Category Archives: Regional News

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.

South West, South West England News, Tech, Technology

New top team in place to take Yeovil-based IT/Cybersecurity company, CETSAT, forward.

IT Firm CETSAT, specialising in digital transformation, managed technical services, cyber security and software development has announced a new senior management team to take the company forward.

Based in the heart of Somerset, but with a client portfolio extending up the M4 corridor, into London, and beyond to the rest of the UK, the company now sees the founder of the company, Durgan Cooper, moving into a new role as Chairman.  His role in the day-to-day management of the company will now be filled by Alan Watkins, who was previously an integral part of Durgan’s team as Head of IT & Cyber.

Alan will also be joined by a Sales Director, Paul Rowe, who has been recruited to the company in a new role which will bring CETSAT’s vision to previously untouched areas and industries – alongside Michelle Dymond as Commercial Director, and Tao Ball as Software Director.

CETSAT was formed in 2001, with the mantra to ‘do things different, do things better.’ That has been diligently applied to the company’s work for over two decades, resulting in a record number projects, staff and clients. With over 500 years of combined experienced across the team, CETSAT is well placed to continue its development.

 

Durgan Cooper, CETSAT Chairman, commented:

“I’m embarking on a new journey, passing the baton of leadership to the capable hands of Alan Watkins, Michelle Dymond ,Tao Ball, and Paul Rowe. Their vision and drive assure me that CETSAT’s future is brighter than ever.

“Throughout these years, we’ve navigated the ebbs and flows inherent in any business. It’s been a journey made richer by the dedication and talent of our past and present staff. Their collective efforts have sculpted CETSAT into the remarkable entity it is today.

“I also wish to express my deepest gratitude to our clients, some of whom have been our steadfast companions since our inception in 2001. Witnessing your evolution and successes has been nothing short of inspiring. It’s been an honour to partner with such a diverse and dynamic group of business leaders and innovators.”

 

Alan Watkins, Managing Director, added: 

“Taking on the role of Managing Director is an exciting challenge, especially with how CETSAT is so tantalisingly poised to continue its impressive growth. We’re expanding into new industries, with new services, so it’s a real pleasure for me to be able to help guide this positive development.

“Technology is developing at a rapid pace, which brings both challenges and opportunities. We are blessed with an incredibly capable team who are taking full advantage of the fast-moving landscape, delivering an evolving portfolio of ever-improving services for our clients.

“From cyber security to software development, digital transformation to support services, CETSAT’s unique offering is one that will continue to grow – we’re all looking forward to contributing to its progress.”

 

 

About CETSAT:

CETSAT is a tactical business partner for companies who wish to achieve more through a methodical approach to their technology.

Ready and able to move quickly and easily, the company has  worked hard to perfect the team’s ways of working, and the company is now the first choice for organisations who require robust and secure technology platforms hosted within their own infrastructure or in the cloud.

Over two decades of trading, the company has supported and enabled the growth of both small and international companies, allowing them to harness the power of technology and use this to their competitive advantage.

Their services include:

  • Managed technical services & Project delivery
  • Taking care of clients’ infrastructure, connectivity, hardware, end-users and much more.
  • Cyber Security – A specialist team of consultants provide vulnerability scans, penetration testing, cyber central certification, patching, maintenance, and monitoring.
  • Digital transformation: this specialist team seeks to empower clients to maximise the performance of their existing technology by unlocking the power of what the technology is capable of doing.
  • A bespoke software team creates unique applications, mobile apps, web design, hosting and SEO
  • Building management: leading the way in smart building design, monitoring and support in some of the largest buildings and sites in the UK.

To learn more, visit the company website https://cetsat.com/

Awards, Bridgend, Commercial Vehicles, Driving, News, Wales News

Hawkstone Commercials named in the Top 100 UK Businesses

Hawkstone Commercials is celebrating after being recognised as one of the UK’s top 100 SME businesses in the UK.

From thousands of entries across every sector, Hawkstone Commercials has been ranked 55th overall in the Elite Business 100 (EB100). Hawkstone Commercials will celebrate at the awards evening on March 17th in London and be included in the EB100 digital guide and online directory with a viewership of over half a million people.

The EB100 are the businesses to watch for the future. It recognises excellence in the SME community and ranks them across a broad range of criteria, from their longevity in the marketplace, year-on-year growth to how they embrace innovation and contribute to the community.

The SME industry contributes over £2 trillion in turnover to the UK economy, employing 44% of the British workforce. The last 12 months have been challenging, with many SMEs navigating a landscape of hardship. SMEs like Hawkstone Commercials has demonstrated remarkable resilience to survive and thrive thanks to their robust infrastructure and proven business models.

 

“The EB100 has shown that despite the everchanging economic climate, they haven’t allowed it to hinder the overall performance of their businesses, and many have, in fact, thrived,” said Piers Linney, Former investor on BBC’s Dragon’s Den and Founder of small business service provider, Moblox.

 

“Hawkstone Commercials are change-makers in the British business industry and deserve their place in the Elite Business 100,” said Scott English, Brand Director of Elite Business. “This definitive league table exemplifies the very best of SMEs in the UK.”

“This year was highly competitive, with judges commenting on the high standard of entries, impressive sales and growth figures and high-performing cultures.”

 

“Just under two years ago Paul and I were sat at a kitchen table putting together our strategy for Hawkstone Commercials. Within this period, we have generated over £15,000,000 in sales revenue with 10 members of staff spread across two offices. We could not be more delighted with being recognised as one of the Top 100 UK Businesses after such a short space of time. We still feel that we haven’t achieved even half of what we set out to do and have very ambitious plans for the next five years” said Oliver Lewis, Director and co-founder of Hawkstone Commercials.

The team at Hawkstone Commercials is proud to not only provide an exemplary service for its clients but now be named as a Top 100 UK business.

For more information about Hawkstone Commercials, visit www.hawkstonecommercials.co.uk

 

Construction, Construction News, News, North of England

MC Construction completes first phase of multimillion-pound Crewe scheme

A multimillion-pound scheme to transform the civic and cultural quarter of Crewe town centre is under way.

The project involves:

  • Creating a cleared site for a new history centre to co-host Cheshire’s archives;
  • A new pedestrian link between the Lifestyle Centre, Memorial Square and Market Hall connecting into the southern gateway link;
  • A new car park with 31 spaces;
  • A new, two-storey magistrates’ courts entrance;
  • Public realm improvements, including new lighting, paving, seating and planting, bicycle racks, activity space and public art.

Salford-based MC Construction has completed the first phase of the scheme, which involved enabling works to strip out the former library next to Memorial Square where the history centre will be developed, clearing the structure over the existing Civic Centre car park and erecting a temporary entrance to the magistrates’ courts.

MC Construction will begin the next phase in February when it dismantles the former library building and the existing concourse. This phase is expected to be completed by summer 2024.

The works by MC Construction are being undertaken for Cheshire East Council.

Russ Forshaw, managing director of MC Construction, said: “This scheme will transform the civic and cultural quarter of Crewe town centre by providing new and greatly improved facilities for the public.

“Having successfully completed numerous other projects for Cheshire East Council, we are proud to be working with the authority once again and to further strengthen our relationship with this valued client.”

The revamp is being supported by the government’s Towns Fund and Future High Streets Fund.

The history centre, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, will co-host the regional’s written and pictorial history collections with a second history centre being built in Hoole, Chester. This scheme has been driven by Cheshire Archives and Local Studies, a shared service of Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester councils. The centres will replace the archive service’s current facility and open the collections to new audiences across Cheshire.

The centres will have climate-controlled environments and will feature event and gallery areas to host performances, workshops and exhibitions, more space for people to conduct research and better spaces to make the collections more accessible to the public.

Other professionals involved alongside MC Construction include Bowker Sadler Architecture, Davis Partnership and Wardell Armstrong.

International News, Marketing, PR and SEO, Recruitment, Recruitment News, South East England News, South West, USA, Web Design, Wiltshire News

Recruitment expert aided in US expansion by creative agency’s new brand and website project

NOTTINGHAM-BASED recruitment agency Distinct has been aided with a push into markets further south and in the US by a redesigned website and an updated brand.

Distinct, which specialises in recruitment for roles within finance, HR, marketing, IT and office support and supply chain and procurement, is opening an office in London to mount an expansion into the south and is about to open another in Boston to capitalise on its rapid growth in the North American market. It turned to Wiltshire design agency Milk & Tweed for its new brand look and an upgraded website with functions to help both clients and job hunters.

Milk & Tweed, which has offices in Chippenham and Brighton in Sussex, is building a reputation for excellence in website, brand and logo design and digital marketing.

Distinct Marketing Director Amy Robinson-Nunn said: “We’ve got exciting expansion plans in both London and North America, whilst also pushing to stand out in quite competitive markets. So, one of the things we wanted to do was make sure that our brand and our website supported this strategy.

“We wanted something that was fresh, confident, clean and modern, whilst still retaining the core of what the brand has always been – I think that’s been achieved here.”

Milk & Tweed’s design team refreshed the Distinct logo to give it a more modern feel, sharpened the colours and used cleaner typography. “While it’s not been radically transformed, these changes have made it look totally different,” said Ms Robinson-Nunn.

The agency’s website has been redesigned and features two new user-friendly tools. “For a candidate being offered a job, one of the first things you want to do is work out your take-home pay, so we’ve got a salary calculator where they can insert their wage and then the tax, student loan and pension deductions are calculated to leave the exact amount they’ll receive in their bank account,” said Ms Robinson-Nunn.

“On the flip side for our clients, we’ve got a wage insights tool which uses live data from the last 12 months, so if they are advertising a job in a particular area, the tool will display the going rate for that job title in their chosen location.”

She said the agency is delighted with the new site. “The development team in particular have been incredible,” she said. “Milk & Tweed’s Web Manager Jon Mynette has been leading the way for us from a development point of view and he’s been fantastic to work with.

“I think they’ve created something that I am genuinely proud of and would recommend them to others.”

She said the new website is particularly important, given Distinct’s ambitious expansion plans. “We’re really taking hold in the US and we’re working in roles within the public accounting and legal sectors,” said Ms Robinson-Nunn.

“We started off in New York and have since moved into Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Texas, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Illinois, Florida, Connecticut and Ohio, so we’re opening an office in Boston to further strengthen our operation in the US.

“Our refreshed brand and new website help us to stand out from our competitors and will certainly support our new strategy and exciting expansion plans.”

Milk & Tweed Web Manager Jon Mynette said: “The project was amazing to work on and the team at Distinct were great to work with because they were so organised, driven and ambitious. It really pushed us as a team and I’m very proud of the work we’ve done and the results we’ve achieved.

“Distinct had some amazing ideas around how they wanted their site to be presented and perform. It meant we had to push the boundaries of how we usually build, which I always enjoy. I must give a special mention to the lead designer Jon Francis and lead developer Sam Jones, who have both done fantastic work on the project. Without them we wouldn’t have been able to achieve what we have.”

—

Pictured: Recruitment agency Distinct turned to creative agency Milk & Tweed to help prepare it for an expansion into the south of England and further into North America

interior design, Interiors, News, North of England

Arighi Bianchi to hold Warehouse Clearance event this Sunday

Macclesfield-based luxury furniture and homewares store, Arighi Bianchi is holding a one-day sale event this Sunday 28th January 2024 offering up to 70% off many designer brands. It’s set to be its biggest clearance event of the year.

The one-off spectacular, which is taking place from 10am to 2pm at the retailer’s Halles Warehouse (Park Road, Macclesfield), will see prices slashed across a wide range of products – from dining sets, sofas, armchairs, bedroom furniture, console tables, home accessories, rugs and lots more. 

Arighi Bianchi is famed for being the North West’s leading interiors destination. Its iconic Silk Road store attracts shoppers from far and wide and is filled with over 25 carefully-curated brands – including Tetrad, Ercol, Cattelan Italia, Stressless, Hypnos, Le Creuset and many more. It is renowned for selling beautiful, modern day classic pieces, with a focus on timelessness and craftsmanship.

“We are giving our store a refresh for 2024 and so we have lots of pieces going into the clearance event as we make way for new stock” says Lucy Mather, Head of Communications at Arighi Bianchi.

“This is a genuine clearance sale, so whatever your style – from contemporary to elegant and traditional – if you have had your eye on any of our pieces in store, then I would urge you to head down to the warehouse clearance to see if you get it at an unbeatable price. It’s set to be our biggest sale of its kind. There is no better opportunity to bag yourself an absolute bargain!

“My advice to shoppers, to get the most of the sale, is to arrive just as we open at 10am on Sunday and have measurements to hand so you can quickly make a decision on big purchases like a sofa or dining table. Maybe have a clear idea on what you want, but be willing to think outside the box and be flexible on things like colours and finishes. We guarantee you won’t be disappointed on the range of products that will be available, and our expert team will be on hand to provide help and advice.”

Lucy adds: ”Don’t forget, our in-store and online sale is also still on with savings of up to 30%. Plus you could head back over to the store after visiting the Warehouse Event to enjoy our newly refurbished café bar and new Caffè AB menu.”

The Arighi Bianchi Warehouse Clearance Event will take place on Sunday 28th January from 10am to 2pm at Halles Warehouse, Park Road, Macclesfield SK11 6TJ. Visit www.arighibianchi.co.uk for more inspiration.

Appointments, Finance and Banking, News, North of England

Unity Trust Bank strengthens Northern team with three new appointments

Unity Trust Bank has announced the appointment of three new Relationship Managers in its North West team, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to supporting its growing customer base in the region.

 Deposits Relationship Manager Dawn Morris will work specifically with new and existing day-to-day banking customers to understand their needs and support their liquidity and investment requirements, while Relationship Managers Philippa Moors and Andy Matley will support and grow a portfolio of customers spanning a broad range of sectors.

All three will work closely alongside long-serving Relationship Managers, Margaret Porter and Neil Cartwright, and Regional Director John Copping, who leads Unity’s North & Scotland team.

Dawn, who has a long and varied career in banking, will be talking to customers about their plans and strategies and raising awareness about the range of products and services available to help them manage their savings and investments.

Commenting on her appointment, Dawn said: “I’d never considered working for an ethical bank before but when I learned how Unity uses finance to help improve the lives of local communities it touched a nerve.

“Unity’s ethos and values are a natural fit for me and I was excited to join the team.

“My role is to nurture and grow our deposits portfolio. By creating competitive savings products for organisations that share our values and want to create a better society, we are able to use that funding to contribute to positive impact across the UK.”

Philippa said: “I’ve worked in banking for many years as a Relationship Manager, but for the last three years, I’ve been looking after my three children. During that time, I set up a small business delivering sustainable groceries to our local area, which gave me an appreciation of how hard customers work running their own business. When it was time for me to come back to banking, I knew the role at Unity was right for me as I want to help businesses continue to thrive.”

Andy added: “I’ve spent the last 15 years working in commercial banking and joining a bank that makes a real difference to local communities across the UK is a great place to be.”

Unity, whose mission is to help create a better society for all, was founded by the trade union movement in 1984 to serve the common good. Celebrating its 40th birthday this year, it reported a record level of lending in its half-year results in 2023 – exceeding £900m for the first time and growing 9% from the previous year.

John Copping, Relationship Director (North) at Unity Trust Bank said: “I am delighted to welcome three new, highly experienced Relationship Mangers to our growing team here in Manchester.

“As we continue to grow our customer base across a range of sectors, it is important to us that we strengthen our regional network to support organisations across the North.”

Awards, News, North of England

Rutland-Based Business Club Announce Entrepreneur of the Year

The Geoffrey Pointon Entrepreneur of the Year Award was Presented Late Last Year

Rutland-based business club “The Biz Club” are delighted to announce the winner of The Geoffrey Pointon Entrepreneur of the Year Award for 2023.

Following the very successful Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, The Biz Club recently announced Mark Batty of Lawnscience in Stamford as the winner of this prestigious award.

All of the applicants were judged by some of the brightest business minds in the Rutland area, paying particular attention to businesses created by innovative and inspiring entrepreneurs making a difference in their community.

Mark was delighted when Dr Sarah Furness, Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland, and the guest speaker on the night Geoffrey Thompson, ex-High Sheriff of Rutland presented the award.

“I entered the award as I hoped it would help me to differentiate myself and my business in a crowded and competitive marketplace,” says Mark when asked why he entered.

“The application process was particularly robust involving an initial interview and then a presentation to The Biz Club members at a monthly luncheon in October last year. I was one of two finalists and the members present voted on the day, by way of a secret ballot.”

“I am delighted to have been awarded the prize and already some members have approached me to carry out lawn care services for them.”

In addition, The Biz Club and Uppingham marketing business and sponsor Quibble Digital are helping Mark to increase his online presence with a comprehensive online marketing strategy to attract new customers to his business. 

“This is a huge bonus and one that I hadn’t expected. I’m very much looking to reap the benefits that The Biz Club and Quibble are offering over the next couple of months.” Concludes Mark.

When asked about the award the new chair of the Biz Club Mark Shaw had this to say, “this was a fabulous award and The Biz Club sincerely hopes this award will have a positive impact on the future of Lawnscience.”

The club, alongside Quibble, also hopes to work with Mark and provide some ongoing business mentoring. 

News, Scotland

Abacus Group Expands UK Presence with Edinburgh Office Opening

Abacus Group, the leading Managed Services Provider (“MSP”) to alternative investment firms, today announced the opening of a new office in central Edinburgh to expand its research and development and customer support capabilities while leveraging the rich local talent pool in the area. The strategic move follows the company’s 15% growth in revenues last year, building on the 21% recorded in 2022.

The new office is already being utilised by a number of employees, and Abacus expects to fill additional roles by early 2024 to support projected growth of 19%, whilst having the added benefit of providing new jobs to the area. As it looks to increase headcount by 10-20% this year, Abacus anticipates using its Edinburgh facility as a base to recruit for security analysts, cloud architects and systems engineers, in addition to offering prospective candidates posts in a wide range of customer service, or helpdesk support roles.

Key to the decision to opt for Edinburgh is the opportunity the city provides to support emerging talent looking to get into the sector. The city has a reputation for having a highly skilled and diverse workforce and is renowned for its research and innovation, especially in sectors such as technology and finance. Abacus will actively be speaking to universities in and around the Edinburgh region, with a view to getting involved in graduate recruitment schemes in the future.

Tom Cole, Managing Director, UK & Europe, Abacus Group, said: “We uncovered that there is a rich pool of cyber-security expertise in the Edinburgh area. There is a consistent cadence of talent coming through the education system in Scotland and the new office directly enables us to capture a share of those skills.”

The office opening forms part of the company’s ambition for sustainable growth, driven by demand from clients in Scotland; the wider UK and by the opportunity to extend support to clients across the EU, after it expanded its client base significantly in 2023. It also acts as a strategic extension of Abacus’s London office, backed by the expertise of the 40+ strong team based in the English capital.

According to Cole: “Abacus is growing strongly in the UK through our quality of service and delivery. We are laser-focused on client satisfaction and the new Edinburgh office extends our capability to provide a consistently high level of quality to our customers throughout the UK. Critically though, it gives us a presence in Scotland, and we are ready to bring our expertise to regulated financial firms across the region.”

The new office will accommodate 15 employees, with plans to be considering larger office options in the next 12-24 months.