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Sharks’ Faf De Klerk joins forces with iPRO in new partnership deal

Partnerships

Sam Whitear

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06/07/2020

Sharks’ Faf De Klerk joins forces with iPRO in new partnership deal

Sale Sharks star Faf De Klerk has been snapped up as the latest brand ambassador for healthy hydration brand iPRO as part of a new two-year partnership.

De Klerk, a World Cup winner with the Springboks at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, will now represent iPRO and its range of wellness drinks in the UK and his home nation of South Africa.

Having first partnered with Sharks in 2016 as the team’s official sports drink provider, the new deal enhances iPRO’s involvement with the club at a time when they are riding high in the Gallagher Premiership, occupying second spot.

iPRO is targeting domestic and international growth for its healthy hydration drinks and hopes to use the power of the Sale Sharks brand to help reach even more people worldwide.

The partnership will focus on the iPRO Hydrate range of wellness drinks, which promote healthy hydration with low sugar, no artificial sweeteners, and are 100 per cent recyclable as part of iPRO’s commitment to sustainability.

De Klerk said: “I’m really pleased to be joining iPRO as an ambassador in a role which will allow me to reach rugby fans in the UK and South Africa.

“iPRO recognises the importance of helping people stay healthy through hydration, and I’m excited to be playing a bigger role in the partnership for the future.

“Sale are a big club with a really strong fanbase in England and we’re competing for domestic and European success right now. The club is also popular in South Africa because alongside me, we’ve got the likes of Lood de Jager, the Du Preez brothers, Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Akker Van Der Merwe, so there’s a really strong following back home.”

Mark Cueto, Sale Sharks’ Commercial Director and former player said: “At Sale Sharks we have a great track record of successful and long-running commercial relationships, so we’re delighted to have iPRO sign up to a new deal.

“Faf is one of the world’s best players, so it comes as no surprise that an exciting and fast-growing brand like iPRO have come calling for him.

“As a hugely popular name both here in the UK and South Africa, he’s the perfect player to help promote the benefits of healthy hydration.”

iPRO is already established in several markets around the world including Africa, Europe and Asia. The brand will be launching in South Africa later this year on the back of the new Sale Sharks deal with plenty more high-profile announcements expected soon.

iPRO Commercial Director, Sophie Christy, added: “As a club partner of Sale Sharks for the past four years, we’re excited to have finalised this new deal which sees Faf de Klerk become our latest brand ambassador. He joins some big names in the world of sport already working with iPRO and we felt that his personality and profile were the perfect match for us.

“As a company, we’re dedicated to supporting health and wellbeing, and our iPRO Hydrate range is all about helping people hydrate – from professional athletes like Faf, to those simply wanting to make healthy choices.

“We can’t wait to get going and support Faf and his teammates as they prepare to resume their season with everything still to play for in the Premiership.”

Close Brothers Asset Management continues to strengthen with appointment of two Managing Directors

Appointments

Sam Whitear

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06/07/2020

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Close Brothers Asset Management continues to strengthen with appointment of two Managing Directors

Close Brothers Asset Management (CBAM) has appointed Helen Gerrard and Nick Jackson as Managing Directors to further support the expansion of its investment management service for high net worth clients in the North West.

Helen and Nick join from Rathbones, where they both worked providing investment management services primarily in the North West. Helen joined Rathbones in 1987, originally as a dealer before moving to the investment side in 1994. Nick has been at Rathbones since 2002, specialising in managing portfolios for private individuals, trusts, charities and personal pensions.

In their new roles at CBAM, Helen and Nick will support the growth of CBAM’s Bespoke investment management service, working closely with CBAMs financial planners, professional intermediaries and other private client advisers in the region.

The news follows a string of recent senior hires, both in investment management and business development. The growth of the team is a vital element of the company’s ambition to strengthen and enhance its Bespoke investment management service, delivering high quality services to high net worth clients across the UK.

Martin Andrew, Chief Executive of Close Brothers Asset Management, said: “At a time of economic uncertainty and disruption, high net worth clients need expert support and excellent service more than ever. Nick and Helen are fantastic additions to our team and are part of our strategic vision to strengthen our capability for high net worth clients. Their extensive experience will enhance the proposition we’re able to offer clients in the North West.”

Frazer Hall’s Appointment of Tech Entrepreneur as Non Executive Director

Appointments

Sam Whitear

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06/07/2020

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Frazer Hall’s Appointment of Tech Entrepreneur as Non Executive Director

Manchester-based Frazer Hall Corporate Finance has appointed Peter Birkett as non-executive director to the business. Peter was formerly CEO of adept4 ltd, an IT managed services company that he founded, grew and sold to a listed acquirer.

Stephen Frazer of Frazer Hall commented: “we are delighted that Peter is joining the team – he brings not only great tech skills, but as an entrepreneur that founded, grew, acquired and ultimately sold his company, he has been through the journey that is so familiar with our clients.”

Peter Birkett commented: “Frazer Hall worked with us through our entire journey of growing, acquiring other businesses and then selling to a trade buyer. I look forward to working with Steve and the team, particularly in the technology space”.

Three new Partners at Altrincham law firm

Appointments

Sam Whitear

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06/07/2020

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Three new Partners at Altrincham law firm

One of the largest independent legal practices in the North West, Myerson Solicitors, has announced the promotion of three new Partners as it continues its expansion.

The highly reputable firm based in the heart of Altrincham town centre, has promoted team members Laura Pile, Heather Adams and Clara Staunton to Partners, bringing the firm’s total number of Partners to twenty-three.

Laura Pile has spent her whole career at Myerson having joined in 2007 at the start of her career as a trainee solicitor and now has over eleven years of knowledgeable experience within the Real Estate Litigation team. Laura is a ‘Recommended Lawyer’ within the highly reputable legal body The Legal 500. She has a wide breadth of property experience in dealing with commercial and residential landlord and tenant disputes including forfeiture, dilapidations, rent arrears, break notices and possession. Laura also has a great deal of experience in advising on developer disputes, pure chancery matters such as rights of way and property ownership disputes. Laura has advised on a number of high value disputes resolved at mediation.

Clara Staunton is described by The Legal 500 as a ‘Rising Star’, and “an exceptional private client lawyer, who combines a natural rapport with clients, with an ability to articulate matters in a straightforward manner”. Clara joined the Wills, Trusts and Probate team at Myerson in 2013 and was promoted to Senior Solicitor in 2016. She is a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), regularly dealing with complex matters such as the administration of estates and trusts, as well as advising on Wills and tax planning.

Heather Adams qualified as a solicitor in 2000 and joined Myerson as Head of the Residential Property Department. She is well-known as a highly respected conveyancing and property solicitor and ranked in the Top Three independent directory, threebestrated.co.uk residential property solicitors in Trafford. Heather specialises in a breadth of residential property law, with particular experience of unregistered land, registration of possessory title, registration where deeds have been lost or destroyed and prescriptive rights of way, in addition to the buying and selling of residential property and developments.

Carl Newton, CEO at Myerson Solicitors said:

“We are thrilled to have these dedicated and talented lawyers joining the partnership at Myerson. Laura, Clara and Heather have consistently excelled in their roles delivering a high standard of quality and advice to our clients. They all strive to build their teams’ knowledge and expertise, whilst living the firms core values and culture daily. To have these lawyers continue their career at Myerson only strengthens the firm further, and we are excited to see their teams develop and grow. I hope these promotions continue to highlight both the diverse range of talent and the various opportunities that exist within our expanding businesses at Myerson.”

Work begins on ‘The Bank’ luxury apartments in Stretford

Property

Sam Whitear

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06/07/2020

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Work begins on ‘The Bank’ luxury apartments in Stretford

Initial work has begun on a new development, set to restore a historic building to its former glory and bring luxury living space to Stretford.

The Bank, on Kings Road and originally known as Derby Hall, was home to Stretford Conservative Club for many years before its conversion to a retail premises and later a bank. Since the bank closed in 2016, the site has stood empty but now it is set to have new life breathed into it.

The Heaton Group, the business behind the redevelopment, has a reputation for sympathetic and high-quality renovations, from dilapidated office blocks to listed buildings of historic interest.

Chris Holland, Director at The Heaton Group, explains: “We see ourselves as custodians of heritage and character, preserving the best bits of local icons while providing outstanding habitats that are made for lifestyle living. We also have a unique insight into the Northern Powerhouse property market and offer developments that are ideally tailored to the requirements of our investors and tenants.”

Due to open in May 2021, the ground floor space will be a commercial unit whilst the first and second floors will be transformed into 13 luxury apartments. The apartments will include twelve one-bedroom apartments and one two-bedroomed apartment. Of these, three will be duplexes, each with their own private staircase to the second floor. Prices are expected to start from £110,000, with a projected rental yield from 7.58%.

Smart technology will be incorporated throughout the building, allowing simpler management and lower costs. Secure cycle parking will be provided at ground floor level, with storage for 10 bicycles.

Chris adds: “We expect the apartments to be popular with those looking to invest in Stretford as the UK rental market is forecast to grow by over one million households over the next five years.”

According to the Nationwide Building Society’s House Price Index in 2019, London’s house prices have dropped by one percent year-on-year. Manchester, on the other hand, has seen growth since 2015, with prices rising over seven percent year-on-year.

“Stretford is already popular with young professionals who commute to the city centre using the tram link. It strikes a great balance between city living and a smaller town community feel. Nearby Stretford Mall has undergone a considerable £2 million investment and there are a wealth of bars and pubs.”

The location boasts excellent transport links, including the nearby motorway and main road routes, and is surrounded by green spaces from Gorse Hill Park, Victoria Park, Moss Park and Longford Park to Stretford Meadows, Turn Moss and Chorlton Water Park.

In the coming weeks The Heaton Group plans to launch a detailed guide to living in Stretford, which will be available to download from its website.

Growth Company launches programme of support for thousands of retail workers as coronavirus leads to largescale job cuts

Business support

Sam Whitear

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06/07/2020

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Growth Company launches programme of support for thousands of retail workers as coronavirus leads to largescale job cuts

The Growth Company launched an urgent programme of support for thousands of Greater Manchester retail workers at risk of losing their jobs or already made redundant.

The economic impact of long-term store closures due to the coronavirus is now starting to take its toll, with many large employers warning of potential job cuts. More than 10,000 jobs are estimated to have been cut nationally this week alone, with retailers in travel hubs particularly hard hit.

The owner of restaurant chains Café Rouge and Bella Italia fell into administration on Thursday, with 91 Casual Dining Group outlets closing immediately. The group is cutting 1,900 jobs. Administrators have also been appointed at intu Properties, placing further uncertainty over the jobs of thousands of shopworkers at large regional shopping centres including Greater Manchester’s intu Trafford Centre.

In response to the growing uncertainty facing retail workers and employers, The Growth Company has provided specific advice for retail sector workers via the Employ GM website.

Support for retail businesses seeking help to survive and protect jobs is being made available by the GC Business Growth Hub’s coronavirus microsite.

Delivered by the Growth Company in partnership with Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and numerous delivery Partners, the EmployGM website was established at the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic to support jobseekers and employers with vacancies.

Specific support for retail workers includes:

Careers advice
Skills support
Redundancy advice
Vacancy signposting

Part of the Growth Company’s #HereForBusiness campaign, the GC Business Growth Hub coronavirus microsite contains general information for companies contending with the impact of covid-19, with specific information for the retail sector via a Here For Retail section.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “We are now beginning to see the true economic impact of the coronavirus, with retail workers particularly vulnerable to redundancy as the Government’s furlough scheme winds down and businesses face difficult decisions about their ability to reopen shops and stores that have been closed for months.

“This week alone has brought horrific news for the High Street, with thousands of jobs placed at risk, including many in Greater Manchester. We are in no doubt about the challenges faced by every business in our region, including the retail sector, and will continue to work with the Growth Company and other partners to put in place all the support we can.”

Mark Hughes, Chief Executive of The Growth Company, said: “Along with our partners, The Growth Company is here for business and individuals who need support during these uncertain times. While we know from the weekly Growth Company Covid-19 Impact Survey that every sector has been impacted by the coronavirus, the retail sector is being hit particularly hard.

“Many thousands of retail workers now need help to find new roles, or develop new skills, and EmployGM will signpost the support they need. Advice and help is also available for those retail businesses that are in distress, potentially providing them with additional support and funding to safeguard jobs.”

For more information and to get help from Employ GM visit www.employgm.org/.

Businesses looking for support can also visit the Coronavirus microsite at www.businessgrowthhub.com/Coronavirus or get in touch for more advice and support by emailing BGH@growthco.uk or call us on 0161 359 3050. Opening hours have been extended to Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm and Saturday and Sunday 9am – 1pm to support businesses.

Launch of free innovative webinars to help SMEs cope with the “New Norm”

Business support

Sam Whitear

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03/07/2020

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Launch of free innovative webinars to help SMEs cope with the “New Norm”

Guide Security, in partnership with Business Lancashire, Business Manchester, KUB Ltd. and Digital Associate, is launching a series of 45 minute to one-hour free zoom webinars to help SMEs in the North West understand and cope with the “New Norm”.

Each weekly webinar, on a Thursday at 14.00, will feature a subject matter expert, chosen for their knowledge and ability to interact with the audience.

So, if you asking yourself: ‘When will things go back to normal?’, these webinars can help you achieve the best for your business during, and after COVID-19.

The series of webinars will cover topics such as helping to improve your customer service, change management, HR issues, health and safety and much more.

The first speaker, at 14.00 on Thursday 9 July, will be Ian Frost, Commercial Director, Digital Associate, who will discuss: “How to make LinkedIn a successful source of lead generation post COVID – 19.”

About this free webinar

Many businesses across the UK have had to adapt their marketing strategies dramatically in order to keep their head above water during lockdown circumstances.

To help you, Ian Frost will cover how to improve your leads on LinkedIn, through years of hands on experience.

You will learn how to find your audience; the importance of connection messages; content personalisation, plus tips and tricks to help convert your conversations into sales.

About our speaker

Ian assists SME business owners with effective sales growth and ensures a Return on Investment and offers straight talking professional support that works.

One of the main sources of lead generation that Ian swears by is LinkedIn, having first joined the platform back in 2007. Ian now regularly gives webinars, training and advice to SMEs, charities, school’s and non profit organisations to help improve their online presence and strategy.

To register for this free webinar, please click HERE, but hurry, each webinar is limited to a maximum of 100 participants

LANDWOOD’S ONLINE AUCTION PLATFORM DELIVERS £7.5M OF LOCKDOWN SALES

Growth

Sam Whitear

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03/07/2020

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LANDWOOD’S ONLINE AUCTION PLATFORM DELIVERS £7.5M OF LOCKDOWN SALES

Landwood Property Auctions are hailing the success of their online-only approach, after selling £7.5million of property during lockdown.

While the coronavirus outbreak forced traditional auctioneers to radically alter how they operate, Manchester-based Landwood have continued to hold their weekly auctions without interruption – while enjoying a surge in registered bidders who, in turn, have pushed sale prices to new heights.

Recent successes include:

A three-bed terrace in Sefton, Merseyside with a guide price of £25,000, selling for £71,500 after attracting 167 bids.
A plot of land in Stroud, Gloucestershire with a guide price of £100,000, selling for £325,000 from 150 bids.
A plot of land in Stalybridge, Cheshire with a guide price of £5,000, selling for £95,250 from 298 bids.
A plot of land in Ashton-under-Lyne, Gtr Manchester with a guide price of £25,000, selling for £140,250 from 388 bids.

After social distancing regulations closed the country’s auction houses – many responded by holding their regular monthly or six-weekly sales behind closed doors and broadcasting them online.

Landwood’s approach has always been more tech-driven – using its platform to dispense with a physical auctioneer and allow more bids to be taken in a shorter space of time – maximising potential returns for sellers and giving buyers more opportunities to secure a property.

Landwood Property Auctions Director Kate Lay said: “While lockdown has presented significant challenges for many in the market, we have found the opposite to be true.

“As online property auction experts we’ve seen record numbers of bidders taking part, driving sales to £7.5million since March.

“And as others in the industry have been playing catch-up, we have operated entirely without disruption.

“Holding our sales on a weekly basis – in contrast to the industry standard four-week approach – allows us to actively engage with potential buyers for longer and deliver better returns for clients.

“Because we’ve been holding property auctions online since 2018, we really understand how to deliver the maximum return for sellers and a seamless experience for buyers.”

Landwood is expecting the strong performance to continue into next month. While July last year saw 46 lots listed, the total this year already stands at 60, with a further 20 likely.

These include a studio flat in Manchester’s Beetham Tower where footballers Cristiano Ronaldo and the Neville brothers have owned property, with a guide price of £115,000.

There is also a three-bed semi in Blackpool with starting bids of £85,000 alongside a pair of former Cumbria County Council care homes. One in Barrow-in-furness with a guide price of £100,000 and another in Carlisle with a guide price of £125,000.

Zeus Capital makes promotions following bumper quarter

Appointments

Sam Whitear

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03/07/2020

0

Zeus Capital makes promotions following bumper quarter

Zeus Capital has made six promotions following a string of high profile transactions in the last three months.

Since lockdown, the firm has completed 14 transactions, including several public company takeovers, fundraisings and M&A deals.

Within its Corporate Finance team, Zeus Capital has promoted Nick Cowles to deputy head of corporate finance; Jordan Warburton to director and Kieran Russell, Rishi Majithia and AJ Reus to associate director. Rachel Birkett has been promoted to director in the research team, and Anna Thomas, who leads Zeus Capital’s private client offering, has also been made a director.

Nick Cowles has been with Zeus Capital for more than 15 years, acting on numerous high-profile IPOs and public company takeovers. In the last few months, he has worked on significant transactions such as boohoo.com’s £198m equity fundraising, as well as its £324m acquisition of the remaining stake in sister company, Pretty Little Thing.

Jordan joined Zeus Capital as corporate finance executive in 2015 from EY and has been made director following his involvement in a large number of transactions, acting for both PLCs and private businesses during his time at the firm.

Anna Thomas joined Zeus Capital in March 2018 to establish a Private Client service for high net worth individuals. Rachel Birkett joined the firm in November 2016 as a research analyst, and having worked closely alongside Boohoo, now joins other directors Bob Liao, Andy Hanson and Robin Savage in the research team.

In addition to transactions for boohoo, Zeus Capital has also led the £22.6m take private of men’s formalwear retailer Moss Bros, as well as a £78.4m share merger of City of London Investment Group (CLIG) with Karpus Management in recent months.

Tremayne Ducker, Head of Corporate Finance at Zeus Capital, said: “In a market where dealmaking has become more difficult, we have continued to see appetite for our services across both public and private transactions. In particular, we expect the appetite for equity fundraisings to continue, as listed businesses seek capital to help them get through this difficult period and emerge stronger, and private buyers will see this as an opportunity to consolidate the market.

“With that said, we wanted to reward the hard work of our corporate finance and research teams over the last few months with these promotions. We are hoping to build on our performance in the second half of the year, and the team will continue to play a vital role in our success.”

104 SME manufacturers, including 25 in Greater Manchester, to reap benefits of digital technology

Business support

Sam Whitear

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03/07/2020

0

104 SME manufacturers, including 25 in Greater Manchester, to reap benefits of digital technology

The North West technology adoption pilot is working with small and medium-sized manufacturers to help them introduce digital tools and technologies to help boost productivity and growth, as well as navigate the impact of Covid-19.

Almost 950 SME manufacturers have secured support, including specialised advice and £2.5M of funding, since the launch of Made Smarter 18 months ago.

This support includes expert, impartial technology advice, digital roadmapping workshops to help manufacturers take their first steps to transform their business, leadership development programme developed in partnership with Lancaster University, and funded digital technology internships.

104 of the businesses have now secured matched funding for 115 projects and are forecast to deliver an additional £100M in gross value added (GVA) for the North West economy over the next three years.

The latest Greater Manchester SMEs to secure funding include: Creative Apparel (Stockport); Manchester Manufacturing Group (Denton); Bindatex (Bolton); Swinton Electroplating (Swinton); Mini Gears (Stockport); Rapid Colour Services (Leigh); The Bury Black Pudding (Bury); Starlight Bedrooms (Bolton); Astropol (Wigan); Lazerian (Denton); Roch Valley (Heywood); and Clean Air (Bolton).

Rob Barrows-Langford, Operations Director for Starlight Bedrooms, said: “We are thrilled to have the support of Made Smarter in driving forward a technology project which will bring real value to our company and customers. The project will unlock growth potential and deliver enhanced resource efficiency and employment opportunities.”

Meanwhile, Lancashire Farm Dairies (Rochdale) and Heatsense Cables (Rochdale) have both already experienced the benefits of Made Smarter support and are now taking the next step in its digitalisation journey.

Some manufacturers are developing projects using technologies which enable them to integrate systems, capture and analyse data, and even create simulations of their plants and processes. Others are using 3D-printing, automation, and robotics to solve business challenges and meet increased demand.

By adopting cutting-edge technologies, these businesses are benefitting from improved productivity and revenue, increased exports and job creation, an upskilled workforce, lower energy bills, and a reduced carbon footprint.

Donna Edwards, Programme Director for the Made Smarter North West pilot, said: “Reaching 104 business and 115 funded projects is a fantastic achievement – and there is much more to come.

“Over the last 18 months the Made Smarter team has engaged with hundreds of makers from every corner of the region offering specialist advice about the benefits to adopting new digital technology.

“I am thrilled that so many firms of all sizes have tapped into our expertise to help them select the right approach for their business, how much to invest and which technologies will bring the greatest benefits.

“The coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on manufacturing and resulted in widespread repercussions for the economy. Manufacturers have reacted and adapted to the different circumstances they find their businesses facing and technology has been at the heart of that response.

“While there is uncertainty, what is clear is that Made Smarter is needed more than ever to help SMEs maintain their competitive edge using technology to come back smarter and navigate the future.”

Other businesses previously revealed to have secured funding include: Mackinnon & Saunders (Altrincham); Handrail Creations (Bolton); Fabricon Design (Ashton-Under-Lyne); MSM aerospace fabricators (Middleton); Suscom Industries (Wigan); BEP Surface Technologies (Radcliffe); W Howard Group (Astley); Techtex (Middleton); Tibard (Dukinfield); Antonelli Brothers (Irlam); and Joshua Greaves & Sons (Ramsbottom).

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