North West business briefs: BAE Systems; Metrolink; UA92; Hydes Brewery; Into The Light; Leep Utilities
A group of talented second-year Craft Apprentices at BAE Systems is busy creating 25 handmade trophies for the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2023.
During a Marketing Lancashire visit to the BAE Academy for Skills and Knowledge (ASK) at Salmesbury, the team admired some of the practice creations from apprentices on display and suggested a collaboration to mark this year’s awards. BAE Systems is now the official Trophy Sponsor for the awards taking place in February 2024. The Lancashire Tourism Awards is the biggest and only county-wide celebration of tourism excellence in Lancashire.
The unique metal rose sculptures, made from brass and copper, will be placed on plinths and presented to the winners at the awards ceremony in February 2024. The ceremony aims to recognise the exceptional contribution of a diverse range of businesses and individuals to the tourism sector of the county.
The metal roses are now being created by the apprentices, as part of a stretch project, in addition to their course activities, and will be ready this month. Once qualified the apprentice team will use their skills in the machining, toolmaking and manufacturing divisions of BAE Systems.
Eddy Adair, one of BAE Systems Air’s People Directors, and Lancashire Ambassador, said: “We take great pride in our apprentices and all that they achieve. It’s inspiring to see them put the vital skills they’re learning into such a great initiative which celebrates Lancashire. As a major employer here and a committed Lancashire Ambassador, we support the championing of the county as a great place to live and work.”
Vikki Harris, Marketing and Partnerships Director, Marketing Lancashire, said: “BAE Systems is one of the county’s largest employers and this investment of time into the creation of these stunning pieces is a continuing commitment to its role as a Lancashire Ambassador. The trophies are a unique addition to this year’s awards programme and it’s another way in which to salute the emerging talent of the county for the winners and those who have crafted these bespoke pieces.”
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Dame Sarah Storey
Proposals to launch a trial to allow bikes on trams will be considered by Greater Manchester transport leaders next week.
Metrolink currently allows folded bikes in bags on trams but under current rules, standard bikes are not permitted. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has now confirmed proposals to undertake a guided pilot to test the safe carriage of bikes and non-standard cycles on off-peak tram services.
During the guided pilot, there will be no change to the conditions of carriage for customers – only invited participants will be able to take their bikes on Metrolink under test conditions during the pilot. The trial, due to be considered by the Bee Network Committee at its next meeting, will take place under the supervision of TfGM and the tram operator, Keolis Amey Metrolink to minimise the impact on passengers and maintain public safety.
Volunteer cyclists will take their bikes on board, sampling different routes and stops at different times of the day and days of the week. Feedback will be sought from other passengers and the cyclists themselves. The pilot will start at the end February and will take place over a period of four-to-six weeks.
Dame Sarah Storey, Active Travel Commissioner for Greater Manchester, said: “My recommendation to trial the carriage of non-folding bikes on trams is borne from the ambition to deliver a universally accessible Bee Network in Greater Manchester, where everyone has the choice to switch between different modes in one journey should they need to, as well as ensuring that people who use their cycle as a mobility aid aren’t excluded from using the service.”
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The Sodexo UK and Ireland Corporate Services team has announced a three-year partnership with University Academy 92 (UA92), which will enhance the overall campus experience for more than 800 students and staff.
UA92 is a ground-breaking higher education institution co-founded by the Manchester United Class of ‘92 and Lancaster University. It is committed to making higher education accessible to all no matter the background, through its founding principles of accessibility, social mobility and inclusivity. It offers a portfolio of degree and higher education courses across business, sport, media and digital disciplines, preparing students for the world of work by offering industry-led courses.
Sodexo will provide catering, hospitality and events services on both UA92 campuses – Old Trafford campus and the UA92 Business School, Manchester city centre. This collaboration underscores Sodexo’s commitment to creating innovative and tailored solutions.
Julie Ennis, CEO Corporate Services for Sodexo UK & Ireland, said: “We are thrilled to partner with UA92, a visionary institution committed to fostering excellence and holistic development. Sodexo’s comprehensive services, including our Kitchen Works Co and Change Please offerings, aim to create a vibrant campus atmosphere that goes beyond traditional catering, nurturing the wellbeing and aspirations of the entire UA92 community.”
Dr Bilal Mohammed, Director of People and Operations for UA92, said: “This collaboration with Sodexo aligns seamlessly with our mission to provide an outstanding experience for our students. We look forward to the positive impact the integration of Sodexo’s innovative service will have on our community.”
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Salford-based brewer, Hydes, has unveiled its new product range for 2024. The 18-strong range includes six ‘Vintage’ cask ales as part of its bi-monthly offering and 12 seasonal ales.
The Vintage range comprises historic bottled brews recreated from the original Hydes Anvil range from the late 1800s and early to mid-1900s. The range sees the return of Anvil Brand Brown Stout, Anvil Brand Pale Ale, Anvil Brand Light Ale, Anvil Best, Oatmeal Stout and Nut Brown Ale. Previously all part of a bottled range dating back between 1895 to 1941 this is the first time the range has been re-introduced on cask. Hydes has also recreated the original bottle designs featuring the Hydes Queens Brewery branding to feature on the bar pump clips and beer mats.
The seasonal range includes a range of 12 ales themed around classic British TV shows including Bulls Eye, Dad’s Army, Monty Python’s Flying Circus, Phoenix Nights, Fawlty Towers and Only Fools and Horses. The first themed ales to be introduced are Bulls Hydes, a premium bitter, available throughout January and Flying Circus, a dark ale, for February.
Hydes Brewery managing director, Adam Mayers, said: “We’re very proud to introduce our 2024 range which combines our rich brewing heritage in the North West through our Vintage range with an innovative, contemporary range of a dozen ales playfully themed around British TV classics.
“The reintroduction for the first time of some of Hydes’ bottled beers from the early days of the brewery’s origins up to and including the war years is an exciting addition to the existing core range and we can’t wait for drinkers to sample these brews, all based on the original recipes, for the first time in over 100 years in some cases. Anvil Best was first introduced as a bottled bitter in 1924 so it’s great to see it make a historic return exactly a century later for today’s drinkers to enjoy fresh from the cask.”
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Kate Bermingham and Simon Ellis
Simon Ellis, former Client Services Director at Brandon, has launched Into The Light, a new, strategic FMCG branding and packaging design agency based in the North West.
The Manchester and Liverpool-based agency is already working with high profile clients Birdseye and Symington’s on projects set to launch in 2024. Simon is joined by Kate Bermingham, formerly New Business Lead at Brandon and BGN Agency.
The agency is backed by Manchester-based Pulse Media Group which supplies artwork and repro services to Premier Foods, Lactalis, Theakstons and Lavazza.
Simon said: “I’ve always wanted to launch my own agency and bring something new to the FMCG packaging design space. We’ve handpicked the very best designers and strategists, so each client gets the expert team they deserve with senior involvement throughout. Partnering with Pulse enables us to offer a seamless design-to-print service, meaning the packaging looks as amazing on shelf as it did at the design stage.”
Kate said: “I’m thrilled to be working with Simon again, helping him shape his new venture. My network and passion is FMCG and I cannot wait to introduce Into The Light to more of my contacts. We’ve already had lots of interest in our approach and offering. Nothing beats working with good friends and we can’t wait to see what 2024 brings.”
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Leep volunteers at Heaton Park
Community-minded employees from Salford-based Leep Utilities have recently completed two days of volunteering for charities close to employees’ hearts.
The volunteer days mark the launch of the company’s corporate volunteering scheme and saw two teams, who work from the company’s Salford HQ and south east office in Reading, Berkshire, give their experience, expertise and time. They supported Manchester City Council’s Heaton Park and The Cowshed, in Berkshire, which is a compassionate and community-driven charity dedicated to providing support to individuals of all backgrounds during times of personal crisis.
Both causes were nominated by Leep employees, with more days planned and charities being nominated for the company to support in 2024. Donating time to these very worthwhile causes supports Leep’s commitment to ESG and the environment, which is particularly relevant as a national utilities provider.
“With only a limited number of staff, both Heaton Park and The Cowshed are heavily reliant on volunteers, so we were delighted to be able to give some of our time to them,” said Julie Spicher, Head of People and Culture at Leep Utilities.
“As a business, we’re new to corporate volunteering, but we recognise its importance and value to our employees, as they’re both causes that are close to their hearts. This duo of days’ time we donated marks our commitment to undertaking much more corporate volunteering from now on. These were the first of many more initiatives and we’re looking forward to building more connections between our environment and people.”
