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‘NORTHERN RUGBY MATTERS’ CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED BY SALE SHARKS

First-ever International Women’s Day fixture set for men’s top-of-the-table clash against Saracens on behalf of women’s team

Sale Sharks have today officially launched the ‘Northern Rugby Matters’ campaign in a bid to increase awareness and celebrate rugby in the region, and raise important funding for Sale Sharks Women. 

The new initiative – teased by Sharks on social media recently alongside amateur clubs across the north – follows the news that the women’s team has been offered a conditional place to compete in next season’s Premier 15s, the top division of women’s rugby in England. 

Among the conditions outlined is a requirement for the women’s team to be financially sustainable, independent of owner funding. 

This means that, despite the long-standing and ongoing investment of our owners, who remain wholly committed to the club and will continue to provide significant financial support, there is still work to do in order to ensure the women’s game in the north is supported and properly funded going forward. 

A big part of that is ensuring that Sale Sharks Women becomes a competitive and sustainable operation going into the 2023/24 season and beyond. 

So today the club is also announcing the start of a crowdfunding campaign, designed to support the growth of the women’s team and the wider game in the north, giving supporters, local businesses and the wider community a chance to be involved with the only northern team competing at the elite level of domestic women’s rugby.

To provide a legacy for the campaign beyond its end date, the names of those who donate will feature on a permanent fans’ wall of fame at Sharks’ Carrington Training Centre, where both the men’s and women’s team are based. 

The club was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for the women’s team in the aftermath of the original decision not to award a place in the Premier 15s, and we are now calling on our supporters to harness that passion for the greater good of rugby, both across the entire region and at all levels of the game.

This announcement – launched via an open letter from Women’s Performance Coach, Rachel Taylor and Director of Rugby, Alex Sanderson – marks the beginning of a series of promotional activities over the coming weeks, with the highly anticipated upcoming men’s clash between Sharks and Saracens to also become the club’s first-ever dedicated International Women’s Day fixture. 

Sharks’ Co-Owner, Michelle Orange, said: “We’re really excited about the future of both our women’s team as well as women’s rugby in the north, and our latest campaign is an extension of our ongoing commitment to the women’s game. 

“We’re also proud to be an inclusive and welcoming club, and to have the full support of our men’s team as part of such an important fixture shows we are all united behind the cause. 

“Through our community programmes including Mission Sharks Primary and Girls Tackle Rugby, as well as the Women’s Centre of Excellence, we want to provide opportunities for women and girls across the region to play rugby.  

“It’s crucial that we provide a platform for our women to compete and succeed, so we hope the entire region gets right behind this initiative and supports us via the fundraiser.” 

Further exciting details surrounding the campaign, including the Saracens fixture, will be confirmed in due course. 

Supporters are encouraged to get involved in the club’s new campaign by posting on social media using the hashtag #NorthernRugbyMatters. 

Customer loyalty key to businesses surviving cost of living crisis, expert warns

Businesses of all sizes need to prioritise investment in their existing customers if they want to survive the cost of living crisis according to customer engagement experts at Appreciate Business Services.

They have just released The Ultimate Guide to Customer Loyalty 2023, a free resource to help organisations of all shapes, sizes and specialisms improve their business’ customer loyalty strategy.

The cost of living crisis means businesses are looking more closely at how to improve customer value. Traditionally that means prospecting for new customers, but the latest research highlights how loyalty and retention make a more significant impact on revenue.

The guide helps SMEs understand how to build a strategy for customer loyalty, the true value of loyal customers and brand advocates and how to make data work to strengthen those relationships.

It comes amid the cost of living crisis, with rising energy and food bills causing shoppers to reduce spending and businesses to review budgets. With everyone’s pockets being squeezed to their limits, if your customers are not happy, they will be quicker than ever to explore other avenues.

There is lots of research and insight to help businesses get started or improve their customer loyalty strategy.  This includes considering customer engagement technologies, such as flexible modular platforms. These platforms allow businesses to create campaigns driven by customer data and automate the core engagement functions they need in a cost-effective way while retaining the capacity for growth.

Far from just being a measure to protect earnings, the guide advises that investing in customers can bring a huge business boost. Research shows that retaining just 5% of a customer base can increase profits by up to 95%.

With the cost of acquiring a new customer five times higher than the cost of retaining existing ones, making customer loyalty cost-effective creates a real opportunity for businesses.

“At Appreciate Business Services, we understand that customer loyalty is the cornerstone of any successful business, but it’s an evolving challenge,” said Frank Creighton, Director of Business Development for ABS.

“In today’s fast-paced world, it’s more important than ever to not only retain customers, but to turn them into brand advocates.

“That’s why we’re delighted to announce the release of our Ultimate Guide to Customer Loyalty. Our comprehensive guide aims to empower businesses with the knowledge they need to understand the true value of loyal customers, how to build lasting relationships, and how to harness data to drive customer engagement.

“It’s been proven customers may increase their spending by between 15% and 25% with businesses that have earned their loyalty.

“This guide is a testament to our commitment to innovation and our belief that by empowering business leaders with the latest insights, we can help them achieve long-term success.”

Advice in the comprehensive, exclusive guide also include methods of retaining a customer for life such as ensuring even the smallest of expectations are met; to eliminating friction and frustration by offering various payment options and improving search functions.

The full, comprehensive Ultimate Guide to Customer Loyalty 2023 is available on Appreciate.co.uk, and can be accessed and downloaded by following this link.

Aon seeks apprentices for 2023 start 

Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services company has launched its search for apprentices to join the firm in Manchester later this year.

Aon has opened applications for over 50 places across 12 offices nationally for Wealth, Commercial Risk and Reinsurance trainees, a number of which are available at the Manchester office.

The 18-month programme is open to post-A-Level, BTEC or equivalent school and college leavers and will lead to a professional qualification with the Chartered Institute of Insurance.  

A full-time permanent employee from day one, apprentices will learn ‘on the job’ working alongside senior colleagues, attending client meetings, and assisting with junior level tasks. 

They will also undertake regular webinars and workshops, and complete monthly assignments, all supported by their official mentor, line managers, former apprentices and the firm’s Early Careers team.

Newest recruit, Faith Bardsley, joined Aon in Manchester in September 2022 after completing A-Levels in Business, Economics and Sports Science at Ashton Sixth Form College. 

The 18-year old from Saddleworth is encouraging young people to consider an apprenticeship with Aon for the opportunity it provides, and as an alternative to university.

She said: “I wanted to get working and not build up a huge debt at uni, and told family and teachers I was interested in business. Someone suggested insurance so I did my research and discovered there was a global company with an office in Manchester city centre providing apprenticeship roles, offering a good salary, full training, and fantastic future career prospects.

“As a big company with a well-established training programme, I feel really well supported as an Aon apprentice. Everyone is so friendly and approachable and I’m learning so much from my colleagues who are very generous with their time. I’m enjoying working towards the formal qualifications and learning about global markets, risk exposure and solutions, and how to help clients and am looking forward to becoming a client services advisor and building up my own portfolio of clients in the future. I’m really glad I took this route and I’d tell anyone wanting a professional career with a major company to look at the opportunities available with Aon.”

As an insurance broker, reinsurance specialist or client manager, apprentices go on to work as part of a major global business which employees 50,000 people across 120 countries worldwide. Aon employs more than 170  professionals based in Manchester providing clients from SMEs to large corporates, with commercial risk solutions, health solutions, reinsurance solutions and wealth solutions.

Faith’s mentor is client manager Joseph Buckley who completed his apprenticeship with Aon in 2016 and has gone on to achieve his Advanced CII diploma and is now working towards his Fellowship. He said: “The company is really supportive of training and professional development and the apprenticeship provides an excellent foundation for a career in this industry. 

“Similarly to Faith, I didn’t want to go to uni and recognised the value of a big company with a structured training programme and career progression, and would wholeheartedly recommend an apprenticeship as a route into a financial services career. Faith is doing really well and I’m pleased I can use my experience to help support her.” 

Mike Barber, head of Aon’s Manchester office in Spring Gardens, said: “We’re on the lookout for young people with ambition; motivated and commercially aware, they will be our leaders of the future. We will provide the practical training, industry experience and commercial theory, in return we ask trainees to bring a willingness to learn, a passion for great customer service, and an enthusiastic approach to becoming a positive addition to our team. 

“As a company, Aon is committed to developing its employees, providing them with an exciting and rewarding career within a supportive environment. The apprenticeship programme allows us to identify and bring new talent into the business, and continue to deliver that quality of service and knowledge our clients have come to rely on.” 

Apprentices will gain the following qualifications: 

  • Insurance Practitioner Level 3 Apprenticeship
  • Certificate in Insurance (Cert CII)
  • Level 2 Functional Skills in English and maths (if required)

To find out more about Aon’s apprentices programmes please visit: 

https://www.aon.com/careers/early-careers/uk/apprenticeships

The deadline for applications is 28 February 2023 with a September 2023 start: https://jobs.aon.com/jobs/59475?lang=en-us&previousLocale=en-US

B-COMPLIANT CONGRATULATED FOR SUPPORT SERVICES

After being shortlisted for a second consecutive year in the Professional Adviser (PA) Awards, financial compliance specialists, B-Compliant, are receiving national industry recognition.

The Manchester-based consultants are among the finalists in the ‘Best Support Service for Advisers’ category, which acknowledges firms helping advisory businesses grow and succeed. 

Winners will be selected by a panel of renowned industry experts and announced at a black-tie gala dinner held at the Hilton London Bankside on April 25. 

B-Compliant director, Vicky Pearce, said: “It is hugely exciting to make the shortlist at the PA Awards in such a broad category. We are up against some much larger, more established competitors, but it is clear the judges have recognised the quality of the tailored services we provide. We hope our personal approach to compliance support will stand us in good stead for the final.” 

The PA shortlisting comes hot on the heels of success for B-Compliant in the North West Federation of Small Businesses Celebrating Small Business Awards, in which the firm is one of five finalists in the Micro Business of the Year category. The results of this competition will be announced on March 3, with the successful firm securing a spot in the nationwide final. 

Vicky added: “As we prepare to enter our fifth year of trading, momentum is really gathering pace for B-Compliant. We are growing rapidly and word is spreading about the way we design our services to suit the client. Achieving award recognition on a regional and national scale will help us accelerate this progression and reinforces our reputation for excellence.”

To find out more about B-Compliant’s award success or its wide range of services, telephone: (0161) 521 8641, visit www.b-compliant.co.uk or follow the firm on Twitter, @b-compliant.

Visit: https://event.professionaladviser.com/paawards2023/en/page/2023-finalists for a full list of PA Awards finalists.

New Makers Quarter at Kampus to create Manchester’s first all-in-one creative destination

A FIRST-of-kind destination dedicated to designers and makers is set to open at Manchester’s Kampus garden neighbourhood, with visitors getting the chance to get hands on and seasoned pros a space to thrive …. A place to gather, design, make, collaborate and shop.

Split over two floors, Makers Quarter will be a haven for creatives of all kinds – from those running independent businesses to those who want to try their hand at new hobbies. It’ll be a one-stop-shop for lovers of hand-crafted products, complete with a deli & coffee shop; concept store featuring items made on site; a schedule of creative classes; and studios for indie businesses to rent.

Makers Quarter at Kampus – the garden neighbourhood developed by Capital&Centric and HBD – will build on its successful first base, set up in Salford in 2017.  Founders Sophie Mason and Stephen Hobson (who met at the University in Manchester 18 years ago) started their first business venture soon after, restoring and reimagining vintage furniture.

The idea for Makers Quarter was born out of a desire to be around other creative businesses having felt isolated in their original workshop. Returning to Manchester, the couple embarked on finding the right space to set up their concept for “Creative Coworking” under one roof with shared facilities. They found impractical spaces and isolation were the two major problems experienced by many creatives in Manchester. 

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@hej.hey.studio

Co-founder Sophie Mason, said: 

“Our intention for Makers Quarter Kampus is to give the creatives of Manchester a permanent city centre home. Space to design, create, make, teach, learn and sell – somewhere to settle in and be proud of. With the studios upstairs, shared facilities, classes, a concept store and deli downstairs, it will have a really creative buzz about the place, we can’t wait!

“People are becoming more mindful of the products they buy and we want our concept store “Kolab” to support this. Visitors will have a destination where they know every product on the shelf supports a local or independent business, hand-made and carefully curated.”

Co-founder Stephen Hobson, said:

“We also want to encourage an interactive shopping experience so visitors can not only come to shop for homewares they can create them. Set alongside the other independent brands housed at Kampus we couldn’t be in better company.”

It’s all part of a national resurgence of love for all things handmade and supporting locally-made goods, helped by the likes of TV shows such as The Great Pottery Thrown Down and Sewing Bee.

Makers Quarter at Kampus, planned to open later this year, is set to feature:

  • Design and Maker Studios: For monthly rental and perfect for hands-on crafts like Art, Photography, Pottery, Upholstery, product making or more digital and design-led businesses. The first floor member studios will bring together like-minded creatives and provide access to shared machinery and tech including 3D printers and laser cutters.    
  • The studio members will also have access to all the equipment downstairs including kilns, potter’s wheels, screen printing facilities, a textiles room and much more.      
  • Pay-As-You-Go Workbenches: A creative take on co-working space, with the option of ad-hoc use on a membership basis accessing various equipment and facilities. This will be booked via an online system.
  • MQ Classes: A full programme of classes for visitors, including ceramic workshops run by local experts at eight pottery wheels; upholstery classes; jewellery making; candle-making workshops and many more.
  • Coffee Shop, Deli and Concept Store: A bustling coffee shop at the Makers Quarter entrance with views into the makerspace and ever-evolving Gallery exhibiting local artists’ work. The coffee shop will neighbour the concept store, selling hand-made collections from a variety of independent makers including interior finishes, furniture, candles, textiles and art.
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@hej.hey.studio

Developed by HBD and Capital&Centric, the £250 million Kampus neighbourhood is now complete – with over 500 apartments for rent across five character-packed buildings. Makers Quarter will occupy a split-level store between Pollen Bakery and Nell’s pizza.

Adam Higgins, co-founder at Capital&Centric, said: 

“We promised an eclectic melting pot of indie businesses at Kampus and we’re proud of how it’s shaping up. Makers Quarter will be a sterling addition to the line-up and the first of a kind in Manchester – a haven for creatives who want to collaborate. It’ll brilliant to welcome artists, potters, furniture-makers and an army of creative talent to new, modern workspaces in the heart of the city, set right alongside the foodie offer from the much-loved neighbours.” 

The neighbourhood is riding high from a year of pop-ups, parties, cultural events and openings – with Pollen, The Beeswing wine bar and Yum Cha opening their doors.

To book a viewing visit www.kampus-mcr.co.uk.

Avensure launches new tech platform in major investment

Avensure, the Manchester headquartered HR and employment law specialist, has launched a new platform, Avensure PeopleCloud, in a major investment for the business.

A cloud-based HR and Health and Safety tracking system, the new platform allows business owners to manage their teams remotely from wherever they are working.

Chris Garner, managing director of Avensure, said: “We advise thousands of small businesses and SMEs that are growing and have massive potential – yet business owners find themselves spending a lot of time completing tasks like approving holidays and assessing performance. We created this platform to make their job a bit easier and allow them to really focus on growth.

“From a HR perspective, the last few years have been extremely challenging for businesses – the pandemic created huge upheaval and we have seen a lot of change in employment legislation. Start-ups and SMEs need to be able to focus on growth and innovation so we hope that PeopleCloud helps them to do that. We’ve had really positive feedback from our clients and we look forward to being able to pass on the benefit of the new tech to our future clients, too.”

Avensure advises businesses across a range of sectors and industries, from start-ups and SMEs through to household brands like Vodafone, Papa Johns and NHS 111. Benefiting from expert sector knowledge, the team supports businesses in handling any HR and health and safety challenges, including legal queries, with expert advice available around the clock.

Avensure PeopleCloud boasts a host of features, allowing business owners to create custom reports on employee performance, compensation and key metrics. Cutting-edge HR software, it removes the need for time-consuming paperwork and other HR tasks, like managing holidays.

EU expansion model to ‘turbo charge’ UK growth for M&A specialist

Marktlink opens tenth office following record breaking year

Marktlink, the independent, fast-growing M&A firm, is preparing to replicate its success in mainland Europe in the UK by building a network of regional offices to deliver growth grounded in a deep understanding of regional markets.

The company which has its UK HQ in Manchester, has recently opened a new office in Hamburg as it continues its ambitious international expansion. The new location is the tenth office in the network and will further accelerate growth in Germany and beyond.

The announcement follows Marktlink’s most successful year to date, with a record 150 transactions and a new high of 185 employees. As a long-term target, the business hopes to reach the milestone of 250 employees. 

The firm plans to open further UK offices this year, following the launch of its Manchester HQ in March 2022. This will enable the business to service more entrepreneurs with support from advisers based in their area, equipped with detailed local knowledge and networks.

Jonny Parkinson, managing partner at Marktlink, said: “The business has had a record year and we’re determined to replicate the success seen in Germany here in the UK. The growth strategy set out for the EU is the same as ours and the regional office network will turbo charge our growth as we expand in the coming years into new regions and markets. Our aim is to have one additional office operating in the second half of the year with others to follow. 

“Having offices across Europe enables us to build personal relationships and support entrepreneurs in a number of countries to navigate the M&A market.”

Founded in 1996 in the Netherlands, Marktlink advises SMEs on mergers, acquisitions and succession planning, representing companies on the buy or sell side. With an original focus on the Benelux region, the company is now active in Germany, Scandinavia and the UK.

Fredrik Jonker, Partner at Marktlink, said: “From an economic perspective, Europe is a single market. Over the last 10 years, we have seen a steep increase in international cross-border transactions across Europe. It is now more important than ever to have an M&A advisor with eyes and ears on the ground as well as a large international network to identify activity in other markets. At the same time, of course, we need to speak the language of local business owners in order to best serve them in this international landscape. With our network of 10 offices combined with our local presence, we are always responsive to local entrepreneurs with international ambitions.”

Guaranteed Rent Unlocked by 53 Degrees for UK Landlords

With this service, landlords can enjoy long-term contracts and security knowing that they will receive their rent regardless of whether or not tenants pay. In addition to generating an ongoing stream of rental income, it also eliminates tenant issues and property maintenance costs.

What is Guaranteed Rent UK?

Rent guarantee schemes provide landlords with a fixed monthly rental income for their property regardless of whether or not their property is occupied. This means that landlords and UK property owners can be sure to receive regular payments with no voids, rent arrears or agency fees. 

The rent guarantee company offering this service will typically take responsibility for finding and managing tenants, usually renting the property on behalf of the landlord as a holiday let and or serviced apartments. The company collects the payments, cleans the property and takes care of any property maintenance issues that may arise.

Family-run UK 53Degrees Property offer guaranteed rent contracts between 3 to 5 years. Director and co-founder Daniel Budden explains their guaranteed rent service:

“Our service helps landlords to achieve long-term guaranteed rent with zero hassle from tenants or letting agents. The cost of maintaining a property each year sits at roughly 1% of the property’s value. With the current average house price hitting £278,436, this means annual maintenance costs total £2,784 per property for private and social landlords and management companies. With guaranteed rent, the maintenance cost is reduced as 53 Degrees Property takes on most of the associated cost. 

Guaranteed Rent also means you have a long-term contract direct with the guaranteed rent company meaning no tenancy fee costs or renewal fees. However, Traditional Lettings agents charge tenancy renewal fees which can be up to 10% of annual rental income yearly.” 


The Benefits of Guaranteed Rent for UK Landlords

One major benefit of guaranteed rent is that it offers landlords financial security; they know exactly how much money they will receive each month without having to worry about late payments or other potential problems associated with renting out properties on the open market. Additionally, since most companies offering this service also manage all aspects related to renting out a property and tenancy agreements, such as finding suitable tenants and handling maintenance issues, it can save time and hassle for busy landlords who don’t want to deal with these matters themselves.

In exchange for providing these services, landlords will get peace of mind knowing that no matter what happens during the contract term, they will always receive a steady stream of rental income from the property every month. This makes it easier than ever before for busy landlords or investors looking for reliable returns on investment opportunities. 

Key Takeaway: Guaranteed rent offers landlords financial security and peace of mind, providing a fixed monthly rental income regardless of occupancy status. Benefits include consistent income; no need to find new tenants; time-saving property management services.

Advantages of Guaranteed Rent for Landlords

No Tenancy Issues & Long-Term Contracts 

As mentioned, this type of service eliminates the need for landlords to find tenants and deal with any tenant issues, such as late payments, damage to their property or eviction costs. Guaranteed Rent also offers them long-term contracts, so landlords don’t have to worry about regularly finding new tenants as they will be paid whether the property is occupied or not.

Property Upkeep & No Maintenance Costs 

Furthermore, guaranteed rent services also remove any maintenance costs associated with managing their property since the company providing the guaranteed rent will take care of the cleaning after a tenant stays, as well as any unexpected repairs and general upkeep.

Consistent Income

One major advantage of using a guaranteed rent service is that it provides landlords with a steady stream of income each month without having to worry about tenant issues or maintenance costs. This can be especially beneficial for those who own multiple properties since they won’t have to spend time dealing with individual tenants in each one. Additionally, because these services typically offer long-term contracts, landlords can rest assured knowing that their rental income will remain consistent over the agreed time.

Legal & Experienced

Another benefit of using this type of service is that it eliminates any potential legal issues related to renting out properties in the UK. The company providing the guaranteed rent will handle all aspects related to the holiday lets and short stay and ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations in England & Wales (or Scotland). This means that landlords don’t have to worry about being held liable if something goes wrong during the tenancy period – which could save them from costly court proceedings down the line.

Flexible & Convenient

Finally, while there are some restrictions on how you use the property when signing up for a guaranteed rent agreement (such as not being able to sublet), these are generally minor compared to other types of rental arrangements available in the UK today. As such, many people find this option attractive due to its flexibility and convenience, allowing them peace of mind when it comes time for collecting monthly rental payments.

Guaranteed rent offers landlords a secure and reliable income stream with no tenant issues or maintenance costs, making it an attractive option for many. However, there are some potential drawbacks to consider before entering into a contract.

Key Takeaway: Guaranteed rent offers landlords a reliable source of income each month with long-term contracts, maintenance costs covered, legal compliance and flexibility.

Disadvantages of Guaranteed Rent for Landlords

One of the potential drawbacks to using a guaranteed rent service for landlords in the UK is the loss of control over property management. When opting for this type of service, landlords must relinquish some control over how their properties are managed and maintained. This may be an issue if they want more involvement in decisions about their rental properties. However, most landlords who choose a guaranteed rent service are happy to pass on the maintenance responsibilities!  

Another disadvantage return on investment. While most guaranteed rent services provide reliable income, they frequently require long-term contracts, and landlords may find themselves locked into agreements that do not reflect current market value and cannot easily adjust rents accordingly. 

With 53 Degrees, though, the guarantee rent scheme works where landlords get what they could get on the open market rates—or in some cases more.

Guaranteed Rent is a great option for landlords in the UK looking to ensure a steady income and avoid tenant issues. With long-term contracts, no maintenance costs and guaranteed rent payments each month, it can be an attractive proposition for those who want to reduce their stress when it comes to managing rental properties. 

However, there are some potential drawbacks such as higher fees than traditional renting models that should be considered before signing up for a guaranteed rent service. Ultimately though, with the right research and due diligence, Guaranteed Rent could provide landlords with peace of mind and financial security in the future. 

Hiring Hub enters German market with Henkel partnership

The UK’s leading recruitment marketplace, Hiring Hub, is growing to Germany following its appointment by Henkel, a Germany-based multinational consumer goods company, to streamline and support all of its third-party recruitment activity.

With headquarters in Dusseldorf, Henkel, which owns household brands like Schwarzkopf, Persil and Loctite, will consolidate all its third-party recruitment activity using Hiring Hub’s Portal product, allowing it to track supplier performance, ensure compliance, and process all payments through a single vendor and platform.

The three-year deal for Hiring Hub’s enterprise product, Portal, gives the cloud-based recruitment platform provider a foothold in Germany, which it plans to build upon over the coming 12 months courtesy of a strong pipeline of German prospects.

The UK’s leading recruiter marketplace, Hiring Hub core product – a B2B marketplace – connects employers with top-rated recruitment agencies to help them find the best candidates. It first launched version one of Portal in 2020 to help large companies manage their recruitment supply chain, measure performance and track spend.

Portal will enable Henkel’s inhouse recruitment teams to centralise all of its suppliers’ activity, while cutting the time it takes to compliantly onboard new recruiters, giving the €20.1billion turnover business more flexibility to use boutique recruitment agencies for specialist roles.

Henkel, which has over 50,000 employees globally, is Hiring Hub’s first major international client to adopt its Portal product. The announcement follows an exciting period of growth for Hiring Hub, which secured a multimillion-pound investment from MonacoSol in January this year.

Simon Swan, CEO and founder of Hiring Hub, said: “The partnership with Henkel not only represents a major client win but also acts as a gateway into Germany for Hiring Hub, a region for which our Portal solution feels particularly well-suited.

“It was enterprises like Henkel we designed Portal for – large organisations that wanted a single platform to manage all third-party suppliers and procurement to ensure compliance, accelerate onboarding, and provide data and insights for its in-house recruitment team. We proud to partner with such an established and progressive company.“

Henkel’s Head of Recruitment in Germany, Marcus Krahforst, added: “We have been impressed with Hiring Hub’s user-friendly platform and commitment to customer service.

“Implementation was straightforward, and our partnership is only getting stronger thanks to the consistency and responsiveness of Hiring Hub’s relationship management team.

“We would certainly recommend Hiring Hub to other large companies that want to keep recruitment in-house, rather than outsource it, and are seeking a platform to unite its team and supply chain in the cloud to drive greater efficiency, insights, and communication.” 

Hiring Hub’s recruitment technology is also used by major employers including On The Beach, London & Partners, SSE, and Sega.

Celebrate International Women’s Day 2023 high above Manchester 

Restaurant and bar, 20 Stories are inviting guests to join them for their annual International Women’s Day business breakfast and Q&A on Wednesday 8th March on the 19th floor of No.1 Spinningfields. 

The breakfast event will be celebrating the fantastic and influential women of Manchester and raise funds for Manchester Women’s Aid, part of The Pankhurst Trust, who support women to challenge gender inequality and ensure those suffering from domestic violence are provided with the support they need.

The panel will be made up of a number of influential Mancunians, all who have forged their own pathway across different sectors. This includes Founder of Martyn’s Law, campaigner and educational speaker, Figen Murray OBE, Head of Premium Sales at Co-op Live, Becci Thomson, Joint Artistic Director at Royal Exchange Theatre, Bryony Shanahan and co-founder of jewellery brand Astalia, Influencer and TV personality, Darby Ward. 

The discussion will be chaired by Roland Dransfield CEO, Lisa Morton and discuss this year’s IWD theme of #EmbraceEquity. 

Tickets which are priced at £25 will include a panel discussion and a breakfast buffet of hot sandwiches, pastries, fruit and a selection of tea and coffee. 

Tickets can be purchased here.

More information on Manchester Women’s Aid can be found here.