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Freedom Finance appoints new Chief Customer Officer to drive digital transformation

Appointments

Sam Whitear

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16/05/2019

Freedom Finance appoints new Chief Customer Officer to drive digital transformation

Manchester Fintech platform Freedom Finance has appointed Jake Ranson as Chief Customer Officer (CCO) to further drive its digital transformation. Jake joins from Equifax where he held the position of Chief Marketing Officer for Europe.

Jake will be responsible for furthering Freedom Finance’s customer strategy, helping potential borrowers to understand and unlock the power of their personal data to achieve the best possible outcomes for their individual circumstances. He brings significant expertise from the UK’s consumer finance market, particularly in creating digital products that make financial decisions engaging and straightforward.

Freedom Finance provides customers with clarity, rather than endless personal finance options. Coupling relevant data with innovative technology, its unique lending platform provides customers with the most suitable range of options and rates by combining multiple data sources with bureau soft-searches and services like Open Banking.

At Equifax, Jake worked on the implementation of the world’s first live Open Banking journey with HSBC, a service that Freedom Finance integrated within its online applications in February.

Jake, who brings extensive knowledge in commercial strategy, digital innovation, and end-to-end product lifecycle management, will also lead the development and capabilities of Freedom Finance’s app, which removes complexity from applications to help every customer make the best decision from the products available to them. Jake’s appointment follows Freedom Finance’s rapid growth in customer numbers year-on-year.

Brian Brodie, Chief Executive Officer at Freedom Finance said: “Jake’s appointment comes at a time where Freedom Finance is investing in technology and people to help carve-out exactly what borrowers want in the digital market. Freedom Finance recognises how, coupled with secure and sophisticated technology, financial information has the potential to improve borrowers’ financial lives.

“With years of experience in one of the largest data businesses in the world, I am delighted to have Jake join us at Freedom Finance. I have no doubt that his experience will further strengthen our leadership team and how the business meets customers’ requirements in a highly digitised world.”

Jake Ranson, newly appointed Chief Customer Officer at Freedom Finance, stated: “Personal finance can be complicated and unnecessarily daunting for some. Many consumers still feel alienated and confused by the industry and end up with the wrong products as a result. Freedom’s ability to mesh digital technologies, analytics and human support provides unrivalled levels of advocacy on the journey to making a financial decision. Freedom Finance’s ethos of combining digital and human interactions has earned tremendous reviews from its customers and is something I feel is well worth championing in today’s market.

“Freedom Finance has unrivalled capabilities and huge growth potential, which drew me to the business. I look forward to working within a talented team dedicated to delivering experiences and outcomes which inspire customers to return”.

Talentful on a mission to bring London-based tech candidates to the North-West

Blog

Sam Whitear

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16/05/2019

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Talentful on a mission to bring London-based tech candidates to the North-West

Last year, 10,200 people made the move from London to Manchester, with many making the move back to the region after leaving the North-West for the capital.

Talentful, the team building specialists for the world’s biggest tech brands, is committed to increasing this number even further by showcasing some of the North-West’s best tech companies at an exclusive event in the capital next month to attract the top London-based jobseekers to the region.

Manchester is now the UK’s biggest tech hub outside of London – the digital tech turnover in the city climbing by 4% to £3.2bn last year, with over 70,000 digital jobs, and the event in Shoreditch, London will raise awareness of tech opportunities in Manchester to the best London-based candidates.

The event, hosted by Talentful’s Director of Manchester, Liam Waite, on 13 June, will also provide further information about what makes the North-West such a brilliant place to live and work.

This event is part of a commitment by Talentful to facilitate the continued growth of the technology sector in Manchester, which also includes recently partnering with Code Nation. Code Nation are on a mission to enable individuals from all walks of life to thrive in Industry 4.0, as well as to solve the ever-growing digital skills shortage in the UK, and Talentful are delighted to be supporting Code Nation in the mission.

Liam Waite, Talentful Director of Manchester, said: “I was born and bred in Manchester but, like a lot of people, moved to London to begin my career after university. I have recently returned to Manchester and haven’t looked back! At Talentful, we have immersed ourselves in the thriving tech community here in order to continue the growth of the region.

Now, we’re really excited to be promoting working and living in Manchester directly to the most talented London-based tech candidates, some who may be looking for a move back to the region and some who would be experiencing the North-West for the first time.”

Combined Chemical Services wins Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade

Awards

Sam Whitear

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15/05/2019

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Combined Chemical Services wins Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade

Warrington based Combined Chemical Services has received a 2019 Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade.

Established in 2008, the chemical distributor was honoured as a result of its success in developing its global reach, providing chemical solutions to countries including USA, Germany, Czech Republic, Italy, Singapore and Australia. Selling to major blue-chip organisations, Combined Chemical Services has enjoyed sustained growth over the past 3 years and last year achieved overseas sales of £1.8m, which accounted for 52% of the overall turnover.

Specialising in high purity and commercial grade inorganic chemicals, the firm provides chemicals for a variety of uses, including water treatment, metal finishing, catalysts, renewable energy and pharmaceutical purposes.

Commented owner, James Marshall: “Winning a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade is a great honour, since it demonstrates how much we have developed as a global business. As well as offering a range of chemicals, we also provide technical support and innovative solutions to our portfolio of clients which includes some of the biggest companies in the chemical industry.

“What makes Combined Chemical Services different is that we keep a wide range of chemicals in stock at all times, allowing us to distribute them immediately to our UK and international clients as they are required.”

Paul Cooper Announced as new MediaCom North COO

Sam Whitear

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15/05/2019

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Paul Cooper Announced as new MediaCom North COO

Media agency MediaCom North Group has named Paul Cooper as its new chief operating officer, as part of a raft of senior promotions across the group.

After joining MediaCom North as regional head of digital in 2011, Paul launched i-LAB, MediaCom’s digital performance specialist division, and oversaw the merger of the business’ digital, direct and TV operations into a fully integrated communications agency – more than doubling it in size.

He played a leading role in the acquisition and integration of digital agency Code ComputerLove in 2016 and creative agency Cheetham Bell JWT in 2018.

Going forward, Paul will be responsible for leading the group – which consists of media, digital and creative businesses MediaCom North, Code and Cheetham Bell. Key to this will be evolving the group into a business that works with clients seamlessly across all areas of their marketing ecosystem, helping to deliver business transformation and growth.

Evidence of the growing importance of MediaCom’s regional operations to the UK business, Paul also joins the executive committee for MediaCom UK, which has recently been ranked number one media agency in the UK by Campaign.

Further promotions include Nicola Marsh, who becomes managing director of MediaCom Manchester.

She now takes full responsibility for the Manchester office’s operation while retaining overall accountability for the group’s digital media proposition, centralised in the Manchester office. Having previously led i-LAB, Nicola has been deputy managing director of the Manchester office for the last 18 months.

Matt Hatton becomes group managing director, commercial & trading, having been responsible for all commercials, contractual and trading across MediaCom North’s media businesses for the last two years. Matt brings a wealth of experience to the role, ranging from TV investment to agency management, and will also join the boards of Code and Cheetham Bell – giving him a commercial view of the group as a single entity.

And Ffion Turner has become the managing partner for MediaCom North’s Business Intelligence division. Previously Business Intelligence Board Director, Ffion has been at the business since 2004. She will also join the MediaCom North board.

In other group moves, Danielle Bateman has been named deputy managing director at MediaCom North’s Leeds office. Danielle joined the business as an account director in 2011 and has since held a number of roles within the business, most recently as managing partner. In her new role, Danielle will be supporting managing director Simon Price with the day-to-day running of the business and will be playing a larger role in the direction of the Leeds operation.

In response to the changes, Paul commented: “I’m excited to take on the role of COO at a time when MediaCom North continues to see significant growth. In the past three years, we’ve grown from an agency of just over 250staff, to over 400 today. As a result, 2018 was the most successful revenue year in MediaCom North’s history.

“Investing in our senior team will help us shape the business for continued growth in a rapidly changing environment. We will also continue to focus on making MediaCom North a great place to work, in line with our philosophy ‘people first, better results’. Through this, we can continue to achieve fantastic outcomes for our clients.”

£2.3 million tech investment into Manchester announced

Blog
Finance

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15/05/2019

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£2.3 million tech investment into Manchester announced

Dutch-owned software provider, TOPdesk has announced a further potential £2.3 million investment into its Manchester operations.

It comes as the UK tops the world ranking for inward investment, having over-taken the USA, which previously held the number 1 spot since 2014.

TOPdesk creates service management software and is based in Delft, the Netherlands. It has been in Manchester since 2014 and today has announced a substantial expansion in the city.

Its new hub was unveiled at premium business location, City Tower, building upon its initial investment in the city centre over the past 5 years. The business’s expansion in the Manchester area was supported by the Department for International Trade (DIT) in partnership with the region’s inward investment agency MIDAS.

The expansion in the city represents plans to solidify the Manchester office as its UK growth hub in tandem with its London office. The larger site will allow the company to meet its growing client list in the area and take advantage of Manchester’s competitive operating costs, skilled graduate population and community of tech innovation professionals.

The new office replaces previous premises in Barclay House, providing a larger space with the potential to create around 40 new jobs, adding to the 750+ people currently employed across 10 countries.

Recent OECD figures show that by the end of 2018, the UK had more investment stock than Germany, Spain and Poland combined. This represents the attractiveness of the UK as a destination for foreign investment, which reached a record high of $1,890 billion by the end of 2018.

Graham Stuart MP, Minister for Investment said: “TOPdesk’s new expansion in Manchester is a further sign of the city’s growing tech talent. Increasingly the world’s biggest tech names are looking to the North of England to invest and are solidifying the UK’s position as undisputed tech leader in Europe.”

“Our tech sector earned £6.3 billion in venture capital investment in 2018, contributing to our position as the top destination for FDI flow in the world”.

David Cape-Brown, Branch Manager & Head of Recruitment at TOPdesk UK said: “Our TOPdesk adventure in Manchester has been hugely rewarding so far and location has been a key ingredient of the continued growth of our customer base here in the UK.

“Excellent trade fairs like the IP Expo at Manchester Central and superb Universities with a fresh supply of top talented graduates is integral to our networking and recruitment success.

“Our northern hub has amplified our powerhouse status within the software industry and facilitated the positive impact of TOPdesk events such as SEE and TOPdesk on Tour.”

Tim Newns, CEO of MIDAS said: “Since helping TOPdesk establish operations in Manchester in 2014, we have continued to work closely with the team to embed them within the city region’s diverse cluster of innovative tech companies and establish a reputation as a leading, Northern software firm.

“As well as being responsible for attracting new business investment to Greater Manchester, MIDAS also helps existing companies grow within the region and TOPdesk is a shining example of how we can help international firms tap into Greater Manchester’s academic and professional resources, as well as the city’s deep talent pool, in order to thrive here.”

UMI3 Ltd reveals partnership with Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre

Blog

Sam Whitear

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15/05/2019

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UMI3 Ltd reveals partnership with Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre

The University of Manchester’s innovation company, UMI3 Ltd, has become the latest partner of the multi-million-pound Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC).

UMI3, the University’s technology transfer company, is the fifth Tier One partner of the GEIC, which opened in December 2018.

The GEIC specialises in the rapid development and scale up of technologies using graphene and other 2D materials.

This new collaboration will see University graphene subsidiary Graphene Enabled Systems Ltd manage a technology development laboratory on behalf of UMI3. The facility will be available for all University graphene spin-out companies to use.

Tier One GEIC partnership benefits include access to world-leading expertise and experience along with specialist equipment to aid projects which will accelerate product and process development and market entry.

Andrew Wilkinson is the CEO of UMI3, the technology transfer company which leads the commercialisation of The University of Manchester’s innovations and IP to create global social and economic impact.

He said: “We’re delighted to announce that UMI3 is the latest Tier One member of GEIC, the world’s leading 2D materials development and scale-up facility.

“Commercialising science is fundamental to economic growth. This technology development laboratory, managed by Graphene Enabled Systems Ltd, will help facilitate the proactive approach of the graphene ecosystem in Manchester.”

The GEIC, housed in The Masdar Building on the University’s north campus, complements the National Graphene Institute’s (NGI) international research focus by concentrating on multi-faceted industry-led applications development. The key areas within the new building include pilot productions, characterisation and material development in composites, energy, solution formulations and coatings, electronics and membranes.

Some of the world’s biggest and most influential companies are working with The University of Manchester on graphene applications.

Greater Manchester manufacturer among first in UK to enrol in £20m Made Smarter business support programme

Sam Whitear

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15/05/2019

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Greater Manchester manufacturer among first in UK to enrol in £20m Made Smarter business support programme

A pioneering company in Greater Manchester is among the first in the country to benefit from a government-backed programme designed to boost UK manufacturing productivity and growth.

Animators and puppet-makers Mackinnon & Saunders, based in Altrincham, is aiming to transform its businesses by adopting new digital technologies through the £20M Made Smarter Programme.

It is among a cohort of nine North West companies who have successfully applied for Made Smarter matched-funding, allowing them to explore and adopt leading-edge advanced manufacturing methods such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), 3D-printing and robotics.

Over the last three decades Mackinnon & Saunders have brought to life some of children’s most beloved TV characters including Bob the Builder, Postman Pat and the new Clangers, and collaborated with Hollywood director Tim Burton on Mars Attacks!, Frankenweenie and Corpse Bride and Wes Anderson on Fantastic Mr. Fox.

In recent years, the company has been increasing its use of computer-aided design and 3D printing technology.

The forward-thinking firm now wants to embrace the very latest developments in additive manufacturing and innovative software solutions to help design and create its models.

These new processes will increase the quality and accuracy of the company’s products, boost efficiency and increase export sales opportunities.

Peter Saunders, Director of Mackinnon & Saunders, said that exploiting the potential of these new developments will help the company maintain its position as a world leader in its sector.

“Recent improvements in CAD, virtual sculpting and, in particular, some incredible ground-breaking developments in 3D printing, are creating new opportunities for us to utilise digital technology alongside the traditional craft skills associated with puppet-making.

“Working closely with some of the most innovative digital companies in the world will put the company in the best position to capitalise on new products and markets and give us a technological advantage over our international rivals.

“We are excited to benefit from the Made Smarter business support program.”

Donna Edwards, Director of the Made Smarter North West pilot, said: “I am delighted that the Made Smarter pilot has now supported the first successful SME applications, including Mackinnon & Saunders.

“We have found businesses are enthusiastic about the benefits of adopting new digital technology. Often, they need funding support, alongside specialist advice and insight to help them select the right approach for their business.

“This is exactly how Made Smarter can and is helping businesses across the Greater Manchester region.

“Made Smarter is relevant for any North West SMEs who make, create, manufacture or engineer, and I urge local businesses not to miss this opportunity. I would encourage anyone who may be interested to register today for a fully-funded audit of your operations and see how Made Smarter might be able to help you.”

CMS bolsters Corporate capability in northern offices with new partner hire in Manchester

Appointments

Sam Whitear

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15/05/2019

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CMS bolsters Corporate capability in northern offices with new partner hire in Manchester

International law firm CMS is pleased to announce the appointment of partner Matthew Davies who will be joining the firm’s Corporate practice in Manchester. Matthew joins the firm from Addleshaw Goddard.

Matthew has extensive experience advising on UK and multi-jurisdictional mergers and acquisitions, corporate re-organisations and restructurings and corporate law and governance issues. He also has particular experience in investment transactions, including joint ventures, partnerships and shareholders’ agreements. He has a particular focus on the Financial Services sector, with significant experience advising across a number of transactions in the banking, payments and FX, fiduciary / corporate / fund services and asset management sectors.

CMS’ Head of Corporate in Manchester Howard Gill commented: “We are delighted to welcome Matthew to the firm. His knowledge and strong track record will be a real asset to the team, adding considerably to our capabilities. Matthew’s arrival underscores our commitment to the Corporate practice and will enable us to better serve our clients at a time when we are seeing increasing levels of investment and M&A activity across the north of England.”

Matthew Davies added: “I am pleased to be joining CMS, and look forward to working with the team to support its growth ambitions across the region.”

LeasingOptions.co.uk announce St. Helen’s RLFC Partnership

Blog

Sam Whitear

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14/05/2019

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LeasingOptions.co.uk announce St. Helen’s RLFC Partnership

LeasingOptions.co.uk, one of the UK’s leading car leasing companies, has announced a new partnership.The North-West based car and van leasing company has agreed a two-year partnership with Super League rugby club, St.Helens R.F.C.

LeasingOptions.co.uk joins the likes of Totally Wicked and Cash Converters as partners of the Club. The investment is part of Leasing Options’ long term plans to grow their market share and profile in the UK.

The partnership will focus on player engagement as well as advertising in and around the stadium with LeasingOptions.co.uk committing to support St. Helen’s chosen charities. Plans already include a range of car-based challenges to be filmed at the Totally Wicked stadium and shared across Saints TV and both organisations’ social media channels. The brand will also appear on the LED boards within the grounds.

Mike Thompson, Director of sales and marketing at LeasingOptions.co.uk, said: “St. Helen’s approached us to work with them as they had seen what we have done before with other partnerships and wanted to get involved.

“We met the team and were instantly impressed with their energy and we knew we would have a great working relationship. The lads are a great laugh and up for anything so we can’t wait to start sharing some of the fun we have on and off the pitch.

“Rugby league has a huge following of fans, especially across the North-West and with Dacia Magic Weekend taking place next month in Liverpool, we’re excited to be able to reach such a large new audience.”

The Manufacturers Alliance 2nd Annual Conference Inspires Industry

Sam Whitear

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14/05/2019

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The Manufacturers Alliance 2nd Annual Conference Inspires Industry

The Manufacturers Alliance celebrated its 2^nd annual conference at the AJ Bell Stadium. The conference has been the biggest to date with over 100 attendees, including a diverse range of speakers sharing best practice.

Created specifically for small and medium sized businesses in the manufacturing industry, the Manufacturers Alliance run peer support groups for senior manufacturing leaders, who meet on a monthly basis to share ideas and solve their most challenging business issues. Its members are experienced managing directors and senior decision makers, so each peer group boasts a wealth of expertise and knowledge.

Manufacturing leaders at the conference inspired attendees by taking the stage and sharing insights into what has worked well for them. A few of the best practice themes included; Doubling the Size of Your Business, Digital Transformation, Inspiring Leadership, Improving Productivity and Using Your Values to Drive Your Culture.

Gary Knight, Managing Director at Wheatley Plastics said: “It’s great to interact with other group members and see their journeys in business but more importantly, it’s so beneficial to have access to the tools and techniques of business growth and leadership and how I can apply that to the day to day running of my business.”

Manufacturing support organisations such as Make UK, Business Growth Hub, Made Smarter, Manchester Metropolitan University and Lloyds Bank, shared how they have engaged with and supported the development of local SME manufacturing businesses in the current economic and political climate.

David Searle, Chairman of South Manchester & Cheshire Groups said: “It was a great day and inspiring to see over 100 manufacturing leaders from SME businesses in the same room together all with a desire to learn and improve. It bodes well for the future of British manufacturing.”

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