Category Archives: Midlands

New Merry Hill eye care provider launched in style

An independent eyecare brand which has created 15 new jobs has opened its doors with a commitment to serve the community with a new and unique service.

EyeCare Merry Hill was launched by Dudley Deputy Mayor Pete Lee and Directors say “it’s the first of its kind in a major shopping outlet throughout the West Midlands”.

Around 100 people attended the launch which also featured tours of the new premises.

Director Gobind Dubb said: “We would like to thank everyone who came along to our launch and for the interest in our new services which has been overwhelmingly positive.”

The convenient location of Merry Hill and the easy manoeuvrability inside the spacious practice allows the surrounding community access to a excelled level of care through innovation and patient centred care.

“The new practice includes eight consultation rooms, refreshments bar and easy to access dispensing stations allowing patients to experience the best in class eyecare.

“Having experienced the level of care, choice and service in major opticians chains, we want to make sure our patients and customers experience the very best.

“We pledge to provide the best eye care journey available. Our expert Optometrists and amazing team will be on hand to help and are very much committed to being an independent, neighbourhood eyecare provider.

“We include comprehensive tests for children as part of a general consultation and these are free until the age of 16. Our technology allows us to manage a growing condition of Myopia in the general population and help with slowing its progression.

“This is one of a number of unique services we can offer to put our patients first. As Gobind is a Qualified Independent Prescriber, this makes a real difference as our service is much quicker and more tailored than having to make a doctor’s appointment or get stuck in a lengthier process at a chain of opticians. This also means we can also offer a lot more choice frames and other products across various ranges rather than being limited to one chain’s suppliers.

“We also have a dedicated on-site call centre so that we can support our customers in offering unrivalled service.

“We have the largest collection of children’s frames in the region and more than 300 options for sunglasses, with or without a prescription.

“Our frames can suit every budget starting at just £59 alongside the collections from designer brands such as Oakley, David Beckham, Prada and many more.

The new store’s opening comes five years after Raven first met Gobind, at the time they were still studying. Raven opted to pursue a career in entrepreneurship and joined forces with Gobind’s s vast qualifications in optics-related Medical Retina and Glaucoma.

Jonathan Poole, Centre Manager at Merry Hill, added: “It’s fantastic to see two local entrepreneurs choose Merry Hill as the launchpad for their first practice, joining an ever-growing range of new openings at the centre. EyeCare Merry Hill brings something that we’ve never had before at the centre, best in class eye care couple with high quality eyewear, born from over a decade of industry experience.

“The new practice will offer our visitors unrivalled choice and convenience for all their needs – whether that’s quick and reliable eyecare services, quality glasses for everyday wear, or stylish sunglasses for holidays abroad.”

EyeCare Merry Hill is currently offering £10 eye tests for adults and free eye tests for children.

For more information see: https://eyecaremerryhill.com/ or call 01384 8822211.

 

Expert eyecare entrepreneurs bring 15 jobs to Merry Hill with focus on community support

A new independent eyecare brand which has created 15 new jobs after its founders ploughed their savings into the community-focused venture is set to be unveiled at Merry Hill shopping centre.

EyeCare Merry Hill will open on Wednesday, July 17 and directors say it’s the first of its kind in a major shopping outlet throughout the West Midlands.

Some 2,500 people applied for the new roles available and 400 potential staff were interviewed.

The almost 5,000 square-foot facility, formerly a HSBC bank, has undergone a major refurbishment after business partners Raven Padda, 26, and Gobind Dubb, 28, saved ‘every penny’ from former senior roles alongside commercial funding.

Now, the eyewear practice has already forged links with Black Country hospitals Stourside and Russel’s Hall, to ensure smooth and speedy referrals for patients, as well as supporting the local community through sponsorship of Dudley Town’s Under 11s team and local corporate packages.

Directors Raven, of Wednesfield and Gobind, of Handsworth Wood, are both experienced senior experts in eyecare, with Raven a practice manager at 21 and Gobind a specialist independent prescriber at 25.

State of the art technology at EyeCare Merry Hill includes an on-site lab to manufacture lenses in as little as 30 minutes and pioneering lens tables allowing customers to immediately grasp how new prescriptions will work for them.

Raven and Gobind have also invested in industry leading equipment for eye testing to support diabetic patients as well as spotting the signs of myopia in children.

Raven said: “We were blown away by the interest in working with us and we have been able to choose the very best candidates with the right expertise. We have committed to serious training and development and clinical support staff as well as ‘meeters and greeters’ so that people experience a warm welcome.

“Alongside Birmingham-based providers Newmedica and Optegra The new practice will include eight consultation rooms, refreshments bar and boutique style dispensing stations allowing patients to experience the best in class eyecare.

“Having experienced the level of care, choice and service in major opticians chains, we want to make sure our patients and customers experience the very best.

“We pledge to provide the best eye care journey available. Our expert Optometrists and amazing team will be on hand to help and are very much committed to being an independent, neighbourhood eyecare provider.

“We include comprehensive tests for children as part of a general consultation and these are free until the age of 16. Our technology allows us to manage a growing condition of Myopia in the general population and help with slowing its progression.

“This is one of a number of unique services we can offer to put our patients first. As Gobind is a Qualified Independent Prescriber, this makes a real difference as our service is much quicker and more tailored than having to make a doctor’s appointment or get stuck in a lengthier process at a chain of opticians. This also means we can also offer a lot more choice frames and other products across various ranges rather than being limited to one chain’s suppliers.

“We also have a dedicated on-site call centre so that we can support our customers in offering unrivalled service.

“We have the largest collection of children’s frames in the region and more than 300 options for sunglasses, with or without a prescription.

“We are also the largest outlet for Cartier in the West Midlands, alongside  extensive frame ranges in further exclusive brands; Hublot, Tag Heuer and Celine.

“Our frames can suit every budget starting at just £59 up to £3,000 for an 18 carat gold plated pair of Cartier specs.

“We are proud to aim to truly serve the community as an independent practitioner but also have a real touch of luxury for those who want the most premium accessories.”

The new store’s opening comes five years after Raven first met Gobind, at the time they were still studying. Raven opted to pursue a career in entrepreneurship and joined forces with Gobind’s s vast qualifications in optics-related Medical Retina and Glaucoma.

Months on they decided to focus on eyecare and dreamt of opening their own facility, saving all their earnings to work towards their goal.

 

*Mayor of Dudley, Hilary Bils, will officially open EyeCare Merry Hill at 10.30am on Wednesday, July 17.

The practice is next to Superdrug within the centre, on the ground floor close to the Car Park One entrance.

 

For more information see: https://eyecaremerryhill.com/

BetaDen Welcomes Four New Partners to Support Tech Innovation

BetaDen has announced four new partners for the eighth cohort of Accelerate – its award-winning programme for technology businesses – which begins on 4 June.

The partners bring a range of specialisms from research and development (R&D) tax credits and innovation grant applications support, to intellectual property (IP) rights, financial management, and corporate and commercial legal support.

 

Apogee Associates, a Midlands-based innovation funding consultancy specialising in R&D tax credits and innovation grant applications, will support BetaDen’s Accelerate Cohort 8.0 to identify and secure grant funding opportunities and navigate the complex world of R&D tax relief. Its specialist team will provide hands-on support where needed, enabling founders to make strategic decisions to accelerate their business growth.

 

Wynne-Jones IP, a UK and European IP firm specialising in trademarks, patents, designs, IP strategy, licensing and enforcement, IP audits and renewals, will continue supporting the BetaDen Accelerate programme as a partner, after originally joining the accelerator during cohort 7.0 as a mentor.

 

Jerroms, a leading Midlands-based financial group providing a wealth of personal, business advisory, and corporate services, has been involved with BetaDen since its inception in 2018 as a financial management mentor. It will also continue the relationship as a partner for Accelerate cohort 8.0.

 

Finally, Higgs LLP, a well-known Midlands law firm with a lineage forged in the Black Country since 1875, will continue as partner for the second year in a row, providing a range of specialist corporate commercial and legal advice.

 

Donston Powell, director of External Affairs at BetaDen, commented:

‘’We are delighted to welcome our new partners to BetaDen and would like to thank them for their support. The partnerships highlight our shared dedication to creating a dynamic tech ecosystem across the county, supporting local entrepreneurs to develop revolutionary innovations that will change the world right here, in the heart of the country.

“We are confident that our founders will gain valuable insights from Apogee, Wynne-Jones IP, Jerroms and Higgs LLP. Their expertise and support will prove invaluable as our founders navigate their route to market.”

 

Businesses joining Accelerate Cohort 8.0 will be announced shortly. BetaDen also recently announced a partnership with Barclays Eagle Labs to create a new technology incubator in Worcester.

 

For further details, visit www.beta-den.com

 

Veezu crosses the finish line into partnership with Wolverhampton Racecourse

VEEZU, the Midlands’ leading private hire operator, is bolstering its partnership with Wolverhampton Racecourse as official ride partner and sponsor.

 

Upgrading its existing partnership, Veezu will be making travel even easier for hotel and racecourse visitors. For ease of booking, guests can request their Veezu vehicle from the grounds, through the pre-existing ride booker device located in the hotel’s reception. With the introduction of a new pick-up point, located outside of Holiday Inn Wolverhampton – Racecourse’s entrance, guests will now have instant and convenient access to their ride.

 

In addition to providing reliable transport, Veezu has sponsored the course’s finishing posts, with signage having launched last month.

 

Formerly known as Go Carz, this sponsorship is one of many that Veezu’s Midlands branch has made since rebranding, as it extends its links in the local community.

 

Graham Hoof, Regional Operations Director at Veezu, said: “We are very excited to extend our partnership with Wolverhampton Racecourse and support the many fantastic events and experiences hosted at the grounds throughout the year. This partnership is one of many that brings us closer to our goal of providing safe, reliable and convenient transport to passengers across the Midlands, and we look forward to further easing travel for Midlands locals and visitors.”

 

David Ideson, Executive Director at Wolverhampton Racecourse, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Veezu as official ride partner and sponsor. This partnership will ensure that all guests can have the best experience possible, and not have to worry about their race day travel. The team at Veezu have been wonderful to work with already and I look forward to our future events with them.”

Veezu supports local cricket team in new sponsorship

VEEZU, the Midlands’ fastest growing private hire operator, is sponsoring Tipton Tigers Cricket Club to mark the second year of their partnership.

As the club’s official sponsor this season, Veezu, formerly known as A2B Radio Cars, will provide a new kit for the team.

The sponsorship continues Veezu’s support of local community groups through its Funded by Veezu programme. Funded by Veezu is an initiative in which local residents, charities and sports teams can apply for funding and grants, set up to improve the communities in which Veezu operates.

Zukky Shabir, Tipton Tigers Team Member and driver-partner with Veezu, said: “We are very appreciative to Veezu for their generous donation last year as it helped set up our team and has provided a solid foundation going into our second year.

“With our team being a group of local players, and some of us working with Veezu, its ongoing support for the local community is all the more valued. Our hopes are to win the title this year in the Wolverhampton League, and we are proud to have Veezu by our side throughout this.”

Graham Hoof, Regional Operations Director for Veezu, said: “We are delighted to be supporting another local team in the Midlands. Our Funded by Veezu programme has been an incredible success already in giving local groups the opportunity to access funds and resources they may not have had before.

“With our growing presence in the Midlands, supporting our local communities and forming positive connections is one of our top priorities.”

Veezu offers free rides to Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s lifesaving crew

Veezu has renewed their partnership with Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, offering a vital service to its advanced pre-hospital emergency service.

Formerly known as Go Carz and A2B Radio Cars in the region, Veezu has set up an account for the air ambulance crew, offering a free taxi service for them to get back from hospital when they have travelled by land ambulance or if the aircraft has needed to return due to nighttime and low visibility.

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity operates and funds three air ambulances and a fleet of critical care cars covering six Midlands counties: Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands. It’s vital pre-hospital emergency service responds to some of the most traumatic incidents such as cardiac arrests, heart attacks and strokes.

Each year, it costs between £13-14 million to maintain its clinical operations, where the charity relies solely on the support of local people and organisations to fund future lifesaving missions.

They have recently opened a new base in Shifnal that will allow them to host more members of staff, events, and educational visits. Veezu will be helping to make travel to and from the base more accessible with QR code displays providing an easy booking service.

The account, which was set up last year following a cash donation, has provided a vital service to the crew of critical care paramedics and doctors.

Pam Hodgetts, corporate partnerships manager at Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “Veezu has been supporting Midlands Air Ambulance Charity for a number of years, providing valuable financial and pro bono support.

“On occasion, our aircraft need to return to base due to nighttime flying restrictions, leaving our crew stranded at major trauma centres across the Midlands. Veezu provides a free taxi service to ensure the crew can return to base once their patient handover is complete. As you can imagine, this not only provides our crew with peace of mind but also saves the charity a lot of money. We are extremely grateful for their ongoing support.”

Graham Hoof, regional operations director of Veezu in the Midlands, said: “We’re always happy to offer cash donations to charities but in this case, we thought we could offer something that was of tangible benefit to the charity.

“The Midlands Air Ambulance Charity account has proved useful to its crew over the last year, so it was a no brainer to renew the partnership. We’re so happy we’ve been able to help its team of highly skilled clinicians in instances where they have travelled to hospital via land ambulance or are unable to travel by via aircraft due to poor visibility. After a long shift, especially one where you’ve helped save lives, the last thing you need is to worry about how you’re getting home. “

Veezu named official ride partner for Shrewsbury Town FC

Veezu, Shropshire’s biggest private hire operator, is partnering with local football club Shrewsbury Town FC.

 

Formerly known as Go Carz, Veezu will be official ride partner for the remainder of this season and until the end of the 2024/2045 campaign. Through this partnership, Veezu will provide fans with the best match day experience possible by offering safe and reliable travel to and from the ground.

 

This partnership is one of many community collaborations that Veezu has made across the Midlands region, including being a keen supporter of local Midlands charity, Grandmentors Wolverhampton, and official ride partner for Solihull Moors FC.

 

Andrew Tretton, Shrewsbury Town FC’s Commercial Manager, said: “I’d like to thank everyone at Veezu for their support, which is greatly appreciated by everyone at the club. This type of partnership is a first for us, and we’re looking forward to working together with Veezu in the coming months to develop the relationship. ”

 

Letitia Young, Hyperlocal Marketing Manager at Veezu, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Shrewsbury Town FC and strengthening our connections in the Midlands. As official ride partner, ensuring safety for fans travelling to and from the ground is our top priority.

 

“It has been great to work with Liam Dooley, Luke Edwards and Andy Tretton to bring this partnership to fruition, and we can’t wait to see what is in store for Veezu and Shrewsbury Town FC in the future.”

Hat Trick Of Success For Champions (UK) PLC

LEADING brand agency Champions (UK) Plc is celebrating a hat trick of success – by landing THREE top awards for its work.

The East-Midlands-based agency has won the Real Entrepreneur Award 2024, a MarCom Web Content Award and also scooped the CEO / Director of the Year at the 2023 Leicestershire Business Awards.

Commenting, Champions’ Managing Director Matthew Hayes, said: “Winning these awards just goes to show how hard-working the team are here at Champions and is something I am really proud of.

“The MarCom Web Content Award underlines how much effort and time our content team spend on projects, and I am delighted they have been recognised for their work.

“Being recognised for the Real Entrepreneur Award 2024 and being recognised for the 2023 Leicestershire Business Award are both great achievements. Massive credit must go to my team for the way they deal with the barriers and challenges which must be overcome to deliver fantastic results for our brilliant clients who have also been a pleasure to work with.”

The Real Entrepreneur Award 2024 celebrates business owners who set up breakthrough businesses, saw dramatic growth, or even pivoted their businesses to adapt to the ever-changing face of our economy.

Champions have gone on to win 11 awards this year whilst Matthew has been nominated for the Scale-Up Entrepreneur of the Year which recognises scale-up businesses that have room to grow but are still taking on new strategies for further expansion as well as The Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards which has been described as ‘The Grammys of Entrepreneurship’, receiving 5,000 applications annually.
The MarCom Web Content Award honours excellence in marketing and communication while recognising the creativity, hard work, and generosity of industry professionals. Previous MarCom award winners range from international creative agencies to Fortune 500 companies.

And, the 2023 Leicestershire Business Award for CEO/ Director of the Year highlights the diversity of UK businesses by making awards accessible to all and levelling the playing field. Their awards programme is designed to allow even the smallest businesses to compete with multinational enterprises.

Champions (UK) Plc, based in Loughborough, Leicestershire, also work alongside Rainbows Children’s charity which cares for families up and down the country who have a baby or child suffering from a serious or terminal illness.

The brand agency has raised over £2.5M since 2007 for the Leicester-based charity as well as hosted various charity dinners and celebrity balls including the likes of Sam Bailey, William Roache MBE and Tony Jacklin CBE.

Already shortlisted for The 2023 East Midlands Business Masters award in creativity & media, Champions (UK) Plc are specialist in digital marketing and business growth, helping small-mid businesses grow and reach their highest goals.

Having worked with the likes of Disney, Farmfoods, Google and Lloyds Banking, the family business offers 20 years of industry experience with recognition from the London Stock Exchange 1000 Companies to inspire Britain, as well as numerous other accolades such as Accelerate 250, Santander Breakthrough 50 and Insider Growth 100.  We have also placed 57th in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 directory.

To find out more about the award-winning brand agency, visit www.championsukplc.com

West Midlands wins 5G Innovation Regions competition to Level Up region and accelerate growth New Emails for Today

Today the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has won £4m to accelerate the adoption of 5G technology across the two of the region’s most important clusters – manufacturing and smart communities (which includes social care & social housing) – to boost productivity, wellness and jobs.

The funding has been won with through a joint bid from WM5G (West Midlands 5G), JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) and the WMCA’s Local Authority partners into the Government’s 5G Innovation Regions competition which is making £40m available for selected regions to accelerate the transformative benefits that advanced connectivity and digital technologies can provide.

Advanced manufacturing and smart communities are two key clusters identified in the West Midlands Plan for Growth which was launched last year to help re-ignite the regional economy and recapture its pre-Covid success. Accelerating the adoption of so-called Industry 4.0 technologies, including 5G and data/AI, in these clusters has the potential create skilled jobs, boost productivity, transform wellness, and help reduce social inequalities. However, digital adoption still remains low, reflecting underlying skills and cost of living issues combined with awareness, proposition, funding, and delivery barriers.

By becoming a 5G Innovation Region, the West Midlands will overcome these barriers by scaling proven use cases through the UK’s first adoption hubs in operational manufacturing and social housing facilities and then support many other organisations to benefit through adoption programmes.

Minister of Data and Digital Infrastructure Sir John Whittingdale said:  “We’re channeling millions into local areas to unlock the potential of cutting-edge 5G wireless and digital technologies which will reshape our public services, drive economic growth and boost innovation. This new fund will give local areas from across the country the opportunity to be at the forefront of Britain’s world-leading 5G revolution.

“For instance, by using 5G for farming and creating science parks, we’re not just helping local communities, but also encouraging new ideas all over the UK. This is more than just linking smartphones. It’s about using powerful digital connections to transform various sectors in the economy and the public sector throughout the entire country.”

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA Chair, said: “5G has the power to transform public services and grow our economy – making our workplaces more productive and creating high quality new jobs.

“Accelerating digital adoption is at the heart of our regional strategy to drive prosperity as we continue to bounce back from the impact of the pandemic. We’ve already made a strong start – investing in digital skills bootcamps, launching the West Midlands Innovation Accelerator, and achieving the best 5G coverage of any Combined Authority region.

“But there’s still more we can do to quicken the pace of adoption. That’s why winning £4m in funding and becoming a leading 5G Innovation Region is so important for the West Midlands. Close collaboration with industry leaders and our local authorities will enable us to best serve communities, businesses and public services – opening up new opportunities for local people right across our region in the months and years ahead.”

Steve Prendergast, Digital Operations Director at JLR said: “5G availability in our manufacturing facilities in the Midlands is essential to JLR’s digital transformation as we enhance the performance of our industrial footprint. As we gear up to the production of our next generation electric vehicles and their new platforms, the adoption of advanced wireless technologies will improve the scalability, flexibility and resilience of our manufacturing sites.

Cllr Saima Suleman, Cabinet Member for Digital, Culture, Heritage and Tourism for Birmingham City Council, said: “Birmingham City Council is transforming the way it delivers its services using digital and smart technologies to ensure our residents receive the opportunities and services they deserve. This opportunity will build on the exciting digital transformation activities in our Housing and Adult Social Care services. We look forward to working in partnership through 5GIR to accelerate the benefits from scaled adoption of these technologies for our residents, staff and partners.”

Cllr Duggins, Leader of Coventry City Council, said: “5G-powered technologies have the potential to deliver more efficient public services, new opportunities for residents and businesses, and provide a boost for economic growth. Working together as a region means that we are best placed to collectively make the most of the opportunities this represents.”

City of Wolverhampton Council Leader, Cllr Stephen Simkins, said: “Wolverhampton is a Gigabit and Smart City with futureproofed digital infrastructure including full fibre broadband and 5G utilised to transform delivery of services and develop new applications to unlock its potential. We know how critical digital adoption is for our residents and organisations and we are delighted to be part of this innovative programme that will help bring further benefits to our city and region.”

Techsol Group acquires IBIT Solutions and expands to the Midlands

Techsol Group, a leading digital transformation company with offices in Cardiff, Coventry and Cornwall, is pleased to announce the acquisition of IBIT Solutions, a local Coventry MSP. The acquisition will enable Techsol Group to expand its presence in the Midlands and to be able to offer a more diverse service offering to its customer base across the region.

Why IBIT Solutions?

IBIT Solutions is a managed IT services provider that has been serving the Coventry area for over 15 years. They have built a reputation for providing high-quality IT services to businesses of all sizes across Coventry and the Midlands.

“We are very excited about this new chapter,” said Gavin Morgan, Techsol Group MD. “We look forward to growing our new Coventry base and providing our customers with the best possible service and solutions.”

Simone Lawless of IBIT Solutions added:

“We are delighted to have completed this union between ourselves and Techsol Group. In Techsol Group we have found a partner who shares our determination to provide service excellence to our clients but who can also add scale and reach both in terms of resource, geography and technical practice groups.”

The acquisition of IBIT Solutions is part of Techsol Group’s ongoing expansion strategy.  Established in 1996, the company has grown rapidly in recent years and has established itself as a UK leader in digital transformation.

Techsol Group work closely with their customers to plan, prepare, and implement integrated technologies to revolutionise the way they work.

Gavin Morgan continues:

“Harnessing the capabilities of dynamic collaborative cloud platforms from industry-leading partners Microsoft and Sage, we ensure the solutions we provide are robust, secure, and improve productivity and competitivity.

“With over 25 years of experience transforming businesses, we work in close partnership with our customers to guide them safely on their digital transformation journey.

“We look forward to continued growth across the Midlands, Wales and the South West as we continue to support our customers in 2023-24 and beyond.”