Category Archives: North of England

Finance and Banking, News, North of England

Clear Start Announces New Investment in Monthly Budgeting Service

Manchester-based Clear Start is celebrating significant investment in its pioneering Personal Monthly Budgeting Service, as it launches version three of its highly pioneering app, cementing its position as the consumer champion in offering real time, unbiased advice on the cheapest deals in a customer’s area, irrespective of any commission fees.

The latest version draws on state-of-the-art programming, to source the very best prices, which are now updated every hour and with the added functionality of push notifications ‘as it happens’ to ensure customers are accessing the most competitive deals..

Just as prices at the fuel pumps rise steeply, and with big differences in the cost per litre often within a few mile radius, the newest version of the app sends alerts on the cheapest five fuel stations in your locality, drawing on postcode data, as well finding the very best prices for your weekly food basket, top insurance deals and broadband providers.

The updated platform also alerts customers via instant push notifications if they go over their monthly budget, helping them to keep control of costs, so everyday living expenses don’t spiral.

Fiaz Ashraf, CEO of Clear Start Accountants and Founder of the Clear Start Monthly Budgeting Service comments: “For our customers the budgeting app is a lifeline, allowing us to do the hard work for them, in advising how they can save on everyday necessities. Our significant investment in the latest version now takes this one step further, with customised price data supplied in real time to offer the very best deals close to their homes.

“This latest move proves our commitment to harnessing the very latest technology to improve our capability, and hence our customer service offering on an on-going basis.”

Clear Start has its own podcast ‘Penny to the Pound’, co-hosted by Clear Start’s Founder and CEO Fiaz Ashraf, which teams up with experts and industry leaders across the series to offer their views for those embarking on a journey to financial freedom.

Penny to the Pound explores and demystifies in an easy-to-listen format relevant topics such as personal budgeting, household expenses, individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs) and debt relief orders.

The podcast is now available to listen to on all major platforms, and can be viewed on the Clear Start Accountants Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ClearStartAccountants

Healthcare, HR, News, North of England, Training, Training News

PAM Group takes a leap forward with new training academy

Occupational health and corporate health services provider PAM Group has opened a dedicated training academy to enhance the learning and development of its workforce.

The PAM Academy is based on the ground floor of a two-storey building at Mandarin Court in Warrington.

The 4,000sq ft building houses client services teams for PAM’s Wellness Solutions division on the first floor alongside the group’s IT support staff.

PAM Group founder and chief executive James Murphy said the academy fulfils a long-held ambition to create a bespoke training centre for clinical and non-clinical staff. It features a series of fully-equipped replica clinics and an audio booth where PAM Group specialists can train in a realistic setting.

The academy space will also be used to stage training courses and sessions for clients, covering topics such as mental health awareness, neurodiversity and health and wellbeing in the workplace.

PAM Wellness Solutions’ client services teams have relocated from the group’s corporate headquarters in Warrington and other sites, bringing together under one roof those running the group’s employee assistance programme, physiotherapy and occupational health advisory services. The open-plan upper floor can accommodate 50 staff.

James said: “I’m passionate that PAM becomes the employer of choice for people wishing to start or develop their careers in the fields in which we operate, and the academy is a leap forward for this.

“It’s common, for example, for people from the nursing profession to join us to start their journeys as occupation health professionals.

“We are developing a new career path framework for our colleagues, branded as the Elevate Programme. This will enhance routes for career development across the group, and the facilities at the new academy provide an effective and engaging space to host the learning opportunities on offer through the programme, in a bespoke environment.”

He added: “It’s a very versatile building where we can also hold departmental and inter-departmental meetings, planning sessions and workshops.

“In terms of the client services teams, the building provides a tremendous space to bring people together and improve efficiency by inspiring greater collaboration, engagement and teamwork in a stimulating working environment.”

The Mandarin Court site is a high-spec office building which PAM Group has fitted out to include a breakout area and meeting rooms as well as office space and training facilities. It has parking for 20 vehicles.

PAM Group is a major provider of occupational health, health screening and wellbeing services across the UK and Ireland. It offers a range of integrated services to public and private sector clients, supporting more than a million employees at over 1,000 businesses and organisations.

Its services include psychological support, corporate health assessments, ergonomic and assistive technology products, mobile health screening, drug and alcohol screening and a pathology laboratory. The group operates a network of 25 clinics. It also has a retail arm which supplies fitness, exercise and rehabilitation equipment to consumers, sports clubs and sports and physiotherapy professionals.

PAM, which employs more than 750 people, posted revenues of £53m for 2023 and is on track to reach £68m this year. PAM is looking to grow turnover to £90m over the next few years through continued organic expansion and further acquisitions.

The group is backed by private equity firm LDC to support its growth and the launch of new products and services.

Digital Transformation, News, North of England

EJ Peak Technology Solutions wins place on United Utilities framework.

United Utilities has appointed EJ Peak Technology Solutions to its Digital Services – Monitoring & Control, Design & Build framework following a competitive tender. Part of the Edwin James Group, EJ Peak is a digitalisation and industrial technologies specialist that helps clients to modernise and achieve their digital transformation goals.

The framework runs for an initial three-year period with the option to extend by up to five years. The framework aims to enhance Digital Services Monitoring and Control (DS M&C) capability to ensure United Utilities can produce year-on-year improvements through innovation and business improvement.

The scope and scale of the works will vary from simple ICA (Instrumentation, Control and Automation) installations to large complex design and build projects. The DS M&C scope of delivery will range from first-time install to upgrade, development, integration and optimisation of existing monitoring and control infrastructure.

Commenting on the appointment, Michael Thomas, executive director, EJ Peak Technology Solutions (pictured above) said: “We’re very pleased to secure our place on this framework and are looking forward to working collaboratively with United Utilities and their partners to deliver improvements. We work with a number of utilities firms and understand the broad scope of work that is required and the complex environments that they operate in.

“To support the sector, Edwin James Group recently launched our Digital Academy, which aims to plug the skills gap by building capacity.  It supports our commitment to apprentices and the training of existing staff in modern industrial technologies.”

United Utilities is responsible for water and wastewater services in the North West of England. It delivers 1.8 billion litres of water a day to more than 3 million homes and businesses in the region.

Commenting on the appointment, Matthew Fildes, Commercial Business Manager at United Utilities said: “We’re pleased to welcome EJ Peak Technology Solutions on to this digital Services framework. The team demonstrated a clear understanding of our business challenges in their bid, and their commitment to supporting apprentices aligns with our drive to boost skills and support growth in our region. We are looking forward to working together over the coming years.”

News, North of England, Packaging

Jobs saved as eco-friendly packaging manufacturer is sold in pre-pack deal

A company which manufactures eco-friendly packaging for takeaway food items as well as wooden cutlery, paper straws and cups has been bought out of administration, saving the jobs of its 14 staff.

Steven Wiseglass, a director at Manchester-based Inquesta Corporate Recovery & Insolvency, was appointed administrator of Eco Packaging Products Ltd on Thursday, February 15.

Following his appointment, Mr Wiseglass completed the pre-pack sale of the business to EP2 Packaging Ltd.

Eco Packaging Products was founded in February 2020 and operated from a 25,000sq ft facility in Little Hulton, Salford. The premises are accredited with grade A status by the British Retail Consortium. EP2 Packaging is operating from the same premises.

The company supplies wholesalers with a range of corrugated cardboard and solid board takeaway food boxes which are free of plastic, responsibly sourced and biodegradable. They are used for snacks and meals as well as cakes and baked goods, pizzas, burgers and chips.

Its wooden cutlery is produced from ethically sourced birchwood and all items are recyclable, biodegradable and compostable, as are its paper straws and cups.

Mr Wiseglass said: “Eco Packaging Products showed great potential and spent a lot of money on research and development, but unfortunately business did not go quite the way its owners wanted.

“We are pleased that the business has been sold and that the jobs of its employees have been safeguarded, and hope it flourishes under its new ownership.”

Apprenticeships, Awards, News, North of England

Mechanic Lewis crowned apprentice of the year by Kinaxia Logistics

A young mechanic who helps to service and maintain Kinaxia Logistics’ fleet of lorries has won the company’s apprentice of the year award.

Lewis Brockbank, 20, joined Kinaxia in September 2021 on a three-year apprenticeship leading to a qualification in heavy vehicle maintenance.

He is based at Kinaxia group company Bay Freight in Stalybridge, Greater Manchester.

Lewis was nominated for the accolade by his line manager Dave Turnbull, who presented him with a trophy, framed certificate and Amazon voucher.

Dave said: “Lewis is always willing to learn and is a key team player. He works hard in all weathers and never complains. He’s willing to do any job at any time of the day and always keeps himself busy.

“He’s very competent at his job and has had glowing reports from college. He’s a very worthy winner of the apprentice of the year award.”

The training provider for Lewis’s apprenticeship is Mantra Learning. He is one of eight apprentices currently employed by Kinaxia. The group is recruiting for up to 10 apprentices this year.

Kinaxia, which has its headquarters in Macclesfield, Cheshire, employs more than 2,000 staff nationwide with a fleet of over 1,000 vehicles transporting goods for the retail, leisure, food and drink and manufacturing sectors.

The group has 2.7 million sq ft of warehouse facilities nationwide, offering contract packing, e-fulfilment, returns management, storage services and a complete distribution service.

Lewis, who lives in Mottram, Tameside, Greater Manchester, said: “I wasn’t expecting to win the award but I’m very happy to have done so and very grateful. It really means a lot.”

He added: “Initially, I wanted to be a light vehicle mechanic, and I completed a Level Two qualification at Tameside College. Then the opportunity came up to join Kinaxia, and I was thrilled to join the company.

“I’ve found myself really enjoying learning the job and helping to keep our vehicles roadworthy and maintained to a high standard.

“I think apprenticeships are the best option for people fresh out of school or college to get into an industry. I find that hands-on learning is more effective than just classroom learning. I’d definitely recommend an apprenticeship to anyone who may be considering one.”

Kinaxia is a gold sponsor of Generation Logistics, a government and industry-backed campaign highlighting the opportunities and career prospects available in a major national drive to attract young people to the sector.

Debbie Blackwell, people services director at Kinaxia, said: “Apprenticeships are key to the future of our industry. We need to invest in our colleagues and create new opportunities for diversified talent to support the growth and productivity of our business and create a skilled and qualified workforce.”

Food & Drink, Hospitality, News, North of England, North Wales

Hydes Brewery To Invest Millions In Its Pub Estate Throughout The Year

Salford-based brewer and pub retailer Hydes has committed to a multi-million, seven-figure investment programme across its pub estate throughout the remainder of 2024.

The family-owned independent business, which marked its 160th anniversary last year, will begin the investment programme with a refurbishment of its award-winning pub and boutique hotel, The Abel Heywood, based in Manchester’s vibrant Northern Quarter.

Acquired by Hydes in 2015, The Abel Heywood will close on 25th February for a full interior refurbishment including new booth seating, modernisation of existing Victorian-style decor, new external signage, lighting and a revitalisation of the bar areas.

Hydes is committing £200k investment to the project and will re-open the characterful pub to customers on 9th March. The on-site boutique hotel, which is popular with visitors to Manchester, has a 99% occupancy rate and will remain open throughout the renovations.

The investment forms part of a wider multi-million-pound programme planned for other key sites in Hydes’ portfolio including significant investments at The Boat House at Parkgate on the Wirral, The Nursery Inn at Heaton Norris, Stockport and The Mount Inn at Chester. The investment total will run into seven figures for the year including smaller-scale refurbishments at a number of additional Hydes pubs.

Last year Hydes committed over £4 million worth of investment in its estate. The Jolly Thresher in Lymm and The John Millington in Cheadle Hulme both underwent extensive refurbishments. Further investments were made at various other sites including The Sam Brooks in Sale, The Golden Lion in Rossett and Alfreds in Macclesfield.

In October 2022, Hydes completed its first freehold acquisition since 2015, purchasing the former police station in Heswall. Named after the architect of the original building, The Harry Beswick, cost over £3.6m and opened its doors as Hydes’ newest premium pub and dining venue in November 2023.

Adam Mayers, managing director of Hydes commented: “The Abel Heywood is a key venue and kicks off a series of investments that will see us continuing to commit to the ongoing refurbishments of all pubs in our estate. This follows significant investment programmes for the previous two years, resulting in the revitalisation of multiple sites. The Abel Heywood, with its adjoined 15 room boutique hotel, is a firm favourite in the city’s Northern Quarter and this investment will enable it to build on the success and reputation it has established since we first acquired it nearly a decade ago.

“Starting with The Abel Heywood, our ongoing investment in the estate not only highlights the commitment to delivering exceptional customer experience, products and services but also underpins the integral role in the communities it serves. Investment in our pubs and our people is top priority at Hydes and this will continue throughout the coming year, strengthening our offering and enhancing the overall experience for all our customers and guests.”

Hydes operates nearly 50 pubs ranging from Lancaster in the North to Stoke-on Trent in the Midlands and across to North Wales including a wide selection of premium dining destination outlets and traditional community pubs.

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Pictured: The Abel Heywood pub and boutique hotel, Manchester

interior design, Interiors, News, North of England, Retail, Retail & E-commerce

All you need is love…and free champagne

Love will be in the Air at Arighi Bianchi’s Valentine’s Fizz and Furniture event on Saturday 10th February

Luxury furniture and homeware retailer Arighi Bianchi has partnered with Champagne brand Laurent-Perrier to spread some love across Macclesfield on Saturday 10th February.

Helping people in the region unleash their romantic side, Laurent-Perrier’s Champagne van will take pride of place outside the Silk Road store from 11am to 3pm.

The family-run business will be giving away a free glass of Laurent Perrier Cuvée Rosé Champagne to the first 200 lucky shoppers on a first come, first served basis. Plus, it has welcomed a selection of independent retailers from the local area to run pop-ups and promotions for its special Valentine’s event – with gifts galore from luxury chocolates to stunning flowers and floral bouquets.

And there are prizes to be won too. Snap a selfie with the Champagne van and tag @arighibianchi on Instagram, and you will be in with the chance to win Laurent Perrier’s limited edition Cuvée Rosé Petal Robe Edition worth £98.00.

In store, anyone looking for that special gift for their loved one this Valentine’s Day will find lots of unique ideas. Arighi Bianchi has a range of homewares and home fragrances from designer brands including Jonathan Adler, Aery and Le Creuset. There’s also throws, cushions and gorgeous ornaments.

Boxed bottles of Laurent Perrier Cuvée Rosé and the Laurent Perrier Cuvée Rosé Petal Robe Edition will be available to buy instore and all purchases include free luxury gift wrapping.

Sarah Bianchi, Managing Director of Arighi Bianchi, said: “We love giving something back to the local community and Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to show some love for our customers. Fizz and furniture shopping – the perfect day out!

“The event will be supported by some hand selected retail partners from the local area and in-store our team are on hand to help anyone pick out the perfect Valentine’s Day gift or home furnishing product. So, if you’re stuck for ideas, we have lots of unique finds that will be sure to set your loved ones heart racing this Valentine’s Day.

“We hope that people will also take the opportunity to come and experience the new-look Caffe AB, that’s had a make-over and launched a new menu.”

Care, News, North of England

Hales Home Care to Create Exciting Care Careers Under New Sheffield Contract

Regional care provider Hales Home Care has been awarded a new contract to provide domiciliary care in Sheffield and the surrounding areas, creating 130 new jobs.

Hales will be supporting existing service users to transition into its care and creating new job opportunities across the local area, in various positions including supervisory, quality assurance and care delivery teams.

Part of the Hales Group, the technology-enabled care provider delivers c35,000 hours of care and support a week across the UK from 28 locations, including 5 Extra Care schemes supporting older adults, people with disabilities, people with long term illnesses and people at the end of their lives. Services include state of the art digital care tools to support and help monitor and manage care delivery, increasing independence and reducing risk.

Nicola Mewse, Managing Director of Hales Group, comments: “We are delighted to have been awarded the contract to provide domiciliary care in Sheffield. We have been working very closely with the local authority on detailed plans to successfully develop our joint approach to innovative care delivery for the area.”

Hales Group offers an extensive list of benefits including excellent rates of pay, FREE Blue Light Card, a cycle to work scheme, an early pay scheme, over £300 referral bonus, and even the opportunity to win £1,000 every month in the Hales Heroes Draw!

To find out more about working for Hales Home Care, please call the Recruitment Hotline on 0800 124 4765 or visit www.halescare.co.uk/jobs

Awards, News, North of England

North West-Based Digital Agency Ranks in Top 0.3% of Global Companies

Soap Media Ranks in Top 0.3% of Global Companies

  • The North West-Based Digital Agency was Named in the Clutch 1000 List

North West-based digital marketing agency, Soap Media, has made it onto the prestigious Clutch 1000 list. This recognition comes just weeks after the agency was named a Clutch Champion and Clutch Global winner. 

The Clutch 1000 is an exclusive ranking highlighting the top 1000 highest-rated business service providers on the platform. With over 280,000 total providers worldwide, being ranked in the Clutch 1000 puts Soap Media in the top 0.3% of companies globally. 

Unlike many other awards and accolades, businesses cannot apply for, or pay to be considered for, the Clutch 1000 list. Instead, honorees are selected based on four key criteria:

  • The quantity, quality, and recency of verified reviews
  • The diversity and scope of clientele and portfolio of work 
  • A robust company profile with competitive specialisations and considerable experience
  • Strong brand awareness and industry recognition 

Clutch also invests heavily in maintaining the highest standards of review authenticity.

Currently, the agency has 4.9 stars out of 5 from current and previous clients across a multitude of industries. They also have an average referral rating of five out of five. 

On this recognition, Sonny Ganguly, CEO of Clutch, said:

“The Clutch 1000 is one of the most prestigious awards a service provider on Clutch can earn. By featuring these top 1000 companies, we aim to connect businesses with the right service providers for their goals and, in turn, accelerate their own growth. Congratulations to these service providers for not only this recognition but for their steadfast commitment to delivering value for their clients.”

Jack Oddy, Managing Director of Soap Media, said:

“Earning a place among the top 1000 global companies validates our commitment to delivering superior client satisfaction and services that fuel lasting growth. We’re incredibly proud of how far we’ve come over the past two decades, and we look forward to continuing to support new and existing clients this year and beyond.”

Finance and Banking, News, North of England

HURST blazes a trail with new Vistage Inside leadership development programme

Independent accounting and business advisory firm HURST is blazing a trail with a new leadership development programme for 12 of its rising stars.

HURST is the first accountancy firm headquartered in the north to launch a Vistage Inside programme for future leaders.

Vistage, with 45,000 members worldwide, is a global leader in personal development and advisory groups for CEOs, key executives and leadership teams, providing insight, fresh perspectives, peer advisory groups, coaching and mentoring.

The two-year Vistage Inside programme combines tailored workshops with speaker sessions, insight papers, webinars and one-to-one coaching.

HURST’s bespoke Developing Leaders initiative is being delivered by Victoria Gee, former managing partner at executive search company Warren Partners, in her role as the founder and chair of a Manchester and Cheshire Vistage CEO peer advisory group.

The programme began this month with a full-day workshop and a talk by award-winning speaker, business author and ‘corporate athlete’ Brad Waldron on the key habits of highly-effective leadership.

Chris Stewardson, the HURST partner who is leading the programme for the firm, said: “The partners firmly believe it is essential to equip our developing leaders with the commercial, client and people skills to ensure the continued success and growth of the practice.

“Several of the HURST board have benefited from Vistage membership for some time, and we are now bringing Vistage to a wider group of people in the firm who are developing into a leadership role. The group is very excited to be working with Victoria to assist with their self-development and look forward to putting their learnings into practice.”

HURST focuses on advising entrepreneurial owner-managed businesses with turnover of £10m and above across all sectors. Clients include Kinaxia Logistics, M&I Materials, Beechfield Brands, Duerr’s, Oliver Valves, Lancashire County Cricket Club, Krones UK, Creamline Dairies, Arighi Bianchi, Scapa Group and Hyde Group.

Victoria said: “HURST’s senior leaders have seen the value of developing their skills and knowledge in partnership with our organisation, and it’s great to see the firm taking an impressively proactive approach to developing its leaders of the future and investing to ensure they continue to meet the expectations of its entrepreneurial client base and team.

“The practice has a fantastic culture, a great reputation and a strong position in the market, which all set it apart, but its leaders understand they cannot be complacent as they compete to attract, retain and grow their talent.”

She added: “We provide an environment where people can learn and be challenged in an open, supportive way that’s aligned to the culture at HURST.

“Our aim is to ensure that they are not only great technical accountants but also rounded leaders who understand entrepreneurs and the challenges and opportunities they face, and who are equipped to have the right conversations at the right time.

“As the first accountancy firm headquartered in the north to have launched a VI programme of this kind, it’s extremely exciting to be working with HURST and helping to bring on its next generation of leaders.”

Andy Perkins, managing director of international operations at Vistage UK, said: “The partnership between HURST and Vistage is a great example of our mission in action.

“Through this collaboration we’ll be able to support HURST to do more of what’s important to the firm – focusing on personal and business growth, supporting its people to become better leaders who make better decisions and achieve better results, as well as placing the values of trust, challenge and care at the centre of everything they do.

“We know that better leaders have a positive impact on their companies, families and communities, and we are thrilled to be supporting HURST in its continued growth plans and developing its leadership talent of the future.”

HURST is due to move its head office to a new flagship development in Stockport in the spring to accommodate its growing team. The firm is taking 11,000sq ft at 3 Stockport Exchange, the latest phase of a £145m project by Muse Developments and Stockport Council.

HURST is taking a 10-year lease and will occupy the entire fifth floor at the building. It has been based since 1998 in Tiviot Dale in Stockport town centre, but has outgrown those premises. The new HQ will give the firm scope to expand from 120 staff to around 170, which it aims to achieve over the next three years.