NW business briefs: Forbes Solicitors; LCR Angel Network; Howorth Air Tech; AJ Bell; TfGM; Moneysupermarket; Network Rail
The Lancashire-based law firm that backed the return of the Bluebird K7 to Coniston has revealed it always intended to avoid a court battle, as it means the public will be able to enjoy an iconic part of British history much sooner.
Forbes Solicitors was appointed by The Ruskin Museum in late 2022 to support its efforts to reclaim the Bluebird K7 hydroplane from North Shields-based engineer Bill Smith, after several years of deadlock and failed discussions between the museum and Mr Smith.
The vessel tragically flipped on Coniston Water in January 1967, killing pilot Donald Malcolm Campbell, who was attempting to break his own World Water Speed Record of 276mph, pushing this to over 300mph. The damaged boat lay in Coniston Water until March 2001, when it was salvaged by Bill Smith, under an agreement with Donald’s daughter, Gina Campbell, that Bluebird K7 would be restored and then returned to the Campbell family.
Last Saturday (March 9), under the supervision of Forbes Solicitors, Bluebird K7 arrived back in Coniston at The Ruskin Museum, where it will take residency in a specially built Bluebird Wing. There’s also plans for the hydroplane to run again on Coniston Water, subject to permission from the Lake District National Park Authority.
Stephen McArdle, a Partner, and Head of the Commercial Litigation Team at Forbes Solicitors, said: “It had been our intention from the outset to reach a settlement as quickly and as amicably as possible. We worked closely with The Coniston Institute, The Ruskin Museum and Gina Campbell, with the sole objective of ensuring that the Bluebird K7 was returned to its rightful place at Coniston, so that it can be enjoyed by the public. Donald Campbell’s legacy is of national and international importance. A lengthy court battle would have only delayed and deprived the public from the pleasure of seeing Bluebird K7 in its spiritual home.”
Sheroze Nadeem, an Associate at Forbes Solicitors, said: “From the pre-action stage of issuing legal proceedings, we developed a clear strategy that was built on reiterating the generosity and goodwill shown by the Campbell family in gifting Bluebird K7 for restoration. There’s much respect and appreciation for the hydroplane’s restoration, and we’re sure the chronicling of this process has benefited different parties during the past two decades. It was now time for Bluebird K7 to be returned to the museum. We were resolute in our legal position and extremely confident any court ruling would have found in our favour.”
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Katie Nicholson, left, and Kavita Basi
LCR Angel Network has invested in two of start-up businesses following a pitch event hosted at Sci-Tech Daresbury and supported by the British Business Bank.
Both Jardin Living, a sustainable lifestyle brand founded by Kavita Basi, and AI Sight, an AI system for diabetic retinal screening led by CEO Steven Powell, impressed enough to secure a combined £160,000 investment that will allow both businesses to scale significantly.
Reassessing her lifestyle following a medical event, Kavita has launched a range of activewear made from certified recycled plastic bottle and ocean plastics and a range of vegan trainers and has since achieved B Corp status due to the nature of her sustainable products that are all either recycled, vegan or organic and delivered to its customers in biodegradable packaging.
AI Sight, a Univeristy of Liverpool spin-out led by Dr Steven Powell, is a next generation AI system for diabetic retinal screening and boasts a team with significant medical and research experience. They impressed investors with their revolutionary product that delivers precise grading of retinal damage caused by diabetes getting sufferers of the condition to sight saving interventions without delay.
Katie Nicholson, Director at the LCR Angel Network, said: “This is great news which highlights that there is continued momentum for businesses receiving investment through our network of angels. This year we are focusing on adapting our offering to enable us to further support an increased number of businesses, across a broader investor base, hopefully leading to an increased amount of capital deployed by angels across the region.”
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John Hale, left, Bob Beswick
Rugby league players are used to making big hits on the pitch – now former stars of the sport are proving a big hit off the field, helping Howorth Air Technology stay ahead of the game on employee welfare.
Howorth’s partnership with the charity Rugby League Cares sees ex-players draw on their personal experiences and specialist training to deliver mental fitness and wellbeing workshops to the company’s employees. The latest coaching session at Howorth under the charity’s Offload programme was delivered by Bob Beswick, whose league career saw him make 433 senior appearances for clubs including Wigan, Widnes and Leigh, as well as 25 international caps for Ireland.
Howorth director, John Hale, said teaming up with Rugby League Cares has proved to be a great match: “The positive impact of the Offload sessions delivered to our teams flows through to productivity and the bottom line. The partnership with Rugby League Cares is one of the many building blocks that has enabled our business growth and employee engagement over recent years.”
The partnership also sees Howorth staff hold events at its sites in Bolton and Salford to raise funds for the charity.
Chris Rostron, chief executive of Rugby League Cares, said: “Howorth’s progressive and proactive approach to mental wellbeing is reflected in the company’s continued growth, and everyone at RL Cares is proud of the part we are playing in that success. Howorth’s managing director, Jim Liptrot, and his team are passionate advocates for our Offload programme and we would like to thank them for championing our work so enthusiastically.”
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Tech Returners’ James Heggs and Beckie Taylor
Manchester-based investment platform, AJ Bell, is the first hiring partner for Tech Returners’ new TR4: 4-Week Returner Launchpad programme that connects progressive businesses with individuals returning to tech after a career break.
TR4 is a way for organisations to responsibly secure four experienced tech candidates within four weeks who will be ready to seamlessly integrate into their team and make an impact from day one. It will be delivered online and has been in development for months. Its carefully curated format provides bespoke mentoring for Returners – defined as people who were software engineers, but took a career break for any reason and want to return to the industry.
The programme, which starts in May, will consist of four weeks’ carefully tailored mentoring and coaching in C# (tech stack) as well as tailored career and mindset guidance. It will be led by James Heggs, co-founder of Tech Returners, and Mili Velikova, career and mindset lead. AJ Bell will work with Tech Returners before the programme starts to identify four applicants who reflect their company culture and meet their specific tech stack requirements. Once selected, the four returners are then set to restart their careers with AJ Bell.
Each successful returner applicant will receive a bursary of £2,000 to help with their living costs. This is an integral part of the programme as it will give people from diverse and socio-economic backgrounds the chance to restart their careers, and it will also help to make the tech sector a more inclusive space. AJ Bell Operational and Regulatory Tech Manager, Chris Everett, said: “At AJ Bell, we were facing a surge in demand for tech talent. While traditional recruitment efforts were crucial, we recognised the value of experienced professionals. The TR4 Tech Returner programme provides access to a pool of individuals not only possessing technical expertise but also diverse life experiences and perspectives that will enrich our teams.”
James Heggs said: “We are delighted that AJ Bell is our very first TR4 hiring partner. Over the past 12 months, we have seen a very real transformation in the tech landscape that has impacted the predictability and scale of tech hires. Despite these changes, the demand for diverse, experienced tech talent has persisted. TR4 was born out of that situation and we are confident it will help businesses quickly access this hidden pool of skilled, versatile software engineers from diverse backgrounds which can only be a good thing.”
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Stockport interchange
Bus users in Stockport are reminded that services will begin running from the new Interchange from this Sunday, March 17.
The multimillion-pound transport facility boasts 18 bus stands with the capacity for 164 departures an hour. Passengers will be able to access the interchange from entrances on Mersey Square, Swaine Street and Daw Bank, which will be clearly signposted. After the last timetabled bus services on Saturday, some existing nearby bus stops, including Heaton Lane bus station, will close and services will transfer to the new Interchange.
Last week, trials were run by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) staff to prepare them to run buses from the new interchange. Chris Barnes, Head of Projects Group at TfGM, said: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming the first bus passengers to this modern, attractive and accessible new interchange. It’s a big moment for Stockport and Greater Manchester and we want everyone to make the most of the new facilities on offer right from the outset.
“New timetables and other important information are now available so people can make themselves familiar with the new arrangement ahead of Sunday – ensuring their first journey is a smooth and enjoyable one.”
Facilities at the new interchange include a covered concourse with seated waiting areas, information screens showing real-time bus and train information and a ticket and information office. There are also fully accessibly toilets and Changing Places facilities, lifts and ramps providing step-free access, wayfinding lines and tactile stand indicators.
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Price comparison service, MoneySuperMarket, has entered a strategic partnership with whole of market equity release experts, Equity Release Group (ERG) to give people the flexibility to research different later life lending options in their own time, before speaking to an adviser.
ERG’s integrated technology platform brings together the group’s technology arm, Equitec, advisory service, Equity Release Supermarket, and partnerships brand, Equity Release Partners, to create a unique customer experience for those aged 50 and over.
Mark Gregory, founder & CEO at Equity Release Group, said: “Partnering with MoneySuperMarket brings about valuable change and is set to enhance the whole equity release customer experience.
“This has always been our goal and with the implementation of smartER, which is swiftly becoming the key point of entry to market, consumer choice, independence and transparency has now been made more widely available.”
Ashton Berkhauer, General Manager from North West-based MoneySuperMarket, said: “We know more and more homeowners are looking to release equity to support their choices in later life. Our partnership with ERG allows homeowners to compare the equity release market and see the options that match their specific requirements.”
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Bolton rail station
Passengers are being advised that work to replace the lifts at Bolton station has started. More than £570,000 is being invested at the station to make step-free access more reliable for passengers.
The work is being carried out one lift at a time to keep the station as accessible as possible. Work to the lift for platforms four and five started on March 11. This work will be completed in summer 2024, at which point work on the lift to platforms one, two and three will begin. The entire project will be completed in the winter.
Until the summer, passengers travelling from Bolton towards Preston, Blackpool and Cumbria will need to travel via Salford Crescent for step-free access. Passengers are advised to use the lift to platforms one and three, to travel to Salford Crescent and use the step-free access there to head northbound. Passengers who need step-free access are recommended to allow extra time for their journeys and, where possible, book assisted travel in advance with their train operator. Extra staff are at the station to help passengers safely use the stairs.
Kara Wood, Network Rail head of performance, customer and stations, said: “We’re replacing the lifts at Bolton station to make step-free access more reliable for passengers. If you need step-free access during the work I advise you to check before you travel and allow extra time for your journey. I’m sorry for the inconvenience while this essential upgrade is carried out.”
Craig Harrop, regional director at train operator Northern, said: “We welcome this investment by Network Rail and the benefits these lift renewals at Bolton station will mean for our passengers. Whilst disruption will be carefully mitigated, customers requiring use of the lifts at Bolton station should allow more time to get around the station before and after their journeys.”
