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The Courteeners frontman Liam Fray’s one-off solo gig raises thousands for Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity

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16/01/2023

The Courteeners frontman Liam Fray’s one-off solo gig raises thousands for Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity

INDIE-ROCK icon Liam Fray took to the stage on Friday the 13th of January for a blistering one-off solo gig at O2 Ritz Manchester raising fund for Greater Manchester’s Mayor’s Charity.

It was a 1,500 strong home crowd for The Courteeners frontman, who played a mix of the band’s biggest hits and fan favourites in aid of A Bed Every Night, the charity’s flagship scheme that aims to provide a bed (and wraparound support) for anyone rough sleeping, or at risk of rough sleeping, in Greater Manchester.

Tickets for the gig sold out in minutes for the gig at the O2 Ritz, with support from singer-songwriter Rianne Downey. It was somewhat of a sequel to the first Raise The Roof fundraiser in 2019 for A Bed Every Night, at which The Courteeners were joined by Blossoms, Bugzy Malone and others.

Tim Heatley, Chair of the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, said:

“As expected, Liam was on top form and the crowd was the best. A massive thanks to Liam for being a continued supporter of A Bed Every Night, alongside every single person who bought a ticket.

“From gigs and classical concerts, to sponsored fitness challenges and DJ battles, we’ve had a run of brilliant fundraisers recently. But they’d be nothing without the generosity of the public, who continue to provide essential support for anyone at risk of rough sleeping in Manchester.”

Friday’s gig was the latest in a long line of alternative fundraisers for the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, including the hugely popular DJ Battle between the Manchester and Liverpool City Region mayors – which saw Deputy Labour Leader Angela Rayner blasting N Trance’s ‘Set You Free’.

Elsewhere, Manchester Baroque and Manchester Cathedral Choir performed Handel’s Messiah at the stunning Cathedral in aid of A Bed Every Night, whilst runners from across Manchester united with students from the University of Manchester for RunWild’s 24 Hour Race Against Homelessness.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:

“In the current cost of living crisis everyone is feeling the pinch. Despite that, time after time, the people of Greater Manchester show up to help others, raising funds to support those in their time of need.

“The city’s creatives and musical icons have been really supportive of our mission to support those sleeping rough and at risk of homelessness, and we’ll continue to raise funds through events that pull a fantastic crowd.

“The money raised will be put to good use – the support A Bed Every Night provides really does change lives.”

Since 2018, A Bed Every Night has helped over 4,000 people and has been key in helping arrest the increase of rough sleeping in the region by 75%, since its peak in 2017. However, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity are concerned that the figure will start to rise again due to the turbulent economic conditions and has been working to find new ways in helping alleviate the issue head on.

MILESTONES FOR NEW HOMES IN SWINTON

Property

Alex Stenson

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13/01/2023

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<strong>MILESTONES FOR NEW HOMES IN SWINTON</strong>

As the transformation of a 19th century “micro-estate” in Swinton gathers pace Elan Homes is inviting potential purchasers to enjoy their first look inside a show home.

The former Swinton Hall nursing home on Worsley Road, has already been demolished, with work to create a new gated community known as Birchfield Court progressing well.

The site was previously known as Birchfield House, a ‘micro-estate’ built in the second half of the 19th century comprising the main house, gardens, two ‘gatehouses’, a road approaching the house with a gated entrance and boundary walls.

The gatehouses are being refurbished to provide a pair of two-bedroom detached properties, which will sit alongside 18 new build homes.

The first residents are starting to move in and a show home is opening this weekend (February 4/5). Those who attend the launch event will also have the chance to “meet the experts” who will be able to help them purchase a new home in Swinton.

Marie Morris, sales director for Elan Homes in the North, said: “We’re looking forward to a double milestone at Birchfield Court – welcoming the first residents and opening a professionally styled show home to showcase the remaining properties. Viewing the Thurston Max show home will help buyers appreciate the benefits of three-storey living, how they can use the space to suit their lifestyle and the quality and finish they can expect in new Elan home.

“As part of our commitment to making buying a new home as simple and straight forward as possible. We’re inviting would-be homeowners to meet the experts including independent financial advisors with access to the whole mortgage market and specialists who can help them explore their options for selling their existing property, including part exchange.”

Current availability at Birchfield Court includes a choice of three, four and five-bedroom homes with prices ranging from £334,995 to £489,995. Selected homes are being offered with a 5% gifted deposit contribution worth almost £17,000.

Among the homes almost ready to be occupied, is the three-bedroom, Thurston Max, like the show home, priced from £334,995.

Set out over three floors, it offers 1,097 sq ft of carefully considered living space, with the ground floor almost entirely open plan.

The combined kitchen, dining room and lounge is an inviting, sociable multifunctional space that’s destined to be the heart of the home. French doors open out from the lounge to the rear garden, helping make the most of the outside space. A cloakroom completes this level.

On the first floor, there are two bedrooms and the family bathroom.

The main bedroom, with en-suite and dressing area, encompass the entire top floor, providing a tranquil retreat at the end of the day.

For those looking for a larger property, there’s the four-bedroom Ashley Max, also set out over three floors, priced from £424,995.

At ground level it’s almost entirely open plan with a combined kitchen, dining room and lounge opening out onto the rear garden.

The main bedroom, with en-suite, plus the second bedroom and family bathroom are on the first floor. Two further bedrooms and a shower room are on the top floor.

“January and February are generally among the coldest months of the year and so it’s an ideal time to move and reap the benefits of a range of energy efficient features. Based on HBF research switching from an olde property to an energy efficient new home could potentially reduce bills by up to £220 a month,” Marie added.

The new homes at Birchfield Court will enjoy a leafy setting with the existing mature trees being retained around the site’s boundaries and within the wider landscaping.

Each home will have a rear garden and either designated parking spaces, plot driveways or single garages.

Homes at Birchfield Court will be an ideal base for commuters as they are being built less than a mile from Swinton station, only five miles from Manchester city centre and close to the East Lancashire Road (A580) which also provides quick access to the motorway network to both Manchester and Liverpool.

The show home at Birchfield Court is due to open from February 4. For more information about the homes see https://www.elan-homes.co.uk/developments/birchfield-court.

Stockport-born Actor and Writer Officially Opens the 2023 Women of the Year Luncheon & Awards at The House of Lords

Awards

Alex Stenson

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13/01/2023

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<strong>Stockport-born Actor and Writer Officially Opens the 2023 Women of the Year Luncheon & Awards at The House of Lords</strong>

Marking the opening of the nomination window for the highly prestigious honour ‘Business Woman of the Year 2023’, the House of Lords played host yesterday evening (Thursday 12^th) for the official launch of the 41^st Women of the Year Luncheon and Awards 2023 (WOTY).

WOTY President and highly established British actor and writer Sally Lindsay took centre stage at the major launch event, sponsored by Lloyds Bank PLC, to unveil the proceedings for this year’s event and recognise the very notable and extremely deserving past winners of the last 40 years.

Taking place on Friday, 6th October 2023 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, Women of the Year Luncheon & Awards, is a celebration of achievement which promotes positive female role models who provide inspiration across all areas of society and the business community. The lead sponsor for the event is the major online bank, Aldermore.

Sally paid homage to the hugely inspirational women who have come to the fore this year, stating at the event: “The last 12 months saw women continue to strive to achieve across many fields. We celebrated success seeing our very own Lionesses win Euro 2022, Stephanie Frappart became the first ever woman to referee at the Men’s World Cup. Elisabeth Borne became only the second female to take the position of prime minister in France and the late American author and activist Maya Angelou became the first Black woman to appear on a US quarter but whilst there was much to celebrate, we continue to see women fighting for basic human rights across the world.

“August marks one year since the Taliban took control in Afghanistan and just last month, we saw men walk out of a university to show support for their fellow female students who have now been banned from obtaining higher education. We continue to see our Iranian sisters fight for their rights following the harrowing death of Mahsa Amini after being detained for wearing her hijab incorrectly and of course we have all seen the difficulties faced by men AND women across Ukraine as they continue to suffer in the war declared by Russia.

“Closer to home we continue to see statistics that tell us there are less women sitting at Board level in FTSE 100 companies today than there were in 2010. Women made up the majority of those made redundant during the pandemic. Navigating career and childcare continues to be a major issue with PregnantThenScrewed reporting that around 54,000 women a year lose their job in the UK for simply getting pregnant. This is all happening in 2022! So, when people next ask you, our sponsors and ambassadors, why we still have Women of the Year, you have just a snapshot of information there to share.

“Looking forward within the organisation, there is a whole new generation of young women looking to be inspired and supported in whatever they choose to do by men and women like those present in this room today and here at Women of the Year we’re determined to be a part of that support network for the future.”

As well as the main honour, WOTY Business Woman of the Year 2023, two other major awards will be presented on 6^th October – ‘Women of Achievement’, in celebration of a much deserving group of individuals or team, and ‘Woman with Edge’, sponsored by leading law firm Freeths LLP, and celebrating the younger generation of women coming through the ranks and ‘the ones to watch’.

Attending the high-profile launch evening at the House of Lords were many other honoured guests including WOTY Ambassador and Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords Baroness Newlove, and WOTY Directors Emma Elston MBE, Sharon Redrobe OBE, Zalena Vandrewala and Fleur Sexton DL.

Key launch event sponsors include Lloyds Bank PLC (House of Lords overall launch event sponsor), No.3 Gin (House of Lords launch event drinks sponsor) and Aldermore (major sponsor of the Awards and Luncheon). Other key sponsors include Freeths LLP, Pertemps Recruitment Partnership Limited, Aston University, Strategi Solutions, Red Cloud Business Services Ltd and Miss Media.

To make a nomination for WOTY Business Woman of the Year 2023, or for Freeths LLP Woman with Edge, please visit https://www.womenoftheyear.org.uk/

Arctic Shores closes £5.75m Series B to spearhead the soft-skills assessment market and accelerate growth

Growth

Alex Stenson

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13/01/2023

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<strong>Arctic Shores closes £5.75m Series B to spearhead the soft-skills assessment market and accelerate growth</strong>

Arctic Shores, the Manchester-based psychometric assessment provider, today announced that it has secured a £5.75m Series B investment to accelerate the development of its soft-skills assessment and international expansion, specifically in Europe. Praetura Ventures, a Manchester-based venture capital firm, along with London-based private equity firm, Calculus Capital, led the transaction with participation from existing shareholder Beringea.

Founded in 2014 by Robert Newry and Safe Hammad, Arctic Shores has become a market leader in hiring for potential and soft skills. At a time when organisations across the world are facing an acute skills crisis, increasing digitisation of work, and the need to adapt rapidly, the need to assess for potential and soft skills has never been greater.

Arctic Shores is leading the way to help employers build the diverse, successful workforce of tomorrow by enabling organisations to widen their talent pools, unearthing high-quality candidates often overlooked by CV screening and traditional tests. Organisations that rely on the CV and outdated selection criteria like degree qualifications are falling behind those that are taking a more progressive approach – not just in skills but also diversity.

To date, Arctic Shores has helped pioneering organisations like Vitality, PwC, Thales, TalkTalk and Arcadis, objectively assess more than three million candidates worldwide, while at the same time improving their quality of hire and reducing their cost of hire.

Robert Newry, co-founder and CEO of Arctic Shores, said: “This next phase of investment will help Arctic Shores to realise its mission to help companies see more in people and transform recruitment so that potential will count as much as hard skills or experience.”

“Companies are being squeezed by a lack of specific skills which is driving up salaries and recruitment costs. On top of that, there is a cohort of experienced workers soon to retire, and an increasingly digitised economy creating many new roles for which no prior experience exists. If companies recruit in the same way they have always done, then they will fail. Arctic Shores gives businesses a unique and proven way to escape this experience trap by assessing for potential so that companies can train up the skills. Companies like PwC, Siemens and Airbus are leading the way into the future by recognising that the CV is no longer fit for purpose and adopting a soft skills centric hiring approach.”

Helen Verwoert, operational partner at Praetura Ventures and ex-chief people officer at Dr. Martens, and Alexander Crawford, Co-Head of Investments, at Calculus Capital, will join the board.

Helen Verwoert, operational partner at Praetura Ventures, said: “The recruitment landscape is changing rapidly. The challenges employers face today are fundamentally different to those we’ve seen in previous years. And new challenges need new tools. As we scaled the team at Dr. Martens, we constantly looked for new and innovative ways to help us develop our edge in the ‘race for talent’. Arctic Shores’ platform gives its clients that edge by broadening the talent pool, hiring based on real skills and removing bias from outdated practices. I look forward to supporting them with Praetura’s More Than Money promise as they continue to grow.”

Alexander Crawford, Co-Head of Investments, Calculus Capital said: “Arctic Shores, which has an impressive list of clients in over 40 countries, has developed a fantastic platform which allows employers to hire based on candidates’ potential, without bias, using scientifically proven behaviour-based assessments. Arctic Shores has a particularly strong and experienced management team, and we look forward to working with them to grow and scale the company over the next few years.”

The investment will accelerate the adoption of Arctic Shores’ new self-configure platform, and with the increasing demand for soft skills assessments, the company is launching an innovative update to assessing workplace intelligence. Following growth in Germany including major contracts with Airbus Siemens and Schneider Electric, the investment will further Arctic Shores’ European presence and market capability to accelerate in this region.

To find out more about Arctic Shores, visit the website here

Sodexo has the right formula for BASF

Business

Alex Stenson

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13/01/2023

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BASF has awarded Sodexo a two year extension to its soft and hard FM services contract for six sites in the UK and Ireland including its UK head office in Stockport.

Sodexo has delivered services to BASF for over 30 years, and since 2014 Sodexo has been delivering full IFM services at 6 BASF sites in the UK and Ireland. The two organisations share a similar set of corporate values and commitment to corporate responsibility and work together to drive real improvements to people’s lives, to communities and to the planet.

BASF is one of the world’s largest chemical companies, supplying raw materials to most industries including agriculture, automotive, chemicals, construction, energy and pharmaceuticals. The company employs some 800 people in the UK and Ireland.

Sodexo delivers environmental, health and safety (EHS) services, technical and maintenance services, cleaning, security, reception and visitor management as well as remote maintenance at a number of the sites.

Julie Ennis, CEO corporate services, Sodexo UK & Ireland said: “We have a long-standing partnership with BASF here in the UK and Ireland. With similar corporate values on treating those we employ with respect, a commitment to ensuring our businesses have a positive impact on local communities, and a strategy to limit the impact our operations have on the planet.

“Our teams work closely with each of the sites we deliver services for, to ensure the workplace experience is second to none. We support BASF’s employee engagement and experience goals so its people can focus on delivering excellence every day. We look forward to continuing our partnership for a further two years.”

Chris Skurray, Facilities Manager for BASF UK and Ireland added: “We are delighted to extend our contract with Sodexo for a further two years. In a time of economic uncertainty, we know that as a trusted partner, Sodexo has the capability and expertise to continue to work alongside us through these challenging times.”

Sodexo’s corporate services business delivers workplace services, facilities management and food services to some of the world’s most recognisable brands. Its teams have expertise operating across a range of different environments in the corporate sector, including headquarters, regional offices, data centres, manufacturing centres and research and development hubs, in sectors as diverse as professional services, financial services, pharmaceuticals, media and technology.

New starters with over 150 years’ experience ‘TC IT’ as Travel Counsellors launches recruitment campaign

Blog
Growth

Alex Stenson

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13/01/2023

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<strong>New starters with over 150 years’ experience ‘TC IT’ as Travel Counsellors launches recruitment campaign</strong>

As confidence in the travel sector remains high, Travel Counsellors is set to welcome a record number of new recruits this year supported by its new recruitment campaign, ‘TC IT’. The business has already seen a 122 percent year on year increase in enquiries from those wanting to join Travel Counsellors, with over 70 new enquiries by the end of the first week of January.

The ‘TC IT’ campaign focuses on Travel Counsellors’ unique business model; demonstrating how franchisees are able to scale in a way that suits them using the company’s personal digital platform and power of its 2000 strong community, highlighting there really are no limits or boundaries when it comes to starting and building their own travel business. In fact, Travel Counsellors is unique in its model offering with the widest range of avenues to join and grow – either with others or individually. The diverse operating models demonstrate the value of joining an established, innovative business, and the new campaign will include visuals and franchisee stories that showcase this across social media, digital and print advertising.

The company has already welcomed twelve new leisure and corporate agents in January – all new joiners are entrepreneurs looking to grow their own businesses with over 150 years’ combined experience in the sector. The new Travel Counsellors include those from the business travel, leisure, and cruise backgrounds and from those who worked with other home working agencies previously.

This includes Travel Counsellor, Akhtar Jaffer, who joins this week from another travel franchise business. He comments: “I have always been so passionate about working in the travel industry. I really felt I wanted to achieve more in growing my own business and after speaking with several Travel Counsellors, it was clear there is so much opportunity. I am so impressed with the model, technology and the community, which will allow me to build my business my own way and give a more personal service to my customers. After a few days of training, I am so pleased with my decision and I’m looking forward to the future as a Travel Counsellor.”

This comes as the company invests £10m into its own technology including in-house booking platform Phenix, its myTC app and TC Teams, a global online community platform connecting franchisees and colleagues in one place that promotes and encourages peer-to-peer support and knowledge sharing.

Matt Harding, Head of Franchise Recruitment & Training at Travel Counsellors, comments: “We have seen a sharp rise in enquiries this year as travel continues to boom and professionals look to reap the rewards and flexibility of running run their own business, whilst being able to provide a really personal service to their customers. The level of options in terms of joining and scaling by harnessing our technology and community is proving an extremely attractive proposition, and we’ve seen some phenomenal success for our business owners. For example, we have more Travel Counsellors than ever before working in teams and duos and earning an average 30% more as a result. And what’s so exciting is that, as an innovative and growing business, we are continuously exploring new ways our franchisees can work better together, supported by our platform.

“Through our TC IT campaign we are showing that becoming a TC is more than being a travel agent, our franchisees are ambitious individuals and business owners who have adopted our model to make it work for them. They’ve ‘TC-d it.’ We’re proud to be growing our special community and attracting the best talent, who share our values of putting the customer first and putting care at the core of what they do.”

Last year the leading independent travel company welcomed over 150 new franchisees globally, with October and November seeing the largest intake of new franchisees since the Thomas Cook collapse. The company also celebrated record sales for the year, hitting over £800m, and is seeing further record sales days in January too. For more details on becoming a Travel Counsellor visit www.travelcounsellors.com.

Entries and nominations for the 2023 North West Family Business Awards are now open

Awards
Blog

Alex Stenson

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13/01/2023

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Entries and nominations for the 2023 North West Family Business Awards are now open

Taking place in Manchester under the wings of Concorde in 2023, the North West Family Business Awards are now accepting applications and nominations.

In its third year, the awards are expected to be bigger and brighter than ever before, shining a spotlight on family firms across the region.

The awards recognise the achievements and successes of family businesses based in Cheshire, Cumbria, Lancashire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester. This year’s ceremony will take place on Friday 19^th May 2023 at the Concorde Conference Centre at Manchester Airport.

Co-Founder, Sue Howorth explains the origins of the awards, saying “Since founding our community of family businesses in 2014, the appetite for bringing family businesses together to celebrate the sector has never been greater.

Our awards are very different to other business awards because of our focus on the family elements. Our North West Family Business Awards really are an inspiring, inclusive, and uplifting celebratory experience to be a part of. Our categories are designed to appeal to family businesses of all shapes and sizes, from across all industries”.

In total there are fifteen categories to choose from, including a new category for this year that recognises Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Applicants have until 24th February 2023 to enter their family business within one or more categories. Should you know a family business that deserves recognition, you can also nominate them via the website.

Finalists will be chosen through a rigorous two-stage judging process ahead of the ceremony, with the winners eventually crowned on the night. Presenting the awards will be food writer and broadcaster, Nigel Barden along with Co-Directors Sue Howorth and Dave Clarkson. As a proud Northerner, Nigel is a huge champion of the family business sector in the North West and has worked closely with The Family Business Community for a number of years.

Dave Clarkson of The Family Business Community added, “We are not a large events company, but a family business-focused organisation who are passionate about what we do. Each of our Family Business Awards is unique and we work hard to ensure that our worthy finalists get to be part of something memorable. The Concorde Hangar is a brilliant venue and it will really set the scene for our spectacular awards night in May.

As well as being a great way for companies and those working within them to shine, our Awards are also an opportunity to become more immersed within the safe and supportive peer to peer environment that is The Family Business Community.”

The North West Family Business Awards offer a number of sponsorship opportunities for those that support the sector. Information on the various packages is available via the website

For more information about the North West Family Business Awards, to nominate a family business or to apply, visit www.northwestfamilybusinessawards.co.uk

EMPOWER YOUR WORKFORCE AT THE WISE ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Business

News Desk

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13/01/2023

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EMPOWER YOUR WORKFORCE AT THE WISE ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Returners schemes, transferable skills, boosting staff confidence and more. Join WISE and partners as we inspire employers to recruit, support and progress women in STEM careers, while helping women themselves to recognise their potential and celebrate their achievements.

Taking place on March 21st 2023 at the IET London, this year’s WISE Conference will explore the key issues faced by STEM employers and employees with a view to creating an empowered and diverse workforce.

The conference theme was inspired by the chronic skills shortage in STEM combined with increased employee movement between companies in recent years. It is more important than ever for employers to recruit widely, as well as support, progress and retain their diverse talent. Innovative workplace initiatives will help them do this.

CEO of WISE, Kay Hussain, said: “We would urge all STEM employers looking to improve workplace diversity and inclusion to attend the WISE 2023 Conference. In addition to hearing invaluable insights from expert practitioners, ticket holders will be encouraged to participate in interactive workshops and breakout sessions based around key topical themes. They will also have ample opportunity to network with other STEM employers and employees. I can’t overstate the importance of becoming a part of our growing community of organisations and partners committed to achieving parity for women in STEM.”

Dr Merritt Moore – Keynote Speaker

We are excited to welcome our keynote speaker, the influential Dr Merritt Moore, a world-class quantum physicist and professional ballet dancer.

Dr Merritt Moore’s career in quantum physics combined with her experience as a professional dancer led to her developing industrial robots that mimic human movement. Dr Moore has been featured in TIME magazine, the Financial Times, BBC and Vogue, and her attendance at the WISE Conference 2023 promises to be one of the highlights of the day.

Dr Merritt Moore will talk about the challenges and synergy of pursuing two exceptional careers and the benefits of bringing one’s full self to work. She will explain how hugely different skill sets can be complementary, as well as how recognising transferable skills can lead to diverse, innovative, and happy employees.

A focus on returners, and how to entice talent

You probably know several experienced women that are currently on a career break, in fact a recent LinkedIn survey found that two-thirds of people take a break at some point in their careers.

STEM employers are beginning to recognise that women on a career break are often talented with many transferable skills, yet they remain a largely untapped pool of talent. With support and encouragement, such women can become invaluable members of the STEM workforce.

Several sessions at the 2023 WISE Conference will look at work done by pioneering companies to find, recruit and support such returners. It’s a topic of growing importance to WISE members looking to develop women into mid and senior STEM careers.

Female empowerment

Creating confidence among female staff is particularly important if they are to move into leadership positions. At this year’s event, several organisations will share details of initiatives that have helped women recognise their own leadership style as well as celebrate and be proud of their successes.

Work of this sort will help to create female role models making an organisation more attractive to early career women looking for a diverse and inclusive employer.

Networking opportunities and influential discussions

The WISE Conference will help organisations position themselves as an employment destination of choice, thereby increasing their ability to attract diverse talent. The conference will also provide networking opportunities for those looking for work or the next step in the career ladder, as well as a pool of potential employees for high-profile STEM business representatives looking to recruit female talent.

Be part of the conversation and help promote the event across your social channels over the coming months using the following hashtag and handles:

· Hashtag – #WISEConference2023

· IG – @wisecampaign_org

· FB – @theWISEcampaign

· Twitter – @thewisecampaign

· LinkedIn – @wise-campaign

Join WISE as well as our members and partners to help organisations recruit, support and develop women in the UK STEM workforce.

EDIT

His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Greater Manchester presents the UK’s most prestigious award to Greater Manchester company.

Awards

News Desk

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13/01/2023

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His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Greater Manchester presents the UK’s most prestigious award to Greater Manchester company.

On Friday 6^th January, accompanied by the Mayor of Bolton and The Deputy Mayor of Wigan, His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Greater Manchester, Ms Diane Hawkins LL JP LLB presented the Queen’s Award to Mr Medi Mohtasham, Founder and Managing Director of IDEM Safety Switches.

Headquartered in Hindley Green, Wigan, IDEM, which was established in 2003, is now the UK’s largest producer of machine safety locking devices and is known worldwide as a leading innovator in its specialist field. As one of only few companies in Greater Manchester to receive the Queens Award for Enterprise: International Trade last year, the company is particularly proud to have its successes recognised.

Congratulating the company’s employees on receiving this prestigious award, the Lord Lieutenant commented “It is always a pleasure to recognise business achievements, especially as IDEM is the only company in Wigan borough to achieve this award”.

The International Trade award recognises UK companies with a minimum of £100,000 in overseas sales and several years of outstanding and consistent growth. IDEM’s reputation for reliable safety devices has allowed the company to grow its sales to the extent that more than 90% of its production is now exported to more than 40 countries around the world.

On receiving the award, IDEM’s Founder and Managing Director Medi Motasham said: “I am immensely proud of our company’s achievements. The IDEM team has worked incredibly hard to develop new and innovate ways of advancing the safety of industrial processes. Our growth in global sales, and this award in particular, is testament to all that hard work.”

UNITED FANS INVITED TO DONATE WARM CLOTHES FOR COMMUNITY BENEFIT

News Desk

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13/01/2023

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UNITED FANS INVITED TO DONATE WARM CLOTHES FOR COMMUNITY BENEFIT

Fans are being encouraged to donate spare and unused warm clothing to Manchester United at Saturday’s derby, for the struggling and vulnerable members of the local community.

Fans attending the match at Old Trafford against neighbours Manchester City will be invited to drop any surplus coats, hats, gloves and scarves at collection points around the stadium.

The clothing will be distributed by Manchester United Foundation to people in need across Greater Manchester, adding to the club’s ‘United by Your Side’ campaign to support the local community through the winter months as the temperatures remain low and the cost-of-living increases.

As part of the same campaign, the club is also pleased to announce that the community ‘Warm Hub’ opened in Old Trafford at the start of December will be extended for a further six weeks. The initiative has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from local people who have attended the Warm Hub in the Red Café, benefiting from a safe place to stay warm and enjoy entertainment, conversation, hot and cold drinks, and nutritious food.

The fresh schedule of Warm Hub evenings will start on Tuesday 17^th January between 5-8pm, free of charge to anyone who wants to come along. People can arrive and register via the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand reception and will be guided to the Red Cafe.

Collette Roche, Manchester United’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “We know that it remains a challenging time for many people in our local community, so the Manchester derby is the ideal time for fans to come together to help those in need.

“Some people are fortunate enough to have spare coats, hats, scarves and gloves, especially after Christmas, while others are struggling to stay warm. Fans just have to bring their surplus clothing along with them to Old Trafford on Saturday and drop it off at a collection point before entering the stadium.

“We’re proud of what we’ve achieved so far through our ‘United by Your Side’ campaign, particularly with our Warm Hub evenings that have made Old Trafford a second home for local people in need of warmth or company. We’re looking forward to keeping this great initiative going throughout January and February.”

John Shiels, Chief Executive, Manchester United Foundation, said: “Winter is always a difficult time for many people as temperatures fall but it’s even more the case this year as energy prices and other living costs have risen. Everyone has been affected but it’s the most vulnerable members of our community who are hit hardest, exacerbating inequalities and social problems.

“Manchester United Foundation works all-year-round to increase opportunities for vulnerable young people, but we feel an extra responsibility during the winter. So, we’re pleased to be working with the club and fans to do what we can to ease some of the pressures facing our community.”

The club worked with Trafford Council and local charities, including Manchester Mind, to deliver these initiatives and communicate them to people who may benefit most.

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