flagship North West store on lower South John Street this summer.

The 10,000 sq ft store follows a growing list of food and drink offerings which have recently opened at the retail and leisure complex including Wahaca, Reds True BBQ, Turtle Bay, Busaba, The Club House on Chavasse Park and Roxy Ball Room.

Liverpool ONE’s increase in market share in the North West has grown by 58% since opening in 2008.

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News Sales & Lettings

Sigma Capital Group plc and Idom Merebrook will move to the site

Growing firms secure space at No 1 St. Ann Street Two new tenants have secured office space at Orbit Developments’ No 1 St. Ann Street in Manchester City Centre.

Private rented sector (PRS) and urban regeneration specialist Sigma Capital Group plc will occupy 2,391 sq ft of office space in the building, as it looks to facilitate future growth from Manchester’s maturing PRS market.

Meanwhile environmental and engineering specialist Idom Merebrook will also move to the site, having outgrown its Peter Street base in the city centre.

The firm, which provides technical expertise and insight on nuclear, aviation and

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construction projects across Europe, has agreed to lease 2,548 sq ft on the second floor.

Adam Jackson, senior leasing surveyor at Orbit Developments, says: “The city centre of Manchester continues to attract the best talent from across the region. We are very happy to have been able to assist growth businesses such as Idom Merebrook and Sigma Capital Group with their workspace needs.

“The final floor remaining at No 1 St. Ann Street totals 2,600 sq ft and with significant current interest we hope to be welcoming a final occupier the building shortly.”

New Flexi-Office phases attract potential tenants A number of Downing’s flexible office spaces in Liverpool city centre are said to be under offer following refurbishments of the sites.

The property firm released further phases of its expanding ‘Flexi-Office’ range at Graeme House and No.1 Old Hall Street, with features including comfortcooled spaces and superfast broadband.

Due to the popularity of the spaces, which range from 140 to 650 sq ft, Downing is also planning to release further phases later in the year.

At Graeme House the Flexi-Office spaces, which enable tenants to adjust their layout by letting adjacent office suites, sit alongside space currently occupied by training, skills and recruitment specialists including Reed, Blue Arrow and Aspire Achieve Advance Ltd. John Clegg, head of property management at Downing, says: “Our Flexi-Office offering at Graeme House and No.1 Old Hall Street has been very well received by the market and it’s great to be delivering a host of new Flexi-Offices for tenants in the city.”

Graeme House and No.1 Old Hall Street have been refurbished to create Flexi-Offices

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Sales & Lettings News

Prospect GB draws enquiries for final Hunts Cross units

Market round-up Meridian Business Village is said to be attracting a range of tenants

Just two units remain at Prospect GB’s Meridian Business Village following a successful few months for the site.

The Liverpool-based developer has reported several new deals and tenancy renewals at the Hunts Cross business park, leaving the final 1,313 sq ft to 5,390 sq ft units available.

The firm, which is looking for tenants to part or fully let the offices, says it has been attracting enquiries from businesses expressing interest in the accommodation, which is based within a newly developed mixed-use area.

Chris Walker, head of Prospect GB’s commercial

division, says: “We have recently received interest from a variety of parties, from start-ups to SMEs seeking a larger base.

“This mixture is typical of the range of tenants that we have welcomed to date – the flexibility of the space can adapt to a variety of needs and as a result Meridian Business Village has appealed to all types of companies.”

Keppie Massie and Hitchcock Wright & Partners are joint agents for the South Liverpool scheme, which is also located close to public transport links and motorways.

New Wigan industrial development launched

St. Modwen acquires Crosby town centre for £2.67m Regeneration specialist St. Modwen has acquired Crosby town centre, adding to its growing North West retail portfolio.

The £2.67 million deal includes the procurement of 26 retail units and a plot of development land.

Current tenants at the Merseyside site include Home Bargains, Betfred and Superdrug.

Steven Knowles, regional director for the North West at St. Modwen, says: “This acquisition will complement our North West portfolio and fits with our strategy to acquire income producing assets to which we can further add value.”

Redsun Developments buys six acres for business park Liverpool-based Redsun Developments has completed its acquisition of a six-acre plot in Ellesmere Port.

The cleared site, situated on Newbridge Road, will be developed into Helix Business Park to deliver 50,000 sq ft of commercial space across a range of unit sizes.

Having purchased the land from Cheshire West and Chester Council, Redsun has secured planning permission for phase one of the development and expects it to be ready for occupation during early 2017.

The site lies within the newly designated ‘Cheshire Science Corridor’ Enterprise Zone meaning future occupants may benefit from up to 100% Business Rates relief.

Interest anticipated for Waterfold offices

M6EPIC 110+ was launched during a breakfast event

A 110,000 sq ft distribution and warehouse facility has been launched in Wigan following its recent completion.

The new Grade A facility named M6EPIC 110+, unveiled by db symmetry and Legal & General Property during a breakfast event, is located amongst the North West’s “distribution hub” in Ashton-in-Makerfield.

CBRE, B8 Real Estate and Moriarty & Co have been instructed to market the site, which is close to

Junction 25 of the M6 motorway.

The development’s Wigan surroundings are also home to multinational occupiers including Heinz, Siemens, Carlsberg, Bakkavor Group and AB World Foods.

The building, which has been developed to BREEAM ‘very good’ standards, is accompanied by 23 trailer and 122 car parking spaces and is expected to attract logistics operators, retailers and manufacturers.

Two Bury business park offices are expected to attract interest as they’re the first to become available at the site in almost five years.

Nolan Redshaw has been instructed to market the suites at Waterfold Business Park.

Jonathan Pickles from Nolan Redshaw says: “We have been waiting for suites to become available as we have had a number of people enquire over the past few years.

“The suites amount to 1,000 and 1,500 sq ft and we do not expect them to be available for long.”

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News Development

Development round-up

Liverpool2 is a magnet for office tenants, says property firm

Architect named for Wellington Rooms study

The development of the Liverpool2 deep water container terminal is increasing demand for office space in its surrounding areas, according to one commercial property firm.

Bruntwood, which owns Burlington House in Waterloo, says it has seen a significant increase in businesses looking to locate themselves near to the Seaforth scheme, which is due to open in phases throughout 2016.

International freight forwarding specialist FS Mackenzie has recently taken 731 sq ft of space at Burlington House, and branch manager Steven Hughan says: “The ongoing renewal and expansion of Liverpool’s docks could have a marked effect on our business and we have been looking for office space in close proximity to Seaforth for some time.”

Colin Forshaw, head of property at Bruntwood, adds: "There has been a growing sense of excitement in the business community about the potential benefits Liverpool2 will bring to the area.

"As it nears completion, we are seeing businesses of all sizes now hoping to base themselves close by and be part of the story.

"Human resources firms, engineering businesses,

OMI Architects has been appointed to carry out a detailed study into the condition of Liverpool’s historic Wellington Rooms, amid plans to refurbish the building.

Partners involved in the scheme, including Liverpool City Council, Merseyside Building Preservation Trust, the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University, have commissioned the report for the Grade II*listed building on Mount Pleasant.

Recommendations are expected to form the basis of funding bids to Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic England and other organisations.

The building could be turned into an innovation hub to provide entrepreneurship training and space for new businesses.

Muse completes first stage of historic Northern Quarter restoration Muse Developments has completed the first stage of its restoration at the historic Mackie Mayor building in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

Contractor Galliford Try was appointed

by Muse to undertake this first stage of works to restore the building to its former glory and appeal to potential occupiers.

The Grade II-listed building’s renovation marks the culmination of the wider Smithfield regeneration scheme which has delivered over 350 apartments, more than 30,000 sq ft of office space and two major hotels.

Work underway on First Street office building Construction work is underway on a new 173,600 sq ft office building in Manchester city centre.

The seven-storey development, which will form part of the city’s 20-acre First Street regeneration project, has already been partially pre-let to Gazprom.

The new building has been forwardfunded by Greater Manchester Property Fund (GMPVF) in a joint venture with First Street owners PATRIZIA UK who acquired the site in May 2015.

Manchester-based developers Ask Real Estate Limited (AREL) will manage the construction phase of the development.

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Bruntwood’s Burlington House has been attracting businesses including FS Mackenzie

logistics companies and marine organisations have all been part of the mix of potential new customers getting in touch with us about Burlington House, with requirements ranging from small suites to larger floor plates.

"This trend is only likely to increase over the next few months, which is great news for the wider communities of Sefton and North Liverpool."

Preston moves ahead with Markets Quarter development The regeneration of Preston’s Markets Quarter is gathering pace with the announcement of a public consultation into the next phase of the scheme.

Ambitious plans for the development include a new 11-screen cinema, seven family restaurants and a new 593-space multi-storey car park.

Representatives from Muse Developments, Preston City Council and the Frank Whittle Partnership (FWP) will introduce the project at the consultation event to be held at St. George’s Shopping Centre.

The latest plans are part of a wider redevelopment of the Markets Quarter, which includes the full refurbishment and redecoration of the two listed The proposed cinema and restaurants

market canopies and the construction of a new glazed market hall.

Mike Horner, regional director for Muse Developments, says: “We are working extremely hard to deliver a high quality scheme which is long overdue for Preston city centre.

“The Markets Quarter redevelopment is a once in a generation opportunity to transform the perception of Preston city centre and establish it as the premier family-focused leisure destination.

“It is not a quick fix solution but instead represents the critical part of a long-term strategy for the successful regeneration of an area within the city centre which contains a number of historic buildings and assets.

“We are extremely confident that local residents and businesses will recognise the significant benefits that the Markets Quarter will deliver to the city centre as a whole.”

The Light cinema chain will operate the proposed cinema facility which will feature state-of-the-art digital picture and sound auditoriums and VIP luxury seating.

Keith Pullinger, CEO of The Light, says: “We are extremely excited to be working alongside Muse to deliver the council’s vision for the Markets Quarter area.

“Preston is such an amazing opportunity to provide a high quality cinema facility which the city has been lacking for a considerable period of time.”

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Development News

90 Duke Street

Duke Street office development nears completion A new headquarters office building for Atlantic Container Line is nearing completion in Liverpool city centre.

The finishing touches being added to Network Space’s 90 Duke Street development, which is being built by Wates and has been designed by DLA Architecture.

The BREEAM Excellent four-storey accommodation, which has been designed to complement its surrounding Georgian buildings, will provide 40,000 sq ft of office space along with parking below.

Prior to being finished the development has already attracting industry recognition, having won the Manchester Society of Architects Commercial Building Award.

101 Embankment celebrates topping out A major mixed-use scheme in Manchester city centre has reached its topping out phase.

101 Embankment, based at the historic Exchange Station, will provide 165,000 sq ft of Grade A office space alongside retail and leisure opportunities when it is completed this summer.

Council representatives and members of the business community gathered at the top of the development to commemorate reaching the highest point of construction in the building schedule and signed a piece of steel to celebrate the top-out.

Developer Ask Real Estate Limited and its joint venture partners Carillion and Tristan Capital Partners are now in the process of preparing a planning application to build an additional 10-storey tower, 100 Embankment, adjacent to 101 Embankment.

John Hughes, Ask Real Estate’s managing director, says: “It’s fantastic to have reached this point in the build programme.

“The Embankment scheme is going to be an integral part of a new working and living quarter in Manchester city centre.

“When both Embankment buildings are completed, the development will be a new business destination and help the area become ‘the place to be’ in Manchester city centre.

“The Metrolink second city crossing will also connect Embankment with suburbs north and south of Manchester city centre.”

A 442-space undercroft car park, pre-let to Q-Park, will also lie underneath the two Embankment office buildings, and will become operational when 101 Embankment is completed.

Richard Wynne (Urban Vision), Karen Hirst (Salford City Council) and John Hughes (Ask Real Estate)

Stephen Barnes, managing director of Network Space Developments, says: “We are delighted to be bringing this stunning building to its completion at a time when Liverpool begins to play a greater role in the shipping and logistics requirements of the country.”

The completion comes at a busy time for Network Space, which restructured and rebranded last year and is also currently working on new developments in Knowsley, St Helens, Salford and Denton.

The firm, which also joined both Liverpool and Manchester at last month’s MIPIM property exhibition in Cannes, is now also seeking further development and investment opportunities.

‘Exciting time’ as £32m college campus takes shape The new facility is due to open in September

A new £32 million campus is taking shape for Knowsley Community College, as work gears towards a September opening for the site.

Construction is well underway on the new 12,000 sq m facility, which will include industry standard commercial kitchens, a terrace garden restaurant, multi-use games pitches and a new home for the college radio station among its features.

As the project progresses at a site within walking distance of the college’s Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Technology at Princess Drive, principal Anne Pryer says: “This is a very exciting time for Knowsley Community College.

“The college engages with a wide range of local and national businesses and we have been able to tailor our new, industry-standard equipment to the needs of employers, ensuring our students receive the best in career focused training.”

The construction comes as Knowsley Community College, in partnership with St Helens College, also prepares to open a brand new Logistics Academy in Kirkby this year, as part of the Liverpool City Region’s investment of over £40m in projects advancing industry skills to meet employers’ needs.

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A Towngate Plc Property

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Darren Hill darren.hill2@cbre.com

Paul Thorne paul@b8re.com

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D TE AN W

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MOVE COMMERCIAL 17

p17-32_Move Commercial 04/04/2016 14:08 Page 18

Bitesize thinking

Libby Witherden director of marketing and events, Capital Properties

In my crystal ball...

There’s been some real momentum when it comes to placemaking in the last year and that’s continuing at pace in 2016.

I think the commercial property sector has woken up to the fact that tenants want more than just a space to work these days.

They want convenience, they want amenities and they want a landlord that is keen to engage and provide a dynamic site with an evolving offer.

Working in Grade A office space in the future will be like stepping into a boutique hotel or a very fine-tuned department store, with loyalty apps, on-site wellbeing facilities, beautiful restaurants and artisan coffee.

The next challenge isn’t just how to create a sense of place, it’s about how to create a sense of place that’s different to their competitors!

If only I’d known…

There was such a significant gap in the market to offer design services within the commercial property sector. When we first launched Capital Life, design was a service we outsourced and not something we particularly pushed for when pitching to clients.

It wasn’t until working with several new clients who had standalone buildings and not mixed use estates that I realised we were missing out on some real opportunities.

It’s also demonstrative of how owners started to view their assets from a different perspective - the days of a dry, staid commercial property website are gone, owners and investors are aware they need to engage with web traffic, and encourage click throughs and time spent on their site.

My favourite building with...

Michelle Rothwell founder, Watch This Space

Salford’s terraced houses Born in Salford, I’ve always loved and admired the iconic terraced house. It’s well built and has withstood the test of time.

What it represents is far greater than simply a house; a home with identity, an individual front door offering privacy and compact accommodation whilst encouraging community spirit.

Traditionally neighbours both knew and cared for each other and they became the cornerstone of a society where kids could play safely together on the street, local businesses grew further supporting the local community with local butchers, bakers and greengrocers, etc.

Recent affordable housing since has often been quite faceless and soulless and not having the love the traditional terraced communities oozed.

18 MOVE COMMERCIAL

“What it represents is far greater than simply a house; a home with identity, an individual door offering privacy whilst encouraging community spirit.”

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MOVE COMMERCIAL

Bitesize thinking

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Nick Wightman director, Redsun Developments Ltd

Littlewoods Building

Curriculum VITAE Main duties: Managing the development of a portfolio of large regeneration sites for commercial end use. Current live projects include Canada Dock Exchange in Liverpool and a 170,000 sq ft manufacturing facility at Senate Business Park in Bootle.

Education: After studying Sport Science as an undergraduate I found myself looking for a career change and so completed an MSc in Commercial Property Development at Liverpool John Moores University.

First job: Helping my dad in his sports shop on a Saturday whilst at school. My first ‘proper job’ was in the urban regeneration team at St Helen’s Council.

Shortest job: I did numerous summer jobs during university to pay the bills, including a brief two-day stint cleaning traffic cones for the Highways Agency.

What’s the secret to your success?

I’d say my success is still a work in progress…

What’s the best piece of industry advice you’ve ever received?

Property is a people business so it’s important to establish a network of professionals who you trust and enjoy working with.

What piece of advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry?

Absorb as much knowledge and experience as you can from those around you and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

What makes Redsun Developments different?

I haven’t worked for any other developer so it’s difficult to say how we are different to others, but we are proud of our track record of developing really tricky sites that have often laid derelict for many years.

Tell us about Redsun Developments’ plans for the next 12 months: Completing live developments at Canada Dock Exchange and Turbine Business Park, getting on-site with developments in the planning stages at Power Station and Senate Business Park, and hopefully finding some more sites to keep us busy in 2017 and beyond!

Tweet all about it The 5 best commercial tweets

1 2 3 4 5

@merseygateway At 125m, the south pylon of the Mersey Gateway will be taller than the 114m Fiddler's Ferry cooling towers! #Widnes @LiverpoolMIPIM There's a real buzz now at the Grand Auditorium as the Northern Powerhouse panel gets underway #MIPIM2016 #Liverpool @AirportCityUK £1bn plan to transform Manchester Airport approved, connecting @AirportCityUK to the world. @RIBALiverpoolCT Looking forward to showing the #architecture of #Liverpool off to a group of students from #Switzerland today. And the rain has stopped! @NWindustrial Board's up at the NW's largest spec warehouse, construction well underway #bolton #logisticsnorth @Savills @JLLUK

This art-deco Liverpool building opened in 1938 as the headquarters of the Littlewoods Pools empire. Vacant ever since the firm’s printing division left in 2003, it was months away from demolition in 2013 when Manchester-based Capital & Centric came forward with ambitious regeneration plans.

OCT

Urban Splash appointed by Liverpool Land Development Company (LLDC) to restore the building as part of a wider regeneration of the Edge Lane area. Outline plans for site include an apartment block, a new hotel and commercial space.

OCT

Planning consent awarded for Urban Splash’s proposed revamp of the site including the creation of 276 apartments, a 100-room hotel and 98,000 sq ft of commercial space.

MAY

Plans for the redevelopment of the site stall.

Liverpool City Council meets with the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to discuss a strategy to save the building from demolition.

DEC

HCA and Capital & Centric announce £16 million regeneration deal for the site with plans for a commercial and leisure development being drawn up.

MAR

Capital & Centric awarded planning permission for £19m scheme to redevelop the Littlewoods Building into a 104-room hotel alongside 50,000 sq ft of business units and 50,000 sq ft of office space.

MAY

Planning approval given for Capital & Centric’s plans to turn a derelict warehouse known as the ‘Bunker’ into 17,500 sq ft of office space for micro businesses and SMEs.

2005

2007

2012

2012

2013

2013

APR

Bolton-based Artez is appointed as the main contractor and begins construction on the £2.6m Bunker Building.

MAR

The Bunker Building is completed and launched to the market.

SEP

Liverpool City Council approves Capital & Centric’s plans to create a £25m film studio at the Littlewoods Building. The 250,000 sq ft Littlewoods Studio complex could bring an estimated 900 full-time jobs when fully occupied.

DEC

Work on the main Littlewoods Building set to get underway with a planned completion date of late 2018.

2014

2015

2015

2016

p17-32_Move Commercial 04/04/2016 14:08 Page 20

Appointments

National law firm expands its Liverpool team

David Percival

Excello Law has expanded the commercial property team at its Liverpool office with the appointment of David

Percival.

Percival, previously a partner at Weightmans, will work alongside Excello lawyers Heather Summers and Peter McHugh at the firm.

He joins the national company as it carries out its strategic plan to grow the team and breadth of commercial law expertise it provides to businesses across the North West.

Sinclair to take up Knowledge Quarter role Colin Sinclair will take up a new role as executive director of Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter from 1 May. Colin Sinclair Sinclair, currently a director at Bruntwood, will leave the property firm after six years to lead on the development of a shared strategy for the district, building on its academic, health and cultural assets.

He says: “I’m really looking forward to working with the partners to create one of Europe’s leading innovation districts, positioning the Liverpool City Region as one of the most attractive locations in the UK for science and technology, biomedicine, creativity and research.�

The post is funded through a partnership between the University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool City Council, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Teaching Hospital Trust.

20 MOVE COMMERCIAL

Colliers appoints new senior surveyor A new senior surveyor has been hired to join Colliers International’s business space lease advisory team in Alastair Grindley Manchester.

Alastair Grindey moves to the firm from DTZ, and has also gained prior experience with Donaldsons and GVA in Birmingham.

Based at Colliers’ new Chancery Place office in Manchester, Grindey will cover the northern region, working closely with London-based head of business space lease advisory, Chris Ridgway.

Ridgway says: “Alastair brings extensive experience in all areas of business space leasing advice. His expertise will be invaluable to our team, as we strive for increased market share across the northern region.�

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James Pressley with Katha Lunt, Laura O’Farrell and Hannah Bibby

Kirwans has added to its commercial team with the appointment of James Pressley.

Specialising in corporate and commercial law, Pressley brings varied experience to the team and his expertise in intellectual property and e-commerce will help enhance the firm’s commercial offering.

He says: “Kirwans has a long tradition of serving the local community and my initial focus is on supporting small and mediumsized businesses, which are the mainstay of the regional economy.�

Pressley is one of four new recruits at the firm, which has offices in Wirral, Liverpool and Southport, as it also strengthens its property and family law teams with the appointments of chartered legal executive Katha Lunt, solicitor Laura O’Farrell and legal clerk Hannah Bibby.

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p17-32_Move Commercial 04/04/2016 14:08 Page 23

Liza Marco, asset manager, The Peel Group My Month Peel’s ambitious Liverpool Waters is continuing to make progress. Asset manager Liza Marco talks Move Commercial through a month of updates as well as a busy schedule of events and her forthcoming plans.

My goal at the start of the month was...

To accelerate the marketing of the vacant third floor suite in No.12 Princes Dock, Liverpool Waters. It’s the first time since 2005 that a full floor has been available to let.

The suite is distinctive, with floor to ceiling glazing and panoramic waterfront views of Princes Dock, River Mersey and out towards Liverpool Bay.

My biggest achievement was...

My biggest challenge was...

Working alongside colleagues and contractors to complete a 22,500 sq ft, third floor No.12 Princes Dock, Liverpool Waters refurbishment on time and in readiness for a launch event.

Peel has an in-house project management team which allowed us to efficiently co-ordinate the work of the different contractors, whilst also ensuring the refurbishment was finished to a high specification and within the budget.

The refurbishment had to also give consideration to the possible subdivision of the floorplate to create suites of 6,500 sq ft upwards, thereby providing complete flexibility for a range of market enquires.

Agreeing for the Everton Business Club events team to host a breakfast event in the vacant suite.

I’m a die-hard Liverpool FC fan so it was a challenge to say ‘yes’!

However, Peel is always keen to network with the local business community to showcase Peel’s Liverpool Waters and Wirral Waters schemes.

We regularly host events on behalf of existing tenants and key regional stakeholders, in addition to corporate events like the International Festival for Business and entertainment festivals like Sound City.

THE NEWS STORY THAT CAUGHT MY EYE...

rpool Cruise Terminal A relocation of the Live ects IM, amongst other proj MIP at ced oun ann was

The key meeting I had...

Was meeting with colleagues and our letting agents CBRE and GVA to formulate strategies for market awareness of Peel’s new build 80,000 sq ft office scheme; No.5 Princes Dock, Liverpool Waters.

If prevailing office absorption rates continue then Liverpool city centre could soon experience a shortage of new Grade A offices.

The repercussions of a serious lack of Grade A office space will mean our attractiveness to corporate occupiers both here in the UK and overseas could be significantly compromised.

...Was the announcement at MIPIM of the progress made this year on various projects within the £5.5 billion Liverpool Waters project, including three new residential towers, two hotels and offices, a new Isle of Man Ferry Terminal and a relocation of the Liverpool Cruise Terminal within Princes Dock.

With this in mind 2016 and 2017 promise to be exciting years for Liverpool Waters and Wirral Waters, so I’m looking forward to working alongside my colleagues to bring the various schemes to fruition.

My plan for next month...

To keep the momentum of interest from potential tenants in third floor No.12 Princes Dock, whilst also focusing on the general asset management of the existing built estate in Liverpool Waters and Wirral Waters.

From a personal perspective, it’s to start regular swimming training for the JLL Property Triathlon North which is taking place in July in MediaCity, Manchester.

Last year the event raised £22,000 for JLL’s charity, the Starlight Children’s Foundation and The Peel Group’s charity, The Christie. It’s a great event for property professionals to reveal their talents away from the day job – well, hopefully!

p17-32_Move Commercial 04/04/2016 14:09 Page 24

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24 MOVE COMMERCIAL

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p17-32_Move Commercial 04/04/2016 16:41 Page 26

Natasha Young natasha@movepublishing.co.uk

Tech talk Glenn Hanstock creative director, Electrobank

26 MOVE COMMERCIAL

Shaun McInerney principal, The Studio

Katie Gallagher managing director, Manchester Digital

Mark Robinson head of asset management, MediaCityUK

Chris Morland CEO, Citrus Suite

p17-32_Move Commercial 04/04/2016 16:41 Page 27

Tech talk Lunch debate

Digital and creative sectors continue to be at the forefront of the North West’s growth, but what attracts these industries and their talent to the region as opposed to London? And how can we ensure they continue to thrive here?

What attracts digital and media businesses to Liverpool and Manchester?

MR: Liverpool and Manchester have historically been generators of creative talent.

Through the 90s though there wasn’t the ability to anchor that talent and it was migrating to London where the opportunities were.

We’ve seen a rebalance of opportunities feeding in that sort of talent that has historically always been here.

CM: In Liverpool, looking at the games industry where we had big companies like Sony based here with that bizarre creation of new-age software, they’re big operations that have 200–300 staff and over the last 20 years things have shifted. Those companies don’t exist in that form anymore but a lot of the talent stayed in the area.

Lots of people I work with came from outside the city to the universities or to take jobs but were inclined to stay when they put their own ideas together.

GH: In terms of film production there are a couple of factors.

One is the BBC moving to MediaCityUK. But also, in terms of larger film productions, Liverpool has the most listed buildings outside of London and there’s a cost that’s indicative within that so the North West can offer comparable locations at cheaper costs for larger film companies.

Then with the advent of cheaper technology, putting better technology into the hands of smaller companies, as production values rise for smaller companies there seems to not be the need to move to London. London work can be done here.

Finally, Liverpool is small. If you work with creative circles you bump into the same people and this grassroots thing is why creative businesses are thriving.

KG: Technology has disrupted so many other industries and when you look at the North’s heritage of fashion, the catalogue companies that sprang up here to take advantage of that and now the e-commerce companies we’ve got around us, that’s given us extra strength.

There are all sorts of things where technology is giving them potential to be amazing again.

Then London is getting more expensive and you have nowhere near the same amount of disposable income you have here.

There's a new trend of people moving out of London to the North and we’re seeing that a lot in recruitment terms.

MR: With some of the large corporates we’re talking to who are inward investing around MediaCityUK, their ability to retain talent from their London base but bring them up north has had huge success, whether that’s been the BBC or others.

It’s saying this is a place of opportunity.

How does the presence of big names like the BBC and Sony impact on other businesses setting up in the region?

MR: Some of these businesses have been very insular in how they’ve looked and the way it’s going is that being part of something bigger is a benefit to these businesses as opposed to there being a competitive danger, and that’s been one of the biggest successes of MediaCityUK. It’s brought clustering from collaboration to the location.

KG: I take your point broadly but I'd say the likes of the BBC have been good for the region but for the industry they’ve been really insular.

We’ve got brands that work well in the city and understand their responsibility to the rest of the community.

The problem we have now though is that around the edge of [Manchester] there are about six really big national and international brands causing massive problems for smaller companies in the sector because there’s a skills shortage and a wage inflation.

The BBC plays a part in that and lots of those bigger companies are now realising there has to be a give back because they understand those smaller companies, as well as being feeders for talent, are their supply chain.

MR: I wouldn’t disagree. It’s a journey but

it’s started and it’s about keeping that messaging going that people understand where that place is for them and we try and play a part in that in terms of the environment and trying to mix people.

Hopefully the big corporates take that on board as well. We need SMEs as much as we need corporates.

SM: We have close relationships with Sony Playstation and Shop Direct, which strategically help shape our curriculum.

They’ve been involved with us for some years, particularly Sony Playstation which has brokered other relationships and sits on our board of trustees.

Shop Direct has a great apprenticeship programme and is seeking out links to align curriculum so that students are learning the right things to be industry ready.

Some of that alignment is happening maybe because those companies aren’t as unweildy as the BBC and they’re a bit more flexible and able to do that.

How easy is it for North West-based businesses to work with national and international clients?

CM: If you’ve got a Liverpool client you end up being in lots of meetings, whereas it’s not the case if you’ve got a client in London or New York. We have the communication tools now.

With the type of work we’re doing, we don’t necessarily need to be around the same table as our clients.

If our skillset matches a project there are no geographical boundaries to the work we can do.

MR: These days you can be anywhere and do business anywhere, it’s a globalised world. Technology has driven that.

There's a personable side to us though; we like to do business with people and there comes a point where you like that connection. That’s why you’ve located somewhere like the Baltic Triangle.

CM: That’s a good point. We’ve had offices down the dock road in Liverpool which was quite isolated. We also had a place behind Lime Street but felt disconnected with other companies.

That’s what being in Baltic has given us; we might not do business with companies around us but it’s having people at a similar stage of growth who you can communicate with.

It’s that personal connection, whereas with a lot of our clients it’s that distant relationship.

GH: People definitely invest in people and you’re only as good as your last piece of work.

SMEs need to present themselves professionally and the work has to cut it to forge links with larger companies.

The personable community feel the Baltic Triangle has definitely adds to that.

SM: We had a visit from an educational outfit in Japan where they’re looking at a similar model, and the Hong Kong Jockey Club visited us recently.

What they’ve got in common is we’re trying to decrease the boundaries between industry and education so there isn’t this big disconnection when students are in school and then suddenly they’re in the world of work and companies are saying they’re not ready.

Liverpool’s been quite ahead of the game having a few forward thinking schools, and other cities and countries try to learn from it.

KG: There are studio schools, UTCs and free schools but in mainstream education there isn’t the knowledge and understanding of our industry.

Manchester has a massive opportunity in terms of devolution and reimagining further education.

Phenomenon based learning, which Nordic countries do quite successfully, fits better with the dynamics of our industry, but we see massive issues throughout the talent pipeline.

Even where they’ve introduced a new GCSE curriculum it’s incredibly dull so students are still not excited about it.

Also it’s about industry supporting teaching staff because we’re moving faster, and a massive lobbying policy piece needs to be done.

SM: Studio schools and UTCs are almost doing it in spite of rather than because the curriculum informs.

We’re having to extend the school MOVE COMMERCIAL 27

p17-32_Move Commercial 04/04/2016 16:41 Page 28

“ “

Siren 54 St James Street, Liverpool, L1

There’s a new trend of people moving out of London to the North and we’re seeing that a lot in recruitment terms.

day, we’ve introduced project-based learning and we’re saying to students that qualifications are important but it’s not enough because everybody’s got qualifications.

There’s a passport into the world of work that you also need so it’d be wonderful to have a curriculum that’s open enough to unite those two agendas.

Can any simple solutions ensure education is keeping up with the industry?

KG: It has to come from industry because industry dictates the pace of change, so whilst education is publicly funded, the restrictions need to allow for that curriculum to change.

We’re never going to have an education system that stays the same for 80 years again. It’s going to need to change and keep up, and unfortunately

government is the last to realise that.

They’re saying apprenticeships and vocational learning are the answer but then they’re legislating further back in the curriculum that that’s not the case so there’s some reasonably simple things that could be changed to smooth the flow of talent and there’s a lot of good will in industries.

Our members go into schools and give projects because they get how important that is but there are barriers to being able to do that at scale and embed it into the curriculum rather than it being nice to-dos. They shouldn’t be nice todos because they’re critical to the success of businesses.

MR: When we have a general election education is such a political hot potato that we don’t seem to have a crossparty common agenda of how to go about this.

Without that you get tinkering from every elected government which thinks 'we’ll do it better’ and to an extent they do it, at times, in isolation to industry and that’s where it breaks down.

It's about lobbying central government to say ‘we need a common platform with which to work’.

SM: It’s political but we are seeing the government delegating more responsibility in local authorities to schools. The sticking point is the accountability measures are fixed so you have to tick those boxes as well.

The next five years could see further studio schools, UTCs and mainstream schools taking on those ideas. Political support is crucial.

Where are the main sources of talent in the North West?

KG: There are about 10,000 students studying creative digital and IT. Again, even universities don’t

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understand what disciplines they’ve got in their own institutions that benefit our industries. So for gaming look at biology and architecture.

There’s still a piece to do on educating industry about what the pathways from those different courses are, but we've got a massive talent pool.

One problem is that universities are businesses to some effect and will only put on courses that get filled.

That aside, we've got some great graduates coming out of computer science courses in Manchester.

We do a lot with Liverpool John Moores (LJMU), they’re very progressive; and Manchester Metropolitan University has a real appetite to work with industries. There’s a lot to work with.

GH: We shot Sound City last year and we’re doing it again this year and LJMU supplies the interns.

The internship programme through the production unit is very good.

SM: We need to get the message to young people about their future careers because it’s partly about demand of courses at university level.

I read some research where half the jobs that were around in 2010 are in danger due to disruptive technology by 2020.

During open evenings that’s the message parents often respond well to because they sometimes see creative and digital as Cinderella-type courses and when they realise the long-term sustainability they’re quite into it.

We’ve got to turn that oil tanker around in terms of careers information.

MR: More and more you’re seeing businesses migrate to areas where there's the ability to tap into talent.

It’s a big question for businesses

moving and relocating and we sit with a good base to work from.

What are the biggest challenges facing the North West's creative and digital sectors?

KG: Talent. The demand is ridiculous.

We did our skills survey this year and there’s a prediction that by 2035 there’ll be an additional 20,000 jobs or something like that created in Manchester.

When we looked at the results for our skills audit - around 110 people filled that in - our projection was another 10,000 on top of that.

There were 800 jobs being recruited for by just 110 members and that’s scary when you start scaling that up.

MR: When we get on that progressive path and these jobs come, it'll be infrastructure as well.

The powerhouse will help the North but other regions struggle with physical infrastructure and getting from A to B. European cities, which Liverpool and Manchester would like to think they compete with, often have terrific infrastructure to get people around.

It’s important that as we grow we get infrastructure moving with us but talent probably sits above everything.

CM: What about property? Have we got the right sites for any cluster of creative companies to move forward to grow?

We do most of our work in-house but there are times when we need freelancers.

It’s about having creative spaces and events that pull the sectors together.

I find it inspiring to meet people who are into fashion, film and TV and get that wider experience and then we can start talking about pooling resources and pitching for bigger projects.

p17-32_Move Commercial 04/04/2016 16:41 Page 29

Tech talk Lunch debate

Do Manchester and Liverpool work together enough to show the region's offer?

KG: It’s hard to talk about them as cities in that context because companies that need each other will work together.

There’s probably more we can do but then I’d go back to Mark’s point about infrastructure because sometimes it seems like too much hassle to get the train for an hour.

MR: I agree. If opportunities are there people will forget the boundaries and come together.

We try to facilitate that environment as a developer so this year we launched a co-working space for the reason that freelancers need a landing point, but they want to be in a community where they can work but then say ‘hello’ because that’s where business is generated and for developers it’s about evolving that mix.

KG: We’re lucky in Manchester to have lots of co-working spaces but one problem we have is that we’ve done events but people in the Northern Quarter won’t go to MediaCity in case the tram breaks down or because they’re every 20 minutes after a certain time.

We’d love to get more people to Liverpool and vice versa but getting them across the city is a challenge.

How might the sectors benefit from and drive the Northern Powerhouse agenda?

GH: Looking at the predicted travel time it’s going to cut between cities and also the remit that it’s trying to unify the likes of Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds, there may not be that scenario where people won’t jump on the train.

Perhaps anything to cut travel time will increase collaboration between companies in different cities which can only be a good thing.

KG: If investment in transport infrastructure happens, and at the right scale, then great.

I think they’ve lost credibility by making some poor political decisions and because the Northern Powerhouse initiative was formed under a coalition some changes were made post election.

They need to make some commitments reasonably quickly to ensure they take the business community with them. It’s about putting investment into lasting things.

I also think the North as a generic brand is terrible. It’s important all the

cities’ personalities are reflected.

CM: It’s a couple of hours to London so cutting a few minutes is going to make a minimal difference for us, but at the minute it’s almost like a two-tiered transport system.

To arrive in London in peak time we have to pay £300-£400 for me and a couple of colleagues to go for a meeting, so that’s an investment and you think ‘this had better lead somewhere’.

Maybe for SMEs, that might make more of a tangible difference than shaving off 10 minutes here and there.

MR: We’ve got to get to the point where it gives ability for key regional centres of the North to be a master of their own destiny.

Over the last two years Liverpool, Leeds and Manchester have tried to be more self-sustaining and it's got to be that way.

Create those micro economies that can compete even when things are happening elsewhere.

SM: The litmus test of that is job creation.

It’s easier to motivate kids about their futures when there’s a buoyant job market because if fathers, cousins and sisters are losing jobs then despondency can set in easily.

If the Northern Powerhouse means anything educationally then hopefully it will result in, through maybe more devolution, opportunities and real jobs.

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Over the last two years Liverpool, Leeds and Manchester have tried to be more self-sustaining and it’s got to be that way. Create those micro economies that can compete even when things are happening elsewhere.

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How will the North West's sectors progress in the nearer future?

KG: I recently had three meetings within two and a half hours. Two were people moving large teams into central Manchester and one was a 50-person company doubling in size so, providing we fix the talent pool problems and it’s all hands to the pump to get barriers solved, we’ve got a very exciting future.

CM: The Tech Nation reports show there’s growth and it’s projected 100% plus over the next five-six years so there’s cause for optimism.

Start-ups coming out of the games industry are becoming established companies within Liverpool and there doesn’t seem to be any let up in new start-ups, ideas and creative approaches.

SM: It’s still a tough employment market for young people but if their curriculum is aligned to the right skills and they’ve got commercial awareness to make the most of it, there’s no better time to go to university.

They’re so well placed when they’re steeped in technology to make an impact in the businesses they go into because they’re so close to it all the time and that’s what we’re finding with our students.

GH: From the Baltic Triangle specifically, there's a lot of talent and collaboration going on. The future’s bright.

MOVE COMMERCIAL 29

p17-32_Move Commercial 04/04/2016 14:09 Page 30

Lawrence Saunders lawrence@movepublishing.co.uk

Being dropped by a major record company days before the release of your debut single would be enough to put most people off a career in the music industry for good. But for Matt Parsons, CEO of Ditto Music, it was just the motivation he needed to launch his own label. Move Commercial caught up with Parsons to find out how he turned a fledgling business into an international operation which is expected to turnover more than £3 million this year.

A sound investment For Matt Parsons, bagging a recording contract, going on tour and making it big as a musician had been his dream from a young age.

Alongside his brother Lee, Parsons spent years plugging away with a number of bands across Birmingham before all the hard work looked to have paid off in 2005 when his group was given a golden opportunity by a prominent music management company.

However, as Parsons explains, things didn’t exactly go as he had envisaged from there on in.

“We had a showcase gig set-up at Sony Records HQ and we made an absolute hash of it,” he admits. “We were absolutely awful.

“Somehow we managed to get a deal with EMI to do a single but we got dropped just before the release date. At this point we still had a bit of a fan base so we thought let’s just put this record out ourselves.

“We took six months to work out how to start a label and figure out what to do. We managed to release one of our songs and that got to the backend of the charts but by then everything had just lost momentum.

“But we now had this machine, we had a label called Average Bear Records and we had a way of putting music online. We began releasing 30 MOVE COMMERCIAL

other people’s music and we thought maybe we could make a go of this.”

Average Bear Records became Ditto Music in 2006 and started helping artists get their music released on a number of digital platforms including iTunes, Amazon and Spotify.

“We spent 2006 trying to figure out how we could make a business out of what we were doing,” he adds.

“I quit my job in I.T, my brother dropped everything he was doing and we just put all our efforts into this.”

In January 2007 the hard work paid off when Ditto engineered a single by Colchester pop punk outfit ‘Koopa’ which went on to become the first digital-only single in the UK Top 40 and the first from an unsigned band to be included in the chart.

“From there people just started chucking money at us,“ explains Parsons.

In the summer of 2010, with a growing team and plans for expansion, Ditto upped sticks and moved from its Birmingham base to Liverpool.

“By 2010 we became aware that there wasn’t much of a music industry in Birmingham,” says Parsons. “The only reason we were

there was because we were born there. The company was at a stage where we wanted to branch out.

“There wasn’t the infrastructure in Birmingham. We looked around and saw Manchester, Liverpool and London.

“In London the overheads were too much and we weren’t overly keen on Manchester, but Lee and I went to the Liverpool Sound City festival in May 2010 and the attitude of the people was just great.

“Liverpool already had a thriving music scene and we just fell in love with the place.”

Ditto found its home at Elevator Studios in the Baltic Triangle – a decision which has since proved to have been a sound one with the area developing into a hive of creative and tech centered businesses in the intervening years.

“There is nowhere else in Liverpool we’d rather be,” says Parsons. “We could have gone to an innovation park in the back end of nowhere but we wanted to be around like-minded people.”

There was cause for celebration at Ditto’s Baltic Triangle base recently when the firm was rewarded with a Merseyside Innovation Award for its latest creation, Record Label In A Box (RLIAB).

Launched in September 2015, RLIAB aims to provide customers with everything they need to set up and run a successful record label including start-up paperwork, a business bank account, contract templates and a database of music industry opportunities.

Hailed by Parsons as the “most important thing we’ve ever done,” RLIAB is central to why the brothers started Ditto Music in the first place and has also conveniently proved to be an impressive earner for the firm.

“It’s making us a tonne of money!

We knew it would be successful and I’m not going to say it has surprised us but I’m pleased with how successful it’s been,” says Parsons.

“The sign-ups have been amazing, we’ve nearly sold out the whole first lot of boxes. The people who are signing up are from a whole range of backgrounds and occupations – people who work in ASDA, truck drivers - entrepreneurs who want to start a record label.”

This entrepreneurial spirit is key to RLIAB according to Parsons who is keen to stress how the product is helping to create and nurture truly sustainable businesses through regular support from Ditto.

“There are real businesses starting through this,” he says. “Regular

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Matt Parsons, CEO, Ditto Music Interview

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There are real businesses starting through this. Regular people are creating their own record labels and getting their own office space.

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In London the overheads were too much, but Lee and I went to the Liverpool Sound City festival and the attitude of the people was just great.

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people are creating their own record labels, signing bands and getting their own office space.

“We always keep in touch with our customers. At least once a month we will follow up with an email just to see how things are going. It’s partly to get an update but it’s also to give them a little kick to keep pushing them forward.

“The leap from being a musician to entering the music industry from a musician’s point of view is a 10 ft wall but I now know in reality it’s really a short step.”

Parsons recently exhibited at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, where President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were the illustrious keynote speakers.

Ditto’s stand was at the festival exclusively to promote RLIAB in the States, where after a slow start, sales have begun to pick-up.

“We launched the US RLIAB in November 2015 and it got off to a rather sluggish start which may have been down to when it was released just before Christmas,” he says.

“Since January the US sales have rocketed. At the moment we’re selling more record labels in America than we are here in the UK – it’s really taking off.”

MOVE COMMERCIAL 31

p17-32_Move Commercial 04/04/2016 14:10 Page 32

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Offices in London, Liverpool and Leeds

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p33-48_Move Commercial 04/04/2016 18:34 Page 34

Nick Hughes post@movepublishing.co.uk

Amid ongoing concerns that the North West’s Grade A supply is approaching a new low, and an increasing focus on flexible space in the region, what is the current outlook for the office market? Move Commercial explores both ends of the office space spectrum and looks at how a new phenomenon could provide a valuable stop-gap or revolutionise professional workplaces.

Changing face of workspace Since the second half of 2009, Grade A office space availability in Manchester city centre has plummeted from around 600,000 sq ft to just under 100,000 sq ft at the close of 2015, with only 294,954 sq ft available for let across the entire city.

The drop in supply is intensified by the yearly increase in demand throughout the city for Grade A, which is expected to remain high.

While office developments are in the pipeline, 2015 recorded one of the lowest years for completed projects offering square footage and 2016 is set to produce around 200,000 sq ft; some of which is pre-let.

It’s feared this lack of ready office space may bring about Colliers International’s forecasted “complete absence” of Grade A by Q2 this year.

But is the outlook really this poor for Manchester and the North West’s office market? What is in the pipeline to provide space this year? And what are the forecasts for development?

Colliers’ study and a report by Savills in December highlighted the lack of conversion in Manchester, and the latter 34 MOVE COMMERCIAL

showed little development in the pipeline that is due for completion this year with only 600,000 of a planned 3.6 million sq ft actually under construction.

Savills’ ‘The Future of Manchester’ report predicts the city centre will continue to attract high specification new builds and that the Oxford Road area will become a sought-after location for developers of Grade A and mixeduse schemes, due to its proximity to universities and rail stations.

“Across the North West we have seen a significant increase in demand for Grade A offices during the past few years which is a reflection of the recovering economy,” explains Phil Mayall, development director at Muse Developments.

“There is a general regional trend towards city centre take-up as companies look to acquire more efficient space close to transport hubs and amenities.”

Three schemes are due for completion this year; XYZ Building, One New Bailey and 101 Embankment, which will bring a total of 436,302 sq ft

to Manchester city centre, however 225,000 sq ft of the space is currently pre-let.

“In Manchester, supply of Grade A and good quality refurbished office developments remains tight and demand is indicating that it will likely experience a potential shortage in the near future,” adds Mayall.

“However, well positioned schemes that are in construction are picking up lettings as evidenced by One New Bailey and the One City Place development in Chester. Both schemes have more than 50% of space in legal hands.”

For the whole of 2015 only 10% of Liverpool office space completed was Grade A, including The Watson Building and The Department.

“There is a real shortage of both Grade A and good quality refurbished office stock in the city region and with no new office schemes in the development pipeline due to start on site this year without pre-commitment, then it is likely that Liverpool will be without any new space until the end of 2018 at the earliest,” says Ian Steele,

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Occupiers are increasingly wanting to acquire more efficient space on flexible lease agreements which have the ability to cater for new technologies and agile working.

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Office Space Focus

Clockwork from left to right: The Watson Building (Liverpool); XYZ Building (Manchester); 101 Embankment (Manchester); One City Place (Chester)

director at Bilfinger GVA. “This means that both indigenous and inward investment occupiers will potentially be faced with limited options when it comes to the acquisition of new space or relocation and expansion.”

Liverpool’s office availability has been gradually declining since 2012 while demand has remained stable; however a lack of speculatively built commercial offices is evident amid a dominance of second hand or Grade B–D space in the city.

The largest Grade A space is only able to offer 45,000 sq ft, with a total availability in Liverpool of 60,000 sq ft which is set to be downgraded to Grade B+ by the middle of the year as it’s more than five years old.

The main areas for new development in the city region over the next decade are likely to be focused around the waterfront and the commercial district’s Pall Mall, according to Bilfinger GVA. Speculative development is on the horizon with 5 Princes Dock, for which Peel recently secured outlined planning permission to build 81,000 sq ft of space, however a pre-let of at least

50% commitment is required before work starts on site.

The majority of Liverpool’s office market is made up of flexi-space and second hand space, meaning most is refurbished property such as Capital & Centric’s Bunker Building, as the city aims to balance business occupants and the creative and technology sectors accounting for the majority of demand.

“Occupiers are increasingly wanting to acquire more efficient space on flexible lease agreements which have the ability to cater for new technologies and agile working,” says Steele.

The flexible office market has also been “consistently growing” in Manchester since the recession and now there is “a steady upward growth,” according to Charlie Beck, head of sales for serviced offices at Bruntwood.

“The main reason is the proliferation of small to medium enterprises (SMEs) which are going for the serviced offices,” says Beck.

“The other thing is that people are expecting more from the flexible space so they’re no longer settling for offices with just a meeting room; they’re

expecting lounges, large communal kitchens and breakout spaces. Primarily, because people are more demanding, the space has improved.

“In Manchester there’s a real drive at improving the offer, it’s very competitive at the top end of the market for serviced offices and co-working spaces where operators are investing in the space and focusing more on design and fit-out.

“Whereas at the smaller end of the flexible market in Liverpool, it’s struggled because there’s so much vacant lease office space.

“People offering this will be so much more competitive and will make their space and their lease more flexible just to get rid of their vacancy.”

Currently there is a greater offering of flexi-space than Grade A but Beck suggests there’s a growth in demand for Grade A being renovated into flexible offices.

“A lot of the space that’s been created is within Grade A space and it’s often because smaller companies feel it’s important to create the right impression for clients and staff and are

happy to pay a premium for that, and that’s where we’ve seen the growth in Manchester,” he says.

“A lot of the techy-types and new start-ups that look for more quirky space are looking for the smaller and flexible offices to start growing their business now things are starting to look more promising with the economy, by looking for serviced space and flexible leasing before moving onto more conventional space in a few years once they expand,” adds Daniel Barnes, associate at Savills.

An answer to the apparent lack of purpose-built space may be found in the residential market, as companies are now tapping into a niche allowing homeowners to rent their properties to SMEs, freelancers or creatives to be used as an office while the proprietor is at work.

Popular in the US, the model is gathering pace in London with expansion plans in place for the North West.

“There was a gap highlighted in the market regarding the lack of existing office spaces specifically designed to facilitate work that is flexible, easily accessible and convenient,” says Matt Beatty, CEO at Spacehop – an online platform allowing homeowners to rent properties to independent workers.

“We address these issues by offering inexpensive and flexible home-office spaces that fit individual needs.”

The drive behind this industry is the increasing freelance market, telecommuting (working from home/remote work) and independent workforces.

Intuit’s ‘Death of the Office?’ report show at least one 10th of the UK’s employment market telecommutes and employers are expanding into telework options.

“A lot of research has indicated there is a consistent rise in freelancing and the independent workforce, with predictions that by 2020 half of the UK’s workforce could potentially be selfemployed freelancers,” says Beatty.

“Such an increase would, in turn, increase the appeal and demand for flexible co-working spaces.”

Homeowners aren’t required to change the purpose of their property to sign up to the scheme, as long as the space remains legally residential and utilised for that function only.

“With commercial real estate prices and occupancy rates being among the highest in Europe, we see amazing potential,” adds Dave Haber, vice president of growth and marketing at Breather – a US-based group expanding to the UK. MOVE COMMERCIAL 35

p33-48_Move Commercial 04/04/2016 14:12 Page 36

Natasha Young natasha@movepublishing.co.uk

In the space of 10 years tech entrepreneur Sarah Wood’s business, Unruly, has grown from a start-up with a team of three to a global firm at the forefront of online video technology. Move Commercial explores the secret to the company’s success and how it has held onto its culture.

Scaling new heights When academic Sarah Wood set up her own business in 2006 she was aiming for “impact”.

Impact not only in business and the digital industry she was venturing further into, but an impact on workplace culture and her own way of living too.

“It was about taking control of my own life,” says Wood, who co-founded ad tech firm Unruly alongside Scott Button and Matthew Cooke.

“I had two children and I wanted to spend more time with them, and when you’re an entrepreneur you create a business and you create a culture as well.

“I could create a culture where it was fine for the kids to come into the office and where families, dogs, pets and visiting friends of friends would all be welcome.”

Now in the 10th year since Unruly was launched, Wood certainly appears to have achieved her goal on all counts.

Unruly has progressed from start-up to scale-up, from a trio to a team of more than 200, and from a sole base in London’s Shoreditch to 15 offices stretching across four continents.

“We’re in place to have an impact 36 MOVE COMMERCIAL

because we’re in social video so we help brands create and distribute videos that go viral globally, but we can also work with lots of good causes and help them create and distribute videos to get the word seen,” adds Wood.

“There is no more powerful medium than video, so being in a business where we can raise awareness about key issues and make a difference is enormously rewarding.”

The firm has had a hand in campaigns for high profile brands including Evian, Adidas and Dove to name a few, as it uses innovative technology to ensure videos are watched, tracked and shared.

Such is the success of Unruly that last year it was acquired by News Corp in an acquisition worth up to £114 million – a cash payment of £58m when the deal was secured and up to £56m in the future as objectives are achieved.

It’s a deal which Wood insists has made little difference to Unruly’s day to day approach.

“That scale-up mentality of needing to be lean, needing to be ambitious, and wanting to expedite growth whilst maintaining culture and scrappiness

remains absolutely intact, and we’re running independently but with the media assets of huge global media organisations,” explains Wood. “Same Unruly, bigger opportunity.”

So what’s the secret behind the high value strength of Unruly?

“Yes we have the technology, yes we can outperform any of our competitors and we run video campaigns and that’s very important, but we also have a team of people who are very passionate, very dedicated, enjoy coming into work and want to do the best for our clients,” says Wood.

“We’ve been able to scale that culture as we move into different markets and I think that’s quite hard to do.

“We’ve been doing that by taking Unrulies from other markets and putting them into new offices. So our Nordics managing director is now running our Australia office, and formerly our European managing director is now running our Asia Pacific operations.

Those people are cultural ambassadors and they take with them the spirit, energy and vision of the company as we scale.”

Sharing, it seems, is also at the heart of Unruly’s culture; not just in terms of making online video content go viral but through collaborating with the wider digital and creative sectors.

The company’s London headquarters is home to the firm’s own co-working space for digital start-ups, known as Unruly Hive; while a free pop-up university, also known as the City Unrulyversity, at the Tech City base serves up a programme of interactive events to “inform, inspire and empower” the next generation of entrepreneurs in the industry.

Meanwhile Wood, who also imparts knowledge as an associate lecturer at the University of Cambridge teaching ‘Online Video Culture: Mash-ups, Memes and LOLitics’, says Unruly has gained a lot as well as given through collaboration too.

“We collaborate with lots of academics,” she says. “They take our data and this has been of huge value to us as they decode the data and they find patterns in the data.

“Especially in the early days when we didn’t have a sizeable engineering team, it was extremely helpful for us to be

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Sarah Wood, co-founder and co-CEO, Unruly Interview

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When you’re an entrepreneur you create a business and you create a culture as well.

I could create a culture where families, pets and friends would all be welcome.

able to give our data sets to academics to pick through it and to start identifying the different variables of virality.

“More broadly, I think in a very fastevolving digital landscape and digital media, it’s extremely important to be collaborative.

“You can’t do everything alone and you can’t know everything alone so sharing the information and sharing the best practices will help lift the whole industry.”

Far beyond Unruly’s offices and own initiatives Wood has, for some time, been active in inspiring more women to be leaders in the tech industry, and in 2012 she was named one of ‘15 Women to Watch in Tech’ by Inc. as well as being named one of Forbes’ ‘10 London-Based Women Entrepreneurs to Watch’ in the same year.

Having rubbed shoulders with Lastminute.com founder Martha Lane Fox, entrepreneur Sherry Coutu and UK minister for internet safety and security, Joanna Shields during a recent event, Wood highlights the importance of continuing the chain of strong female tech leaders.

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In a very fastevolving digital landscape, it’s extremely important to be collaborative.

Sharing the best practices will help lift the whole industry.

“

“When I looked at those three women I thought they’re incredible – not only have they founded or led successful technology businesses and been extremely successful in their own right, but here they are taking the time to give back to the next generation of entrepreneurs like me to help us fulfil our potential.

“It’s really important that women in my position do the same thing and are there for the next generation of women coming up.”

Wood is also flying the flag for the digital sector as a whole and the potential it has to thrive around the country – not just in the capital.

In the summer she will return to Liverpool’s International Festival for Business (IFB2016) as an ambassador, having previously taken on the role during the inaugural 2014 event.

This time though, she’ll be a speaker at the one-day ACCELERATE 2016 conference and she’ll also be making the most of this year’s new format at Exhibition Centre Liverpool, which will see the whole of week three dedicated to the digital and creative industries.

“I think that’s absolutely appropriate,”

“

says Wood. “Digital is one of the fastest growing areas of job growth and economic growth in the UK – not just in London but across the country we’re seeing lots of new digital opportunities opening up.

“Digital opportunity isn’t just an opportunity for the few, it needs to be an opportunity for the many if we’re really going to capitalise on it and make sure it makes a difference to UK plc going forward.”

The opportunities IFB2016 could hold for Unruly haven’t been overlooked either, as the company continues its global expansion by recognising further Asia Pacific growth potential and also preparing to take advantage of Unruly’s new position in the News Corp family by tapping further into the Australian market.

“As a business, for us [IFB2016] is going to be a fantastic opportunity to meet with people from South East Asia who will be here in the UK in June,” says Wood.

“Rather than us having to send our exec team half way around the world, the world is coming to us and that can only be a good thing.”

MOVE COMMERCIAL 37

p33-48_Move Commercial 04/04/2016 16:11 Page 38

Key event Cannes Do 2016

Samba style at Cannes Do 2016 Almost 600 guests from across Liverpool’s business and commercial property community came together for this year’s Cannes Do event at the Titanic Hotel’s Rum Warehouse.

Sponsors of the event, including Move Commercial, were invited into a lounge hosted

by Liverpool Gin to take part in some informal networking before sitting down to enjoy a Brazilian-themed three-course lunch.

Now into its 11th year, the Professional Liverpool Property Group event was compered

by Willie Miller and helped raise funds for Down Syndrome Liverpool. Margaret Hogan and Ana Gilmurray from the charity addressed diners on the importance of its work.

Bruntwood’s Colin Sinclair was on hand to brief the audience on the city’s presence at MIPIM 2016 before BBC Radio Merseyside’s Sean Styles entertained guests with his unique brand of Liverpool humour.

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1. The guests enjoyed a champagne reception

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2. Lawrence Saunders and Catherine McCarthy (both Move Commercial) with Robin Ellis (Robin Ellis Property)

3. Andrew Lovelady (Professional Liverpool) got the event underway 4. Curtins 5. CBRE 6. Property experts came together at the event 7. Spencer Lee (Morris and Spottiswood), Andrew Dwerryhouse and Chris Dwerryhouse (Wild Thang), Mark Davies (K2 Architects), Leon Hamblett (Morris and Spottiswood) 8. “Hands behind your back if the answer is yes!” 9. Bruntwood’s Colin Sinclair

p33-48_Move Commercial 04/04/2016 16:11 Page 39

Cannes Do 2016 Key event

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1. Move Commercial 2. Keppie Massie 3. Paul Mahoney (TJ Thomas), Keith Roberts (Consortia) and Eric Mahoney (TJ Thomas) 4. Weightmans 5. Steve Latham (Concentric) 6. Mason Partners 7. Margaret Hogan from the Downs Syndrome Association, which is the hotel’s charity of the year 8. Enjoying a private joke 9. Nigel Saunders (Pozzoni), Nicky Hughes (Active Profile), Eleanor Stirrett (Brabners) and Natalie Fox (Active profile) 10. Paul Jasper (SRC) 11. Morgan Sindall

p33-48_Move Commercial 04/04/2016 16:11 Page 40

Key event Cannes Do 2016

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1. Todd and Ledson 2. Keppie Massie 3. Robin Ellis 4. Louis Anastasiou (Andrew Louis) 5. Lambert Smith Hampton Group/MGMA Studio Ltd 6. The guests had some fun before the main course 7. John Hall (Professional Liverpool) 8. Stuart Keppie (Keppie Massie) 9. Paul Bibby (MSB Solicitors) 10. Virgin

p33-48_Move Commercial 04/04/2016 16:12 Page 41

Cannes Do 2016 Key event

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1. Industry guests enjoyed an afternoon of entertainment 2. Jim Gill (Professional Liverpool) Dougal Paver (Merrion Strategy), John Fay (E3Cube) and John Hall (Professional Liverpool) 3. Andy Delaney (Colliers International) 4. Paul Harris (Colliers), Daron Williams and Ethan Cannning (both Bruntwood) 5. Compere Willie Miller is helped by John Hall 6. Peel 7. Guests had a great afternoon 8. Andrew Byrne (CBRE) 9. Ana Gilmurray from the Downs Syndrome Association 10. Lloyds Bank

p33-48_Move Commercial 04/04/2016 17:21 Page 42

Events Move Commercial Apr-May

EVENT PLANNER

Our pick of the best local events

7 APR

14 APR

Construction Knowledge Day 2016, The Park Royal Hotel, Warrington 9.00am – 4.30pm

RIBA North West - Lean Design and Construction: philosophy, principles and application in architectural design, St Paul’s Developed with building surveyors, Square, Liverpool quantity surveyors and construction 10.00am – 12.30pm professionals in mind, Construction Knowledge Day 2016 offers visitors the chance to learn about current issues facing professionals working in construction along with a range of solutions on the market with live demonstrations throughout the day. www.rics.org

20 APR Northern Awards Dinner, The Lowry Hotel, Manchester 7.00 – 11.00pm The northern chapter of the British Council for Offices is hosting its 13th annual awards dinner to announce its regional winners and celebrate excellence in office space in the North of England, North Wales and Northern Ireland. clare@createvents.co.uk

This seminar will provide a general awareness of lean thinking in construction projects. Speakers include David Adamson RIBA of Sellafield and Derek Drysdale of the Lean Construction Institute. thomas.mills@riba.org

22 APR

Institute of Directors (IoD) North West Women as Leaders, UKFast conference suit, Manchester 9.30am – 5.00pm Now in its sixth year, the annual conference celebrates the best in female business leadership and talent in the region. This year’s conference focuses on the themes of impact and influence. richard.douglas@iod.com

PICK OF THE MONTH

21-22 APR

Business Rocks 2016, Manchester Central, Manchester Billed as a ‘Global Platform for Tech Innovation’, Business Rocks is a technology, music and investment summit with a difference. Taking place over two days at Manchester Central, the conference will feature 50 world-class international speakers headed up by Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple. www.business-rocks.com

12 MAY

20 MAY

Iran Made Simple, Liverpool and Sefton Chambers of Commerce, Old Hall Street, Liverpool 9:30am – 4.30pm

Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner 2016, Victoria Warehouse, Trafford Walk Road, Manchester 7:00pm –1:30am

Following the lifting of recent sanctions, there are more opportunities than ever to trade with Iranian companies. This full day course will explain how to research opportunities to sell products in the Middle East’s second biggest economy. www.liverpoolchamber.org.uk

Actor, comedian and DJ Craig Charles will host a ‘celebration of the quality and diversity of Greater Manchester business’ at Victoria Warehouse this year featuring an ‘after dinner party’ element at which Charles will perform a funk and soul DJ set. events@gmchamber.co.uk

25 MAY Save the Date: Elaine Bowker, Liverpool Community College 12.30 - 2pm

26 MAY Salford Business Awards 2016, AJ Bell Stadium, Salford

Organised in partnership with the University of Salford, The Business Professional Liverpool presents Group and Salford City Council, the Elaine Bowker, principal of Liverpool Salford Business Awards 2016 will Community College, who will reward and celebrate those present on the recently introduced businesses and individuals who government levy for training and have contributed to the continued how this can benefit businesses. prosperity of Salford. www.professionaliverpool.com info@salfordbusinessawards.co.uk

ACCELERATE 2016 speakers announced A line-up of speakers has been unveiled ahead of Liverpool’s ACCELERATE 2016 conference.

Chartered Institute of Taxation president Chris Jones with Bill Turnbull, Robert Adams (Grant Thornton), and Michael Steed, president of the Association of Taxation Technicians.

Taxation industry dinner shows ‘strength of profession’ More than 200 guests attended Merseyside’s annual dinner of the Chartered Institute of Taxation and Association of Taxation Technicians.

The event at Liverpool’s Crowne Plaza Hotel was supported by principal sponsors Grant Thornton and Michael Page, and welcomed Merseyside branch members, clients, and representatives of Liverpool’s professional community.

National president Chris Jones also joined attendees for the the evening, which featured after-dinner entertainment from guest speaker and former BBC Breakfast presenter Bill Turnbull.

Branch chair Rob Adams, a senior tax manager at Grant Thornton, says: “I was delighted to see so many members enjoying themselves.

“This shows the robust strength of the tax profession on Merseyside and we look forward to another busy year.”

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Reggae Reggae Sauce founder Levi Roots, designer and entrepreneur Wayne Hemmingway MBE and Unruly CEO, Sarah Wood will take the stage during the annual one-day event on 1 July, which will be held as part of the International Festival for Business 2016 (IFB2016) programme.

ACCELERATE 2016 will be supported by headline sponsor BT, and will focus on aiding growth, motivation and providing an opportunity for businesses to connect.

Ian McCarthy, IFB2016 director, says: “ACCELERATE is a fantastically inspiring and exciting platform for entrepreneurs and business people looking to take their companies to the next level and we’re delighted to be unveiling some of the keynote speakers who will be taking part in this year’s event.

“The calibre of speakers already signed up speaks to the quality of ACCELERATE 2016 offering and it will, no doubt, be one of the festival’s most popular offerings.”

For more details visit www.accelerate-britain.co.uk.

Tell Move Commercial about your commercial property and business events.

Email post@movepublishing.co.uk

p33-48_Move Commercial 04/04/2016 15:20 Page 43

FOR SALE Freehold 2 PLOTS OF LAND: 0.08 acres & 0.03 acres

Knowsley Lane L34 0JN

All enquiries: 0151 556 1500

· Commercial carpets

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· Carpet tiles

· Safety flooring

· Built in entrance matting

· Fully insured

· Bespoke designs for hotels

· Stair nosings

Contact Graeme 0151 480 1212

www.davidcurrie.co.uk

www.carpetdesignandflooring.co.uk

at

Brockholes is a carbon neutral venue, which floats on the lake, amongst the reeds. The first venue of its kind in the UK. Spacious conference room for up to 130 delegates Board room

A beautiful nature reserve to explore Private reception

Get In Touch 01772 872000 business@brockholes.org

Free car parking Free Wi-Fi

Junction 31, M6, Preston MOVE COMMERCIAL 43

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Hannah Fowler post@movepublishing.co.uk

The lack of diversity in the Northern Powerhouse was highlighted recently with one elected mayor calling local government ‘a pale, male world’. Despite concerns over the lack of female leaders though, women in key positions are working in some of the major growth sectors throughout the North West. Move Commercial spotlights the leading women in the engine room of the Northern Powerhouse.

Women in power

44 MOVE COMMERCIAL

AMANDA WHITE

SASHA WAYNE

head of rail at Transport for Greater Manchester A recent study on gender diversity in the UK rail industry revealed that just 16% of roles are filled by women. Despite this, Amanda White has become a leader in her field.

As head of rail at Transport for Greater Manchester, White is responsible for working with rail operators, overseeing franchises and developing strategies for future rail growth, which includes working with High Speed 2 (HS2) and Transport for the North.

Previously, she was a key figure in the development stages of HS2 – a key commitment in the creation of the Northern Powerhouse. As senior route engineer from 2010-2014, White was responsible for managing the design and selection of the 150km railway from inception to public consultation.

With the desire to connect northern cities at the heart of the Northern Powerhouse agenda, both in terms of transport infrastructure and working relationships between city regions, White is helping to encourage increased connectivity and promote the devolution momentum.

legal counsel for the Mersey Gateway Crossings Board and chairman of the North West Branch of Women in Property Sasha Wayne is legal counsel for the Mersey Gateway Crossings Board, the company delivering the Mersey Gateway Project on behalf of Halton Borough Council.

The infrastructure scheme will create a six-lane toll bridge over the River Mersey between Runcorn and Widnes.

Due for completion in 2017, the £600m project has been hailed an integral part of the Northern Powerhouse by the Chancellor and will bring more than 4,000 jobs to the area.

Previously, Wayne worked at DLA Piper in Manchester where she qualified in real estate before moving onto the project and finance team.

Wayne is also chairman of the North West branch of Women in Property, which actively supports women working in the property and construction sector.

The association has been engaging in discussions around the Northern Powerhouse, focusing on strategic planning frameworks and transport implications to boost economic development.

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Women in power Focus

ELLEN CUTLER director of Invest Liverpool Leading Liverpool’s inward investment agency is Ellen Cutler.

Her role includes promoting Liverpool as a compelling business location and identifying and securing overseas and domestic inward investors.

Cutler took the helm in March 2015 after gaining experience in Florida, Scotland and the South West of England.

Prior to joining Invest Liverpool, Cutler was director of investment for Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) – a fellow city in the Northern Powerhouse agenda.

Cutler is championing investment into the Liverpool City Region, and at a recent Invest Liverpool event she discussed how private sector investment is key to unlocking Liverpool’s potential, citing the city’s distinctive proposition in the finance and life science sectors.

Following a recent trade mission to China, Cutler welcomed a 13-strong Chinese delegation to Liverpool for a meetings with businesses seeking potential investment.

With new transport infrastructure and greater connectivity proposed for the region, Cutler and her team will continue to woo overseas investors and position Liverpool as a leading UK business destination.

CARMEL BOOTH board member of Knowsley Place Board and chief executive of Atlantic Gateway Carmel Booth has more than 20 years’ experience of providing financial and strategic advice on investments, infrastructure and regeneration projects. Many of which are at the heart of the Northern Powerhouse vision: HS2, the Northern Hub, Manchester’s Airport City and Sci-Tech Daresbury.

As well as being chief executive of Atlantic Gateway, Booth is on the Knowsley Place Board with an active role in shaping a prosperous future for the area.

This has been gaining momentum in recent years as Knowsley continues to market itself as the advanced manufacturing powerhouse of the Liverpool City Region.

With the first phase of a multi-million pound transport initiative complete and a £5 million pledge from Chancellor George Osborne for Prescot’s Shakespearean playhouse, Booth continues to fly the flag for Knowsley as a place to visit, live and invest.

One of the Sunday Times’ most influential 500 people in Britain DR CATHERINE RAINES CEO of UKTI Dr Catherine Raines, chief executive of UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), told a recent Manchester business conference that many investors do not look beyond London and a better job of showcasing the North is required.

“This is led by the North, not led by Whitehall,” she said.

One of the Sunday Times’ most influential 500 people in Britain and a ‘proud resident of the North West’, Raines’ support of the Northern Powerhouse vision and work with UKTI is integral to its success, helping northern businesses to export and attract global investors.

Raines has more than 20 years’ experience, having previously worked in Europe, USA and Asia.

With a keen focus on harnessing the economic power of the region to help rebalance the economy, Raines and UKTI are playing a vital role in Liverpool’s forthcoming IFB2016.

KATE WILLARD chair of Atlantic Gateway and head of corporate projects at Stobart Group Kate Willard is passionate about regeneration and committed to making a meaningful contribution to the sustainable economic prosperity of the North.

With a background in creativity and economic regeneration, Willard has worked across Europe and is now based in the North West.

A regular speaker at key regional events, Willard recently took part in a ‘Transport and Infrastructure’ debate at the UK Northern Powerhouse International Conference and Exhibition.

The Atlantic Gateway has been described as the most significant growth opportunity in the UK to attract investment and, as chair, Willard is at the forefront of identifying opportunities and helping the public sector work with private investors to increase growth.

Despite keeping busy in her Stobart and Atlantic Gateway roles, Willard is also a board member for the Liverpool City Region LEP and director of The Edge International Festival for Business 2016’s (IFB2016) official fringe festival.

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Women in power Focus

Hannah Fowler post@movepublishing.co.uk

PROFESSOR JANET BEER University of Liverpool vice chancellor and chair of the Knowledge Quarter Board Professor Janet Beer became vice chancellor of the University of Liverpool in February 2015.

Formerly vice chancellor of Oxford Brookes University, Beer is also involved in many organisations championing collaboration between education and business. Most notably, she’s a board member of National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB).

Reinforcing her commitment to the North, Beer is chair of the Knowledge Quarter Board which aims to establish Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter as one the UK’s most successful locations for knowledge creation and innovation.

A main driver of the city’s economy, the Knowledge Quarter helps generate £1bn per year, supporting more than 14,000 jobs and contributing to the expansion of the city region with projects such as the £355m Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

More recently, Sensor City – a joint venture between the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University – was awarded £5m of European funding to support its development.

Heading up the board, Beer is central to promoting the city region’s network of knowledge assets and strengths in life sciences, bio-medical and manufacturing.

SUE GRINDROD CHRISTINE GASKELL

DAME NANCY ROTHWELL

chair of Cheshire and Warrington LEP Christine Gaskell has long been actively involved in promoting learning and skills and in 2012 was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List for services to training and apprenticeships.

As first chair of the Cheshire and Warrington LEP, Gaskell has a vision to keep the area firmly on the map. This commitment has seen the launch of the landmark Northern Gateway Development Zone in 2015.

A collaboration of seven local authorities and LEPs, the project aims to unlock new investment opportunities to deliver 120,000 new jobs by 2040 by creating a new growth zone at the gateway to the Midlands Engine and Northern Powerhouse.

A prospectus for the zone, outlining existing investment opportunities, was launched at MIPIM 2016.

Opportunities include the Winsford Industrial Estate and Basford West at Crewe Commercial Park alongside a developing portfolio of long-term propositions including garden villages, logistic hubs, science parks and Crewe HS2 Hub. Gaskell cites HS2 as a “once in a generation opportunity to become an engine for growth across the UK” and will continue to profile Cheshire and Warrington to make the most of it.

president and vice-chancellor at the University of Manchester Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell is the University of Manchester’s first female vice chancellor.

With a strong academic reputation she continues to work in research, mainly on strokes but also brain haemorrhages and dementia.

Additionally, she’s been heavily involved in putting science and innovation at the heart of the Northern Powerhouse.

The University of Manchester has benefited from investment in the National Graphene Institute and the Sir Henry Royce Institute for Materials Research.

In January Rothwell was named as a global ambassador to profile Manchester internationally, following her substantial work for the city region.

The ‘Mbassador’ programme will allow opportunities for inward investment, attracting and retaining talent and ultimately developing the local economy.

Later this year Rothwell will also address a new Business of Science Conference.

Held in Manchester as it celebrates its European City of Science year, the event will explore how the development and commercialisation of science is driving northern growth.

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chief executive of Albert Dock, chair of Liverpool Waterfront Business Partnership This year’s MIPIM saw Liverpool position its presence as an international waterfront city, a theme Sue Grindrod has advocated for years.

Before being appointed as chief executive of Albert Dock in November 2015, Grindrod chaired the board of dock owner Gower Street Estates for nine years.

In her new role, she’ll lead the next stage of the dock’s development, including a fiveyear growth plan.

Alongside this Grindrod is chair of Liverpool Waterfront Business Partnership (LWBP), a group of landowners, developers, destination owners and public bodies aiming to maintain the economic viability of the waterfront, promoting it as a place to live, work and invest.

With further investment planned for the area, including Peel Group’s Liverpool Waters regeneration, Grindrod will be central to promoting the opportunities at the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

During IFB2016 the third International Waterfront Forum will take place, bringing international waterfront cities together to build strong business alliances.

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Expert views Ask the panel With 600,000 fewer SMEs paying business tax and a permanent raising of the threshold for small business rate relief, it appears there was much for Britain’s small business community to be cheerful about in Chancellor George Osborne’s Budget.

But what impact will the raft of new measures have here in the North West?

Q: Will Chancellor George Osborne’s ‘Budget for small business’ make a big impact here in the North West?

Generally speaking, this measure is more likely to benefit small businesses in the North of England and in Wales where rental values are lower – meaning more properties in these areas will qualify.

We may, however, see a rise in rents on small properties with RV’s within the threshold as landlords seek to exploit some of the tenants saving on business rates.

The announcement is not good news for serviced office operators, where monthly costs usually include business rates.

Business centre operators will not qualify for the relief, so they may have to re-think their charging structures in order to remain competitive compared to nonserviced accommodation.

The problem of these measures for local authorities is the Chancellor’s decision to allow Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester to retain 100% of business rates receipts.

The extension of the small business rates relief scheme means business rates receipts are likely to decrease and, whilst the Chancellor has promised a fund to make up any shortfalls, it remains to be seen whether this will work in practice.

Conrad O’Neill, director, Canning O’Neill

As ever with the Budget it’s about looking at what’s being offered with the right hand and checking to see what the left hand is taking away!

There are winners and losers with all Budgets and in this particular economic climate especially it is not immediately clear who is which.

The business rates changes will assist small businesses, particularly

Support given in the latest Budget to the small business sector, essential to dynamism and job creation, is very welcome at a time when activity and confidence among small firms had been falling.

It signals an important commitment, given how little room for manoeuvre the Chancellor had in a slowing economy.

The centrepiece was a doubling of the threshold at which businesses pay business rates to £12,000. The threshold at which the higher rate of business rates is paid was also increased to £51,000.

Further encouragement to enterprise came via a cut in corporation tax from the current 20% to 17% by 2020 and cuts in commercial stamp duty.

Other supportive measures included tax incentives for investment, cuts in national insurance contributions, improvements to the transport

those ‘high street’ businesses where business rates can be a very disproportionate cost.

These same businesses however are likely to notice increased costs from the introduction of the Living Wage and also the cost of auto-enrolment pension schemes.

Additionally the change to the personal tax regime means owners of limited companies may feel the increased tax burden as the benefits of paying dividends are reduced as well as other changes complicating the personal tax regime further.

So there is good news and bad news from a combination of factors that will be felt in the coming years.

Peter Taaffe, managing partner, BWMacfarlane Chartered Accountants

infrastructure in the North, the freezing of fuel duty and a dedicated seven-day-a-week service from HM Revenue & Customs.

Not revolutionary, but well-timed and significant.

Gary Cook, Professor of Economics at the University of Liverpool Management School

There’s no doubt the headlines from the Chancellor about more small businesses being taken out of having to pay business rates made for great reading.

Many will welcome the changes made to this tax which is cited more than any other as being unfair and out of date in a modern economy.

However, there are some other interesting elements to this whereby both Liverpool and Greater Manchester will, from next year be allowed to keep 100% of their business rates – a radical change in policy.

Whilst the details of this are still being worked out it is hoped that this will allow greater accountability in the rate system between business and local authorities and from within this we can finally get a fairer and more sensible way for businesses to help fund local investment.

Chris Fletcher, marketing & policy director, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce

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