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Founder of Wigan based GP group celebrates fellowship appointment at BIDA GP urges NHS to continue to drive equality and diversity in recruitment

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SSP Health, the largest GP practices business in the North West, recently celebrated the admission of its founder Dr Shikha Pitalia to the role of Fellow of the British International Doctor’s Association. The award recognises Dr Pitalia’s contribution to the advancement of the aims and objectives of the association in almost 30 years as a GP in the Wigan area.

BIDA is the most well-established organisation of its kind and has been at the forefront of supporting doctors from all ethnic backgrounds. Many members, such as Dr Pitalia, are UK medical graduates and recognise the pivotal role BIDA plays by resolving issues, raising awareness and challenge where appropriate and needed, the issues of equality and diversity in the medical profession.

Dr Shikha Pitalia, Co-Founder of SSP Health said of the news “At SSP Health, we are committed to diversity and inclusion and have doctors working with us from many different countries and with hugely diverse backgrounds.  I’m proud to say that at the last count there were 20 different languages spoken by our staff of 500 and 100+ doctors.”

“We offer equal career development opportunities to all and I’m pleased that we have many doctors from different ethnic backgrounds in leadership roles. This extends to female leadership too with five out of eight in our senior leadership team being women. Our philosophy is to nurture all talent and champion inclusivity, something we want to see much more of in our profession.”

The news comes as healthcare services in the UK are facing a serious, ongoing skills shortage and recruitment crisis, requiring a fundamental change in the way in which GP surgeries recruit, are owned and organised.

For more information on SSP Health or to find your local practice visit www.ssphealth.com

Coffee roaster brews up success.

Rinaldo’s Speciality Coffee and Tea Ltd is set to expand following its acquisition by entrepreneur Jayne Hynes. The respected Lake District coffee roaster was purchased in a six-figure deal after the founder, Rin Colombi, looked to retire.

On the outskirts of Kendal, at its facility in Lakeland Food Park, Rinaldo’s roasts speciality coffee made entirely of Arabica beans. The company has a reputation for serving coffee that is of the highest quality and is responsibly sourced from local small-scale producers around the globe. A Giesen roaster is used to roast the beans, which was first bought in 2015 through a crowdfunding campaign.

As well as prized loose-leaf tea and speciality coffee provision, Rinaldo’s also retails high-end espresso machines for the home and commercial markets. It employs four full-time staff people, all based on site in the Lake District.

Commenting on the deal, Jayne Hynes, managing director of Rinaldo’s, said: “I was looking for a business that shared my passion for ethically sourced, high-end, sustainable products, and Rinaldo’s is a great fit.  I have been buying my coffee beans from Rinaldo for years, and I regularly used to pop in for a chat about the food and drink industry, so to now own this fantastic business is a dream come true. Rin has built a great reputation over the years, and I believe that we can take this legacy business to the next level and have recently added to our experienced team.

“There is huge potential to expand the online business and share our fantastic teas and coffees with customers throughout the UK.  We are extending our network of wholesale clients too. Working with like-minded, ethical suppliers and customers is of paramount importance to everyone that works here. The UK consumer is increasingly seeking ethically sourced goods, and our product provenance is second to none.”

Rinaldo’s Great Taste Award-Winning Casa Espresso Blend is sourced directly from Brazil and El Salvador. Communication with the farmers ensures a high standard of quality control and a consistently excellent end product.

The majority of coffees offered by Rinaldo’s are seasonal varieties from around the globe.  A recent addition is a Mexican coffee from a women-led farm, founded to promote coffee growing for generations of Mexican women to come. A proportion of the profits is reinvested in programmes that promote gender equality and strengthen the organisation in the larger coffee-growing community.

Rin Colombi, said: “Jayne has a fantastic vision for the company, and it’s heartening to know that the business we’ve built over the years has a bright and secure future. We put our heart and soul into our products and built our customer base over the years that values the quality of the coffee and tea we sell.”

The funding was provided by Leeds-based Fresh Thinking Capital to support the acquisition and initial growth plans.

Andrew Walls, director of Fresh Thinking Capital, said: “We established Fresh Thinking Capital to help entrepreneurs bring their vision to life and back great companies like Rinaldo’s. The coffee market continues to grow, with Brits spending nearly £3bn a year on coffee, tea and cacao. I am confident that Rinaldo’s is well positioned for expansion.”

Stephen Johnson, UK director at specialist broker TSF Finance, said: “We pride ourselves on finding the best solution for each customer. Jayne has a great vision for Rinaldo’s and I’m confident that the funding provided by Fresh Thinking Capital will fuel growth into the future. The deal was a fantastic team effort.”

KPMG to invest £5.5 million in its Manchester office

KPMG UK has announced a £5.5 million investment in its flagship Manchester office at One St Peter’s Square, which will enhance the services it offers to businesses in the region and provide improved working spaces for colleagues.

The firm will build Ignition North, a new 25,000sq foot collaborative hub designed to spark innovation and support digital transformation, as well as redesigning its wider office space.

The new centre will be home to KPMG’s Ignition team. Along with technology experts from across KPMG, the Ignition team will support clients from the start of an idea all the way through to the design, prototyping and development of solutions using a combination of methods, tools and technologies.

As part of the Manchester office redesign, the company is also rethinking the traditional office layout to cater for new and developing ways of working. The space will be repurposed to prioritise meetings, presentations and informal get-togethers between colleagues, clients and the firm’s wider networks.

KPMG’s Manchester office is home to 1,200 employees, including more than 260 people in technology roles. Ignition North will create jobs in the city as the firm recruits to support its new offering.

Jon Holt, Chief Executive of KPMG UK, said: “Manchester’s thriving tech centre is a hive of activity and the city has really established its reputation on the world’s stage as a leader in this field. Its strong business community and access to talent makes this the perfect location for us to invest as a firm.

“Our new Ignition Centre in Manchester will support a huge range of incredible businesses in the region and more widely, bringing together insights, people, and technology to accelerate innovation and help them solve some of their most complex problems.”

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “This investment, which will create new jobs in our digital and tech sectors, is a real vote of confidence in Greater Manchester’s thriving innovation economy. We’re the fastest-growing digital and tech hub in Europe, and Ignition North will be part of an expanding network of businesses and working spaces across our city-region driving that growth.”

Warren Middleton, Manchester Office Senior Partner at KPMG UK, said: “Bringing Ignition to Manchester really demonstrates the potential and growth trajectory of the office and the region more broadly. It’s been fantastic to hear the enthusiasm from our clients and stakeholders about the programme.

“When it comes to the office redesign, we believe it’s important to listen to what people want to see in the space and how they want to use it, so we will be reflecting their thoughts in the changes. Once the work has been completed, the office will feature a range of different workstations, ranging from traditional desks to collaboration tables for teams and informal ‘touch down’ spaces for people who might be in-between meetings.

“I am delighted we can make these significant changes and commitment to our Manchester office, supporting our own growth and that of our clients in the region.”

The Ignition North centre will feature a range of highly flexible collaboration spaces:

  • Sprint rooms: to allow clients to come together with KPMG and alliance partners for weeks and months to design and develop detailed ideas and digital solutions.
  • Discovery and Insights Centre: a state-of-the-art facility to showcase the latest data & analytics and artificial intelligence tools. Companies can engage in real-time data exploration and scenario testing, and prototype development for big data systems, data visualisation, machine learning, predictive analytics, and optimisation.
  • The Lab: where teams of 10-30 can translate ideas into specific strategies, solutions and plans.

Ignition North is due to open in Spring 2023.

Preparations for Liverpool Business Fair’s 21st Anniversary begin

It’s time to celebrate the twenty-first anniversary of the Liverpool Business Fair, returning next spring. This year’s networking event will be held at Liverpool Football Club, organized by the Liverpool Business Association.

The event is free to visit and will feature a Business Exhibition showcasing companies from a wide variety of Business Sectors, as well as a range of business support elements such as workshops, demonstrations, business clinics and ask the expert. Workshop topics will cover a range of topical business issues, giving attendees valuable information and tips to apply to their organisation.

Delighted to announce this year’s event, Liverpool BA Director Tony Haines commented:

“We held the first Liverpool Business Fair in March 2002 at Liverpool Town Hall and were there for a number of years before moving venue to Liverpool Football Club in 2012.”

“And yet the essence of the event has not changed that much – it is still a day where hundreds of businesses come together, make great connections and take the opportunity to find out more about what is happening in the business community across the region.”

For more information, visit their website.

Mike Collins Mortgage Planner

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Mike Collins Mortgage Broker a financial and property planner is ahead of the curve when it comes to renting. He said that if you are already a landlord, the main decision for this year is whether to expand or decrease your portfolio.

“Interest rates have risen, taking many from the mortgage market, and with a complete shortage of affordable housing, this places private landlords in a position where they might be forced to accept tenants out of necessity, rather than choice.”

The UK’s continued housing crisis has made it difficult for landlords to function well. According to the English Housing Survey the number of private landlords increased from 3.1million in 2008 to 4.4million in 2020. This is equivalent to one fifth of all homes.

The mini-budget has brought higher mortgage rates to the table, as the cost of living crisis is in full swing.

However, landlords who own buy-to-let properties (BTLs) are the most directly affected by the government’s legislation and high rates. Many have been forced to leave. Tenants are also being hit hard by spiralling rents, some of which are in poorly managed properties.

In such a weak market, is it a good time for landlords? Mike Collins explains.

Government rules

Landlords have been less successful due to a variety of government “interventions”. These include increased stamp duty rates in 2016 as well as the removal of tax relief for mortgage interest.

Legislation was passed that required landlords to have their properties achieve an EPC rating at least C by 2025 in new tenancies, and 2028 in existing agreements. The rules prohibiting evictions without cause are also important.

Unregulated lending

Unregulated lending is a big part of the bridging borrowing market. Many landlords use cash to invest and make purchases. The UK’s aging population may make BTL less appealing and cause unregulated bridging land to suffer.

According to the government, more than 25% of the UK’s population will be over 65 by 2043. This means that a lot of downsizing will likely occur. We all know how popular short term loans are in a market where housing prices move quickly.

Keep up to date with the legislation

Paul Conway designed Yuno, which is a property technology platform that helps landlords keep track and update on changing legislation. He believes that landlord regulations change approximately every nine days. Many landlords claim that recent or upcoming changes are the main reason they sell up.

Cash reserves

Although it may seem easy, being a landlord requires more than just buying a property to rent and then sitting back. It’s not easy. You’ll need to put in some effort when dealing with residential property. You may feel overwhelmed at times, particularly with rent arrears and property damage, and eviction proceedings to consider. All this while money is tight.

You will need to repair and renovate your investment. If you are looking for passive income, this might not be the right option.

It is obvious, and experts agree on it, that rental growth will continue to be driven by an imbalance in supply and demand in 2022. If you are able to afford repairs and refurbishments, it is worth waiting or buying your first buy-to let if you find a great deal.

Oldham Based IT Firm Educates Huddersfield Students with Tech Workshops

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An IT Consultancy company based in Oldham recently led Cybersecurity and Social Media workshops in a local Huddersfield college to prepare them for business success.

Aspect IT, who are going to be celebrating 20 years in business next year, recently visited The White Rose School of Health and Beauty based in Huddersfield to educate students on the importance of cybersecurity and social media in business.

The White Rose School of Health and Beauty has been established as a ‘Centre of Excellence’, offering an extensive range of courses in Beauty Therapy to prepare students for excellent career opportunities in the industry.

The first workshop, held by Marketing Executive Hannah Dooley, consisted of a discussion on the significance of a digital footprint, how to reduce the risks of cyberattacks and how to identify a potential cyberattack through phishing and spam emails.

Following this, Hannah held a second workshop to emphasise the importance of social media in business and to pass on her expertise, so the students feel confident in marketing themselves through social media when they move into employment.

Hannah guided the students aged 16-19 through the process of setting up a business social media page, from the necessary planning to execution of content, and how to display professionalism whilst online.

Marketing Executive, Hannah Dooley commented:

“Social media is vital for all businesses to build credibility and market themselves, no matter what sector they’re in. By teaching the students how to utilise social media effectively, it gives them a head start when they come to starting their own business or move into employment.”

Clare Dorotiak, Lecturer at The White Rose School of Health and Beauty added:

“Both groups really enjoyed the session. Everyone found the examples and ways to spot a phishing email useful. The learners were especially interested in the tips Hannah shared to help them promote their own business on social media.”

Aspect IT have plans to continue these workshops in the near future, visiting local organisations to stress the importance of Cybersecurity, and to assist them in levelling up their marketing efforts through social media.

Founded in 2003 by directors Peter and Ian, Aspect IT provide fully managed IT solutions that fit your business requirements. They offer everything from networking to computer maintenance and repairs, software development to web design, and VoIP services to cybersecurity.

Viva Vintage! featuring Wayne Hemingway MBE and TikTok SuperStar Becky Chorlton

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(@BeckysBazaar)

  • The celebrated Morecambe born designer and entrepreneur will be keynote speaker at an event with a focus on vintage and sustainable fashion at Manchester’s BIPC.
  • He will be joined by a distinguished panel of vintage traders who will share their experiences of working in this expanding retail sector.
  • An audience of entrepreneurs and business owners and start-ups will be invited to join the discussion
  • BIPC is the Business & Intellectual Property Centre and is in partnership with The British Library

BIPC, Central Library

St Peter’s Square – Manchester

Thursday 1 December, 1 – 4pm

Manchester is recognised worldwide as a place of great style and creativity.  It is a city which has made its mark across many fields of expertise including the exclusive and glamorous world of fashion.

The British fashion scene boasts an impressive list of designers many of whom came from the North.  Celia Birtwell and Ossie Clarke for example hailed from Lancashire and took swinging 60s London by storm with designs which helped define the era.  Other names to conjure with include Manchester-born couturier to the stars, Matthew Williamson and Alexander McQueen’s Creative Director Sarah Burton who famously created Catherine Princess of Wales’ wedding gown.  Another of the most prominent names of note is none other than Wayne Hemingway MBE who will on 1st December be the keynote speaker at an event in Manchester’s BIPC at Central Library, St Peter’s Square

The topic to be discussed by Wayne and a distinguished panel of experts will be:

Is Vintage More Sustainable?

Wayne started his fashion career selling items from his wardrobe at Kensington Market, and went on to co-found the iconic label Red Or Dead, much loved by clubbers and popstars alike. In the early 80s Wayne was based in Affleck’s Palace which is celebrating 40 years this year.

In 2010 his company, Hemingway Design, created an annual “Vintage Festival” and he returns to BIPC at a time when debates around sustainability have never been more prevalent or indeed relevant.  Wayne’s direct experience and expertise in this sphere will add authority and inspiration to proceedings as well as generating more points for discussion.

Wayne will be joined by Internet sensation and TikTok star Becky Chorlton who started her successful online business Becky’s Bazaar to supplement her student income. Still only 24 Becky will talk about trading online using platforms like Instagram and DePop.  Her contribution to the event will be entitled Future Past – Selling on socials.

Whilst many might suggest that Vintage can sit at the heart of solutions to environmental and economic problems the expert panel which includes some Manchester business owners will debate The Ups and Downs of Vintage Trading.

Maggie Harding from Garbo Antiques and Alistair Hall from Vinyl Resting Place will add their account from the front line when discussing and taking questions about how to survive the highs and lows of being self-employed in the world of second-hand trading.

BIPC GM has at its fingertips all manner of resources and will be driving forward in the coming months to make sure that more people can enjoy and benefit from the spectrum of opportunities provided they might not even know exist.  This event is just of many scheduled to highlight opportunities ad to get people thinking about ways to make their futures work.

Wayne Hemingway says: The focus on sustainability in fashion has never been so acute . Fashion is important to our sense of well-being and self-confidence but we have to make that this doesn’t come at the expense of the environment , climate and people who workers in developing countries . It is up to emerging designers and entrepreneurs to guide society away from fast fashion to a more circular fashion economy.”

Councillor John Hacking, Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for  Skills, Employment and Leisure said: ” We know that Manchester is a hub of creativity. From literature, to art, to fashion Manchester is a city bursting with talented artists and designers with their own businesses. 

“Our Viva Vintage event allows local businesses to meet industry professionals such as famous designer Wayne Hemingway and, allows them to engage in important conversations around fashion, sustainability and the future of their businesses. 

“The Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC), at Central Library, are hosting the event and will be on site to provide advice, resources and information to those who attend.”

Becky Chorlton says: “My advice to young entrepreneurs would be not to compare themselves to anyone else and to make sure they celebrate every single achievement (no matter how small it may seem). It’s important to remember we all started somewhere so don’t compare your day 1 with someone else’s day.”

Fancy co-working over coffee? The new initiative offering women in business a safe space to work

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Women’s Business Club, the national organisation for female business owners, is offering female entrepreneurs a safe space to co-work over coffee. The ‘Coffee & Co-Working’ initiative plans to bring more women in the industry together. Leaders of the program aim to launch 1,000 groups across the UK and overseas to support women’s business ventures.

Getting working women out and about

Suitable for any woman in business, the first groups were launched in Cheltenham and Edinburgh. Having already established thirty other groups, the spaces offers women the opportunity to meet and greet like-minded female entrepreneurs across the industry. Angela De Souza, Founder of the initiative, comments: “The pandemic and various lockdowns has had a greater negative effect on women in business.

“Many women-run businesses from home and had to shift their focus on to home-schooling and caring for children. Many women also did not qualify for any kind of government funding or support and therefore their business plans were put on ice or were stopped in their tracks from March 2020.

“It will take years for some women to get back to where they were while some women have realised throughout the pandemic that they want a different career path. We believe collaboration is the key to this and we want to bring these women together.”

2022 Angela De Souza resize 200x300 1
Angela De Souza, leader of the initiative and CEO of Women in Business Club

What does the initiative involve?

Each Coffee & Co-Working session lasts for three hours and will be free to attend with guests simply buying their own refreshments on the day. Women can come along, work and chat – or they can do some more structured sessions based on the needs of those who attend. Each group will be run by a leader who is a paid-up member of the Women’s Business Club.

Where is my nearest safe space?

Venue partners include NatWest who host Coffee & Coworking at many of their Accelerator Hubs, ARC Inspirations as well as various small independent businesses. One of those running one of the founder groups is Sarah Eddie, of SE Tax Professionals. She joined Women’s Business Club after starting her own business. The business owner reflects on her own experience of working within the start-up industry, adding:

“When you make the choice to start your own business, you don’t have the same connection with your former colleagues as they don’t understand the journey you are on. That’s what I love about the Women’s Business Club. We support each other and it’s not competitive. It’s welcoming, it’s relaxed and supportive.”

If you are:

  • Thinking about starting a business
  • Running a small business from home or
  • Feeling lonely and isolated and looking for support.

Contact https://womensbusiness.club/leaders for more information.

STAGECOACH MANCHESTER WINNERS IN THREE CATEGORIES

Stagecoach Manchester and its employees are amongst the winners at the 2022 UK Bus Awards, receiving awards across three categories.

The accolades, which champion outstanding service and achievement within the bus industry, were established 25 years ago and have since recognised over 450 top award winners throughout the UK.

This year, Stagecoach Manchester and its employees were triumphant across three categories:

  • Zachary McAskill, Hyde Road Depot: Manager of the Year Award
  • Jamie Stockton, Ashton Depot: Engineer of the Year Award
  • Lesley Hester, Sharston Depot: Unsung Hero Award

Lesley Hester won gold in the Unsung Hero category for her ongoing service to her depot and community. Lesley has more than 34 years of service with Stagecoach Manchester, beginning her career as a driver in 1988. Lesley has since gone on to manage almost all of Stagecoach Manchester’s depots throughout her career and is currently Operations Manager at Stagecoach’s Sharston depot.

She is a proud advocate for several local charities and has worked alongside her team to raise thousands of pounds in fundraising throughout her career. Lesley also organises regular food bank collections at the depot and hosts an annual Remembrance Service for the local community.

Another gold winner was Jamie Stockton, who was recognised in the Engineer of the Year category. Jamie has progressed through Stagecoach’s Engineering Apprentice programme, before successfully moving to the Graduate Scheme. He has held various management positions including Fleet Engineer at Stagecoach Manchester’s Ashton Depot and more recently Hyde Road Depot.

Jamie is an advocate for the Stagecoach Apprentice programme, currently mentoring two apprentices, whilst also supporting the wider recruitment and development of other Stagecoach Manchester Apprentices.

Finally, Zachary McAskill, Hyde Road’s youngest Operations manager, won silver in the Young Manager of the Year category. At just 25 years old, Zachary manages operations for the largest Stagecoach depot in the UK outside of London, with 600 staff and 220 buses covering 15 major routes – stacking up an average of 6.5 million miles travelled per year.

Beginning his career with Stagecoach Yorkshire as a management trainee on the Graduate Scheme, Zachary progressed through supervisory to management roles before taking up his current role.

Lee Wasnidge, Managing Director of Stagecoach Manchester said: “We are delighted that three members of our staff have been recognised in the UK Bus Awards this year. The results are a true testament of their hard work and commitment to Stagecoach Manchester and it’s a true pleasure to be celebrating with them today.”

The awards ceremony took place on Tuesday 15th November 2022 at Troxy, London.

For more information on Stagecoach Manchester, please visit: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/about/manchester

For more information on the UK Bus Awards, please visit: https://www.ukbusawards.org.uk/new/

Manchester business, Ultimate Performance, has developed two new apps to help people diet and train like Hollywood stars

Two new apps have been developed by the world’s leading personal training company, Ultimate Performance, allowing users to train and diet like celebrities

Ultimate Performance (U.P.) is the world’s pre-eminent personal training business. At the global HQ in Manchester, U.P. staff have developed and released two new apps – UP Transform and UP On Demand – marking the company’s inaugural foray into the digital market.

UP Transform works as a diet creator, meal builder, calorie counter and progress tracker.

Users start by giving details about their current weight, physical activity levels and food preferences. They can choose the body look they want, based on photographs of real U.P. clients, and decide on how quickly they want to achieve that look.

The app calculates their daily calorie and macronutrient targets needed to achieve those goals, and then designs a weekly seven-day meal plan drawn from more than 400 delicious, nutritious recipes.

UP On Demand allows users to unlock the secrets behind the incredible body transformations of thousands of U.P. clients across the world. Clients that include celebrities and Hollywood stars, such as Top Gun: Maverick actor Glen Powell, BAFTA award-winning actress Olivia Colman and Bridgerton’s Jonathan Bailey.

The video-based app gives users access to a progressive, 18-week strength and conditioning programme for men and women. These programmes are based on real UP training sessions and show you how to master each move perfectly. The app also includes mobility classes, guided meditation videos and watch-along cooking classes.

Ultimate Performance founder and Global CEO, Nick Mitchell, created both apps in response to the slew of gimmicky fitness apps that ‘guarantee’ results in a matter of days and promote doomed-to-fail faddy programmes and diets.

Nick said: “There is a complete glut of fitness apps that falsely ‘guarantee’ results based on slick marketing and empty promises.

“At Ultimate Performance, we consistently achieve results no-one else in the global fitness industry can achieve. We have proven methodologies that get proven results, again and again and again. That is why we are such a trusted partner for people all around the world who want to transform their health.

“Now, for the first time ever, we have brought together that experience, knowledge, and expertise, packaged that into two apps that fit together hand-in-hand, and made them available to anyone, anywhere in the world.”

“There are no gimmicks here, no false marketing, no BS. These are the genuine workouts, and the genuine, tailored diet and meal plans we use, day-in, day-out, with our in-gym clients. And if you completely focus on these programmes, and attack them with determination, commitment, and consistency, you will also achieve incredible results.”

Both apps are available to download from the Apple Store and Google Play.

UP Transform includes a 14-day free trial, after which it costs £9.99 a month or £79.99 a year.

For more information, visit: https://ultimateperformance.com/uptransform/

UP On Demand includes a 7-day free trial, after which it costs £2.99 a month or £30 a year.

For more information visit: https://ultimateperformance.com/upondemand/