Tag Archives: Midlands

Charity, Charity News, Midlands, Transport

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. “

Creative & Marketing, Creative News, News

Fluid Ideas creates drive-in Derby studio to rival Manchester and London facilities

Creative agency Fluid Ideas has unveiled the latest phase of its expansion – a drive-in studio for filming, photography, recording and events.

The studio, called Flux, features an infinity cove, a fully-functional kitchen set and an audio booth for recording voiceovers and podcasts.

Fluid has invested a six-figure sum to transform a 1,300sq ft building next to its headquarters in a former cotton mill at Darley Abbey Mills, a World Heritage Site on the outskirts of Derby.

Jamie Hovell, an associate partner at Fluid, said the new multipurpose facility – in the old Engine House – gives the Midlands a genuine alternative to Manchester and London for filming, photoshoots and recordings.

“The combination of the drive-in feature, the infinity cove with overhead lighting rig and the kitchen set means we have a distinctive and really versatile space which our team will utilise for client projects,” he said.

“In just 10 weeks, we’ve transformed a vacant and unloved industrial building to create a real point of difference for Fluid and the region, and one which we are confident will appeal to our clients and the wider creative community.

“It’s a spacious open studio with plenty of space for lighting and cameras. The infinity cove is brightly lit and curves into the floor, so there are no corners or shadows. It can easily be repainted according to the colour needs of each client.

“We’d been scoping out places to create a facility of this kind for some time, and visited a number of potential sites before the Engine House became available. It’s the perfect location, and seeing the new space we had envisioned for so long transformed from a blank canvas and spring into life over the weeks has been a real joy.”

Jamie added: “We see Flux becoming a hub in the Midlands. Until now, people have had to travel to Manchester or London for such a facility.

“Now there is somewhere closer to home which businesses, art directors, marketing teams and other agencies can hire for their own projects. It can also be used for off-site meetings, product launches, get-togethers and workshops.”

Joint managing director Phil Harvey and Jamie led the renovation project for Fluid. Associate partner Carrie Gregory led on the branding and interior design. The trio were supported by a wider team including Dan Chadwick, Bec Utley and Liv Beighton to bring the proposition to life.

The drive-in capability of the new studio is aimed at Fluid’s roster of automotive clients, while the high-end kitchen is envisaged for a variety of uses, including food styling and household product photos and videos, recipe guides, and for meetings and events.

Fluid is an award-winning, full-service agency which celebrated its 20th anniversary in November 2023. It has a team of nearly 60 creatives, strategists, developers, designers, artworkers, CGI artists, photographers, copywriters, social media specialists, motion-designers and digital marketeers.

It serves a global client base across sectors including automotive, manufacturing and distribution, education and training, property and developments, health and wellbeing, retirement living, leisure and hospitality, food and drink.

Dan, a partner and art director at Fluid, said: “I think I can comfortably speak for all of us in saying how immensely excited we are about the new opportunities this studio will bring.

“Having a facility of this kind in-house has been a longstanding ambition for Fluid. It looks fantastic and, as well as serving as a catalyst for our own creative aspirations, we envision this space as a dynamic hub for our clients and the wider creative community.

“It’s not just about elevating our offering; it’s about providing a versatile canvas for clients – new and existing – to bring their visions to life, fostering connections and nurturing talent. The prospects and potential are huge.”

Business, Driving, Midlands, News, Sport, Transport

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.”

News

Horgan Homes launches next phase of luxury development

An award-winning housebuilder has launched its latest bespoke development of luxury million-pound homes in Worcestershire with the unveiling of a new show home.

Horgan Homes has added four single storey contemporary properties in the second phase of its Manor Gardens development near the sought-after village of Belbroughton.

The homes in the exclusive gated community, that will be marketed in excess of £1.6m, merge Horgan Homes’ signature style with contemporary reimagining of the traditional bungalow.

They offer in excess of 200m2 of stylishly designed living space and key features include an impressive living kitchen diner with bifold doors and feature apex windows, a 360-degree fire, an expansive master suite with a fully fitted dressing room and bathroom and two additional en suite bedrooms.

The properties feature top of the range brands including McCarron and Co, Siemens, Porcelanosa and Villeroy and Bosch. The homes have also been designed with sustainability in mind and include photo voltaic panels, underfloor heating and electric car chargers as standard.

For the project, Horgan Homes teamed up once again with Birmingham based designers Harris Byrne for the interiors of its show home, The Wentworth, and the selling agent will be The Lee Shaw Partnership. The architect was Hagley based Bundred and Goode.

Horgan Homes director Sophie Horgan said her aim had been to offer something unique in the luxury new home market.

“It’s widely recognised that there’s a nationwide shortage of single storey properties in the UK but very little exists in the £1m+ price bracket for discerning homeowners who want a one-level home that also brings exemplary style and contemporary design together in the same package.

“These may be bungalows but are very far removed from the traditional image of a single storey house. Because of that we’re expecting them to appeal to a variety of different buyers including families.”

She added: “Our reputation as a housebuilder has been developed through our attention to detail in the construction, design and interior style and these homes are no different. We’ve already had massive interest in these properties and look forward to securing buyers for them soon.”

Phase one of Manor Gardens scooped a What House? award for Best Luxury House and two International Property Awards.

Horgan Homes will also soon embark on another scheme in Belbroughton after securing planning for three luxury three-bedroom dormer bungalows in Hartle Lane.

News

New cyber security courses offer protection for businesses

Hereford’s Cyber Quarter, Midlands Centre for Cyber Security has launched a new range of courses to help businesses protect themselves from attacks which are costing SMEs millions of pounds every year.

The centre, based on Skylon Park, Hereford Enterprise Zone, is offering a range of courses for all levels of technical know-how with cyber attacks on businesses on the rise.

The Cyber Quarter’s Abimbola Sangodoyin said 82 per cent of breaches involved a human element, making it even more vital for employers and employees to spot when attacks are imminent.

“Whether it is use of stolen credentials, phishing, misuse or simply human error, people continue to play a large role in incidents and breaches alike. People are an organisation’s first line of defence against online attacks, so it’s vital that they are properly trained to spot and deal with anything suspicious.

“Cyber threats are forever evolving and becoming more sophisticated. Small and medium sized businesses are a prime target for cyber criminals, with almost one in three businesses suffering breaches or attacks at least once a week.

“Properly trained employees are your cyber-shield – whatever skill level people are at, the Cyber Quarter has a course that will strengthen your security against attack,” added Abimbola, the centre’s CPD manager.

The courses revolve around four themed areas: Information Security Awareness, targeted towards SMEs; Cyber Security Fundamentals, beginner level training for people from an IT background wanting to upskill or reskill into cyber security; Technical Training, an advanced course for existing cyber aware practitioners and Cyber Security Leadership and Management.

There are more than 30 online courses available, catering for the general public and those without specific knowledge through to those in leadership and management.

Managing director of Skylon Park, Hereford Enterprise Zone, Mark Pearce said the courses were an extension of the wider support for cyber, defence and security businesses on offer through the Cyber Quarte“From cyber security testing to research and development, we have a world-class facility on Skylon Park which can help play an important role in helping businesses across the region and the UK protect themselves from costly attacks. Led by the expert cyber team from the University of Wolverhampton, the courses allow businesses to tap into knowledge which can ensure their online security.”

Ross Cook, Director of Economy and Environment at Herefordshire Council, said: “With the development of our Cyber Quarter, Herefordshire is a key player in the Cyber Valley which spans this county, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire and is home to 15 per cent of the UK’s top 600 cyber companies. The specialist centre established through a Joint Venture between the council and the University of Wolverhampton, backed by the academic team from the University’s Cyber Research Institute, allows us to support businesses, develop their skill sets and take the lead in cyber security testing, research and development, building on our local strengths in this area.”

For more information about the courses available, visit www.cyberquarter.co.uk/cpd-training-and-short-courses/

Commercial Property, Commercial Property News, Midlands News, News

Mini-budget gives clarity after months of drift, says Bromwich Hardy

The founding partner of one of the region’s most successful commercial property firms says last week’s mini-budget finally gives business some certainty after months of drift.  

Tom Bromwich, of Coventry agency Bromwich Hardy, said the Government’s commitment to growing the economy finally offered the business community some much-needed clarity about economic policy. 

But he warned that the next 18 months would still be a challenging period as businesses negotiated greatly-increased energy costs, rising inflation, the cost of living crisis and recruitment issues. 

“After a period in which there seemed to be considerable drift, it is welcome that we now have a clear indication of the path the Government plans to take to help business and the commercial sector through this difficult period. 

“The commercial property market remains strong despite this backdrop, and more clarity on business rates and the Exchequer’s approach to commercial tax will help provide more of the certainty that business needs.  

“The reversal of plans to increase National Insurance, scrapping planned increases on Corporation Tax, the creation of new Low Tax Zones across the UK and the cuts in Stamp Duty, all have their merits.  

“But we want to see serious moves to tackle inflation and help reverse the trend for ever-rising interest rates, as well as power being given to planning authorities and their partners to bring forward the new developments needed to meet demand. 

“We at least have a starting point with the measures announced today and the plan to halve energy bills for the coming six months which gives us a foundation from which we can move forward.  

“But as ever with these statements, the devil will very much lie in the detail, which we will study in depth over the coming days so that we can offer the highest quality advice to our clients.”  

Bromwich Hardy is one of the country’s largest independent commercial property agencies, regularly featuring in independent lists of the most active firms in the industry.  

For more information about Bromwich Hardy visit www.bromwichhardy.com 

Education, Education News, News

Open Study College launches new Access to HE course for aspiring public service professionals

Looking to pursue a career in the police force, law, or criminology sector but haven’t completed the necessary qualifications to get into university? This one’s for you.

Award-winning distance learning provider, Open Study College, has launched a new qualification to its growing portfolio of online courses for those looking to pursue a career in the police force, legal, and criminology sectors.

The Access to HE Diploma in Public Services is the second course of this nature alongside the Access to HE Diploma (Health) course for aspiring nurses, midwives, or healthcare professionals. Completing either one of these qualifications is the equivalent to securing three A Levels without needing to physically attend a school or college or sit any exams.

The course runs for two years until completion and the first cohort begins in September 2022 with intakes every January and September thereafter. To enrol, learners need to be at least 19 years old and have a minimum of grade 4 or C in GCSE Maths and English. They will also have to provide their own learning device (computer, laptop, or tablet), and have 20 free hours a week to dedicate to studying.

Samantha Rutter, CEO at Open Study College: “No matter what path you’re on, we believe education should always be accessible, which is why we’re incredibly proud to launch our Access to HE qualifications. Often described by our students as ‘the best kept secret to getting into uni’, these courses are specifically tailored as an excellent alternative to traditional education for those looking to go to university in order to pursue a particular career.

“There are so many people who have valuable talents to contribute to key sectors of society, but who are held back as they don’t enjoy such a regimented approach to learning so can’t pursue their dream job. This course aims to grant them as much control as possible so that they can transition into the roles which they seek with the confidence and knowledge to hit the ground running”.

Having successfully completed the Access to HE course, Open Study College student Kacie is well on her way to pursuing her dream to be a nurse.

Kacie said: “It’s really surprising how few people are actually aware of this alternative route into university. When it comes to Access to HE, if, like me, you left school with no A Levels but then changed your mind and decided that you do want to go to university, then remember this course, as it’s a qualification accepted all by itself.”

With no examination requirements, students are assessed via a combination of essays, reports, and presentations which aim to equip them with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills they need as they aspire to work in the policing, fire and rescue, and legal sectors amongst others.

Midlands News, News

Custom Heat Celebrates Most Successful Year to Date, Achieving 56% Growth

30 Jobs Created So Far This Year this with Further 60 on Offer Through 2022

Custom Heat, a plumbing and heating specialist that provides services across the Midlands has increased its turnover by 56 per cent during its last financial year. Established in 1980 in Rugby, Warwickshire where its head office remains, Custom Heat has expanded significantly over the last five years, but 2021/2022 is being celebrated as its most successful business year.

In the last 12-months, Custom Heat has expanded its service area to include central and north Birmingham, south Staffordshire, and has also branched out south into the Cotswolds. It has also strengthened its three-year-old partnership with Worcester Bosch as one of the boiler manufacturer’s UK Accredited Service Partners – a move that follows a similar affiliation with British Gas made earlier this year.

Lincoln Smith, Managing Director of Custom Heat commented: “56 per cent growth during 12-months is a wonderful achievement for us. We have worked hard to grow at a steady and sustainable pace, moving into new counties and areas as well as concentrating on building great business relationships with the likes of Worcester Bosch and British Gas. I have to say a huge thank you to our team members, who truly look after our customers, and also to our customers who recommend Custom Heat’s services to others.”

In 2016/2017 the company’s turnover was £843,000, growing by 491 per cent in five years to almost £5 million.

In 2017 the firm employed 40 people while today the Custom Heat workforce stands at 140, with 10 per cent apprentices. 30 new people have been welcomed to the team since January and the company forecasts that 50 more engineer roles and 10 office jobs will be created before 2023.

Smith – who took over the family business twelve years ago – puts Custom Heat’s achievements down to his focus on customer needs, helping his team members to do their jobs better and utilising the latest, integrated technologies meet – and exceed – expectations. He explains: “I have always been interested in what the cloud can do as well as how technology can create efficiencies that manual processes never could, so when it was time for the business to push forward with its long-term growth plans in 2016, we strategically centred on such solutions. I hate the idea of a customer or staff member not being happy so I asked myself, ‘how can tech help with that?’.”

In 2016, as Custom Heat migrated to integrated financials and operations cloud-software they were servicing approximately 400 customers in Warwickshire a month with 27 vehicles. Today, as the firm services a wide geographical area across the Midlands and occasionally beyond – for customers such as Windsor Castle – the figure is circa 7,000 and 92 Custom Heat vans can be found on the roads travelling to and from homes and businesses.

Smith was also very aware of the shift in customer demand starting to take place, where customers wanted a modern approach to booking appointments, making purchases or receiving deliveries at a time convenient to them. This demand has since only been strengthened by the pandemic. Therefore, a website appointment system was also linked to the engineers’ job bookings, parts and billing systems.

“We can sometimes get over eighty bookings via our website during a weekend, because people just don’t want to wait until Monday morning to have some peace of mind. If your boiler breaks down during Sunday dinner, pop online and you’ll get an appointment with Custom Heat for Monday. This isn’t possible with individuals or many very large companies, even if you have a care plan with them. I’m proud that our customer’s end-to-end experience is seamless thanks to clever integration and automation, and our growth throughout the Midlands shows our customers think we’re doing something right,” Smith added.

Showcasing its loyal customers and advocates has also been part of Custom Heat’s strategy – the firm has a rating of 4.9 out of 5 on Trustpilot and 4.8 out of 5 on Google reviews. The company also works hard to optimise its website for searches, ensuring homeowners or businesses in need of heating or plumbing services will be able to find Custom Heat whether in a crisis or to plan an installation.

To learn more or to book an appointment online, please visit customheat.co.uk

Awards, News

Women of the Year announces Business Woman of the Year finalists ahead of 40th anniversary awards

The Women of the Year Luncheon & Awards has unveiled its shortlist of eight inspiring women for the Business Woman of the Year award, as the prestigious ceremony prepares to return for its 40th anniversary year.

One of the UK’s longest running annual awards, the esteemed organisation celebrates the achievements of exceptional women, and highlights individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to their business, sector or wider community.

The Business Woman of the Year award is designed to celebrate the success of an individual making transformational changes within their organisation or sector.

The winner will be announced at the 40th anniversary of the annual awards ceremony, taking place on Friday 1 April 2022 at Hilton Birmingham Metropole, after a couple of years of absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Women of the Year Luncheon & Awards 2022 is set to welcome over 650 professionals from the private and public sectors.

This year’s impressive shortlist of eight finalists includes business leaders inspired by their own personal experiences and those dedicated to supporting and uplifting others to achieve their ambition. In light of the unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, the achievements of this year’s finalists are testament to their ongoing commitment and drive.

The 2022 Business Woman of the Year finalists are:

  • Carmel McKinney OBE – Chairperson / Non-Executive Director – N.I. Fire and Rescue Service: the first ever female Chairperson of the Fire and Rescue Service of Northern Ireland, with a purpose to protect the local community
  • Codilia Gapare – CEO – Nakawo Ltd: a company revolutionising the beauty industry, creating bespoke products tailor-made for cancer and alopecia patients
  • Elizabeth Lawal – Founder – More Than A Moment Group: a partnership promoting investment into the Black creative workforce, enabling under-represented communities to engage with arts and culture
  • Leanne Bonner-Cooke – Founder / CEO – e-Bate Limited: a game-changing software solution allowing procurement and finance teams to streamline their processes and drive efficiency
  • Dr Mary Hardwick – Founding Director – Inspire2tri Community Interest Company: a sports, fitness and rehabilitation business serving local residents, clubs and community groups to help them realise their sporting and fitness goals
  • Noor Kimit – Owner – Seaworthy Consulting Ltd: providing expert solutions for the maritime industry with a decade of experience in international maritime recruitment
  • Stephnie Judge – Managing Director – Victorian Plumbing: the UK’s leading online specialist bathroom brand by revenue, offering a one-stop solution for B2C and trade customers
  • Suzanne Linton – CEO – Freestyle Interactive: a digital product studio which designs and builds digital applications, tools, websites and mobile apps, and places employee development and well-being at the heart of the business

The final shortlist was put forward by the Women of the Year Board, which includes the organisation’s newly appointed board directors Dr Sharon Redrobe OBE, Jennie Johnson MBE and Fleur Sexton DL.

Dr Sharon Redrobe OBE, CEO of Twycross Zoo and WOTY director, said: “We are delighted to announce the shortlist for the Business Woman of the Year award, one of our most prestigious accolades. This year’s finalists are women of huge talent, skill and determination – who are not only motivated by their own personal goals, but also by championing and inspiring their employees, local communities and fellow business leaders – even in the midst of a global pandemic. By building up others we can all achieve great success and this year’s finalists are a wonderful testament to that.”

Women of the Year Luncheon & Awards was established in 1982 as a ladies’ luncheon to raise vital funds for charitable causes and to highlight and celebrate the many and varied achievements of women.

Since then, the annual awards have gone from strength to strength both as an event and as a movement to promote women’s achievements. Over the last four decades, winners have included Baroness Karren Brady CBE, Katie Piper, Dame Asha Khemka DBE (Principal and CEO of West Nottinghamshire College) and British Paralympian, Martine Wright MBE.

Zalena Vandrewala, chair of the Awards, added: “After two years of absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and as we mark our 40th anniversary, this year’s awards ceremony will feel particularly poignant. We are so excited to celebrate the incredible achievements of women, to share their stories and to inspire others to follow their lead.”

All proceeds from this year’s Women of the Year Luncheon & Awards will go directly to charity, with just under £600,000 raised to date. For 2022, the event will support The Prince’s Trust: Women Supporting Women Initiative, a passionate group of supporters who are committed to changing the lives of young women, and NHS Charities Together which continues to support our NHS in the life saving work that they do.

To purchase tickets and for more information, please visit www.womenoftheyear.org.uk.

News

Post pandemic pivot: Four franchisees celebrate the first anniversaries of their new careers as Get Ahead regional directors

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns put millions of people on furlough. Whilst some returned to work, others faced uncertainty and the prospect of redundancy. Yet in the face of this economic crisis, a study by UHY, the international accountancy network, showed that there were 726,000 new businesses created in the UK in 2020 compared to just over 636,000 in 2019. Why? Because thousands of people, like Sarah Yandell, Sophie Birley-Brown, Emma Barratt and Louise Young took the opportunity to change their career paths and start their own businesses.

Sarah Yandell was put on furlough from her general manager role in a travel business and knew it was time to look for something new. After many years of commuting and managing business teams, she wanted to work flexibly and from home, yet still feel part of something. After weeks of searching, Sarah discovered Get Ahead and launched her Suffolk/Essex area in July 2020.

“A year on, and I absolutely know that buying my Get Ahead franchise was the right decision for me,” says Sarah. “The support from Rebecca and our wonderful team has been fantastic. Running my own business has definitely been a bigger learning curve than I realised. But I have learnt what to prioritise and how important it is to take time to build relationships with my most valuable contacts. Ongoing restrictions have made networking more difficult, but I am looking forward to getting to more face-to-face events over the next 12 months, delivering presentations and building partnerships with referral partners.”

Sophie Birley-Brown was put on furlough and subsequently made redundant from her recruitment company role in July 2020. “It was a worrying time,” Sophie says, “but I also knew that it could be a good opportunity to find something new. Once I discovered Get Ahead, it felt like a perfect fit. Sophie launched her Wirral & Cheshire West franchise in September 2020.

“There have been some fantastic highlights from the last 12 months. I have hosted my own FSB networking group. I signed up four new clients all from one client who was praising our services in her networking group. I’m also starting work with a national charity, who want to outsource all business and marketing support tasks to us on an ongoing basis, which is very exciting. Along the way, I have realised how important it is to maintain a healthy work/life balance. I now build time into my calendar to take time out for myself, so that I can really give my best for my business.”

Emma Barratt had always wanted to run her own business. But going it alone felt like recreating the wheel. During the pandemic, Emma had time to research franchising options, as she knew franchising would offer a tried-and-tested business model. She came across Get Ahead online and launched her East Midlands region in September 2020.

“Some people may think I was crazy to start a new business in the middle of the pandemic, but I have been pleasantly surprised,” Emma says. “I have really enjoyed getting to know so many different business owners and SMEs. Because of the wide variety of support services we offer at Get Ahead, no one day is the same. I love being able to say yes to helping make a business owner’s life easier, in almost any way they need it, from enquiry and diary management to a full social media marketing strategy, plus everything in between. With in-person business events returning, I am looking forward to exhibiting at local expos, meeting lots of new people and promoting Get Ahead East Midlands.”

Ealing-based Louise was made redundant from her Marketing Director role during COVID-19 and was delighted when she discovered Get Ahead on LinkedIn. She immediately saw the benefits of virtual assistant services for businesses facing the challenges of coronavirus and felt that the time was right to join a virtual agency like Get Ahead. She launched her West London franchise in November 2020.

“12 months down the line I feel confident that my business has a bright future ahead,” Louise says. “I have received some amazing feedback from clients who have genuinely seen the benefit of using a member of the Get Ahead team to support their business. At the same time, I now have space in my week to be able to spend time doing things that I love, regaining a work-life balance that’s often so hard to achieve.

Launching my business four days before a new lockdown wasn’t ideal, but this ended up being positive as it gave me time to get all the basics in place so that I was fully up and running in time for the gradual return to normality we’ve seen this year. I can’t wait to visit lots of local business expos over the first quarter of 2022 to kick-start the new year and drive my business forward.”

Despite the impact of the pandemic, Get Ahead welcomed a record number of new franchisees in 2020. Get Ahead founder and director Rebecca Newenham says, “2020 was a pivotal year for many people. I was privileged to meet Sarah, Sophie, Emma and Louise and help them find a new career path that would enable them to achieve their dreams of running their own business and take control of their own futures.

We have already opened up a further three new regions in 2021 in York and Harrogate, Oxford and our first international franchisee in Sydney, Australia. Alongside our existing regional directors in Berkshire & North Hants, East Midlands, Surrey, Leeds, Suffolk & Essex, West London, and Wirral & Cheshire West, we are well equipped to provide effective outsourced services to businesses across the UK.”