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Can Businesses Make a Professional Negligence Claim?


When it comes to seeking professional advice, businesses place every ounce of their trust into the capable hands of their solicitors. But what happens if they break this trust? 
 
In this article, we discuss what situations constitute professional negligence and exactly how you can make a professional medical negligence claim on behalf of your business if required. 
 
What is professional negligence? 

Simply put, professional negligence is when an industry professional fails to carry out their duties properly or to the expected standard required, leading to ongoing problems for those who were relying on their help in the first place. 
 
What could count as a claim? 

There are a number of reasonably common scenarios that could crop up that would make you liable to make a professional negligence claim. These are a few examples: 
 
– Badly drafted contracts or leases 
– Tax advice that leaves a company with a hefty bill to pay 
– Incorrect survey reports on properties 
– Poor advice from a trusted accountancy firm  
– Insurance policies that didn’t cover what was requested 
 
How to find out if you should make a claim 

The best way to figure out if you are entitled to make a claim against your solicitor, is by seeking legal advice from an expert who specialises in professional negligence. We understand that you may feel sceptical towards solicitors right now if your trust has recently been broken by an industry professional who has let you down, but remember that these legal experts have years upon years of experience in this exact field – professional negligence. Try to keep in mind that they have dealt with a hundred different cases similar to yours and, most importantly, they are here to help you get the justice you deserve.  

 
Setting Realistic Expectations  

In the instance that you find you do have a case to make a professional negligence claim against your previous solicitor, it’s important that you properly prepare yourself for what’s to come. You must ensure that you set realistic expectations as to how long it may take to resolve. The process could be long depending on how reluctant the defendant becomes to come to a conclusion. Try to stay as patient as possible throughout this time – the last thing you want after already suffering an ordeal, is to put yourself through further stress. Remember, you can contact your professional negligence legal time at any time, if you need further updates.  

A HELPING HAND FOR HOSPITALITY Elevate offers free Carbon Literacy training to hospitality sector to reinforce COP26

Despite recent efforts to improve, the hospitality industry continues its struggle to find a more sustainable future. Due to high levels of water, energy and consumable goods usage, less than half of consumers believe the North West’s hospitality industry is actually reducing carbon emissions or reaching a more sustainable solution, research from Electricity North West reveals. To accelerate change and help the industry lower its environmental impact, business development consultancy start-up, Elevate, today announces a FREE Carbon Literacy training workshop for up to 20 hospitality businesses on Tuesday 9th November 2021, during the much-anticipated COP26.
The training will provide businesses with the tools and knowledge needed to achieve net-zero and stay on track with Greater Manchester’s ambitious target of becoming carbon neutral by 2038, 12 years ahead of the rest of the UK.

Having provided training to over 30 businesses to date, the Carbon Literacy course will be hosted by Elevate Co-Founder and Director Ilona Alcock to help the industry curve public perception and shine a light on the low-carbon initiatives businesses can adopt to create positive change.

As the economy returns to pre-pandemic levels, now presents the perfect time for many business owners to reflect and implement positive changes to ensure a more sustainable future. However, research from UKHospitality found that smaller hospitality business owners feel unable to invest resources in sustainability measures. Keen to demonstrate its commitment to driving sustainable change in the region, Elevate’s free training will aim to ensure businesses of all sizes have equal opportunities and understanding when it comes to investing in a greener future.

The course will cover a range of topics to help those in attendance upskill in Carbon Literacy such as:

• What climate change is and how we know it’s real
• The current and projected impacts of climate change
• What needs to be done locally, nationally and internationally
• Climate justice
• How hospitality venues and organisations can reduce their environmental impact
• The links between carbon reduction and the economy

Hoping to inspire real change across the industry in the North, Ilona said:

“With COP26 approaching, we know the conference will cover a lot of ground, but not necessarily lead to enough results. COP26 may be a common term within some industries, but for many it’s not – we want to involve the wider community in the North, ensuring they understand the point and ambitions of an event like this, allowing them to contribute towards the end goal of achieving net zero across the UK.

This will only happen if we all try to make a positive change, which requires significant investment and upskilling across sectors. We know that the hospitality industry needs a lot of work, but could be one of the sectors that has the biggest impact – so we believe offering the free Carbon Literacy training will really support businesses, showing them how making small changes can lead to big results.”

Already working with some hospitality businesses in the North West, Elevate’s session with Manchester’s Common & Co, saw the business make a number of immediate sustainable changes.

Charlotte Heyes, Co-Founder, Common & Co, said: “The carbon literacy training came at the right time. Our impact on the planet was an issue which was very much on our minds, but it can be quite overwhelming knowing where to start. The training really helped to focus and give us some achievable first, practical steps to take. The journey towards being a more responsible, low carbon business is exactly that, a journey. The training helps you to establish where you are and how to plot your route forward. It’s a fantastic opportunity and valuable kick up the posterior to make those first steps.”

Places on Elevate’s free Carbon Literacy training for the hospitality sector will be first come, first served and take place at Cornerstone in Manchester on the 9th November.

Clough & Willis reports robust growth in demand for services and announces recruitment drive

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Bolton and Bury-based law firm Clough & Willis has reported strong growth across its key departments over the past six months when compared to the same period last year.

On analysis of the firm’s half year performance when compared to the two pre-pandemic financial years, Clough and Willis’ overall net profitability has increased by 67% and 138% respectively and by 59% when compared to 2020.

As a result, the business is aiming to expand its fee earning team by 10% by the end of this financial year. The new appointments will be within the residential and commercial property teams and the private client department.

Lee Marston, managing partner at Clough & Willis, said: “COVID has affected almost every business and we too suffered a drop in demand as the ‘new normal’ set in last year. However, 2021 has proven to be strong for us as these results clearly demonstrate. The stamp duty holiday played a significant part in the surge in demand for our residential conveyancing services and even though that has now come to an end the team is still incredibly busy and things aren’t showing signs of slowing down. There is clearly a continuing confidence in what appears to be a robust market. The private client department also remains very active as a people continue to want to get their affairs in order because of COVID. As a result, we have recently recruited a new person to our fee earning staff.

Lee added: “One of the most encouraging trends has been the uplift in work for our commercial property and the corporate teams. This time last year, businesses were scared to invest but there is a renewed sense of optimism that is making them plan for the future.

He concluded: “Despite the challenges that COVID has thrown up, I am immensely proud of how the whole firm has pulled together. Our team has gone above and beyond of what is expected of them with everyone doing everything they can to add value and help weather the storm. All of this has ensured a platform for growth as we continue to invest in technology and our young talent so our clients can continue to receive the high level of personal service we strive for.”

IN4 Talent launches to disrupt the technology recruitment market

A technology recruitment specialist starts as it means to go on by working with employers to inform a tailored technology talent provision, which includes a comprehensive diversity and inclusivity support service.

IN4 Talent, the joint venture between technology talent development leaders IN4 Group and technology recruitment experts Langham Recruitment, is working with leading technology employers in the region such as Siemens, Cisco, Missguided and Codurance, to inform its talent solution provision.

The roundtable discussion was held on the stunning seventh floor of HOST Social at HOST, the Home of Skills & Technology in MediaCity, and it explored current recruitment demands from employers and the changing landscape of future technology talent in the region.

The digital skills gap was a key topic of discussion as a majority found it difficult to find the right skills and technical knowledge at the right time and retain it. Developing new talent while also trying to upskill current employees to close the skills gaps within their talent pools has also been hugely challenging.

It was found that the technology recruitment industry also seems to be recycling the same talent as employers have found that there is a scarcity of mid to senior-level talent available.

The employers also highlighted the importance of diversity and inclusivity as part of the recruitment process and understanding how to reach those from disadvantaged, or underrepresented backgrounds, to ensure they have access to job opportunities.

While it was recognised that diversity is still a huge issue for the tech sector in general, it has been particularly difficult to attract women and support them into leadership roles. Overall, it was felt that supporting young people from an early age and encouraging them to engage with the sector would be of huge value towards future-proofing technology talent.

A recent Women in Technology report found that women make up only 19 per cent of the tech sector’s workforce. In a bid to readdress this balance, IN4 Talent supports companies to change their culture by offering diversity and inclusivity experts who can provide practical support to recruit and retain diverse talent.

Mo Isap, CEO of IN4 Group, said: “IN4 Talent is unique as it is linked to HOST’s Skills City, a powerhouse of digital skills bootcamps, with the ability to unlock new talent from communities that are underrepresented in technology, therefore, moving away from a zero-sum game to create a new and diverse talent pipeline.

“IN4 Talent has been created to disrupt the technology recruitment market and provide tangible solutions for employer challenges in the tech sector. We also operate a try before you buy model so employers can make better recruitment decisions by placing commercial projects into the Skills City bootcamps. This talent on-demand approach offers flexibility for employers and by providing entry-level tech talent all the way up to C level, means they can be further upskilled to meet the exact needs of the employer.”

Andy Almond, Managing Director of IN4 Talent, has worked in technology recruitment for over 20 years and has seen a huge transformation in the labour market due to Covid-19. He said: “It’s completely reimagining the whole talent marketplace. By looking at skills, what you need from a mid to senior-level, changing that mindset and thinking about what the talent within your organisation is going to look like in five years – we’re going to win that war today by changing our behaviour now.”

Demand for innovation sees Alcohol Solutions expand team

Manchester-based Alcohol Solutions, a specialist in alcohol-based drinks development, has recruited Eleanor Bright as NPD Technologist. The appointment is in response to retailers and brands needing innovative drinks products to meet increasing demand from consumers.

With a background in food marketing and business, as well as having first-hand taken drinks products from conception to market, Eleanor will be part of the team responsible for developing new liquids which satisfy current consumer trends, including growth in the rum and vodka categories, as well as low/no sugar drinks and canned beverages such as craft seltzers and RTD cocktails.

Earlier this year Alcohol Solutions reported a 100 per cent increase in enquiries for its canning, bottling and labelling facilities, which led to the recruitment of four new apprentices as part of the Skills for Growth – SME Support Programme.

Dave Rigby, Managing Director and Master Distiller at Alcohol Solutions, says: “Eleanor brings solid experience to our NPD team – she knows the market and thinks ahead to the next big thing. She complements the hires we’ve already made this year and her appointment is timely in the run up to the very busy festive period, as well as the increasingly popular healthier options categories for January.”

Eleanor says: “I love researching new ideas and monitoring how liquid trends are developing in the market, and because Alcohol Solutions works with so many on and off-trade businesses, there’s huge scope to develop products that will jump off the back bar, as well as the supermarket shelves. I’m looking forward to developing some real stand-out liquids for our customers. I’m lucky to have found a job I absolutely love.”

Alcohol Solutions has a 13,000 sq ft facility in Carrington, Greater Manchester. The site includes a laboratory for developing alcohol-based beverages, a CL5 canning line, a British-made bottling line and a bonded facility, with capacity to process ten million cans and bottles per year.

BRITISH TECH COMPANIES ARE LEADING THE GLOBAL RACE TO INNOVATE THE TECH AND EDUCATION METAVERSE

Two of Manchester’s leading tech companies are leading the race to innovate the global education metaverse with their own science and tech campus, Credersi World, using a mixed reality platform that includes virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).

While Facebook’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg 210715 Andy Lord Darren Coomer 1118 200x300 1has outlined his vision of what a global metaverse might look like, tech and science educators Credersi and 3D tech innovators PixelMax are at the forefront of developing and shaping what the education metaverse will actually be. Tech disruptors Credersi and PixelMax are already making this a reality and for the last 12 months, they have been developing and creating their own virtual science and tech campus.

Credersi World is an immersive platform in which students – and employers who want their workforces reskilled for careers of the future – shape their learning in a virtual campus world, complete with shops, cinemas, art galleries, wellbeing rooms and food and coffee shops by using immersive mixed reality technologies. The concept for Credersi World was to create a virtual science and tech campus that could train and reskill workforces of the future in an immersive and engaging way. The Covid pandemic has resulted in more people than ever before taking up training and learning with a view to reskilling for a career of the future.

Credersi co-founders Darren Coomer and Andy Lord saw how the pandemic had impacted university students and those in further education courses. Many students were struggling to keep up with remote learning on platforms such as Zoom and Teams and maintain their engagement to learning. At the same time, through their tech training company Credersi, they then saw employers and business suddenly finding a skills shortage as never before, as well as a rapid advancement of future technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). They decided to team up with PixelMax co-founders Shay O’Carroll, Rob Hilton and Andy Sands, to see how they could revolutionise and shape the learning and education metaverse.

Credersi CEO, Andy Lord, said:

“The reality is that technology is now driving businesses forward at such a rapid pace that there is simply not enough skilled workforce available to fulfil those roles, which is why we have such a massive skills shortage and demand is outstripping supply. As companies try to keep up with the rapid pace of technology as it evolves, they have realised that a large percentage of their workforce are simply not fit for purpose. That now means companies have to identify the talent from within their workforces and organisations and create the opportunity to educate and train them – and reskill them for a career of the future.”

The Credersi World science and tech campus is an immersive experience with its own real estate. Delegates enter the concourse – much like they would at a physical university campus – and will be able to delve into different learning pods relevant to their courses. Various boulevards line the tech estate, which engages with the delegates at all levels, providing breakout rooms, libraries, shops, cinemas, art galleries, oceanic aquariums, as well as virtual banks and even wellbeing counsellors.

The careers boulevard will have exhibitor totems, where tech, pharmaceutical and bio science companies can have a presence on the campus real estate. Delegates can drop in to learn more about career opportunities at each company and the campus will also have its own careers fairs, where companies can come to recruit delegates.

The lecture boulevard will have rooms that allow delegates to wander in and listen to visiting academics and tech entrepreneurs giving masterclasses. Bio scientists will be able to carry out and conduct live experiments in AR and VR laboratories, while coders and cyber security students can simulate real-time ethical hacking and defence exercises on real-life infrastructures.

Andy Lord added:

“The simple question all CEOs and business leaders need to ask themselves is, ‘What do you do when demand outstrips supply? Try and find people who don’t exist?’ You simply can’t just wait and hope the workforce will come back. The pandemic has been a clarion call to the global economy. Business and industry must rethink how they adapt to the future after the impact of events such as Brexit and the pandemic. With the rapid advancement of technology and AI, we must now look at how we reskill our workforces to make them future proof. Businesses also need to create a culture of continuous personal development for their staff and talent. They will find this in the education metaverse, which will future-proof their workforces with the right skills in an immersive and engaging way.”

Dubbed “Silicon City”, Manchester is now the fastest growing tech hub in the UK and across Europe and is widely seen as the UK’s version of California’s Silicon Valley thanks to its phenomenal growth of tech companies. Credersi is at the forefront of incubating, training and developing the digital pioneers, codebreakers, vaccine developers, bio scientists, biological and cyber defenders, software engineers and data scientists of the future.

PixelMax was founded in 2018 and created by co-founders Shay O’Carroll, Andy Sands and Rob Hilton. Their specialism lies in creating virtual 3D worlds, where they have delivered ground-breaking initiatives and won numerous awards. They have worked with some of the world’s biggest businesses to deliver innovative solutions that solve a variety of business problems and challenges.

PixelMax co-founder and tech disruptor, Shay O’Carroll, commented:

“The 3D worlds we create and the solutions we offer our clients are vast. The pandemic has changed the way businesses operate and it has become clear that virtual worlds add a huge amount of value. The PixelMax technology allows our customers to deliver something truly unique. Our mission has always been to create a place where people can effectively communicate and collaborate in real time.:”

Over the last 18 months their 3D world technology has evolved to offer world first virtual events and more recently to create ‘always on’ 3D environments which businesses are now starting to use as their virtual office to complement their hybrid working model. The PixelMax technology harmonises the virtual world and the physical world to deliver an enhanced or more immersive reality for the user. Partnering with Credersi to create the science and tech campus is a great example of what can be achieved.

Andy Lord concluded:

“What we have created with the Credersi World science and tech campus is something truly unique, which is immersive, engaging and interconnecting. We are creating the education and training metaverse, a unique ecosystem for companies to reskill their existing workforces and make them future proof. It also means that we educate and inspire the next generation of tech and science pioneers in a world they relate to. We want to ensure that each delegate can be immersed into their surroundings and engage with their syllabus learning within an exciting platform.

As a result of creating and shaping the education metaverse, we can also create our own real estate within the campus. Big pharmaceutical companies and technology firms can exhibit their companies and recruit the very brightest minds and talent coming out of our incubator programmes. We become much more than just a tech training provider, but a science and tech campus that has everything to offer delegates and future employers. There is no reason why you couldn’t have companies like AstraZeneca, PWC and British Aerospace alongside Government organisations such as the Home Office and GCHQ, as well as retailers like Boohoo and ASOS, and Deliveroo or an Amazon online shop.”

Express Solicitors promotes 56 employees including six new partners

Manchester-based personal injury law firm, Express Solicitors, has made good on its policy to bring its brightest talent through the ranks with the promotion of 56 employees from September 2020 to August 2021.

Six employees have been promoted to partner, including three who started in the new client team before achieving a training contract at the business – Ryan Postlethwaite in the Consumer Claims Litigation department, Amy Cassell in the Road Traffic Accident department and Catherine Citron in the Occupiers/Public Liability department.

The other new partners include Ruth Magee who specialises in Employers’ Liability and Adele Greenough in Road Traffic Accidents, while Stuart McLachlan has become a partner in the IT department.

Recruitment and training carried on as normal throughout the pandemic and head count at the firm increased from 308 to 389 employees.

From its inception, Express Solicitors has had a policy of promoting employees from within. As well as promoting six employees to partners, it has promoted nine to Senior Associate and 12 to Associate. In addition, there were 19 employees who became Trainee Solicitors, giving the firm some 39 trainees in total. Other promotions included staff being promoted to positions such as HR Manager, Senior IT Technician and Assistant Solicitor.

The promotions come on the back of news that Express Solicitors Group had its best ever financial results from April 2020 to April 2021, with group turnover up by 14% from last year to £31.3m and caseloads growing by 36% to 19,015.

Express Solicitors’ Managing Partner, James Maxey said: “Since the launch of the firm 21 years ago, our mission has been to reward and promote talented individuals. Our in-house training department has played an important role in helping us continuously train and promote our staff, which ultimately benefits them, the firm and our clients.

“We’re extremely proud to reward the determination and talent of these 56 employees, they’ve played a crucial role in helping the firm grow and they’re a credit to the business. It’s especially satisfying to have promoted three partners who started off in our new client team before we offered them training contracts. Their loyalty, hard work and skills have shone through from the beginning and they very much deserve to be partners at the firm.”

Express Solicitors has 389 employees and is ranked in The Lawyer Top 200. Its lawyers and the firm are recognised in The Legal 500 and the firm is noted in Chambers and Partners. Express Solicitors specialises in personal injury and accident claims, clinical negligence claims and serious injury cases.

Pixel Kicks beds down with Christy for new SEO brief

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Following a competitive pitch, Pixel Kicks – the Manchester based full-service digital agency – has been appointed by one of the UK’s leading luxury homeware brands to undertake a new SEO campaign that will aim to enhance and improve the company’s Google visibility.

Christy was established in 1850 and over the past 171 years has grown to become a household name thanks to its range of bed linen, cushions, throws and towels.

The Pixel Kicks digital marketing and SEO teams will be working closely together and will focus on three core areas: technical SEO development, website content marketing, and link building. The ultimate goal is to achieve a substantial percentage increase in organic traffic to the site.

Andrew Flynn – digital marketing manager at Pixel Kicks – said: “Christy is a much-respected name in the homeware space with a fantastic heritage and a first-class product range so we are delighted to have been appointed by them. Our focus is now on developing a strategy that will drive sales and add commercial value.”

Amanda Couzens-Davies – Marketing and eCommerce Director at Christy – added: “Pixel Kicks boasts some fantastic experience which really stood out. The team’s creative and strategic thinking along with an understanding of our business made them an ideal fit. We are now looking forward to working with them over the coming months.”

Five tips for more cost-effective business travel

 

Despite 44% of people who currently work from home wanting to carry on working from home, travelling for business is still essential for many businesses. Whether you’re travelling for a networking event or you have a meeting with a client, business travel can be expensive and if you’re an SME, these costs can add up.

It’s estimated that the average spend per domestic business trip is £237 and as inflation continues to rise, this figure is set to only increase. We’re here to share our top tips for more cost-effective business travel.

Book in advance

If you know the date you need to travel, then the earlier you start planning the cheaper your overall cost. If you need to travel by rail, then booking an Advance ticket for a specific service can mean you could make a saving of up to 90%. But you’ve got to be quick. There are a limited number of heavily discounted tickets available.

Similarly, if you’re having to fly for a business meeting booking your flight in advance could save you some serious money. Using travel compare sites can help you find the best deals, but remember to check regularly.

Be flexible with dates

If you don’t have a specific date for your business travel, being flexible can really pay off. Looking at travel and accommodation on a number of different dates will often mean you’re able to find the best deal.

If you’re travelling by public transport, you might find that booking two single tickets by different providers can sometimes be cheaper than booking a return with one. Take your time to shop around for the deals and choose the dates that end up being the cheapest.

Consider the type of accommodation

If your business trip is taking place in the capital there are no shortage of places to stay – suiting budgets of all sizes. If you’re staying for one night, then staying in a hotel and going for dinner might be the best for you. However, if you’re business trip is taking place over a few nights or longer, then serviced apartments in London are often more cost effectivethan hotels.

 

Silverdoor Serviced Apartment Savings Middle 266x300 1Instead of spending hundreds on eating out, a serviced apartment allows you to enjoy your favourite dishes in the comport of your own suite, whilst still enjoying all the perks of a hotel stay.

Use courtesy transport

You might find that if you choose accommodation often used by professionals there’s courtesy transportation available. Whether it’s to and from the airport or train station, or even to and from your meetings, it’s worth enquiring to see what’s available. If you’re meeting with a client, you can ask them if there’s courtesy transport too.

All of these complimentary services should be used, as their often built into what you’re already paying for.

Sign up to reward schemes

If you travel regularly for business, consider signing up to reward schemes. From collecting points for travel, cashback for staying in certain hotels, and even free drinks at petrol stations. These small savings soon add up.

 

Launching a Business in 2022: Innovative Methods Every Budding Entrepreneur Should Use

Being the owner of a business comes with its fair share of challenges. No matter what sector you are in or what products and services you will be providing, you will need to overcome a wide variety of obstacles to be successful.

At the same time, the business landscape has changed drastically in the last eighteen months, which may have resulted in some entrepreneurs putting their business plans on hold. For those wanting to push on, we have some of the best innovative methods listed below, of which you should use in your own plans.

 

Embrace Technology

We feel this is something that any entrepreneur would be doing, but we thought it was worth a mention all the same! Technological advancements throughout the last decade or so have completely changed the way businesses work, and especially throughout the last two years, has meant we cancontinue working even when in a different environment.

Innovative methods – including digital transformation – within a business landscape are sure to change and adapt how things are done while also ensuring that standards remain high. What’s more, technology enables you to streamline certain business processes, which could also save you money in the long run. Learn more about digital transformation, and how it could benefit you and your business.

 

Encourage Creativity

Catching the eyes of your target audiences and loyal customers is paramount to ongoing success and is naturally something that you want to be doing at all times. While there are more traditional routes for attracting the attention of those vital to your business, creativity is a valuable tool for doing just that.

Encouraging creativity throughout your workforce is undoubtedly one way to boost your business. Finding new and innovative ways of completing tasks can be useful both now and in the future while enabling your employees to have fun while doing so.

At the same time, being creative in your marketing efforts appears somewhat obvious when wanting to attract your customers’ attention. After all, you want to stand out from the crowd, and what better way of doing that than by being creative!

 

Monitor Competitors and Business Landscape

Another suggestion we feel confident entrepreneurs would be using anyway, but one worth mentioning is all the same. Business landscapes change frequently, and entrepreneurs must do what they can to keep up. While this might feel challenging to complete initially, there are various ways of doing just that, and this includes keeping an eye on your competitors.

Now, this is not to say you should be monitoring their every move and comparing yourself to them, but rather assessing whether they are making any significant changes; changes like these could signify changes throughout the broader sectors and industries and are worth making a not of as an entrepreneur.

Monitoring these changes gives you the upper hand and provides you with ample opportunity to make and adapt your business processes as a preemptive measure. While there are many other ways that you can be innovative as an entrepreneur, we feel confident that your efforts will come to fruition either way.