North West Business Briefs

A landmark partnership between the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and IN4.0 with The Landing at MediaCityUK will bring world-class innovation and growth opportunities to the region’s SME business community, the partners say.

The latest collaboration will combine the best in business innovation and SME support services to members of both organisations to improve the resilience of business owners and position them for future success as they navigate through the challenges of COVID-19 and the ongoing EU transition.

Through the combined leadership of Mo Isap, CEO of IN4.0 Group, and Clive Memmott, CEO of the chamber, members will be able to access a unique joint package of innovation services to support SMEs across the 10 Greater Manchester districts to recover from current economic challenges and accelerate their growth.

Members will have access to the MediaCityUK Innovation Hub’s services including its Security Operations Centre (SOC) and Network Operations Centre (NOC) cyber support as a service, VR and Immersive Technology, Maker Space Rapid Prototyping, Internet of Things and Data services and Technology Talent Recruitment.

A comprehensive programme of innovation masterclasses, seminars, workshops and events will also be offered exclusively to chamber members.

Mo Isap said: “This is a landmark moment as we look forward to 2021. Start-ups, micro businesses, and SMEs are the bedrock of our economy and they are now going to be massively supported through this unique partnership with the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.”

Clive Memmott said: “I’m delighted to be working with The Landing on this new partnership. It is particularly important during these difficult times that the business community comes together to share best practice, resources and support.”

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Liverpool FC’s official charity, LFC Foundation, has teamed up with regeneration group, Regenda and training provider The Learning Foundry, to provide those in deprived areas of the Liverpool City Region with key employability skills.

Sport Works, is a new two-year programme funded by the Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association Community Fund (PLPFA) and the Regenda Group, which will target three of the most deprived areas in the Liverpool City Region – Toxteth, Garston and Birkenhead – to offer key employability support and career pathways in sport using the ethos and values of Liverpool Football Club.

The programme will provide 45 young people with a six-month paid work placement utilising the Government’s Kickstart Scheme – a support initiative that provides 16- to 24-year-olds on Universal Credit and those at risk of long-term unemployment with the opportunity to gain experience and get paid for it. Each work placement will be provided by Liverpool Football Club, LFC Foundation and the Regenda Group.

Participants will be referred onto the Sport Works programme through Job Centre Plus, who will verify that they claim Universal Credit and are eligible for the Kickstart scheme before they can apply for a Kickstart vacancy.

LFC Foundation will also support traineeships delivered by The Learning Foundry to offer participants an alternative route on to the Sport Works programme and into apprenticeships or other routes to employment.

Matt Parish, Director of LFC Foundation, said: “By providing work placements within the Foundation, we hope to give young people the opportunity to develop their skillset, learn a new trade and follow their desired career path – whatever it may be.”

For more details speak to the Work Coach at your local Job Centre about the Kickstart Programme at the LFC Foundation or find out more via The Learning Foundry’s website: www.thelearningfoundry.co.uk

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Josh Macaulay, left, and Chris Moss

Two entrepreneurs who believe passionately in supporting the local community have taken on a third hospitality venue in Kendal.

Joshua Macaulay and Chris Moss, who own Ye Olde Fleece Inn at Highgate and run The Duke of Cumberland at Appleby Road, have now added The Gateway Inn to their portfolio.

And they say they are keen to grow and expand still further if the demand is there and people continue to want to come to their pubs.

Mr Macaulay said they had bought The Gateway Inn, which overlooks Plumgarths roundabout at the northern end of Kendal, from Thwaites. Four new jobs have been created – in total 12 staff are employed at the site. He said: “The Gateway stood out as a site with fantastic potential and we thought we could make something really special there.”

After acquiring Ye Olde Fleece Inn, Mr Macaulay and Mr Moss carried out a renovation project worth almost £1m, and The Duke of Cumberland is having a total of £100,000 spent on it over a 12-months period.

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Bishopgate Gardens

Wigan-based property firm, The Heaton Group, has announced a record growth of 65%, as it tops out on its largest Preston scheme to date and revealed it is nearing completion on two further acquisitions in the North West to support its next stage of growth.

The 80-year-old developer creates homes to rent, live and invest in across the North West, with nine schemes currently live and in development across Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cheshire.

To keep up with its gathering momentum, the group has recruited across its sales, marketing and development teams to ensure its ambitious growth plans are achieved and the group’s reputation for quality and delivery is maintained.

Its flagship Preston scheme, Bishopgate Gardens, topped out this week, a full six months ahead of schedule. The 130-unit development is the Heaton Group’s fourth scheme in the city and will be Preston’s first amenity-focused residence, with roof gardens, community lounges and independent retailers all within the development, to encourage a more sociable way of living.

Managing director, John Heaton, said: “This year has undoubtedly challenged the whole business community but thanks to our dedicated team, both at head office and on site, we have had an unbelievable year. With no sign of slowing down, next year will be our biggest to date and we’re looking forward to announcing further development plans in the coming weeks. Our focus is on creating quality developments in high demand areas and building a portfolio we’re proud of and Bishopgate Gardens is key to this.”

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Rowena Burns

Rowena Burns is stepping down from her roles as chair of Manchester Science Partnerships and non-executive director at Bruntwood.

Rowena joined Bruntwood as chief operating officer in 2006 and from 2013 was instrumental in the rebirth of Manchester Science Partnerships – the strategic public, private, academic, clinical partnership organisation focused on driving the growth of Manchester’s knowledge economy, which includes Manchester City Council, University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Salford City Council, Cheshire East Council and Bruntwood SciTech.

As chief executive, and more latterly as chair of Manchester Science Partnerships, Rowena led the vision for the growth and expansion of Manchester Science Park and the establishment of the Citylabs campus in partnership with the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. She also led the collaboration with the Trust and the University of Manchester which led to the decision by global diagnostics company QIAGEN to establish their new R&D hub – the Global Centre of Excellence for Precision Medicine – at the campus.

Chris Oglesby, CEO of Bruntwood and executive chair at Bruntwood SciTech, will resume his former role as chair, Manchester Science Partnerships. He said: “When Rowena joined Bruntwood it was with the ultimate aim that she would stay for three years before taking up non exec roles in the NHS. While she’s done the latter, we also managed to keep her for much longer. This speaks to the profound impact she has had on both me, our businesses and Manchester.”

Rowena is now chair of Health Innovation Manchester and will continue to focus on driving the growth and success of the regional health economy. She said: “For me, this feels the right time to move on from Manchester Science Partnerships, but with my role at Health Innovation Manchester and my wider life in the city region, I don’t feel I am moving far away at all.”