March edition business post

MARCH 2017

HAIR

FIRMS KEEPING IT IN the FAMILY – p22-24

apparent ASSOCIATE PARTNER

INSIDE TRACK ON business HUB WITH difference – P32-33

WHO IS UP For the ECHO BUSINESS AWARDS? – P10-11

2 liverpool city region business post†TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017

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WANTS QUALITY UK GOODS AND SERVICES There are millions of people across the world looking for your skills, expertise, goods and services.

The demand is out there.

You should be too.

Call 0333 320 0392 Visit great.gov.uk

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Quote: EIGLCRBP17

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 3

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST

Contents 5 A COFFEE WITH: Simon Walker, head of the Liverpool office of Quilter Cheviot

6-8 big interview: Asif Hamid, of the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership

6-8

10-11 business awards: Find out more about how your business could be a winner

12 what’s new: The new restaurants and bars on the City Region scene

13 opinion: Cllr Phil Davies, Leader of Wirral Council and Lead Member – Economic Development & Energy, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

15 opinion: Bill Gleeson, Liverpool ECHO Comment & Analysis Writer

18 opinion: Alistair Houghton, Liverpool ECHO City Editor

19 science & technology: New firms dare to win

XX

at innovative Cheshire business park

22-25 special report: How City Region businesses are keeping it in the family

26 digital & creative: The City Region architects turning over a new leaf in restaurant sector

29 SPECIAL REPORT: It’s MIPIM again – and why 2017 is so important for the City Region

31 commercial property: Prime Liverpool city centre location welcomes new arrivals

32-33 what happens inside?: The Pacific Road Business Hub

35-37

32-33

35-37 BIG INTERVIEW: Controversial Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary on his cuddly new approach

42-45 BUSINESS DIARY: What’s on where in the coming weeks

46 NETWORKING: Liverpool City Region Business Post partners and sponsors lunch

10-11 CONTACT US

Do you have a story for Business Post?

Alistair Houghton City Editor 0151 472 2449 alistair.houghton @trinitymirror.com

Your advertising options Liam O’Brien City Centre beat blogger (Economy) 0151 472 2534 liam.obrien@trinitymirror.com

For Agenda listings email: business@trinitymirror.com Published by Trinity Mirror Merseyside, PO Box 48, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L69 3EB.

Frank Notton Advertising Manager 0151 472 2759 frank.notton@trinitymirror.com Neil Johnson Business Partnership Manager 0151 472 2718 neil.johnson@trinitymirror.com

Do you wish to subscribe to Business Post?

Want to subscribe to Business Post or our free daily business newsletter?

Please email frank.notton@ trinitymirror.com.

Follow us on Facebook at www. facebook.com/echobusiness Follow us on Twitter @LivEchoBusiness

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 5

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017

a coffee with . . .

Treat others as you would wish to be treated by them What is your proudest achievement in business?

Leading the team that established and built success with the Cheviot office in Liverpool from a standing start. Wealth management firm Quilter and Cheviot Asset Management merged to create Quilter Cheviot in 2012.

Warren Buffett, who has kept ahead of the pack for decades. I think his guiding principle of “Only invest in what you understand” has been critical to that success.

Do you dress up or down for business?

Treat others as you would wish to be treated by them.

Do you have a motto that guides the way you do business?

Ours is a fairly traditional business, although gone are the days when brown How do you make contacts that are shoes would result in you being marched useful for business? off the Stock Exchange floor! Suit and tie is the norm.

I enjoy being out and about and developing relationships, even if What is a tip that is invaluable in life or there is no obvious business? immediate common Use ears and mouth in the proportion interest. It’s they were given to you. often the case that Who has inspired you in your business business ●●Warren life and why? may flow Buffett down the Investors can’t help but be inspired by track and

Simon Walker is head of the Liverpool office of investment management firm Quilter Cheviot.

He lives on the Wirral with his wife and Isabelle and their children Thom Alice.

Simon is a keen golfer and a member of Royal Liverpool Golf Club and also tries to stay fit enough to keep up with his children.

In the winter, the family are ski enthusiasts and spend non-winter h holiday time at their house in Sout West France.

the best relationships need to be nurtured.

hadn’t followed your current career path?

What do you always carry with you?

I came close to joining the Air Force via University sponsorship.

I’m lost without a watch – I’m a bit of a stickler for time-keeping.

What is your firm’s biggest asset?

Undoubtedly our people.

The Liverpool Office has got a great team and we have been fortunate to attract some highly talented individuals.

What is your favourite film?

Flashbacks of a Fool with Daniel Craig.

What would you be doing if you

What is the most inspirational book you have ever read?

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson.

When are you most creative or inspired?

My best thinking time is in the car on my own.

When do you take your coffee break?

I grab a coffee on the way into the office, to accompany my daily newspaper consumption.

Americano, latte, cappuccino – what’s your coffee break favourite?

Americano to start the day.

6 liverpool city region business post TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017

No time for horsing around – we need to give workers skills they need to succeed ●●Asif Hamid strikes a pose in a speciallycommissioned image produced by visual production company Sane Seven as part of an exhibition to coincide with IFB2016 in Liverpool

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LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 7

●●The £11million Tower Wharf development ground-breaking ceremony in Birkenhead, with Asif Hamid (Chief Executive, The Contact Group; centre left) alongside Cllr Phil Davies (Leader of Wirral Council)

A

SIF Hamid has been a key figure on the board of Liverpool city region’s Local Enterprise Partnership since it was launched in 2012.

And today, Mr Hamid is interim chairman of a business organisation that has grown steadily in significance from an uncertain start – and predicts that it will play an even more influential part in the future of the City Region.

An entrepreneur by nature, 48-yearold Mr Hamid is the chief executive of The Contact Company, an organisation he founded with a team of 15 people in May, 2006.

Today the Wirral-based call centre outsourcing business employs in excess of 1,500 people, boasts an impressive blue-chip client list, and has plans to double its workforce to 3,000 and its turnover to £40m in the next five to seven years.

Based at the imposing Queensgate building, in Grange Road East, Birkenhead, The Contact Company opened a second multi-million pound hi-tech office complex called Kingsgate, on the nearby docks at Tower Wharf just over a year ago, and plans to announce a third development shortly.

Like all entrepreneurs, he is dismissive of the courage it takes to put everything on the line to start your own business, declaring: “An

Entrepreneur Asif Hamid is a passionate advocate for training and education. He tells MARK THOMAS why the City Region must tackle the skills shortage to prosper in future

skills area is key for us, and also part of giving back to society as we grow. So we’ve said we will invest a quarter of our profits back into training and retraining our staff every year.

“For us it’s about creating long-term sustainable employment but opportunities for progression as well.

“When you build a business from entrepreneur doesn’t describe himself table, borrowed from Wirral borough council. And now we employ all these scratch, having grown up in a small as an entrepreneur, but other people terraced house, it’s about creating people and I deal with multi-national say he is. What you think is not a risk, companies, and I am still very grateful opportunities for people. other people may say is a risk.

“For me the greatest sign of success “That’s the sign of entrepreneurship for where I am today. is seeing other people being “I have a key method. I still have a – it’s someone who can see the lot of my team who have been with me successful.” opportunities rather than the And that passion for developing the challenges. I grew up in a little town in from day one. I’m a firm believer that if skills and training of his own team is you employ people who are more Lancashire in a two-up, two-down successful than you, it will create more something that he has also taken into terraced house. My mother was a his role with the Liverpool Local single parent, and I had a brother and success for yourself.”

Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

But Mr Hamid is only too aware two sisters, so we had a tough Last January he called for a skills that, as a business grows, so do the upbringing,” he recalls. summit of business and education stakes, with the well-being of “But we were taught the essence of leaders to tackle the growing skills gap employees and their families to being respectful and being very ambitious with what we wanted to take consider as well as the opportunity to in the city region, concentrating on the grow profits and expand the business. LEP’s seven priority sectors for growth on board to succeed in life. In - the visitor economy; Superport; He says: “Of course there is always business you can teach skills, but you advanced manufacturing; creative and risk in everything you do. But I can’t teach passion and attitude and digital; financial and professional; life risk-assess now, and consider the respect. science and health; and low carbon. employment of my staff and their “When I launched the business 10 Mr Hamid, who is also chair of well-being before I do anything.” years ago, I started with a little round Wirral Chamber of Commerce, was He is passionate about vice chairman of the Liverpool LEP What you think is not a risk, other people from its inception, and stepped up to training and may say is a risk. That’s the sign of become interim chairman after the improving the retirement of Robert Hough in June skills of his entrepreneurship – it’s someone who can last year. workforce. see the opportunities rather than the “The challenges employment and CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

8 liverpool city region business post TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017

●●Liverpool is a cosmopolitan city, and Asif Hamid believes they need to take that approach onto the international stage

FROM PAGE 7

Announced by the coalition government in 2010 as it revealed the abolition of regional development agencies, it is fair to say that there was a lot of scepticism when the LEPs were first launched.

The brief was to bring together businesses and local authorities to drive private sector-led growth and job creation.

But at launch the only identified source of funding was the opportunity to bid for a share of a £1bn regional growth fund.

With Liverpool among 22 LEPs around the UK in the first wave, that fund was a drop in the ocean compared with the resources the abolished regional development agencies had been able to call on, and there was little clarity as to just what powers these voluntary LEP bodies might have.

Liverpool’s LEP is unique in its structure, as it is a membership organisation, taking over as it did from The Mersey Partnership.

And since those uncertain early days, it has made very significant strides in terms of helping to grow the city regional economy.

The Liverpool LEP worked closely with the city region’s local authorities to secure one of the first rounds of devolution deals from government, giving control over skills, business growth and transport.

It was backed by a £232m Growth Deal won by the LEP in 2014, followed last year by the city region’s five-year, £458m Single Investment Fund.

Last month came the announcement

by Communities Secretary Sajid Javid of a further £72m to the LEP and the city region “to help create jobs, support businesses and encourage growth”.

It’s not just about looking out on the world – it’s the world looking in . . .

And with the election of the city region’s first Metro Mayor in May, Mr Hamid forecasts that the role of the LEP will become even more important as it works with the combined city regional local authority.

“The journey of the LEP has been very difficult because the direction from government hasn’t been clear and concise as to what a LEP needs to do,” he said. “I think now the LEP has evolved to be part of a combined authority working very well strategically within the city region.

“It has got to be the advisory body to the combined authority and I think the way it is working at the moment is very good.

“We have a very good collaborative approach across the city region with the leaders of the local authorities.

Liverpool city region is in a very good position at the moment.

“The LEP is not a power engine, it is a collaborative voice, a voice for business. It is a structure to help deliver business and economic growth, help stability, help change things. I think that is the key for the LEP.” With Brexit on the horizon, bringing the prospect of the end to the European funding that has been so critical to the regeneration of our city region, Mr Hamid sees problems, but also opportunities ahead.

“I think it’s very early days yet. There are challenges with Brexit for some businesses, but I think Brexit also

creates opportunities,” he said.

“The European money has been guaranteed until 2018. But we need to think what do we do differently.

“We need to go to government and explain what innovative projects and ideas we’ve got. We’ve got to use the assets we have in the city region.

“I think we’ve got to take forward some of the innovative ideas we have, and the metro mayor is going to be key to our strategic planning in that one.

The unity of businesses coming together with one voice to government will be a strong message for innovative investment for us.”

And he welcomes the continued government support for the Northern Powerhouse, believing Liverpool has a key role to play.

He adds: “Our city region is a vibrant place to be at the moment. The economy is growing – we have one of the highest growth figures in the UK. But we started off from a low number so to increase was easy I think.

“To keep that consistent approach is going to take work and effort. Our story hasn’t finished – it has just started. I hope that the Northern Powerhouse and the north is given the prominence it deserves both nationally and internationally.

“We could really come together with Liverpool being one of the leaders of the Northern Powerhouse to create very strong economic wealth within the north, with Liverpool being a key catalyst in that as well.”

Applications closed at the end of January for the permanent role of new chairman of the Liverpool City Region LEP. It is an unpaid role, and one that carries a huge burden of responsibility, calling out for a visionary figure who can be one of the key leaders helping to drive our economic growth in the years ahead.

But will that long-term chairman be Asif Hamid? He doesn’t rule the prospect out, but seems more concerned that the best possible candidate takes the LEP forward.

“I’m very open to say if we’ve got a great candidate in there for someone to drive forward our city region growth strategy I would be 110% behind them,” he said.

“I was there as an interim role and I will continue to do it to the best of my ability. Hopefully we will have some great candidates in there who will be able to drive it forward.”

Whether it is under Mr Hamid’s leadership or that of a new chairman, he seems genuinely excited about what lies ahead for the LEP and the city region in the post-Brexit world.

“It’s not just about us looking out on the world, it’s the world looking in. I have a philosophy now that the world is looking in at Liverpool city region.

“We are a vibrant economy. We’ve got some of the greatest assets. We are looking to bundle our greatest assets together and take them not just into the northern region but to international status.

“I think Liverpool city region is in a very pivotal stage of its lifespan where it can take forward some of our outward thinking, some of our international trade.

“We are a very cosmopolitan city and I think we need to take that cosmopolitan approach onto the next stage internationally as well.”

LIVERPOOL AND THE ISLE OF MAN WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP John Garland, Head of Foreign Direct Investment at the Department of Economic Development, explores how Liverpool and the Isle of Man can work together to further strengthen their ties for mutual benefit.

Liverpool and the Isle of Man have a long history of working together, not just in financial and professional services, but across a wide range of different sectors, including manufacturing, aerospace and, of course, maritime.

The Isle of Man is closely linked to the North West and the business relationship between the two locales continues to grow and develop. In the last four years we have made great strides towards strengthening that relationship further.

In 2016 the Isle of Man renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Liverpool Vision, cementing the Isle of Man’s continued strategic partnership with the North West of England. This new agreement set the tone for our continued economic co-operation and re-affirmed the close economic relationship between Liverpool and the Isle of Man. The agreement has also resulted in a number of shared trips to China and the Isle of Man’s strong presence at the International Festival for Business in 2014 and again in 2016.

Last year the Isle of Man Government introduced a new £50 million Enterprise Development Scheme, to provide funding to businesses looking to establish a presence in the Isle of Man as well as supporting existing on-Island business growth.

The fund is managed by Liverpool based Venture Capital Company, SPARK Impact, who have been driving the investment on behalf of Government.

The Isle of Man’s links with the North West also extend beyond Liverpool. Nurturing these links forms part of a comprehensive strategy for the Island. For example, in March 2017 the Isle of Man will sponsor the UK Business Angels Association (UKBAA) Northern Investment Summit in Manchester. Many delegates from the Island, including my own team, will be attending this conference to play our part in developing the Northern Powerhouse.

The Isle of Man’s proposition to companies based in the North West of the UK is a strong one. The Island has a diverse number of initiatives that provide opportunities for new and existing businesses. In addition to the £50 million Enterprise Development Scheme, the Isle of Man recently implemented new regulations for banking licences, aptly named the Alternative Banking Regime and new regulations supporting the establishment of on-island Crowdfunding platforms. These initiatives join an already comprehensive inward investment package, and further show that the Isle of Man is THE International Business Centre of choice for North West businesses wishing to develop overseas.

This year my team and I will be on the road to meet businesses all over the UK, however

we consider fostering new business with the Merseyside area, one of our closest neighbours, to be a key priority. Our plan to bring the Isle of Man closer to the UK centres around two main pillars:

Inward investment We will be speaking to family offices, professional services businesses, UK based SMEs and entrepreneurs, venture capital businesses, business angels and more to promote our range of new initiatives.

Wealth Creation We will be working directly with professional and financial services businesses on the Isle of Man to speak to key businesses in the UK about the depth and range of services the Isle of Man provides.

The Isle of Man is a place where Government and Industry work together to pursue our shared objectives. To create even closer links to businesses in the North West, my colleagues and I will be joined by industry experts. Those of us in Government can talk to you about the schemes on offer in the Isle of Man. In turn, our colleagues from industry are able to demonstrate the huge amount of knowledge and diverse services they can provide based on over 30 years’ experience in the Professional and Financial Services industry.

We have already built a great a relationship and it is my privilege to help play a part in growing that relationship further.

Contact John Garland, Head of Foreign Direct Investment at the Department of Economic Development, to find out more about the opportunities to do business in the Isle of Man. Email: john.garland@gov.im

Visit www.whereyoucan.com for more information about the Isle of Man.

10 liverpool city region business post TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017

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HE region’s premier business awards are launched now – as we set out to honour the very best people and companies in our midst.

Entries are open now as Business Post, in association with the Liverpool ECHO, hosts the Regional Business Awards 2017.

Staged in association with executive sponsors DLA Piper and KPMG, the awards will culminate in a major ceremony and dinner this summer as we present our prestigious honours, recognising enterprise, achievement and innovation across the Liverpool city region.

The event will be staged at St George’s Hall on the night of Thursday, June 22.

The awards are free to enter and offer opportunities for businesses of all sizes, from new start-ups to the most established names, to gain recognition and support.

Said Liverpool ECHO and Business Post editor Alastair Machray: “We’re delighted once again to welcome on board as executive sponsors of the Regional Business Awards, our partners at KPMG and DLA Piper.

“Together, our aim is to ensure those businesses who deserve high praise and recognition, as well as our admiration and encouragement, duly receive it.”

Help us

●●Last year’s ECHO Business Awards night, at St George’s Hall

He added: “I’m delighted that Business Post – which enjoys the backing of Liverpool Vision and the support of so many other valued associates – has been very well received since its launch less than six months ago. It signals our ongoing commitment to covering the business scene on Merseyside and engaging with it in a way we believe nobody else can – or does.”

The award categories are: Newcomer of the Year This category is open to businesses that began trading after January 1, 2015. The judges will be looking for evidence of a sustainable business with the potential to grow strongly in the future.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport Business of the Year (Up to 50

Employees) Whatever your sector, if you have a great business, tell us about it. This award is for businesses established for more than two years and which employ up to 50 people. If you can demonstrate all-round business excellence, you should enter this category. The judges will take financial performance and local economic impact into account when selecting the winner.

IT’S TIME TO TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS THE ECHO REGIONAL BUSINESS AWARDS CELEBRATES DYNAMIC, ENGAGING, INSPIRATIONAL BUSINESSES FROM ACROSS MERSEYSIDE. THE AWARDS ARE FREE TO ENTER AND CULMINATE IN A CELEBRATORY AWARDS CEREMONY AND DINNER.

E N T E R YO U R CO M PA N Y N O W

F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N A N D A N E N T RY F O R M V I S I T:

W W W. R EG I O N A L B U S I N E S S AWA R D S .C O. U K CALL: 0 1 5 1 4 72 2 5 70 | EMAIL: EVENTS@LIVERPOOL.COM | TWITTER: @ECHO_RBA D E A D L I N E F O R E N T R I E S F R I D AY M A R C H 1 O T H 2 0 1 7

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 11

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HOW TO ENTER

to salute the best MSIF Business of the Year (51 – 250 Employees) If you can demonstrate outstanding business performance in your industry and employ between 51-250 people, this is the category for you. Judges will be looking for your specific business achievements and a strong financial performance, together with significant local economic impact.

ups to long-established multi-nationals, that seek to commercialise knowledge.

This includes firms active in the chemical, pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors as well as those in software, IT, engineering, geology, robotics, advanced manufacturing and professional services – such as law, accounting and marketing, among others. For example, knowledge firms might be developing intellectual property or selling professional knowhow. The judges will look for evidence that knowledge either has been, or can be, converted into a viable and profitable business. They will also assess economic impact on the region.

KPMG Business of the Year (more than 250 Employees) If your business employs more than 250 people and can show outstanding business performance, enter this category. Judges will consider evidence of a strong financial performance, excellent business achievements, your Creative Impact Award This category is open to businesses contribution to local prosperity and other specific initiatives that make you engaged in any creative industry. This can include software design for stand out from your peers. computer games, apps, web design, marketing, advertising, architecture, Jaguar Land Rover Corporate film, photography and publishing.

Social Responsibility Award Does your company strive to achieve Entries are welcome from all firms, a balance between your competitive whether they are acting as agents or aims and the interests of society? This principals. The judges will look for award will be presented to the private evidence that creative work has led to sector business or individual judged to improved business performance. have the best history of taking into account the effect of the business Young Business Person of the operations on the community and the Year This category looks to recognise economy. This can include companies that give time or money to charities or business leadership achievements. The award could be to a successful the voluntary sector. entrepreneur or a senior manager who has made a significant impact on their International Trader of the business. Our winner will be aged 35 or Year Can you demonstrate a substantial under on the date of the awards evening. and sustained increase in international trading, relative to the size of your DLA Piper Business Person of company over recent times? The judges the Year Do you, or does someone you know, will be looking for evidence of the barriers that have been overcome and truly stand out from the crowd? Have the degree to which your overseas trade they helped to grow the reputation, not has benefited the Merseyside economy. only of their organisation but also the region, showing the entrepreneurial spirit that typifies the region’s resilience Knowledge Business of the and resurgence? If you recognise Year This category is open to any business, someone as the best in business, enter ranging from early-stage recent start- them for this award today.

Businesses of any size or sector can enter free across all relevant categories. Simply download and complete an entry form from the website www.regionalbusinessawards. co.uk and return it to us.

Entries can be emailed to events@ liverpool.com or posted to Echo Events Department, PO Box 48 Old Hall Street, Liverpool L69 3EB. If you have questions about how to enter, or for more information, contact the Echo events team on 0151 472 2570, or email: events@liverpool.com For updates on Twitter, follow @ECHO_ RBA Deadline for entries – Midnight on Friday, March 10, 2017.

The shortlisted finalists – chosen by an expert judging panel and who will go forward to the awards – will be announced in May.

The Regional Business Awards celebrate the success of the region’s most prominent and promising businesses and their leaders.

DLA Piper has supported the awards from their outset and we are proud to continue this into 2017.

With increased business confidence, the benefits of a devolution deal and the momentum being created by the Northern Powerhouse initiative, the outlook for the Liverpool City Region is looking very positive.

Continued success of regional business will come from those who can take advantage of the increased

This is the 14th year that KPMG has supported the Regional Business Awards, and, as in previous years, the motivation behind us acting as sponsor is very simple.

The criteria underpinning the ‘Business of the Year’ award mirror those values which we strive to achieve within our own business here at KPMG – qualities such as operational excellence, and acting as an engine for growth; attracting and nurturing the very best and brightest talent, whilst enabling social mobility within our local communities.

The ‘Business of the Year’ award specifically seeks to celebrate those

investment and those who can appeal to national and international markets.

The DLA Piper Business Person of the Year Award not only recognises the positive influence, commitment and inspirational leadership of the winner, but also pays tribute to every business leader who, through flair and a drive to succeed, ensures that our region continues to prosper. “ Ben MILLER, Office Managing Partner, DLA Piper, Liverpool

companies across the region that embody all of these things, honouring those which generate new opportunities for employment, growth and wealth creation.

In short, we’re looking for the cream of the crop.

At KPMG, we are always bowled over by the calibre of companies that we come across each day in and around Merseyside, so we’re looking forward to hearing more about their success stories over the coming weeks.

Chris FRY, Senior Partner, KPMG in Liverpool

BUSINESS POST PARTNER

ADVERTISING FEATURE

12 liverpool city region business post TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017

Home advantage WHAT’S NEW While more people are paying inheritance tax - and in larger amounts - the regime is about to get more generous for many homeowners

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RITAIN has some of the highest ‘death duties’ of any country with estates paying 40 percent tax on sums inherited above the nil-rate band of £325,000 (£650,000 for married couples or civil partners). Having long promised to reform these so called ‘death duties’, it wasn’t until last year that the former chancellor, George Osborne, announced that a new dedicated tax-free allowance called the ‘main residence nil-rate band’ would be introduced from April 2017.

This created some headlines at the time, however in discussions with clients, John Price, managing director of Maven Wealth Management, has found that this has been often misunderstood. Firstly, the new allowance is totally separate from the existing nil-rate band, as it will only apply on transfers of a residence to direct descendants. It will initially be phased in at £100,000 from April, increasing annually to £175,000 in 2020/21. Like the existing nil-rate band, any unused fraction of the new allowance may be transferred to a surviving spouse or civil partner. Given this option, a couple could potentially have a total IHT tax-free limit of £1million from 2020.21.

However, these rules are not straightforward and not everyone will gain. While the new allowance is consistent with the government’s pledge to take most family homes out of IHT, it’s also consistent with the former chancellor’s fondness for finding complex solutions to simple problems, says John.

For example, the new allowance only applies to a residence that is passed to children and grandchildren, not to other family members. Moreover, unmarried partners cannot pass nil-rate bands to each other.

Furthermore, the allowance is progressively withdrawn once an estate tops £2million. The rate of withdrawal is £1 for every £2 over the £2million limit. Thus an estate worth £2.2million in 2017/18 will have no residence allowance at all. There will therefore many people who will be unable to take advantage of the additional allowance. For these individuals, lifetime gifting, trusts, charitable giving and other allowances will remain important components of estate planning.

Email: catherine.murphy@trinitymirror.com

A look at some of the restaurants, bars and shops that have opened in the city region recently…

USC

branch, opened its new gym in Liverpool city centre. Located inside Silk House Court on Tithebarn Street, it is a personal training gym, which means anyone looking to use the facilities will need to book a session with one of their trainers. The team specialise in six-week transformations and regularly train sports stars, WAGS and business clients.

Purple Olive, Hunts Cross

● John Price, Managing Director of Maven Wealth Management

However, regardless of whether you can use the new allowance of not, it’s vital that everybody completes a valid Will, establishes trusts where appropriate, and makes use of annual exemptions such as giftings - and that financial advice is sought at the earliest opportunity.

For more information on this please get in touch with Maven Weath Management on 0151 244 5432 or www.maven-wealth.co.uk The Partner Practice represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp. co.uk/products. The title ‘Partner Practice’ is the marketing term used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.

The levels and bases of taxaion and reliefs from taxation can change at any time and depends on individual circumstances.

Despite closing the doors of its Liverpool ONE store, USC opened its new store in The Pyramid Shopping Centre, Birkenhead, promising shoppers the store will be the ultimate destination for clothing and footwear.

It stocks brands including Converse, Lipsy, Pretty Green and Vans.

Signature Fit Club

The Purple Olive, which already has a branch in Ellesmere Port, has opened a second restaurant on Speke Road. The restaurant serves up authentic Indian cooking. Owner Atik Sheik says: “We’ve had the restaurant in Ellesmere Port for two years and a takeaway in Prescot. We found a lot of our customers at the takeaway kept saying to us, why don’t you open a restaurant here? So we thought let’s just try it. We have its of signature and speciality dishes to choose from and we’re really looking forward to welcoming our new customers.”

Cow Shed

Taking a change from opening a hotel, the Signature Living team opened a boutique gym. Signature Fit Club, located on Old Hall Street in Liverpool city centre, enjoyed a celebrity opening event. Former Hollyoaks actress Gemma Merna and TOWIE guest Charlie King hosted a live training session to show guests the type of help on offer.

Absolute Body Solutions

Absolute Body Solutions, which has already gained a formidable reputation thanks to the success of its Speke

Liverpool has welcomed a new restaurant to the city, which describes itself as a true Beef House. Cow Shed has been settling in to its new home on Seel Street with the team promising the best-cooked steak in the city, using ingredients from local suppliers, including bread from East Avenue Bakehouse on Bold Street. Any diner used to a well-done portion should get ready to try something new, as the menu states all steaks are best served rare to medium rare.

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 13

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Opinion CLLR PHIL DAVIES, Leader of Wirral Council and Lead Member – Economic Development & Energy, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

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or three days in March, the world’s property investors and their advisors will gather in Cannes.

At MIPIM 2017 – the leading international property conference – between the meetings, dinners and speeches, nearly 23,000 people will be looking to do deals.

Liverpool has been a long-standing attendee, partnering with Manchester as a joint force representing the north west, and successfully raising the city’s profile with investors, developers and property professionals across the world.

This year, Liverpool will send a larger delegation, with representation from many of the biggest names in the city region’s property and development businesses.

For Wirral, this conference represents an important next step in our economic development journey. In October 2016 we attended MIPIM UK as part of a Liverpool City Region delegation, to

explore the way other authorities, cities and regions were presenting their development opportunities to investors.

This year, in France, 77 real estate projects from 26 countries will be unveiled – and for the first time, Wirral will be among them.

What we learned from MIPIM UK was economic development and real estate investment is a competitive affair.

We quickly realised we would be in direct competition for investment not just with UK cities and regions like Birmingham and Leeds, but with urban development schemes across Europe.

To ensure we are successful in our mission of introducing Wirral and our investment opportunities to the conference attendees, we have enlisted the support and advice of leading local experts in economic growth, empowered and reorganised our own team to do more, more quickly, and forged a new relationship with the

Government’s inward investment teams so they will also help us promote Wirral to the world.

The role of UK local authorities as drivers of economic growth has never been more important. The Government have set aggressive house building targets making available land a precious commodity; austerity measures have stripped funding away from budgets to meet the rising demand for adult care and social services; and the complete elimination of any central government support from 2020 means councils must pay their own way through council tax and business rates alone.

This means local authorities’ relationships with developers and investors is no longer solely the domain of planners and planning committees, important as their work is. We have to change the culture within our organisation so we don’t see our role as being simply to police and regulate the

Anfield.

Where great events happen.

actions of developers, but to encourage and enable development that works for our residents.

Everyone in the Council now has the same job – from leader, cabinet and elected members to executives, officers and staff. Our collective mission is to encourage growth, promote Wirral as a place to do business and support residents and entrepreneurs to grow and create wealth across the city region. ●●To learn more about Liverpool City Region’s delegation to MIPIM 2017 visit www.liverpoolvision.co.uk/MIPIM

• Meetings • Conferences • Training • Corporate Dinners • Exhibitions • Weddings

Host your conference or party overlooking one of football’s most iconic venues. With a range of high-tech, themed spaces reflecting the history and triumphs of England’s most successful football club, it will provide your guests with a truly unforgettable experience.

For more information call 0151

264 2222 or visit liverpoolfc.com/events

14 liverpool city region business post TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017 BUSINESS POST PARTNER

Is now the time to look for investment?

DTM Legal partner Phil Whitehurst explores private equity activity in the north west...

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ESPITE the on-going confusion over which way the UK is headed in its negotiations with Europe, last year saw strong performance for private equity transactions in the UK and the economic indicators suggest the appetite for this funding will continue to grow.

Partner at Liverpool law firm DTM Legal, Phil Whitehurst, demonstrates the proof that there is a growing demand for the right kind of businesses in this part of the world.

“There is no doubt the North West still lags behind the South East in terms of volume and size of private equity deals, but we are certainly starting to see growth in this area.

There is money out there and we are starting to see more of it making its way up North,” said Phil.

“Investors are getting good value for businesses post-Brexit. They continue to seek good assets in the UK and are willing to pay a good price for them. As a result good businesses, especially those insulated from the impact of Brexit and with growth potential, are highly sought after, meaning prices remain high.

“Many Liverpool firms have a strong track record of financial robustness and clear organic growth opportunities making them particularly attractive to investors on the lookout for new prospects.

Businesses in the region with strong

performance looking for investment should therefore see the next 12 months as a good opportunity for growth or a potential window for exit.”

WHAT IS ATTRACTING INVESTORS UP NORTH? “Certain sectors are starting to stand out for investors. Private equity funds are drawn to sectors they have a strong interest in and while the spread can seem quite spaced out there is a growing trend towards tech, creative and infrastructure and away from consumer businesses that are most exposed to the possibility of a consumer spend slowdown. With a strong reputation in these areas it is no wonder we are starting to see private equity firms investing more in northern cities like Liverpool and Manchester.”

DTM Legal continues to see growth in this area, specifically within these key sectors according to Phil who recently advised on a major deal in which global private equity outfit HgCapital took a substantial stake in vast:visibility, a Liverpool-based digital firm that provides software for price comparison websites.

Phil Wilding, one of the founders of vast:visibility said the investment was “a significant step forward for the business aimed at helping it accelerate its growth to the next level.”

According to Phil, the firm’s

● DTM Legal partner Phil Whitehurst believes investors are “getting good value for businesses post-Brexit” and such businesses are highly sought after, keeping prices high

● Investors are increasingly exploring opportunities to invest in businesses in the north west

reasons for looking for investment were two-fold: “The main was risk.

The business has been run for 10 years privately and we wanted to start growing it further. Our personal appetite for risk was at its maximum, so we wanted somebody who shared our vision and could fit us in alongside their other investments. We were also looking for capital to grow and wanted to align ourselves with allies in the insurance world.

“The deal has had a massively positive impact for vast:visibility. It renewed the direction of the business because the new owners gave it a real strategic focus. It also helped us secure our new CEO Jon Morrell, previously CEO of Go Compare.

Without the HgCapital deal the chance of us getting Jon wouldn’t have been there as we weren’t a big enough entity. Everybody here has now bought into the future of the business. They can see the future path for growth whereas before we were at a bit of a standstill.

“Since we did the deal the amount of organisations who now want to work with us has also tripled and the size of those organisations is significantly bigger. Businesses and suppliers seem to have more faith in the stability of the business and we are definitely seeing the benefits of this.”

Founded in 2006, vast:visibility employs 25 people in Princes Dock.

The private equity funding allowed the owners to keep a stake in the business and retain their staff while still growing the company.

Mr Wilding believes he’d never have got the terms and deal structure he got without the support of Phil Whitehurst from DTM Legal “DTM Legal basically took on a lot of responsibility, they came to all of the meetings and sat across the table which was extremely helpful because it wasn’t just legal advice Phil was giving me, it was commercial guidance.

“We’d never have got the terms and the deal structure we got without Phil being there. It was totally new to me, but as Phil’s done so many of these before it was easy for him.

“There was also a lot of due diligence. DTM Legal fielded the majority of those enquiries as well, so once the deal was nearly there they took a lot of the weight off us.

“I’d advise anyone looking for private equity to ensure they get the right legal partner to complete the deal. It wasn’t just a case of DTM Legal looking after the contracts for us, they supported us commercially and operationally throughout the process, which was a major help in getting everything across the line.”

If you’d like to find out more, visit www.dtmlegal.com or call 0151 321 0000.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 15

Opinion BILL GLEESON, Liverpool ECHO Comment & Analysis Writer

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amih Kalakeche’s recent resignation as director of adult social care at Liverpool City Council bodes ill.

Mr Kalakeche has decided to step down because he was fed up with making swingeing cuts to the city’s social care budget.

Those big cuts have been forced upon the city by the Government’s austerity measures, which have wiped 58% from the annual grant that Whitehall gives to Liverpool.

At £151m, adult social care is the largest single spending priority for Liverpool. It’s more money than is raised through council tax.

Mr Kalakeche’s resignation also bodes ill for the many businesses and charities in the city that deliver social care services on behalf of the council.

It should be remembered that the social sector is a very big part of Liverpool’s economy.

According to a recent estimate by The University of Liverpool’s Heseltine steep cuts in public spending from Institute, the social sector accounts for April and increase taxes by the end of the decade to their highest level as a just under £3bn of the Liverpool City share of national income since 1986–87 Region’s annual economic output.

It employs around 45,000 people, not to combat the UK’s persistent Budget deficit. far short of the 50,000 gainfully The problem arises because the IFS employed in the tourism sector.

At first sight, this sounds a big figure, believes that the UK will face a period of slower economic growth as a result but when you realise that it includes of Brexit. This will increase the housing associations and healthcare, Government spending deficit by the estimate begins to look more another £40bn. reasonable.

That in turn means, if the According to the university, Government remains intent there are just under 1,400 on eliminating the annual social organisations in the public sector deficit, it may city region and collectively have to continue its they have a net asset base of programme of austerity £4.4bn. until 2025 and find further Around 75% of the city’s savings from social care, social economy is funnelled benefits, retirement incomes, through a small handful of and other major state bigger organisations (such as spending priorities. housing associations), leaving This is bad news for the thin pickings for the many ●●Chancellor Philip people who would ordinarily smaller organisations serving Hammond expect to be supported by the city. Many of these smaller organisations are the charities social care provision – elderly people with dementia or mobility issues, that deliver the social care that Mr Kalakeche feels may one day disappear cancer sufferers, the deaf and the blind, people with mental health problems, altogether. and many others.

Mr Kalakeche’s resignation isn’t the When you push aside all the only thing that bodes ill for the city’s social sector. New predictions from the economic facts and figures, Mr Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) suggest Kalakeche’s resignation points to the poignant reality that many thousands Government cuts are going to go even of ill, frail and disabled local people deeper than Mr Kalakeche fears. can expect to carry on suffering and In its Green Budget, the IFS predicts that the Chancellor will have to impose struggling for many years to come.

BUSINESS POST PARTNER

MSB appoint five new partners Leading Liverpool law firm MSB Solicitors has appointed 5 new partners after staff numbers rose by more than 30 per cent in 2016.

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RAD Armstrong, Hayley Catherall, Paul Gallagher, Nicola Harris and Emma Palmer will join 9 existing partners with effect from March 1.

Brad Armstrong joined MSB just last year to manage the expansion of the firm’s plot sales team.

The team marked a record year, which saw them complete more than 1,250 units in the Liverpool city region.

Paul Gallager heads up Crown Court litigation at MSB and joined the firm when it was founded in 1988. Paul has been an accredited police station representative since the inception of the scheme in 1996 and predominantly represents clients in serious crime cases, including murder and drug importation.

Nicola Harris graduated in law from the University of Liverpool in 2004 and joined MSB as a trainee solicitor the following year. She qualified as a solicitor in 2007 before working as an associate in the firm’s matrimonial department.

Nicola is on the Law Society Children’s Panel and is a Resolutionaccredited specialist in domestic violence and children’s issues.

Emma Palmer joined MSB in 2007 having graduated from University of Leicester. With particular expertise in women’s and children’s matters, Emma is on the Law Society’s Children Panel and is a Resolution accredited specialist in child abduction, domestic abuse, forced marriage and honour based violence.

Both Nicola and Emma have two children under the age of four.

Hayley Catherall has been with the firm for more than 10 years, and is one of a number at MSB who followed a non-traditional route into law. Hayley qualified as legal executive in 2000 and a Fellow in 2002, having taken up work as an assistant in a solicitor’s office after leaving school.

Hayley has a wealth of experience in all aspects of family law and is an accredited Resolution specialist in the areas of co-habitation and domestic violence.

Partner and head of the family team at MSB, Emma Carey said: “I am beyond delighted that 3 of my team have been invited to be partners with the firm. Not only is this testament to

their hard work, commitment and capability – but also to the firms promise to support, enable and promote all members of staff.

“I’m incredibly proud to be part of a firm that has succeeding in creating an environment where all our staff can achieve their potential.

“When I joined MSB in 2000, it was an all-male partnership and I was the only female solicitor. 16 years later, we now have an equal gender partnership with 7 female partners and 28 female solicitors working in the firm – so clearly we have created an environment in which women feel they can achieve.

“In the last four years, there have been 20 babies born within the firm and all of those women, like Nicola and Emma, have returned to work at MSB. It is an incredible achievement and something I am very proud of.”

Managing partner at MSB, Paul Bibby adds: “It is an exciting time for MSB and this announcement of our new partners follows a year of accelerated recruitment in the firm in order to meet the demands of new work.

“We are now a 14 partner firm and can confidently draw on the experience of people like Paul Gallagher, who has been with us since our inception and has had a demonstrable impact on our growth and development over the years – and Brad Armstrong, who joined the firm in only 2016 but has already overseen a record year for his department.

“It is clear we have the right mix of skills and expertise now to continue to drive forward and I am incredibly excited for the year ahead.”

MSB grew its team by almost a third last year and now employ more than 100 staff and consultants across 3 offices in Allerton, Wavertree and St Paul’s Square.

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL DELIVERS WIDESPREAD IMPACT

Mariana Castillo Deball, To-day 9th of July 2016.

Photo: Mark McNulty

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL DELIVERS WIDESPREAD IMPACT The importance of culture in Liverpool is well established. One of the largest events, both in terms of numbers and profile, is Liverpool Biennial, the UK’s festival of contemporary art that transforms the city every two years. Following the 2016 festival, which ran from July to October, an independent report by BOP Consulting has identified the magnitude of its economic, cultural and social impact.

Liverpool Biennial’s role in placemaking was highlighted by the fact that 60% of engaged visitors came from outside the city – including 9% from outside the UK – 63% of whom said they’d be more likely to visit Liverpool again because of their experience during the festival. The economic impact from these visitors – including accommodation, food and drink, and transport – was equivalent to supporting 138 full-time jobs in the city.

As well as positively influencing perceptions of the people who visited, the festival had a huge media footprint with more than 450 pieces of press coverage in regional, national and international media, and digital content that was seen more than 8.5 million times.

Approximately 1.2 million people had an experience of a Liverpool Biennial 2016 exhibition or public artwork, including 109,339 ‘highly engaged’ visitors who recorded an average of 5.9 visits to different venues and sites. Hundreds of thousands encountered art around the city, such as Mariana Castillo Deball’s To-day 9th of July 2016 in Liverpool ONE or the Liverpool Fountain of Betty Woodman on The Strand.

Three Arriva buses still in circulation across the entire city region were designed by artists with

local schoolchildren. The moving artworks have brought hundreds of thousands of people into contact with art and the Biennial, demonstrating the benefits of cross-city collaboration. 82% of visitors stated that Liverpool should do ‘more of this kind of thing’.

Betty Woodman, Liverpool Fountain, 2016.

Photo: Jerry Hardman-Jones

Frances Disley, Blaze, 2016; Hato and Childwall Academy, Hello Future Me, 2016; Ana Jotta, Mrs. Muir, 2016. Photo: Niall Lea

2018 While the dust has barely settled on the 2016 festival, organisers are already making big plans for Liverpool Biennial’s 10th edition which will celebrate 20 years of commissioning art in the city. Liverpool Biennial 2018 will bring international artists to exhibit in spaces across the city between 14 July – 28 October.

There are many opportunities for businesses of all types and size to become involved.

If you’re interested, contact Julie Lomax at julie@biennial.com or call 0151 709 7444.

“Betty Woodman’s Fountain stands as a testament to the continuing cultural ambition of our great city. We are proud to have sponsored a permanent feature of Liverpool’s artistic portfolio.”

Nick Peel, Weightmans “It’s a privilege for us to work with renowned international artists, encouraging further visitors to come to our magnificent city.”

Chris Bliss, Liverpool ONE “We are proud to support Liverpool’s creative community – the Biennial is a great way to showcase the arts and innovation that our city is famed for.”

Graham and Natalie Haywood, Oh Me Oh My “We are always excited to work with Liverpool Biennial and support their innovative projects.”

Barefoot Wine & Bubbly

CLUB LIVERPOOL’S £50M CITY BOOST

Liverpool’s ambassador programme Club Liverpool, aimed at bringing international conferences to the city, has announced that it has generated an economic impact of £50m since it launched two years ago.

In this time, Club Liverpool has helped to secure 27 conferences, some of which have already taken place and others which are confirmed for the future. The figure of £50m is calculated from the economic impact of these conferences on local businesses, including hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions. In addition, a further £52.2m worth of events are currently at bidding stage.

The figures were recently announced at Club Liverpool’s second anniversary event which took place at Liverpool Football Club’s new Main Stand, where ambassadors were presented with certificates of recognition from the city for events hosted during 2016.

The ambassadors were instrumental in securing several high-profile conferences in the city during 2016, including the Annual Conference of the European Association for International Education - brought by Gemma Smith from Liverpool John Moores University and Christine Bateman from University of Liverpool, the 17th International Symposium on Paediatric Neuro-Oncology – brought by Barry Pizer from Alder Hey, the Union World Conference on Lung Health – brought by Bertie Squire from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and the ninth International Conference on Developments in eSystems Engineering – brought by Dhiya Al-Jumeily from LJMU.

The programme launched in 2015, formed as a partnership between Liverpool Convention Bureau and ACC Liverpool. The powerful network of influential ambassadors who make up Club Liverpool are passionate about bringing world class conferences and events to the city as well as showcasing the very best Liverpool has to offer to associations and organisations from all over the world.

Uniting and supporting leading academics and professionals, Club Liverpool will continue securing and hosting major international conferences and events that promote the city and its areas of expertise to the rest of the world.

The programme looks set to boost the regional economy further and strengthen Liverpool’s standing on a global scale by hosting more international conferences, in particular in sectors such as medical, scientific and educational.

If you are interested in becoming an ambassador or wish to find out more information, contact jfawley@clubliverpool.co.uk www.clubliverpool.co.uk

Events that took place in 2016 alone attracted a total of over 10,000 international delegates to the city, resulting in an economic impact of £18.6m.

The Annual Conference of the European Association for International Education at ACC Liverpool

Liverpool Vision Chief Executive Max Steinberg presents ambassador certificate to LJMU’s Gemma Smith.

BUSINESS POST PARTNER

18 liverpool city region business post TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017

Have you paid Opinion thousands in unnecessary tax? May must show ALISTAIR HOUGHTON, Liverpool ECHO City Editor

If you have faced additional and unnecessary tax because of your business accountant, Sue The Expert’s professional negligence solicitor Chris Mason explains what you should do...

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F YOU have just recovered from your self assessment and the word ‘tax’ sends shivers down your spine read on!

With the daunting task of matching receipts and balancing the accounts, it is no wonder that so many people prefer to delegate this chore to a qualified accountant.

However, completing tax returns is just one aspect of an accountant’s responsibilities.

While the majority of accountants offer a professional service, as legislation changes it is important that your accountant remains up-todate with these changes and if your business is likely to be impacted then you should be made aware and advised accordingly.

Thousands of business owners suffer financial loss due to bad advice or by a complete lack of advice and this may amount to accountancy negligence.

A prime example is when the legislation changed surrounding the sale of goodwill of a business. If you were a profitable sole trader or, in a partnership prior to December 2014, you had two options:

1) remaining in a sole trader or partnership

2) becoming a limited company While both options can work well for a business, prior to December 2014, one was potentially much more tax efficient, and therefore more cost effective, than the other.

Yet many business owners didn’t know this and, more importantly, were not told this by their accountant - were you?

Before the former Chancellor, George Osborne, changed the rules on the sale of goodwill of a business to a connected party, it was more tax efficient for profitable sole traders to incorporate.

If you were not advised of this by your accountant, that one piece of

she wants city region to thrive

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t’s reassuring for the city region that Theresa May chose it to launch her grand economic plan.

The Prime Minister picked Daresbury as the site of her first regional cabinet meeting, where she unveiled details of her Industrial Strategy – designed, of course, to help the UK economy grow in the aftermath of Brexit.

Mrs May was in upbeat mood when she spoke to me and other journalists in a Daresbury side room.

She called her plan “an optimistic and ambitious strategy” and insisted it ● Sue The Expert’s professional would benefit the city region and its negligence solicitor Chris Mason people. advice could have cost you thousands She told me: “When I stood on the and by failing to give you that advice steps of number 10 on the 13th of July your accountant may have been and became Prime Minister I was very negligent. clear that I want a country that works for Accounting malpractice is generally everyone. rare. However, mistakes do happen “I want an economy that works for and those mistakes can be costly for everyone. And that’s about every part of clients who do not receive proper and the United Kingdom.” informed advice from their accountant.

The strategy, the PM said, was about Legally this will probably amount to a creating “the economy of the future” breach of the duty of care that requires that brings jobs and investment to the accountants to act in the best interests UK. of the client.

And she said she wanted to create “a In these circumstances, where the higher-wage high-skilled higherincorporation of your business and productivity economy”. the sale of goodwill was not explored That includes focusing on growth or where you were wrongly dissuaded sectors including science and from incorporating, they may have engineering, improving skills education, failed to discharge that duty and as keeping energy costs down, improving such could be liable for the losses that infrastructure... in short, a wish list of your business has suffered. the things many businesses demand.

The thought of taking legal action Now this region is already home to against professionals is often daunting. some great industrial success stories.

Going up against experts in their field There is Sci Tech Daresbury itself. requires a robust legal team with a Below that famous concrete tower, proven track record of fighting for Daresbury hosts a cluster of innovative justice on behalf of clients. firms working in areas from biotechnology to advanced engineering.

You can contact our team in Mrs May said that cluster effect was a confidence at Sue The Expert on 0345 theme within the industrial strategy.

052 3529 or email info@suetheexpert.

She said: “Daresbury’s a very good com to see if you could make a claim example where you’ve got coming to recoup your losses. together the opportunity for small

businesses to set up, to grow, but also to interact with larger businesses, interact with the research and scientific innovation that’s taking place here, and have access perhaps to scientific capability they wouldn’t have elsewhere.”

Late last month I went to Jaguar Land Rover in Halewood, to hear about its expansion plans.

That site, which has had a troubled history at times, is now so successful it’s operating at capacity and is having to physically expand into the car park you can see from Speke Boulevard.

We’ve got renewable energy work going on at Cammell Laird, pioneering digital and life sciences work in Liverpool, the North’s great port – so lots of reasons to be cheerful.

But this is also a region that has won a lot of European funding and so is worried by what Brexit could mean.

Mrs May’s words are encouraging.

But words are not enough.

As the Brexit process begins, Mrs May and her ministers need to act to show that they do want Liverpool and the North to thrive.

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 19

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Email: alistair.houghton@trinitymirror.co.uk

Firms daring to dream

●●Sci-Tech Darsbury is thriving, with the 31 newcomers including Valuechain and managing director Tom Dawes (inset)

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record number of businesses set up a new home on the science and innovation campus at Sci-Tech Daresbury in 2016, it has been revealed.

Thirty one companies either located or relocated to the campus near Runcorn, Cheshire, during the year, swelling the total now on site to 114.

John Downes, group managing director of Langtree and chairman of the Sci-Tech Daresbury joint venture company, said he believes it is a reflection of the ‘unique eco-system’ that has been created at the campus, which was granted Enterprise Zone status in April 2012.

He said: “Sci-Tech Daresbury has been set up in such a way that collaboration, co-development and business support makes a big impact on all the companies and organisations who locate here.

“The campus is deliberately designed to encourage connectivity between individual businesses, academic institutions and public sector bodies and for many this collaborative culture is a key reason to locate at Sci-Tech Daresbury. Essentially it’s about the sharing of ideas, networks and knowledge.

“When you match this open collaborative culture and leading industry expertise with the world-class technical facilities of the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s

Daresbury Laboratory you create exceptional capabilities, which businesses are able to tap into to maximise growth and often with potentially world-changing results.”

The Innovation Centre has 23 new tenants: Ambersail; Booth Welsh; Borgmeister & Soehne Ltd; BPE Design and Support Ltd; Centre for Process Innovation; CiiV Soft; DigiThreadz; E-Quality Software; Ewing Innovation; Execos Cloud; Fast Lean Smart UK Ltd; HQ Mobile/Get Albert; Kodit UDI Solutions; Laporte Innovation Partners; Milliman LLP; Niro Engineering; Nothing but Epic; Operational UK; Paratools Ltd; Ridia Consulting; Sherkin Technologies Ltd; Syrenis; and Valuechain.

Nicky Watson, CEO of Syrenis, moved her company from the centre of Warrington. She said: “I have an amazing team which is the engine of my business and so I wanted to create a good working environment for my staff while making their days fun. I came to Sci-Tech Daresbury looking for a second home for them, not merely an office.

“It has been the right move for us, there’s a grassroots, family-type

atmosphere here. Sci-Tech Daresbury is an environment that enables imagination and encourages freedom of thought and is working for us. We’ve been in The Innovation Centre for five months, but are now moving to Vanguard House due to further expansion.”

Tom Dawes, managing director of Valuechain, which moved from Preston Technology Centre, said: “Locating to Sci-Tech Daresbury has provided a step change for Valuechain. We are now part of a thriving, technology eco-system which is helping us to attract the best talent, partners and clients.”

Seven companies have chosen Campus Technology Hub as a base: European Spallation Source; Hemsted and Co; Inclusive Designs; Innocryst; LPW Technology; Quantum Detectors; and Satsafe.

LPW Technology, which is headquartered in Runcorn, makes high-quality metal powders used to create everything from aerospace turbine components, engine parts for Formula 1 cars, to implants such as artificial hips. It opened a new R&D facility at the campus.

Nicola Jones, marketing manager, said: “As the Sci-Tech Daresbury ●●John environment is dedicated to worldDownes leading scientific

research, it offers excellent support and facilities, which combined with LPW’s expertise, is enabling us to build a ‘Centre of Excellence’ in metal 3D printing. This R&D facility enables us to accelerate novel alloy development, applications testing, process optimisation, powder degradation studies and R&D projects.”

North West Strategic Clinical Network have moved into Vanguard House, while Conveyor Networks moved into new build, Techspace Two. The Innovations Technology Access Centre (ITAC) is now the new home to both IF Sensing and Sublino.

Sci-Tech Daresbury is a privatepublic joint-venture partnership between developer Langtree, the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and Halton Borough Council.

It is adding to its facilities with another major development, Techspace One, a three-storey 46,000 square feet building consisting of Grade A office space along with wet and dry laboratory facilities, each on its own floor.

Techspace One is expected to attract companies from sectors such as biomedical, material science, instrumentation and clean technology.

The building includes high-speed internet connectivity and will provide accommodation of between 900 sq ft and 2,400 sq ft units.

20 liverpool city region business post TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017

ver 140 companies across the UK have given their backing to a campaign by Peel Ports Group to help remove 200 million road and rail miles from the UK supply chain by 2020.

The Cargo200 initiative aims to cut carbon emissions, create more efficient supply chains and develop greater use of waterborne freight. By joining the Cargo200 initiative, cargo owners are supporting Peel Ports in urging shipping lines to bring their ships to Liverpool instead of southern ports.

Businesses in the Liverpool city region and across the North West are standing to gain the most through the shift.

The campaign outlines the opportunities for retailers and manufacturers to cut the cost of inland transportation. By switching delivery of ocean freight from south-east ports to the centrally located Port of Liverpool, shippers of goods that start or end their journey in the North can save UK plc from £350-£400m.

Campaign supporters include Diageo, JCB, B&M, Jaguar Land Rover, Matalan, Bentley, Typhoo, QVC, Ultimate Products and the Real Good Food Company.

Ultimately Peel Ports wants to recruit over 200 backers and is calling on businesses in the Liverpool city region to add their voice to the call for more direct shipping.

Peel Ports Group’s Commercial Director, Patrick Walters said: “We’re now past the halfway mark and our campaign to create a sustainable shift in the UK logistics sector continues to gain momentum.

What this proves is that there is clear, substantial demand from Liverpool and North West-based companies to reduce costs, congestion and carbon emissions by shipping closer to their markets.

Inspiring a sea change in UK freight shipments “The new and expanded services we announced in 2016 demonstrate that shipping lines have confidence in the benefits offered by Liverpool as the UK’s most centrally located national port.

“They are also attracted to the supply chain efficiencies offered by our ability to provide more balanced import/export cargo flows.

Evidence from the Freight Transport Association Logistics Carbon Review in 2014 highlights that HGVs account for about 30 per cent of the UK’s transport greenhouse gas emissions and that logistics is under continued pressure to improve efficiency and reduce emissions in order to help meet UK Government targets.

The review added that ‘Making best use of modes other than road is an important element of reducing logistics’ carbon emissions.’

Also, a survey by the Confederation of Business Industry in 2010 found that ‘…congestion on the road network…is causing business the most problems and is the prime concern’.

“This strength will benefit from the expanding cargo base in the North West, which itself has been given added impetus through the Northern Powerhouse initiative.

“The success of the Cargo200 initiative so far underlies our case and provides further evidence of the significant commercial gains to be secured by increasing the frequency and capacity of calls via Liverpool.”

It added that ‘The cost to business of road congestion has been estimated at £7-8bn, and will more than double on the basis of the projected rise in congestion to 2025.’

Currently a minority of containers into the UK arrives through the North, meaning that the majority of containers destined for the North has to be transported via road or rail, incurring hundreds of additional miles, burning fuel, creating road congestion and adding to carbon emissions and costs.

Peel Ports’ modelling, based on the journeys currently undertaken by these cargoes, has projected that at least 200 million road miles could be saved by 2020.

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 21

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017

Patrick Walters continued: “The reality is that 60% of demand for deep-sea container cargo resides closer to Liverpool than traditional southern ports.

shipment by going via Liverpool rather than Southampton or Felixstowe.

is fundamental to delivering the Northern Powerhouse ambitions.

The Port of Liverpool is therefore strategically important as the most centrally located port in the UK, especially with the opening of the Liverpool2 deep-water container terminal in November, providing a viable and costeffective alternative for direct global services to call at Liverpool with the new generation of massive container ships.

Investments in transport infrastructure, road, rail and the Manchester Ship Canal are already supporting the accelerated growth of businesses in the North, but taking advantage of these opportunities means making a conscious shift in today’s supply chains and services. That shift is primarily to bring cargo closer to markets, thereby cutting the costs, carbon emissions and congestion resulting from inland transportation.

We have had success in galvanising regionally based companies by using the business networks of the Chamber of Commerce, Institute of Directors and the Liverpool LEP.

For example, companies shipping to Leeds could save up to 155 miles and potentially hundreds of pounds for each and every

There is increasing recognition that the development of the Port of Liverpool as the international gateway to the north of England

But we know that there are other businesses who may not fully appreciate the benefits that Cargo200 might bring them in particular. We invite all businesses in the North West that rely on import and export markets to contact us to learn more at www.peelports.com/cargo200.”

CASE STUDIES B&M

Newport Industries

Regatta

B&M is one of the leading variety retailers in the United Kingdom, employing over 22,500 staff across 500 stores nationally, serving around 3.3m customers per week.

Newport Industries Limited is a niche distributor of chemicals based in London but with around 99% of its business in the North.

With over 250 clients, from multinationals to local manufacturers, Newport supplies in excess of 180,000 tonnes of chemicals per year with over 200 products spread over 10 application industries.

The Regatta outdoor and leisure clothing company employs more than 1,000 staff and is based in Manchester, with its global distribution warehouse operating from Ellesmere Port on the Mersey.

B&M estimates it is saving around £1m annually having increased the proportion of shipping via Liverpool to 60%. Every container that goes through the port saves money and environmental impact through reduced road and rail mileage.

The company is calling on the larger shipping lines to offer new or additional services via Liverpool. It believes that the evidence is there to justify direct calls due to the number of importers and the volume of large warehouses located in the North West.

It also says that the freight forwarding community should offer its customers a choice of ports rather than automatically assigning traditional ports.

It ships around 2,500 containers per year by truck and is backing the Cargo200 campaign to encourage shipping lines to offer more services that will help it reduce its lorry miles.

Its sister company, Bulk Powder Terminals Ltd, is already developing a purpose-built facility at the Port of Liverpool for the import of bulk minerals and chemicals, storage and final distribution to the end user client. The facility will specialise in dry bulk chemicals to service UK clients in the glass, detergent, chemicals and animal feed industries.

Regatta has been using the Port of Liverpool for its various brands for nearly 10 years. Due to demand from its export customers, the cost of shipping between the UK and the Far East or Indian subcontinent is less than the cost of moving goods between southern ports and the North West.

Also, in growing new export markets the company tends to work in smaller volumes.

This has an impact on port choice, with the lower scale making it even more important to reduce costs on the UK leg.

To find out more, contact Peel Ports: marketing@peelports.com | www.peelports.com/cargo200

22 liverpool city region business post TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017

How happy families are keeping UK in business Merseyside is at the heart of a crucial part of the country’s economy – MARK THOMAS meets businesses playing generation game

F

rom tiny corner shops to massive conglomerates, the scale and importance of family businesses to the UK economy is truly staggering.

According to the Institute for Family Business Research Foundation’s latest figures, family firms contributed £460 billion to the UK’s Gross Domestic Product in 2015, employing more than 12 million people and paying £133 billion in taxes.

Sir Michael Bibby (pictured below), chairman of the foundation and managing director of the Liverpool-based Bibby Line Group, knows a thing or two about family businesses, as the sixth generation of a business dynasty founded 200 years ago.

In his introduction to the foundation’s 2016-17 State of the Nation report, he writes: “The importance of the sector to the economy is clear, and at a time of great change – the Brexit negotiations, new government policy and increased global uncertainty – its long-term approach, stable earnings profile and ability to create jobs needs to be properly understood.”

Of the 4.7 million family-run businesses in the UK, 476,807, or just over 10%, are based here in the north west.

Family firms form 87% of all private sector businesses in the UK, and more than 97% of them are small firms. They provide 36% of all UK jobs, and had a

2015 turnover of more than £1.4 trillion. In this special Business Post report, we look at two success stories that epitomise the strength of the family business sector, and provide inspirational role models for budding entrepreneurs looking to take their own steps into the business world.

Andrew Collinge Hairdressing has been through a number of incarnations spanning many decades, surviving and thriving through some of the city region’s toughest economic times, and is today an iconic fashion brand with salons across the north west, a wealth of talent and experience in the locker, and a bright young managing director from the family in Charlie Collinge taking the business forward.

John Sutch Cranes is a younger business, the product of a man who gambled his home and a secure job as a crane driver in 1989 to go it alone in the construction industry, and is today handing over the helm of a thriving multi-million pound business with a fleet of cranes that have helped rebuild the city region to his two daughters, who between them have more than 40 years’ experience in the business.

They both epitomise the kind of drive, enterprise and courage that our city region must continue to develop in its business people if we are to thrive in an economic and political world riven with change and uncertainty.

●●Three generations of the Collinge dynasty ... Andrew Collinge with new managing director and son Charlie (main picture), Andrew with wife Liz (top right), and dad Peter (bottom right), who launched the business in Liverpool city centre Main picture: COLIN LANE

I never felt any pressure to join firm – but time is right

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 23

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017

T

he Collinge family has been making a living through hair for more than a century – but new managing director Charlie is the first in the line to do so without picking up the scissors and comb.

Charlie Collinge, 33, was appointed managing director of the famed Andrew Collinge hairdressing business in March 2015 – assuming responsibility for a brand that has become an icon of style and fashion in the north west.

The roots of the business can be traced back to Charlie’s great grandfather, Wilfred Collinge, who trained as a men’s barber at Cambridge Arcade in Lord Street, Liverpool in 1910, before going off to sea as a ship’s barber, sailing out of Liverpool on the Elder Dempster line ship Apapa to Africa’s Gold Coast.

He left the Apapa in 1939 as the Second World War broke out,

fortunately for him and the family, as the ship was to be sunk by German bombers the following year.

When many were looking to move out of the major port city of Liverpool – a prime Nazi target – Wilfred and his wife Molly took the bold step of moving from Ainsdale into West Derby, Liverpool, to open a small salon called Collinges, offering a traditional male barber shop alongside a ladies hairdresser.

Their sons Peter and Keith were evacuated, but when it was safe to return to the city towards the end of the war, Peter began his ladies’ hairdressing apprenticeship at Symonds, a small salon in Richmond Street off Williamson Square.

After the war Peter also went to sea, working as a ladies hairdresser on the Cunard ship the Mauretania, which served as a troop carrier before being restored to its original splendour as a

luxury transatlantic liner.

He honed his talents working on the hair first of the Wrens, and then of the wealthy lady passengers travelling back and forth from Southampton to the USA. By the time Peter returned to the family salon in West Derby, he had developed his skills to the extent that he joined the lucrative and highly competitive competition hairdressing circuit, winning a string of major competitions.

His model at the time was a young primary school teacher called Hazel, who he married in 1951. By now his reputation was growing, fuelled by publicity in the Liverpool ECHO for his many competition triumphs.

His son Andrew says: “Because of the publicity in the ECHO all the great and the good would travel out to the salon in West Derby and there would be chauffeur-driven cars on the bridge at

Muirhead Avenue delivering the ladies who went to have their weekly shampoo and set.

“He then realised it was time to move into the city centre. He opened in Coopers Building in Hepworth Chambers opposite Hendersons, starting on the top floor in a very small salon but ending up taking a very large salon on the first floor.

“That was really where the business grew. He had a fantastic team of stylists, Mum worked on reception, and Dad was very well established in the competition world, winning European championships and joining the Fellowship for British Hairdressing.”

Peter Collinge became president of the Fellowship in 1974, an honour which was to be bestowed on Andrew more than two decades later in 1996.

“When I became president I invited Turn to page 24

24 liverpool city region business post TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017

From Page 23

Vidal Sassoon to be my guest speaker at Claridge’s in London and he flew over from Los Angeles,” said Andrew. “When he arrived he said ‘I only came because I knew your father would be here.’

“Dad and Vidal used to compete together back in the 1950s before Vidal went on and revolutionised hairdressing. In fact, Peter Collinge was often called the Vidal Sassoon of the north, as he was very contemporary.”

The family went on and opened salons in Hoylake, West Kirby and Ormskirk, and another in Brunswick Street, Liverpool. Andrew started his hairdressing career in 1974 at his father’s West Kirby salon, before getting a big break to go and work at the glamorous michaeljohn salon off Bond Street in London, which boasted royalty and celebrities like Liz Taylor among its clientele.

“The very first person I shampooed there was Mrs Thatcher, when she was Leader of the Opposition,” recalls Andrew. “She asked if I had voted that day in the local elections.

“I had just arrived in London and I said something like well I couldn’t and anyway I couldn’t be bothered. She spun round so fast in the chair and she gave me a really steely look and said ‘Young man, it doesn’t interest me who you vote for, but you must always exercise your right to vote – people died for you to live in a democracy.’

“It was a fairly intimidating experience being reprimanded by Mrs Thatcher. I have to say I’ve never stopped voting since!”

While he was working at michaeljohn Andrew met his wife Liz, who was then training to be an optician, when he cut her hair during an evening training session.

The couple married in London in 1980 and returned to Liverpool to work at the Peter Collinge salons in 1982.

He recalled: “When I first came back to Liverpool in the 80s it was pretty grim and tough. The city was in turmoil, and it says a lot about the brand that we ran a business in such a challenging time.

Rates were getting as high as the rents in retail units in Liverpool – it was really hard.”

The ever-innovative Peter Collinge and his wife became heavily involved with youth training, starting in 1984 with the YTS programme, first training the company’s own assistants, and developing into the major training provider they have become today, with two training salons in Liverpool and Birkenhead under the “Graduates” brand.

Andrew’s older sister Sarah took over from her mother as training director when she retired, and remains a consultant after retiring herself last year. The company now trains 150 apprentices at a time for 110 salons,

At 64, John Sutch sits at the helm of a booming business that has played a major role in the regeneration of the Liverpool city region.

And at an age when thoughts turn inevitably towards retirement, succession planning is not a problem, thanks to the experience of his two daughters, who have grown up with his business and learned to more than hold their own in the macho, male-dominated culture of the construction industry.

The story of John Sutch Cranes is an inspiring one for budding entrepreneurs, worrying about the gamble of staking everything on their own professional ability.

His academic background was poor, having left school with the rousing encouragement from his headmaster that he “wasn’t going amount to much”. Becoming a crane driver was a natural step for John, having followed in the footsteps of his late father Bob “Bluey” Sutch when he was 20.

But John yearned to have control of his own professional destiny, and in 1989 he decided to take the bold step of leaving his job with Ainscough Crane Hire to strike out on his own.

He was supported, advised and encouraged from the start by his wife Elaine, who remains a director and a driving force behind the business.

He took out a new mortgage on their home and used the money to buy his first crane, a second-hand Coles 25 28 Supertruck 70-foot crane.

He recalls: “Immediately we hit problems with it and all the wiring burned out. I really thought that was the end of it, but a firm was able to fix it in three days. I had launched in a recession, so it was quite a gamble to re-mortgage the house and buy the machine. I used to park the crane at a local engineering firm.

“Our first contract was with Wimpeys, to work on building the News International print works in Knowsley. And in the second year we

receiving outstanding reports from Ofsted.

In 1985 the family took a shop in Telegraph Road, Heswall, and decided to launch this one as the first Andrew Collinge salon. Andrew was now starting to have success in competition work through the British Hairdressing Awards, while Liz was training to become a makeup artist.

In 1993 Andrew won British Hairdresser of the Year, an event televised on The Clothes Show, which hugely boosted his profile.

Andrew and Liz then got a call to do a makeover on the pilot TV show for This Morning, presented from Liverpool’s Albert Dock by Judy Finnegan and Richard Madeley.

People who work here are part of the family – we know the names and faces

●●The family behind John Sutch Cranes (left to right) Hayley, Elaine, John and Andrea and (inset) founder John with his first crane

started to grow. We got a contract with Lilley Construction for Liverpool sewers. I took on my first driver, Frank Miller, who is still with us 26 years on.

“We’ve had great support from our bank. We’ve been with Allied Irish Bank for 26 years now and never looked back.”

The firm began to grow and its expansion closely mirrored the regeneration of the city region, until now it has a turnover of around £12m a year. John took on more recruits, including his father, and they began to work on more and more of the major

“The rest is history, really,” says Andrew. “We did that first show and ended up on the show for about 10 years while it was in Liverpool and we did about 500 makeovers.

“I had to pinch myself sometimes – it was unreal. On a Friday morning I’d be on network TV and an hour later I’d be back in the salon in Heswall doing clients. You could never have predicted it.”

They launched a licensed Andrew Collinge product range marketed through Boots, and at his father’s suggestion, changed the name of the salons from Peter Collinge to Andrew Collinge.

They extended their salons until they now have eight across the north west,

construction projects that were to transform the face of Liverpool.

The familiar yellow livery of John Sutch Cranes can be seen on just about every major construction project in the city region. The company worked on Liverpool One, Peel’s Liverpool 2 Superport project, the new Royal Liverpool Hospital and Christie’s in Manchester. They are now heavily engaged in the spectacular civil engineering feat that is the new Runcorn bridge.

When the Giants came to Liverpool to delight crowds in their millions, it

including Manchester, a concession in Selfridges in the Trafford Centre, and in Chester, as well as their two city centre locations in Castle Street and Bold Street.

At 89, Peter Collinge remains life president of the business, and was guest of honour at the company’s awards night at the Titanic Hotel last month.

He received an OBE for hairdressing services in 2012, recognising 50 ●●Andrew Collinge n years of training and apprentices for 110 s

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 25

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017

was John Sutch Cranes who donated the lifting gear without which the spectacle could not have happened.

“We are very proud to come from Merseyside,” said John. “We see the buildings and think – we built that. I remember getting on a Mersey Ferry and looking at the skyline and at every corner we had been working in that area. Liverpool had a bad reputation back in 1989, but it’s a great city now.”

His daughter Andrea Lowrie joined the firm 25 years ago and is now human resources director. Three years later, younger daughter Hayley came

now trains 150 salons

on board, and she is now the managing director designate. And that is not the end of the family story, with aunties, cousins and even the son of one of John’s nephews in the business, taking the family connection to a third generation.

“We go on holiday together as a big family do and we try to switch off . . . but often the talk will turn to cranes!” smiled John.

Said Hayley, 39: “We’ve grown and worked with the business, and cranes are in our blood. We have all learned new skills and every day is a new

delivering hairdressers to the north west.

“I feel great for Dad because he can see what the business he has founded has become,” said Andrew. “What I brought to the business was probably giving the brand more of a national and commercial profile and starting to embrace media.”

With such a hairdressing dynasty behind him, it begs the question as to why Andrew’s son Charlie did not follow in their

footsteps. Charlie admits: “I must have been asked on a weekly basis if I was going to become a hairdresser, but I never felt any family pressure to do so.

“The advice Andrew once gave me was to do what you enjoy and do it to the best of your ability and you will be successful.

“We never discussed as a family the family’s legacy as a company. In fact maybe that was slightly to the detriment of the business in one sense, because no real succession planning had ever really taken place.

“One of my motivations for coming back to join the company was seeing that it needed future direction and we needed to think about succession.”

Charlie studied product and furniture

challenge. It’s great that it will be kept in the family when Dad steps down and it is an opportunity for Andrea and I to drive it forward.

We’ve got big shoes to fill, but we have some fresh ideas and know where we want to go.

“The business has that family feel about it. The people who work here feel part of the family and part of the group. We know the names and faces and they know who to come and speak to. It’s nice.”

Said John: “We have 96 people now and took on an extra 10 or 12 last year. We will definitely get to 100 this year. We have crane drivers, fitters, truck drivers, riggers, slingers, engineers, and people working in sales and accounts. We also run an apprentice programme.”

Said Andrea, 41: “All of our employees are really loyal and tend to stay with us for a long time. A lot have come here from bigger companies and they like to feel the personal involvement they get here.”

The company has a second depot in Manchester and last year moved its Merseyside base to a new 4.5 acre depot in Bootle, with modern offices and enough space to gather all 42 cranes in the fleet. They work across the UK and are looking to expand to a third base in Leeds or Birmingham.

“Our next thing would be an acquisition and we would grow from there,” said John.

After many years keeping the company’s books, John’s wife has now retired, but maintains an active interest in the business, and one suspects John will also continue to provide guidance and encouragement long after he formally hands over the reins to his daughters.

“You get to a stage in your life and the next stage is retirement,” he says.

“I’m on four days a week next year, three days after that . . . and then I think I’m in the bin,” he laughs. “I will be somewhere warm, but I will always be in the background.”

design at university, and went on to work for furniture manufacture and design company Vitsoe, where he quickly stepped up from the design team to become operations manager.

“Obviously I had good knowledge about furniture and manufacturing so I felt at ease, but what I really enjoyed was how you could be creative in managing a business,” he said.

“A business has values and an ethos but everything else around strategy and processes you can design to make a business more effective and efficient.

So I knew after working there that really my long-term future would be in management.”

After a few discreet conversations with his father about the challenges

they were both facing, Charlie began to think about ways in which the hairdressing business could move into the future. They then spoke to his Aunt Sarah, who was then the other director, and at the end of 2014, they offered Charlie the job of managing director, which he took in March 2015.

Andrew became creative director of the business, allowing him to concentrate on working with the hairdressing tutors and the creative team to maintain the company’s presence at the big events in hairdressing and keeping it at fashion’s cutting edge.

“Charlie arriving was just perfect timing,” said Andrew. “There are so many advances in marketing, retailing, social media, everything Charlie did, all the skills he’s learnt in the time he’s been working. He’s now bringing that to our company. He used to help out in reception in our salons in the holidays when he was at university, so a lot of the staff know him, and he had great respect around the business.

“Charlie and his wife Jess were our guests at our awards event two years ago, when we announced that he was coming to join us as MD, and it got an incredible reaction from the teams. I had to say ‘steady on, he hasn’t done anything yet!’

“Everyone just thought it was brilliant.

It went down so well in the trade and the trade press, and particularly with the salon teams, which was wonderful to see.”

Now, with a new management team in place, an annual turnover of £5m and 150 staff, the company is moving into new areas, with the recent launch of a new Collinge hair product range, CO, this time manufactured themselves rather than under a license arrangement.

“That’s a much smaller enterprise and there’s a lot we’ve got to learn, so I think there is a massive opportunity for that to grow,” said Charlie. “It’s modern business that even celebrity involves merchandise and products. It’s an important way of building awareness to your business and being able to share your business.”

But does he feel any special weight of responsibility because the company he is taking over belongs to his family?

“Any new managing director coming in would feel the pressure of keeping a business going. I don’t feel like it’s my own despite having some ownership of it.

“You want to do well for everyone, not just for the family but for the people who work for it, our employees, but also our clients. They have an expectation that things are going to be done a particular way and to a particular standard.

“There is a pressure, but I can’t say it’s greater than being an MD of any other business.”

26 liverpool city region business post TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017

Digital, media and creative

Email: alistair.houghton@trinitymirror.co.uk

City architects turn over new leaf at top bars L

iverpool-based design studio R2 Architecture is celebrating the launch of three high-profile north west venues showcasing the diversity and creativity of its work.

Working out of The Blind School in Hardman Street, the team of interior designers, architects and branding experts – led by director and founder Richard Eastwood – specialise in licensed retail, commercial and residential projects.

Past credits include Alma de Cuba, the Panoramic Restaurant, Korova, Baby Cream, The British Airways i360 Restaurant, The Brink, Delifonseca, Neon Jamon and LEAF. The latest Liverpool bar and restaurant to bear its hallmark is HUS, in the Tempest Building in Tithebarn Street. The venue, which includes a rooftop terrace, opened its doors late last year, as part of a major re-imagining for the 60s office block.

HUS is heavily inspired by the resurgent hospitality scene in Stockholm and Copenhagen, and is described by the studio as “an anti-style bar antidote for a generation tired of over-the-top glamour”.

R2A worked closely with client Alison Lockett-Burke to bring to life her vision for a venue “where people didn’t have to worry about whether they’re wearing the right shoes.”

The studio’s Christopher Warwick

said: “We were blessed with a gift of a site: a huge concrete structure with waffled ceilings and an expansive, open aspect. This is a landmark venue that’s just been waiting for its potential to be realised. It’s great to be given the chance to breath life into this imposing space.”

Stand-out features include highly detailed geometric ply panelling, bespoke light fittings made from finely finished birch plywood – in a nod to the venue’s Scandinavian-inspired theme – and a neon yellow inverted stage for performances and gigs. R2A also collaborated with Along Bird Alley, who created the distinctive branding and artwork that weaves its way throughout the scheme.

In a busy spell for the studio, which also saw the opening of two projects in Manchester. R2A’s longrunning association with hugely successful tea shop-cum-music venue, LEAF, saw them launch LEAF’s first Manchester outlet in Portland Street. It reunites the original creative team of LEAF founder Natalie Haywood, SB Studio for branding, and R2 Architecture for design.

“Our brief was to oversee the complete renovation of the old Cube Gallery building, remaining sympathetic to its incredible character

●●R2 Architecture has been working with Leaf in Manchester (main picture), HUS in Liverpool (left) and The Lead Station

and restoring many of its beautiful features, such as the much-loved existing cantilevered staircase,” said Eastwood.

“We wanted to create a venue that reflected the diverse neighbourhood around Portland Street.

“Fans of the original Bold Street LEAF in Liverpool will recognise the

R2A flourishes – dusky florals, industrial features and homely finishing touches.”

Haywood said: “There’s space to breathe here. It doesn’t feel like you’re sitting in a Pinterest board.”

The last of the three projects is the complete refurbishment of south Manchester’s Lead Station, in Chorlton.

Mando puts planners on the right track

●●Liverpool-based Mando is helping planners keep London on the move

Liverpool-based digital agency Mando has completed an upgrade project for a key planning platform for Transport for London (TfL) The digital platform, the Web-based Connectivity Assessment Toolkit (WebCAT), is used by London planners to measure public transport access levels and produce travel time reports when planning new houses or other developments.

The new version of WebCAT includes heat maps showing how well connected an area is by public transport and cycling routes, travel times from any location in London, and comparisons between modes of travel on today’s transport network and that of the future.

Mando recently expanded into London.

Client Services Director Mark Simpson said: “We’re really excited to have collaborated on this project with

Transport for London. We know how invaluable the WebCAT tool is to planners.

We look forward to continuing our relationship in light of our recent expansion into the capital.”

Alex Williams, Acting Managing Director of Planning, said: “London’s planners have a huge challenge ahead of them and WebCAT is a great toolkit which has already provided them with lots of useful data.”

BUSINESS POST PARTNER

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION CHAMBERS NEWS

‘Brexit means Brexit’and Trump’s US what next for international trade?

Liverpool and Sefton Chamber of Commerce’s Andy Snell analyses the trading climate

W

E ISSUE over 20,000 export licences a year for shipment of your goods to overseas markets from Azerbaijan to Zimbabwe, but not one for the EU or USA. Why? Because UK exporters do not currently require them for our two biggest international trading partners. The seismic shifts of 2016 in Washington and Brussels mean this is subject to change. Exchange rate fluctuations are currently benefitting some exporters but all have a keen eye on the UK’s current round of

● Trump outlines his protectionist USA

international trade talks.

Trump’s pugnacious inauguaration speech couldn’t have been a more striking departure from Obama’s ecumenism. Perhaps misguided protectionisism, and Theresa May’s invitation to the White House mere political point scoring, yet a post Brexit UK/US trade deal is key.

US trade is worth over £100bn to the UK, Trump is offering lower tariffs, and to tackle non tariff barriers such as differences in regulations.

Yes the timescale is constrained legally, the UK prevented from negotiations until Brexit is complete, estimated to be March 2019. US Congress then require 7 months beyond that (90 days notice, 30 days deliberation and 90 days before ratification). However the window of opportunity is now, Obama’s threat that we would be ‘back of the queue’ has been reversed, the bust of Winston Churchill is back in the Oval office, and Britain must make the case for transatlantic commerce.

BUSINESS POST PARTNER

A stronger bilateral UK/US agreement could be used as leverage in EU Brexit talks, however surely one to tread carefully- Europe accounts for 44 per cent of British exports compared with 14 per cent to USA. Theresa May is clear that Britain will leave the single market but seek “the greatest possible access to it”.

That market is worth £220bn to the UK, the outcome of any trade deal with the EU is crucial, as our exports will be subject to import tariffs as well as extra administrative costs. If there is an interim period, we would have to trade on standard tariffs under World Trade Organisation rules. An independent analysis found that the cost to Britain’s exporters in extra tariffs alone would be at least £4.5bn per year.

Our primary concern is getting your goods to market and will keep you posted on exporting certification requirements as we gain detail from the International Chamber of Commerce.

Be sure to keep updated through our website on our broad range of

● A US/UK deal could help Brexit talks

international trade training, events and EU grants for trade missions.

Andy Snell is director at International Trade and Commercial Services, Liverpool Sefton Chamber of Commerce. For more information visit www.liverpoolchamber.org.uk

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION CHAMBERS NEWS

Wirral Chamber’s new digital and creative hub begins to take shape

W

IRRAL Chamber’s new digital and creative hub aims to bring the area’s startups out of their bedrooms and provide a focal point for businesses in the sector.

The Sheds at Pacific Road is a new co-working space for fledgling entrepreneurs and young businesses, based in Birkenhead.

With a focus on the digital and creative industries, Wirral Chamber hopes The Sheds at Pacific Road will be a space of creativity and collaboration that allows new and existing businesses to flourish.

Primarily targeting the ‘bedroom warrior’ stereotype, the space will be seen as a transition from homeworking to co-working.

With excellent access to transport, and the Mersey Ferry terminals nearby, The Sheds at Pacific Road retains its links to the Liverpool City Region and its flourishing digital and creative

scene; yet offers an alternative and accessible space for those currently living on The Wirral Peninsula.

Currently the only space of its kind in the area, The Sheds at Pacific Road aims to galvanise Wirral’s creative sector, giving it a home, sense of identity and providing a catalyst for future growth in the sector.

Speaking as The Sheds fit-out gets underway, Paula Basnett, CEO of Wirral Chamber of Commerce said “The Sheds at Pacific Road will be a vibrant place for business collaboration.

“We’re working with some of the best creative minds from across the City Region to ensure that we have an offer that addresses the needs of this sector.

“We’re getting great feedback from the businesses who’ve seen it, with a growing list of people desperate to secure hot desk and shed space.”

The Sheds at Pacific Road will launch on 27th April.

Visit www.pacificsheds.co.uk to find out more.

● The Sheds at Pacific road will be a space of creativity and collaboration

BUSINESS POST PARTNER

Gaining a sense of direction Simon Walker, head of Quilter Cheviot’s Liverpool office, gives his take on President Trump’s first few weeks in office and analyses what his actions tell us about the future of the investment market...

S

O, WE now have President Trump - surely one of 2016’s less likely outcomes and maybe one of 2017’s more material sources of uncertainty?

We have also had two keynote government announcements at home since the turn of the year; a positioning statement for Brexit negotiations and a flavour of what our industrial strategy will look like.

President Trump has made it clear that he wishes to hit the ground running and early evidence indicates a desire to shrink the State and promote domestic economic activity. On a global basis, government has generally increased in size and influence post the financial crisis for - arguably- sensible and legitimate reasons.

The US is most advanced in its return to normal and is therefore well placed to see the private sector taking a greater role in the economy, supported by the President’s strong preference to capture as much of the benefit domestically.

However, without balance, the benefits of global trade could be at risk from a protectionist and less open US. As Trump got into full Presidential swing over the water, back at home, headlines were occupied by panicky reaction to some city banks announcing they would likely transfer a measure of Europe oriented business to the Eurozone.

If this is a primary cost associated with Brexit it may prove to be one worth paying. Recent data has shown shrinking involvement of euros in cross border activity (the dollar is in the ascendency) and the Eurozone looks set to continue to be a low growth, heavily regulated entity - which will restrict the amount of activity that will shift.

We also saw the Supreme Court ruling on Article 50 announced but, whilst this was a blow to Theresa May’s government which failed in its fast track appeal to the court, it is unlikely to halt progress on the UK’s Brexit negotiations completely.

At the time of writing, Brexit

● Simon Walker is head of the Liverpool office at Quilter Cheviot

Secretary, David Davis has announced that a straightforward Brexit Bill will be published within days, with a plan to clear all three stages of the Commons within a fortnight.

Time will tell, of course, whether the transition is quite so smooth. With the Bill now needing to go through Parliament, both MPs and Peers will have the opportunity to suggest amendments and additions to it that could delay matters.

Providing all goes ahead, Brexit may provide an opportunity for the

government to shrink over here too as regulations are sifted through and, if we can resist the temptation to move from a supportive to interventionist industrial policy, we could see the gulf in economic performance between the UK and Europe growing.

Certainly, there is much ground yet to travel and not all sectors will warm to a hard line approach to Brexit.

However, Mr Trump seems determined to build a strong link with the UK, and other key trading partners will watch with interest if we move (relatively) quickly to a trade deal with America.

Mrs May made it clear that government will focus attention on creating an environment which supports the growth of high value added industry sectors.

Education and skills, physical and communications infrastructure as well as a favourable tax regime will make a difference and help the UK establish itself alongside the world’s dynamic higher growth countries.

Much hangs in the balance at present then but we, at least, have an indication of which direction we’re moving in.

For more information, contact Simon Walker: simon.walker@ quiltercheviot.com 0151 243 2161.

● Since the arrival of President Trump, investors eyes across the world have been on the White House

Investors should remember that the value of investments, and the income from them, can go down as well as up. Investors may not recover what they invest. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 29

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017

in the news

Email: tom.belger@trinitymirror.com

A show of strength at Mipim for city region

●●The Liverpool stand for Mipim 2017, designed by K2 Architects

M

ipim is the top event in the world’s property calendar – and Liverpool will be there in force.

Mipim, which runs from March 14-17, sees thousands of property specialists from around the world descend on Cannes for days of debate and dealmaking.

For the past three years, a private sector-led delegation has represented Liverpool in Mipim, showing off the city to potential investors from all over the world and promoting the area’s many on-going regeneration schemes.

And this year the city region looks set to send its biggest-ever delegation to the French Riviera.

They’ll be promoting projects and development sites from Paddington Village, in Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter, to the Birkenhead waterfront.

Sean Beech, head of Deloitte’s Liverpool office and chair of the Liverpool delegation, said: “I am delighted that this year our delegation to MIPIM is the largest it has ever been with 35 companies supporting the Liverpool City Region.

“We have a full event schedule working with partners across the UK and are excited about the investment and business opportunities MIPIM 2017 will bring.”

Each year more than 2,000 companies, from 80 nations, are represented at Mipim. It attracts some 20,000 visitors.

With so many cities represented, each individual stand has to stand out.

Liverpool’s stand has been designed

by K2 Architects and has been designed to be warm and welcoming as well as colourful.

As well as showcasing the opportunities available in Liverpool, the stand acts as an informal networking hub. Mark Davies, from K2 Architects, said: “Our aim was to build on the success of the stand design over the last few years, but approach it in a fresh new way. We have created a unique space that exhibits high-quality craftsmanship, whereby human scale is considered throughout, with the use of warm, smooth ‘touchable’ materials.

“We tapped into the experience of the Marketing Liverpool team, and worked closely with them and the appointed contractor to make sure we got the best design to meet the budget. The space is playful, highly functional and inviting and moves away from the more conventional exhibition spaces to offer something completely different.”

IN BRIEF ●●Businesswoman and low-carbon energy expert Amanda Lyne has been named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the energy sector.

Amanda, Managing Director of Liverpool-based ULEMCo, was nominated by GreenFleet magazine, which represents the environmentally conscious transport industry.

ULEMCo is working on several projects to allow vehicles, such as large vans and lorries, to run on both hydrogen and diesel fuel, which will provide cleaner air and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Amanda (above) was recently invited to speak to the Government Science and Technology Committee. ●●Forest Fuels has launched a new facility in Liverpool.

The wood pellet depot at Garston is the next stage in the company’s plans to increase its investment in the region. The facility will increase the amount of pellet available for sustainable, environmentally-friendly wood fuel, ten-fold. ●●A leading law firm is warning big businesses that now is the time to get their payment practices in order.

The advice comes ahead of a new law, starting in April 2017, which will ‘name and shame’ organisations that take a long time to pay their suppliers. DTM Legal, which has offices in Liverpool and Chester, said businesses need to have adequate systems and processes and should carefully scrutinise their payment policies.

Mees building for future out of demolition

●●CGI of how 8 Water Street in Liverpool could look after it is refurbished.

Mees Demolition has completed the first stage of the decommissioning of 8 Water St. The site is to be converted into 96 apartments.

Mees Demolition have completed works to separate the residential section of the building, which takes up about 80% of the space, and the commercial aspect. The strip-out has now been completed.

Plans for the 1970s building include a

complete overhaul of the façade, the installation of feature lighting and, subject to planning, an addition of two further floors and roof terrace.

Thomas Mee, Managing Director of Mees Demolition, said: “We were that impressed with the site and its fantastic location that we have now taken offices ourselves and made this our Liverpool Head Office. We see the business district only going from strength to strength with

lots of exciting projects in the pipeline.”

Mees has offices in Manchester and London, but the company’s headquarters have now moved from Speke to the city centre. The company has played a big part in the changing landscape of Liverpool with high-profile demolition jobs on the Royal Liverpool Hospital and the clearing of Wolstenholme Square, where the world-famous Cream nightclub once stood.

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LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 31

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017

Commercial property

by MARK THOMAS

Bruntwood brief lands new solicitors for Plaza A

rmstrongs Solicitors are moving to a new home, taking up the fifth floor of the Bruntwood-owned building The Plaza, in Old Hall Street, Liverpool.

The law firm is moving its entire 150-strong team of solicitors, fee earners and support staff to the new office.

At 22,575 square feet, the Plaza site is more than double the size of Armstrongs’ existing office space at 5 Temple Square in the city.

Bruntwood has been steadily refurbishing The Plaza since acquiring the building in 2007 and the new deal takes its total occupancy to 95%.

Founded in Liverpool in 2006, Armstrongs Solicitors offer a range of commercial, private and personal injury claims services to clients across the UK. Specialist areas include commercial litigation, con-veyancing, professional neg-ligence, workplace accidents and defamation.

The company joins a host of other professional services firms in The Plaza building including Investec, Weightmans and Plexus Law. Armstrongs Solicitors chief executive Dawn O’Brien said: “The business has achieved significant growth in recent years through commitment, hard work, expansion and

diversification. Armstrongs is now an established nationwide presence across a number of legal services, including its professional/clinical negligence division, Been Let Down, which offers services to hundreds of clients in respect of professional negligence, defamation and historic abuse claims.

“These are exciting times and by relocating and significantly expanding our office footprint in the city, we have gained a new, contemporary home for our excellent team.

“We have given ourselves a fresh platform to achieve even further growth in the coming years.”

Matt Lee, head of sales at Bruntwood, said: “This is a major letting with an established and respected business, so understandably there was much competition across the Liverpool property market.

“It is testament, therefore, to the enduring strength and appeal of The Plaza that Armstrongs Solicitors have chosen it as their new home.

“This instinctively feels like a perfect move for all concerned and Armstrongs can expect to dovetail well with the existing businesses ●●The Plaza in Liverpool is now running at 95% occupancy in the building.”

IN BRIEF Chris Fry, Office Senior Partner at KPMG’s Liverpool office, predicts the north west’s property and construction industry is set to thrive in 2017, despite facing challenges.

“Demand for housing across the north west remains high.

This, combined with low interest rates, makes for a bright outlook,” he said. “Developers are already exploring innovative building practices and housing models to capitalise on demand, with Private Rented Schemes (PRS) expected to gain considerable traction in 2017.”

He cited Peel Land & Property’s newly-announced £21m multi-storey PRS scheme within the Liverpool Waters development as an example.

“There is also a healthy pipeline of commercial developments across the region,” added Mr Fry (right).

“Developments which depend largely on commercial demand could see a decline as corporates delay investment decisions pending clarity on Brexit. Challenges do remain.

The industry as a whole has suffered from an endemic skills shortage. Firms need to make a concerted effort to retain the talent being nurtured in our universities and offer attractive, long-term opportunities for young people. Rising material costs, the fall in the value of sterling, and political uncertainty have all hit the construction sector hard over the last 12 months.”

RSM doubles the figures in office growth Audit, tax and consulting firm RSM has signed a lease to double the size of its space in Liverpool’s 20 Chapel Street office development.

The building boasts an increasing number of highprofile occupiers including Barclays, Liverpool Football Club, Police Mutual, CS ●●20 Chapel Street in Liverpool city centre Financial and The Lead Agency.

RSM worked closely with its advisers JLL, and the new landlord, BAPTL, and its asset manager, Canmoor, to secure the lease. Graham Bond, RSM’s office managing partner in Liverpool, said: “Liverpool is a crucial market for RSM. We see huge growth potential here and investing in a larger office space in the heart of

Liverpool’s commercial district not only reinforces our position as a leading firm, but demonstrates our commitment to the city.

“20 Chapel Street provides the perfect working environment for us. It delivers a modern, flexible workspace in an unrivalled location with stunning views across the

Mersey and Liverpool’s iconic skyline, which supports how we engage with our clients and the wider business community.”

Sam Walker, of Canmoor, said: “We are delighted at the progress we have made in our six months of ownership. It is testimony to the location and quality of the building.”

32 liverpool city region business post TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017

WHAT HAPPENS INSIDE . . .

MARK THOMAS discovers how a Wirral building that survived WWII bombs is now enjoying new lease of life as business centre

T

HE Pacific Road Business Hub is a building with a long and varied history . . . and an exciting future.

Built as a storage and transit shed for cargoes shipped up the Mersey from all parts of the world in huge oceangoing vessels by the China Steam Navigation Company in the mid-19th century, it is a historic building that is set to play a significant role in the digital age.

Stretching between the River Mersey and Shore Road, the sandstone warehouse on Morpeth Docks was a hub of international trade in the 19th and early-20th centuries.

The Grade II listed building has had to demonstrate its resilience at times, notably during the Second World War when Birkenhead’s docks were pounded by German bombers, when it was one of the handful of buildings which survived devastating attacks that reduced key town landmarks like the Argyle Theatre and the Mersey Railway Tunnel to rubble. In the 1990s the disused building was a home for classic trams and buses as part of the Birkenhead Museum of Transport, and an ambitious restoration project saw part of the building transformed into the Pacific Road Arts Centre.

As a theatre, Pacific Road quickly became established as a touring venue for artists like China Crisis, Ralph McTell, Courtney Pine, Beth Orton, and The Proclaimers. The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and the Liverpool Mozart Orchestra made regular appearances, and it hosted many of the world’s great musicians as the home of Wirral’s International Guitar Festival.

Then in 2008, as part of a strategic view of its assets, Wirral Council decided it could no longer sustain two performance venues, and chose to devote its attention to the newlyrefurbished Floral Pavilion in New Brighton. There were protests, and artists who had played there like Midge Ure were vocal in their criticism of the closure of the intimate and successful venue. But the end was inevitable.

In December 2011, Liverpool’s seventies band Deaf School – famed for their classic song “What A Way to End it

Happy talk as Pacific hub is saved from All” – reformed to play Pacific Road’s final gig as a rock venue, and Pacific Road’s future was once again in the balance.

Long-established guitar customisation and repair company KGB had moved into Pacific Road in 2000, and had enhanced its starry client list by working on guitars for many of the leading performers who appeared at Pacific Road in the early 21st century.

But KGB’s three-strong team of craftsmen – Barry Holt, Alan Norris and Keith Bennion – found themselves the sole human inhabitants once the

arts centre closed down.

“It was a shame, because the building wasn’t under-performing, and had been really successful,” says Barry.

“But the council couldn’t run it in competition with the Floral Pavilion.

“After the arts centre closed we stayed on, but we were on our own here for four years. Most of the building was used to store old buses and stuff, but really it was just us and tumbleweed. Luckily we’ve been established for 33 years with a customer base that’s been with us since then, so it didn’t impact us as much as you might think. We still got a lot of

customers and the council helped us as much as they could.” But Pacific Road’s fate was about to take another upturn.

It began with a visit by Wirral Chamber of Commerce chief executive Paula Basnett, originally to consider the possibility of using the building for an event.

She explained: “We already have Egerton House nearby as a high end business centre, with about 30 businesses, but we were looking for a second building. I started thinking about the potential this space had to become a business centre.”

Paula approached Wirral Council to

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 33

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017

THE PACIFIC ROAD BUSINESS HUB ●●Long-time tenant Barry Holt is enthusiastic about the future prospects of The Pacific Road Business Hub after its imaginative refurbishment CHRISTIAN SMITH

going south suggest that the Chamber could take a long lease on the building and convert it into business space: “It would be a partnership. The council would own the building, and we would refurbish it and generate revenue from it.”

The Chamber applied for £415,000 of European Regional Development Fund backing, and took out a loan for a further £485,000 to give them the £900,000 they needed to realise Paula’s vision.

She wanted to utilise the building’s distinctive atmosphere, to create what she saw as an indoor New York street scene, a combination of the historic

and the modern. With Hargreaves Contracting Ltd appointed as the main contractor, work began.

A mezzanine level and a total of 30,000 square feet of mixed use office, retail and function space were created.

Wirral-based Progress to Excellence was invited by Paula to move in as the anchor tenant. Group managing director Sandra Kirkham took some persuading at first. Sandra had launched the specialist training provision business from her home in Prenton in 1996, before moving into Egerton House as a tenant in 2000, and gradually occupying larger offices in

the building as the business grew until they had a beautiful suite with views over the dock as their national headquarters.

But Paula was very persuasive, and Sandra admits: “I loved it there, and said we would never go anywhere else.

But moving here is the best thing we ever did. There are no office facilities like it. Its atmosphere and feel are so quirky. We get clients who come in and take pictures of it because they love the trams and the feel of the place. It is unique and it has so much to offer.”

The building opened in September 15, with Progress to Excellence occupying one entire side of its central street, an imposingly modern glass and steel frontage to an office suite housing 128 of the organisation’s 200 nationwide staff.

Opposite are a two-storey row of heritage shop fronts, a legacy of the building’s museum days, cleverly adapted to fit the new environment, and now occupied by KGB and a cool bistro among other retail and business outlets.

The central street has the original cobbled surface, complete with tram lines, and two historic horse-drawn tram carriages to create the dramatic and beautiful historic effect.

To the rear, in the area originally occupied by the theatre, is the split level space which will provide the home for a new creative and digital hub, offering flexible space for around 40 new start-ups and small businesses in this growing sector, giving Wirral its own fledgling answer to Liverpool’s Baltic Creative hub.

The space will also provide a training area where small cohorts of young people from difficult school backgrounds will be given a first-hand taste of a working environment and encouraged to develop their entrepreneurial instincts, in a project led by the Chamber’s head of enterprise and education, Kate Eugeni.

Said Paula Basnett: “When I first walked in here through the big double doors I knew I wanted to create that New York street scene – modern meets traditional. “To see that come to fruition, I feel very proud of it. “ “And I am very excited because we are working with the schools now and with the local authority and businesses so we have that great partnership mix.

We all want the same thing, to grow Wirral’s economy.”

At the building’s oldest tenants, KGB, Barry Holt is equally enthusiastic: “There is a real community feel about the place. It had that previously, and it is nice to see that come back in something that feels steady and sustainable.”

TODAY’S TENANTS Businesses in the Pacific Road Business Hub include:

Healthwatch Wirral Agency working to help local people get the best out of their health and social care services, whether improving them today or helping to shape them for tomorrow.

WebThinking Personalised website design company.

Dupe Creative Specialists in commercial photography, design and email marketing.

KGB Musical Instruments Old-established firm with a team of craftsmen who customise and refurbish guitars and occasionally build them to order for amateur and professional musicians.

International Translations Ltd Family-run organisation with more than 35 years of experience in the linguistic services sector, with a huge network of language professionals at its disposal.

No. 4 Bistro Pavement-style venue that operates as a daytime cafe for employees in the business hub as well as the general public. Also provides an outside catering service.

Progress to Excellence More than 20 years experience providing training and assessment for organisations, from small care homes to large national companies, private and public sector organisations and charities.

Crave ID Interior design team with a long track record in private and public sector work in commercial, leisure, hotel, office, healthcare and education facilities.

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 35

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017

Ryanair boss on charm offensive

M

ichael O’Leary has grown Ryanair into the largest international airline in the world – and he couldn’t have done it without

Liverpool.

The famously outspoken Mr O’Leary joined Ryanair in the early 1990s and transformed it from a struggling regional airline into a world leader that today carries more international passengers than any other airline.

It got there through an aggressively low-cost model and imfamous extra charges that won it as many detractors as admirers.

And Mr O’Leary himself became a notorious figure, with his musings on whether there should be a coin slot on plane toilet doors and on “stupid” passengers forgetting to print boarding passes.

Three years ago, Ryanair changed tack and decided to go, in Mr O’Leary’s words, “warm and cuddly”. It lost some of its brashness and improved its customer service – while O’Leary himself vowed to play nice.

Controversial businessman Michael O’Leary tells ALISTAIR HOUGHTON why he is now ‘warm and cuddly’ and how Liverpool is at heart of his airline’s flyaway success story be the largest international airline in the world, we’ve also continued to grow in Liverpool. Originally we only did 20,000 passengers a year. Next year will be the first time we go through two million passengers a year.

“Most gratifying in all that is the way the airport has transformed. The nearly new terminal, the investment in the new hotel – the whole place has been transformed from 10 years ago.

“Liverpool Airport themselves deserve great credit for the way they’ve transformed the business and transformed the facilities.”

In summer 2017 Ryanair will operate 17 routes from Liverpool. It has announced its first new route of 2017 – a service to Milan Liverpool Airport themselves deserve great starting in credit for the way they have transformed the October – and Mr O’Leary says business and transformed the facilities more will follow.

Ryanair is still growing and adding new routes to its Liverpool operations.

And while it may have operations across Europe and beyond, the charismatic Mr O’Leary still has a special place in his heart for Liverpool.

He said: “ When I first joined Ryanair we slimmed the business. It was losing money, we cut the whole operation down to four routes.

“The only routes we had were Dublin, Knock, Liverpool and London. So Liverpool has always been, right from day one in Ryanair, at the centre of our traffic and the centre of our growth.

“We’ve built on the links that already exist between Ireland and Liverpool and as we have grown over the years to

Mr O’Leary says he has always tried to bring visitors to Merseyside so the airport is a gateway for foreign visitors, not just an exit point for sunseekers.

He said: “Yes, we do some of the sun destinations, but we do far more – we’ve 32 routes now so we have many more European cities, and there are people coming in to Liverpool rather than going out. And we want to continue to build on that. It would be helpful if your football teams would win something, but you know.”

Ryanair is set to keep growing, and Mr O’Leary wants Liverpool to be part of that. He said: “We have plans in the next eight years to grow to over 200m passengers a year. This year, our year ends in March, we’ll carry about 119m or 120m passengers.

“Next year we expect that to grow to 130m passengers. And that’s why airports like Liverpool are so keen to talk to Ryanair. They know we have these exciting growth plans. They want to share in that growth. They want to win some of that business here for Liverpool.”

Turn to page 37

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017

●●Michael O’Leary is worried about the Government’s ability to deliver a successful Bexit – something he was opposed to

From page 35

That growth could include transatlantic flights from Liverpool via Dublin.

Mr O’Leary said: “We’re talking to Aer Lingus about connecting into their transatlantics at Dublin.

“You can see a much better operation with Ryanair carrying people from Liverpool to Dublin and then connecting in Dublin, with passengers going transatlantic clearing customs. It would be the fastest and certainly the cheapest way to fly from the north west to the US.” That would mean customers could check their bags at Liverpool and pick them up in America, without having to transfer them at Dublin as they would if they bought separate Ryanair and Aer Lingus tickets.

Mr O’Leary said the airlines had signed a provisional “heads of terms” agreement and that talks were ongoing.

He said: “I’d like to see it happen by sometime in the summer of 2017. But if not, winter of 2017 will do fine.”

Mr O’Leary also says the controversial Air Passenger Duty (APD) should be axed at regional airports like Liverpool to help them grow.

Adult passengers on short-haul flights like those operated by Ryanair from Liverpool John Lennon Airport have to pay £13 each on every outbound flight.

Low-cost airlines such as Ryanair

have long objected to the tax, while Mrs May, which is ‘we’ll leave the airport owner Peel is a member of the single European Union but we’ll still Fair Tax on Flying campaign against be in the customs union’, isn’t a flier. It has no chance of succeeding.

APD. “The British Government Mr O’Leary said: “It really harms the growth of airports like Liverpool, like underestimated the amount of anger Leeds-Bradford, like Birmingham, there is out there in the capitals of where you can grow the business with Europe.

“She talks in her speech about being price-sensitive customers – but slapping on a £13 tax on those price- a friend to Europe but Europe doesn’t frankly see the s e n s i t i v e UK as much of customers, a friend at the particularly moment.” when you Mr O’Leary have three to says Ryanair’s four people in new strategy of a family going being “warm away on a and cuddly family trip, and nice to you’ve just people” is added the guts paying off. of £60 to the He said: “It’s cost of their been a holiday. ●●Michael O’Leary talks to Business Post’s phenomenal “We think transformation there would be a Alistair Houghton (centre) for the airline. boom in UK “The whole move away from free tourism if they reduced APD or got rid of it altogether. Primine Minister seating to allocated seating, allowing Theresa May is promising Britain will people to bring second carry-on bags, be open to the world and welcoming... making the website better and the well fine. Don’t talk about it, do mobile app better... customers have something useful. Like get rid of APD.” responded in their millions.

“In the three years since we first Mr O’Leary is not confident about launched Always Getting Better, the the UK’s Brexit negotiations.

“I personally think it will go badly,” load factor (how full an aeroplane is) he said. “But honestly nobody really has gone from 83% to 88%, this year knows. I think the plan put forward by 93%. We are much fuller.

“We’re growing fast. profits have almost doubled. We’ve gone from about £620m to just north of £1.2bn.

“As I keep saying to everybody, if I’d only known that being nice to customers was so good for business I would have done it years ago.”

Mr O’Leary wasn’t always so nice to customers.

Once, speaking about passengers who forgot to print their boarding passes, he said: “We think they should pay €60 for being so stupid.”

Asked about the company’s no refunds policy, he once mused: “You’re not getting a refund so f*** off. We don’t want to hear your sob stories. What part of ‘no refund’ don’t you understand?”

And he once said, at least half in jest: “One thing we have looked at is maybe putting a coin slot on the toilet door, so that people might actually have to spend a pound to spend a penny in the future.

“If someone wanted to pay £5 to go to the toilet, I’d carry them myself. I would wipe their bums for a fiver.”

Mr O’Leary happily admits the change to playing nice has been “very difficult”.

“But it’s something I work on and practise, on a daily basis,” he said. “I’m a good Catholic boy. Apologising is like confessing my sins.”

He added: “I’m tying to be studiously nice and diplomatic, as far as any Irish guy can be diplomatic.”

38 liverpool city region business post TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017 BUSINESS POST PARTNER

THE PERFECT MEETING PLACE

L

IVERPOOL is a global gateway and welcomes visitors from all corners who arrive in our great city looking to do business.

They come here because they know they will have access to everything they need – whether that’s skills or experience in any field you can think of, or simply an abundance of creativity and enterprise.

Over the last 20 years, there has been a multi-billion pound

investment in economic regeneration, which has resulted in a significant overhaul, both in terms of appearance and wider perception.

No matter the industry, brands from all over the world now consider Liverpool among

their prime targets for investment, knowing they will tap into a wealth of expertise and strong infrastructure.

There is no better demonstration of this than during the major international festivals and events hosted in the city’s many magnificent venues every year.

If there is a business deal to be conducted, there is no better place to do it than in the burgeoning global hub that is Liverpool.

Locally, we’ve all known for a very long time that this is a very special city, now this is becoming a fact recognised the world over.

And as the city attracts more business, it becomes ever more attractive - to the business world, to tourists and even to those lucky enough to call it home.

A new team has taken responsibility for running District House and vowed to showcase the best live music and entertainment the city has to offer

O

NE of Liverpool’s most stunning venues will re-launch on February 25 as an exclusive live music venue and event space.

District House, which is owned by GHU Ltd, has a new team and a renewed focus after the hospitality management company who were running the venue unexpectedly went into liquidation in January.

Karen Jones has been brought in as general manager, and Bold Management commissioned to deliver an exciting programme of events.

Launching with the monthly supper club/party night, with live music, ‘From Blues and Soul to Rock and Roll’. The first show features the outstanding Connie Lush as special guest. Connie will be performing a set of her all time favourite songs backed by a world-class band.

Other confirmed guest vocalists include Thomas Lang and Beryl Marsden.

In addition, Liverpool’s favourite comedienne, Crissy Rock, has created a new, monthly music and comedy

experience, entitled ‘Crissy Rock’s Shocking Bingo’, which launches on Friday, March 10.

Part bingo, part Surprise Surprise, and all comedy gold, Crissy will deliver the ultimate party night with surprise special guests each month.

Karen Jones, general manager of District House, said: “For 2017 we have been busy putting in place a robust programme and a new team to ensure that this stunning venue is operated to the highest standards and we are so very excited about the lineup of events that Bold Management is bringing to the venue.

“All of our events will create the opportunity for our guests to dress up and experience fine dining while being entertained.

“We are bringing dinner cabaret right up to date for those of us who like to have a little more from our nights out.

“This is a high-end offer that you will see in hotels in Ibiza, Dubai and Miami and we think that Liverpool will love it.

Martin O’Shea, MD of Bold Management, added: “Liverpool is so ready for this. District House is a one

● District House general manager Karen Jones and Martin O’Shea, managing director of Bold Management, which has been commissioned to deliver a wide range of exciting events

of a kind venue, and has something very special.

“We are delighted to have been brought in to manage the events programme.”

District House will be open for unique events and will ensure that the food and service can be paired with the style of each event.

The restaurant has capacity for 158

diners and 38 in the exclusive private dining area, while the venue has a number of private hire spaces that can be used for dining or meetings, while the main use will be as dinner cabaret on Fridays and Saturdays.

For more information, go to www.ticketquarter.co.uk/online/ districthouseuk

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 39

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017

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40 liverpool city region business post TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017 BUSINESS POST PARTNER

Host your meeting in one of the city’s magnificent venues...

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IVERPOOL’S museums and galleries welcome more than three million visitors each and every year, so it is no surprise that National Museums Liverpool is considered to be one of the world’s great museum organisations.

Each of the museums and galleries managed by the company represents an amazing space in which you can host dinners, conferences and entertain clients among world class collections.

Whether you prefer the dazzling setting of the Wold Heritage waterfront or Victorian architectural grandeur, the venues are sure to make a memorable impression.

All are fully accessible and equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. Arrange an informal visit by calling the team on 0151 478 4780 or

email corporate.events@ liverpoolmuseums.org.uk Here are a selection of the wonderful venues available: MUSEUM OF LIVERPOOL More than a million people each year visit the Museum of Liverpool. Since opening in July 2011, it has become the most popular museum in England outside of London.

Set at the heart of Liverpool’s historic waterfront, its striking architecture provides unbeatable views of the river Mersey and Pier Head.

With spacious galleries and stateof-the art facilities, it is the perfect place to host your event.

MERSEYSIDE MARITIME MUSEUM Stylish dining and conference facilities, including a lecture theatre

seating up to 200 people, can be found on the Museum’s fourth floor.

Enjoy unrivalled views of the Albert Dock and Liverpool’s historic waterfront.

WALKER ART GALLERY The Walker Art Gallery’s paintings, sculpture and decorative arts span over 600 years and it is home to outstanding works by Rubens, Rembrandt and Freud.

Dine and entertain your guests among one of the most outstanding art collections in Europe.

LADY LEVER ART GALLETY Set in the picturesque village of Port Sunlight.

Hold your event amidst one of the most beautiful collections of fine and decorative art in the UK. The setting includes many world famous Pre-Raphaelite artworks alongside Chinese ceramics and the best Wedgwood Jasperware collection in the world.

SUDLEY HOUSE Experience the magnificent art collection of Victorian merchant ship owner George Holt in leafy south WORLD MUSEUM Liverpool.

Dine and entertain among Entertaining in the Atrium and other intriguing spaces, you are surrounded masterpieces by Millais, Rossetti, Burne-Jones, Turner and by unique artefacts from ancient civilisations, fossils, aquatic creatures Gainsborough.

A refined setting for smaller, more and even creepy crawlies – the latter intimate occasions. all safely locked up!

Host unique events in our stunning museums and galleries surrounded by beautiful art and fascinating objects.

Our venues offer a range of spaces from galleries to lecture theatres.

Enjoy receptions for up to 1,000 guests and meetings for up to 300 delegates. Whether you are planning a conference, dinner, launch event or drinks reception, we'll help you to excite and impress your guests.

For more information and to book

0151 478 4780 corporate.events@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/venuehire

Ladies Day at 2017 Randox Health Grand National

Aintree Racecourse Friday, April 7

GRAND WOMEN’S Summit 2017

Aintree Racecourse, in partnership with Women in Racing (WiR) will host the third Grand Women’s Summit on Ladies Day at the 2017 Randox Health Grand National

Panellists Include

Sam Quek

(Further panellists to be announced)

Ladies Day Ambassador and GB Hockey Olympic Gold Medallist

Dame Sarah Storey

Most successful female British Paralympian of all time

Celebrating women in horseracing, sport and business with further panellists and host to be announced shortly. The event costs £89 (£75 for WiR members) and includes an exclusive private facility all day, the panel discussion, Moet and Chandon sponsored champagne lunch and a Grand National course walk by Katie Walsh.

www.randoxhealthgrandnational.co.uk to book, call 0151 522 2921 or visit womeninracing.co.uk.

42 liverpool city region business post TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017

BusinessDiary February 15 LJMU MARITIME CENTRE CAN YOU GUIDE A VESSEL INTO PORT? This will be a fantastic visual and practical experience for visitors who will see the marine training facilities, incorporating three advanced full-mission ship bridge simulators, and take part in guiding a vessel into port on the ship-handling simulators.

Cost: Free, Chamber members only, maximum 20 attendees. ●●Venue: LJMU Maritime Centre, 3 Vanguard Way, Birkenhead, CH41 9HX ●●12noon-3pm approx ●●To register for this event please go to https://www. eventbrite.co.uk February 16 PREPARING FOR CHANGE - APPRENTICESHIP AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT REFORM Major changes to the recruitment and training of apprentices are being introduced in May 2017.

Businesses will have to pay towards training if they want to recruit an apprentice or develop their workforce.

We will discuss how these changes could impact on your business.

Cost: Free to members and non-members ●●Venue: Liverpool Chamber of Commerce CIC, 1 Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L3 8AS ●●Noon-1.30pm ●●To book visit www. liverpoolchamber.org.uk

Cost: Members £65 excluding VAT; Non-members £130 excluding VAT ●●Venue: St Helens Chamber ●●9.30am-4.30pm ●●Booking information available from www. sthelenschamber.com February 17 MASTERCLASS: PROJECT MANAGEMENT This workshop will give an overview of available project management methods and frameworks and provide an insight for organisations as to which one will best fit their needs.

Cost: Member: £150; Non Member: £250 ●●Venue: Liverpool and Sefton Chambers of Commerce, 1 Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L3 9HG ●●9am-5pm ●●To book visit www. liverpoolchamber.org.uk PRINCIPLES OF INFECTION PREVENTION & CONTROL This qualification will familiarise you with infection control legislation and policies and develop understanding of the causes of infections, the conditions in which they thrive and the ways that they can be spread. ‘Skills for Growth’ funding is available for this seminar. For more information contact the Workforce Development Team on 01744 742333 or by email: workforce@sthelenschamber. com Cost: Members £65 excluding VAT; Non-members £130 excluding VAT ●●Venue: St Helens Chamber ●●9.30am-4pm ●●Booking information is available via www. sthelenschamber.com

February 15 ROCKING THE 2017 SALES WITH LINKEDIN Discover the secret of using Linkedin as a genuine lead generator.

Many people in business have a Linkedin profile and a clutch of followers, but few use Linkedin to keep the sales funnel topped up with inbound enquiries and leads resulting in face-to-face appointments and subsequent sales.

Cost: Member £48.50 Non Member: £97.00 ●●Venue: Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, 1 Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L3 8AS ●●09:30-12:30 ●●To book visit https:// www.eventbrite.co.uk

medicines. Skills for Growth funding is available for this seminar. For more information contact the Workforce Development Team on 01744 742333 or by email: workforce@sthelenschamber. com Cost: Members £65 excluding VAT; Non-members £130 excluding VAT ●●Venue: St Helens Chamber ●●9am-4pm ●●Booking information is available via www. sthelenschamber.com

Is there an event you think should be included on this page? Let us know by sending details to business@ trinitymirror.com. Please include the name of the event, a brief description, the time and date, the venue, and the contact information.

●●Venue: St Helens Chamber ●●9.30am-4.30pm ●●Booking information is available via www. sthelenschamber.com February 22 WAVE – SPEED NETWORKING FROM WIRRAL CHAMBER During our speed networking session, attendees have two minutes to conduct mini meetings with every person at the event. It allows you to set up a future meeting if you find a common interest.

Cost:Free to members, £25+VAT non members. ●●Venue: The Lauries, 142 Claughton Road, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH41 6EY ●●5:30pm ●●To register for this event please go to https://www. eventbrite.co.uk CONNECT WITH YOUR CHAMBER IN 60 MINUTES You are already a member, but are you making the most of every opportunity available?

Come along to a free event to familiarise yourself with the benefits that are included with your membership. Members event only.

Cost: Free ●●Venue: St Helens Chamber ●●Noon-1pm ●●To register go to www. sthelenschamber.com February 23

BCC ACCREDITED – DOCUMENTARY LETTER OF CREDIT This course is a must for anyone in the export team who processes letters of credit. The HEALTH AND SAFETY course explains the process in This course is a vocationally great detail by showing related qualification designed examples and providing the to give knowledge and delegates the opportunity of understanding of the basic HOW TO USE SPREADSHEETS putting into practice what they principles of health and safety, February 21 have learnt by completing FOR BUSINESS hazards that can arise and practical. You also obtain one This seminar is suitable for MEDICATION AWARENESS some of the protection anyone with a basic knowledge credit for the BCC Foundation This seminar will give available against those in International Trade. of Excel Spreadsheets. On delegates a solid hazards. This course is Cost: Member £200 Noncompletion of the seminar, understanding of the nationally accredited and a member £250 delegates will be able to use a legislation involved with the certificate is included. ‘Skills for Growth’ funding is available administration of medication. range of spreadsheet software ●●Venue: Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and Industry, tools and techniques to Gain knowledge of safe for this seminar. For more Number One Old Hall Street, produce, present and check procedures for medication information contact the Liverpool, L3 9HG spreadsheets.

Workforce Development Team administration and gain ●●9am-5pm Cost: Members £65 excluding understanding of the on 01744 742333 or by email: ●●To register go to www.

VAT; Non-members £130 workforce@sthelenschamber. importance of confidentiality liverpoolchamber.org.uk and security when dealing with excluding VAT com

MANAGING CONFLICT TO BUILD HIGH PERFORMANCE TEAMS People have different viewpoints and, under the wrong set of circumstances, those differences can escalate to conflict. How you handle that conflict determines whether it works to the team’s advantage, or contributes to its demise. This course will provide participants with knowledge and skills that they can take back to the workplace to benefit themselves and their organisation.

Cost: Members £49 excluding VAT; Non-members £99 excluding VAT ●●Venue: St Helens Chamber ●●9.30am-1pm ●●To register go to www. sthelenschamber.com February 24 MEET THE APPRENTICE Are you looking for extra help at your business? Have you considered taking on an apprentice? St Helens Chamber specialises in helping you to recruit young people through our Apprenticeship Programme and we are always looking to increase the range of vacancies available.

Cost: Free ●●Venue: St Helens Chamber ●●8.30-11am ●●To register go to www. sthelenschamber.com February 28 IN BUSINESS - DEVELOP AN EFFECTIVE DIGITAL MARKETING STRATEGY Members-only event. The session is aimed at individuals who want to have a theoretical understanding of digital marketing. This member-only event will inspire conversation, expand your business contacts and keep you informed of important business matters.

Cost: Free ●●Venue: The Lauries, 142 Claughton Road, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH41 6EY ●●08.30 ●●To register for this event please go to https://www. eventbrite.co.uk Turn to page 44

BUSINESS POST PARTNER

Degree Apprenticeships: Developing the talent of the future In September, 200 new employer-supported degree apprenticeships begin

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N September 2017, Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) will open its doors to 200 new employer-supported degree apprentices after becoming one of only 18 universities in the UK to secure part of a multimillion pound government fund.

The scheme enables learners to gain a full degree alongside practical skills developed in the workplace. Employers who sponsor a degree apprentice will enhance their workforce by gaining a highly-skilled employee with both academic qualifications and relevant skills obtained from on-the-job training. By spending the majority of their time in work, degree apprentices develop an indepth understanding of the sector and by studying part-time at LJMU they bring a fresh perspective and up-to-date knowledge to the workplace.

Whether businesses are looking for new recruits or wishing to upskill existing staff, degree apprenticeships offer an excellent solution for organisations struggling to fill their skills gap.

Professor Andy Ross of LJMU’s faculty of engineering and technology commented: “Degree apprenticeships are valuable both for students and employers in offering a direct route to a highly-skilled job based on academic and vocational foundations” LJMU has a proven track record in successfully developing high level apprenticeships to meet industry needs. Last year, the university took a leading role in the government’s Construction Employer Trailblazer initiative, developing and delivering 13 quantity surveying degree apprenticeships with eight companies, including three SMEs. This experience puts LJMU in an excellent position to assist employers that are keen to get onboard with degree apprenticeships, guiding them through the process from curriculum development through to graduation and all the stages in between.

LJMU’s dean of the faculty of engineering and technology, Professor Ahmed Al-Shamma’a said: “It is an exciting time for universities to forge and

strengthen the partnership with industry and be able to transfer our advanced skills by empowering students with the latest innovative techniques and methodologies. This will enable our industry to be more competitive and innovative and be able to meet the regional and national industrial strategic plans.”

This year we are developing courses in a range of course related to engineering and technology,

“My experience so far has been extremely beneficial. I feel as though work has helped me to push on with my university learning and vice versa. They have both worked together well and been extremely successful – evidence of this is I managed to secure myself a 1st in the first construction module.”

Scarlett Blinston, Quantity Surveying Trainee at Laing O’Rourke and LJMU Degree Apprenticeship student including digital, as well as working with police forces on developing a pathway to assist in the professionalisation and development of their workforce.

Katie McLean, senior L&D advisor at Laing O’Rourke, said: “Laing O’Rourke has a long standing relationship with LJMU and we are proud to continue that partnership through delivery of degree apprenticeships. The university has provided us with outstanding customer service, working collaboratively with us to ensure each apprentice gets the most out of their education”

FUTURE PROOFING THE WORKPLACE

Through our degree apprenticeship programme, LJMU is helping organisations realise their sustainable workforce plans. The university’s responsive and flexible approach to course development aims to help businesses adapt to the

pressures and changes facing industries in the UK. By providing learners with the latest innovative techniques and methodologies to apply to the workplace, organisations can face these challenges with greater confidence.

Scarlett Blinston, quantity surveying trainee at Laing O’Rourke and LJMU degree apprenticeship student commented: “My experience so far has been extremely beneficial. I feel as though work has helped me to push on with my university learning and vice versa. They have both worked together well and been extremely successful – evidence of this is I managed to secure myself a 1st in the first construction module. ”

GET READY FOR THE APPRENTICESHIP LEVY

For businesses that are considering sponsoring a degree apprentice, now is a good time to start making plans. From 6 April this year, the government is introducing a levy on larger employers to fund apprenticeships. If your company’s wage bill is over £3million your company will pay the apprenticeship levy of 0.5 percent. This forms part of the employer’s digital account and in England, the government adds an extra 10 percent to all levy deposits.

The Skills Funding Agency will co-invest in training degree apprentices, up to a maximum £18,000 with the employer paying the remainder of the training costs.

If your company’s wage bill falls below the £3million, you will not pay the levy but you will still be eligible to receive 90 percent contribution towards training costs.

For more information about degree apprenticeships please visit their website: www. ljmu.ac.uk/degreeapprenticeships or email them: degreeapprenticeships@ljmu.ac.uk.

44 liverpool city region business post TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017

BusinessDiary you understand the importance of marketing within your overall business ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT strategy. Learn how to really POLICY FORUM appreciate market demand, The Energy & Environment understand your customers’ Policy Forum provides needs and stimulate increasing Chamber Members with an sales for your product/service. opportunity to input on key You will have a chance to policy issues, as well as devise and organise a market benefitting from improved research plan and a product/ information sharing, service portfolio, along with an communication and broader advertising and delivery plan networking opportunities.

Covering a wide range of issues and “Elevator Pitch”.

Cost: Members £25 excluding of interest to all local VAT; Non-members £50 businesses, the Forum is excluding VAT primarily for Chamber ●●Venue: St Helens Chamber members. However non●●9.30am-4.30pm members are welcome to ●●Register via www. attend as guests. sthelenschamber.com Cost: Free to members and non-members ●●Venue: Liverpool Chamber of A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING Commerce and Industry, This interactive half-day Number One Old Hall Street, session will show you exactly Liverpool, L3 9HG how to make the most of ●●9-10am popular social media ●●In order to confirm your platforms, such as Facebook, attendance, please email: events@liverpoolchamber.org. LinkedIn and Twitter to achieve your marketing uk or call 0151 227 1234. objectives. This session is DATA PROTECTION AND DATA targeted at those who are new to social media.

RETENTION AWARENESS Cost: Members £49 excluding SEMINAR How much do you really know VAT; Non-members £99 excluding VAT about Data Protection law?

Does your organisation have a ●●Venue: St Helens Chamber ●●9.30am-1pm Data Protection Policy? Can ●●More information is available your staff correctly interpret from www.sthelenschamber. their roles? Do you have com procedures to make sure they work effectively and legally?

TRADE CLINICS WITH THE The information BRITISH INDONESIAN Commissioner’s Office (ICO) CHAMBER OF COMMERCE can fine organisations up to £500,000 and send offenders to The British Indonesian Chamber of Commerce aims prison. By 2018 this exposure will increase to €20m. Can you to assist UK companies to successfully access this market, afford to stay unprotected? offering support on the market This seminar will give you everything you need to review and partner search as part of a large-scale global project in your own and your organisation’s position on this conjunction with DIT. Chris Wren, Chief Executive Officer vital area of the law. Cost: of BritCham Indonesia will be Member £25 including VAT; at the event. Chris specifically Non member £30 including wants to meet companies that VAT are ready to visit Indonesia. If ●●Venue: WJB Training & Consultancy, 2nd Floor, Morgan you are already exporting (but not to Indonesia) and would Brightside Building, Bradman like to expand your reach by Road, Knowsley, L33 7UR meeting and agreeing terms ●●9am-12.30pm with a partner between May ●●To book visit www. and September this year, you knowsleychamber.org.uk could be eligible for up to £1500 ERDF funding and START TO MARKET YOUR exclusive BritCham Indonesia BUSINESS support.

This one-day workshop helps From page 42

March 1 BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN THE NORTH AMERICAN MARKET A free event to find out more about the practicalities of setting up business in North America and how you can de-risk your expansion into the USA. Understand the help available from DIT, EEN and UKEF before you take the plunge. Hear first-hand from AVITUS Group about their affordable business support and professional services to help you plan your entry to the US, establish your business and operate successfully.

Cost: Free ●●Venue: Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 1 Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L3 9HG ●●8.30am-1.30pm ●●Book via www. liverpoolchamber.org.uk

Is there an event you think should be included on this page? Let us know by sending details to business@ trinitymirror.com. Please include the name of the event, a brief description, the time and date, the venue, and the contact information.

many steps employers can take to minimise disruption including reasonable adjustments, flexible working hours and staff training. This 60-minute session will give you a taster of recommended best practice.

Cost: Free to members and non-members ●●Venue: QVC, South Boundary Road, Knowsley, Liverpool, L70 2QA ●●9-10.15am ●●To book go to www. knowsleychamber.org.uk EMERGENCY FIRST AID Emergencies can and do happen, anywhere and anytime. This training is practical and shows what to do in an emergency. Aimed at the workplace, first aid skills are equally important at home or out and about. This course is nationally accredited and a certificate is included.

Cost: Members £65 excluding VAT; Non-members £130 ●●Venue: St Helens Chamber ●●9.30am-4.30pm ●●More information is available from www.sthelenschamber. com

●●Venue: St Helens Chamber ●●9.30am-1pm ●●More information is available from www.sthelenschamber. com LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT SKILLS If you are looking to step into management or team leadership or have just taken on this type of role, this seminar will introduce you to the facets of being a successful leader in the workplace.

Cost: Members £65 excluding VAT; Non-members £130 excluding VAT ●●Venue: St Helens Chamber ●●9.30am-4.30pm ●●More information is available from www.sthelenschamber. com

HOW TO ‘GROWTH HACK’ YOUR WAY TO INCREASED SALES CIM is inviting Liverpool businesses to attend their event on growth hacking.

Diane Earles, Network Manager at CIM, said: “We are delighted to welcome back Tanya Hemphill, who achieved 100% satisfaction rating for her workshop at the CIM Northern Conference last year. She starts March 2 with explaining growth hacking, through to how it can FIRE SAFETY be used to grow business with This course is designed to case studies and practical develop basic fire safety awareness and competency in tools.” Open to CIM members specific fire safety roles such as and non-members.

Cost: Free to members and ●●Venue: Liverpool John fire wardens, marshals or non-members ●●Venue: Liverpool Chamber of stewards. Learn how to ensure Moores University ●●6pm. legal compliance, how to Commerce and Industry, protect people and premises, Number One Old Hall Street, ●●For more, go to http://regions. and develop confidence in Liverpool, L3 9HG cim.co.uk/events or call 01628 your emergency team. ●●9.30am-1.30pm 427340 in office hours.

Cost: Members £65 exc VAT; ●●If you want a 45-minute Non-members £130 exc VAT appointment please register ●●Venue: St Helens Chamber now via www. ●●9.30am-4.30pm liverpoolchamber.org.uk ●●More information is available from www.sthelenschamber.

March 1 com 60 REALLY USEFUL MINUTES FACEBOOK, TWITTER & - UNDERSTANDING HIV IN LINKEDIN FOR BUSINESS THE WORKPLACE Three back-to-back sessions of The main challenges people an hour each covering the living with HIV face are the essentials of the three social side effects of the medication platforms. and the stigma and Aimed at the novice user of discrimination they face day-to-day. People living with social media. Each hour will focus on each platform in turn.

HIV are likely to experience episodic disability. This means Cost: Members £49 excluding VAT; Non-members £99 that at work there may be excluding VAT spells of ill health. There are Turn to page 45

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION BUSINESS POST 45

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017

BusinessDiary From page 44

March 3 THINK DIGITAL Our Think Digital conference will bring together a host of industry experts to share their knowledge of all things digital.

Cost: Members £10 excluding VAT; Non-members £20 excluding VAT ●●Venue: St Helens Chamber ●●10am-1.30pm ●●Booking available via www. sthelenschamber.com March 6 PAEDIATRIC FIRST AID This two-day seminar is designed with child minders, nursery and school staff members in mind, and is approved by Ofsted and Local Authorities.

Cost: Members £130 excluding VAT; Non-members £160 excluding VAT ●●Venue: St Helens Chamber ●●9.30am-4.30pm ●●More information is available from www.sthelenschamber. com

●●08.45am-10.15am ●●To book visit http://www. knowsleychamber.org.uk USING EMAIL SOFTWARE Learn to make the best use of email software to safely and securely send, receive and store messages.

Cost: Members £65 excluding VAT; Non-members £130 excluding VAT ●●Venue: St Helens Chamber ●●9am-4pm ●●More information is available from www.sthelenschamber. com

Chamber members are eligible for the member rate.

Cost: Member £200 plus VAT; Non-member £250 plus VAT ●●Venue: 1 Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L3 9HG ●●9am-5pm ●●To book onto this course please call Liverpool Chamber on 0151 227 1234 or email elena.enciso@ liverpoolchamber.org.uk

HOW TO CREATE A PLAN FOR YOUR BUSINESS Research shows many businesses fail by not having a very simple but very valuable tool called a ‘business plan’.

Cost: Member £12 inc VAT; Non-member £24 inc VAT ●●Venue: Holiday Inn Express, Ribblers Lane, Knowsley, L34 9HA

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION & MOTIVATION SKILLS This seminar is designed to help you understand the factors that may affect performance and motivation in the work place.

Cost: Members £65 excluding VAT; Non-members £130 excluding VAT ●●Venue: St Helens Chamber ●●9.30am-4.30pm ●●More information is available from www.sthelenschamber. com

●●9.30am-4.30pm ●●More information is available from www.sthelenschamber. com March 13

BEHIND THE SCENES OF STENA LINE Join Wirral Chamber of Commerce for a Behind the Scenes tour of the Stena Line Irish Ferry, based at the Twelve Quays Terminal, Birkenhead.

PREPARING FOR CHANGE Every year more than 14m - APPRENTICESHIP AND people travel with Stena Line.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Cost: Free PLEASE NOTE: This RISK ASSESSMENT REFORM event is exclusive to Wirral This qualification is designed Major changes to the to help improve the workplace Chamber of Commerce recruitment and training of March 9 apprentices start in May 2017. culture for occupational health members and is limited to one person per company (a and safety by enabling Cost: Free BCC ACCREDITED - EXPORT maximum of 24 in total) ●●Venue: Liverpool Chamber of delegates to understand the DOCUMENTATION & ●●Venue: 12 Quays Terminal, basic principles of risk Commerce and Industry, METHODS OF PAYMENT Birkenhead, CH41 1FE assessment.

Number One Old Hall Street, The course will take place at ●●11.15am-2pm Cost: Members £65 excluding Liverpool, L3 9HG Liverpool & Sefton Chambers ●●To book visit www.

VAT; Non-members £130 of Commerce and is accredited ●●12:00-12:30 wirralchamber.co.uk excluding VAT ●●To book visit www. by the British Chambers of ●●Venue: St Helens Chamber mychamber.co.uk/ Commerce. Knowsley

March 7 UNLOCK BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN INDIA India’s economy continues to grow at an impressive rate of more than 7%. However, there are many challenges that companies looking at India need to be aware of. Listen to experts on the market who can advise on market entry strategies and the practicalities of doing business in India.

Cost: Free ●●Venue: Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Number One Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L3 9HG ●●09:30-12:45 ●●To book visit http://www. mychamber.co.uk/

Is there an event you think should be included on this page? Let us know by sending details to business@ trinitymirror.com. Please include the name of the event, a brief description, the time and date, the venue, and the contact information.

March 17 TRANSPORT FORUM The Transport Policy Forum provides Chamber Members with an opportunity to input on key policy issues, as well as benefitting from improved information sharing, communications and broader networking opportunities. It covers a wide range of issues of interest to all local businesses, not just those within the transport sector. While primarily for Chamber Members, non-members are welcome to attend as guests. Louise Ellman MP, Chair of the Transport Select Committee, will deliver her regular briefing and insight into what is happening in Parliament.

Cost: Free to members and non-members ●●Venue: Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 1 Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L3 9HG ●●11.30am-2pm ●●If you would like to attend, book online or email events@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

46 liverpool city region business post TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017

NETWORKING

Email: neil.johnson@trinitymirror.com

●●(left to right) Mark Povall (Liverpool John Lennon Airport), Andy Snell (Liverpool & Sefton Chamber of Commerce) and Dan White (Liverpool FC) pictures: James Maloney ●●(left to right) Paul Bibby (MSB), John Price (Maven Wealth Management), Jayne Moore (Jayne Moore Media) and Anna Duffy (DTM Legal)

P

artners and sponsors of the new Liverpool City Region Business Post magazine gathered at Fazenda restaurant to enjoy an exclusive networking event.

Guests at the lunch were welcomed by Carl Wood, Regional Managing Director Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales, and Tomas Maunier, Sales and Marketing Director and co-owner of the bar and restaurant in Exchange Flags, Liverpool. The magazine has proved hugely popular since its launch last year.

●●(left) Carl Wood, Regional Managing Director Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales, welcomes guests and (below, left to right) with Tomas Maunier and Dayle O’Hara of Fazenda and Alistair Houghton, Liverpool ECHO City Editor (right)

●●(left to right) Ellen Cutler (Invest Liverpool), Jo Robotham (Liverpool John Moores University) and Ruth Hodgson (Peel Ports Group)

●●(below) Tomas Maunier, Sales and Marketing Director and co-owner of Fazenda

●●Guests at the Business Post event enjoy the chance to network

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