North West business briefs: Oakwood Corporate Services; Zymurgorium; Novi Digital; QTS Group

Altrincham-based professional services advisory firm Oakwood Corporate Services has moved to employee ownership.

Founded in 2009 by Michael Harris and Muriel Thorne, the firm now has 31 employees and is a provider of company secretarial, company formation and compliance services. Using state-of-the-art systems and software, Oakwood works with listed groups, private equity-backed companies, SMEs and not for profit organisations. Its clients include GE, Thermo Fisher Scientific, MoneySupermarket, Countrywide, JD Sports and The Hut Group.

Harris and Thorne, who both left Addleshaw Goddard to set up Oakwood, will remain active in the business following the transfer of a majority shareholding to an employee trust. They will be joined on the board of directors by Lauren Cavanagh, who joined Oakwood from DLA Piper in 2019. All three will also act as trustees of the employee trust, along with finance and systems manager, Joanne Howarth, who has been with Oakwood since its inception.

Both founders are keen to preserve the independence of the business and secure its long term future. Harris said: “Muriel and I have created ways of working and a culture that our colleagues and clients really appreciate. We wanted to protect the values and ethos of the business, which have helped us grow so successfully. In setting up an employee ownership trust, we are recognising the loyalty, dedication and sheer hard work of our team.”

Thorne added: “This is a fantastic opportunity to build on our successes over the past 12 years. The shared purpose, culture and engagement that employee ownership brings is a natural extension of what we feel makes Oakwood such a special place to work. As far as our clients are concerned, it’s business as usual but they’ll have the added reassurance of knowing that whoever they deal with at Oakwood now has a vested interest in delivering the best possible service.”

Advisors on the transaction were Emily Alston and Louise Fisher of Baxendale (legal and specialists employee ownership advice); Jeremy Cole of Cole Associates (corporate finance); and Ben Furness of Allens Accountants.

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Zymurgorium, the Irlam-based distillery and creator of award winning, never before seen gins, liqueurs and rums, is getting fruity with two limited edition serves across national restaurant chain, Las Iguanas.

Appearing on the Las Iguanas hot list, which will be available at its restaurants across the UK throughout July and August, the two serves, the Pink Gin and Tonic and Pink-itini Cocktail, feature Zymurgorium’s FlaGINgo Pink Gin. Building on their cocktail listings with other national chains the highly prized listing with Las Iguanas will see the Zymurgorium brand reach new audiences within hospitality.

Alongside Las Iguanas, Zymurgorium has struck a deal with wholesaler Matthew Clark to list FlaGINgo nationally alongside its other products. The deal will take FlaGINgo Pink to new heights as it offers the Caribbean-inspired pink gin to its customer base across the on and off trade..

Aaron Darke, founder of Zymurgorium, said: “The pandemic, whilst hugely challenging for so many reasons, was a massive opportunity for us with NPD and new routes to market a priority. We are aiming to make 2021 our biggest yet, so far this year we have secured listings with the Co-op and Las Iguanas and an extension of our range with Matthew Clark.

“There’s more good news in the pipeline and I’m extremely proud of the team’s achievement over the last 12 month … we’ve certainly lived by our moto Make Every Moment Epic”

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Aaron Crewe

Lancaster-based digital agency Novi Digital has been appointed the sole agency partner for the delivery of digital marketing Skills Bootcamps in North West England.

Skills Bootcamps is a 12-week course in digital marketing, which forms part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee and Plan for Jobs. Delivered by Coventry-based We Are Digital, working in partnership with local training providers and employers in London, the West Midlands and the North West, the remote learning courses will run from August 2021 to January 2022, open to individuals aged 19+ who have been unemployed within the past 12 months.

The free DfE-funded courses include guaranteed job interviews and the chance to progress to Level 3 apprenticeships or self-employed projects. The North West courses are set to be delivered by a total of seven training partners, of which Novi Digital is the only digital agency.

Novi Digital managing director, Aaron Crewe, said: “We are immensely pleased and excited to be delivering this DfE-funded training. We are hugely passionate about digital marketing and so nothing could be more exciting than the opportunity to help people develop a new career or to develop skills that will equip them for life within this burgeoning industry sector.”

With offices in Lancaster and London, Novi Digital is an award-winning data-driven and psychology-focused B2B SEO and PPC specialist agency, using automation, AI and machine learning to deliver campaigns for over 300 clients in the UK and across the world.

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Josh Burton, left and Adam Tarbath

Two apprentices from Preston-based rail contractor, QTS Group have volunteered their time to help renovate KIND (Kids in Need and Distress) Liverpool’s Seed Centre just in time for the summer holidays.

The Seed Centre is an eco-friendly, multi-purpose education centre and community resource as well as being a safe haven for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. This summer, the centre will launch a series of summer camps for 5-13-year-olds offering a programme of fun, exciting and educational activities. It is expected that 33 children from the city region and from all backgrounds will visit the centre each week.

KIND opened its Seed Centre in 1997 and after 24 years in service it was in need of some TLC and renovation to enable it to continue to provide a safe and welcoming environment for its children and families. QTS Group named KIND as one of its chosen charities at the start of the year and after learning of the work required, two apprentices from its North West team, Adam Tarbath and Josh Burton, volunteered to help complete the work required ahead of the start of the summer camps.

Adam Tarbath said: “It’s been a privilege to help out and complete this work for KIND. The charity completes some really important work for the community, and to be given the opportunity from QTS to come down, offer our services and make a positive change, is a pleasure.”

Stephen Yip, chief executive at KIND, said: “The work Adam and Josh have completed is great. They’ve helped give our spaces a new lease of life and helped us create fun, safe spaces for our children to enjoy this summer. They have also been a pleasure to have around over the last few weeks. Their attitude and willingness to help has been refreshing. Big thanks to them and to QTS Group for their continued support.”