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Free workplace mental health programme “Balls to That” launched for businesses across the North West

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22/03/2018

Free workplace mental health programme “Balls to That” launched for businesses across the North West

The Sale Sharks Community Trust has launched a groundbreaking new mental health awareness programme designed to promote wellbeing in workplaces right across the North West.

The free of charge ‘Balls to That’ sessions will see coaches from the award-winning Trust, including Afghanistan army veteran Craig Monaghan, educating staff in businesses across the region on what they can do to support one another and make improvements to their own mental health.

The programme also aims to help business leaders recognise how they can better support their staff in both their working and private lives.

Project Officer Craig suffered from severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and attempted to take his own life following his medical discharge from the army.

And, as part of the free hour-long sessions, he will talk about his ongoing mental health challenges, what he’s doing to overcome them and his journey from the battlefield to the England Deaf Rugby side.

Craig first got involved with Sharks through the Community Trust’s veterans’ programme ‘Sharks Forces’ – and his story inspired almost 40 staff at CheckdMedia, in Manchester, during the first session of the new programme.

Sharks Community Rugby Coach Jack Leech said: “Listening to Craig share his story, and seeing the genuine impact it has on people first hand, is incredibly inspiring. It can shape lives and challenge perceptions.

“If we can help more people recognise their own difficulties and identify the signs and symptoms, then this programme could really make a difference.

“We know how pressurised some workplaces can be, but hopefully hearing Craig’s story can give people in business – whether they’re CEOs or apprentices – some perspective and offer some ideas to improve mental health.”

Jamie Knowlson, CEO at CheckdMedia, added: “Craig has an unbelievable story. It is informative and inspirational and it offered us fantastic insight into how we can provide our team with the support they need. We want to make the environment at CheckdMedia one in which mental health isn’t a taboo subject, and this programme has helped us do that.”

Jonny Acheson, Executive Director at the Sale Sharks Community Trust, said: “We came up with the idea for ‘Balls to That’ because, in many workplaces, mental health simply isn’t discussed.

“Now we’ve launched the programme, we’re keen to work with other businesses across the North West to break down any notion of mental health being a taboo topic and to give them and their staff some guidance on how they can support each other.

“The sessions are run totally free of charge and we know we can make a real, and lasting difference, so if you feel that your business would benefit from Balls to That, please do get in touch.”

Leading speakers to focus on industrial opportunities of ‘green transport revolution’ at LowCVP ‘Moving North’ Conference

Sam Whitear

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22/03/2018

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Leading speakers to focus on industrial opportunities of ‘green transport revolution’ at LowCVP ‘Moving North’ Conference

The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership’s (LowCVP) 2018 ‘Moving North’ Conference, opening with a keynote address by the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, will focus on the challenge of cutting carbon emissions and air pollution, and seizing the business opportunities for automotive and fuel supply companies in the Northern Powerhouse.

The event, on Thursday 12 April 2018, is being held in association with the Mayor of Greater Manchester, the Northern Automotive Alliance (NAA) and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM). It is supported by Manchester Metropolitan University and sponsored by GEFCO and Uber.

The conference features a range of high profile speakers including:

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester
Mike Hawes, Chief Executive, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)
Ian Constance, Chief Executive, Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC)
Lawrence Davies MBE, Chief Executive, Automotive Investment Organisation (AIO)
Jon Lamonte, Chief Executive, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM)
Andy Eastlake, Managing Director, Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP)
Carol Holden OBE, Chief Executive, Northern Automotive Alliance (NAA)
Jon King, Business Development Consultant, Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG)
Dave Roberts, Director, Smart Interventions, EA Technology.

‘Moving North’ will look at the future of transport in the Northern Powerhouse region (and beyond) – a future that will be driven by ever-tighter regulation of carbon dioxide emissions and pollutants which damage air quality – and the resulting opportunities for businesses in the automotive, fuels and related sectors.

The event, and the drinks reception which follows the conference, will also be an important networking opportunity, as it will bring together a number of different sectors, including the automotive and energy industries, governmental/public sector organisations, ‘new mobility’ companies and other stakeholders.

Andy Eastlake, Managing Director, Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership, commented: “This is the LowCVP’s first conference in Manchester and I am delighted that we have such an impressive line-up of high profile and knowledgeable speakers. Reducing CO₂ emissions and improving air quality are two key items of focus for regions around the UK.

“The conference will provide an opportunity to learn more about these issues in Manchester and the wider Northern Powerhouse area, and the resulting opportunities for businesses in the region. I hope that the event will help to facilitate fruitful new relationships and partnerships to accelerate solutions in the area of low emission road transport.”

Carol Holden OBE, Chief Executive, Northern Automotive Alliance (NAA), added: “The automotive industry is changing at a faster rate than at any previous time in its history. This offers opportunities for existing automotive supply chain companies, but also for companies that currently don’t supply into automotive – from sectors such as energy and technology.

“Businesses introducing innovative disruptive technologies have a real chance to break through into the mainstream. The Moving North Conference will highlight aspects of transport where new products, services and approaches are needed.”

Moving North is a ticketed event, which is free to members of the LowCVP. There is a 25% discount for members of the Northern Automotive Alliance. Non-members are invited at the standard price of £100.

There are also some indoor exhibition spaces, a small number of outside spaces for vehicles, and a very limited number of sponsorship opportunities.

HSBC funding package supports Stockport nursery opening

Blog

Sam Whitear

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21/03/2018

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HSBC funding package supports Stockport nursery opening

Stockport-based Nursery Rhymes Nursery has opened its second early years premises in the North West, thanks to a £35,000 funding package from HSBC.

Nursery Rhymes runs a successful day nursery and pre-school site in Cheadle, Stockport, providing a safe and stimulating environment for children aged between 0 – 5 years old.

The £35,000 funding package from HSBC has enabled the Nursery Rhymes group to open a second site in nearby Bollington, Cheshire. The new nursery brings a valuable service to an area with limited childcare facilities, and has been especially designed to provide a nurturing environment for children.

The opening of the Bollington nursery is expected to create up to 15 new jobs locally over the coming 12 months.

Wayne Orme, Director of Nursery Rhymes Nursery, said: “We’re thrilled to have received financial support from HSBC and finally open our new nursery. Bollington is a great location and we’ve already been pleased to meet so many new families in the area. Our aim is always to create a caring environment where children can learn, giggle and grow, we are certain this will continue in our Bollington setting. We can’t wait to meet even more families in the future.”

Brian Heyes, HSBC’s Area Director for Manchester & Lancashire, said: “Nursery Rhymes Nursery has received plenty of plaudits for the quality service they provide in Cheadle, Stockport. We’re delighted to support the opening of a new facility in Bollington and create so many new jobs for the area.”

BT launches hunt for 112 grads and apprentices in the North West

Education

Sam Whitear

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21/03/2018

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BT launches hunt for 112 grads and apprentices in the North West

BT is creating 112 new apprenticeship and graduate jobs across the North West as part of a new UK-wide drive to recruit the best tech talent available.

The company aims to employ more than 1,300 people across the country in a number of different roles, from TV production, engineering, customer service and cyber-security to help tackle the growing threat of cyber-crime.

In the North West the 112 new recruits will be located in Accrington, Liverpool, Manchester, Skelmersdale and Warrington in roles such as cyber security, engineering, IT, sales and customer service.

BT is one of the first UK companies to use virtual reality technology as a way of recruiting, as it looks at innovative techniques in how it attracts the best graduates.

The assessment process will include candidates being asked to complete a series of virtual reality “Crystal Maze” style tasks. BT will assess candidates based on three measures which comprise analytical skills, how they handle change, as well as their drive and enthusiasm to get tasks completed.

The latest recruitment drive for apprenticeships and graduates is in addition to Openreach’s announcement last week that they are looking to recruit 3,500 engineers, of which more than 280 will be based in the North West.

BT Group is one of the UK’s largest employers with 82,800 people based in the UK and more than 9,000 in the North West.

The new roles, which include those within EE and Plusnet, are spread across the country.

The Prime Minister, Theresa May, said: “I welcome this announcement from BT. More high-quality apprenticeships means more young people with the vital skills and training to take advantage of the economic opportunities of the future.

“Our modern Industrial Strategy, in conjunction with business, will help drive developments in fields like Artificial Intelligence and cyber technology – meaning more high-tech jobs and greater prosperity for people across the country.”

A number of this year’s recruits will be based at BT’s world-renowned labs at Adastral Park, near Ipswich, in Suffolk. This research centre is playing a leading role in the development of artificial intelligence, ultrafast broadband and 5G technologies.

Many of the apprentices will also achieve foundation and full degrees as part of their work at BT, while some graduates will also achieve fully funded qualifications. The scheme is delivered in partnership with local colleges and universities to ensure that apprentices and graduates receive the best education for their area of focus, as well as the hands-on experience and training.

BT has a commitment to helping people and meeting the demands for innovation and digital skills in the UK. The company is also showing this through its Work Ready programme which was launched in 2014 specifically for NEETS (not in education, employment or training). To date more than 3,500 people from around the UK have participated and more than half have gone on to either gain employment or return to education. The programme is part of BT’s wider Tech Literacy initiative to inspire people in the UK to embrace the role technology plays in their lives.

BT is also currently offering free teaching-resources and volunteer-led training workshops as part of its Barefoot Computing Project, designed to help primary school teachers become more confident when teaching computer science and computing skills.

Gavin Patterson, chief executive of BT, said: “We’re proud to be leading the industry by investing in training a huge number of people in the digital skills that the UK economy so vitally needs.

“BT has a rich history of innovation, and it’s an incredibly exciting time to be joining the company as we look towards growing our cyber-security business, developing 5G technologies and enhanced TV content.

“Our apprenticeship and graduate scheme will equip people with the skills and on the job training they will need to succeed in the future.

“I’m looking forward to welcoming all our new recruits into the business.”

Helen Slinger, chair of BT’s regional board in the North West, said: “This recruitment is more great news for our region. It underlines the leading role that BT plays in communities across the North West and is a tribute to the quality of our local staff. They play a vital role in providing essential products and services for the households and businesses of the North West, as well as, of course, being part of these local communities themselves.

“As one of the region’s leading employers and investors, BT is committed to providing high quality jobs and careers and this latest recruitment will help ensure we deliver the best possible services for the people of the North West.”

Davis Blank Furniss acts on purchase of 745 Wilmslow Road, Didsbury.

Blog

Sam Whitear

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21/03/2018

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Davis Blank Furniss acts on purchase of 745 Wilmslow Road, Didsbury.

The commercial property team at law firm Davis Blank Furniss has handled the purchase of 745 Wilmslow Road in Didsbury. The site is now being renovated and will become Bisque and Beyond Family Art Café which is expected to open in mid-April. The value of the deal has not been disclosed.

The independent family owned and run venue will offer a wide range of art projects, as well as locally sourced food and drinks, homemade cakes and bakes. There will also be a party and sensory room, set up daily for a wide range of baby sensory classes and children’s parties.

The team at Davis Blank Furniss advised clients Marianne McDowell and Alexander Hassiakos on the purchase including in-depth legal advice, managing the due diligence process and coordinating funding arrangements.

Richard Hamilton, Head of Property at Davis Blank Furniss, said: “Bisque and Beyond Family Art Café is a fantastic concept and will, I’m sure, be a huge success in what is one of Manchester’s most vibrant suburbs.”

Marianne McDowell added: “We are really excited about the launch of Bisque and Beyond Family Art Café and our focus is now on getting the site ready for our expected opening next month.”

Burns & McDonnell partners with Manchester MBA students to deliver electric vehicle research project

Transport

Sam Whitear

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20/03/2018

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Burns & McDonnell partners with Manchester MBA students to deliver electric vehicle research project

Infrastructure company Burns & McDonnell has selected a group of international MBA students to undertake a research project on electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. This is being carried out as part of Alliance Manchester Business School’s Commercial Business Consultancy Project.

The group of five students will undertake in-depth research into the UK EV infrastructure market to determine its scale, impact and long-term potential. The project will run full-time until June, at the end of which time the students will produce a report outlining their findings and recommendations for Burns & McDonnell’s business approach.

The report will help inform Burns & McDonnell’s long-term investment strategy in the UK, as they seek to deliver evidence-based solutions for the integration of technologies to help manage energy demand.

The students are drawn from a diverse cohort of specialisms and backgrounds, bringing a unique perspective to the project. They will consult regularly with Burns & McDonnell throughout. They were chosen following a rigorous bidding process at the University of Manchester involving 25 companies across a range of projects, culminating in a formal pitch and Q&A session on their proposal.

Jonathan Chapman, Burns & McDonnell’s UK Managing Director, said: “Electric vehicles have enormous potential to be a transformative force in Manchester and the rest of the UK, but we need the right infrastructure to make it as easy and efficient as possible for people to take full advantage. It is our aim at Burns & McDonnell to help shape the future of EVs, starting with rigorous, applied research.

“The benefits of becoming involved in this project were clear from the start. It offers us the opportunity to base our future decision making on a sound evidence base and draw on the varying experience of the students themselves. It is our hope that through supporting and engaging with the academic community our work will have a meaningful and lasting impact, and that projects like this will inspire the next generation of engineers, entrepreneurs and researchers.

“Throughout the bidding process we were impressed with the calibre of students and the level of detail and imagination in their approach. We’re pleased to have found such a talented group to undertake important research that will help inform our strategy to meet the challenges the North of England faces as it seeks to renew its energy and transport infrastructure for the demands of the modern world.”

Abdullah Aljwirah, a member of the winning team who has a background in industrial engineering, said: “As a team we always knew this project would be a challenge, but that’s part of what drew us to it. We can’t wait to delve deeper into the world of EVs, an exciting burgeoning market. We all believe that the best way to learn is by doing things first hand, and think that Burns & McDonnell’s open and hands-on approach will make for a great partnership.

“As challenging as it will be, we all believe that we can produce impactful work at the end of the project. We can’t wait to get started.”

Orbit Defence pushes the frontiers in IT solutions

Blog

Sam Whitear

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20/03/2018

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Orbit Defence pushes the frontiers in IT solutions

Newly launched Orbit Defence provides a fresh, human approach to IT compared to standard solutions on the market. Applying cutting-edge technology and world-class partners to an experienced yet innovative team, Orbit Defence delivers cost-effective solutions to de-risk businesses.

Located in Manchester, the team is headed up by CEO Christopher Carr and Chief Operating Officer Tom Haslehurst. Carr has devoted his career to IT with experience across manufacturing, testing, security, finance, and marketing. As well as a law degree and a postgraduate MSc in Information Technology, Haslehurst holds an extensive background in business spanning multiple industries both at home and overseas.

Talking about Orbit’s wider team and objective, Haslehurst quite simply admits “our team come from different backgrounds, however we all have one thing in common: we’ve sat in front of an ageing computer absolutely stumped as to why it will not do as it’s told. It’s for that reason we pull together the brightest minds and share our collective knowledge so that others can sit with their morning coffee and actually like the previously infuriating object in front of them.”

Orbit Defence have built an extensive list of expert partners, including Vapour Media and 4ARMED, to ensure their service delivers world-class, reliable solutions and efficient results. Carr states, “our access to the fastest connectivity solutions available, as well as our capacity to host your website and back it up in multiple datacenters, means you can rest safe in the knowledge that you have the highest possible level of security and, if needs be, instant disaster recovery.”

Despite its Manchester base, the company’s reach and ambition goes much further. Orbit Defence project a client base worth in the region of £400,000 by the end of year one, with year on year growth thereafter projected at 30-50%. To that end, they have been at full sail when it comes to recruitment. With 4 new staff already coming onboard in the first few months of 2018, Orbit have relocated to substantial offices in the city centre to allow for 10 more in the coming 12 months.

Orbit Defence offer flexible contracts for their customers, and, due to their extensive personal experience, specialise in the legal and financial sectors.

Grade II listed office building sold for Resi in Altrincham

Blog

Sam Whitear

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20/03/2018

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Grade II listed office building sold for Resi in Altrincham

The Grade 11 listed Old Lloyd Chambers office building at Manchester Road, Altrincham has been sold for £395,000 by UK Ireland Services Ltd to a private company.

The 5,286 sq ft five storey iconic building has been acquired for residential conversion.

The building was home to UK & Ireland Services for 25 years prior to its recent relocation to Anchorage Court due to expansion.

Daniel Lee, director, Regional Property Solutions, who acted for UK & Ireland Insurance Services in the sale, said: “This acquisition reflects the success of Altrincham’s regeneration initiatives and the growing popularity of converting offices to residential use under Permitted Development Rights (PDR) for change of use. This trend has certainly taken off in Altrincham with a number of projects already completed in the town centre with more in the pipeline as well as new schemes across the area to satisfy the demand as the success of the town’s rejuvenation fans out from the centre”.

The Dogtor will see you now: new scheme bowwows students

Education

Sam Whitear

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19/03/2018

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The Dogtor will see you now: new scheme bowwows students

A canine visitor to The University of Manchester’s medical school is no mutt when it comes to making medical students happy.

Billy the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, higher education’s first dogtor, is taking part in a scheme for medical students to ease their stresses and strains.

Billy, wearing his doggy uniform, visits the medical school twice a month attending specially designated sessions with medical students

The idea compliments published University of Manchester research which finds that pets are good for your mental health.

And it is one of many the University activities designed to enhance the wellbeing of students and staff, culminating in the annual Wellbeing Week.

There are daily mindfulness sessions and workshops dealing with topics as wide ranging as tackling procrastination or tackling perfectionism. Now Billy is part of the mix for medical students.

Claire Mimnagh, who is a Communication Skills Administrator in the Medical school, was the person who thought of the idea.

She said: “Medicine is an intensive course and our students work incredibly hard. So we feel it’s important to make sure our students can find time to relax.

“Billy brings together our dog-loving students. They love his company and after spending a bit of time with him, feel great. You just have to see the smiles on their faces to realise what a hit Billy is.

“Our students love him – and he evidently loves them; his tail just doesn’t stop wagging.”

Billy’s owner is actor Sue Warhurst who works at the Medical School role playing patients to allow students to practice their consultation skills.

Dr Kelly Rushton, one of the researchers on the pet study said: “We know that having contact with pets can provide benefits for people with mental health problems by alleviating feelings of stress and providing comfort.”

“This scheme sounds as though it’s trying to do something along those lines, and I would personally have loved this opportunity when I was a student.”

The tide is high as Roland Dransfield win Blackpool Piers account

Blog

Sam Whitear

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19/03/2018

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The tide is high as Roland Dransfield win Blackpool Piers account

Roland Dransfield has been appointed by the Blackpool Pier Company to handle PR for the seaside resort’s illustrious North, South and Central Piers.

The Manchester-based agency, which launched its consumer division in July last year, has been tasked with devising a plan to celebrate Central Pier’s 150^th anniversary this May.

The RD team must construct a campaign to raise the profile of all three piers as well as identifying suitable brand partnerships for Central Pier’s iconic Big Wheel, the grade II listed North Pier’s stunning art deco theatre and the South Pier’s new rollercoaster.

Blackpool’s central pier first opened to the public on May 30th 1868 and this year the Blackpool Pier Company, in conjunction with Roland Dransfield, is planning a host of festivities to mark it’s 150^th anniversary.

The oldest of the piers is North Pier, which was opened on 21^st May 1863 and cost £11,740 to construct. South Pier is the shortest of all three piers and opened, with a choir, two brass bands and an orchestra, on Good Friday, 1893 .

Adam Moss, Roland Dransfield’s Head of Consumer, said: “It has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride since we launched the consumer arm in July last year. We’ve won lots of new accounts and our consumer offer is quite clearly turning heads.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have been asked to handle the PR for the Blackpool Piers. They are three genuine icons of the British seaside. At the heart of our campaign is the 150^th anniversary of the Central Pier on May 30th.

“We are already talking to some big brands about partnership and sponsorship opportunities around the piers, the big wheel, new rollercoaster and, of course, the stunning art deco theatre.”

Renee Sedgwick, Blackpool Pier Company spokeswoman, said: “We are delighted to have Roland Dransfield on board to manage PR for the Blackpool Piers.

“We needed a strong PR agency which understood the importance of the piers and had a real grasp of what was needed to ensure they prosper. Roland Dransfield demonstrated all that, fantastic creativity and much more.”

Roland Dransfield’s consumer division already counts new Manchester double-decker hotel Crowne Plaza/Staybridge Suites as a client, as well as D&D London’s flagship 20 Stories restaurant in Manchester city centre. Their consumer arm also looks after PR for online art gallery Drella as well as Manchester city centre indoor golf club The Range. Their consumer client list has been bolstered further by accounts with First Street Ice Rink, The Offside Trust, Debate Mate and Boodles Tennis.

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