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BDO inspires the talent of tomorrow with NCS partnership

Education

Sam Whitear

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16/08/2018

BDO inspires the talent of tomorrow with NCS partnership

BDO’s Manchester office has once again set out to inspire the city’s young people, welcoming more than 1,000 students over the Summer as part of the Government-funded National Citizen Service (NCS).

The NCS programme, delivered locally by charity, Salford Foundation, aims to engage 16-17 year olds with new experiences that will support them in their future working lives. The four-week programme helps build self-confidence and instils young people the self-belief that they can take on and achieve anything in life.

For the third consecutive year, volunteers from BDO have worked with teams of students to help them learn about making business decisions and budgeting as part of their preparation to pitch for funding to deliver a project in the community.

This year’s project focused on setting out a business plan for a music festival in Spinningfields, bringing in BDO’s involvement with the Bee in The City initiative.

Patrons of the NCS include David Cameron, Baroness Brady of Knightsbridge CBE, Carolyn Fairbairn of the CBI and Bear Grylls.

Jillian Smith, who leads CSR for BDO in the region and is a senior manager in the BDODrive Solutions team said: “We’re pleased to be supporting the NCS programme once again this summer, it’s a hugely valuable initiative that teaches young people important skills that can’t be taught inside a classroom.

“The ethos behind the NCS programme is also very closely aligned to BDO’s values and our commitment to opening up the accountancy profession to young people of all backgrounds. We hope that, by spending time in our office working alongside our team, we can provide some inspiration and guidance by helping them think about themselves, where they want to be in the world of work, their place within it, as well as whether accountancy could be the right career for them.”

Internationally renowned leadership expert, Dr Simon Hayward, accepts honorary professorship from Alliance Manchester Business School

Education

Sam Whitear

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16/08/2018

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Internationally renowned leadership expert, Dr Simon Hayward, accepts honorary professorship from Alliance Manchester Business School

Dr Simon Hayward, founder and CEO of Cirrus and author, has accepted a prestigious honorary professorship from Alliance Manchester Business School.

An internationally renowned thought leader and Alliance Manchester Business School DBA and MBA alumnus, Honorary Professor Hayward, is a published author of two bestselling books, Connected Leadership and The Agile Leader, and founder and CEO of multi-award winning leadership consultancy, Cirrus. A book launch for The Agile Leader will be held on 3 October at Alliance Manchester Business School’s new Executive Education Centre.

Hayward’s 30 years’ experience has seen him create strategy and leadership development programmes for some of the world’s leading organisations, earning the business an international client base spanning Europe, Asia Pacific and North America.

He has long been an active supporter of Alliance Manchester Business School. He was chairman of the global alumni association for six years and class president on the DBA programme from 2010 to 2015.

Simon Hayward, Honorary Professor at Alliance Manchester Business School, said: “Alliance Manchester Business School is an internationally renowned institution. As an alumnus, I’m proud to have been associated with the School for more than thirty years and look forward to working closely with both students and staff in the future. I will continue to research what makes great leadership in our changing digital world, to enhance the reputation of the School on the international stage.”

Intelligent healthcare company Rinicare announces completion of financing

Blog

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16/08/2018

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Intelligent healthcare company Rinicare announces completion of financing

Rinicare Limited, a leading Manchester-based intelligent healthcare company has announced the completion of its financing round by welcoming new investors Catapult Ventures and NPIF – Mercia Equity Finance, which is managed by Mercia Fund Managers and is part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund.

The funding will be used to support the commercialisation of Rinicare’s digital healthcare portfolio, which is designed to provide solutions that improve outcomes and reduce costs in a number of settings such as emergency, primary and community care as well as progress its AI-powered predictive algorithm for intensive care.

Healthcare providers around the world face the challenge of maintaining sustainable healthcare systems in light of an ageing population and continuously increasing costs. Rinicare’s approach to addressing these challenges is based on a collaborative effort with clinicians and end users to design advanced wireless communications, innovative prediction algorithms and enhanced software technology solutions that demonstrably improve outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

The company markets its wireless physiological signs technology (PRIME) and its falls prevention system (SAFE) globally in a number of healthcare solutions, which are tailored to individual needs.

In addition to its expanding marketed solutions, Rinicare is developing its AI predictive system, Stability, which is initially focused at intensive care and addresses a global market for predictive healthcare analytics. This fast emerging area of healthcare is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 25%, reaching an estimated global market value of $24.6billion by 2022.

Stuart Hendry, CEO of Rinicare, commented: “We are very pleased to welcome such high-quality investors in this financing round. We will be using proceeds to support the ongoing commercialisation of our PRIME and SAFE based healthcare solutions in the UK and abroad as well as continuing with the development of world-leading Stability AI intensive care programme that has already captured data from several thousand intensive care patients.”

Dr Vijay Barathan, Life Science Partner, Catapult Ventures said: “We are excited to work with Rinicare as they commercialise their intelligent health product portfolio in the UK and international healthcare markets. Each product represents an innovative solution and significant market opportunity.”

Dr Mark Wyatt, Investment Director at Mercia, said: “I am looking forward to working with the Rinicare team, and I am excited to see their technologies drive efficiency gains and patient benefits into the healthcare system.”

Sue Barnard, Senior Relationship Manager at British Business Bank, said: “The healthcare market is evolving rapidly, and is expected to grow significantly over the next few years. The North is home to many innovative businesses in this space, such as Rinicare, and NPIF is pleased to support those looking to enter the next phase of growth.”

The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund project is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the European Investment Bank.

HRC Law flexes commercial property muscle with Gym King

Property

Sam Whitear

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16/08/2018

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HRC Law flexes commercial property muscle with Gym King

Manchester-based full-service commercial law firm, HRC Law, has advised on the latest lease in growing creative space Tanzaro House, as popular fitness and lifestyle brand Gym King prepares to move in.

Tanzaro House, owned by property investment and development business Charlton Manor Estates Limited, is a dynamic space for fashion brands overlooking Ardwick Green in Manchester. The space has built a solid reputation within the industry as a hub in the North comprising a mix of office, studio and showroom spaces. It’s currently home to over 15 brands, agencies and distributors, including Just Consultancies, Two Squared Agency and The Couture Club, with their newest neighbours, Gym King, taking a 2,000 square foot unit.

The transaction was led by commercial property partner at HRC Law, Helen Marsh, who worked alongside Matt Illingworth of Hynes Illingworth, the appointed letting agent, to secure the lease.

Helen commented: “Charlton Manor Estates and their tenants are a prime example of how innovative thinking is shaping the future of fashion. The multi-purpose building provides a flexible space for businesses to grow and be part of a community – and fashion brands are queuing up to join the Tanzaro house community.”

Just three years since launch, Gym King has fast become one of the UK’s popular urban wear brands, stocked in the likes of ASOS, JD Sport and Footasylum. The business’ new space in Tanzaro House signals the brand’s expansion as they take up office and showroom space.

Tanzaro House is currently at full capacity, with a waiting list of retailers and wholesalers wanting to move in. The firm’s other properties are also situated on Ardwick Green and include The Ardwick Grove, Milford House and Charlton House.

Simon Kilham, Charlton Manor Estates, commented: “Our properties tend to attract and cater best to tenants in the artistic and creative sectors. It’s crucial for us to work with advisors that understand our industry and our tenants’ sectors. It was clear that Helen and the team at HRC Law could offer valuable insight which offered a seamless transaction for all parties. We’d like to extend our thanks to the team and a warm welcome to Gym King who we’re confident are going to be very happy in their new home.”

e3creative grows leadership team with two key hires

Sam Whitear

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15/08/2018

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e3creative grows leadership team with two key hires

e3creative has appointed Lucy Gregory, Production Manager and Niall Morrison, Technical Delivery Manager to lead the technical and creative teams within their Manchester studio.

Gregory joins e3creative with over 16 years of experience leading integrated teams for large digital agencies across the UK including Manchester’s Building Blocks and TBWA Manchester. She’s a proven leader with a strong track record of introducing new processes to streamline communications between departments and improving operational efficiencies.

Gregory said: “it is exciting to join an agency that is achieving unprecedented levels of business growth whilst continuing to set the bar for quality and innovation on an international level.

From their diverse, skilful teams to the prestigious brands they collaborate with, there is so much opportunity at e3creative that I’m looking forward to maximising.”

Gregory is now overseeing the entire production department at e3creative including areas of design, app and mobile development, UX, testing, project management, as well as Digital Operations Services (DOS).

Concurrently, Morrison was enlisted to manage DOS, a new and flourishing division at e3creative introduced just over a year ago, due to his vast experience in coding and managing reactive development teams. Prior to e3creative Morrison was employed for 3 years in the Manchester branch of the globally operating digital agency Building Blocks (Dept UK).

Commenting on his new position, Morrison said: “e3creative is an agency I’ve followed throughout my career, am constantly impressed by and anticipate big things from.

Their fast-paced movement is a welcome new challenge. The trajectory of the business is extremely positive and DOS is a huge part of their plans, which is invigorating for me stepping in.”

Managing Director of e3creative Jake Welsh, added: “ Lucy and Niall have both entered e3creative championing our vision and brand values. Collectively, as well as individually, the pair have a clear passion for digital and demonstrate superior levels of leadership that will play a huge part in the evolution of the agency.

In an industry that is so reliant on talent, we’re extremely fortunate to have secured these two key recruits during a pivotal point.”

e3creative is an integrated digital agency with a full-time staff of 56 and a head office in Manchester city centre. In 2017, the agency turned over £2.55m annually and forecasts that amount to increase to £3.5m by their 2018 October year-end.

Northern Entrepreneurs invest £1m to accelerate early-stage companies

Blog

Sam Whitear

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15/08/2018

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Northern Entrepreneurs invest £1m to accelerate early-stage companies

Manchester and Leeds based entrepreneurs Matt Haycox, Simon Leeming and Dave Watson have launched The Elevate Programme, an initial £1 million investment fund for North West SMEs. The fund will act as an accelerator programme for early-stage companies with aggressive growth plans.

Headquartered in Manchester, The Elevate Programme will provide equity funding and acceleration support tailored to each company in the programme. It is now open for applications with the first cohort beginning in October 2018.

Dave Watson, Co-founder of The Elevate Programme, said: “We aim to bring the best of both worlds – angel investment with a hands-on accelerator programme. We know there are a number of fantastic mentoring and support resources out there, but we really want to provide something truly personalised for the companies we are investing in.”

The programme is being run with specialists from key functional areas across business strategy, sales & marketing, recruitment, finance and accounting. Companies who receive funding will also benefit from strategic guidance so they are set up with a scalable platform for growth.

Simon Leeming, Co-founder at The Elevate Programme, added: “We have seen the gaps in the funding market – we want to offer more than just financial investment and give companies the best chance to grow in the most profitable way possible. The Elevate Programme will enable our investees to execute their growth strategies at a much faster rate with the support network they need to lean on.”

Each investment and support programme will have a tailored solution outside of the mould of a standard investment programme. Matt Haycox, explains:

“We know and have experienced the challenges that business owners have when trying to scale a business. There are a large number of incredible companies with exceptional products and services who are operating on a month-to-month basis, running into cash-flow issues, or simply have the directors too involved with the day to day running of the business. These are some of the common challenges we aim to address to enable entrepreneurs.”

The Elevate team have run multiple successful businesses, as well as providing funding and investment in a multitude of successful companies over the last 15 years. The network they have built will be key to helping companies on the programme making connections with new customers, suppliers and future investors alike.

Shoosmiths advises video game developer Firesprite on exclusive PlayStation VR deal for The Persistence

Blog

Sam Whitear

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15/08/2018

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Shoosmiths advises video game developer Firesprite on exclusive PlayStation VR deal for The Persistence

The Intellectual Property & Creative Industries team at Shoosmiths has advised leading video game development studio Firesprite Ltd on an exclusive license and distribution agreement with global interactive entertainment giant Sony.

Headed by partner Laura Harper, Shoosmiths’ IP & Creative Industries experts have advised Firesprite on a major licensing and worldwide digital and disc distribution deal for its new virtual reality game The Persistence.

The team also provided advice on brand protection and trade mark registrations.

The deal will see Sony take exclusive ownership over the license and global distribution of The Persistence on PlayStation VR (PSVR), which has already received a raft of praise in reviews from across the games community.

Liverpool-based Firesprite have previously collaborated with some of the games industry’s biggest names including Sony PlayStation’s Japan Studio.

Graeme Ankers, CEO at Firesprite, said: “Whilst we are very much an established AAA games developer, because of the confidential nature of the work that we do, we’ve never really shouted too much about ourselves before, our work has generally been in the background, like collaborating with Japan Studio on new hardware projects.

“We’ve delivered a lot of incredible projects, but The Persistence is really the first time we are talking about our work because it’s our own Intellectual Property (IP). It’s been a labour of love that we’ve worked on for three years and we feel that we’re ready to really talk about that now for the first time.

“Laura and her team at Shoosmiths worked with us on this project and have handled all of our legal and business affairs and IP over the last five years. They have provided specialist contractual and intellectual property support for The Persistence and importantly, helped to negotiate our agreement with Sony”.

Laura Harper added: “It was a delight to work on this project with Graeme and continue to provide support for the growth of Firesprite as a leading game development studio. In particular, we have enjoyed working with the company to negotiate this major deal with Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe and Sony Interactive Entertainment America for one of Firesprite’s own VR titles.

“Firesprite’s latest game is already drawing great excitement from across the games industry and we’re pleased to have been able to support the team on this significant deal for the PSVR platform.

“Shoosmiths specialise in advising games studios and our experts negotiate development, licensing and publishing deals for our clients and work with accountants to draft tax structures which assist developers to maximise their VGTR and R&D relief. We are committed to maintaining and growing our leading reputation for working with businesses across the UK’s vibrant and diverse creative and digital sector and supporting the growing demand for high-quality, accessible legal expertise across the north west region and beyond.

“Our IP & Creative Industries team is enjoying a fantastic period of growth and this has been fuelled in part by the growth of the UK games sector, particularly in the North. We’re looking forward to the future as we continue to expand the practice and our offering even further.”

Shoosmiths’ IP & Creative experts are set to have doubled the team’s 2016/2017 turnover by the end of this financial year, having advised a broad range of clients including technology companies, games developers, fashion and retail brands, communications and design agencies, arts organisations, television production companies and music businesses. The team also acts for many of the country’s leading consumer and retail brands.

EY Manchester Partner takes on national leadership role

Blog

Sam Whitear

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15/08/2018

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EY Manchester Partner takes on national leadership role

Sam Woodward, a Partner at EY’s Manchester office, has been appointed National Markets Leader to the company’s Transactions Advisory Services (TAS) business as the firm also continues to grow its transactions and restructuring team in the North West.

Sam Woodward has succeeded Adrian Bowne as National Markets Leader for TAS and also joined the firm’s UK TAS leadership team.

Sam joined EY in 2008 and was promoted to Partner in 2011. He will continue to work from EY’s Manchester office, servicing restructuring clients in the local market, as well as taking on this new responsibility.

Sam has extensive experience in advising corporate clients, debt providers and financial sponsors. His experience includes restructuring advisory, accelerated M&A and formal insolvency assignments, ranging from privately owned businesses to multinational public listed companies.

The new role coincides with continued investment in EY’s TAS team in the North West, as activity levels remain high for the team.

Last month, Alex Williams and Richard Barnes – both members of the North West TAS team, were promoted to Associate Partner.

Alex works in the restructuring team based in Manchester and has more than 20 years’ experience at EY, working with underperforming businesses and their stakeholders across a range of sectors including real estate, manufacturing, retail and healthcare, both in the UK and abroad. A former deputy leader of Trafford Council and a fellow of the British American Project, Alex also serves on the Advisory Committee of the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester.

Richard leads EY’s corporate finance infrastructure team in the North and focuses on advising public and private clients on complex infrastructure programmes including structuring business cases, funding and financing, and advising on all stages of the procurement process. He has been with the EY since the late 1990s and started his career in Manchester before working in London and across the Middle East and finally returning to Manchester in 2016.

Sam Woodward said: “EY sees a large part of its future growth coming from the regions and that’s why we are investing in our regional teams. In the North West we’ve benefited from senior hires and promotions across our TAS team in transactions, corporate finance, valuations and restructuring, which not only signal the volume of activity within this region but also underline our commitment to further growing our footprint in the North West market.

“My recent National Markets appointment also demonstrates EY’s recognition that the senior leadership team needs to include those who can give insight and perspective on what’s happening across regional markets to ensure EY remains responsive to the business landscape across the whole of the UK.”

Davis Blank Furniss makes three appointments

Blog

Sam Whitear

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15/08/2018

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Davis Blank Furniss makes three appointments

Manchester and Glossop law firm Davis Blank Furniss has made three new appointments across the business.

The first new starter is Amie Tsang who joins as a senior consultant in the Property team. Before arriving at Davis Blank Furniss, Amie ran her own successful small practice for 20 years. She brings with her a very loyal client base which is mainly from the UK and Chinese business community of largely Real Estate matters with some residential conveyancing & plot sales as well as business immigration.

Katherine Darbinean is Davis Blank Furniss’ newest Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence solicitor. Katherine qualified in December 2014 and joins Davis Blank Furniss from Thompsons Solicitors. Her role will cover higher value claims with severe injuries and some Clinical Negligence work.

Suzanne Thompson has joined the Corporate and Commercial team as a solicitor. Suzanne qualified in 2016 and joins from BLM LLP. Her work includes company restructures, shareholders agreements, company sales and acquisitions, commercial contracts and terms and conditions and intellectual property matters.

Kate Oldfield, managing partner at Davis Blank Furniss, commented: “We are delighted to welcome these three talented lawyers to the team and I’m sure each will play an integral part in the firm’s future growth.”

WorkMobile expands with appointment of new marketing executive

Blog

Sam Whitear

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15/08/2018

0

WorkMobile expands with appointment of new marketing executive

Manchester-based mobile data capture specialist, WorkMobile, has appointed a new branding and marketing executive as part of ambitious plans for growth.

With a wealth of marketing experience both in-house and as a freelance creative, Jessica Mallard is the latest highly-skilled addition to WorkMobile’s rapidly expanding team.

Jessica has spent time working in marketing and events for InternChina, a global education and internships company, organising and marketing intensive programmes for Education New Zealand and The British Council.

Returning to the UK, she was able to use the cross-cultural connections made in her previous role to establish herself as a successful freelance marketer.

With clients spanning the travel, media, charity and technology sectors, she has created original content and devised social media strategies for WildChina Travel, Macau Lifestyle Media, and Creative Tourist, among others.

In her new role at WorkMobile, Jessica will be refining the brand’s identity and messaging, solidifying its reputation as a leading provider of bespoke workflow solutions. On a more practical basis she will also be tasked with increasing the number and quality of sales leads the company generates.

Having recently developed a three-year business plan with the approval and support of its long-term South African investors, WorkMobile is on track to achieve its target of growing recurring revenues by 30% by the end of the year.

Jessica said: “Having worked with technology clients in a freelance capacity, I am thrilled to now be joining an innovative tech business at such an exciting time.

“WorkMobile has a fantastic product, which, thanks to the hard work of a passionate team, is constantly improving and evolving.

“This constant evolution is one of our key messages as a brand, and I am keen to ensure that it is conveyed effectively in every aspect of our communications strategy.”

Andrew Huntly, CEO of WorkMobile, said: “Jessica is a brilliant addition to the WorkMobile team, bringing with her a host of fresh ideas and enthusiasm.

“Her expertise will be vital in helping us achieve our three year growth plan, ensuring that we are able to capitalise on new opportunities and bring our solutions to an ever greater number of sectors.”

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