Insurtech firm, Uinsure, has announced strong initial results in the first phase of 2021, with 33.5% sales growth in the opening quarter.
The results are the latest piece of good news for the B2B insurtech firm, which was, this weekend, announced as one of the businesses on the Sunday Times BDO Profit Track 100 league table, which ranks Britain’s 100 private companies with the fastest-growing profits over their latest three years.
The strong financial performance comes directly as a result of innovative work by the company to reshape how advisers offer insurance to customers in the homebuying process.
What has traditionally been a lengthy insurance process, which included numerous, detailed questions and could take anything from 20- 30 minutes to complete, has been whittled down to three questions to get a quote in 20 seconds and apply via a new Adviser Platform in under a minute.
The launch of the platform, coupled with the mortgage market stimulation driven by the stamp-duty holiday, has allowed the Manchester-based firm to go from strength to strength despite the challenges Covid has put on virtually every sector.
Uinsure’s Chief Commercial Officer, Martin Schultheiss, commented: “The strong start we’ve been able to enjoy in 2021 is a direct result of the innovation and creativity shown by the Uinsure team to completely remove the complexity behind offering insurance.
“Our strong start is also as a result of the incredible relationships we hold with our key partners and advisers, who have been able to turn around such a high volume of mortgages to meet current demand.
“We’ve also welcomed new advisory firms as a result of our new technology and, as with all of our existing relationships we will continually take their feedback on board to ultimately make our product offering, and platform, better.
“Hopefully, as lockdown eases through 2021, our tech can help customers and advisers get back to enjoying some of the better things in life.”
Uinsure announces strong results with 33.5% growth in Q1
Gleeds expands team as it wins cost management role on multi-million pound TfGM framework
International property and construction consultancy Gleeds has announced that it has been selected for the Cost Management Lot on Transport for Greater Manchester’s (TfGM) £88 million Professional Services Framework.
Bids for the four-year programme were invited across ten strategic lots and associated specialist sub-lots (A-Q), covering a range of services from transport systems to engineering consultancy provision and quantity surveying. The framework was originally slated to begin in 2020, however its commencement was postponed by TfGM as a result of the exceptional challenges facing the industry in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The latest incarnation of the Professional Services Framework is intended to provide an efficient, quick and compliant procurement route to help meet TfGM’s consultancy and advisory support needs as it works toward realising its long-term plan of creating an integrated, modern public transport network across the region. To that end, the services of successful bidders will be available for use by more than 20 local councils in the north of England, as well as Transport for the North, Nexus, and The Urban Transport Group, amongst other bodies.
Paul Knighting, head of UK infrastructure for Gleeds based out of the Manchester Office, said, “This is a significant win for our team in the north and I am delighted that Gleeds’ expertise and experience of working with a varied roster of clients in the infrastructure sector shone through during the highly competitive bid process. TfGM oversees transport and travel across Greater Manchester, home to the UK’s largest regional economy outside London and a diverse population of over 2.8 million people. It is vital that its transport system is efficient, able to support sustainable economic growth, and ultimately improves the quality of life for all by being accessible, affordable and reliable in line with the region’s wider Transport Strategy.”
As a result of its continued growth in the north, Gleeds has confirmed that Paul Mann is to join its senior leadership team as regional director for cost consultancy, covering the business’ offices in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, and Newcastle. Paul joins the company from Mace, where he spent 13 years looking after its northern cost consultancy offering, predominately focusing on commercial property and regeneration.
Regional director for the North of England, Brian McArdle, added, “Paul is joining the team at the ideal time, with the successful bid for TfGM, major Healthcare Project successes, new schemes underway for Nexus, and a further appointment under Homes England for the York Central Partnership recently secured, he joins an already buoyant team which is expected to continue to grow throughout this year and beyond. His experience and reputation in the region speaks volumes and I am certain that he will prove to be a valuable addition to the team, working with other recent senior recruits like Paul Knighting, as we continue to increase our presence across the North.”
Ripples of Hope summit due to return to Manchester this autumn with speaker line-up including ex-Unilever CEO
Following a successful inaugural event in 2020, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights has announced that its Ripples of Hope Business & Investment Summit is due to return to Manchester in September 2021, as part of The Ripples of Hope Festival
This year’s conference will feature discussions around how the UK’s business community can utilise its influence for the benefit of society, and how business leaders can operate in a sustainable and successful way.
Paul Polman, the former CEO of Unilever who is recognised as a pioneer for responsible business, is confirmed as a keynote speaker. Other speakers include Kerry Kennedy, daughter of Robert F. Kennedy; Jonathan Murphy, chair of the North West Business Leadership Team; Shalni Arora; co-founder of Savannah Wisdom; Vikas Shah, MD of Swiscot Textiles; Kenny Imafidon, MD of Clearview Research; Amy Clarke, co-founder of Tribe Impact Capital; and Charmian Love, co-founder and chair of B-Lab UK – the organisation behind the B-Corporation movement.
The Ripples of Hope Business Investment Summit will once again take place at HOME, Manchester’s centre for international contemporary art, theatre and film. Delegates to the summit will take part in an intensive, meaningful, day-long programme, facilitated by leadership development experts Leaders’ Quest.
Guided by Leaders’ Quest, they will explore where their business sits in society in the new economic landscape of the future and how they can build their own playbook and skills to thrive in a world of intense and competing demands.
Through a mixture of thought-provoking talks and action-focused workshops, delegates will return to their organisations better prepared to be champions for a transformative future in which people – and their wellbeing – are the principal source and definition of value.
Commenting on the announcement, Kerry Kennedy said: “Our first Ripples of Hope Business & Investment Summit in January 2020 was a great beginning to building a community of leaders committed to making positive change in our society. Since our last summit, the challenges and pain that came with COVID-19 has made the task of building a better world more urgent.”
“Knowing Manchester’s history of social activism, its forward-looking industry and its community approach in response to COVID, the Summit will be an opportunity for great leaders to re-connect, bolster one another’s efforts and enhance their work towards our shared future. I hope you’ll join us in September.”
Jonathan Murphy, chair of the North West Business Leadership Team and speaker, added: “The mission of the NWBLT is to make a difference to the economy and communities of this great region – values we share with the team at Ripples of Hope.
“We all have a duty to make sure that no one is left behind as we work to rebuild our economy. We look forward to contributing to this vibrant event that could not be more timely or important.”
The summit is part of the Ripples of Hope Festival, which is being hosted by Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights UK for the very first time in Greater Manchester. The festival kicks off with the summit in September 2021. The programme – developed by artistic director Jude Kelly CBE with the people of Greater Manchester, over two years of workshops – will be unveiled in May 2021.
The Ripples of Hope Business & Investment Summit will take place on Wednesday 15 September 2021.
Belong – the Cohesion and Integration Network; The Equilibrium Foundation; The North West Business Leadership Team; and Porter Novelli are official supporting partners of the Summit. Roland Dransfield is the event’s official communications partner.
RECORD QUARTER FOR PROPERTY FINANCE TEAM AT TAYLORS SOLICITORS
Property finance lawyers at north west firm Taylors Solicitors completed deals totalling £50m during the first three months of 2021 in a record quarter for the team.
The buoyant market means the team is on track to surpass the £160m in funding transactions completed during the whole of 2020, which itself was a record year.
The team, based at Taylors’ Manchester office, acts for finance companies and other funders and lenders operating in the property sector.
During the first three months of 2021, the team advised an expanding UK client base on bridging finance for apartment blocks and commercial premises, funding for new commercial and residential developments and property-related business loans and Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme transactions.
Partner Andrew, who heads Taylors’ Manchester office, said: “Despite being in the grip of a pandemic, the property market has remained relatively buoyant and it’s been tremendously satisfying for us to play our part in completing so many transactions during a period of such significant disruption.
“The diligence of our close-knit team working closely with new and regular funding clients has resulted in a record number of successful outcomes in recent months.
“Bridging finance transactions remain a key part of the landscape. Businesses and property developers are attracted to these due to the speed with which their applications are approved and the legal process completed.
“While mortgages can take several weeks or months, the opportunity to receive funds within two to three weeks of applying and avoid traditional property chains is very appealing.
“With many new and flexible products available, we may well see further advances in this area.
Taylors’ managing partner Elaine Hurn said: “We pride ourselves on building trusted relationships with our clients and we have worked with many funders since the very launch of their businesses, including preparing their loan documentation and obtaining their own funding and premises as they themselves have expanded.
“We are proud that we have been involved with some very much from the ground upwards and that many of them regard us as the ‘go-to’ lawyers.
“We have invested resource, time and effort to put in place systems that ensure our clients receive a responsive, commercial and cost-effective service, not just in property finance but across our wider legal services offering.”
Secure Trust Bank Commercial Finance supports recovery efforts as lending balances hit £230m
The Commercial Finance arm of the listed specialist Secure Trust Bank has seen lending balances recover strongly towards the end of 2020, closing at £230.7m.
While the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been an eight per cent fall on the £251.7m seen in the 12 months to December 2019, the firm saw strong growth in the final quarter of 2020. This was driven by the firm’s continued support of SMEs through a combination of new clients and expansion of existing client facilities, including the provision of the CBILS and CLBILS loan schemes.
In total, Secure Trust Bank provided more than £50m to businesses across the country as part of the loan schemes, and became one of the first alternative lenders accredited for the larger CLBILS facility. Since being accredited for both schemes, the firm has been working closely with companies across numerous sectors to provide financial support, ensuring they can maintain relationships with suppliers and plan for recovery.
The final quarter also saw the firm complete its largest deal since being founded in 2014 – a £50m working capital facility provided to British Steel to enable the business to expand production and sales. Other transactions over the year include a £16m confidential invoicing package to dash cam manufacturer Nextbase, designed to facilitate domestic and international growth, as well as supporting the takeover of publishing house Archant by private equity firm Rcapital with a £5m facility.
The Commercial Finance division of the FTSE-listed bank provides a full-suite of flexible asset-based lending and invoice finance products, ranging in size from £3m to £50m, for both SME’s and larger businesses.
Originally established in 2014, the lender now operates across the country with offices in Leeds, Birmingham, London and Manchester. Using its network of regional offices, the team at Secure Trust Bank Commercial Finance works closely with management teams to provide flexible asset-based lending solutions tailored to each business.
Paul Johnston, regional managing director for the North West at Secure Trust Bank Commercial Finance, said: “In what has been an extremely challenging year for SMEs across the UK, accessing the finance to survive and grow has perhaps been the biggest concern. Our focus from day one of the pandemic has been on supporting our clients with flexible and tailored funding packages, including the provision of government support schemes.
“As the world reopens for business in 2021, we’re anticipating a significant resurgence in appetite from companies looking to take advantage of growth opportunities. We have seen during the pandemic that lenders have needed to be innovative with their funding structures to achieve the best outcomes, and we will continue to do this to support the recovery.”
FINTECH BUSINESS DEFIES PANDEMIC TO MARK FIRST YEAR IN BUSINESS WITH STRONG SALES
A North West based fintech company, Fluent Money Group, launched Fluent Protect, its new insurance division, at the beginning of the pandemic, and is marking its first year in business with outstanding results.
Fluent Protect, has enjoyed a successful first year, providing over £330m of cover since its inception in March 2020.
The Horwich-based business has ambitious growth plans building on its initial year one success and is on track for further growth in the next fiscal year.
As part of the ever-expanding Fluent Money Group, Fluent Protect has benefited from proprietary software built by its in-house tech team led by Group Chief Technology Officer Steve Strickland-Wright, who joined the company in 2019 from previous roles at Webuyanycar.com and Moneysupermarket Group.
Steve’s team of software engineers are responsible for leading new product development and have built functionality for Fluent Protect to complement back-end technology in other divisions within the Group such as Fluent Money (second mortgages), Fluent Mortgages and Fluent Lifetime (equity release).
The Fluent Money Group is responsible for completing more than 25 per cent of all secured loans in the UK as well as disrupting both the mortgage and equity release space. Now they have their sights set on insurance, having created the infrastructure and seamless system connectivity allowing for exceptional speed of service for all customers.
The team’s customer-centric approach combines industry-beating technology with a human element. At any point in the insurance purchasing journey, customers can speak to one of two assigned customer service managers, to ensure any individual or unique circumstances are catered for across life insurance, critical Illness cover, income protection, and annual buildings and contents cover.
Daniel Payne, Managing Director of Fluent Mortgages and Fluent Protect, said: “Our first year of Fluent Protect has seen us exceed all targets and underlined to us the customer demand for a suite of financial products all in one place, serviced by best-in-class technology alongside highly trained human interaction where required. The insurance arm launch is a logical extension of services, providing Fluent Protect with the ability to cross-sell from core products to complete the customer journey.
We have brought together the value that customers place on human expertise and experience, commitment to a dynamic service ethic, backed by modern technology to produce a comprehensive package of insurance products and advice. We have ambitious growth plans for the next year as we seek to grow our order book to customers looking for our combination of convenience and expertise.
The ability to interlink with portals from members of the panel of providers offers the agility to have customer policies underwritten and accepted within minutes, giving Fluent Protect a competitive edge within the insurance market and providing customers with a seamless service.“
The Fluent Group has a history of launching businesses in challenging trading times. Founded during the 2008 credit crunch by entrepreneur and CEO Kevin Hindley, Chief Operating Officer Tim Wheeldon, Group Commercial Director Paul Ford and Group Managing Director Simon Moore, the broker used adverse conditions to seek out opportunities in the lending market.
The Group employs 350-plus employees at its head office in a 26,000 sq. ft former rail works building which is part of Horwich Heritage.
The Vita Group accelerates investment plans following completion of Italian acquisition
The Vita Group, Europe’s leading flexible foam solutions provider, has begun a comprehensive multimillion investment programme following the completion of its purchase of Italian foam manufacturer I.M.P.E. S.p.A., based in Naples.
This €6.1m acquisition completed earlier this month will enable The Vita Group – which employs 2,700 people across Europe and is headquartered in Manchester – to gain an important foothold in Italy, which is the second largest furniture producing country in Europe and one of its largest furniture exporters.
The planned investments include replacing the existing foaming line with a brand new, state of the art, machine that is capable of producing the full range of comfort foams’; a skills development programme for all staff; as well as a number of potential investments in the site’s existing conversion capability.
The 40,000 m2 Naples site include a foaming department, tank farm, two conversion halls, three further warehouses, laboratories, offices, as well as extensive storage and transport space. A previous investment in R&D has the potential to be further enhanced in the future, as Vita determines its requirements for a fifth Innovation Centre focused around the furniture sector.
Vita Italy will manufacture value added and differentiated polyurethane foam for the Italian furniture and bedding industry, as well as expanding the Group’s trade links with the Americas and North Africa. The site, which currently has 32 employees and has production capabilities of 20k tonnes per annum, will enable Vita to release current production in Hungary and Romania to concentrate on further expansion in Eastern Europe and the Balkans region.
Operations are being overseen by business manager Radu Borsa, who has in-depth knowledge of the Italian furniture market through his experience as sales manager for Vita in this region. He will be supported by regional director Thomas Stachura. Additionally, The Vita Group is developing programmes to help the wider Vita Italy team develop their skillset and has completed recruitment of a financial controller and safety, health and environmental manager to boost the management team onsite and enhance safety at the site.
Speaking on behalf of The Vita Group, Group CEO Ian Robb said: “We’re delighted to have completed this acquisition and to present Vita Italy to the world. Our investment and training programme is underway and we look forward to working closely with our new colleagues to take the Naples site from strength to strength, delivering innovative solutions to both new and existing customers in Italy and beyond.”
The acquisition demonstrates The Vita Group’s continued commitment to growth and innovation. Major milestones in 2020 included foam capacity expansions in Lithuania, Poland and Romania, which are planned to come online in 2021. The capacity increases enable further added value investments into thriving new sectors, such as bedding (Bed in a Box) where the company has already committed to new technology processes and production equipment in the United Kingdom, France, Romania, and Germany.
Built on 70 years of heritage, The Vita Group develops, manufactures, and markets a wide range of flexible polyurethane foam, Talalay latex and flooring products to create comfort, quality and functional solutions for customers. Its materials are used in products across a range of sectors, from bedding to office and household furniture, mobility markets and the significant new sectors of medical and hygiene, allowing the Group to achieve its purpose of “Creating comfort, delivering performance and enhancing everyday life”.
New era for stephenson STUDIO as Hamilton and Risley step up to take the helm
Manchester-based architectural practice stephenson STUDIO has announced that two of its long-standing team members have been appointed to lead the firm into a new era.
After almost 30 years in the practice, Keith Hamilton and Justin Risley have taken over as directors.
The move comes as the practice has undertaken a comprehensive rebranding exercise, which has seen it change its name to stephenson hamilton risley STUDIO to reflect Keith and Justin’s significant contribution.
Between them, Keith and Justin have designed and delivered many of the practice’s recent hero projects, including Chetham’s School of Music, Leonardo Hotel in Manchester, Halle St. Peters in Ancoats, Exchange Square in Birmingham, Carlton House in London, and more.
The practice has made a name for itself for its award-winning work on projects including concert halls, hotels, residential buildings, private houses, and masterplans that have contributed to the architectural heritage of Manchester, Birmingham, and London.
Keith Hamilton commented: “I know I speak for Justin and myself when I say that it’s an honour to be steering the ship at stephenson hamilton risley STUDIO, as we look to grow the practice and further diversify our brilliant portfolio of projects.
“The architectural ethos and modus operandi of the practice will remain the same as that originally established by the founding partner, Roger Stephenson OBE, so we can ensure the continued output of consistently high-quality designs. However, we’ll be taking some steps towards a more client focussed approach to design. Too often architects are seen as introverted and self-referential, with clients feeling unconsidered. We would like to pursue active engagement and creative dialogue with our clients to help engender a trusting partnership in creating buildings. We would like to grow the practice to work beyond Manchester and the region, expanding our horizons and taking our creative team with us on the journey. ”
Justin Risley added: “Working within this phenomenal team for so many years has been a real privilege. Having the opportunity to now lead them is a hugely exciting prospect for Keith and me.
“We’ll be taking care to preserve our vibrant studio atmosphere, which helps us attract the fantastic, creative client base that we do. Working with brands like Urban Splash, Capital & Centric, Property Alliance Group, and Nikal has energised the practice; architecture is a collaborative process, and when like-minded clients and architects go on the design journey together, it ultimately enriches the city and produces great architecture.
“Working on projects with such a diverse range of scale, use and clients forces us to constantly re-evaluate our output and design responses. We are keen to develop and grow the practice with our dedicated and creative team.”
stephenson hamilton risley STUDIO’s current projects nearing completion include Capital & Centric’s Leonardo Hotel on the fringes of Manchester city centre, which has been affectionately dubbed the ‘Jenga hotel’ by locals due to its unique design; a residential conversion of a Grade II* Listed Mill for Urban Splash at Avro; two city centre projects for Property Alliance Group and the completion of Exchange Square masterplan for Nikal. All are the product of a truly creative collaboration between the practice and the client.
Roger Stephenson OBE, who founded the practice in 1979, commented: “The Practice and its people have been a huge part of my life over many years. During that time I have been enormously privileged to have worked on a significant range of landmark projects with many talented architects, not least of whom are Keith and Justin who have been by my side for 30 years. It’s always difficult to let go but I genuinely couldn’t wish for anyone better than Keith and Justin to lead the Practice going forward. I’m very much looking forward to the next chapter of my life and delighted that I will have an on-going part-time role with stephenson hamilton risley STUDIO.”
Clean skincare brand expands to Manchester thanks to £830k growth round
Skin & Tonic, a skincare and wellbeing brand founded in Hackney, London, has secured £830,000 in funding, enabling it to fulfil increased production demands and expand its operations to Manchester. Driven by GC Angels, this includes a £605,000 investment from the angel investment service alongside private investors, as well as a £225,000 loan from NPIF – FW Capital, managed by FW Capital and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF).
Founded in 2015, Skin & Tonic’s innovative, results-led products are formulated using certified organic, sustainably sourced ingredients and presented in recyclable or zero waste packaging. Originally sold at a local Hackney market and produced out of founders Sarah Hancock and Joshua Wade’s kitchen, the range of twenty products are now available across three channels: direct to consumer through the Skin & Tonic website, from a fast-growing stable of retail partners and via distributors in key markets including France, the Middle East, Hong Kong and Asia Pacific.
When the pandemic hit, Skin & Tonic was forced to shift its focus to ecommerce, which resulted in a significant uptick in operational needs and top-line growth. After seeking funding to further help Skin & Tonic deliver success, and following introductions from GC Angels, Sarah and Joshua were able to secure a total £830,000 investment, including £150,000 from GC Angels, £225,000 from NPIF – FW Capital, part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund and the remainder from a number of high-profile investors.
Focusing on the opportunity to decentralise Skin & Tonic from its home in London, the investment has also facilitated the rapid operational expansion of the business, including the opening of a new office at Canada House in Manchester City Centre, which required the recruitment of a Manchester-based sales director to expand the team’s local presence. The investment is expected to create eight jobs in the region.
Joshua Wade, Co-Founder and CEO of Skin & Tonic, said: “From the very beginning, we set out with the goal of helping people find moments each day to really take care of themselves – something that’s become ever more important of late. Jess and the team at GC Angels totally understood our core message and really got behind the brand, which meant so much for us when choosing where this investment came from. We are so excited to expand our footprint to Manchester and we’re looking forward to building on our already rich pool of talent, as we work towards becoming a leading UK skincare and wellbeing brand.”
Jess Jackson, Head of Investment at GC Angels, said: “What struck me about Sarah and Josh was their strong sense of purpose with Skin & Tonic. This made it easy to align our goals and work in tandem. It’s a brand that travels really well, and trading successfully in foreign markets made it an attractive investment for individuals from Bermuda, Dubai and the UK to join GC Angels in the round. It’s brilliant to see a brand like Skin & Tonic setting up in Manchester, and we can’t wait to see how they continue to grow the business.”
Simon Berry, Senior Investment Executive at FW Capital said: “It is so encouraging to see a business such as Skin and Tonic expanding their operations into the North of England, where they will continue their journey into new markets. Their use of sustainable, non-harmful ingredients and recyclable, zero-waste packaging means their products are more in demand than ever and they really set a benchmark in ethical, clean beauty. We are delighted to support Sarah and Josh and look forward to watching their continued success story.”
The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund project is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the European Investment Bank.
HOST’s newly established Security Operations Centre partners with the Cyber Resilience Centre for Greater Manchester
HOST, the Home of Skills & Technology at Media City, in partnership with Salford City Council is bringing to market a unique Security Operations Centre (SOC), which will offer an affordable cyber security subscription-based support service to SMEs innovating and adopting digital and cloud technologies.
As part of this, it is partnering with the Cyber Resilience Centre for Greater Manchester (CRCGM) to offer Cyber MOTs, which will include security awareness training and a cyber security assessment.
The Cyber MOTs will be fully funded and initially available to businesses based in Salford. The package will also offer exclusive membership to businesses based or located near Media City.
The Cyber MOTs will help scaling businesses and their teams to understand the risks of cyber crime and identify and prevent potential security issues through a comprehensive assessment, with recommendations on how to integrate security best practice. The HOST SOC is also partnering with Siemens to support manufacturing and engineering businesses with an Industrial Cyber MOT, offered exclusively to SME manufacturers that are members of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce as part of their membership benefits.
This follows the UK government’s recent Cyber Security Breaches Survey, which found that nearly four in 10 businesses (39 per cent) have reported a cyber attack, while the average cost to companies that have been hit by cyber attacks in the last 12 months is estimated to be £8,460.
All businesses are at risk of hidden cyber security breaches and with organisations finding it harder to monitor employees working from home during the pandemic, they may be less aware of the attacks their staff are facing.
In response to this demand, HOST is developing a state-of-the-art Innovation Lab, which will house the 24/7 Security Operations Centre (SOC) and Network Operations Centre (NOC) cyber support as a service. The centre will provide public sector organisations, enterprises and SMEs with a secure, tailored and scalable cyber solution.
HOST has also partnered with Lancaster University to develop collaborative activities to accelerate research, development and innovation with start-ups and SMEs through Innovate UK programmes such as the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) scheme.
The HOST SOC is unique as it comprises a Cyber Innovation Exchange, an open-source technology exchange that will also include a Cyber Innovation Sandbox, allowing for HOST’s incubated start-ups to accelerate and validate their IP across a real-world commercial environment. In the coming months, HOST will start to recruit up to 10 start-ups and scale-ups, looking to rapidly develop and commercialise disruptive cyber security solutions with AI and machine learning capabilities.
“I’m excited to work with HOST to shape an environment that puts innovation at the heart of acceleration. By bringing together business growth support, labs, testing and validation environments, access to training data along with input and oversight from leading academics and commercial specialists, we will offer first-rate support for the next generation of intelligent cyber solutions,” said Saskia Coplans, Director of Innovation for cyber, data science and AI at HOST.
The HOST SOC and Cyber Innovation Exchange working with GCHQ and leading technology partners such as Microsoft, will further enhance Greater Manchester’s capability of making the UK a world leading security power through scalable innovation.
HOST, operated by IN4.0 Group, recently announced its partnership with The Raytheon Cyber Academy operating within the Skills City campus. HOST will also deliver the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) CyberFirst programme, inspiring girls at secondary schools to pursue careers in STEM. HOST also provides an 8-week placement for CyberFirst bursary students.
Andy Beaden, co-founder of IN4.0 Group, said: “We are delighted to be working in collaboration with the Cyber Resilience Centre for Greater Manchester to help businesses in the region gain confidence in knowing that their operations have been thoroughly assessed for cyber threats, so they can take the appropriate actions to secure their business. Our Security Operations Centre is a perfect illustration of how public and private partnerships can forge a formidable infrastructure to support organisations to drive innovation and productivity, creating highly skilled jobs for local people.”
Neil Jones, Director of the Cyber Resilience Centre for Greater Manchester, said “The Cyber Resilience Centre is excited to be working with HOST to deliver fully funded Cyber MOTs to help protect our business community from cybercrime. The cybercrime threat to SMEs has never been greater, with cybercriminals taking advantage of the pandemic to carry out damaging attacks on businesses of all sizes as they increasingly work online. Working in partnership is in our DNA and helps us provide trusted, government-backed, easily accessible and practical support where it’s most needed.”
Steven Fry, Chief Digital Officer at Salford City Council, said: “I am absolutely delighted that we have brought this collective together at HOST Salford to bring our knowledge and expertise to Salford businesses, creating new jobs and solutions to help shape the future of the country’s cyber defence.”
The CRCGM is a not-for-profit joint venture between Greater Manchester Police and Manchester Digital that helps to support and protect small businesses from the threat of cybercrime, which is estimated to cost the local economy over £860 million a year.
