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STAR BILLING FOR MC CONSTRUCTION

Transport

Sam Whitear

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18/01/2018

MC Construction has won a place on a new public sector framework which will see the company carry out projects across Greater Manchester and other areas of the north west.

The Salford-based company has been appointed by STAR Procurement, a shared procurement service for Stockport, Trafford and Rochdale Councils.

STAR Procurement also works with public sector organisations across the north west to help arrange contracts for supplies, services or building projects that cannot be provided in-house.

These include other local authorities, schools and colleges, NHS and transport bodies and central government departments and agencies.

MC Construction has been appointed to design and build projects worth up to £2m, including refurbishments, extensions and new-build schemes.

It is the latest framework appointment for fast-growing MC Construction, which also has a place on ones with the University of Manchester, Manchester Airport, Salford City Council and Royal Mail.

David Lowe, managing director of MC Construction, said: “We are delighted to be appointed to this latest framework and are very proud to be part of a network that chooses to use locally-based contractors and a local labour force.

“Frameworks such as this are hugely important to our company. They reward best value rather than just price, while the continuity of work provides us with the confidence to continue to invest in our business.”

Excellent advice on cyber security from the National Cyber Security Centre

Featured Businesses

Sam Whitear

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18/01/2018

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Excellent advice on cyber security from the National Cyber Security Centre

Cyber Security for small businesses isn’t rocket science. Research by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in 2017 found that nearly half (45%) of all micro/small businesses have identified a cyber security breach or attack in the last year. With almost daily headlines about companies losing data and pictures of hackers in hoodies apparently watching your every move, it’s not surprising that protecting yourself online can be a daunting concept.

But following the five simple steps, outlined in the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) small business guide, can help to significantly reduce the potential for your business to become a victim of a cyber-crime and protect you from loss online.

Advice in the small business guide is based on categories focused on backing-up data, using strong passwords, protecting against malware, keeping devices safe and avoiding phishing attacks.

1: Back up your data

Losing your business critical data, whether it be customer details, payment details or could have a major impact on whether or not you could continue to function.

Identify what is your business critical data and make sure you regularly back it up onto a separate drive or computer which isn’t connected to your main computer network. Also consider a backup which is taken off site, so that it can’t be stolen or destroyed in a fire or flood.

With the increase in incidents of ransomware (where your data is encrypted by online criminals rendering it unusable unless you pay) backing up data is even more important.

2: Protect your organisation from malware

Malicious software (malware) is something which can render your computer equipment useless if it is allowed to take hold.

Anti-virus and anti-malware software is often included within modern computer operating systems. It’s important to make sure that it is up to date and turned on.

Patching, or keeping any software and applications up to date is also a good way to ensure that online criminals can’t find easy ways into your network.

3: Keep smartphones and tablets safe

With smartphones and tablets forming an essential part of modern business, more and more valuable data is taken away from the office environment.

It is important that they are protected with strong passwords and that any additional security features such as fingerprint recognition are enabled. As with desktop computers it is essential that any apps and operating systems are kept up to date.

Also, think twice about using public Wi-Fi.

4: Use passwords to protect your data

Strong passwords are a great free and effective way of protecting your data on a computer, laptop or mobile phone. They should be easy for you to remember, but hard for criminals to guess.

Using a combination of 3 random words, or a passphrase with letters substituted for numbers and special characters is a good way to start. Then make sure you don’t write them down, share them with other colleagues or keep the default passwords you are given with a new account or device.

5: Avoid phishing attacks

Phishing e-mails, where a criminal tries to trick you into giving away important information, or clicking a link or downloading an attachment are increasingly hard to spot from genuine e-mails.

Businesses are increasingly targeted by fake invoices where staff are tricked into transferring money into what they believe is a genuine account for an existing customer or supplier.

Having staff check thoroughly and not being afraid to question whether e-mail are genuine is good practice and can help to prevent you from losing money or data.

Remote working

TITAN, the North West’s Regional Organised Crime Unit, has confirmed that in the North West, there have been a large number of ransomware attacks against small businesses and schools with attackers gaining access via computer ports used by staff who work remotely at home.

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is often used by businesses as it allows employees to work on files etc. without physically attending their place of work. Unfortunately, if RDP is not configured securely, then it is vulnerable to attacks from cyber criminals.

If you have staff who use remote access, make sure that they use strong passwords for RDP to assist with protecting your wider network.

Reporting a cyber crime

Action Fraud are the national reporting centre for Fraud and Cyber Crime and they are available via telephone number 0300 123 2040. They are available 24/7, 365 days a year and crime reports can also be made via the Action Fraud Website www.actionfraud.police.uk however, if you are suffering an ongoing attack then please pick the phone up and call Action Fraud directly rather than reporting online.

The Car People announces acquisition by Sytner

Blog

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18/01/2018

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The Car People announces acquisition by Sytner

The Car People, one of the UK’s most trusted car supermarkets, has announced that it has been acquired by the Sytner Group, the UK’s leading dealer group.

Established in 2000, The Car People operates from four supermarkets in Wakefield, Sheffield, Manchester and Warrington, selling 18,000 vehicles a year. The news follows Sytner’s acquisition of The Car Shop in January 2017.

The acquisition of The Car People will enable Sytner to accelerate the expansion of their used car supermarket division and to further diversify their business into this growing sector of the market. This investment reinforces their commitment to significantly grow used car revenues.

The takeover will be finalised in January 2018. For customers both old and new, it will be business as usual and the company values will remain unchanged.

Jonathan Allbones, Operations Director at The Car People, said: “The team at The Car People are incredibly excited about the recent acquisition by Sytner. We want to reassure customers that Sytner has bought the business because of our values and the quality of our service, and neither the team at The Car People or our colleagues within Sytner want to see that change.

“We will always seek to evolve and continue to improve. We have a built a great team of almost 600 people across our four locations over the last 17 years and we’re looking forward to growing that team and the number of locations even more now that we’re part of the Sytner family.”

Sytner Group CEO, Darren Edwards, said: “The acquisition of The Car People enables Sytner to accelerate the expansion of our Used Car Supermarket Division and to further diversify our business into this growing sector of the market. We are looking forward to working with the team at The Car People and helping them to develop the team as well as looking to expand the number of sites.”

New BT leader in the North West pledges support to help region achieve maximum economic growth

Blog

Sam Whitear

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17/01/2018

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New BT leader in the North West pledges support to help region achieve maximum economic growth

The new head of BT in the North West has pledged to use the company’s huge expertise and resources to boost the region’s economy.

Helen Slinger, the new chair of BT’s regional board in the North West, said the company would help the North West to “achieve maximum productivity and economic growth”.

She highlighted making the most of digital technologies as key to driving future success.

BT is one of the region’s largest private sector employers with more than 9,000 people and major centres in locations such as Warrington, Manchester, Liverpool, Bolton, Accrington and Stockport.

The 44-year-old daughter of a Lancashire farmer, who has lived in the North West for a large part of her life, will lead the board of ten senior BT executives and direct BT’s activities to ensure the company remains one of the region’s leading investors and employers. Among the company’s achievements in the North West is the creation of a high-speed fibre broadband network that is already available to more than three million homes and businesses, and is continuing to grow rapidly.

She said: “I’ve lived in Lancashire for most of my life so it’s an honour for me to represent BT across the North West. The prosperity of the local economy has always been really important to me. I love our vibrant cities as well as the region’s stunning countryside and rural businesses – which are close to my heart as the daughter of a farmer.

“The objective of the regional board is to put BT at the heart of the local communities it serves. Through the development of solid strategic relationships with local authorities, local enterprise partnerships, key stakeholders, business and community organisations, we improve BT’s understanding of the needs of local people and business, and outline plans to help BT better respond to them with the aim of fuelling the success and growth of local economies.

“We are one of the region’s largest private sector investors through our roll-out of exciting technologies, such as superfast broadband and 4G mobile communications – and we are determined to go further. The North West has vast potential and we want to support the region to achieve maximum productivity and economic growth.

“Technology is developing at an astonishing pace and it’s vital that no one gets left behind so we’re already rolling out the next generation of ultrafast services such as ‘full fibre’ and Gfast to ensure the region is on the front foot when it comes to broadband technology.”

Helen has worked for BT for eight years and is already the chief executive of BT’s Product Supply Business, which is part of the company’s business and public sector organisation. She has been a member of the North West board for three years and is a well known face in the region, having won the Institute of Directors’ North West Young Director of the Year award in 2016, as well as being a finalist in the National Women in Business Awards held in Manchester the same year.

Helen replaces Mike Blackburn, OBE, who has held the BT regional chair role for ten years. He said: “I’ve worked for BT for over 25 years and have decided that it is time for me

to move on to fresh challenges. I plan to remain actively engaged in the North West, continuing in my roles as chair of the Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and a board member of the Lancashire LEP, as well as The Lowry Theatre and other boards.

“Working at BT has given me the opportunity to work with some of the finest and most talented people from across all sectors of the region, and deliver some amazing programmes including the Paralympic World Cup, the Greater Manchester Academies Trust and fibre broadband roll out, amongst many others. I’m delighted that I am passing the role into Helen’s very capable hands.

Secrets of Customer Interaction to be Explored at E3 EXPO

Blog

Sam Whitear

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17/01/2018

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Secrets of Customer Interaction to be Explored at E3 EXPO

On Wednesday 14^th March, the E3 Business Expo will feature a free seminar by Michael McDade, Sales Director for Communications Plus Ltd –an O2 franchise recently awarded the ‘O2 Franchise of the decade’. His presentation will discuss the franchise company’s award-winning approach to sales and customer support.

The E3 Business Expo will be held at the Macron Stadium in Bolton. This will be one of a series of seminars taking place throughout the day.

Over the last eleven years, Communications Plus has developed a unique system for customer engagement – a series of steps that guide both customer and sales person through the purchasing process. It has played a key role in the firm’s success, as Michael McDade explains:

“We’ve always recognised the importance of the customer experience, and our sales and service model has been developed to ensure that every step in the sales journey is easy, smooth and logical. It’s an approach that has seen the business grow from a single shop in Bolton to become a leading player in the North West, the North East and North Wales. It also underpins much of our success in winning a number of business awards – most notably, the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation in 2016.”

In the 30 minute presentation, Michael will explain the key steps using the acronym ENERGISE. He will also explain how the approach was first devised, how it was implemented across the business, and how it evolved to become an integral part of the company’s success. This includes receiving the Queens Award for Enterprise in Innovation in 2016 – the first time it was awarded for a process.

The seminar should be of interest to sales managers, customer services staff and anyone involved in customer-facing operations. It should also be of value for those planning to introduce new processes and structures to bring about improvements in business performance.

“We are very pleased that Michael will be speaking,” said Mubarak Chati, Managing Director of 1 Events Media, which hosts the annual Expo. “Sales and customer service are critical issues for so many companies, so it’s fitting that we’re hosting a masterclass by a company whose own processes have won it a Queen’s Award.”

In addition to the seminar, the one-day event will also feature three other presentations, speed networking opportunities and an exhibition hall with over 70 stands. The one day event will run from 10:00am to 4:00pm and entry is free.

New management team sets sail at Braidbar Boats

Blog

Sam Whitear

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16/01/2018

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New management team sets sail at Braidbar Boats

North West-based narrowboat manufacturer, Braidbar Boats, looks set for continued success as it secures a six-figure funding package from the Royal Bank of Scotland, to support a management buy-out and ongoing growth.

Braidbar Boats, which has been owned by Peter and Susan Mason since 2007, is based on the Macclesfield Canal close to Poynton and has been building market-leading narrowboats for more than 30 years. It has long been established as the ‘go-to’ UK manufacturer of high quality, bespoke narrowboats in terms of quality, design and customer satisfaction, with each boat custom-designed, incorporating unique features and the latest technology.

After 10 years running the business as a husband and wife team, last year Peter and Susan brought James Attwood, an award-winning boat designer and his partner, Donna, into the business, to help them manage the day-to-day operations of the busy firm.

The funding package has seen Susan’s stake in the business acquired by James, who is now responsible for the overall operation of the firm, with Donna taking on the day-to-day running of the office. With the new management team as well as the funding in place, the business can increase its annual production, which presently has the capacity to build up to seven boats every year, and satisfy currently unmet demand for its highly bespoke, quality product.

The Masons were advised in the transaction by Andrew Feeke, Corporate Finance Senior Director, David Wright, Director of Banking & Finance and Amanda Sayle, Tax Director, at North West accountancy and advisory firm, CLB Coopers, which is part of Baldwins Group.

Speaking of the transaction, Peter said: “I am very pleased that James has joined the business. He brings with him many years of expertise and new thinking to the design of our boats.

“From start to finish, the teams at CLB Coopers and Royal Bank of Scotland have been helpful, communicative and very professional as we have moved through the process. We are all thrilled at the outcome.”

James commented: “I am excited about the future for Braidbar Boats having had this opportunity, as we are building on an already well-established and well-respected boat building business. The wealth of knowledge and experience has become even stronger with this partnership, and this will take the Company even further.

“We are looking forward to developing fresh ideas as well as adapting to new technologies and with the team in place, this is very achievable”.

David of CLB Coopers, said: “I am delighted to have assisted the management team at Braidbar Boats in securing a well-structured and competitive funding package.

“This deal is a great example of how our Banking and Finance team works alongside our specialist Corporate Finance and Tax teams to provide a full-service offering, from structuring and managing the deal right through to securing the debt to complete the transaction.”

Funding for the transaction was arranged by Stephen Lee, Relationship Director at the Royal Bank of Scotland.

He said: “Braidbar Boats has established an excellent reputation for delivering innovative designs and this deal strengthens the management team who aim to drive forward the business even further. This is a very exciting time for the business and I am very pleased to be supporting its future growth strategy.”

Former Waterloo Road actor turned entrepreneur set to influence big brands

Blog

Sam Whitear

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16/01/2018

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Former Waterloo Road actor turned entrepreneur set to influence big brands

Just a year after setting up in business former Waterloo Road actor Reece Douglas is making waves in the world of influencer marketing, having helped one client increase month-on-month revenue by 1500 percent.

The 23-year-old from Bramhall, Cheshire hit on the idea for his firm Brand Endorsement during long days waiting in the green room on the set of the school drama. He used his large Twitter following and influence as an actor to ask companies for clothing and products.

Reece said: “I began making cheeky requests and to my surprise brands sent me products. I received all sorts of things including a drone and expensive clothing.

“Companies were prepared to give away products with no relevance to my acting career or to any of my followers. That’s when I realised brands needed help to connect with the right social media influencer.”

Brand Endorsement connects brands with influencers who resonate with their target market to increase engagement on social media platforms. The company has already run a successful campaign with Manchester based jewellers, Fiyah. Following a strategically targeted campaign on social media with a carefully matched influencer it received over 50,000 likes and comments, over 5,000 unique website hits and a 1,786% Instagram revenue increase.

The young entrepreneur is now taking steps to use tech to grow the business. He is currently looking for investment to create a platform that is a one-stop-shop for content creation campaigns, influencer campaigns and events. Reece said: “The biggest thing in influencer marketing right now is data. A brand needs to be able to assess the analytics of a campaign to understand their return-on-investment.

“The platform makes the process clearer for brands, marketers and influencers. It also makes sure any influencers Brand Endorsement is collaborating with are genuine.”

Brand Endorsement is supported by Tech Manchester, a not-for-profit initiative that connects digital start-ups with entrepreneurs in a mentoring scheme.

Reece says the impact of his mentor has been invaluable: “I knew having a mentor could really fast-track my business. I went to Tech Manchester’s Meet the Mentor event and haven’t looked back.

“The opportunity’s been invaluable; it’s brought so much clarity to the objectives I have for the business and the decisions that need to be made in order to get there.”

Tech Manchester’s primary goal is to make Manchester the number one tech city in the UK and is backed by a number of high profile entrepreneurs.

Tech Manchester Project Lead Patricia Keating said: “It’s great to see the energy and focus that the Tech Manchester mentoring scheme is generating. We have some fantastic mentors who are making a real difference to start-ups on the ground in Greater Manchester. The first wave of this project is already delivering incredible results, helping to further accelerate the region’s thriving tech scene.”

Showman & Clark Dental Practice sold to expanding local operator

Blog

Sam Whitear

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16/01/2018

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Showman & Clark Dental Practice sold to expanding local operator

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co has sold Showman & Clark Dental Practice in Droylsden, Greater Manchester. The NHS practice consists of four surgeries and holds the potential for further expansion.

Having owned the business for 45 years, Harvey Showman comments: “I sold my practice through Jonathan Watson at Christie & Co and was very impressed by his constant attention to the sale procedure. I had thought that once the sale was agreed and they attained over a dozen offers for the practice, that would be the end of their involvement. However, Jonathan was always available with advice and help throughout the sale process. Christie & Co provided a very professional and ethical service.”

Generating significant interest, including 13 offers by the closing date, the practice was sold to an expanding local operator and will be rebranded SimplyOne Dental.

Taufeeq Rauf, co-owner of SimplyOne Dental comments: “We are delighted to take over such a well established practice and are keen to maintain the success of the business over the coming years. We were grateful of the assistance offered by Christie & Co throughout the sale and appreciated the fact that they don’t charge a fee to buyers.”

Jonathan Jacobs, Head of Healthcare at AN Law acted on behalf of the vendor and comments: “The sale of a dental practice can be a complex matter. Jonathan’s ability to get to the nub of the transaction, together with his personable approach, clearly shows his understanding of the market. I would have no hesitation in recommending Jonathan to assist any dentist looking to sell their practice as he gives professional, pragmatic advice and is there when you need him.”

Jonathan Watson, Associate Director in Christie & Co’s Manchester office who brokered the sale comments: “This was a satisfying result for our clients as they had received significantly lower offers privately. After approaching Christie & Co to market the practice, significant interest was generated from a range of purchasers, ranging from first time buyers to experienced regional operators, and our competitive asking price was comfortably exceeded by multiple parties. We were able to guarantee our client received the best price possible for their practice by approaching the open market and inviting offers from all buyer categories to maximise interest.”

Showman & Clark Dental Practice was sold off a guide price of £1,400,000.

UKFast boss calls on business leaders to banish Monday blues

Blog

Sam Whitear

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15/01/2018

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UKFast boss calls on business leaders to banish Monday blues

Today (Monday 15^th) is touted as the day that Briton’s are at their most unhappy as winter weather, empty bank accounts and failing New Year’s resolutions all take their toll on the nation’s psyche.

UKFast CEO Lawrence Jones is calling on business leaders to use the day to focus on their workforce’s health and wellbeing and make ‘Blue Monday’ a thing of the past.

Hosting firm UKFast is renowned for taking the wellbeing of its team seriously with a range of initiatives designed to keep employees at the top of their game. An on-site gym, free yoga classes, sleeping pods and continuous professional development all play their part in staving off the blues associated with this time of year.

Jones said: “I wholeheartedly disagree with the idea of Blue Monday, whilst it is positive to talk about feeling the ‘January Blues’ days like this are almost telling you to feel down! Instead, let’s use it to promote positive conversations and do what we can to help people to feel better.

“If teammates are feeling under the weather, it’s up to us as business leaders to try to create an environment where they feel they can talk to the people around them.

“There are so many things we can do to ensure people feel supported in the workplace. At UKFast we have a policy that no person manages more than six people at any given time. It’s simple but it guarantees that people are never far away from a supportive helping hand and no-one can slip through the net.

“As the saying goes, ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’ and if every member of your team has a manager that they feel they can talk to, that’s a great start. Business leaders and managers need to be great listeners if they are truly going to support people.”

This week, Jones’ firm is launching a “Wellness Week”, providing homemade healthy treats like superfood salads, smoothies and porridge, alongside a host of additional activities like Zumba classes and Swedish massages.

Jones continued: “As a business leader, it’s essential that you consider the type of environment you build for your team. It’s very easy to think you’ve ticked the boxes because you’ve got a couple of sofas and a table tennis table, but there’s more to it than that. It’s about creating an environment where everyone feels happy to be themselves.

“Mental health isn’t defined by a date in the diary. It’s easy for life to get on top of you, especially when we’re constantly engaging with devices that are supposed to make life easier for us but in reality make it more and more difficult to switch off.

“At UKFast we encourage people to go home on time and switch off from work when they get home. I don’t believe you’ll get value out of people if they’re tired of work and burned out. It’s a false economy to have people working late into the night.”

UKFast is officially Manchester’s best place to work, after being named the fifth Best Workplace in the UK in the Sunday Times Top 100 Best Companies to Work For.

Manchester Airport retains its crown as best UK airport for fourth year in a row

Blog

Sam Whitear

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15/01/2018

0

Manchester Airport retains its crown as best UK airport for fourth year in a row

Manchester Airport is flying high after being named the UK’s best airport, for a fourth year running, at the Globe Awards hosted by Travel Weekly.

The UK’s third largest airport fought off competition from the likes of Heathrow, Liverpool and Birmingham to receive the accolade.

The award comes after a magnificent 2017 for Manchester Airport, which saw it smash its all-time passenger record, as 27.8m people passed through the airport in the calendar year. It also saw Manchester Airport announce and launch a wealth of new routes including San Francisco, Muscat and Seattle.

Voted for by travel agents, representatives from Manchester Airport picked up the award from comedian Harry Hill, at a glittering award ceremony at Grosvenor House in London.

Patrick Alexander, Head of Marketing, for Manchester Airport, said: “We’re delighted to receive this fantastic award and would like to thank all the travel agents who voted for Manchester Airport.

“Last year was an incredible one for the airport with record passenger numbers and expansion by lots of our airlines.

“Looking ahead, we have some very exciting new routes already confirmed to start in 2018. We’ll also be working hard to try and retain our crown for a fifth year.”

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