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Scientists swap lab coats for headbands in support of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust

Sam Whitear

27/09/2018

Scientists swap lab coats for headbands in support of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust

A team of 10 scientists and technicians from Elucigene Diagnostics have swapped their lab coats for headbands, completing a gruelling five mile Tough Mudder to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

The Manchester-headquartered genetics company is the European market leader in cystic fibrosis diagnostics and has been an official supporter of the charity for the past four years.

Raising more than £1000 the team has participated in a range of events including: charity bake offs, Jeans for Genes Day, Wear Yellow Day, and the Manchester 10K.

Held at Heaton Park, the Tough Mudder saw them contending with 10 obstacles and plenty of mud to raise £360 for the Trust.

But for the team, the highlight of the day was meeting a young lady with cystic fibrosis, who was taking part in the event, as Elliot Northrop, Manufacturing Technician at Elucigene, explained: “By far the best moment of the day was meeting an enthusiastic, and cheerful young lady called Michelle at the start of the race.

“She asked if she could have a photo with the team. It was only afterwards that she explained she herself had cystic fibrosis, would be taking part in the event with us, and thanked us for all the work we do.

“It was wonderful to see someone with CF not only full of life and smiling from ear to ear, but also dominating this challenging course.

“It was a heart-warming moment and reinforced the pride we feel in the research and development we do day in, day out.”

Mark Street-Docherty, CEO at Elucigene Diagnostics, added: “We’re proud supporters of the Trust and regularly fundraise for it, but this event was particularly poignant for everyone involved, thanks to this touching moment.

“We’re a close-knit team here and everyone involved should be commended on a job well done.”

Pixel Kicks wins law firm digital brief

Blog

27/09/2018

Pixel Kicks, the Manchester based full-service digital agency, has been appointed by Manchester and Glossop law firm Davis Blank Furniss to handle all aspects of its digital marketing activities.

Pixel Kicks will now work with the law firm on its SEO, link building, content creation and website development.

Davis Blank Furniss offers a wide range of legal services for both the business and private sectors. Its business specific services include representation in commercial and corporate law, insolvency, employment and dispute resolution. Whilst on the private client side, the firm offers advice on property, family, personal injury and wills and probate.

Kate Oldfield, Managing Partner at Davis Blank Furniss, said: “We wanted to work with an agency that came to us with fresh ideas and an exciting approach. We were impressed with Pixel Kicks’ mix of strategy and creativity and its obvious awareness of our goals.”

Matt Hartley, principal sales and account manager at Pixel Kicks, added: “Davis Blank Furniss is a well-established name in the North West legal market, and Pixel Kicks is delighted to have been appointed as its digital partner. Our focus is now on building on its much-respected name with a digital campaign that will add real commercial value.”

McGinty Demack welcomes new recruits

Blog

Sam Whitear

26/09/2018

Standish-based accountancy firm, McGinty Demack, has welcomed two new members to their busy team. Bethany Hill and Jamie Lindley joined as a direct result of steady growth for the practice and a continued focus on helping its clients become ready for ‘Making Tax Digital’, when it becomes compulsory for every business from April 2018.

Bethany joins as an AAT Trainee, whilst studying at Runshaw College, and Jamie is welcomed as an ACCA Trainee, who is currently undertaking his ACCA exams.

As a result of its work on ‘Making Tax Digital’, McGinty Demack has achieved Gold level accreditation from accounting software provider, QuickBooks and Bronze level accreditation from Xero, as well as being an accredited Sage user.

Karen Richardson, MD, McGinty Demack, said: “It’s great to welcome Bethany and Jamie to the team. I’m sure they will fit in seamlessly and help us offer our clients the highest level of service.

“One of our key differentiators is that we believe in giving our clients the choice of which software to use, based on what works best for their business. That’s why we have worked hard to become experts in the major software platforms available.

“To celebrate our recent accreditations, we are offering free Xero software for 12 months for the next five clients to sign up to the practice.”

NFON UK opens Manchester office

Blog

Sam Whitear

26/09/2018

NFON UK, an entity of NFON AG, the only pan-European cloud PBX provider, has opened its first UK office outside of its London headquarters, in Manchester Business Park. NFON UK is experiencing tremendous growth, with revenue growth exceeding 25% for the third year in a row. Opening this office in Manchester is a strategic move for the company, so that NFON UK can build upon the success it is already having in the region. It also means it can enhance its support for its Northern partners, via offering closer training facilities, increasing response time for site visits and having more localised distribution.

The new Manchester office is conveniently situated next to Manchester airport, so is perfectly situated for local, national and international connections. The contemporary offices offer high spec working spaces, presentation tools, facilities and meeting rooms.

“I am thrilled that we now have a foothold in the region – we already have a number of staff working and hot-desking these offices and we are on a recruitment drive for new team members,” said Myles Leach, Managing Director at NFON UK. “The market for cloud telephony is increasing at a rapid rate and much of this growth will be in the north. In the UK cloud telephone penetration already amounts to 13% and is expected to grow to around 27% in 2022. This is being fuelled by the rise in mobile working and investment that businesses are making in digital transformation. Moving to the Northern powerhouse will catalyse our business to the next stage, given the huge potential in the region.”

“The UK is a strategic priority for the NFON group and we are committing to enhancing our investment in the country”, said Hans Szymanski, CEO and CFO at NFON AG. “Cloud is boundless and organisations in the UK are ahead of the European curve when it comes to seeing the benefits of moving voice to the cloud. We see tremendous market opportunities in the north of the UK and the formation of this new office will enable our UK division to go from strength to strength.”

Zane Brown raises over £1,750 for Shelter on London to Paris cycle challenge

Sam Whitear

26/09/2018

Zane Brown raises over £1,750 for Shelter on London to Paris cycle challenge

Zane Brown, a legal cashier at Horwich Farrelly, is officially the top fundraiser at the specialist insurance law firm, raising £1,750 for Shelter after cycling from London to Paris over four days. As a result, the firm’s employees have hit their goal of raising £15,000 for the homelessness and housing charity this year, three months early.

Earlier this month Zane, who is based at Horwich Farrelly’s Manchester headquarters, set off from Crystal Palace on the 300 mile feat of physical and mental endurance. Riding alongside more than 70 cyclists, Zane travelled through Kent and down to the White Cliffs of Dover, before hopping on a ferry to Calais. The French leg then began, passing through pretty hamlets, before arriving in Paris with aching limbs and ready for a well-earned rest under the Eiffel Tower.

Zane says, “This was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I am a keen cyclist, but nearly 300 miles in four days is a serious challenge. By the third day, my body was really beginning to feel it and I was going much slower, however, with support from fellow cyclists I finally made it to the Eiffel Tower.

“I’m overwhelmed by the support of colleagues at Horwich Farrelly and everyone on the challenge, as well as all the people who have donated. With all their help, I’ve raised an incredible £1,751.20, which will go towards helping Shelter continue the vital work they do for people who are struggling to find and keep a home.”

Shelter is a charity working to alleviate the distress caused by homelessness and bad housing. It also campaigns for decent housing for all. Horwich Farrelly’s employees selected Shelter as their 2018 charity and set a target to raise £15,000 by the end of the year.

Thomas Reynard, Chief Operating Officer of Horwich Farrelly, comments, “We are all so proud of Zane and wowed by his cycling stamina, as that challenge was no mean feat. To singlehandedly raise over £1,750 is incredible and will help Shelter offer much needed support to people suffering from homelessness or coping with bad housing.

“To hit our annual fundraising target three months early is remarkable and a reflection of the determination and commitment our people have shown to supporting Shelter.

“While we may have reached our goal we still have a number of events over the coming months. These include a sponsored sleep-out, where ten members of the firm’s leadership team will spend a night sleeping on the street; the Manchester half-marathon and a Santa Dash. We look forward to revealing the total amount raised for Shelter at the end of the year!”

Huddle Digital expands with first permanent hire

Appointments

Sam Whitear

25/09/2018

Huddle Digital expands with first permanent hire

Manchester digital agency start up, Huddle Digital, has taken on its first permanent member of staff following a string of client wins and new projects.

Emily Triplett, a final year student at the University of Salford, joins the firm, run by co-founders Tom Parson and Harry Potts, as Account Executive following a recent internship.

Emily was initially recruited through the Santander Salford Advantage Internship Fund – a scheme run by the University of Salford in conjunction with banking giant Santander, and has spent the last 6 months working with Huddle to manage the day-to-day running of their various client accounts.

Following the success of her internship at the agency, Emily has been offered a full time position from August.

Tom Parson, Founder and Client Services Director at Huddle Digital said: “We’re pleased to be in the position to offer Emily a permanent role with Huddle in our client services team. We were really impressed with her tenacious attitude and eagerness to learn new skills, and are delighted that she can join us at what is an exciting time for the business.”

Since the business was founded in 2015, Huddle has worked with a number of clients to develop everything from complex websites to bespoke cloud-based software products, increasing turnover by 77%.

Following the development and launch of its specialist web-based software product, Foleo, earlier this year, the firm went on to be recognised by the BQ and Business Growth Hub Innovation 100 Greater Manchester as one of the region’s most innovative businesses.

“It has been a busy time for Huddle and as the company has grown, so too have our client service needs. It’s important to us to ensure that we are both prepared for future growth and are able to maintain a high level of client service – something which lies at the heart of our value proposition. Having Emily on board full-time will help us to deliver on those aims, whilst allowing more time to invest in the strategic running of the business.”

Speaking of her appointment, Emily commented: “I’ve really enjoyed my internship here at Huddle. The team has fully supported me and helped me to develop my skills in lots of different areas and I’m excited to have been offered a permanent role.”

Ian Boardman, Head of Career Development & Employment at the University of Salford, commented: “We are delighted that Emily, who studied Digital Marketing at the University of Salford, has successfully engaged in an internship with Huddle Digital and that she has now been recruited into a permanent role. Congratulations to both Emily and Huddle!”

The University of Salford works with partner organisations such as Santander to fund and coordinate internship and placement programmes, working with industry partners to identify and address mutual needs and opportunities like those identified with Huddle Digital and Emily.

“Internships are a great way for employers to try out and test the talents that a student or graduate can provide, whilst interns gain valuable work experience, develop competencies and have an opportunity to impress a potentially longer term employer,” continued Boardman.

“As a young company in the early stages of growth, we’re really excited to work with Emily to support her and her to shape her career as she grows with the company,” concluded Parson.

Inaugural Jamie Arnold Track Day held for St Rocco’s Hospice

Sam Whitear

25/09/2018

Inaugural Jamie Arnold Track Day held for St Rocco’s Hospice

The first Jamie Arnold Track Day has been held in a bid to raise funds for St Rocco’s Hospice in Warrington.

Named after Jamie Arnold who had a condition called Lynch syndrome (LS) also known as hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) a condition that can run in families. The track day was held at the Anglesey circuit with the additional aim of raising awareness for the disease.

Jamie was only 29 when he passed away from colon cancer on 13^th February 2018. Jamie lived life to the fullest and married his girlfriend Katie only days after being diagnosed.

The event was a fitting tribute for Jamie who was an avid motorsport enthusiast, just like his father Tim, a motorsport instructor who helped organise the event.

The family wanted the day to highlight the importance of early diagnosis and to raise funds for St Rocco’s hospice which had cared for Jamie in his final weeks.

The track day, which saw drivers take to the wheel and tackle some tight corners in an array of luxury cars, has since raised over £3,215. Donations have been matched by the Equilibrium Foundation, bringing the total to £6,450 as of 19 September.

Tim Arnold, said: “It was a genuinely good day which saw lots of people come together to raise money for a fantastic hospice where Jamie spent his final days.

“Jamie was a very clever lad and very entrepreneurial, optimistic and determined.”

Raising awareness of Lynch Syndrome is close to Tim’s heart as both his other children have been diagnosed with this. He added: “They now go for regular check-ups. The illness is genetic and causes colon cancer and can cause other cancers. If Jamie had got tested at 25 he would probably be with us now.”

The day was held by Wilmslow-based wealth management firm Equilibrium Asset Management whose Founder Colin Lawson is a close friend of the Arnolds.

The firm has held several track days at the Anglesey circuit, but after Jamie’s passing Colin wanted to do more to commemorate his memory and help such a worthy cause.

Colin said: “Jamie was a lovely person and very talented. As soon as we learned of his illness we knew we wanted to try and help him and his family in any way we could.

“The inaugural Jamie Arnold Track Day was the start of something that’s very important as we hope to raise awareness of an illness that took the life of a young man who was in his prime.”

Northern Monk brew co set official date for Manchester tap room launch

Blog

Sam Whitear

25/09/2018

Northern Monk brew co set official date for Manchester tap room launch

Northern Monk Brew Co will be opening the doors to its second UK tap room, located in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

In March, Northern Monk Brew Co launched a crowdfunding campaign with a goal to raise £500,000. This target was exceeded in just three hours, and the investment was closed with £1.5m raised through 2161 investors. The business promised that a portion of the additional funding would be used to fast-track tap room openings, with Manchester or London the potential targets. Last month, the Leeds-based brewery announced that Manchester would be the next site to open.

Northern Monk Refectory MCR will be located at 10 Tariff Street, in what was formally the Kosmonaut site, and will be open to the public from Saturday 29^th September.

The two-floor tap room will feature 16 keg lines, 4 cask lines and 3 draft cocktails, as well as four classic mixed cocktails. The venue will also serve a food menu of Northern-inspired small plates.

The launch falls one week before Indy Man Beer Con, a four-day craft beer festival taking place at Manchester’s Victoria Baths between the 4 and 7 October. As well as exhibiting at the actual event, Northern Monk will be hosting an IMBC fringe event in the basement space of Northern Monk Refectory MCR on Friday 5th and Saturday 6^th October, where Garage Beer Co will be running a tap takeover accompanied by a night of UK garage music. The venue will open until 2am on both evenings.

Speaking about the opening of the tap room, Founder of Northern Monk Brew Co, Russell Bisset, said: “It’s been four years since we opened The Refectory in Leeds. In that time, we’ve learnt so much about what makes not just a good beer experience, but a world class beer experience. We can’t wait to take the next stage of our journey over the Pennines and into the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter. We have big plans, and we can’t wait to share them with you.”

Manchester branch of insurance broker celebrates partnership with Premiership Rugby at Sale Sharks

Blog

Sam Whitear

25/09/2018

Manchester branch of insurance broker celebrates partnership with Premiership Rugby at Sale Sharks

The Manchester branch of commercial insurance broker and risk management specialist Gallagher, joined colleagues from Liverpool and Chester to celebrate the start of its multi-year title partnership with Premiership Rugby, by holding the first-ever Gallagher Game Day at Sale Sharks.

Gallagher was announced as the Official Title Partner of Premiership Rugby earlier this year with a focus on embracing the wider rugby community, championing those that embody the values of rugby both on and off the pitch, and helping to protect and grow the game by making rugby an even more inclusive and empowering sport. Alongside the ability to get involved in and support community programmes, through its partnership Gallagher aims to help promote rugby and its values to an even greater audience by ensuring employees and their families can attend matches around the country.

The Gallagher Game Day, held as Sharks took on Wasps, marks the first of 12 such events the broker will be holding with each of the Premiership Rugby clubs across the course of the 2018/19 season. It provides local Gallagher branches with the chance to invite family, friends, grass roots rugby representatives and clients to celebrate the partnership as one community.

On Saturday, the children of Gallagher’s guests were given the opportunity of a lifetime – to become a part of official match day proceedings: 20 served as flag bearers, forming a ‘Guard of Honour’ as the players entered onto the pitch, while a further 12 were mascots for the day, standing side-by-side with the players before the start of the game.

The families also had the opportunity to take part in a special training session with community coaches from Gallagher Premiership Rugby, whilst other guests were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium, as well as a special Q&A session with players.

Stephen Penketh, regional managing director (North West) for Gallagher, said: “Our Gallagher Game Day at Sale Sharks was the perfect way for Gallagher in the North West to bring to life our new partnership with Premiership Rugby. Many of us here are huge fans of Rugby Union, so to become involved with the top division of the sport is incredibly exciting for us. As a business, the partnership also provides us with a platform to demonstrate our commitment to the local communities we work in, where every day we enable businesses and individuals to grow, thrive and achieve through helping them protect what matters most to them.”

Sam Booth to become pro-manchester chief executive

Appointments

Sam Whitear

25/09/2018

pro-manchester today announces that deputy CEO, Sam Booth is to become pro-manchester chief executive with immediate effect.

Sam will become the first female chief executive in pro-manchester’s 32-year history, a feat she is very proud of: “I am extremely honoured to be pro-manchester’s first female chief executive. We’ve had some very successful women chair our board in previous years and I aim to follow in their footsteps with the running of this great organisation,” said Sam.

The appointment comes after John Ashcroft officially handed in his notice to the pro-manchester board after nine years with pro-manchester last week.

Sam has been an integral part of pro-manchester’s growth from a small, effective membership network to a sophisticated business development organisation, during her eleven-year career with the company.

A firm part of the Manchester business community, Sam is a familiar face to most, constantly and efficiently working to bring businesses together in the city region.

With roles in events, business development and her most recent role as deputy CEO, Sam knows pro-manchester inside out.

Of the board’s decision to appoint Sam, pro-manchester chairman, Alistair Cree said: “When we were discussing John Ashcroft’s replacement, there was really no other candidates for us as a board.

“Sam has been an important part of pro-manchester for over a decade and after impressing the board as deputy CEO, she was the first person we asked.

“We are sure that Sam will now take the business to the next level and look forward to seeing what her and the team will achieve in the coming years.”

Of the appointment, Sam Booth said: “I am delighted to take up the role as pro-manchester chief executive. I have learnt a lot during my time here and am excited to hit the ground running.

“I have worked closely with John Ashcroft to develop the business and I look forward to pushing pro-manchester further.

“It is a pleasure to head up what is now a strong team of eight talented individuals and I am certain they will help me to drive the business where the board and I want it to go.”

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