GREATER Manchester County Schools FA (GMCS FA) under 14’s and under 16’s girls’ teams have started the football season match ready with new kit provided by corporate sponsor GVA.

GVA has provided the two teams with a set of 20 match kits and a training strip for the 20 players in each of the teams – in the first corporate sponsorship deal GMCS FA has received.

GMCS FA, which is part of the English Schools FA, provides grassroots football training and competition for school children throughout Greater Manchester. Players are selected from the 300 high schools and 30 colleges in the region.

Duncan Harkness of GVA said: “As a company we are keen to offer our support through sponsorship to help nurture the sporting stars of the future. We are delighted to be confirmed as the first corporate sponsor for the girls’ teams.

“Girls’ football is increasing in popularity and we have some exceptional talent coming out of the region. GVA is pleased to have been able to provide the match and training kits, and to lend our support to grassroots football in the region.”

The girls’ teams are coached by Emma Thompson, a talented player herself. Emma, who has now turned to coaching full time, had stints at Preston North End Women’s (Junior) FC, Everton FC and Liverpool FC Centres of Excellence, and a spell playing for DC Del Sol in Phoenix, Arizona.

Mark Shackleton, of Greater Manchester County Schools FA, said: “We can’t thank GVA enough for their support, the GMCS FA is a voluntary organisation and we are provided with no additional funding, so GVA’s sponsorship is extremely welcome.

“We have some very talented players across the girls’ teams and we work in partnership with the regional training camps, feeding players into the Centres of Excellence for the Premiership clubs in the region.”

Yumsh Snacks will soon be sending its premium Ten Acre Snacks to Canada after landing a deal with a Canadian wholesaler.

Ten Acre announced the contract, as the Prime Minister Theresa May met businesses and investors during a trip to strengthen trade ties with Canada.

Ten Acre Snacks produce award-winning hand-cooked crisps and popcorn, and will launch with new Canadian distributor, which focuses on natural and speciality products. They are sending their first shipment this month.

Based in Manchester UK, Ten Acre started exporting its products two years ago and they are now available across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America.

The UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT) has been working with Ten Acre and Yumsh Snacks to support their business development.

Prime Minister Theresa May said:

“It’s great news that Ten Acre have won this deal to supply their unique products throughout Western Canada.

“We know there’s a strong global demand for high-quality food and drink from the UK and I want to see more firms building links in lucrative markets such as Canada and the United States.

“I’ve been using my trip to further strengthen the partnership between our countries and show that there are great investment and trading opportunities available in the UK.”

Ten Acre products are British made and ‘Free From Plus’, meaning they are gluten, dairy and GMO-free, as well as vegan, halal and kosher certified.

Tony Goodman, CEO of Yumsh said:

“We’re delighted with this new distribution deal in Canada.

“Having achieved a tremendous response to initial trials, we expect to build sales to more than £200,000 a year and develop a loyal clientele across the region.

“Ten Acre is now sold in more than 45 countries across the world.”

The Prime Minister was in Ottawa on Monday 18th September, for talks with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on how the UK and Canada can work towards further strengthening their ties to build the closest, freest trading relationship as the UK leaves the EU.

Theresa May also hosted a business round-table event with major Canadian investors into the UK.

The UK is already the second biggest destination for Canadian investment abroad, after only the US.

Our bilateral trade relationship is worth £15.2bn annually to both our economies, with £1.75bn Canadian money having been invested in the UK since March.

Foreign direct investments across a range of projects in the North West been created more than 6,500 new jobs in the last year. The investments have also safeguarded 3,178 jobs – more than double the previous year.

Thousands of people living in parts of greater Manchester will be among the first in the country to benefit from a new ultrafast broadband network being built by Openreach.

The city, along with Chorlton and Rochdale, are among 26 new locations across the UK to pilot the latest G.fast technology, as part of the national rollout of ultrafast to 12 million homes and businesses by 2020.

Download speeds of up to 330Mbps – about ten times the UK average – will be available to thousands of homes and businesses in the local area later this year. People using it will be able to download a two hour HD film in just 90 seconds, a 45 minute HD TV show in just 16 seconds, and a nine hour audio book in just three seconds.

The announcement brings the total number of UK premises able to take part in the early stages of Openreach’s rollout of G.fast technology to more than 500,000, with the rollout expected to reach a million premises by the end of the year.Openreach aims to reach a total of 10 million premises with the technology by 2020.

So far, Openreach has made ultrafast broadband available to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses across the country – using both G.fast and Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) services, which are both capable of delivering ultrafast speeds. More than 100,000 customers are already using these technologies.

Matthew Hemmings, Openreach’s regional director for the North, said: “This is great news for Greater Manchester. It’s a real coup to be at the forefront of the rollout of ultrafast broadband. Now we’ve identified this latest group of pilot locations, engineers will begin installing the new network. It will take a few months before people are able to use it.

“Developing the technology of the future is a key part of Openreach’s work. We’re the leading network provider in the UK and more than 26 million premises, using more than 580 service providers, depend on our network. More than nine out of ten homes and businesses already have access to superfast speeds. Faster speeds are more important than ever, and we’re sure our new ultrafast network will play an important part in the future success of the UK.”

BT’s research and development facility at Adastral Park, Suffolk, played a leading role in developing G.fast technology – which changes the way today’s broadband is transmitted. It allows ultrafast speeds, which previously required fibre optic cables to be run all the way to a property (FTTP), to be transmitted over existing copper lines and fibre broadband cabinets. This is significant as G.fast will enable Openreach to make ultrafast fibre available more quickly to a much larger number of homes and businesses than if it focused on FTTP alone.

Peter Bell, director for network solutions and operations for Openreach, said: “G.fast is the key to unlocking ultrafast speeds for millions of people across the UK in the next few years. BT has a long history of pushing the boundaries in telecommunications, from way back in the earliest days of the electric telegraph, right through to today’s global fibre networks. We’re a world leader in fibre innovation and this is the next stage in our story.

“The UK is ahead of its major European neighbours when it comes to broadband and we’re doing everything we can to anticipate and meet changing customer demands. The development of G.fast technology is a key part of moving the UK from superfast to ultrafast broadband speeds as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Early trials of G.fast have taken place in Cambridgeshire, Newcastle and South Wales. A further 20 pilot schemes are already under way in different parts of the country, involving more than 100,000 homes and businesses. That figure will rise when these newly announced pilot locations are switched on.

You can find out more about G.fast at openreach.co.uk/ultrafast.

CITY centre recruitment company Core Talent has itself recruited an industry expert to help take the business forward.

John O’Sullivan worked as a director for several top global staffing companies before founding Best International Group which grew to £130m turnover before he sold it to Spring Group.. He now focuses on helping selected high growth recruitment companies acting as Non-Executive Director, strategic advisor or investor.

Core Talent, based in Lloyd Street, was founded 10 years ago by Damian Diggles and David Nesbitt who moved into recruitment from vocational roles in engineering, manufacturing and purchasing and supply chain.

They created an agency specialising in these areas as well as construction and IT Sales and have clients right across the UK including Kellogg’s, Glen Dimplex Home Appliances, Danone Nutricia, JCB and Skanska. The company has an annual turnover of £5m with plans for £20m over the next three to five years.

Mr O’Sullivan said he chose Core Talent because “I really admire what the company has achieved so far.

“The founders are keen to out-perform the market and reach a position of real market leadership. I’ve met all the key people in their business and firmly believe the exceptional team can grow and grow.”

Commented Damian Diggles: “In our first two months of working together, John has helped us form a vision for our next three financial years as well as defining mine and David’s roles within Core Talent. He has a very down-to-earth manner which suits us perfectly.

“We’re looking forward to working with him over the coming years and also looking forward to creating jobs for experienced consultants and university graduates in Manchester.”

Caption: PLANNING FUTURE SUCCESS – From left, John O’Sullivan with Core Talent’s founders Damian Diggles and David Nesbitt

A key logistics business at Manchester Airport’s World Freight Terminal has tripled the size of its operation at the cargo hub, to almost 12,000 sq ft, after posting year on year growth of 42% in the year to March 2017, weathering political uncertainty over Brexit.

Manchester businessman Marc Waterfield’s logistics business, Select Transport, has made the landmark announcement after starting from humble beginnings in Marc’s mother’s garage in Wythenshawe 23 years ago.

Now taking pride of place at the World Freight Terminal, Manchester Airport, Marc is leading his Select Transport business on a journey of continued expansion, using the airport’s global route connections as his platform for growth.

The news comes as the World Freight Terminal celebrates its 30th anniversary. By providing the facilities, experience and expertise to handle all types of air cargo 24/7, the World Freight Terminal has continued to expand to meet the needs of importers, exporters and logistics firms from across the UK.

Select Transport specialises in road collections and deliveries for the air cargo industry’s “freight forwarding” community. Freight forwarding firms arrange shipping and storage on behalf of companies needing to send goods by air. The prime location at the World Freight Terminal is seen by Marc as key to his business’ success.

Select Transport has built a reputation based on trust and reliability around Manchester and the North West. Building on this reputation, it has recently diversified into “off airport” contracts, providing freight and delivery services for large global businesses. Marc Waterfield is proud of the new warehouse operation at Manchester Airport as well as his fleet of vehicles that has also increased almost fourfold in recent months.

Marc recently re-branded the business, formally known as Select Euro Express, to “Select Transport”, with the new image designed to represent a clearly defined goal of continued growth in the region.

Select Transport is a powerful example of a strong family business, with Marc as Managing Director and his father, John Waterfield, still running the warehouse some 23 years after they first set up Select. The family theme continues within the operation with father and son Gary and Matthew Morris running the daily operations and keeping the freight moving around the North West 24 hours a day.

The plans for future growth continue as Marc explains:

“We now plan to invest further into security screening, with specialist X-ray equipment and a new security screening team to ensure we can offer a one stop shop for our customers. Cargo security screening is the next step for Select to ensure we can maintain the level of growth and continue to invest in Manchester’s freight forwarding community.

“Growing up in Wythenshawe, I’ve always had connections to Manchester Airport through friends and family and it’s fantastic now to be expanding my business here in this location.”

In 2017/18, Select Transport have budgeted to continue to expand on and off airport, keep renewing its modern fleet of vehicles and invest in local recruitment.

Matthew Bird, Property Manager, at MAG Property said: “It is pleasing that more companies are seeing the advantage of locating at Manchester Airport. Our focus at MAG Property is to identify the most appropriate property solution to suit the individual needs of businesses and, in particular, those in industry sectors that benefit from airport locations. We’re proud to be supporting Select Transport in the expansion of their business”

Wigan-based Shearings Holidays, the UK’s largest escorted tour operator, has announced a 15 months agreement with the Wigan Warriors to become the club’s official main club sponsor and travel partner

As part of the partnership, Shearings will work with the Wigan Warriors on a range of initiatives that help celebrate the history of the club and the community, whilst also recognising the loyalty and passion of the Wigan fans.

As part of the deal the Shearings logo will appear on the reverse of the Wigan jersey for the 2018 season, in-addition to club marketing collateral. Shearings will also have exclusive official rights to organise any supporters’ tours. 

Wigan Warriors Executive Director, Kris Radlinski, said: “Everybody knows of Shearings and to partner with a great Wigan company that has such a large and local workforce who all support the Warriors is a great coup for the Club.

“Having met with Richard Calvert, Chief Executive at Shearings, several times it is clear that this is going to be a really positive partnership for everyone involved. He understands the history of our great Club and the role that the Club plays within the local community. We have many ideas that will celebrate our glorious history and look forward to sharing them with the Shearings workforce and our loyal fans very soon.

Richard Calvert said: “I’m absolutely delighted for Shearings Holidays to be named as the Official Travel Partner of Wigan Warriors. Shearings Leisure Group is a national company with a team of over 2600 employees located across all of the UK, but is immensely proud of its Wigan roots and to be headquartered in Wigan.

“We work hard in the community and also pride ourselves on offering great value for money and service to our 1.1m loyal customers. Wigan Warriors is a worldwide brand, an amazing club which is synonymous with success. They are a partner with whom we share the common values of honesty, pride and ambition. Our exciting partnership will involve many facets, including player, fan and staff based initiatives all across the UK and I can’t wait for it to get underway.”

As the official travel partner, Shearings will be selling exclusive packages to the Wigan Warriors ground breaking tour of New South Wales tour in February 2018. Wigan fans, who wish to travel to Australia to see the team play, can choose from 3 bespoke travel packages starting from £1,997. All packages include tickets to the first Super League Game against Hull and both games at the ANZ stadium (Wigan V South Sydney Rabbitohs and Hull FC V St George-Illawarra Dragons). 

Shearings offer a broad range of holidays and hotel breaks to more than 170 destinations across the UK and Europe.

Global cyber security and risk mitigation expert NCC Group has opened its first dedicated automotive cyber security assessment, research and training facility, as part of its ongoing commitment to raising security standards across the industry.

The new facility in Greater Manchester provides the company’s specialist automotive team with a dedicated space to carry out its cutting-edge research, perform training and complete practical security assessments on client vehicles.

Current security concerns in the automotive sector range from vulnerabilities in telematics and infotainment systems, to V2X technologies and autonomous sensors. The facility will ensure NCC Group’s automotive specialists remain at the forefront when it comes to the latest vulnerabilities and advanced threats in this area.

The facility is owned and operated by NCC Group’s Transport Assurance Practice, which performs research-driven security testing and provides expert advice and guidance on cyber security resilience across the automotive, maritime, aerospace and rail sectors. The Practice also provides security assurance and escrow services to vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers.

Andy Davis, Transport Assurance Practice Director at NCC Group, said: “Consumer demand for the newest functionality often results in manufacturers developing new features without proper consideration for the potential security implications. Furthermore, where vehicles are constructed using a variety of components from different manufacturers, the number of vulnerabilities grows significantly.

“With the rising popularity of connected cars and the growing trend for automation in the automotive sector, cyber security is an increasing concern. It’s important that the issue of cyber resilience is addressed if we are to detect and defend against evolving threats and that is our specialist automotive team’s primary focus. The new facility means that we can continue to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to identifying and helping to mitigate automotive vulnerabilities.”