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First images of 100 Embankment reveal new city centre roof terrace

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New images have been released showing how Salford’s 100 Embankment will look when complete. The nine story Grade A office building will be crowned with a stunning roof top terrace providing views right across the cities of Salford and Manchester.

Enabling work has begun ahead of construction commencing next month on the 166,000 sq ft scheme which will sit alongside its sister building, 101 Embankment – now the headquarters of Swinton Insurance Group.

The newly released images show that occupiers will have access to a tiered roof top terrace area which provides 360 degree views across both cities.  The reception area has also been designed to create an accessible and useable space with creative planting and lush greenery providing informal and collaborative work spaces. The third image released shows how the 100 Embankment building will sit slightly proud of, but alongside, 101 Embankment on the podium at Salford’s Greengate Square.

Commenting on the behalf of the joint venture partnership, Jamie Hills of Ask Real Estate said: “We have focused on creating spaces which absolutely enhance people’s working environment from the moment they walk through the door. The reception area provides an authentic, dynamic  feel. There will be places for people to work, charge a phone and have coffee as well as breakout spaces where larger groups can gather. We want it to encourage people to really use the space and for it not be an area where people simply sit waiting to be collected for a meeting.”

“On the office floors above, the building provides one of the biggest and most efficient new build floorplates in the city centre of 19,900 sq ft with full height glazing and uninterrupted views across the city.”

Commenting on the design principles behind the scheme, architect David Lawrence, of Flanagan Lawrence, said: “The way in which occupiers use office space is constantly changing so our building design has evolved to reflect that change of use. To foster greater interaction we’ve made the stairway as open and accessible as possible to encourage people to walk rather than take the lift. With an increase in the number of people now cycling to work we’ve included changing facilities, showers and bike parking and there are spaces for daily exercise classes. It’s very much a building of today, which is responding to the requirements of tenants in a simple and elegant way.”

Explaining the idea behind the roof terrace he said: “We know from experience that occupiers are attracted to buildings that can offer outside space. Responding to that we’ve designed a split-level roof terrace with a viewing platform from which people can relax, work or host events.”

Located on the site of Manchester’s historic Exchange Station and overlooking Manchester Cathedral, the Embankment development is one of the few Grade A office spaces currently under development in the city centre and is due for completion in June  2020.

The scheme is being delivered in a joint venture partnership between Ask Real Estate, the Richardson Family and a Tristan Capital Partners’ fund, who signed a forward funding agreement with Salford City Council earlier this year. BAM Construction are the lead contractors on the scheme.

Lancashire’s Hardman McNeal announce Manchester launch!

After the huge and unrivalled success of their Lancashire Business Owners Network, founders Jennie Hardman and Cate McNeal are now taking their unique networking model to the bright lights of Manchester.

Whilst a new networking group might not seem like big news, this is a group with a real difference, which is why the duo have enjoyed such successful results over the last couple of years within the Lancashire area.

Rather than the traditional networking framework for corporate business people, Hardman McNeal focus on the smaller micro businesses, pre-start-ups and start-ups, ex-military personnel, creatives, families and sole traders, who may suffer from low confidence or anxiety – the people who usually fall through the net of support.

Cate McNeal explained: “In the very early stages of being in business, and for those who are less confident in traditional corporate networking surroundings, we believe that support and guidance is key, and that’s what we provide within our group. We know from experience that being a business owner or being self-employed can be lonely and overwhelming, yet there were so many business owners out there who just weren’t being adequately supported. We’ve fulfilled that need for the Lancashire area and we’re so passionate about what we do, that rolling it out to other areas seems like the obvious next step.”

The existing Lancashire group boasts over 150 active members, who enjoy being part of this unique business family. The group is based on Facebook, and with someone usually always online, the members then have access to help and support around the clock.

Within the group, there are free online training sessions and webinars, free downloadable help sheets and workbooks, as well as chances to promote businesses, celebrate other members’ achievements, as well as service and skill swaps, and social gatherings; from Casino nights to group dog walks!

To compliment the online group, there are local informal and friendly monthly meetings, held in the evening, which feature guest speakers and trainers to cover a multitude of hot topics such as blogging, social media, tax, GDPR, SEO, apprenticeships, referral marketing and everything in between.

Jenny Hardman added: “We are first and foremost a support group, with an element of networking. Our aim has always been to provide a safe and welcoming environment for these business owners to have a sense of belonging, and a place to be able to access the skills and knowledge needed to grow their businesses at a comfortable pace, without paying thousands of pounds in courses or mentors, who may not be relevant.”

The Manchester Business Owners Network in launching in early September and Hardman McNeal are all set up and ready to accept new members. To learn more, or for more information on how to join, email them at info@hardman-mcneal.co.uk

Cheetham Bell Paint with Liquid Graphene to Launch Inov-8 Revolutionary G-series Shoes

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Manchester-based advertising agency Cheetham Bell has launched a new campaign to promote the world’s first running shoes made with graphene.

The G-SERIES footwear range, which has been created by sportswear brand inov-8 in partnership with the University of Manchester, is the first of its kind to feature graphene – the thinnest material on earth that is 200 times stronger than steel. The material was also originally discovered in Manchester.

To promote the launch, Cheetham Bell worked with illustrator Florian Nicolle (who has previously worked on some of the world’s largest brands including Nike, Warner Brothers, and ESPN) to create three striking images using both graphite and liquid graphene, showing each of the three different shoes in the G-SERIES range.

Martin Smith, Creative Director at Cheetham Bell, said: “When we first got the brief we knew we had to do something more interesting than a simple shot of an athlete.

“We loved the energy in Florian’s work and with graphite being the source of graphene it seemed a natural fit to illustrate our athletes with graphite pencil and charcoal, but then also use actual liquid graphene from The University of Manchester to paint with.”

The G-SERIES range includes running shoes for trails, mountains and mud, as well as fitness footwear for crossfitters. The work will run in press, outdoor, in store and online.

Why Your Business Needs to Innovate to Hit Top Gear!

CHRIS GREENHALGH, Head of Innovation and Programme Development, GC Business Growth Hub, organisers of Venturefest North West, shares his views.

1,000 mph: that’s the target for the Bloodhound Super Sonic Car, which is making its world land speed record attempt next year. For an idea of just how fast this is, imagine covering the length of four-and-a half football pitches in one second.

What an amazing feat of engineering, innovation and human courage it would be to reach that mind-blowing goal. Such triumphs require not just commitment and funding, but access to a wealth of specialist knowledge and expertise from a whole range of organisations, sponsors and suppliers, all of whom contribute towards addressing the challenge.

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Chris Greenhalgh, head of innovation at GC Business Growth Hub, which is running Venturefest North West.

The Bloodhound team will no doubt have experienced all manner of setbacks along their journey. That they’ve found solutions to them is down in no small part to the sharing of knowledge and experience across all the parties involved. Collaboration is key.

So what does all this have to do with your business?

It isn’t just complex projects like this one which benefit from innovative thinking and collaboration. The principles apply equally to firms of all sizes that want to solve anything, from identifying market opportunities to understanding how they could translate into new products and services, and countless other challenges.

Put simply, innovation is a critical component of business growth. Innovative SMEs not only have stronger turnover performances compared to non-innovative firms, they are also more committed to the development of their workforces and are more likely to export than non-innovative firms.

It’s important to underline here that innovation is not just about incredible challenges like Bloodhound and doesn’t even have to be about creating something entirely new. Innovation also means re-inventing a product or service for a new market, or changing the way to run a business by creating or adapting different processes and systems.

Experience tells us at GC Business Growth Hub that most firms have innovative ideas and opportunities. Too often it’s difficult to get them moving and out of first gear, because of difficulties in developing and commercialising these opportunities, this can be due to a lack of finance, human resource, specialist know-how, time, technology, strategy or even your business culture or lack of the right facilities. Help is though available to overcome these issues.

Fortunately, in Greater Manchester and across the Northern Powerhouse there’s a wealth of expertise within our entrepreneurial businesses, universities and many specialist organisations that can support innovation.

And many of these will be coming together under one roof at Venturefest North West – the region’s biggest annual innovation event, with 1,000 attendees expected. So if right now it feels like you’re trying to drive your business forward with the handbrake on, what better time to find the spark you need. Register for free now at www.venturefestnorthwest.com.

I hope to see you at Manchester Central on September 13th…and keep an eye out for the Bloodhound world land speed record car, which will be making a special appearance.

Venturefest exhibition opportunities available: promote your business amongst the region’s entrepreneurs, investors and academics. If you’re interested in exhibiting, contact Peter Gaunt at GC Business Growth Hub on 07753 418 033.

University launches international search for a partner for its North Campus Development

The University of Manchester’s Board of Governors has approved a proposal to seek a corporate partner to develop its North Campus site in Manchester city centre into a world-class innovation district over the next 20 years.

This development is made possible by the scheduled move of the University’s engineering schools to the new multi-million Manchester Engineering Campus Development (MECD) adjacent to the University’s main Oxford Road campus, in 2021.

Working with its partner, the University expects that the mixed-use site will attract research, development, cultural and technology companies, as well as accommodating new residential space. The area and buildings for development are around Sackville Street and adjacent to Piccadilly Rail and Metrolink stations. The plan is to develop the 11.8 hectare (29 acre) site into an exciting research and business campus, where the world’s most valuable ideas will be transformed into reality.

The University will retain significant strategic and decision-making influence within the partnership. It will retain the south end of the site where it has significant research activity, including the newly built Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre and the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, and it will continue to hold the freehold for the whole site.

Targeting technology and science-related occupiers, the site will focus on specialities which combine the research and industrial strengths of the University and the city region with national economic priorities. These will include advanced materials, applied health innovation, artificial intelligence and digital technology and industrial biotechnology.

The development is projected to generate potentially up to £2 billion of growth* over the next 20 years or more for the local economy and is projected to create up to 6,000 jobs. It will also help to ensure the long-term financial strength of the University by delivering a continuing future income stream for investment in the University’s educational and research activities.

Plans are at an early stage and the next step will be a rigorous search for a partner. The University has been discussing its plans with Manchester City Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. It is envisaged that work on the site will begin after the University transfers staff and existing facilities into its new MECD buildings in 2021.

North Campus represents a unique opportunity to create an exciting innovation district within a UK city-centre location. It will be allied to one of the UK’s foremost research-intensive universities, with high connectivity to a skilled local workforce. It will provide opportunities for graduate employment and student placements; and the development will benefit from outstanding transport links, plus access to national and international markets.

Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, said of the development: “We will be launching an international search in the next few months to find the very best joint venture partner to work with us to develop this prime site with its landmark buildings and unique footprint in the heart of the city.

“The development offers the opportunity to transform this quarter of the city centre, generate thousands of new jobs and advance the reputation of the University. It will cement the reputation of the city as the place to be for technology, digital, research and development businesses – where the world’s most valuable ideas will be transformed into reality.”

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council commented: “The potential of the North Campus site is huge and this is great news for Manchester.

“There are tremendous opportunities to regenerate this distinctive part of the city and we welcome the University’s growth, investment and job creation ambitions for the development.”

Manchester construction businesses encouraged to inspire next generation of workers

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An initiative to address the skills shortage in the construction sector and make the industry more diverse and inclusive is calling for businesses to get involved and inspire the next generation of workers.

Organised by Built Environment Skills in Schools (BESS), Manchester Construction Careers Week will see hundreds of schools across the region find out what it’s really like to work in construction, property, engineering and housing.

The focus topic is gender and diversity, which will be explored in detail at the Inspire Summit on 25 September at the Bridgewater Hall with keynote speaker  Barbara Rest, the first woman to oversee the construction of a major skyscraper, Trump Tower.

Businesses can get involved by demonstrating how tech such as virtual reality and gaming is used in the industry, site tours, classroom demonstrations and digital broadcasts. Previous years have seen digital broadcasts from railway lines and from the top of a crane.

The organisers of the Inspire Summit are also looking for relevant businesses to get involved with the conference, with opportunities to speak, exhibit and attend.

Kathryn Lennon-Johnson, founder of BESS, said: “Last year we held Construction Careers Week in Birmingham and had over 400 students take part in all kinds of activities. When we first met the students, on average only 2 per cent stated an interest in a role in construction and less than 10 per cent could name job roles other than architect or bricklayer. After meeting with businesses and employers, 60 per cent of students said they were surprised about the breadth of opportunities.

“Meeting and engaging with the students, whether on site or through the use of technology, is a vital step in attracting more young people into the sector, as well as making it more diverse and inclusive. With several schools and colleges across Greater Manchester taking part this year, it’s important we have as many different businesses on board as possible either at Inspire Summit or with other events and activities throughout the week.”

Joe Broun, event director and founder of Inspire Summit, said: “The skills shortage in the industry has been widely reported for years now. Not only do we want to attract more people into the industry, but we want to see it become more diverse and inclusive. We want girls and young women to see that a career in construction isn’t ‘just for boys’ – it’s an accessible and exciting career path for everyone.”

University start-up EnviroSAR Ltd, a satellite technology company focused on peat moorland and heathland wildfires, aims to expand R&D efforts nationally

The founder of EnviroSAR, whose expertise was used to learn more about two wildfires that devastated vast moorland areas this summer in the northwest of England, is aiming to expand further the research and development of her company to better monitor wildfires and the moorland restoration at a national level.

Dr Gail Millin-Chalabi launched EnviroSAR – a targeted solution for peat moorland and heathland restoration in the UK – last year and recently appeared on BBC’s The One Show and BBC Breakfast to discuss the company’s involvement in tackling the Tameside and Winter Hill wildfires.

EnviroSAR, funded by the University of Manchester’s Innovation Company, UMI3 Ltd, analyses satellite radar data to mitigate wildfire risks, supports planning and execution of land restoration activities to reduce water discolouration and associated costs.

EnviroSAR has previously collaborated with fire services and is looking to build stronger relationships with both utility and insurance companies to support wildfire recovery and restoration efforts.

Dr Millin-Chalabi said the moorland wildfires this summer has highlighted the need for further funding to support research and development work in this area. EnviroSAR are currently exploring opportunities for European Space Agency (ESA) funding to expand the business.

The original idea for EnviroSAR came out of Dr Millin-Chalabi’s PhD back in spring of 2016.

“I’d been using radar data for characterising and monitoring burnt areas after wildfires,” said Dr Millin-Chalabi, who is a GIS and Remote Sensing Officer in the School of Environment, Education and Development at The University of Manchester.

“Not long after coming up with the idea of EnviroSAR we won the European Copernicus Masters Sustainable Living Challenge and are receiving support from UMI3 through the UMIP Innovation Optimiser Programme which empowers innovators from across the University to create start-up businesses.”

Dr Millin-Chalabi said there’s a whole education programme needed when it comes to UK moorland fires.

“If we keep getting these very dry conditions there is more risk of wildfires unfortunately as large amounts of moorland and heathland areas in the UK are degraded and not particularly healthy.

“This year we are seeing a much longer wildfire season in the UK. Usually we are over them by mid-May. Some are still burning and it’s July.

“If we keep experiencing these drier and hotter weather conditions year after year, our wildfire season could start transitioning into the summer, more like, dare I say it, Mediterranean areas and expanding into the months of June and July.”

On what can be done to understand patterns of wildfire occurrence and mitigate against wildfire risks she said: “Nationally things need to be more integrated when it comes to what is collected on the ground and what is available through satellite data.

“Information has to be shared and managed well and marry together better, rather than piece-meal which it seems to be at the moment. EnviroSAR could really help with that.”

She added: “A healthy moorland environment should have a high water table and plants such as sphagnum moss, which holds around 20 times its own weight in water. It’s like a sponge. When you have these kinds of plants, even if a wildfire happens it slows the burn down as the landscape is more resilient and so the burn will be less severe.

“We also need to connect more socially with local communities in moorland areas.”

Utility and insurance companies are vital when it comes to wildfires, according to Dr Millin-Chalabi: “No matter how much hosing down or how many helicopters drop water on an area affected by wildfire, it’s not going to go out until mother nature intervenes with a heavy downpour due to the highly organic nature of the underlying peat.

“We are keen to start building stronger relationships with utility and insurance companies as once we get a heavy downpour of rain all that ash and char on the surface is going to potentially run into our watercourse and cause discolouration and sedimentation issues of our drinking water.

“The north west of England is a post-industrial revolution area so there is also potential for heavy metals in some of these peaty soils to erode into the wider environment if restoration of the peat moorland does not take place.

“EnviroSAR is keen to assist utility companies in where is best to target restoration efforts using satellite technology to try and mitigate downstream environmental issues as much as possible.”

Elucigene targets US for next stage of export drive

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The Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester has praised the brilliant endeavour and teamwork at Elucigene Diagnostics as he presented the fast-growing molecular diagnostics company with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2018.

The Lord-Lieutenant, Warren Smith, was guest of honour at a ceremony at Elucigene’s Citylabs 1.0 headquarters in Manchester, also attended by employees, partners and advisers.

Describing the award as a “remarkable achievement,” the Lord-Lieutenant said: “These awards are not easily earned. This year 152 Awards for international trade have been made nationally, 15 in the North West and this is one of five in Greater Manchester.

“The award is not to an individual, not to the management but to the whole workforce. It does, however, reflect outstanding vision, creativity, sound management, good communication and enthusiastic and loyal workforce.

“If one word encapsulates it, it is teamwork, and I hope that this award will be of tangible benefit to Elucigene Diagnostics in the future.

“Both your competitors and your customers will recognise this as a major achievement, and it is certainly a high standard to live up to but it is an incentive to make even further progress in the years ahead.”

In response, Elucigene Diagnostics’ Chief Executive Mark Street-Docherty said the company, which has grown from just five staff to 31 in the last four years, has ambitious plans for further export-led growth.

“We are very proud of the Queen’s Award, but we are not standing still. We have our sights set on launching our cystic fibrosis product in the United States in the next 12-18 months. The US is the world’s largest healthcare market so there is a very substantial opportunity for us there.

“We also have some ground-breaking and innovative companion diagnostics products to bring to market in the next six months, which is also extremely exciting.”

Mr Street-Docherty dedicated the Queen’s Award to the team, and also thanked the Department for International Trade and Greater Manchester Chamber’s international trade team for the “fantastic support and advice” they have provided the business in supporting its international growth strategy which has seen it export to more than 50 countries around the world.

Morson Group announces acquisition of Anderselite Holdings Limited

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We are pleased to announce the acquisition of Anderselite Holdings Ltd by the Morson Group, with the full support of the management teams of both companies. As a result, Anderselite Ltd will become part of the Morson Group.

Morson Group is the UK’s leading technical recruiter and engineering design and project management company with a global presence across all engineering markets including rail, aerospace defence, energy, infrastructure, IT and oil & gas. Morson has over 40 offices worldwide and is headquartered in Manchester, UK.

Anderselite Holdings Ltd is the parent company of Anderselite Ltd, a specialist for over 30 years in providing recruitment services to the construction, civil engineering, facilities management and rail sectors. Anderselite is headquartered in Southampton, UK.

Under this agreement Anderselite will become a wholly owned subsidiary within the Morson Group maintaining its own brand and contracts whilst working alongside other Morson Group companies.

Ged Mason, CEO of Morson Group, commented: “We are delighted that the team at Anderselite are joining the Morson Group Family.

Anderselite has an extremely strong brand within the UK and specific expertise in the Civils, Maintenance, Rail and Construction markets.  The addition of Anderselite to our portfolio means we are well placed to service the future growth expected in these sectors while consolidating our market leading position in rail.

We would like to welcome our Anderselite colleagues to the Morson Group family and look forward to a prosperous and exciting future together

Simon Trippick, CEO of Anderselite added: “Right from the start of this process our objective was to find a partner whose values and approach matched our own. This is a very exciting time for everyone at Anderselite and our team is looking forward to joining the Morson Group. This deal will allow our business to grow and develop within one of the UK’s most respected recruitment groups to the benefit of all our stakeholders”.

Construction milestone celebrated at Downtown

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With the concrete frame complete at phase one of Downtown, the McGoff Group celebrated this key milestone in the construction programme with a topping out event on the roof of the Woden Street development.

Joining the McGoff brothers James, Declan, Dave and Chris was the team from Wellesley, the development property finance specialist that has provided £39.9m funding to deliver Downtown.

Combining a successful construction schedule, with the build expertly executed and managed by multi award-winning McGoff Construction, and impressive sales with all 368 apartments sold, the build of phase two at Downtown will now start much earlier than planned.

Occupancy of phase one, which comprises 160 apartments, is planned for March 2019, and the early commencement of construction on phase two, which comprises 208 apartments, will start imminently.

Chris McGoff, director at the McGoff Group, said: “The success of Downtown has been superb both in terms of sales and construction and it was fitting to invite the team from Wellesley to the topping out event on the roof, giving them the chance to see the impressive progress made on site.

“Their continued support means we can start the build of phase two immediately, which means completion will be approximately nine or 10 months sooner than expected.  With all apartments sold, the excellent design and prominent site of Downtown on the banks of the River Irwell have delivered a truly prestigious riverside residential development.”

Graham Wellesley, Founder and CEO at Wellesley, added: “Downtown is a high-quality, aspirational apartment scheme and the impressive pace of sales fully supports this.  Working with the McGoff Group on this project has been a pleasure and it was a privilege to attend the topping out event.

“Since 2007 property developers have found it increasingly hard to secure funding from banks and building societies.  As a specialist alternative lender, we work hard to fill this gap, providing flexible lending packages that meet their needs.

“We also seek out opportunities across the UK, not just in London or the Home Counties, and Downtown is a wonderful example; a development with excellent design that will transform the landscape and revolutionise the Manchester property market with its Manhattan-inspired hotel-style services and high end communal facilities.”