NW business briefs: Built for Athletes; Seel St Venue; UA92; Oakwood Corporate Services; Smart Works GM; B2BTradeCard

Specialist gym and fitness backpack brand, Built For Athletes, has sealed an exclusive partnership with Texas A&M Athletics (AKA The Aggies), a leading university in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

The Built For Athletes and Texas A&M Athletics backpack is designed in the Aggies’ colours and constructed in the same practical, stylish and durable design as Warrington-based Built For Athletes’ hugely popular 45-litre backpacks, used by fitness enthusiasts across the world.

Texas A&M Athletics is part of Texas A&M University. Established in 1876, this historic school has a student body of more than 70,000, the largest in America and has long been a leading institution for developing young student-athletes. Thanks to a strong tradition of supporting academic achievement and athletic excellence through world class coaching and facilities, The Aggies support more than 650 student-athletes competing in the NCAA Division 1-A level across 20 varsity sports.

This high profile collaboration is the latest in a busy six months for Built For Athletes after successfully launching a series of partnerships with several international sports and fitness brands, most recently producing an exclusive backpack with German Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund. Nick Costello, Built For Athletes founder and CEO, said: “Texas A&M is a legendary university and famous for nurturing and producing world class student-athletes.

“It’s a privilege to have worked with the Aggies to produce an exclusive backpack for their athletic teams, students and their devoted fans, the 12th Man. This partnership is made all the more special by releasing the backpack following the 100th anniversary of the 12th Man tradition.”

Texas A&M Ventures general manager, Clay Harris, said: “Partnering with Built For Athletes was a natural fit for us. Their ethos of dedication, hard work and resilience echos our own approach here at Texas A&M. Built For Athletes have produced an amazing backpack that’s perfect for the 12th Man and a fitting celebration of this wonderful tradition.”

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A new city centre bar Seel St Venue has now opened in the heart of Liverpool’s bustling Ropewalks area. With a capacity of 250, Seel St Venue is home to a variety of themed party nights from Thursday to Sunday.

The venue boasts a full range of wines and beers as well as a selection of classic cocktails. It will also be home to Cocktail Masterclasses, where guests can put their skills to the test and be shown how to create some of Seel St Venue’s signature drinks.

David Robinson, general manager of Seel St Venue, said: “Myself and the team at Seel St Venue are delighted to be open and ready to welcome our guests over the festive period and beyond.

“With themed nights from Thursday to Sunday to suit everyone, Seel St Venue is the ultimate drinking and dancing destination in the heart of Liverpool city centre.”

Seel St Venue is brought to Liverpool by the team behind Castle Street Townhouse.

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University Academy 92 (UA92) will deliver its first digital apprenticeships from January 2023, working in partnership with several high profile technology brands.

The higher education institution, based in Old Trafford, is currently assessing applicants for intake and will partner with Bury-based sports brand, JD Sports, and Manchester-based digital agency, Pixel Kicks, for the delivery of its first digital apprenticeship programmes in the new year. Students who successfully enter the scheme will benefit from on-campus learning at UA92 as well as gaining vital work experience at their respective companies.

Sara Prowse, CEO of UA92, said: “Preparing our students for employment is at the core of what we do at UA92, so the introduction of our digital apprenticeship programme is another exciting phase of development for us. We’re working extremely closely with our industry partners to deliver these degree-level courses to co-create the content, ensuring it’s modern, relevant and keeps pace with the ever changing and evolving tech landscape, ensuring that our students are well equipped for the world of work, now and in the future.

“This is part of our ongoing strategic plan to ensure we are offering courses at the cutting edge of tech which upskill and plug the digital skills gap. Degree-level apprenticeships are a brilliant start to a career, equipping people with the right knowledge and skills while they develop in their roles.”

UA92 expects to open up 40 digital apprenticeship opportunities over the current academic year, with further brands coming on board in 2023. As part of the course, students will be able to access the very latest technology and a tailored learning programme specifically built to the needs of the business they will work for. The facility is planning to introduce a Master’s level AI apprenticeship course next year.

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Muriel Thorne

The co-founder of Altrincham-based professional services advisory firm Oakwood Corporate Services has been invited by The King to a reception at Buckingham Palace today (November 16), to recognise the contribution of small businesses to the UK economy.

Muriel Thorne, a fellow of The Chartered Governance Institute – formerly the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators – left law firm Addleshaw Goddard in 2009 to set-up Oakwood with colleague Michael Harris. The firm is a provider of company secretarial, company formation and compliance services.

Oakwood advises listed groups, private equity backed companies, SMEs and not for profit organisations and clients include GE, Thermo Fisher Scientific, MoneySupermarket, Countrywide, JD Sports and The Hut Group.

Muriel Thorne said: “When I saw the envelope with the royal insignia, I was intrigued. When I opened it and saw the invitation, I was completely taken aback.”

Nominated by The Chartered Governance Institute, Thorne said she is thrilled to be representing Oakwood, her profession and the many small businesses that play such a substantial part in the UK’s economy.

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Smart Works team

The fundraising team at UK women’s employment charity Smart Works is calling for donations to support the launch of its second North West centre, in Manchester city centre.

Smart Works’ aim is to inspire and empower women by supporting them to get into work. The charity provides bespoke dressing consultations, one-to-one coaching sessions and interview preparation, to help its clients to see their true potential and succeed at interview. As part of the charity’s nationwide plan to double the number of women it helps to 10,000 annually by 2025, Smart Works Greater Manchester is progressing plans to open a second location in Manchester city centre to complement its successful service based in Stockport.

Its fundraising team is calling for donations to fund the new development and help the team to open its doors in April 2023, with donors encouraged to donate to Smart Works Greater Manchester through The Big Give Christmas Challenge. Every donation made through The Big Give will be doubled by the match funding platform, and Smart Works is seeking corporate donations of £500, £1,000 or £5,000. All donations between November 29, to December 6, will be matched.

For more than seven years, Smart Works has been working with referral partners across Greater Manchester and the wider North West to support and empower more than 3,500 local unemployed women. Almost three quarters of the charity’s clients have gone on to succeed at securing employment within one month of their consultation, and more than 80% believe they have the tools to secure a job following their appointment.

Jan Iceton, chair of the board of trustees at Smart Works Greater Manchester, said: “We are thrilled to be ramping up our plans to bring the Smart Works magic to Manchester city centre. Our new home will provide easier and faster access for so many more unemployed women living across the North West.”

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Craig Parsons and Mike Thomson

Chorley-based advertising services, incentive and loyalty solutions provider B2BTradeCard has renewed its sponsorship deal with the works team from Porsche Centre Bolton in the Porsche Club Motorsport Boxster Cup.

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the 986 Boxster, the Porsche Club Motorsport Boxster Cup 2022 race series challenged Porsche Centres around the UK to restore Porsche 986 models, preparing them to race standard, ready to compete in a dedicated three-round championship.

Each car featured a racing livery that was inspired by Porsche motorsport history and races were open to the public for the first time this year. The team from Porsche Centre Bolton achieved second place in the 2022 season which completed in October with a final race at Donnington Park.

B2BTradeCard CEO Craig Parsons said: “We’re immensely proud to have renewed our sponsorship with the Porsche Bolton team.

“Saturday before last was the final race of the season and Porsche Bolton service manager and driver Mike Thompson’s solid performance helped cement a firm second in the series for the season, which is an incredible result for an amateur team.”

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