Category Archives: Regional News

Creative & Marketing, Creative News, News, North of England

Rebrand for Cheshire creative agency, LOVELIVE

Cheshire creative agency LOVELIVE has unveiled a new-look branding; coinciding with the launch of a new website as they celebrate 22% year on year growth and an exciting new focus.

LOVELIVE are a Cheshire based full-service design agency. They began life working largely with design, print and events, but have since grown a strong additional team in creative strategy, video animation and e-learning; offering a full service to clients. Founded in 2010 by James Gibson and Kim Collier, they are now a team of 17 and are currently hiring for a full time Presentations Designer role to boost their team.

The majority of their clients are in the healthcare sector and this specialism has evolved over the last 14 years. However, more recently they have branched out into the professional services sector.

The rebrand incorporates a dynamic new logo, look and identity for their brand alongside a new website and strapline “Bringing to life everything from complex data to creative storytelling”.

Kim Collier, joint CEO of LOVELIVE said: “We’ve been the powerhouse behind the transformation of brands in the healthcare services sector since 2010, so we understand the importance of offering new creative and digital solutions whilst maintaining high-quality delivery. We’re currently expanding our team and diversifying into the professional services sector. With new clients in this space, it felt like it was the ideal time to refresh the look and feel of our brand and website.”

James Gibson, joint CEO of LOVELIVE also commented: “In the past 14 years, we’ve gone from strength to strength; growing our team as well as clocking up an incredible 22% year on year sales growth. But the journey doesn’t end there! As we continue to expand and grow; as does our passion for delivering the best results for our clients. With our new website and brand – we wanted something that showcased our expertise and creative prowess and we’re confident we’ve achieved this.”

To learn more, visit www.loveliveagency.com

Bristol, HR, HR Software, News

Zellis HCM Cloud 8.0 powers HR and payroll efficiency

  • Zellis HCM Cloud 8.0 includes enhancements to Power BI dashboards and the Zellis Intelligence Platform
  • Latest release adds more automation to National Minimum Wage calculations 

 

Bristol, UK: 30 April 2024: Zellis, the largest provider of payroll and HR software to the UK and Ireland, today announces a series of product developments as the company continues its mission to transform the future of HR and payroll operations.

Significant updates announced as part of Zellis’ HCM Cloud 8.0 release include:

 

Power BI dashboard enhancements

To support greater visibility and progress reporting, Zellis HCM Cloud customers can now compare pay across different diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) characteristics such as disability, identified gender, and marital status. Alongside this, HR and payroll teams will be able to view employee commission in addition to existing bonus pay data, allowing this important aspect of remuneration to be measured.

 

Increased automation of National Minimum Wage (NMW) calculations

Zellis HCM Cloud 8.0 also extends the scope of automated NMW calculations relating to key business process events. This includes the calculation of NMW annual hours and will ensure employees who join mid-way through the year are considered correctly – both for monitoring purposes, and for the point at which projected hours are exceeded. These enhancements also apply to the calculation of NMW annual hours for workers who have not exceeded the annual hours threshold and who end their employment mid-way through a pay period.

 

Zellis Intelligence Platform upgrades

Further upgrades to the Zellis Intelligence Platform (ZIP) include automated requests (webhooks) to support absence entitlement and fixed pay elements, enabling customers to build out integrations for key events. In addition, customers can now generate, store, and expose Dead Letter Events, making it easier for HR teams to take appropriate action. The extension of ZIP schema will also incorporate data from Performance Development Reviews (PDR) and training, expanding the data that exists within Zellis HCM Cloud.

Commenting on the company’s 8.0 release, Chief Product Officer, George Dunnett, said: “These developments demonstrate our commitment to supporting customer needs through continued innovation. Zellis HCM Cloud is built for the modern enterprise and all the challenges and complexities that impact HR and payroll operations. The vast majority of our customer base has now upgraded to Zellis HCM Cloud and we’re delighted to see our customers reaping the associated efficiency and productivity benefits.”

 

Also in development is the Zellis HCM Cloud Microsoft Dynamics HR connector, which will enable real-time flow of organisation, employee, and absence data from Microsoft Dynamics HR. Commenting on this, Dunnett added: “By developing a connector to Microsoft Dynamics HR we’re adding further weight to our existing connector offering and strengthening Zellis’ position as the best-in-breed HR and payroll solution for the UK and Ireland.”

Zellis HCM Cloud 8.0 also supports compliance around Guernsey pension auto-enrolment, which comes into effect from the 1st of July 2024, starting with employers that have more than 26 employees. These employers will need to auto-enrol their employees in YIP (Your Island Pension) or another approbated pension scheme, with Zellis HCM Cloud able to support automatic enrolment and assessment, as well as pension scheme set-up.

 

Employee Engagement, Law, News, North of England

Law Firm Launches Dedicated Employee Ownership Service

One of Yorkshire’s leading law firms has launched a dedicated employee ownership advisory service.

Employee Ownership Advisor is a new service from Ison Harrison designed to provide business owners with the ultimate resource for navigating the world of Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs).

 

With its own dedicated website, the service aims to help business owners looking to explore the benefits of an EOT for their business. Having experienced the advantages of employee ownership themselves, the firm’s team of expert lawyers is well placed to answer questions and provide no-obligation advice to business owners looking to make the switch.

The service covers everything from the basic principles of employee ownership, the process of transitioning to an EOT, trust management, employee engagement, company governance and rewards and benefits.

 

Employee ownership is becoming an increasingly popular model for British businesses. According to figures compiled by the Employee Ownership Association, 332 businesses transitioned to employee ownership in 2022. As of June 2023, the total number of companies owned partially or fully by their employees had reached a record 1,418, marking a 37% growth in just 12 months.

Ison Harrison was the UK’s first law firm to become a 100% employee-owned business in January 2022 after the three main shareholder directors agreed to sell the business to an Employee Ownership Trust.

270 qualifying team members at the firm recently received a profit distribution payout marking the second anniversary of becoming employee-owned. As a result of the firm’s strong financial performance, individual profit distributions approved by Ison Harrison’s Board of Trustees saw all eligible employees receive a tax-free distribution of £4,000 each, an increase of £400 on the £3,600 payment paid the previous year.

The firm, which employs more than 270 staff across the region, posted a record turnover of over £22 million last year, up 16% from £19 million in 2022.

 

Employee Ownership Advisor is the brainchild of Richard Coulthard, director and head of commercial services. Since launching the service, the firm has received a significant number of preliminary enquiries from business owners across the region and beyond, and is already helping several local businesses through the transitionary stages.

He commented: “The move to employee ownership has been hugely positive and advantageous for Ison Harrison. This success is the inspiration for the Employee Ownership Adviser as we want to share our experience of the process and use our expertise to help other business owners by transitioning from traditional business ownership to the EOT model.

“As a firm, we have taken a unique approach to set ourselves apart from our competitors. We are proud to be an EOT, which helps distinguish us from other firms. In embracing employee ownership, we have fostered a culture of collaboration, incentivised performance, and ensured our clients receive exceptional service. This experience and knowledge is now being passed on to business owners so that they and their workforce can enjoy the many benefits of employee ownership. Our service website is dedicated to providing practical insights, expert advice, and invaluable tips to ensure a smooth and successful transition. We fully understand the challenges that may arise and we are well equipped to provide the knowledge and strategies needed to overcome them.”

 

Ison Harrison employs more than 270 staff across Yorkshire, offering the broadest range of legal services in the region. The firm’s commercial division now advises businesses from across all sectors in transitioning to an employee-owned business.

The firm has over 10 Law Society accreditations including Lexcel, Clinical Negligence, Family Law, Immigration & Asylum, Conveyancing Quality and SRA Higher Courts Rights – civil and criminal.

Business owners interested in finding out more should visit: https://www.employeeownershipadvisor.co.uk or call the Employee Ownership Advisor team on 0800 232 1620

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Pictured (above): Richard Coulthard, director and head of commercial services.

Construction News, Health, Healthcare, London, London News

Amethyst Radiotherapy achieves high-rise Gamma Knife source loader crane installation feat at Queen Square Centre, Central London

Amethyst Radiotherapy a leader in cutting-edge cancer treatment, specifically Stereotactic Radiosurgery, is proud to announce the successful upgrade of its Gamma Knife machine at its prestigious Queen Square centre in central London.

Specialised cranage equipment was used, lifting over 15 tonnes of equipment between the two high-rise buildings located in Central London. The Source Loader weighed approximately nine tonnes, with the radiation vault at roughly five tonnes – a variety of other equipment also required specialist transportation.

The Gamma Knife source loader is a sophisticated device used to precisely position radioactive sources, specifically cobalt-60, within the Gamma Knife machine.

This technology is critical for targeting and treating brain tumours with high doses of radiation, whilst minimising exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. The precision of the source loader is vital for the effectiveness and safety of Gamma Knife radiotherapy, offering non-invasive treatment options for patients with various neurological conditions and metastatic brain tumours.

Issues were faced – including an unrelated protest march which prevented the access and delivery of equipment, vehicles not following the temporary parking restrictions and more.

The complicated installation process underscores the intricate logistics undertaken by the Amethyst team to ensure a safe and efficient installation, reducing disruption to the surrounding area, whilst continuing to strive to deliver world class treatment.

Following the successful installation, the equipment will soon be resuming treatment of NHS and private patients.

 

Daniel Lumley, Director of Clinical Operations, Amethyst UK commented:

“The logistical challenges of transporting and installing the source loader and radiation vault were formidable, particularly given the dense urban environment of central London.”

”The use of a crane was essential for positioning these heavy and sensitive components with precision. Our team’s expertise in navigating these complexities was critical to the successful upgrade of our facilities – I’d like to thank all involved, from within Amethyst and the outside contractors who contributed to the project’s success.”

Mr Neil Kitchen, Consultant Neurosurgeon, Medical Director for the Queen Square Gamma Knife Unit commented:

“The reloading of our state of the art gamma knife treatment platform with brand new cobalt radiation sources will halve treatment times for our patients making their therapy less onerous and allowing us to treat many more patients efficiently thus reducing waiting times. As Clinical Director, on behalf of the clinical team, I would like to thank Amethyst UK and UCLH for completing this complicated task.”

 

Holidays, News, Pet Friendly Rentals, Scotland, Travel

Bargain Breaks! May Bank Holiday weekend getaways from £300 for the whole family

Rosneath Castle Park are offering guests the chance to experience the magic of Scotland this May Bank Holiday with amazing discounts of up to 54% off your stay.

The park is offering all grades of accommodation at one fixed price, meaning the usual price differences between the higher and lower grades have been scrapped and everyone pays the same. 2-bedroom (sleeps 6), 3-bedroom (sleeps 8), and pet-friendly caravans are all included in the offer. The sooner you book the better grade you secure.

The park also has a special offer of 25% off water sport equipment hire at their on-site water sports centre, so guests can add even more excitement to their Scottish adventure.

Stay at Rosneath Castle on Friday 3rd May for 3 nights in any grade and berth for £300.

To book one of these fantastic May Bank Holiday Bargains, visit www.rosneathcastle.co.uk

Nestled on the banks of an idyllic loch, Rosneath Castle Park is a truly stunning setting for caravan holidays in Scotland. Located near Helensburgh in Argyll on Scotland’s West Coast, our quiet holiday park is the perfect destination for discovering nearby Loch Lomond, the copper-coloured hills of Argyll and the Scottish Highlands. After a day conquering the waters, exploring our surroundings, or enjoying the local attractions, you’ll find a tasty meal and drinks served up in our bar and restaurant, and live entertainment taking place on many evenings. www.rosneathcastle.co.uk

Disability, Disability at work, Diversity & Inclusion, Midlands News, News, Recruitment News

Birmingham businesses invited to meet disabled jobseekers at accessible job fair

18 April 2024 – Local businesses, including employers and recruiters, are invited to meet disabled job hunters and career switchers at Sense’s Pan Disability Job Fair in Selly Oak next month.

The annual job fair, which has been running since 2022, provides an accessible, supportive environment for employers to meet disabled jobseekers. National disability charity Sense, which runs the two-day event, will provide communication support for all attendees, including BSL interpreters, scribers and sight guides. Employers and recruiters will also be supported through training on awareness and accessibility, including how to ensure your stand is as accessible as possible. The event is free for both employers and jobseekers.

The job fair will be held at Sense TouchBase Pears, as part of the charity’s mission to support more disabled people into work and defeat the 29 per cent employment gap* between disabled people and the overall population.

Last year, more than 30 employers exhibited at the job fair, which was attended by more than 230 jobseekers. One of those exhibitors was Starbucks. Lindsay Townsend, Store Manager at West Bromwich Starbucks Store said:

“Last year, our West Bromwich and New Street Store teams attended the Sense Pan Disability Job Fair to help disabled jobseekers find meaningful employment in the local community. This forms part of our wider commitment to creating a culture of warmth and belonging in our stores, providing an environment that is accessible for everyone. Our store team members spent the day talking to attendees about job opportunities at Starbucks, supporting people to secure employment last year. We are attending again this year and we look forward to supporting more people to find meaningful employment in local businesses.”

Electrical and digital infrastructure company Legrand also attended the job fair last year. Monique Fearon, Regional HR Manager at Legrand, said:

“Legrand’s participation in the Sense Pan Disability Job Fair last year not only helped us connect with disabled jobseekers and build relationships with companies such as Queen Alexandra College and the DWP, it also gave our brand significant exposure to a new talent pool, further enhancing our reputation as an inclusive and socially responsible organisation. This is such an invaluable event for everyone involved, and we look forward to participating again this year.”

The job fair is hosted by Sense’s employment team, who run a specialist employment service helping people with complex disabilities and those who are deafblind into work. The team recently ran its first ever accessible job fair in Leicestershire, in Sense’s new hub in Loughborough. Employers in attendance included Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, Loughborough University and Leicestershire Police.

Zoe Bates, Employment Co-Ordinator at Sense, said:

“Sense’s Pan Disability Job Fair is a fantastic opportunity for employers to engage with disabled jobseekers, and to see the amazing potential that they have. This will be our third year running the event, and in the past two years we’ve had hundreds of disabled jobseekers through the doors. Jobseekers have built some great connections with local employers, securing opportunities like voluntary work experience and paid work too.

“Employers have fed back to us that they really appreciate the opportunity to engage with local jobseekers and that our service helps to bridge the gap between disabled jobseekers and employment. We’re warmly welcoming applications from employers to attend the event so please get in touch if you’d like more information.”

The Pan Disability Job Fair in Birmingham will take place on 14-15 May 2024, from 10am-3pm. Registrations for employers are open with more information on the charity’s website: https://www.sense.org.uk/our-services/education-and-work/employment-support-people-with-complex-disabilities/pan-disability-job-fair-2024/  

—

References:

*According to OS Data, Employment of disabled people 2023, published 26 October 2023, the disability employment rate was 53.6% in Q2 2023, compared to 82.5% for non-disabled people.

About Sense:

Sense is a national disability charity that supports people living with complex disabilities, including those who are deafblind, to communicate and experience the world. Sense supports children, young people and adults in their home and in the community, in their education and transition to adulthood and through its holidays, arts, sports and wellbeing programmes. In addition to practical support to families, Sense also offers information advice, short breaks and family events, and campaigns for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life. For more information, please visit http://www.sense.org.uk.

 

Charity & CSR, Midlands News, News

‘Reech for the Balls’ charity bowling event returns to Shropshire for a second year to support Lingen Davies Cancer Fund

Reech, a leading full-service marketing agency in Shropshire, has announced the return of its highly anticipated charity fundraiser event, ‘Reech for the Balls’.

Following the success of its inaugural year in 2022, the event is back, aiming to raise vital funds for the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund, a local charity dedicated to enhancing cancer services and improving lives in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Mid-Wales.

Taking place on Thursday 2nd May between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM, Reech for the Balls invites Shropshire businesses to participate in an exciting bowling competition at the newly renovated Telford Tenpin. The event not only fosters friendly competition between Shropshire businesses but also raises awareness about testicular and prostate cancer, highlighting the importance of early detection and treatment.

Teams of between four and six people can register to compete in the bowling tournament, offering businesses the opportunity for team-building, networking and fundraising in one night. The top five teams will advance to a final round to compete for the iconic first-place trophy, aiming to claim the title from last year’s champions, Salop Leisure.

Helen Knight, head of fundraising for Lingen Davies, said: “Thank you to Reech for organising this fun and novel fundraising initiative.

“People often think you have to take on really physical challenges to fundraise. An event like this is brilliant because anyone can take part.

“Groups of friends or colleagues can enjoy an evening out together, have a great time, and help raise funds for those impacted by cancer in our region.

 “Thanks to the team at Reech and those taking part for supporting Lingen Davies in this way.”

 

Faye Hudson, growth strategist at Reech, said: “We are delighted to bring back Reech for the Balls for a second year,

“This event not only promotes connections and community spirit among Shropshire businesses but also contributes to the invaluable work of Lingen Davies Cancer Fund in our local community.”

Individuals and businesses interested in participating can sign up on the Reech website www.reech.agency/reech-for-the-balls. Registration is open now, and spaces are limited to 24 teams, so early sign-up is encouraged to secure a spot.

Apprenticeships, Awards, Midlands News, News

Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Apprenticeship Awards

A brand new apprenticeship awards competition has been launched for Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin – the first of its kind in the county.

It will celebrate the brightest and best workers who are ‘earning while they are learning’ – as well as recognising employers driving ambition and education through their support of apprenticeships.

There will be an overall star apprentice crowned for the Shropshire Council area, and an overall champion for Telford & Wrekin. There are also awards for small, medium and large sized employers.

Individual apprentice of the year categories include Construction & Civil Engineering, Health & Social Care, Engineering & Manufacturing, IT & Digital Industries, Hospitality Leisure & Tourism, Creative & Media, and Business Legal & Finance.

The competition is backed by some of the county’s biggest and best names, led by headline sponsors Aico – the reigning Shropshire company of the year – and Telford College, the largest further education centre in the region.

Other sponsors include Dyke Yaxley, In-Comm, McPhillips, Northwood Hygiene Products, Pave Aways, Purple Frog Systems, SJ Roberts Construction, and University Centre Shrewsbury.

The competition is being organised by award-winning Shropshire events company Yarrington, which has years of experience running major awards in other parts of the UK, including apprenticeship awards in the Black Country.

They are working in partnership with Shropshire Business Live TV, which will be filming and streaming the awards for broadcast on multiple platforms.

The awards are free to enter, and nominations are now open. The closing date for entries is June 28th. For all the details – including some remaining sponsorship opportunities – log onto stwaa.co.uk

Shortlisted finalists will be notified in July, and the awards will be handed out at a glittering presentation night in front of the SBLTV cameras in October.

The competition was officially launched at Telford Skills Show, held at the town’s International Centre.

Mark Allsop, managing director of Yarrington, said: “It’s a celebration of the brightest and best apprentices in the county, and the businesses which go the extra mile to support the next generation of skilled staff.

Carl Jones, producer and presenter at SBLTV, added: “Being shortlisted for one of our awards brings many benefits to you or your business. It could boost your reputation, help you stand out from the competition – and also bring you new customers. What have you got to lose?”

To qualify for an individual award, apprentices must be on a current programme in the relevant sector, with a company which is based in either the Shropshire, or Telford & Wrekin local authority areas.

To qualify for a company award, businesses must have at least one operational base in either Shropshire or Telford & Wrekin, and employ current or past apprentices.

Global Trade, International News, News

Global Trade Activity Shows Green Shoots of Recovery, Led by Strong Growth in China and the US

LONDON – 17th April, 2024 – New data from Tradeshift’s Q1 Index of Global Trade Health paints an encouraging picture for global trade, with robust growth observed in China and the US, alongside indications of a rebound in global demand for manufactured goods.

Total transaction volumes across the Tradeshift network, used by over a million businesses worldwide, improved by one point compared to the previous quarter, landing three points below the anticipated range in Q1. While this marks the ninth consecutive quarter of growth below expectations, it also signifies the third consecutive quarter of upward momentum after a prolonged period of sluggish activity.

“We’re seeing successive quarters of strong order volume growth for the first time in two years,” said James Stirk, CEO, Tradeshift. “Demand levels seem to be recovering, but there’s still a fair way to go before we start to see a normalisation. Recovery is likely to remain fragile over the short-to-medium term, with factors such as the Red Sea crisis and wider geopolitical uncertainty clouding the picture.”

Key regional and sector-based indicators from the report include:

  • China turnaround: Trade activity in China rose at the most significant rate in Q1. Transaction volumes grew at two points above the expected level, the highest in more than two and a half years.
  • US moves up a gear: The US also continued gaining momentum in Q1, with total trade activity tracking one point above the baseline. Order volumes surged to an impressive seven points above the expected level, following growth of a similar level in the previous quarter.
  • Manufacturing recovery: Tradeshift sees growth coming in part from an uptick in demand across the manufacturing sector where trade activity tipped back into the expected range for the first time in a year.
  • Eurozone edges higher: Activity levels across the Eurozone improved to three points below the baseline in Q1 having sunk as low as nine points below that level just six months earlier. New orders grew at six points above anticipated levels.
  • UK orders disappoint: UK trade activity improved to four points below the expected level in Q1, but order volumes were sluggish, tracking five points below expectations.

While a sustained recovery in orders is suggestive of more favourable trading conditions, liquidity challenges persist for suppliers, posing a potential challenge as supply chains look to ramp up activity. Although invoice payment times have decreased since their peak in Q3 2022, suppliers still face a 6% longer wait compared to the pre-pandemic era.

“Cash flow is akin to fuel in supply chains and a lot of suppliers will be running on empty after two hard years,” added Stirk. “The longer suppliers have to wait to turn invoices into cash, the greater the likelihood that an influx of new orders starts to outpace the availability of working capital to fulfil demand.”

A new joint venture between Tradeshift and HSBC, due to launch later this year, will focus on helping businesses accelerate access to working capital through a range of embedded financial services, including data-driven invoice financing.

 

Finance and Banking, Finance News, News, North of England

Innovative approach from Minerva is providing solutions

A North Staffordshire financial planning company has invested in top class technology to enhance the client experience.

Founder of Minerva Financial Solutions Nicola Conway decided to introduce document management platform DocPortal in February this year, to help with the storing of important documents and information and to allow for a more efficient service. DocPortal stores personal and business documents, while clients can also access the app, allowing Nicola and her team to communicate and share information directly.

Nicola Conway, Founder of Minerva Financial Solutions, says: “In a world where we spend a lot of time storing information electronically, and accessing it digitally, it is important to be able to keep important documents in one place. We wanted to help clients to be able to access what they needed with ease and that’s why we introduced DocPortal into the business.

Nicola adds: “The app really can help to store someone’s important life documentation in one place. Our finances, life policies and even legal papers are really important and need to be stored in a way that can be accessed by family members on the occasion of a death, which can be a very difficult time for relatives to be dealing with such issues. However, as you can appoint digital executors within the app, these documents can be accessed more easily and help minimise the added stress of those challenging circumstances.”

Minerva Financial Solutions have now shared the DocPortal app with more than 300 clients. As well as arranging financial documents, users are able to upload personal information such as photographs and favourite trips if they wish, along with other day-to-day documents.

“Our experience is that it’s like having a filing cabinet in your pocket – but without the large amount of paper,” adds Nicola.

“Information can be uploaded instantly to the app and people can go back and look over things themselves in their own time. We’ve found it very useful and many of our clients have been keen to use it.”

Minerva Financial Solutions is an Appointed Representative of St James Wealth Management and is based in Newcastle-under-Lyme.