North West business briefs: GMColleges; GSG Hospitality; Westmorland and Furness Council; DWF; GAME FM; Everton FC
After securing more than £8.4m of funding from the Government’s Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF) to help address the skills gap across Greater Manchester, GMColleges’ nine General Further Education Colleges are delivering a digital programme which brings industry and education together to help tackle challenges, create opportunities and ensure the sector’s continued success across the region.
The Greater Manchester Digital Strategy highlights 8,000 digital and digital-intense creative businesses in the region which employ more than 82,000 people. While this industry is going from strength to strength, the Greater Manchester LSIP found that 63% of Manchester’s businesses are experiencing skills shortages.
The project is supporting more learners to develop digital skills to progress in the digital sector, develop short courses for upskilling and reskilling in AI, Cybersecurity, VR and robotics, promote careers in the tech industry with a focus on the most deprived neighbourhoods while also developing staff skills to utilise new technologies in teaching.
Capital investment has been used to fund 50 Cisco Bundles, six new Cisco learning facilities, six new Cisco Networking Academies, 100 laptops, more than 90 raspberry pies, four robotics and Microsoft Office Specialist training software licenses for up to 125 learners.
One pivotal partnership is with Manchester Digital, a well established, non-profit, tech association which aims to foster innovation and collaboration. Manchester Digital is playing a key role in bringing together regional businesses with the colleges, from SMEs to global organisations with a Greater Manchester presence. Emma Grant, Head of Talent and Skills at Manchester Digital, said: “Employer input allows us to understand the skills gaps and current trends within the sector, while offering their expertise and advice as guest speakers across a variety of events.”
Mark Harris, Vice Dean and Vice Principal of UCEN Manchester, said: “It has been amazing to see the collaboration from across the colleges and partners to bring this project to life. Collectively, we are all focused on serving our communities by delivering a strong higher technical offer that will help develop the talent pipeline required to meet the increasing demand for digital skills across Greater Manchester.”
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The Hightown pub
Liverpool-based GSG Hospitality has acquired The Hightown Pub, in North Liverpool, marking an exciting expansion for the group.
In collaboration with Executive Head Chef Daniel Heffy, alongside partners Matt Farrell and John Ennis, GSG said it is set to revolutionise the traditional pub experience with a menu that steps away from typical gastro pub offerings. This move follows the recent Michelin listing for NORD, cementing GSG’s commitment not only to driving Liverpool’s hospitality scene but also to further supporting local businesses and communities.
GSG Hospitality will oversee the extensive refurbishment of The Hightown Pub, transforming it into a dynamic hub of hospitality. John Ennis and Matt Farrell said: “We are eager to create a unique space that caters to diverse dining preferences and brings the community together.”
The initial focus will be on developing both indoor and outdoor spaces perfect for families, large groups, and individuals looking to relax in a tranquil garden setting. The Hightown Pub will continue to operate as a traditional pub on the ground floor, maintaining its local charm and welcoming atmosphere. The first floor will feature a British restaurant, offering a refined menu crafted by Chef Daniel Heffy. Also, plans are in place to reinstate the rooms at The Hightown Pub, further enhancing its appeal as a destination for both locals and visitors.
John Ennis said: “We want to create a space where people can enjoy innovative cocktails and exceptional service, reinforcing our commitment to quality and community,” while Matt Farrell added: “We know the area well and feel that it’s under-utilised from a food perspective in a beautiful area of the country renowned for its villages, golf courses, and accessible links to Liverpool and Southport.”
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Westmorland and Furness Council has appointed Wigan-based renewables and heating specialist, Rothwell Plumbing Services Group (RPS Group), to deliver part of a multimillion-pound scheme of energy efficiency improvements to more than 100 homes in the area.
RPS Group, which has established a regional office in the Lake District, will be retrofitting homes using funding secured by Westmorland and Furness Council from the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG 2) scheme. Work on the first properties will begin later this month. The Home Upgrade Grant scheme is designed to deliver energy-saving improvements to some of the UK’s most fuel impoverished privately owned and rented homes, many of which are in rural areas and are off the mains gas grid.
The type of improvements made to homes will depend on the specific needs of individual properties and an eligibility assessment of homes and residents but could include upgrades to heating systems and buildings.
Amanda Yellowley, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Interim Senior Manager for Housing Standards and Services said: “Many homes across Cumbria need an energy efficiency retrofit to lower energy bills and fuel poverty, while also reducing their carbon footprint. Westmorland and Furness Council is pleased to lead on the HUG 2 scheme for Cumbria, working closely with Cumberland Council, and the scheme is now moving into the delivery phase.”
Graham Rothwell, RPS Group Chief Executive, said: “Improving the energy efficiency of rural homes in places like Cumbria bring its own set of challenges, but it is a specialism RPS Group excels at. It is also one of the reasons why RPS Group acquired a business serving rural homes across Cumbria, and we are delighted to be working with Westmorland and Furness Council to deliver renewable and low-carbon solutions to households off the mains gas grid.”
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Frank Shephard
The Manchester and Leeds offices of Manchester-based DWF, the global provider of integrated legal and business services, have advised on more than £1.3bn of deals in the first months of 2024.
DWF’s corporate teams in Manchester and Leeds have acted on deals across several of the business’s core sectors, with a total value of more than £1.3bn. Deals included acting for Daisy on its merger with Wavenet; for QBS Technology on its investment by MML Capital Partners; Bellascura, in relation to its share offer; and acting for Classic Football Shirts in relation to an investment by The Chernin Group to support the company’s expansion in North America
A significant number of transactions also took place in the financial services sectors, with DWF acting for Finitor Wealth in its acquisition of Fidelium; Pivotal Growth Limited on the acquisition of John Charcol and Select Mortgages & Financial Solutions and Select Brokers; as well as assisting MKC Wealth Holdings with its acquisition of Pathway Financial Planning, Gibson Lamb & Co, and Mulberry Financial.
Further transactions include advising Octavian Properties sale to Lexicon Healthcare, and Norcros plc on the sale of its Johnson Tiles business.
Frank Shephard, Global Head of Corporate at DWF, said: “Our corporate teams in Manchester and Leeds have built on a strong performance from last year and put together a tremendous start to 2024, closing on a number of corporate transactions for clients across the country. The diversity of the deals across private equity, venture capital, consumer, technology and FS sectors demonstrate the broad skillset of the team.”
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Gabe Erinle
GAME FM, a new facilities management company, has launched in Manchester this month, with industry veteran Gabe Erinle at the helm as founder and Managing Director.
With an ambition to provide a different approach to facilities management, GAME FM (Go a Mile Extra Facilities Management) said it has pulled together experts in security, cleaning, concierge, and facilities management, all sharing a unique perspective on the industry. The company aims to elevate standards across the board, welcoming both new and existing prestigious buildings into the property world with a fresh approach. Its operations are built on the pillars of diversity, sustainability, employee wellbeing, and community investment.
Gabe said: “My vision was to build the facilities management business that the industry is missing. A business that not only delivers world-class facilities management, security, cleaning, and concierge services but that truly wants to do better. Every company has values. But I want ours to be obvious in everything we do. I’ve proudly built an industry-leading team who are equally committed to my vision.”
An experienced leader with a community focus, Gabe’s extensive background includes directing operations for more than six million sq ft of prestigious real estate properties in Manchester city centre, including Spinningfields, St John’s Manchester, and London Road Fire Station, during his tenure with Allied London and ALL+ Management.
His passion for community investment includes initiatives such as the Manchester Homelessness Partnership which launched in 2016, which unites people with homelessness experience with organisations across various industries. Gabe also serves on the board of Real Change and the United Learning Trust Non-Exec Estates Committee, underscoring his commitment to social causes and community wellbeing.
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US-based football club Clifton Park Soccer Club (CPSC) has extended its partnership within Everton’s International Academy Affiliate Programme (EIAAP). It became the first from the Empire State to partner with the Blues’ globally-renowned soccer development programme back in 2022.
Following a fruitful partnership over the past two years, the New York side has now renewed as an affiliate partner for the next two seasons. This follows a first visit to Everton, in March, by the first Clifton Park U14s player to make the trip across the Atlantic under the International Affiliate Scheme. The youngster, accompanied by his parents, was given the chance to work with the club’s International Academy coaches and tour the facilities at the Finch Farm training ground.
Going forwards, the EIAAP initiative will continue to provide CPSC with access to the finest coaching knowledge from Everton’s distinguished Academy to support the growth of the club and its player development programmes. Everton International Technical Manager, Paddy Byrne, and his team will again visit Clifton Park to assist in sharing the Everton Academy curriculum and teaching methods used at Everton training ground, and work with the club closely to develop both player and coaching skills. In addition, staff from Clifton Park will have the opportunity to visit Everton’s facilities for further education, to watch training and further understand how a Premier League club Academy programme operates.
CPSC President, Bruce Rosenthal, said: “Our partnership with Everton allows us to continue to develop well-rounded coaches and attract even more players who want to progress, with the help and support of a Premier League Club Academy. Our aim is also to help give our strongest players, who we feel have the quality to play at a high level, even more of a competitive edge.”
Paddy Byrne said: “In addition to being a hugely respected community Club, Clifton Park also attracts talented players from across the Capital District looking to develop their skills and I’m looking forward to continue working with the whole coaching team, as they look to evolve and expand their work in player development.”
