NW business briefs: Polaris Media; OCU; DeliveryApp; Beesley & Fildes; Emirates; Manchester Contemporary Art Fund
Merseyside maritime and engineering specialist PR firm, Polaris Media, is expanding its offering to exporters with the launch of a new company in the United States.
Polaris Media America LLC is headquartered in the Chicagoland town of Lake Forest, Illinois on Lake Michigan. It is being led by Polaris MD Ben Pinnington who founded Polaris on Merseyside in 2011.
He said: “We’re expanding here in the United States to offer our exporter clients something new – a transatlantic trade bridge. Exporters are looking for the best advisers not locally or even nationally but wherever they are in the world. We recognise that to compete in this new digital era Polaris has to innovate and offer more value. Launching here in America with a new company with new networks is one way we can do that.
“The world is changing, and America and transatlantic trade offer more security, certainty and opportunity. America is pro-business with a massive maritime and engineering exporter base. PR and marketing is also changing and becoming more digital and global in reach.”
Kyle Schulz, EVP of economic development agency World Business Chicago, said: “We applaud Polaris Media for their decision to establish their US company in the Chicagoland region. By fostering collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors, we are confident that Polaris Media’s presence will further enhance innovation, job creation, and the overall economic wellbeing of our residents.”
Kevin Considine, president and CEO of economic development agency Lake County Partners, said: “The area is a major destination for international trade and foreign investment, with export revenue topping $7bn and accounting for 13% of the state’s total export values. Growing companies are leveraging Lake County’s talent and infrastructure to go global, and we are thrilled to add Polaris’s services to the many resources available to them.”
::
From left: Mathew Edwards, OCU, Alex Geary, Integrum, Vince Bowler, OCU
OCU Group (OCU) has acquired fellow Stockport company, Integrum Power Engineering, an electrical engineering design, install, commissioning and maintenance contractor that specialises in high voltage (HV) power transmission and distribution engineering to deliver renewable energy and decarbonisation infrastructure, for an undisclosed sum.
Integrum is the group’s seventh acquisition in the past 15 months and will sit within the OCU Energy Services division. Integrum is accredited by the National Electricity Registration Scheme and acts as an Independent Connection Provider (ICP), operating across sectors and industries where HV power transmission and distribution engineering services are required, including renewables, utilities, oil & gas, mass transit and private networks.
The business will now support OCU as it expands its capabilities in the non-regulated energy market and rail sector to support the delivery of the electrification programme to enhance the mainline network, while also focusing on infrastructure opportunities that will aid the UK’s transition to net zero.
Michael Hughes, OCU Group chief executive, said: “Acquiring Integrum is a great move for OCU Group, especially as the UK increases its infrastructure spend in the renewable space. As we build our portfolio within this space, we’re supporting the UK’s goal of hitting net zero by 2050 and in turn, providing a greener solution for our clients.”
Alex Geary, managing director of Integrum Power Engineering, said: “We’ve worked closely with OCU throughout this process, and we’re delighted to be joining forces with a business that mirrors our own values and proposition. It’s an exciting time as we support the UK’s energy transition and I can’t wait to see what opportunities we have on the horizon together that will not only appeal to a wider client base, but also help our wider environmental goals.”
::
Rio Ferdinand
Former Manchester United and England footballer and current TV pundit, Rio Ferdinand, has announced his investment in the Manchester-based tech platform, DeliveryApp, a move that signifies a huge milestone for the team and the business as a whole.
An already passionate investor in the technology market, Rio aims to support DeliveryApp’s brand scale and awareness, drive revenue growth through targeted campaigns, and leverage his extensive business network for strategic introductions.
DeliveryApp’s founder and chair, Lance Jones, developed the tech platform to address persistent issues within the logistics sector. By merging technology with a commitment to fair driver treatment and increased customer transparency, DeliveryApp aims to revolutionise the logistics industry.
Rio said: “Manchester has always been a city of passion, ambition, and innovation. As someone with strong links to the city and its people, I am thrilled to be part of a new investment opportunity with DeliveryApp, a business that really embodies these values.”
Dwain McDonald, CEO at DeliveryApp, said: “We are so excited to have Rio join the team as he brings masses of insight into the latest tech, particularly in social. His presence brings an extraordinary level of expertise and experience, particularly in the tech industry. As we aim to double the number of activated drivers and quadruple our revenue in 2024, Rio’s involvement will be instrumental in achieving our ambitious goals.”
::
The Radcliffe team
Independent builders’ merchant, Beesley & Fildes, which has 11 North West branches, has opened a dedicated roofing centre at its Radcliffe branch near Manchester to serve the North West’s trade requirements.
The six strong team can offer advice and product information on everything customers need to know about roofing including information around technical specifications and fitting instructions, while pointing people towards the most compatible products for the job in hand.
The new facility, on Lord Street, is led by Beesley & Fildes’ roofing product manager, Steve Linacre who has more than 40 years’ worth of building experience, branch manager Mark Fox and in branch roofing expert Nick Ashe.
Steve Linacre said: “We’re truly excited about our latest venture because it’s completely new to Radcliffe and provides an ideal location for the entire area’s roofing trade.
“The feedback from our customers has been great so far and this all points to a promising year that’s filled with huge sales potential.”
::
Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, is looking for candidates to join its multinational cabin crew team. The Dubai-based airline is holding a cabin crew recruitment open day on June 24, at Crowne Plaza Manchester city centre, 70 Shudehill.
Applicants hoping to give their careers a take-off can walk in with an up-to-date CV in English, and a recent photograph. Candidates are advised to pre-register for a smoother experience. Those who haven’t applied online may do so as walk-ins on open day at the Crowne Plaza. Further information about the requirements for the selection process can be found on emirates.com/careers.
Candidates will need to come prepared to spend the full day at the venue. Shortlisted candidates will be informed of timings for further assessments and interviews on the same day.
Emirates’ cabin crew team represent 160 nationalities reflecting its customer mix and international operations in more than 130 cities on six continents operating a modern fleet of in excess of 200 all wide-body aircraft. The airline is the largest global operator of the Boeing 777 and the Airbus A380 aircraft.
The carrier said it offers candidates excellent training facilities and a broad range of development programmes for its employees. All Emirates crew are based in the city of Dubai and enjoy an attractive employment package that includes a variety of benefits such as a tax-free salary, free company-provided accommodation, free transport to and from work, medical cover, as well as exclusive discounts on shopping and leisure activities in Dubai.
::
Thom Hetherington
The Manchester Contemporary Art Fund, one of the largest grassroots art funds in the UK, is inviting new members as Manchester Art Gallery celebrates 200 years of collecting. The campaign sees the leading philanthropic fund look to treble in size for 2023, raising more than £20,000 for art acquisitions for the public collection of the acclaimed Mosley-street gallery.
Founded in 2017 by chairman of Manchester Art Fair, Thom Hetherington, The Manchester Contemporary Art Fund seeks to ensure the Manchester Art Gallery collection remains current and contemporary, creating an unbroken thread of works across two centuries showing how artists have responded to the world around them. The works are kept in the venue’s acclaimed permanent collection for the people of Greater Manchester to enjoy in perpetuity.
The works will be selected by Manchester Art Gallery’s esteemed curators from galleries attending the Manchester Contemporary Art Fair on November 17-19, 2023, providing members with a first-hand opportunity to meet the artists behind the chosen pieces. Members will also be invited to the private unveiling of the works at Manchester Art Gallery complete with talks from the gallery and featured artists.
Hetherington said: “This art fund brings together a set of businesspeople who have built their success from the city and who want an opportunity to give something back, to leave a legacy.
“Acquiring these artworks, that are owned by the people of Manchester and will be displayed alongside Manchester Art Gallery’s permanent collection, is an incredibly powerful thing and I think every fund member gets a real thrill out of being part of that process. As Manchester Art Gallery celebrates such a significant milestone, we’re pleased to invite new members to the fund, with the aim of raising over £20,000 for art acquisitions for the public-collection. It’s a significant opportunity to be a part of Manchester’s history.”
