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AIM-listed NAHL Group confirms joint venture with Manchester-based HCC Solicitors

Blog

Sam Whitear

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04/10/2019

AIM-listed NAHL Group confirms joint venture with Manchester-based HCC Solicitors

NAHL Group, the owner of National Accident Helpline, has announced plans for a new joint venture with Manchester-based law firm Horwich Cohen Coghlan (HCC) Solicitors.

The new Alternative Business Structure (ABS) will be named Law Together and will be based at HCC’s offices in Castlefield, Manchester.

Law Together will start trading in early October 2019.

Award-winning law firm HCC Solicitors specialises in helping seriously injured and traumatised clients get recompense for long-term rehabilitation and treatment.

The firm employs more than 250 people in Manchester and recently launched a new office in Birmingham headed up by experienced serious injury lawyer Joe Speed.

Adam Nabozny, Managing Director of Legal Services at NAHL Group, which announced interim results today with revenue up 3.9% to £25.8m (2018 H1: £24.9m), said:

“Establishing joint venture ABS businesses with partners which complement our Panel and our own law firm is central to our long-term strategy. The next phase of this will be the launch of Law Together.

“HCC Solicitors is a well-respected leading law firm with a proven track record in handling personal injury and major trauma cases, and its team have considerable experience of working in partnership to run a successful ABS.

“Our ABS strategy enables us to respond to the government reforms and to identify new opportunities by challenging market norms.”

David Horwich, Director of HCC Solicitors, said:

“National Accident Helpline is a brand which has achieved longevity and trust within the personal injury market, and we are pleased to be teaming up with NAHL Group for this joint venture.

“Both partners will bring more than 25 years of insight and expertise to the partnership. Our specialist teams are experts in handling personal injury, major trauma and serious injury claims, while NAHL Group is a market leader in lead generation and customer service.”

Jam_ continues its growth expansion with three high profile appointments

Sam Whitear

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04/10/2019

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Integrated agency, Jam_ continues its ambitious growth plans with three new additions to its Manchester-based team.

Marketing and communications expert, Linzi Atkinson, joins the agency as Account Director, bringing a wealth of senior experience in retail to the role. Linzi, who has worked for Golden Square in Warrington and The Rock in Bury, will be responsible for driving the Jam strategy, delivering and managing projects for clients, bringing in new business and managing the growing team.

Sean McMahon joins the team as Digital Manager, reflecting the agency’s continual shift to integrated digital comms. Sean, who has made the move to Manchester after seven years working in Leeds, will be responsible for developing integrated digital marketing strategies across Jam’s broad client base, and leading on social media strategy and implementation.

Prior to joining Jam, Sean worked with a wealth of high profile clients, including the British Library, Viking Direct and Moonpig.

Account Manager Holly Latham has been appointed to supervise and develop strategies for key accounts including Printworks and Mexichem, as well as playing a role in securing new business.

Previous high-profile clients Holly has worked with include Zoflora, Horlicks and the NHS. Holly’s experience also includes working with a range of travel clients including Teletext Holidays, which will help pave the way for Jam’s onboarding of future travel clients.

Jaime Gee, MD and Co-owner of Jam, said, “The trio of high profile appointments reflect Jam’s ambitious expansion and growth plans. Linzi, Sean and Holly all bring incredible amounts of experience and knowledge to the agency, and all three will help to drive Jam forward over the coming years. We are absolutely thrilled to welcome them as Jammers.”

Currently employing 15 staff, Jam has recently taken a second floor in its Northern Quarter office to accommodate its expanding team and growth plans.

The appointments follow a successful 12 months, which saw JAMpr and JAMcreative rebranding to become Jam_ to reflect the agency’s integrated offering.

Current clients include Argos Pet Insurance, APJ Solicitors, Hard Rock Cafe Manchester, Survivors Manchester, Mexichem, The Furniture Recycling Group and Printworks.

Major network investment to accommodate ‘significant growth plans’

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04/10/2019

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Major network investment to accommodate ‘significant growth plans’

Following a multi-million pound investment expanding its network in Amsterdam, Seattle and Washington, British cloud hosting firm UKFast is upgrading its UK infrastructure to bring new levels of resilience and security to its customers.

The network investment also gives the Manchester tech giant headroom to accommodate its significant growth plans.

Introducing three major new points of presence (POPs) across the UK, the move increases the capacity of UKFast’s hosting network 17-fold and bolsters defences against cyber-attacks for the millions of businesses and consumers relying on the firm.

The new POPs in Manchester, Leeds and London form part of a wider £4m project, which saw the company bring locations online across the globe earlier this year to strengthen its dedicated cyber defence network, DDoSX.

UKFast CEO Lawrence Jones said: “We’re always looking for ways to make our service better, faster and more resilient for our customers. The level of investment we’re pushing into our network gives clients a new level of service.

“With DDoS attacks on the rise, the network upgrades offer significant advantages in terms of protection. It’s our duty to be prepared and to protect our customers – that’s exactly what the latest upgrade does.”

UKFast achieved revenues of £53.9m in 2018, with private and hybrid cloud hosting now representing 43% of total sales.

WORK COMMENCES ON PHASE TWO OF TRAFFORD RETAIL PARK

Blog

Sam Whitear

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04/10/2019

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WORK COMMENCES ON PHASE TWO OF TRAFFORD RETAIL PARK

Work has commenced on phase two of Trafford Retail Park which is set to bring a new Aldi food store and Starbucks drive-thru unit to the Barton Road scheme.

Havercroft Construction have been appointed as the main contractor for the works by Peel L&P’s retail parks team which received planning approval in March this year. The Lincolnshire based company also carried out the knockdown and rebuild of Phase one at Washington Retail Park on behalf of Peel L&P.

Aldi are set to take a 18,568 sq ft discount food store and Starbucks has agreed a lease on a 1,800 sq ft drive-thru unit with parking, joining an already strong line up of retailers including Dunelm, Food Warehouse, Nando’s and B&M. The new stores, set to open in early 2020, are expected to further boost the park’s 4.8 million annual footfall figure.

Leah Taylor, development manager at Peel L&P said: “We’re pleased works are now on site for phase two of Trafford Retail Park and we look forward to working with Havercroft Construction on their second project for our team.”

Speaking on the planning approval, Stuart Parks at Aldi UK said: “This site is an ideal location for a new Aldi store as it’s a shopping area that our customers already visit. We look forward to opening the doors of this store next year and helping the community shop and save closer to home.”

Grant Bailey, Director of Havercroft Construction said: “Our success in securing a second project for Peel L&P at Trafford Retail Park has been welcomed be everyone at Havercroft Construction and we thank the development team most sincerely for this instruction. Our experience in the delivery of previous similar retail and drive-thru schemes across the country provides us with the confidence and technical know-how to ensure the proposed Aldi and Starbucks drive thru are delivered to the expectations of all.”

Located within TraffordCity, one of the UK’s leading retail and leisure destinations and close to intu Trafford Centre, Trafford Retail Park has over 740 free parking spaces, with an additional 143 spaces being built to service the new development.

Siemens launches Digital Academy to nurture next generation of engineering and tech talent

Education

Sam Whitear

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03/10/2019

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Siemens launches Digital Academy to nurture next generation of engineering and tech talent

Siemens has launched a new undergraduate sponsorship programme to discover, inspire and nurture the next generation of engineering and tech talent.

The Digital Academy pays selected students £3,000-a-year from the second year of university as well as up to 12-weeks paid summer placement throughout the duration of their studies within a Siemens business.

At the end of their degree they will be given the chance to join Siemens’ Graduate Scheme.

The pioneering programme is a partnership between Siemens, the University of Sheffield and Newcastle University, and a further 15 principal UK universities.

It aims to offer undergraduates a practical, collaborative space to explore Industry 4.0 technologies and put what they learn at university into real world use.

Six trailblazing students from EEE (electrical and electronic engineering) and computer science departments have been selected to pilot the programme this summer.

Nikhil Patel and Miles Moran from Newcastle University, Thomas Edwards from the University of Sheffield, Diana Crintea from the University of Southampton, Maryem Khan from the University of Loughborough and Ariana Escobar Chalen from the University of Manchester were unveiled at a launch event at Siemens Digital Factory in Congleton.

Brian Holliday, Siemens Digital Industries Managing Director, said: “The Digital Academy is another ground-breaking example of how Siemens and our higher education partners are working together to encourage young people to pursue careers in engineering and technology.

“This programme gives undergraduates applied and up-to-date experience to bolster their academic learning.

“By strengthening links between business and our world-leading universities, we can inspire and nurture talent to support the UK’s leading role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”

The first group of undergraduates were selected from the inaugural Sir William Siemens Challenge, a two-day hackathon-style event held at the University of Sheffield which involved 84 promising engineering students from partner universities.

The challenge, dubbed ‘Mindsphere Live’, saw students put into 12 hybrid, multidisciplinary teams and asked to invent a unique device powered by data.

Ian Donald, Head of R&D at Siemens Digital Factory in Congleton, said: “We really want to develop the next generation of engineers who can create and develop new exciting things.

“The inaugural Mindsphere Live was a great way of bringing multi-disciplinary teams together to collaborate to bring data to life in a meaningful way.

“These real-life problems gave students the opportunity to experience things that they may encounter in a business environment and insight into what life could be like at Siemens.

“The Digital Academy takes that experience to the next level. It illustrates that engineering is a practical subject where the real and virtual worlds co-exist and where data plays an increasingly important part in creating value. It’s not just about sitting at a computer, it’s really hands. It’s about interaction, working in teams to solve actual problems – which is what this pilot cohort will be doing this summer.”

One of those taking part in the pilot Digital Academy is Nikhil Patel, an electrical engineering undergraduate from Newcastle University.

He said: “I wanted to join the Digital Academy so that I could work with a world leading organisation such as Siemens to enhance my knowledge of new technologies and allow me to work with a range of other people to not only help improve Siemens as a business but also to improve the connectivity of the world we live in.

“Being part of the Digital Academy gives me an insight into how Siemens operates as a business and it also provides me with the means to be able to make a difference. It gives me the opportunity to develop my technical and transferable skills whilst working on real, cutting-edge projects and I think that being a part of this scheme will help to accelerate my career progression and allow me to grow as an individual, with the help of Siemens.”

Professor Mike Hounslow, Vice-President and Head of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sheffield, said: “We are focused on bridging the Industry 4.0 skills gap by equipping students with the skills for the new digital economy.

“Following a longstanding strategic partnership with Siemens, the University of Sheffield is delighted to be collaborating on the Digital Academy.

“Our students will benefit immensely from working with such a pioneering and transformational technology company.”

Applications for the next Digital Academy cohort are now being accepted from the following: the University of Sheffield; Newcastle University; The University of Manchester; Oxford University; the University of Cambridge; the University of Lincoln; the University of Southampton; Imperial College London; the University of Strathclyde; the University of Nottingham; the University of Birmingham; Loughborough University; Bournemouth University; the University of Bath; the University of York; the University of Warwick; and Aston University.

For more information on how to apply visit www.siemens.co.uk/digitalacademy

For editors:

The Digital Academy builds on Siemens’ commitment to forging a partnership with high education providers to bridge the Industry 4.0 skills gap.

In June, Siemens, launched a new academic teaching programme, Connected Curriculum, in partnership with higher education providers and Festo, the global supplier of automation technology and provider of industrial training and education,

It will bring advanced industrial tools, data and approaches into their respective apprenticeship, undergraduate and masters courses.”

At the heart of the Connected Curriculum is Siemens Digital Industries world-leading industrial software portfolio and cloud-based IoT platform MindSphere.

MindSphere is a highly secure operating system which connects industrial machines and devices via IoT protocols. It allows data from multiple sources to be captured and analysed simultaneously, creating a real-time picture of the whole production process via a single, powerful and intuitive interface.

Manufacturers set to embrace new digital technologies after Made Smarter event

Sam Whitear

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03/10/2019

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Manufacturers set to embrace new digital technologies after Made Smarter event

Manufacturers from varied industries including aerospace, engineering and food and beverage, are set to embrace new digital technologies following a successful Made Smarter event in Blackburn.

ELE Advanced Technologies, Granite House, Westmill and BEP Surface Technology were among 30 delegates drawn from across Lancashire, Liverpool and Greater Manchester’s manufacturing, engineering, and food and beverage sectors.

The free Powering your Manufacturing through Digital Transformation event in Blackburn was run by Industry 4.0 programme Made Smarter, which supports manufacturers to digitise and innovate through grant funding, fully funded specialist technology advice, and leadership and skills development.

Business leaders joined roundtable sessions chaired by industry experts, which focussed on specific barriers to adopting new digital technology and overcoming them such as skills, leadership, finance and culture.

Colne-based engineering business ELE Advanced Technologies operate in the aerospace market which generates over £8 Billion in turnover and employs over 26,000 highly skilled workers in the North West.

With the aerospace industry forecast to grow, ELE Advanced Technologies wants to remain competitive so attended the Made Smarter event to understand more about how digital tools can boost its business.

Dave Dudley, from ELE, said: “We attended to learn more about business support, understand what Made Smarter is all about and learn more about digital transformation and what it could do for our business.

“It was also an excellent opportunity to network in an area of interest which we knew very little about.”

Granite House, based in Southport, a manufacturer of granite and quartz worksurfaces, has also been inspired to begin its digital road map.

Junaid Patel, from Granite House, said: “We attended because we know we need to embrace technology. The event was very thought provoking and was definitely worth attending.”

Westmill, the Manchester-based food manufacturer, wants to introduce new digital technology and attended the event to find out how.

Tim Lishman, from Westmill, said: “It was a really useful and good level of discussion around the table.”

The Made Smarter team was on hand to offer business leaders information about the free advice and funding support to help with the adoption of new, smarter production methods such as robotics and automation, additive manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IOT), 3D-printing, the use of ‘big’ data and the latest design software.

BEP Surface Technology, based in Radcliffe, is a precision engineering and surface technologies business.

Andrew McClusky, from BEP, said: “We attended the event because we were curious about Industrial 4.0 technologies and what Made Smarter could do to help us.

“The event was a useful taster to what support and funding is available to businesses like mine.

Led by Made Smarter Programme Manager Alain Dilworth, the event provided practical advice and tools to help manufacturers take the first steps on transforming their business by helping them to develop a digital roadmap.

Delegates heard from Dr Steven Barr and Ravi Gidoomal from Edge Digital, a consultancy dedicated to enabling businesses to gain maximum value from digital technology.

Their presentation aimed to debunk digital transformation myths and explored the technologies and the benefits of each.

Delegates also heard about real life examples of how other businesses have applied new technology, the challenges they overcame and the benefits they are now seeing.

Mark Prince, Chairman of Nucroft, a consultancy which works with manufacturers on new business strategies, spoke about how exploiting a competitive advantage into growth is as important as unlocking efficiency, improving quality and reducing waste.

Industry experts on the roundtables included: Philippa Glover, Managing Director of Liverpool-based CNC Robotics; Phil Hargreaves, Head of Access 2 Finance; Pete Cornwall, Business Liaison Officer at Lancaster University; and Sarah Dhanda, Head of Employer Engagement and Partnerships at Semta.

Alain Dilworth said of the Digital Transformation event: “One of Lancashire’s many strengths is its manufacturing and technology sectors, so it is important that Made Smarter come here to advocate for the acceleration of digital adoption.

“Made Smarter is engaged with a number of manufacturers operating in the aerospace supply chain, so we were thrilled to offer our advisory service to companies like ELE Advanced Technologies that attended the event.

“It was also encouraging to see SMEs from a wide range of sectors willing to travel to Blackburn to join us and I would like to thank all of the partners and businesses from across the North West who came together to explore how digital technology can grow businesses.

“These events are important for us to share the message digital tools can increase profit, reduce inefficiencies, open new markets and provide greater insight for business leaders.

“We will continue to travel across the North West to engage with businesses at the start of their journey. Any company interested in the Made Smarter can find out more at www.madesmarter.uk

Historic manufacturer launches revolutionary graphene aerosol

Blog

Sam Whitear

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03/10/2019

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Historic manufacturer launches revolutionary graphene aerosol

Chemicals manufacturer James Briggs Ltd (JBL) is launching a first-to-market anti-corrosion aerosol Primer utilising wonder material graphene.

The Manchester-based company is set to transform the automotive aerosol Primer market when the revolutionary Graphene Anti-Corrosion Primer – part of its Hycote range – hits shelves next month.

Developed in conjunction with graphene technology firm Applied Graphene Materials, the spray signals a significant milestone in the commercial use of the substance, which was originally discovered by scientists at the University of Manchester.

The new product has been specifically formulated to offer excellent resistance to corrosion, with tests demonstrating an impressive up to 10 fold increase in corrosion protection when compared to a standard primer.

Jim Miller, Commercial Director at James Briggs Ltd, said: “This is an incredibly exciting launch for us that has the real potential to revolutionise the aerosol primer market. We’ve known for some time that graphene is a real ‘wonder material’, but its ability to add such powerful anti-corrosion properties to an aerosol Primer has not been thoroughly explored until now.

“We have carried out an intensive programme of testing to ensure that we are bringing a significantly improved level of protection against corrosion and, importantly, that we are not compromising on quality or the product’s other key attributes.

“Our development included aggressive testing regimes such as industry standard salt spray testing over many hours and we’re extremely proud of the massive difference in durability when compared to standard products.”

Founded in Manchester in 1830 at the height of the industrial revolution, JBL has built a reputation as a service-led, industrial aerosol manufacturer, specialising in the supply of paints and lubricants for retail, consumer and trade markets.

Based across two sites in Royton and Chadderton, it distributes 60 million aerosols of high performance product every year, counting household name brand WD-40 as one of its major customers.

The company will roll out its first run of Hycote Graphene Anti-Corrosion Primer at retailers such as Tetrosyl Express, with plans now underway to develop the product into both Private Label ranges and the next phase of new products.

Jim added: “We’re extremely proud to be able to bring forward this first-to-market product, created in the city where graphene was first discovered, and we are now looking for the next step-change in the performance of our other products that graphene can bring.”

ALISON HANDLING REACH FINALS OF THE VENTUREFEST NORTH WEST INNOVATION SHOWCASE

Awards

Sam Whitear

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03/10/2019

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ALISON HANDLING REACH FINALS OF THE VENTUREFEST NORTH WEST INNOVATION SHOWCASE

Lancashire-based Alison Handling has reached the finals of this year’s Venturefest North West Innovation Showcase competition.

The Innovation showcase targets small to medium-sized businesses who have launched a new product, service or digital innovation in four categories. Alison Handling has been recognised for the launch of its new A-Link Dolly which is a rack to shelf solution, cutting the need for cage trolleys, and inefficient storage systems in the Product Innovation category.

Having already beaten stiff competition to reach the finals, the team from Alison Handling will now pitch to an audience in excess of 1000 potential customers and investors at an event at Manchester Central on the 20^th November 2019.

Glenn Broomfield, managing director at Alison Handling said: “This has been a rigorous process already and we are delighted to be recognised by Venturefest and to be given the opportunity to take centre stage to showcase our Dolly solution. The response to the Dolly from our customers has been overwhelming and we truly believe that by using the Dolly, businesses can cut staff handling times between the warehouse and the store by approx. 46%, meaning huge savings on labour, whilst increasing efficiency and profitability.”

The A-Link Dolly has been over a year in development and testing and represents a major R&D investment for Alison Handling. The system is a unique wheeled dolly, designed to accommodate all types of plastic storage boxes, tote boxes, stack-nest crates, with a feature on the trolley to create location points for castors for safe stacking of the dollies when in storage or returned to store.

Winners of each of the four categories will be chosen by an independent panel of experts and there will also be an audience winner, each of which will be announced on the day.

Innovation Showcase entrants have generated £5.2million of investment offers from having taken part in the competition. Many of these were not actual winners on the day but made such an impression with angel investors and venture capitalists that they went on to secure funding for their proposition.

Final call for businesses to apply for the sought-after GC Business Growth Hub Amplify Programme, which starts this October

Sam Whitear

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03/10/2019

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Final call for businesses to apply for the sought-after GC Business Growth Hub Amplify Programme, which starts this October

GC Business Growth Hub is issuing a final call for applications to its exclusive Amplify programme as the October start date for its latest cohort approaches. The programme is designed to support Greater Manchester’s digital, creative, and tech businesses to successfully scale up.

The nine-month programme, part funded by the Local Growth Fund, is aimed at businesses with the highest potential to generate and sustain growth. Working with partners Form, it will provide successful applicants with support and advice from industry leaders, as well as the training and tools necessary to take their businesses to the next level. The programme is also part subsidised, with the Hub covering over two thirds of the programme, which is worth over £16,000 per business.

Having already received significant interest in its 2019-2020 programme, businesses are being encouraged to apply before the final spaces are filled through the Amplify website for the opportunity to be considered for the upcoming programme, starting in October. Successful applicants will join some of Greater Manchester’s fastest growing companies, including Ear to the Ground, Social Communications, Rapport, and Jam Pan Learning.

Chris Teague, Co-Founder of Rapport, said “Amplify offers Rapport the unique opportunity to learn from best in class digital, creative and tech businesses in Berlin. And access ongoing accountability and challenge supporting us to meet our growth ambitions. We are confident the programme will provide increased levels of clarity and accelerate our growth.”

In order to be successful, businesses must meet the following criteria:

Be a company in the digital, creative & tech sector, working from the Greater Manchester area
Have a minimum of 10 staff
Have an ambitious leadership team
Be aiming to grow the business consistently year-on-year

Applications from businesses which do not meet the above criteria but show exceptional potential for growth may also be considered.

Successful applicants will receive:

A three-day European Best Practice Study Trip to learn from some of the most dynamic creative and tech companies on the continent. The 2018-19 cohort visited Copenhagen to visit industry leaders like the Danish national broadcaster DR, world-renowned digital product studio UsTwo, and the disruptive fin-tech company Pleo.
The opportunity to work alongside dedicated and industry-seasoned Board Advisors to support each business’s growth journey
A two-day Growth Sprint for the whole leadership team to learn the high growth strategies used by the likes of Google and Lego
A programme of bespoke resources and monthly growth challenges
An exclusive Forward Planning and Showcase Event to celebrate successes and help businesses create plans to sustain growth beyond the programme

Speaking of their experience on the Amplify programme, Matt Haworth, Co-Founder of Reason Digital, said, “Amplify has helped drive clarity in our business, leading to better alignment, increased productivity and a solid strategic plan.”

Richard Jeffery, Director at GC Business Growth Hub, said, “This is the second year we are running the Amplify programme, and we’ve already seen interest from some of the best enterprising and exciting businesses in the Greater Manchester tech and creative sector.

“Last year’s alumni have had some wonderful successes, including Mustard Media’s new product offering that has helped build a bigger business pipeline, and Wilson Cooke’s growth experiments that have helped secure several new client wins. We’re confident that this year’s cohort will also go on to achieve great things and see tangible results with the support of the programme.”

Places on the Amplify programme cost £6,000+VAT, including all workshops, materials, event catering, Board Advisor time, and travel and accommodation for the study trip.

To apply, visit the GC Business Growth Hub website.

The Winners! The Region’s Winning Businesswomen Announced at the 9th Annual Enterprise Vision Awards

Sam Whitear

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03/10/2019

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The Winners! The Region’s Winning Businesswomen Announced at the 9th Annual Enterprise Vision Awards

Sixteen businesswomen from the North West battled intense competition at The Winter Gardens to win a prestigious Enterprise Vision Award.

Izzy Arrieta of Dean Taylor Bathrooms (Small Business), Sara Dewhurst of Sandgrown Ventures (New Business), Amy Bateman of Amy Bateman Photography (Solo Business), Holly Shafiq of The Phlebotomy Centre (Young Entrepreneur), Louise Wood of Mortgages By Louise Wood (Financial Services), Victoria Stott of Victoria Stott Design (Creative Industry), Zoe Fleming of Vincents Solicitors (Professional Services), Alison Magee-Barker of AJ Lakes Consultancy (Training and Coaching), Kirsty Mackenzie of Lakeland Inns (Hospitality Industry), Chrissy Thomas Griffin of The Lingerie Lounge (Customer Services), Codilia Gapare of C-Lash (Beauty Business), Melissa Toland of Time For You (Health & Wellbeing), Helen Pritchard of Helen Pritchard Online (Internet Industry), Maura Jackson of BACKUP North West (Inspirational Woman), Suzy Spencer of Ron Spencer Cycles (Retail Business) and Kate Stewart of Vitality Homes (Business Woman) are now the proud owners of a highly sought after 2019 Enterprise Vision Award.

Four further talented businesswomen went on to receive recognition for their work: Grace Vella of MissKick (Young Entrepreneur ‘One To Watch’), Michelle Wilkin of Lakeland Retreats (Customer Services ‘Highly Commended’), Catherine Best of Best at Solutions CIC (Training and Coaching ‘Highly Commended’) and Leona Marsh of Marsh Mill Interiors (Creative Industry ‘Highly Commended’).

The EVAS are the largest and most impressive business awards dedicated solely to women outside London. The awards champion women in business and shine a spotlight on their enterprise and innovation. From home workers to CEO’s of multi-national companies, the awards empower women and encourage others to fulfil their aspirations.

The region’s leading ladies lit up Blackpool brighter than the Illuminations as business leaders and influencers gathered to enjoy a spectacular evening hosted by Rosie Dummer of C4’s Extreme Cake Makers.

Over 650 guests attended the EVAS to recognise the outstanding achievements of women in business in the region. A reception featured a specially created EVAS pink gin cocktail featuring Lytham Gin by Ginception offered guests an opportunity to expand their business and network with like-minded women. Entertainment was provided by The Voice UK’s Hayley and Geno Eccles, a female saxophonist and games courtesy of Odin Events. This was followed by a delicious banquet dinner by Campbell and Rowley and a sparkling awards ceremony which honoured the region’s trailblazers.

Coral Horn, Founder of the EVAS said “The EVAS spread an inspirational message that women of all ages can be successful entrepreneurs. Each year, the EVAS gets bigger and better. This year, we’ve cried, laughed and been awestruck by the excellence of these talented women. They made it harder than ever for the judges who were impressed by their passion, determination and zeal.”

The awards were broadcast live enabling friends and family across the world to watch the awards. #EVAS2019 trended as EVA fever lit up social media as the awards were announced.

Heather Waters, Enterprise Manager at NatWest, said: “The EVAS are without question a brilliant way to celebrate the successes and achievements made by women in business from across the North West. The Alison Rose Review into Female Entrepreneurship highlighted the need for relatable role models and NatWest’s continued support of the EVAS as Headline Sponsor for the seventh year, shows that we are committed to resolving this issue by highlighting the great work being done by female entrepreneurs. We congratulate all of the winners and nominees, and hope they had a fantastic night celebrating.”

As the awards drew to a close, one final award was announced. The Outstanding Achievement of the Year Award which was awarded by NatWest was won by Manchester’s Susanna Lawson of OneFile. From launching her business from a bedroom, OneFile now provides e-portfolio and learning hub services to the police force, the NHS and colleges and universities across the UK.

Melissa Conlon, Commercial Director of AMRC North West said “We are delighted to sponsor the Small Business Category at this year’s Enterprise Vision Awards, supporting and encouraging female entrepreneurship. It was obvious from the quality of applications, that the women in the North West are a force to be reckoned with in terms of creativity, drive and passion for their businesses.”

The winners are:

Small Business Izzy Arrieta of Dean Taylor Bathrooms (Kendal, Cumbria)

New Business Sara Dewhurst of Sandgrown Ventures (Lytham St Annes, Lancashire)

Solo Business Amy Bateman of Amy Bateman Photography (Kendal, Cumbria)

Young Entrepreneur Holly Shafiq of The Phlebotomy Centre (Bolton, Greater Manchester)
Financial Services Louise Wood of Mortgages By Louise Wood (Blackpool, Lancashire)

Creative Industry Victoria Stott of Victoria Stott Design (Windermere, Cumbria)
Professional Services Zoe Fleming of Vincents Solicitors (Lytham St Annes, Lancashire)

Training and Coaching Alison Magee-Barker of AJ Lakes Consultancy (Windermere, Cumbria)
Hospitality Industry Kirsty Mackenzie of Lakeland Inns (Ulverston, Cumbria)

Customer Services Chrissy Thomas Griffin of The Lingerie Lounge (Blackpool, Lancashire)
Beauty Business Codilia Gapare of C-Lash (Northwich, Cheshire)

Health & Wellbeing Melissa Toland of Time For You (Blackpool, Lancashire)

Business Woman Kate Stewart of Vitality Homes (Liverpool, Merseyside)
Internet Industry Helen Pritchard of Helen Pritchard Online (Warrington, Cheshire)

Inspirational Woman Maura Jackson of BACKUP North West (Bolton, Greater Manchester)

Retail Business Suzy Spencer of Ron Spencer Cycles (Warrington, Cheshire)
Outstanding Achievement Susanna Lawson of One File (Manchester)

Young Entrepreneur ‘One To Watch’ Grace Vella of MissKick (Skelmersdale, Lancashire)
Customer Services ‘Highly Commended’ Michelle Wilkin of Lakeland Retreats (Ambleside, Cumbria)
Training and Coaching ‘Highly Commended’ Catherine Best of Best at Solutions CIC (Blackpool, Lancashire)
Creative Industry ‘Highly Commended’ Leona Marsh of Marsh Mill Interiors (Preston, Lancashire)

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