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Saturn to Create a ‘Place of Hope’ for Ukrainian Refugees for the Eurovision Song Contest

Manchester-based AV (audio-visual) company, Saturn Visual Solutions, has taken extraordinary measures to transform Liverpool’s Unity Theatre into a ‘Place Of Hope’ in time for the Eurovision Song Contest.

Saturn, a digital signage consultancy, has helped to convert the Unity Theatre into an interactive celebration of Ukraine culture for the duration of the international event. This is to honour the winning nation, which is unable to stage the event because of the ongoing war with Russia.

Culture Liverpool commissioned the Unity Theatre to create ‘A Place of Hope’, with various cultural events and a pop-up exhibition to allow visitors to learn about and celebrate the culture of and life stories from Ukrainian people, and especially refugees, during the Eurovision Cultural Festival 2023.

The theatre had organised a series of key events like poetry recitals and creative workshops and wondered if their meeting room space could be used to draw attention to Ukrainian refugees living in the area, by showing videos about them. The theatre had some old broken screens so they approached Saturn to see if any could be fixed and used for that purpose.

Rachel Welsh, from the Unity Theatre explained: “As we were so busy organising all the events and activities, we didn’t think about whether we could do something with our meeting room until a fortnight before the Eurovision Song Contest was due to start.

“We approached the team at Saturn and explained that we had a very limited budget available. They said that although our displays couldn’t be fixed, they had a large working display that was perfect for our meeting room and that we could use it for the duration of the event.

“Then they started asking about what we wanted to show on the screen and I explained that we wanted to show videos of Ukrainian refugees. The videos would be about their creative talents, lives before the war and how they are now living in Liverpool but are struggling to find work.  Our hope was that with so many people visiting the city for Eurovision, that some people might be able to offer them paid work.”

The Saturn team suggested that they could adapt some existing software and lend the theatre some freestanding digital signage so that visitors could pick and choose from 10 different Ukrainian refugee videos. They subsequently installed a 50-inch screen and a small touchscreen within a lectern within the theatre’s meeting room.

Matthew Drury said: “It’s been a real whirlwind couple of weeks. Our company’s tagline is ‘everything we do revolves around you’ because we always do our utmost to help our clients. And this was a great example of Saturn’s problem-solving at its best.

“We were really pushed to our limits to get the software developed and working in time – especially as the theatre was recording the videos right up to the last minute, and we had to do lots of testing it to make sure it would work properly. We also had to reschedule our installers’ diaries to make sure we could get the hardware installed for the start of Eurovision. Thankfully, we got everything up and running in time, and we feel like we’ve done the UK and the Ukraine proud. We only hope that the Unity’s videos can provide some hope for the refugees living here in the UK.”

The equipment loaned by Saturn will also be used to display the ‘Ukraine Creates’ video series which celebrates the vast creative talents of Ukrainians who have fled to Liverpool following the outbreak of war. The information will be available with subtitles to ensure that the exhibition and cultural events are as inclusive as possible.

For more information, visit: https://saturnvisual.com/

Six Stories Launches Exclusive New Product Range on ASOS, Introducing New Colours and Shapes

Manchester’s trendiest fashion brand specialising in bridal wear and accessories, Six Stories, is delighted to share news of its partnership with ASOS, the worldwide online fashion hub.

Today, Six Stories unveils a range of exclusive products, showcasing new shapes and captivating colours, designed to empower brides-to-be and their bridesmaids with confidence and style.

Founded by Lucy Menghini in 2019, Six Stories has quickly gained recognition as a leading force in the wedding fashion industry. With a small yet dedicated team based in Manchester, the company has remained committed to its vision of providing high quality, fashion first choices for brides in the run-up to their wedding, as well as offering confidence-boosting bridesmaid dresses and accessories.

Despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic, Six Stories has experienced remarkable growth, capturing the hearts of brides and fashion enthusiasts worldwide. The brand’s unwavering commitment to quality, innovative designs, and personalised customer experiences has resonated strongly with its loyal customer base, establishing Six Stories as a go-to destination for all wedding fashion needs.

With the highly anticipated partnership with ASOS, Six Stories is poised to reach new heights of success. This collaboration showcases the brand’s distinctive clothing category specifically tailored for brides during the lead-up to their wedding day. By joining forces with ASOS, Six Stories is solidifying its position as a trailblazer in the bridal fashion industry, providing brides-to-be with an unrivaled selection of thoughtfully crafted garments that perfectly capture their unique style and vision.

Lorna Whyatt, the esteemed Buying Director who joined Six Stories in 2021, expressed her excitement about the collaboration, stating, “The partnership with ASOS just demonstrated the strength of the new category of clothing we have created for the bride in the lead-up to her wedding.” With Whyatt’s expertise and creative vision, Six Stories is set to redefine the bridal fashion landscape and deliver an unforgettable shopping experience to its customers.

The exclusive collection on ASOS showcases the brand’s signature attention to detail, luxurious fabrics, and elegant designs. Brides-to-be will discover Six Stories bestselling and cult sweatshirts, robes, complemented by a curated selection of bridesmaid dresses and accessories, all exuding the unique subtle statement brides want to make in the run up to their big day.

Six Stories invites fashion enthusiasts, brides-to-be, and bridesmaids around the world to explore the exclusive product launch on ASOS. The collaboration marks an extraordinary milestone for the brand, and further solidifies its dedication to revolutionising the way brides and their wedding parties think and shop for their special day.

To learn more about Six Stories and explore their exclusive collection, visit www.sixstories.co.uk.

Chairman of M&C Saatchi Joins Health and Wellness Brand, Naturecan, to Support its ‘Extraordinary’ Growth

Evolving health and wellness brand, Naturecan, receive support from the Chairman of M&C Saatchi UK, Richard Thompson, towards their extraordinary growth period.

Thompson has been appointed non-executive chairman of the firm based at St Petersgate in Stockport which is expanding fast globally, revealing he thinks Naturecan can become the ‘world’s number one CBD brand’ in five years.

He said he was ‘very happy’ to become non-exec chairman and build on the work of founders Andy Duckworth, former boss of supplement brand Myprotein, and entrepreneur Paul Finnegan.

He said: “I very much bought into Paul and Andy’s vision. They are two individuals with such unbelievable drive and ambition. Every target appears to be smashed, growth continues to be prolific and they have credibility having done this before with other wellness brands. There is no stopping the brand and the people.

“What they are building is extraordinary and I am very happy to bring whatever experience I have to support the founders and the management team in continuing to achieve tremendous growth.”

Thompson said he would help the brand to grow internationally as well as build sales in the UK where the CBD market has only taken off in the last few years – way behind America and territories such as Japan.

Thompson also chairs the English and Wales Cricket Board and he  is the founder and Chairman of talent management agency M&C Saatchi Merlin.

At Saatchi, he has guided the career of ex-England test cricketer Freddie Flintoff since he retired from the game in 2009.

Thompson said that he and Flintoff had a ‘meaningful stake’ in Naturecan and they were both excited to be working together to make sure its value grows and Thompson said he would be supporting Flintoff as an investor of many years in the Naturecan brand.

Thompson said: “I have worked hard with Freddie to make sure his post-cricket career has been as successful as it was on the pitch during his playing days. It is good to be an investor and have a share in a company whose products I very much believe in.”

Thompson said he uses Naturecan CBD oil to help sleep and overcome jetlag during his busy international schedule.

He said that he also found Naturecan CBD Arnica Cream and Muscle Balm soothing before and after a workout.

Paul Finnegan said: “We have just acquired a state of the art CBD production facility in the United States and this is a really exciting time for the brand.

“With such a formidable line-up of excellence behind us, we are confident that we can achieve Richard’s ambition of becoming the world’s leading CBD brand in the next five years.

“Richard has years of experience working with the biggest brands in the world and his guidance and expertise will be invaluable to us.

“It’s great to have someone at the heart of the business who has done it all before.”

Andy Duckworth said: “We are delighted to add Richard to the top table at Naturecan. Richard’s achievements in private equity and as Chair of at M&C Saatchi UK and founder of M&C Saatchi Merlin, Surrey County Cricket Club, and his impact at the ECB speak for themselves, and we look forward to a successful partnership at Naturecan.”

Naturecan, which has 60 staff, is a world-wide success story with sales of £12 million last year and revenue for 2023 is projected to be £18 million.

London Company Established by Fire Safety Innovator, Ismail Cem Iyitoglu, to Export Latest Technology Worldwide

Esteemed industrial engineer and entrepreneur, Ismail Cem Iyitoglu, has expanded his fire engineering business to London. Iyitoglu’s company has already established itself as a leader in the Turkish market, and is now ready to take on the world with its innovative fire systems.

Ismail Cem Iyitoglu, a new company, based in London, is focused on exporting the latest technological developments related to fire systems to the rest of the world. The aim is to provide businesses and individuals with cutting-edge solutions that can help them protect their property and save lives in the event of a fire.

“We are thrilled to be expanding our business to London and bringing our expertise in fire engineering to a global audience,” said Ismail Cem Iyitoglu. “Our innovative solutions are designed to help businesses and individuals protect their property and the people inside it, and we are excited to be able to share our expertise with the rest of the world.”

Ismail Cem Iyitoglu is a company that has already gained a reputation for excellence in Turkey, where it has been providing high-quality fire engineering solutions to businesses and individuals for many years. With the establishment of the new company in London, the company is poised to take on new challenges and opportunities in the global market.

The company’s range of products includes fire suppression systems, fire alarms, and fire doors, all of which have been designed to meet the highest safety and performance standards. The company’s team of experts has also developed new technologies that will revolutionize the way that fire safety is managed, making it easier and more efficient for businesses and individuals to protect their property and the people inside it.

For more information on Ismail Cem Iyitoglu’s fire engineering business and its innovative solutions, please visit the company’s website at www.ataktrade.co.uk

Ismail Cem Iyitoglu

Email: info@ataktrade.co.uk

Three Adventurous North-West 60-Somethings Take on the Pennine Way to Raise £20,000 for Rare Disease Charity

A trio of 60+ year olds from the North West – Noel Hastings, Mike Keel and Andy White, are fue to take on one of Britain’s toughest challenges. The trio aim to complete the Pennine Way, which stretches 268 miles, in just 19 days, to raise money for research and development into curing Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) and Schwannomatosis, two rare genetic disorders.

Noel, Mike, and Andy are determined not to let ageing limbs slow down their fundraising efforts. In 2019, Andy’s daughter Rebecca was diagnosed with NF2, and in the same year, Noel’s daughter Hayley was diagnosed with Schwannomatosis. The trio, with a combined age of 185, will walk 268 miles along the Pennine hills from Edale to Kirk Yetholm to raise £20,000 for NF2 BioSolutions UK and Europe, a charity funding approximately 15 different novel therapy research projects globally to find a cure for NF2 and Schwannomatosis.

NF2 causes non-cancerous tumours to grow on nerves in the central nervous system and on peripheral nerves. Schwannomatosis causes multiple non-cancerous schwannoma tumours to grow on nerves throughout the body, causing chronic pain, weakness, numbness, and headaches. With fewer than 1000 people in the UK currently diagnosed with NF2 and an estimated 1 in 40,000 people having Schwannomatosis, research efforts to find a cure are competing for scarce resources.

NF2 BioSolutions UK and Europe is financing a particularly promising avenue of repurposing existing drugs for effective treatment, which is being researched by PhD students Grace Gregory and Adam Paul Jones at the University of Manchester. Their work aims to find a therapy able to act on both tumour types by identifying specific immune cells present in both vestibular schwannomas and meningiomas and how they contribute to tumour-associated inflammation.

The fundraising challenge will help Grace’s and Adam’s work to continue and provide hope for those facing NF2 and Schwannomatosis. The trio is looking for regional businesses in the Northwest to donate to their cause and raise awareness of these rare diseases.

For more information about the challenge and to donate to the cause, please visit the fundraising page at https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/fundraising/walkfornf2two

7 Reasons Why Renting a Forklift is Smarter Than Buying

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Forklifts are essential equipment for many businesses involved in warehousing, manufacturing, and logistics. While forklifts can be expensive to buy outright, there is a smarter option available: renting from Tag Forklift Trucks. Here are seven reasons why using a forklift rental service is a smarter choice than buying a forklift outright:

  1. Upfront Cost Savings: Renting a forklift from Tag Forklift Trucks saves businesses a significant amount of money in upfront costs. Buying a forklift requires a large capital outlay, whereas rental fees can be more manageable and spread out over time. Plus, rental agreements often include maintenance and repair costs, preventing unexpected expenses.
  2. Flexibility and Adaptability: A rental service offers businesses the flexibility and adaptability they need to complete specific projects. Rental periods can be tailored to the needs of a specific task or project, and businesses can avoid long-term commitments. Renting also allows businesses to test different forklift models to find the best fit for their operations.
  3. Access to Up-to-Date Equipment: Rental companies like Tag Forklift Trucks offer access to the latest models and technology without the expense of buying new equipment. With a range of equipment available to meet different needs, businesses can select the appropriate equipment for their specific task, increasing efficiency and productivity in the workplace while staying up-to-date with industry standards.
  4. Reduced Maintenance: Costs Maintenance and repair costs can quickly add up when owning a forklift. Rental agreements often include maintenance and repair costs, reducing the burden on businesses. Additionally, rental companies have a team of expert engineers on hand to maintain and repair equipment, avoiding downtime and lost productivity.
  5. Better Financial Planning: Forklift rentals provide a more predictable expense for businesses, as rental fees are typically fixed and known in advance. This allows for better financial planning and budgeting, as there are no unexpected costs associated with equipment breakdowns or maintenance. Renting a forklift also frees up capital for other investments or expenses.
  6. Compliance with Regulations: Rental companies ensure that their equipment meets all necessary safety and environmental regulations. This means businesses don’t have to worry about staying compliant, as the rental company will handle any updates or changes to regulations. Renting a forklift guarantees that your equipment is compliant, reducing the risk of fines or penalties.
  7. Scalability: Renting a forklift allows businesses to quickly scale up or down based on their needs. If a business experiences a sudden increase in demand, they can easily rent additional forklifts to accommodate the workload. Similarly, if demand decreases, they can simply return the extra equipment. This flexibility enables businesses to adapt to changing market conditions without the financial risks associated with purchasing additional forklifts.

Choose Tag Forklift Trucks for Your Rental Needs At Tag Forklift Trucks, we offer high-quality forklifts for rent, as well as comprehensive maintenance services. Our fleet includes a range of sizes and fuel sources, from diesel to electric, to meet different needs. We work with well-known and trusted brands, including JLG, Hyundai and Linde. We pride ourselves on our unbeatable customer service and competitive prices.

Contact us today to discuss your requirements with our helpful team. Fill in our enquiry form or call us on 0161 848 0555. Let Tag Forklift Trucks help you get the job done efficiently and cost-effectively.

Legal Sector ESG Event to be Held at HMP Styal, Hosted by Nexa along with Clink Charity and Standing Tall Foundation

Her Majesty’s Prison in Styal, Cheshire, will see the legal industry’s ESG event this June 15th, hosted by Nexa, the platform for consultant solicitors.

The event which will be held over lunch and is free to attend is being held in support of The Clink Charity which reduces reoffending by providing prisoners with accredited City and Guilds qualifications and the Standing Tall Foundation which promotes mental and physical health to all communities.Nigel Clark scaled

Hosted by Nexa’s CEO Nigel Clark (Pictured), the free lunch will include a panel of guest speakers including Andy Reid MBE of the Standing Tall Foundation and solicitors Victoria Morrison Hughes and Chrissie Wolf. The focus of the event will be on improving mental health in the legal profession and also on alternative pathways for solicitors and why ESG will be critical to continued success in the legal industry.

Nigel Clark says “I’m really excited to be hosting this charity lunch on 15 June in a prison no less.  I’m sure it will be an incredible experience for us all and it’s a great opportunity for solicitors in the midlands and the north west congregate and talk ESG.  It also gives us an opportunity to support 2 fantastic charities.”

To sign up to the event, please use this link: https://www.nexa.law/events/#rsvp

Top 5 Risks for UK Businesses in 2023: Insights from Tradesman Saver

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As we move into 2023, businesses across the UK are facing unprecedented risks that could have a significant impact on their operations. Tradesman Saver, a leading insurance provider for small businesses and tradespeople, has highlighted the top five risks that UK businesses are expected to face in the coming year. These risks have been identified based on insights from risk management experts across 94 countries and territories.

  1. Cyber incidents: Cyber incidents, including IT outages, ransomware attacks, and data breaches, remain the top risk for UK businesses. With geopolitical tensions and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the likelihood of large-scale cyber-attacks is increasing. Data breaches are a major concern for companies, as they can result in significant notification costs, fines, penalties, and reputational damage. Small businesses are particularly vulnerable to cyber incidents due to weaker security controls and fewer resources to manage the aftermath of an attack.
  2. Business interruption: Business interruption, including supply chain disruption, is another significant risk for UK companies. Despite efforts to diversify business models and supply chains after the pandemic, disruptions continue to persist. The recent turmoil in Ukraine and global supply chain issues, such as semiconductor shortages, are causing further strain on businesses.
  3. Macro-economic developments: Macro-economic developments, including inflation, deflation, and monetary policies, have emerged as a new risk in 2023. The simultaneous crises in the US, China, and Europe, along with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, have led to increasing energy prices and inflation. The UK is currently in a recession, with the economy expected to contract 0.7% in 2023. However, experts predict a return to growth during the second half of the year as inflation and energy prices stabilize.
  4. Energy crisis: The energy crisis is another new risk for 2023 that has impacted businesses. Energy prices have risen due to post-pandemic economic recovery, supply chain disruptions, and delayed maintenance work. The crisis intensified with the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the world’s largest exporter of fossil fuels. Although the UK relies on Russia for less than 4% of its total gas supply, it remains susceptible to fluctuating international gas prices.
  5. Shortage of skilled workforce: The shortage of skilled workforce, a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic and rising wage inflation, remains a risk for UK businesses. Many countries, including the UK, face a reduced workforce and high demand for labor. The situation is exacerbated by post-Brexit immigration rules. The construction industry is among the hardest hit, with 75% of contractors experiencing recruitment issues.

To mitigate these risks, Tradesman Saver offers tailored insurance solutions to protect businesses against potential losses. Public liability insurance can support businesses by covering legal fees and compensation payments in the event of accidents or injuries to third parties. Tradesman Saver’s team is committed to helping businesses navigate these risks and offers assistance through their website https://www.tradesmansaver.co.uk/public-liability-insurance/ or helpline.

Contact Details

Tradesman Saver

Chancery House

St Nicholas Way

Sutton

Surrey 

SM1 1JB

0800 121 8748

info@tradesmansaver.co.uk

tradesmansaver.co.uk

MEDIA CONTACT DETAILS: info@tradesmansaver.co.uk  0800 121 8748

Discover the Best Camping and Caravan Park of 2022/23: Holgates Silverdale

Holgates Silverdale has been named the AA Best Campsite and Caravan Park for 2022/23. This highly-coveted award recognizes exceptional quality and customer care, making Holgates Silverdale one of the top destinations in the camping and caravan industry.

Located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Holgates Silverdale is a 5-star park featured in the AA Caravan and Camping Guide 2023. It offers breathtaking views of Morecambe Bay and is situated close to the Arnside Sands estuary. Holgates Silverdale boasts a variety of accommodation options, including static caravans, touring pitches, and glamping pods. All guests have access to 5-star facilities, such as an indoor swimming pool, state-of-the-art gym, and bowling lanes.

Family-run Holgates business operates campsites across Cumbria, Lancashire, and the Ribble Valley. Every Holgates park recently inspected by VisitEngland has been awarded a 5-star rating. The parks are renowned for their high standards of cleanliness, maintenance, and customer service. Holgates offers a range of camping pitches and holiday caravans across its sites, as well as plenty of activities to enjoy for all ages, from playgrounds to nature trails.

“We are delighted to be recognized by AA as the best campsite and caravan park for 2022/23,” says Holgates owner Michael Holgate. “It is a great honor to keep winning these awards, and we are immensely proud of our team. We want to thank all our customers for their continued support and look forward to welcoming them back to Holgates in the future.”

The AA Best Campsite and Caravan Park award for 2022/23 was judged by AA inspectors, who were impressed with the high standards of service, cleanliness, and overall quality of the Silverdale park. They also praised the range of activities, facilities, and accommodation on offer.

“With people spending their holidays in the UK and exploring the great British countryside, we are thrilled to celebrate the UK’s best campsites,” says Simon Numphud, managing director at AA Media. “This year’s winners have demonstrated outstanding quality, high levels of customer care, and fantastic facilities which meet customers’ growing expectations.”

Holgates Silverdale commitment to customer service, quality, and excellence has been recognized with this prestigious award. Holgate says: “We strive to make sure our guests have an enjoyable stay. This award shows that we are doing just that and is a testament to the team’s hard work.”

As the AA Best Campsite and Caravan Park for 2022/23, Holgates Silverdale is a popular destination for travelers who are seeking a high-quality camping and caravan experience. For more information and to book a stay, visit their website today.

Ipsen Wrexham Named One of the UK’s Best Workplaces™ for 2023

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Ipsen Wrexham, a pharmaceutical company, has been recognised as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces™ in the category of large organisations for 2023, by Great Place to Work®, a global authority on workplace culture. This prestigious award is based on anonymous employee feedback, which revealed that 72% of Ipsen Wrexham’s employees considered it a great place to work.

Ipsen Wrexham, known as Ipsen’s ‘neuroscience centre of excellence’ in the UK, manufactures products that are exported to patients in over 90 countries. The company scored highly for diversity, ethnicity, inclusion, promotion of physical and mental health, camaraderie, employee pride, and comfort levels with job security. Earlier in the year, it was accredited as one of the Best Workplaces™ UK for Wellbeing, which acknowledged the company’s consistent efforts to place employee wellbeing at the heart of its workplace culture.

Jeannette Brend, Site Head at Ipsen in Wrexham, expressed pride in the company’s achievement, stating, “It’s fantastic to see that our employees value everything that goes into making Ipsen Wrexham a great place to work. I would like to thank every single one of them for all their contributions which, every day, advances our global mission to improve people’s lives and health outcomes – particularly in areas of high unmet need. It is their hard work that allows us to continually grow, creating new opportunities across the site.”

The award is based heavily on the results of Great Place to Work® employee surveys, which revealed that nine out of ten employees at Ipsen Wrexham say there is fair treatment for age, race, sexual orientation, gender, and position. Additionally, around 8 out of 10 employees said they can ‘be themselves’ at work, are proud to tell others they work at Ipsen, feel comfortable with job security, promote mental and physical health among employees, and feel that people care about each other at work.

Employee Engagement Lead Yvonne Linnane said, “This recognition is a real landmark achievement for us and a morale-booster for our whole team as we continue to ensure all our employees feel valued and supported every day. While the benefits that employees receive at Ipsen Wrexham are to be admired and appreciated, we are equally committed to creating the best environment we can for individuals to thrive and for our business to operate efficiently, so this accolade demonstrates that our efforts are working.”

For those interested in career opportunities at Ipsen, visit their website at https://careers.ipsen.com/us/en.