Manchester-headquartered N Brown has announced the creation of a data fellowship programme which will be driven by technology educator, Decoded and professional training company Corndel, to open up the use of data and analytics across its entire organisation. As a data rich retailer, the programme will empower employees to embrace Data Science, its application and value.

Employees across the business will have the opportunity to enrol on The Data Fellowship, an 18 month in-work data science skills programme. From February 2019, participants will learn to harness the most cutting-edge data analytics tools such as “R” and more quickly adopt technologies such as Machine Learning. Learners will finish the programme with a Data Analytics qualification accredited by the British Computing Society.

The Data Fellowship is fully funded by the Apprenticeship Levy, the billion-pound fund created by the Government to help upskill the UK workforce to be ready for the Future of Work.

In October N Brown announced its intention to accelerate the use of analytics to enhance its use of marketing and promotions, as part of a wider emphasis on data science within the business following its transition to becoming a wholly online retailer.

Predictive analytics has the potential to be applied anywhere through the business, whether that is providing a next best action in the customer journey, predicting consumer demand for product or even driving employee retention rates.

Gareth Powell, Director of Data Science at N Brown, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to upskill more of our colleagues in Data Science from a mind set and technical perspective. Data is now ingrained in online retail and is a fundamental pillar for the future growth of N Brown. Decoded provide world class data analytics training and I’m hugely excited by the partnership and the transformative effect it will have”

Kathryn Parsons, Decoded, said: “The opportunities that data education provides is something that can be for everyone at every level of any organisation. We are delighted to be partnering with N Brown to unlock the value of their data and transform their investment in lifelong learning and future-facing skills at every function and level. It serves as an excellent example to other businesses in the region.”

Sean Williams, Corndel said: “This is a fantastic use of the Apprenticeship Levy to provide the skills of the future while aligning with organisational strategy. We are delighted to be working with such a forward-thinking organisation as N Brown.”

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has appointed BAM Construction’s North West team to design and construct their new Welcome Building and lake at RHS Garden Bridgewater on the site of the former Worsley New Hall.

BAM is the Salford-based company behind the construction of over a quarter a billion of current new buildings across the region including universities, offices, schools and leisure centres.

The multi-million pound project involves the construction of a new Welcome Building comprising of an arrivals hall, learning facilities, café, plant centre and gift shop, together with associated hard and soft landscaping and a new 4,750 sqm lake.

The scheme forms part of the RHS plan to create a 62 hectare garden in Worsley, Salford, which is currently the largest gardening project in Europe and the Society’s first new garden in 17 years. It is anticipated that it will attract up to 700,000 visitors per year by its 10th year of opening.

Ian Fleming, Director for BAM in the North West, said: “The Welcome Building has high quality finishes throughout from the exposed concrete columns, concrete floor finish and glulam timber roof structure to the elevations of curtain walling and larch cladding.

“We are now ensuring the design is ready for procurement and construction activity. Construction work is expected to start in January.

“I’m delighted the RHS has trusted us with this special scheme.  One of BAM’s great credentials is an adaptable and genuinely collaborative approach. We are good at getting inside a scheme and a client’s mind set, and we are looking forward to a very productive partnership as RHS Garden Bridgewater starts to become a reality.”

The RHS had appointed architect Hodder & Partners to design the development who will now be novated to the construction partnership. Planning permission was granted in June 2017 and the RHS anticipates opening in 2020.

John Pye, Capital Projects Manager for RHS Garden Bridgewater, said: “The appointment of BAM Construction to design and build our new Welcome Centre and lake is an important step in RHS Garden Bridgewater becoming the world-class destination for horticulture in the North West that we envisage. The Welcome Building and lake in the entrance garden will be the first impressions that visitors receive of the new garden, and with BAM’s track record of delivering outstanding buildings throughout the UK we are confident we have chosen the ideal local partner to realise our vision. We are looking forward to working with the team as the project progresses.”

Leading e-commerce and digital agency Visualsoft has appointed its 40th new hire since the start of 2018, with plans to increase company headcount by 30% in less than 12 months.

From online marketing and account management to sales and design, new additions will fill a wide range of roles to develop and deliver award-winning digital campaigns for Visualsoft’s 1,000-strong client list.

The company specialises in the design, build, support and marketing of online stores for retailers across the UK, including Jules B, The Lakes Distillery, Montane and Moda in Pelle.

With £1.3billion spent online every week in the UK and the market continuing to see huge growth, the need for quality digital solutions in the sector is paramount. Visualsoft’s services are therefore in high demand and its need to attract and retain the best talent to fulfil current client needs and stay ahead of future ones – has never been greater.

Alix Bolton, Visualsoft’s head of people, said: “When done right, a retailer’s digital strategy is an extremely effective way to both boost sales revenue and drive brand loyalty. With e-commerce only set to increase in future, it’s an exciting period for fresh new talent to come on board and help us drive client success, so we’re thrilled to welcome our 40th recruit this year alone.

“This is our 20th anniversary year and we’re just as committed to growing the business as we were back in 1998. We look forward to seeing what our new team members can bring to the table.”

Manchester Airport is celebrating 28 million passengers passing through its three terminals for the first time in its history.

In its 80th year, the UK’s third largest airport saw more than 2.5 million passengers use the airport in October, an increase of 6% on the same month in 2017.

That brought the rolling annual total to 28,022,344 passengers.

Numbers were bolstered by the October half term, with many families getting away for an Autumn break.

And the positive news has continued since the end of the month.

Last week saw the launch of the only direct service in the UK to Mumbai outside of London, as Jet Airways started flights. The five a week service had its inaugural flight on the 5th November and left the Northern hub 96% full.

Ryanair, easyJet and Jet2.com have all added capacity to their winter schedules, which will continue to bolster overall passenger numbers. Plus, the North will soon have a direct route to the heart of Africa as Ethiopian Airlines start flights to Addis Ababa in December.

Last month saw a total of 18,192 aircraft take off and land at the UK’s third busiest airport, an average of 587 flights per day. Almost 11,000 tonnes of cargo were also carried to destinations across the globe last month, the equivalent of 870 London busses.

October also saw the airport celebrate three major milestones on its £1bn transformation programme. Firstly, a topping out ceremony was held to mark the extension to Terminal Two reaching its highest point after just more than a year of construction.

Secondly, a 45m, 85 tonne bridge that will connect the terminal extension with the new multi-storey car park was lifted into place. Finally, the main structural work has also been completed on the car park building and will be fully completed by the middle of next year.

Andrew Cowan, Manchester Airport CEO, said: “Hitting 28 million passengers is another significant milestone for the airport. Our growth means more choice for passengers, more jobs for people across the North and more economic and trade opportunities as we connect Manchester with key global destinations.

“All this is being delivered as we press ahead with the biggest investment in our history, which will not only transform our terminal buildings, but the experience our customers enjoy as they travel through Manchester.

“That’s why it was also great to celebrate three major milestones in October, which brought to life how quickly our airlines and passengers will start to experience the benefits the transformation project will deliver to them.”