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DigitalBridge appoints Missguided CDO to board

Blog

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10/01/2018

DigitalBridge appoints Missguided CDO to board

Award winning Manchester tech business, DigitalBridge, has announced the appointment of Jonathan Wall to its board of directors, ahead of an exciting period of expansion.

Jonathan, who is currently the Chief Digital Officer of fashion brand Missguided and has also held the position of eCommerce Director at Shop Direct, joins existing DigitalBridge board members in his role.

With expertise in leading mobile marketing strategies, as well notable successes in developing retail offerings across web and mobile apps, Jonathan is set to bring a wealth of valuable experience to his position. He is known for having nurtured an experimental in-house culture which has been a key driver of his success.

Jonthan will help guide DigitalBridge’s strategy to engage with global retailers as the company looks to grow its operations beyond the UK market.

The appointment comes as DigitalBridge looks to transition into a period of exciting growth over the next 12 months. The company, which is headquartered in Manchester Science Park, specialises in developing space planning tools for the kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms market.

David Levine, CEO of DigitalBridge, said: “Jonathan has been a transformative influence at both Shop Direct and Missguided – two of the UK’s most forward-thinking digital retail businesses – so we’re delighted to bring him on board at this crucial stage of our growth.”

Jonathan Wall commented: “I’ve been keeping a close eye on DigitalBridge since the company launched in 2013, during which time it has evolved from smart start-up to emerging industry player in the UK and beyond. This is a great opportunity to provide some insights that will bolster the company’s global scale and reach in the coming years.”

GVA build Manchester team

Appointments

Sam Whitear

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10/01/2018

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As part of its wider growth strategy and commitment to its regional offices, GVA announces it has made four new appointments to establish a Project Consultancy and Management team, based in Manchester. Barry Crichton has been appointed from Deloitte to lead this new team, strengthening GVA’s project management capability.

Barry brings more than 20 years of experience, and was a Partner within Real Estate Advisory at Deloitte, leading its Capital Projects business in the North. Barry has worked extensively with a varied client base to overcome complex real estate challenges and deliver building projects.

Barry is joined in this new team by Will Nightingale, Nick Wisken, and Jen Howard from Deloitte. Will, formerly a Director at Deloitte, has more than 20 years of project management and consultancy experience in the office, education and infrastructure sectors. Nick was an assistant director at Deloitte, working closely with Barry to deliver real estate solutions for various Government departments. Jen Howard will join the team later this month and provide project coordination and support. Barry’s team will be completed by Peter Bates who is moving across from GVA Second London Wall. Peter will bring 30 years of construction experience, having led the delivery of a range of complex projects. This has included Scottish Power’s HQ building in Glasgow, as well as St Paul’s Square in Liverpool for the English Cities Fund and the Green Quarter development in Manchester for Crosby Living.

GVA is one of the leading project management businesses in the country, with a track record that includes Spinningfields Manchester, Westfield London and the Battersea Power Station development, delivered through its GVA Second London Wall.

Chris Cheap comments: “Barry Crichton is a highly regarded and talented project manager, and his appointment underlines the strength of our ambition to grow our Manchester operation offering local expertise and an end-to-end service that can navigate a property through its life cycle. To this end, Barry will play a crucial role in the hard delivery of our clients’ projects in the North, and we look forward to working with him and benefitting from his expertise.”

Barry Crichton comments: “I am joining GVA at a pivotal stage in its growth and specifically to help strategically drive the development of the project consultancy and management business. This is a great opportunity for me and for the team I bring with me, and I look forward to working with the rest of the GVA team to build on its success and further broaden the business’s client base and service offering.”

More hires revealed at Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites ‘double decker’ hotel in Manchester

Appointments

Sam Whitear

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09/01/2018

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More hires revealed at Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites ‘double decker’ hotel in Manchester

Four new recruits have joined Manchester’s first dual-branded hotel as its opening date edges closer.

Christian Bendixen, Martin Sromek, Nathaniel Farrell and Paul Davies are all now on the payroll at the 19-storey Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites which will open to the public in early 2018.

The building, containing 328-rooms, sits on Manchester’s bustling Oxford Road Corridor and is the city’s first ‘double pack’ concept hotel or ‘double decker’.

Paul Davies has become Operations Manager of Staybridge Suites after joining from iQ Student Accommodation.

Before that Paul spent three years in two IHG sister properties, the first year as Guest Relations Manager of the Crowne Plaza Manchester city centre and then two years as Hotel Manager of the Holiday Inn Express Manchester City Centre Arena.

Nathaniel Farrel, who has spent four years as a chef in Copenhagen, is now Executive Head Chef at the dual-branded hotel and links up with the team following a spell at Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel. Prior to this he was Executive Head Chef at the Abode Chester and Executive Sous Chef at Hilton Manchester Deansgate.

Joining the Crowne Plaza as Food & Beverage Operations Manager from Holiday Inn Manchester City Centre is Martin Sromek, where he was Operations Manager. He previously worked at Grill on the Alley and Mercure Manchester Piccadilly.

Christian Bendixen, from Denmark, has been named Rooms Operations Manager at the Crowne Plaza. He worked at Hilton Manchester Deansgate most recently and also enjoyed spells at the Radisson BLU Hotel Sea Plaza Dakar, Senegal and Radisson BLU Scandinavia Hotel Aarhus, Denmark.

General Manager of Manchester’s first dual-branded hotel Andrew Fletcher said: “We very much believe we’ve made four fantastic appointments.

“With the opening of the first dual-branded hotel under one roof in the north of England now imminent, we feel we are building a talented team that has solid foundations and a strong can-do attitude that will look after our guests well.”

While the Crowne Plaza will contain 212-rooms over 11 floors, a 120-cover upscale restaurant, seven meeting rooms catering for over 200 delegates and a gym. Staybridge will have 116-rooms on the eight floors directly above and offer a warm, social and home-like environment through a mix of studio and one-bedroom suites.

The dual-branded Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites – not something that has been offered to people staying in Manchester before – is situated on The Oxford Road Corridor, an innovation district running south from Manchester city centre that is home to 70,000 students and a workforce of 60,000 people.

Global success for marriage proposal business, Captured Proposals

Blog

Sam Whitear

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09/01/2018

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One year on from its launch, Manchester-based marriage proposal business, Captured Proposals, has become a global success.

In just twelve months, the proposal planners have travelled over 50,000 miles, capturing the moment couples get engaged, the equivalent of travelling twice around the world.

Having joined the Manchester Hub of Entrepreneurial Spark, powered by NatWest, the world’s largest free business accelerator which provides a unique training scheme focused on developing the right mind-set and behaviours needed to become a successful entrepreneur, the company has captured proposals at glamorous locations all over the world; including Kenya, San Francisco, Paris and New York.

Manchester has been a sought-after location to pop the question with Cloud 23, King Street Townhouse and the Town Hall steps among the favourites.

Founder, Rob Illidge, who set up the company after being unable to find someone to plan and capture his own proposal, commented:

“It’s been a whirlwind year for us, and I’m delighted we have been able to help so many people plan and capture the moment they ask their partner to marry them.

I truly believe it is one of the most important moments in life that has previously not been captured, until now.

It marks the beginning of an incredible journey for a couple, and we’re lucky enough to be there from the start.”

250,000 people propose in the UK each year, with increasing numbers choosing to hire a proposal planner for the big moment.

Research carried out by Captured Proposals found that over 80% of women would like their partner to capture their proposal, with 60% stating that the first they would do is update Facebook.

Our Space set to come to Fore’s Windmill Green

Blog

Sam Whitear

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08/01/2018

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Our Space set to come to Fore’s Windmill Green

Our Space is set to take 13,600 sq ft at FORE Partnership’s Windmill Green development in Manchester city centre.

The global coworking firm, which focuses on well-being in the workspace for start-ups, freelancers and small businesses, has agreed a pre-letting on the ground and first floors of the building.

Our Space offers the first flexible workspace environment committed to connecting humans, nature and technology through thoughtful design and an unparalleled experience for members.

More than just a coworking space with hot desks and dedicated work areas, Our Space at Windmill Green will also offer fully-serviced offices for a diverse mix of companies and individuals.

Launched in Marbella in Spain, Our Space has several more locations in Dubai, Miami and Singapore coming soon. Our Space will make its debut in the UK’s Northern Powerhouse with two new sites in Manchester and Leeds opening this year.

Basil Demeroutis, Managing Partner of FORE, said: “We designed Windmill Green with a forward-looking approach to work and how space can be used to inspire creativity and empower businesses, their staff and stakeholders.

“Our Space is the perfect fit for Windmill Green. Their philosophy sits very well alongside the environment we are creating and we think they are one of the most exciting coworking operators to emerge.”

Kevan Halliwell, Chief Executive Officer at Our Space, said: “Windmill Green was a natural choice for us given its excellent location in the heart of the city.

“Manchester plays a key role in our desire to bring a distinct and unparalleled workspace experience to the UK’s Northern Powerhouse.

“FORE’s commitment to both beautiful design and sustainability are values we also share at Our Space and we’re very excited to be part of the blossoming Windmill Green community.”

FORE’s Windmill Green will be an innovative and collaborative workspace, designed to energise and inspire when it opens next summer.

The highly sustainable, low-carbon building is being developed by FORE to create a bustling community in the heart of Manchester on Mount Street.

A rooftop terrace with stunning views over the city-scape and its own apiary, a cycle hub, living walls and open spacious floorplates are taking shape at the building, which is now mid-way through construction.

The highly sustainable building is designed to achieve BREEAM “Outstanding” – only one other building in Manchester city centre has this top sustainability rating.

Working with architects tp bennett, care has been taken to select materials that are contemporary but also take their cue from the surrounding area. As Windmill Green evolves over the coming months, a new ornamental façade, incorporating terracotta glazed tiling and glass, will replace the original brickwork which has now been removed.

Knight Frank and Lambert Smith Hampton are the joint agents for Windmill Green and advised FORE on the letting. Colliers International advised Our Space.

AJ Bell appoints head of innovation

Blog

Sam Whitear

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08/01/2018

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Investment platform AJ Bell has appointed a head of innovation to spearhead initiatives that use technology to improve its service to customers and drive further growth in the business.

Andrew Teale, who is based at AJ Bell’s headquarters at Salford Quays, will lead a new innovation group whose members include chief executive Andy Bell and digital strategy director Tim Huckle.

The group will draw on experts from various areas of the business for individual projects, including customer services, product marketing and technical services.

It will also work with fintech firms based across the north west to share and develop ideas.

The formal creation of the group follows a series of company initiatives designed to help customers engage and interact with their investments as easily as possible.

These include enabling clients to request portfolio valuations and stock market quotes via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. They can also now get portfolio valuations via Apple Watch and can view AJ Bell’s investment videos via Apple TV.

The latest launch is the AJ Bell Google Chrome extension, which enables customers to keep track of their investments with a single click directly from their web browser taskbar.

During 2018, the innovation group will be exploring a range of initiatives, including ones based on Blockchain and Open Banking technology.

Andy Bell said: “Innovation has always sat at the core of the business, right back to when we launched the UK’s first online SIPP in 2000.

“Given the rapid pace of change in the fintech world, we feel now is the right time to create a specialist innovation group to further enhance the services we provide to our customers.

“People’s lives are becoming increasingly busy and they are used to keeping on top of things while they are on the move.

“We want to explore ways in which we can sensibly use technology to make it as easy as possible for them to manage their investments and save for the things they love doing.”

Clough & Willis advises JamJar Investments on two investment deals

Blog
Finance

Sam Whitear

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08/01/2018

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Clough & Willis advises JamJar Investments on two investment deals

Bury law firm Clough & Willis has acted for JamJar Investments on two investments into its portfolio; Chronext AG and SID Group.

JamJar Investments is a venture capital investment fund based in London. The firm was established in 2013 by the three founders of Innocent Drinks – Richard Reed, Jon Wright and Adam Balon – as well as Katie Marrache and Paul Chiappe. It provides seed investment in early stage consumer tech and offline companies. Previous investments include Graze, Deliveroo, BlueBottle Coffee, Gojimo and Propercorn.

Chronext AG is a luxury German-based watch dealer, which enables customers from around the world to buy and sell high-end and vintage wristwatches via its website. This is the second equity stake JamJar has taken in the company.

SID Group trading as Fiit.tv is a new entry in the healthcare and fitness sector. It operates via a mobile app that allows people to take fitness classes from their own home whilst monitoring their progress with a connected heart monitor.

The team at Clough & Willis was headed up by Guy Lachlan who is a commercial solicitor in the Corporate and Commercial department. The firm advised on various aspects of the deals including the Investment, Shareholders’ and Advisor Agreements, Organisational Regulations and Articles.

Katie Marrache, partner at JamJar, said: “Chronext has grown from strength to strength since we first invested. Bringing the offline luxury second hand watch industry online provides more choice for consumers, more liquidity for dealers and online penetration for watch brands. Fiit.tv is also a concept we are really excited about. Taking a tracked class from your living room is more convenient and makes improving easier to monitor and more fun.”

Guy Lachlan added: “JamJar continues its proactive and flexible investment approach in the consumer sector, continuing to pick early winners in emerging markets.”

KPMG launches new Digital Degree Programme with places in Manchester

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Sam Whitear

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08/01/2018

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KPMG launches new Digital Degree Programme with places in Manchester

KPMG has announced the launch of a new digital degree apprenticeship, KPMG360^o Digital, with inaugural places available at its Manchester office.

The four-year programme combines on-the-job work experience with the opportunity to gain a BSc degree from BPP University in Digital and Technology Solutions, whilst earning a salary. Tuition fees are fully funded by KPMG and successful candidates will work towards a permanent role at the end of the programme.

The scheme will initially offer ten places in Manchester, as well as 13 in London and four in Leeds, and will allow apprentices to embark on a number of placements within technology teams across the firm including technology solutions, cyber security and forensic technology.

Running alongside KPMG’s existing apprenticeship and graduate schemes, the programme will complement the firm’s recruitment strategy by broadening the breadth of entry level programmes to support the increasing focus on tech in client work.

Applicants will be offered the opportunity to master new technologies such as cloud, data analytics and artificial intelligence side by side with experts who will support them in their career progression.

The professional services firm is recruiting now for individuals to join this and other apprenticeship programmes in September 2018, in Manchester and other UK offices. Further information can be found at www.kpmgcareers.co.uk/apprenticeships

Martin Tyley, head of consulting for KPMG in the North, said: “Increasing emphasis on new technology has been seen across businesses globally. This means that individuals and businesses alike must adapt and evolve constantly to be able to provide the best services to clients.

“For those joining the KPMG 360 Digital Degree Apprenticeship, the programme allows trainees to not only gain a degree, but also to acquire valuable on the job experience. In addition we provide learning and development opportunities which are essential for both personal and professional growth.

“Technological change provides an opportunity to enhance the services we offer, but this cannot be done unless the skills of our workforce match the investment we are making in new technology. The introduction of this new programme highlights the value we place on technical specialists who are just as good with cutting-edge technology as they are with facts and figures.”

Leading interior designer Naomi Cleaver partners with Moda to create next generation of rental living

Blog

Sam Whitear

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05/01/2018

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Leading interior designer Naomi Cleaver partners with Moda to create next generation of rental living

National lifestyle brand, Moda, has today announced a partnership with celebrity interior designer, Naomi Cleaver, as it launches a new era of living for renters.

Launching a number of five star rental apartments throughout the UK, leading property brand Moda, will be collaborating with Naomi on the interior designs for its flagship site, Angel Gardens in Manchester.

Boasting 466 high-end rental apartments in a 35 storey tower, Angel Gardens is based in the Manchester’s newest £800m district, NOMA. Offering the first of its kind for city centre living, the new 520,000 square foot neighbourhood includes a host of onsite amenities promoting a new way to live, work and play. Outdoor private dining, residents cinema, health & wellbeing space, games rooms and an executive car club are just a few of the facilities on offer when the innovative development opens in early 2019.

As a specialist in communal living, Naomi has a passion for including material and cultural influences at the heart of her designs. Her impressive career includes TV appearances with Channel 4’s Grand Designs, best-selling author of ‘The Joy of Home’ and regularly writing for national publications such as The Daily Telegraph. Paving the way to providing innovative homes for its residents, carefully considered designs will combine the convenience associated with hotel living alongside homely and personalised touches.

Naomi comments: “Designing homes has something to do with buildings and everything to do with people. Our homes are the first thing we see when we open our eyes in the morning and the last thing we see at night. Moda’s ambition to reimagine the way we can live together, to live better, makes this an incredibly exciting project – unlike anything that has gone before.”

Textured and tactile details will be central to the irresistable designs. Simple touches, such as effective but decadent lighting, will compliment the overall appearance of the fully-formed inclusive community, while the innovative combination of industrial materials and the high-touch softness of cotton will offer an atmostpheric reference to the history of the site, enabling residents to add their own simple touches to create their very personal sense of home.

Naomi adds: “Angel Gardens is a building of scale so I’m looking forward to applying the opportunities therein to create an intimate and rich experience of home – a “home plus” that makes the most of shared resources and spaces. Communal homes should offer delicious and joyfully variety that suits different and changing needs, moods and seasons.”

“Angel Gardens is a site dense with inspiration – built on the location of Richard Arkwright’s Shudehill Mill – Manchester’s first mill to be powered by steam. The interior will take inspiration from this history, from the majestic scale and orchestra of industry to the spider-web delicacy of cotton.”

The partnership is just one of the latest initiatives from Moda to enhance city centre living experience for its residents. Earlier this year Moda announced a UK first collaboration with UBER to encourage reductions in car ownership among residents and a lower environmental impact on city centres. In addition, a residents app called ‘MyModa’ will enable residents to connect with each other and the amenities each development has to offer in an innovative way.

Commenting on the partnership, Moda Director, Oscar Brooks, said: “Naomi presented a brilliant vision for how she felt Angel Gardens should look, live and breathe as a functioning environment. It completely aligned with the Moda objectives to provide the very best, long-term rental properties that will create a way of living never seen before, yet taking inspiration from each city’s story and history.

“Each Moda development will showcase how to combine contemporary city living with a homely environment, whilst incorporating all the benefits that modern day technology has to offer.”

Previews of the design are expected to be released in late 2018, with official opening scheduled for January 2019.

Hodder + Partners name new Associate

Blog

Sam Whitear

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04/01/2018

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Hodder + Partners has appointed Angela Pownall as Associate of the architectural practice.

Angela joined Hodder + Partners – which offers services across all sectors including interior design, masterplanning and urban design – in 2014.

During her time at the Manchester-based practice Angela has focused on the delivery of 10-storey commercial office building 3 St Paul’s Place, a contained city centre site in Sheffield for developer CTP Limited and is now leading a student accommodation project in Oxford.

Stephen and Claire Hodder welcomed Angela’s appointment.

Stephen Hodder MBE, Chairman of Hodder + Partners, said: “We are pleased to announce Angela’s appointment as Associate of Hodder and Partners.

“Angela is a tremendously talented architect who continues to drive forward many of the important projects we continue to work on.

“It’s just reward that she now has the title of Associate as the practice moves into 2018, a year which will see us start to deliver some very significant projects.”

Angela, who graduated from The University of Sheffield in 2004, joined Hodder + Partners in 2014 with over seven years post qualification experience.

Prior to that she held senior positions with the Manchester office of Austin-Smith:Lord and Birmingham-based Weedon Architects, where she worked on an £11 million heritage lottery funded conversion in Leeds, a £50m mixed use development in Manchester, a £7m residential development in Castlefield, Manchester and the £42m refurbishment of Liverpool Central Library.

Commenting on her appointment, which comes a little over a month since the launch of new book ‘Contexts: The Work of Hodder + Partners’, Angela said: “I’m delighted to now be Associate of Hodder and Partners.

“I want to contribute and sustain the significant reputation that the practice has established over the last 25 years.

“I’m also sure 2018 will be another good year for Hodder and Partners.”

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