UK Real Estate
Equality in Accountancy
Exporting and Freight Forwarding
Cybercrime and Security
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£1 billion BioNTech investment sets way for jobs, growth, breakthroughs
Hundreds of highly skilled jobs will be created, and new research centres will be set up aimed at making new advances in medical science, thanks to a planned investment of up to £1billion into the UK by world-leading biopharmaceutical company BioNTech announced at the end of May.
One of the biggest investments in the history of UK life sciences, it has been set up with government backing.
UK life sciences are one of the priority sectors of the economy that will form a key part of the forthcoming Industrial Strategy - as a driver of economic growth, job creation, and innovations
that could overhaul what’s possible in healthcare.
The sector is already thriving, worth £108billion to the economy and providing more than 300,000 highly skilled jobs across the country.
Through measures like the recent investment of £520million in the sector through the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology have set their intention to build on the UK’s position as the second-most attractive destination for international investment.
BioNTech will invest in the UK over the
course of the next 10 years as part of an ambitious plan to significantly expand their presence here.
They intend to create two new R&D hubs, the first to be based in Cambridge, as well as an AI hub to be based at BioNTech’s planned UK headquarters in London.
These are planned to create more than 400 new highly skilled jobs over the next 10 years, including researchers in clinical and scientific drug development, bioinformatics, and a range of supporting functions. Indirectly, the investment is also likely to create a substantial number of additional jobs in the supply chain.
Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement progresses
Alongside the recent OECD 2025 Ministerial Council Meeting held in Paris, the Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism, Don Farrell met Jonathan Reynolds, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, met for the second time discussing the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement.
The Ministers agreed to continue working together to strengthen and share the benefits of trade to all, including through the World Trade Organization, OECD and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
Revamped Office for Investment cements UK’s position as top investment destination
The UK’s highest growth sectors are gearing up for an inward investment boost as a new, revamped Office for Investment will provide enhanced high-end investor relations, commercial support and tailored opportunities for those looking to invest in the UK.
Minister for Investment, Baroness Gustafsson CBE, launched the new Office for Investment which will be focused on securing investment to drive economic growth, job creation and productivity across the UK, as part of the Government’s Plan for Change.
The enhanced Office for Investment will be aligned with the Government’s upcoming modern Industrial Strategy, prioritising growth-driving sectors ranging from defence to clean energies, as well as foundational sectors such as steel, critical minerals and logistics.
It will also actively pursue and manage major investment projects that support national growth missions and infrastructure strategies, helping to make the UK the best investment destination in the world.
Minister for Investment Baroness Gustafsson CBE said:
“Securing investment is an integral part of the Plan for Change, so I’m thrilled the Office for Investment will help drive even more investment into the UK, supporting job creation and boosting wages.
“Aligning with our upcoming modern Industrial Strategy, the OfI will deliver long-term growth right across the UK by providing support and stability for investors, giving them the confidence to plan not just for the next year, but for the next 10 years and beyond.
“By aligning investment resources under a single brand, the new Office for Investment will reduce confusion for investors and become increasingly proactive both at home and overseas in search of new potential investors for the UK.”
This announcement follows last year’s record-breaking International Investment Summit where the UK attracted £63 billion of new investments creating 38,000 jobs across the country, building on the latest PwC Global CEO Survey which rated the UK as the 2nd best place in the world to invest, after the USA.
CEO of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Karim Fatehi OBE said: “Setting a new course for the Investment Office has the potential to drive greater investment in London and the rest of the UK - creating jobs, building businesses and supporting economic growth. To remain relevant in a competitive market we must create the best conditions for international investors to succeed and prosper in the UK.”
£1billion secured for new Sunderland gigafactory
In a further boost for the British car industry, £1billion has been secured for the new Sunderland gigafactory.
Supporting jobs and powering up 100,000 electric vehicles a year, the local community will benefit from 1,000 jobs at a new state-of-the-art gigafactory in Sunderland in a £1 billion auto deal to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles and boost growth. This investment offers further support for the British car industry after the recent economic deal with the United States resulted in reduced tariffs on British exports.
The new AESC gigafactory will manufacture batteries for electric vehicles, powering up to 100,000 EVs each year - a six-fold increase on the country’s current capacity - making the UK globally competitive selling more
British EVs at home and abroad and helping to achieve the net zero target.
In the landmark transaction, the National Wealth Fund and UK Export Finance will provide financial guarantees which unlock £680 million in financing from banks including Standard Chartered, HSBC, SMBC Group, Societe Generale and BBVA.
This will cover construction and operation of the new plant. The remaining £320 million has been secured through private financing in addition to new equity provided by AESC.
In addition to this £1 billion investment, the Government’s Automotive Transformation Fund is also investing £150 million in grant funding.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves, said:
“We are going further and faster to
boost our industries’ resilience and encourage their growth as part of our Plan for Change, and this investment follows hot on the heels of our recent landmark economic deal with the US which will save thousands of jobs in the industry.
“This investment in Sunderland will not only further innovation and accelerate our move to more sustainable transport, but it will also deliver muchneeded high quality, well-paid jobs to the North East, putting more money in people’s pockets.”
Business and Trade Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, said:
“We’re backing our world-class car industry, and this investment is yet another vote of confidence in the North East’s thriving auto manufacturing hub which will secure a thousand well-paid jobs and boost prosperity across the region.
“Our modern Industrial Strategy will drive this growth even further, powering our high-potential sectors like advanced manufacturing so we can deliver jobs and investment in every corner of the UK and make our Plan for Change a reality.”
The recent deal agreed with the US slashes car export tariffs from 27.5% to 10% and will apply to a quota of 100,000 UK cars - almost the total exported last year.
This will save UK car companies hundreds of millions of pounds, making high skilled jobs in industrial heartlands like Sunderland more secure.
AI is saving time for 7 in 10 British Workers
New HP research reveals that AI is already driving productivity and cost gains, but barriers like security fears, skills gaps, and lack of strategy are slowing adoption
AI is delivering real impact for British workers and businesses alike.
According to surveys commissioned by HP Inc UK Limited and carried out by YouGov, 72% of employees surveyed who are using AI say it saves them time each week, with one in ten saving more than five hours. For many, this means spending less time on repetitive tasks and more time on higher-value work.
One in three business leaders whose organisations use AI report that it has already delivered more than 11% in cost savings, while almost half say it helps reduce time spent on admin tasks, and 34% say it has improved decision making and strategic planning.
Despite these early wins, not all businesses are keeping pace. While 44% of senior decision-makers surveyed expect AI to be fully embedded by 2027, over a quarter admit their business currently has no formal AI strategy in place. Common barriers include concerns over data security, a lack of internal expertise, and difficulty proving return on investment.
“AI is no longer a ‘nice to have’ - it’s a business imperative,” said Neil Sawyer, HP’s Managing Director for Northwest Europe. “Companies that fail to act now risk falling behind their competitors, losing productivity, and missing out on efficiency gains.”
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Spending review a downpayment on hardwiring growth mission into government - CBI comments
Commenting on the Spending Review published today and presented by the Chancellor to the House of Commons, Rain Newton-Smith Chief Executive, CBI, said: “Today’s Spending Review signals a downpayment on hardwiring the growth mission into government priorities.
“Against a challenging backdrop, the choice to prioritise investment in clean energy, R&D, as well as delivering a much-needed boost to housing, transport, and infrastructure is the smart play that will raise the long-term ceiling of the economy.
“The litmus test now will be following through on delivery in partnership with industry at pace. That must be underpinned by a comprehensive strategy for driving investment in adult skills and addressing high energy costs, which were missing from today’s announcement.”
On capital investments in R&D, transport and infrastructure Rain Newton-Smith said: “An uplift in public funding for R&D sends a strong signal that the UK is a place to invest and innovate. Government funding will crowd in private investment that can kickstart growth and boost innovation and productivity. Smart R&D investment is foundational to achieving many of our growth goals including clean power, seizing the AI prize, and underpinning new growth markets.
“Investors need certainty and setting out a long-term plan of government projects provides the clarity and confidence businesses need to greenlight their own spending.
“The importance of housing and modern, local transport networks cannot be underestimated. Workers need affordable homes close to work and efficient buses and trams; old and creaking transport infrastructure just present further barriers to work. Local leaders know what is best for their communities and multi-year settlements empower them to address local priorities and unlock economic growth.
“At a national level the clear backing for Sizewell C helps to secure home-grown energy, putting the UK on the right track towards a clean power future but moves could have gone further to maximise the UK’s strengths in carbon capture and storage.”
Looking ahead to expected government strategies to come Rain Newton-Smith added: “Today sets the budgets for the next three years, but it is the Industrial Strategy that sets the agenda for the next decade. It presents the opportunity to establish a reinvigorated partnership model for effective collaboration between government and business.
“The fact is that the innovation, investment and jobs necessary for significant growth will come from business, not Whitehall, and the government must pull all the levers it can to unlock investment.”
“Businesses are labouring under the cumulative burden of rises in NICs and Minimum Wages. With the Autumn Budget now coming sharply into focus, the Chancellor should prioritise squashing tax rumours and speculation that risks stymieing confidence and subduing investment decisions.”
Theo Paphitis’ #SBS Small Business Sunday boosts business bootcamp programme in partnership with NatWest
The 2025 #SBS Regional Business Bootcamp programme, delivered in partnership with NatWest, has officially launched across the UK. Following the success of the five bootcamps held in 2024, this year’s programme has expanded and will be hosted across 8 locations: Milton Keynes, Manchester, Cardiff, Leeds, Bristol, Edinburgh, London and Birmingham.
Founded in 2010 by TV Dragon and retail entrepreneur, Theo Paphitis, #SBS Small Business Sunday is one of the UK’s leading small business networks. Since then, hundreds of small businesses have taken part in regional events across the UK. The #SBS bootcamps offer a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to
connect locally with a supportive community of like-minded small business owners.
Every year, the #SBS crew curate an impressive programme of workshops, guest speakers and networking sessions designed to equip small businesses with the tools, insights and connections needed to grow. These sessions are completely free to attend and offer access to local opportunities, support and expertise.
This year also marks the celebration of SBS’s 15th anniversary. The growing reach of the #SBS initiative makes it easier than ever for small business owners throughout the UK to access expert advice, invaluable opportunities and a supportive community.
Over 3,300 respond to SIA
‘Get Licensed’ consultation
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) public consultation on proposed changes to licensing criteria has received over 3,300 responses.
The consultation was centred around a number of proposed changes to further strengthen the criteria that determines what makes someone eligible to hold an SIA licence.
This included changes to the criteria on criminality and providing greater transparency on the wider ‘fit and proper’ test that all applicants and licence holders must meet. When implemented, the changes would also update the list of relevant offences the SIA takes into consideration in
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licensing decisions.
Tim Archer, SIA Director of Licensing and Standards, said: “We were very happy to see such a strong level of response to our consultation. The proposed changes are designed and intended to further enhance public protection. Whilst we now need to undertake a detailed analysis of the responses, it looks like our proposals have been strongly supported by those working in the industry.
“Based on the feedback received from the consultation, the SIA will finalise its recommendations and seek ministerial approval in the autumn.”
gmcc news Tech leaders discuss challenges and opportunities of AI
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce hosted business leaders recently at a private roundtable to discuss ‘Augmented Intelligence: Balancing People, Processes and AI’.
The event, which was held in partnership with British Chambers of Commerce and IBM UK Ltd, examined the practical aspects of embedding AI into day-to-day operations, including culture, ethics and governance.
The attendees, who represented a wide range of businesses, shared their insights and experience of using AI in their own businesses.
Opening the meeting, Chris Fletcher, Policy Director at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, explained that the event would explore how people, processes and AI could come together to addresses issues such as ethics, risk and sustainability.
Sven Strassburg, IBM Principal Solution Architect, Europe, set the scene for the discussion by talking about his experience of helping clients navigate AI from an operational point of view.
He said AI was often “technology looking for a solution” and that many people felt they had to “start a project on AI” without thinking about what they wanted to achieve.
He pointed out that discussion in the media about AI usually focused on the risks it posed to people’s jobs rather than the benefits it would bring to those jobs. “The question should be will AI make my job better? Not will AI make me redundant?” he said.
He added that AI systems had been reported in the news as being biased, however humans are also
open to interpret data with a bias too.
The issue of who owns your data was discussed and it was revealed that some businesses even had to buy back their own data because they were unaware what they had signed up for in the Terms and Conditions.
The carbon footprint of data centres was highlighted as a major issue because of the amount of water and energy they consume, with many centres based in energy rich but water poor areas.
Sven pointed out, however, that
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all new technologies had the same problems at first in that they consumed too much water and too much energy, but these problems were later overcome through further innovation.
Attendees felt that one of the main issues with implementing AI was that employees feared for their jobs because they didn’t know what AI could do, so there needed to be more awareness raising around the technology and an important focus on leadership and management.
Legislation to cover AI was also discussed, but the attendees felt it was hard to legislate when the technology was developing so fast. It was also pointed out that there was a need to educate legislators about AI, not just lobby them.
In conclusion, Chris Fletcher said the main points discussed could be summarised as “it’s not the AI that will replace your job, but the person who understands how to use AI” and “just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should”.
&property
construction
Go ahead given for Sizewell C
The UK Government has given the go-ahead for Sizewell C. This is the first British-owned nuclear power station to be announced in over three decades, with HMG as a majority shareholder alongside EDF.
The Chancellor is set to confirm the funding at the GMB Congress later today ahead of the Government’s spending review where £14.2 billion of investment will be allocated to the project.
Alongside the confirmation of the UK’s first generations of Small Modular Reactors (SMR’s), this decision represents a step towards energy independence and the revitalisation of
the UK’s nuclear industry. Over 70% of Sizewell C’s construction value will go to UK companies, providing a massive boost for the British economy and a major move to reshore the country’s energy supply chains.
Announcing the news, Ed Miliband, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, said the investment in nuclear would “Protect family finances, take back control of our energy, and tackle the climate crisis.”
Based on the Suffolk Coast close to the sites of Sizewell A and B, the project has been described by the independent consultancy firm Enco as the best-prepared nuclear energy site
in modern nuclear history. It is the first nuclear power station in the UK that will be funded through a Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model. Under the model, consumers are protected through independent regulation, strict cost controls, and transparent oversight - ensuring families benefit from secure, lowcarbon energy without bearing the risk of cost overruns.
Sizewell C will provide:
• Clean and reliable energy for around 6 million homes - equivalent to 1 in 5 of all UK homes.
• Over 10,000 direct jobs, supporting thousands more across the UK.
Leading Scottish renewables port invests £3m to accommodate wind turbine boom
Peel Ports Clydeport has invested £3m in infrastructure to support growing demand for handling huge wind turbine components for the renewable energy sector at a key facility.
The UK’s second largest port operator has developed a new egress road at its King George V(KGV) Dock in Glasgow, which is designed to improve the movement of such project cargo through the port.
The new road will provide a more efficient route for oversized cargo and reduce operational hold-ups, as the manoeuvring space for large pieces of cargo was previously limited, leaving operations exposed to delays.
The investment follows a record year in 2024 for the facility in handling wind turbines, with over a thousand
components processed at the site that year. More than 100 turbines and 800 wind turbine components will also be processed at the site over the next 12 months.
Ports Clydeport, said: “This significant investment will be hugely popular with the renewable energy sector, and help make our port an even more attractive option for larger wind component shipments.”
• More than 1,500 training and apprenticeship opportunities, creating the next generation of British engineers, scientists, and construction workers.
• Additional revenue for over 3,500 British companies in nearly every constituency across the UK, including Wright Bus in Northern Ireland, the William Hare Group in south Wales, and TRM in Sunderland.
• Over £1-1.5 billion of annual savings across the electricity system when the project is up and running.
Energy security and the cost of energy have dominated the UK news agenda in recent years following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The UK’s reliance on volatile international gas markets led to a sharp spike in energy bills, prompting government interventions that cost close to £50 billion in 2022 and 2023.
By investing in nuclear energy, the UK can produce reliable, homegrown power and reduce its dependence on overseas energy supplies.
Ed Miliband commented: “We will not accept the status quo of failing to invest in the future and energy insecurity for our country.
“We need new nuclear to deliver a golden age of clean energy abundance, because that is the only way to protect family finances, take back control of our energy, and tackle the climate crisis.”
Subsea Micropiles installs offshore anchor
Following a period of intensive development with over £10 million invested in R&D, Subsea Micropiles reached a major technical milestone with the installation of a commercial drilled and grouted “micropile” anchor solution for Orkney Harbour Authority (OHA) in Scotland.
The adaptation of micropiling technology to the offshore sector poses a highly beneficial disruption to the industry. Using smaller vessels and remote seabed drilling systems, large construction jobs can be more reliably completed with lower cost, minimal environmental impact and high local content.
The approach provides a scalable industrial solution for large projects including offshore wind, both fixed and floating structures.
Jim McSporran, port director at Peel
business security
Is your business really protected?
The overlooked security gaps that leave you vulnerable
Walk into most businesses today and you’ll likely see a CCTV camera in the corner, maybe a security sign in the window, or someone in a high-vis near the front entrance. On the surface, it all looks fine. Secure, even.
But here’s the thing we’ve learned after years of walking into hundreds of premises, from corporate offices to construction sites and hospitality venues: what looks secure and what actually is secure are often two very different things.
And when security fails, it rarely fails quietly.
The comfort of “it’s never happened before”
One of the most common phrases we hear when we first speak with a new client is:
“We’ve never had a problem.”
And while that may be true, we always ask, “Is that because you’re secure, or because you’ve been lucky?”
That distinction matters. Because in security, prevention is invisible. If nothing has happened, it means the plan is working, or more dangerously, that the threat hasn’t tested you yet. The truth is, many businesses only discover their vulnerabilities after something goes wrong: a theft, an aggressive incident, a breach. And at that point, hindsight is expensive.
Relying on cameras without real eyes on the ground
Technology plays a huge role in modern security. We use it every day.
But one of the most common mistakes
we see is over-reliance on it. CCTV, alarms, motion detectors… they’re fantastic tools. But tools don’t act. People do.
We’ve reviewed dozens of incidents where cameras captured every second of a theft, but no one saw it happening live, and no one was there to stop it. A camera can’t intervene. A siren can’t reassure your staff when something feels off.
Security is most effective when it combines smart technology with trained human presence, people who can read a situation, step in early, and make informed decisions in real time.
Low-cost,
low-quality security is a false economy
Another major gap? Hiring security based solely on price.
We’ve seen it far too often, security personnel placed on site without any real briefing, no understanding of the business they’re protecting, and sometimes no authority to actually do anything if an incident occurs.
When you’re responsible for people’s safety, your staff, and your assets, a badge and a uniform aren’t enough. You need professionals who are alert, communicative, and genuinely invested in keeping your environment safe. The right people make all the difference.
No risk plan. No response plan. No clarity.
Ask yourself honestly: if something serious happened at your site tomorrow, would everyone know what to do?
You’d be surprised how many businesses don’t have a clear, up-todate risk assessment. Or if they do, it’s sitting in a dusty folder, never shared, never updated.
A proper assessment isn’t just about ticking a box for insurance. It’s about identifying vulnerabilities, planning for the worst, and ensuring that if something goes wrong, no one panics because they’ve already rehearsed what to do.
It’s about being ready. And feeling ready brings peace of mind, not fear.
Internal threats: the elephant in the room
We know it’s not a comfortable subject. But a large number of security breaches don’t come from the outside. They come from within.
We’ve worked on cases involving stock going missing, cash discrepancies, unauthorised access to sensitive areas, all traced back to internal staff. And it’s often not malicious at first. Sometimes it starts as small boundary-pushing. But left unchecked, it grows.
Security isn’t about mistrusting your team. It’s about creating clear, fair, and consistent processes so that everyone knows where the lines are and what happens when they’re crossed.
A thought to leave you with
If any part of this article has made you pause and think “we could tighten up there,” that’s a good thing. Because recognising the gaps is the first step in closing them.
Security doesn’t need to be intimidating, aggressive, or expensive. It needs to be smart. Thoughtful. Human. And most
importantly, it needs to be tailored to you, your business, your people, your risks.
At Equipt Security, we believe in building real partnerships, not just providing cover. And as part of that, we want to offer all readers of this article a completely free, no-obligation security assessment.
Whether you’re running a business, managing a venue, or just want to make sure your home setup is as strong as it should be, we’ll come out, walk the space with you, talk through your risks, and offer honest, expert feedback on where you stand.
There’s no pressure. Just insight. Because we genuinely want to help people feel safer and be better protected.
If you’re interested, get in touch through our website: equiptsecurity.co.uk, email us directly at info@equiptsecurity.co.uk or call us on 0800 246 5196
Because at the end of the day, security isn’t about fear.
It’s about confidence.
And we’re here to help you build it.
Paul King, Managing Director, Equipt Security equiptsecurity.co.uk
UKREiiF UKREiiF
The 2025 UK’s Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) successfully concluded its fourth annual event held at the end of May in Leeds.
More than 16,000 delegates gathered, where over 2,300 speakers took to more than 60 stages to share insights and tackle the pressing challenges facing the built environment.
The event drew significant engagement from the national
government, featuring a keynote address by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and panel contributions from Investment Minister Baroness Poppy Gustafsson and Minister of State Matthew Pennycook MP. In a show of unified regional ambition, every UK metro mayor attended alongside their local authorities, all championing investment opportunities across their regions.
This year’s event also saw the launch of the Real Estate Market Sentiment Survey. With the support from Holistic Insight, the survey gathered
insight and opinions from over 10,874 UKREiiF delegates.
Capturing sentiment from developers, contractors, investors, funders, consultants, architects, occupiers and the public sector, the results point to a decisive shift in mood.
Positive sentiment has risen from 52% to 70%, an 18-point increase. Negative sentiment has dropped from 17% to just 6%, while neutral views have declined from 31% to 24% – indicating a more confident and decisive industry outlook.
An impressive 83% of delegates have secured investment, won contracts or achieved tangible success directly through their involvement with UKREiiF, and the event has been instrumental in unlocking over £2billion in projects and investment, reinforcing its role as a critical driver of UK-wide growth.
UKREiiF has also retained the ISO 20121 Sustainable Events Management Accreditation for the fourth consecutive year, demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainability by not only meeting but exceeding the standard’s requirements. This milestone reflects UKREiiF’s ongoing
welcomes over 16,000 to Leeds for annual forum Comment from...
dedication to delivering one of the most environmentally responsible events in the industry.
The event also continues to impact the local area, generating over £38.5million for local economy and £5million in social value since its inception.
UKREiiF has officially confirmed its return to Leeds from 19-21 May 2026, with tickets already on sale.
Nathan Spencer, Managing Director at UKREiiF, said: “This year’s event has exceeded all expectation, from the record-breaking attendance to the depth and quality of discussions taking place across every stage.
“UKREiiF continues to prove itself as the UK’s premier platform for driving real action, investment, and collaboration within the built environment. We’re already looking ahead to 2026, where we aim to build on this momentum and deliver even greater event.”
James Richardson, Director, Transpennine Route Upgrade
“It was great to able to attend UKREiiF in Leeds last month, where thousands of people from across the country were brought together to discuss and drive forward regeneration and growth in our regions.
“A topic at the forefront of discussions I was involved in was growth.
“Our work between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York will provide an enormous boost to the Northern economy and enable swathes of investment across the region, and it was really
encouraging to see how people and organisations from all over the country can collaborate to spark ideas and unlock potential.
“We are already seeing the benefits of our works now and we’re close to electrifying a quarter of the route between York and Manchester this summer, which takes us a big step closer to faster, cleaner and greener trains with more services, that all helps towards unlocking the economic potential of the north.
programme has caught people’s imaginations - our teams across the Enterprise are making a difference now, and will leave a lasting legacy.
“TRU was at the heart of a number of conversations throughout the event, and it was fantastic to see how the
“What was really encouraging was the way people came together to focus on shared opportunities.
“On TRU we have around 5,000 people at work and that will rise to as many as 8,000 in the years ahead when we reach peak delivery.
“UKREiiF was a chance to share how we might be able to better plan our resources ahead with other major programmes and projects so we can retain and also develop the skills and resources that the north needs to prosper.
“We’ve already kicked off some good conversations in this area with colleagues at United Utilities as they undertake a major programme of work, so there is lots ahead to focus on.”
Continued from previous page
UKREiiF
Comment from...
Nicky Gordon, Managing Director, Genesis
“UKREiiF 2025 was a landmark moment for Cumbria, marking our first major collective presence at a national economic forum of this scale.
“I attended in a dual capacity, representing Genesis Homes, and as a board member of the Cumbria Economic Growth Board.
“From the outset, the momentum was clear. The Cumbria Pavilion’s opening breakfast session, Going
Homes
for Growth, was oversubscribed and buzzing with energy - by far the busiest at that hour.
“The launch of ‘Cumbria 2045: Going for Growth’ set a confident tone, followed by insightful sessions on infrastructure and devolution.
“The clarity and consistency of Cumbria’s message impressed me - the honesty, ambition, and understanding of our strengths were palpable. Investors were listening.
“I had planned a detailed speech for the housing panel, but instead chose to be direct: Cumbria has the assets - natural beauty, a skilled workforce, and world-class industries. But we also have a tendency to undersell ourselves. That needs to change, and this event proved that we needed to do so.
“The Genesis Homes video showcased our commitment to the region, and conversations throughout the day highlighted a real shift: a more unified, determined Cumbria ready to attract and support investment.
“UKREiiF was not just an event - it was a statement of intent.
“For me, it felt like the culmination of two decades of work. I left Leeds with pride and renewed optimism, confident that Cumbria is now firmly on the national stage and ready to seize the opportunities ahead.”
Comment from...
Kevin Hollinrake MP, Member of Parliament for Thirsk and Malton
Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
“As Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, it was a privilege to attend UKREiiF - a vital platform for advancing our shared ambition to unlock growth, deliver homes, tackle regional imbalances and build stronger communities across the UK.
“With representatives from across the public and private sectors, UKREiiF showcased the immense potential of partnership-led regeneration and the scale of opportunity to drive investment into our towns, cities and rural communities.
“Housing is one of the most pressing challenges facing the country. We need to deliver more welldesigned and constructed homes, in the right places and with the right infrastructure.
“This will help us level up the country and deliver regional growth.
“Events like UKREiiF remind us that collaboration is essential; local authorities, developers and investors
must work together to overcome barriers to development and deliver the homes people need.
“In the various panel discussions and events I participated in, I was deeply encouraged by the level of discussion and the understanding in the room of what needs to happen to meet the housing needs of future generations.
“My message was very clear, we are very pro-development and will seek to constructively engage with the government but also recognise the need to provide the stability and continuity that developers, land promoters and planners need to invest.
“We will not pursue change for changes sake.”
Comment from...
Sean Anstee CBE, Director of Operations for the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority
“The Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority is stepping forward with confidence - ready to lead, attract investment, and deliver for our region.
“At UKREiiF 2025, I proudly represented the Devon and Torbay CCA as part of the Torbay Council delegation, showcasing our strengths alongside the Great South West.
“Over three days in Leeds, I joined panel discussions, roundtables, and one-to-one meetings with investors, developers, and funders. The energy was inspiring, and our region’s strategic importance in the UK’s growth was clear.
“We held valuable conversations with national and international stakeholders focused on clean energy, defence, and food security - sectors where we’re already making an impact. Our devolution deal is unlocking £16million in capital funding, with £8million accelerating 16 projects, including the Appledore Clean Maritime Innovation Centre, a Green Skills and Energy Centre at South Devon College, and
36 new affordable homes in Torbay.
“A standout project is the £70million regeneration of Torquay’s harbourside, delivered with Willmott Dixon and Milligan.
“This mixed-use scheme includes a 154-bedroom hotel, commercial space, and redesigned public realm - creating 80 jobs, generating £32million in wages over 30 years, and attracting 86,000 visitors.
We also explored collaborative solutions to labour and housing challenges. With over 30,000 people employed in advanced manufacturing and defence, and a growing green economy, our region is wellpositioned for the future.
“With a clear Local Growth Plan, we’re focused on delivery and ready to unlock the next chapter of opportunity.”
devonandtorbay-cca.gov.uk
focus Breaking the Ledger
Kelly Jackson’s Journey to outstanding in the
From quiet excellence to centre stage: the rise of Jackson Accounts Limited
Established in 2012, Jackson Accounts Limited has quietly become one of the best-kept secrets in UK accountancy - until now.
For over a decade, the Bolton-based firm grew steadily through the oldest and most effective form of marketing: reputation and referrals. Without ever placing an advert, the company built a loyal client base that valued its efficient, personalised, and ethical approach to accounting.
Now, after 12 years largely operating behind the scenes in a shared
building with no signage and minimal visibility, Jackson Accounts is stepping confidently into the spotlight. And leading the charge is its founder and Managing Director, Kelly Jackson.
A journey begins: Overlooked, but not Undone
When Kelly Jackson first set foot on the professional accountancy path in 2005, she was 23 - bright-eyed, ambitious, and, in the eyes of many firms, already “too old.”
With a background in management accounting and no traditional
practice experience, Kelly didn’t tick the usual boxes. And in an industry then steeped in tradition and tilted heavily male, that was often a dealbreaker.
“Most firms wouldn’t give me the time of day,” Kelly recalls. “At 23, they said I was already behind.”
But that didn’t stop her. When the company she worked for went into liquidation, what could have been a setback turned into her big break. The firm’s accountants - MCA Accountancy in Rochdale - saw something others had missed.
“I’ll be forever grateful to Mr Jon Ashworth, one of the partners at MCA at the time,” says Kelly. “He didn’t just offer me a job - he gave me a chance to prove myself.”
Lessons Learned, Roads Redirected
After gaining valuable experience at MCA, Kelly moved on in search of faster progression. But the role she took next didn’t fit. The culture was wrong, and she soon found herself at a crossroads.
That disappointing chapter became the catalyst for her boldest move
yet - founding Jackson Accounts Limited in 2012.
“It taught me a valuable lesson,” she says. “You can’t grow in an environment that doesn’t value your worth. That misstep turned into the best thing that could have happened.”
Building something bigger than herself
Founding her own firm gave Kelly the autonomy and purpose she had been craving. Along the way, she crossed paths with key individuals who would influence her growth, including mentor David Clegg, founding member of AMS Accountants Corporate.
“David has been an incredible mentor. His guidance and support have been invaluable - and continue to be,” says Kelly.
Another integral part of the journey is Vicky Lakin, head accountant at Jackson Accounts Limited. Having joined the firm seven years ago, Vicky has become both a professional rock and a close friend.
“Vicky is a phenomenal accountant. I have the utmost respect for her knowledge, her opinions, and the unwavering support she gives me, the business, and our clients.”
Ceiling: from overlooked world of accountancy
Opening doors for others
Inspired by those who gave her a chance, Kelly has made it her mission to create similar opportunities for others.
Jackson Accounts Limited has become a place where non-traditional candidates - often overlooked elsewhere - can thrive.
“I’ve always believed in giving people a shot, even if they don’t have the ‘perfect’ CV,” says Kelly. “It’s a privilege to be part of someone’s journey.”
One such example is Caylie McCarthy, who joined the firm nearly four years ago and quickly became a cornerstone in bookkeeping and payroll with her professionalism and passion.
Small team, big impact
Today, Jackson Accounts Limited is run by a tight-knit team of three - soon to be four - delivering a uniquely personal and compassionate approach to accounting. Their recent relocation to new offices at No. 2, The Studios, 318 Chorley Old Road, Bolton, BL1 4JU, marks a fresh chapter of visibility and expansion.
“We’re not just about numbers,” Kelly says. “We want to know our clients, understand their goals, and help them thrive.”
The heart behind the spreadsheets
The firm offers a full suite of services: financial accounting, tax returns, bookkeeping, VAT, payroll, CIS, cloud software integration, and compliance.
But what sets them apart is their philosophy.
Jackson Accounts marries highefficiency tech with human-centred service. All work is carried out in the UK- nothing is outsourced- allowing the team to maintain quality while building real relationships with clients.
A new era of visibility and purpose
The past 12 months have been transformative.
Recognising the time had come for greater visibility, Kelly began actively networking and representing the company at key events across the region.
The results have been dramatic.
In April 2025, Kelly took home the Professional Services Category Award at the Women in Business Awards - a landmark win that
boosted the firm’s visibility and credibility overnight.
Networking with purpose
Kelly and her team have ramped up their engagement across the business landscape. In the months ahead, they’ll be playing a prominent role in several high-profile events:
• Tuesday, 23 June 2025 – Kelly will be a Guest panellist at RISE “For She Inspires”, Midland Hotel, Manchester (8:30am - 5:30pm).
• Thursday, 26 June 2025 –Proud sponsor and Kelly will be a speaker at Women in Business “Health, Wealth & Wellbeing”, Dunscar Golf Club (2pm - 4pm).
• Friday, 26 September 2025
– Proud sponsor of the Bolton News Awards, celebrating local excellence where our team will attend to celebrate.
• Saturday, 28 March 2026 –Headline Sponsor of the Women in Business Awards 2026, a glamorous red-carpet event at The Bolton Whites Tough
Sheet Stadium, again the team will be present to watch some of the North West’s most inspirational woman take home an award they truly deserve.
Leading with authenticity
Kelly’s story is one of grit, resilience, and gratitude. From being dismissed as too old to start, to becoming an award-winning business leader, she’s forged a new path in accountancyone defined by integrity, inclusivity, and heart.
“Our business has always been built on relationships,” says Kelly. “Now, we’re building those relationships in the wider business world - and the results speak for themselves.”
To learn more about Jackson Accounts Limited or their services, visit their Website or follow the company on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
cybercrime security
&
North West should be more
Cyber security still a major ongoing issue
In the wake of the recent high profile cyber attacks on UK retailers M&S, Co-op and Harrods, businesses across the North West are being warned to be even more vigilant.
The social engineering cyber attack on M&S showed just how easy it can be for a bad actor to gain access to a business’s IT systems - and just how bad the ongoing recovery can be.
These events have also demonstrated just how much a cyber attack can affect
a business both from a financial perspective and also from a trust and reputation perspective.
For many small businesses the huge cost of recovering from a cyber breach means that a number of them will never recover financially.
To lose access to all of your IT data, customer data, social media accounts and other assets required to run the business, is very serious and is hugely stressful to deal with.
Small and medium businesses tend to be more vulnerable to cyber attacks because they’re more unlikely to have cyber security experts on their staff, or perhaps they’ve not put all of their employees through regular cyber security training to help them spot red flags.
New cyber crime figures released
Recently, the Government released its latest cyber crime statistics,
which estimated that UK businesses experienced a huge 8.58 million cyber breaches or crimes over the past 12 months - up from 7.8 million in the previous 12 months.
Phishing attacks remain the most prevalent and disruptive type of cyber breach, with 85% of businesses and 86% of charities experiencing a phishing attempt in the previous 12 months.
This is a vast number of businesses, and we are likely to see these figures increase as phishing attempts become more sophisticated.
Frequency of cyber breaches and attacks
From the new statistics, there was positive news - 43% of all businesses reported a cyber security breach or attack in the past 12 months, which is less than last year’s 50%. For microbusinesses, the figures were 35% down from 40% last year and for small businesses it’s 42%, down from 49%.
Detective Inspector Dan Giannasi, head of cyber and innovation at the North West Cyber Resilience Centre
businesses vigilant
However, for larger businesses, the prevalence of cyber breaches remains high - 67% of medium-sized businesses reported experiencing a cyber breach (70% last year) and 74% of large businesses (75% last year).
However, of those businesses who did report an initial cyber breach, around half of those (46%) ended up being victims of a cyber crime.
This shows how important good cyber hygiene is because something so simple as clicking on a phishing link by mistake can lead to a much more harmful cyber attack.
Cyber hygiene measures
The report goes on to state that overall there has been a small but positive uptake in cyber hygiene measures from small businesses: 48% undertake cyber security assessments, up from 41% last year. On top of this, 62% of small businesses now have cyber insurance, up from 49% last year.
In terms of basic cyber protection, the stats were on the whole positive, with 77% of businesses having updated malware protection; 73% of businesses having password policies; 72% of businesses had network firewalls; 71% of businesses had cloud back-up services and 68% had restricted admin rights.
However, worryingly, only 40% of businesses had multi-factor authentication (MFA) enabled and only 31% had a VPN for employees working
remotely.
DI Dan Giannasi, head of cyber and innovation at the NWCRC, said:
“As a police-backed organisation, we work closely with small businesses, charities, education and the public sector across the North West in order to give them the tools and the knowledge to build cyber resilience.
“It can take just one cyber breach to lead to a wider cyber or ransomware attack, which in turn could wipe out a small business financially.
“While it’s excellent that just over two-thirds of overall businesses have good basic cyber hygiene - it’s still very concerning that less than half of businesses have MFA set up, or further measures like a VPN.
“We strongly advise all businesses and organisations across the North West to sign up to our free membership, with regular updates and guidance on staying safe against fraudsters and cyber breaches.”
Key cyber security advice from the NWCRC
– Good password hygiene
Cyber security starts with having strong and secure passwords.
Ensure all of your employees know how to create a secure password, use a password manager, especially for shared business accounts, and
how to keep it secure (ie. not written down anywhere).
- Update all devices
All internet-enabled devices, such as laptops, mobile phones and tablets, need to be kept up to date in terms of security updates for optimum security.
- Enable multi-factor authentication
It’s really important in the workplace to enable multi-authentication for every account, where possible. This will provide another layer of security, should the password ever be compromised.
- Control admin accounts
Ensure that all admin accounts are kept up to date and have every layer of security required.
It’s also important to ensure that admin rights for each individual are kept up to date, especially when they move roles or leave the organisation.
About the NWCRC
The NWCRC was set up in 2019 as a police-backed not-for-profit organisation, and works to help North West businesses stay safe against the increasing dangers of cyber crime and cyber fraud.
The organisation runs free membership for businesses across the North West, as well as funded training programmes with Police & Crime Commissioners and regional police forces.
The team also works closely with the cyber student community to offer high quality paid work experience, which in turn allows them to run affordable security training sessions to businesses, charities and the public sector.
up for free membership to the
The North West Cyber Resilience Team
ai news Putting AI to work for SMEs
Artificial Intelligence has gone from an emerging concept to a practical tool in the space of just a few years. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the pace of this technological change can feel relentless. But as AI technology becomes more refined and widely accessible, it’s starting to offer clear, tangible benefits to businesses of all sizes - especially those looking to work more efficiently, serve customers better, and bring new ideas to market with greater speed.
While it’s easy to be distracted by the headline-grabbing capabilities of AI, what’s perhaps more important is its growing usefulness in day-to-day business operations.
Many of the early challenges - from confusing user interfaces to unreliable outputs - are being ironed out. Applied AI tools are maturing fast, and they’re increasingly designed with business users in mind.
One of the key advantages for SMEs is the ability to scale operations without
needing to dramatically increase headcount. Tasks like customer onboarding, invoicing, reporting, and basic support can now be automated relatively quickly and with minimal technical expertise.
What’s changed is not only the power of these tools, but how quickly and easily they can be set up.
For smaller teams, this means less time spent on repetitive tasks and more time focused on growth and strategy.
AI can also help with workforce optimisation. By taking on the more routine aspects of a business, it frees up employees to focus on areas where human input really matters – be it building client relationships, refining strategy, or developing new services.
In some industries, this shift is prompting a rethink of how services are delivered. For example, consultancy firms are increasingly finding ways to ‘productise’ their knowledge, moving from traditional billing models to more scalable digital offerings.
Speed to market is another area where AI is making a difference.
Developing new products or services often involves lengthy R&D cycles and resource-heavy testing. Generative AI tools now allow for rapid prototyping and testing of ideas with far less upfront cost.
AI can also support with market research - pulling insights from a wide range of sources in minutes, rather than hours or days. For SMEs with tight timelines or limited budgets, this can be a powerful competitive advantage.
On the customer side, AI is helping to make marketing and support more personalised and responsive.
Targeted marketing, once the preserve of large teams with deep data capabilities, can now be carried out using AI to analyse customer behaviour and tailor communications.
Likewise, AI-powered support tools are now able to provide high-quality, round-the-clock assistance to customers, improving both satisfaction and loyalty.
These tools are becoming more advanced and user-friendly, making them increasingly viable for smaller firms.
Of course, adopting AI still requires some careful thought.
Before investing in new tools, it’s worth making sure teams understand how to use what’s already available. Tools like ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot, for example, can offer significant benefits if staff know how to apply them effectively.
Training can often deliver just as much value as new software.
It’s also sensible to test new AI applications on a small scale. Not every tool will be the right fit, and it’s important to focus on areas where AI can offer real, measurable improvements.
Ideally, the underlying process or tool should already be effective in its own right, with AI adding speed or intelligence on top – rather than trying to force AI into areas where it doesn’t add much value.
One example of these principles in action is at TheAX.ai - a platform built to help consultants manage their engagements end to end. It combines automation, intelligent research tools, and personalised customer support in a way that’s specifically tailored for SMEs. By bringing together different aspects of the customer journey and internal operations, it illustrates how AI can be used not just to accelerate tasks, but to rethink how services are delivered altogether.
The key for SMEs is not to feel they must ‘keep up’ with every new development, but instead to focus on where AI can make a genuine difference.
Start with small, practical improvements. Understand what problems you’re trying to solve. And above all, treat AI as a tool - not a silver bullet, but a new part of the kit that, used well, can help a business do more, with less.
Ikum Kandola Founder The AX.ai and Teachify
The do’s and don’ts of using AI in your bid proposals
As we know, bids are a common way for businesses, organisations and individuals to compete for work or funding, and they can take a number of different forms depending on the nature of the bid opportunity.
Submitted bids need to be wellresearched, and written in a way that resonates with the recipient, and the bid writer requires strong writing skills and attention to detail, to ensure that it stands a chance of being selected.
This is no easy feat!
Preparing a bid response can be very costly and time-consuming, so with the development of Artificial Intelligence, some people may think hurrah! Finally a tool that can save time and streamline difficult tasks.
However, although it may look great on paper, AI certainly has to be used carefully to ensure your bids remain compelling, compliant, and ready for review.
The experts at BWS delve into the do’s and don’ts of using AI in bid writing, so that you’re winning contracts - not losing them.
THE DO’S
Do use it for research
AI can be a great tool for researching and generally making a start on your bid writing project.
Conducting thorough research to understand the client, industry, and project requirements can be timeconsuming, but using AI can help to streamline those early-stage tasks.
Do use it to categorise information
Another way you can use AI to write your bids is to develop a bid plan.
When trying to organise complex documents with large volumes of information, AI can be great to help create structure and break down specifications into digestible segments.
This can help you outline the structure of your bid and the key messages you want to convey throughout, that way you have something to work against and will help you build a nice flow of information.
Do tailor your responses
Using AI-generated content can be a great starting point, but always make sure you personalise your use of language, tone, and examples to suit your audience. A bid should always reflect your organisation’s unique
voice, values, and your know-how, which is something AI isn’t capable of recreating.
Do use AI to save time, not to replace
Think of AI as a helpful assistant - it can support tasks such as idea generation, drafting, and proofing, but shouldn’t be driving the bid writing process alone. We’ll leave that one to the human bid-writers.
THE DON’TS
Don’t rely on AI’s knowledge as fact
AI is an incredibly smart tool, but even the smartest of intelligences can get things wrong sometimes. Always make sure to fact-check any information it provides - particularly if it involves legislation, company history, or data claims - as these could be consequential if not corrected in the final bid.
Don’t input any sensitive information
Avoid pasting confidential client details, pricing, or personal data into public AI tools. Any data you share with AI models could be misused or exploited, which could compromise your client relationships, and
potentially breach data protection regulations.
Don’t forget human oversight
When it comes to bid writing, human judgement is critical. AI doesn’t have the strategic thinking, or the emotional intelligence required, for persuasive, client-specific responses. If your submission is too generic or identified as AI to an evaluator, it will be evident that you have used AI to write your bid response, which could be interpreted as a lack of effort on your part.
Don’t use AI to cut corners on compliance
Certain tasks like checking formatting, completing forms, or meeting word counts require manual attention. AI can help, but compliance is your responsibility. Even minor mistakes like missing a signature or uploading the wrong file type can mean disqualification.
Final thoughts
All in all, AI can be a great tool for bidwriting when used wisely. Remember! AI should enhance your process, not replace it. The best bids come from the knowledge and experience professional bid writers can provide. BWS – Bid Writing Service
Britain’s Trade Tango &exporting logistics
The UK’s trade landscape is undergoing significant changes with trade realignments and geopolitical shifts.
Three key agreements, with the EU, India, and the US, are central to this current recalibration, offering new opportunities while presenting challenges.
Here’s a look at how these deals are likely to impact Britain’s trade future. However, the only certainty is continued uncertainty, and after recent tariff ructions, if you are reading this more than 24 hours after writing…
EU Trade Reset:
A “new chapter”... amid controversy
The UK-EU trade and security pact, finalised in May 2025, marks a substantial post-Brexit reset.
According to reports the agreement aims to:
Reduce agrifood barriers, eliminating Brexit-era checks on livestock and paperwork to support £14 billion annual food exports to the EU.
Integrate carbon markets, linking the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) with the EU’s system to avoid the bloc’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) tariffs on steel and cement.
Expand defence collaboration, granting UK firms access to a €150 billion EU defence fund and joint procurement initiatives.
Facilitate travel and education, including e-gate access at EU airports and rejoining Erasmus.
Economic impact: The deal is projected to add £9 billion to the UK economy by 2040. However, critics argue it binds the UK to EU regulations (‘dynamic alignment’)
and extends EU fishing rights in UK waters for 12 years - a major point of contention in the fishing industry and amongst Brexit supporters.
Export trends: Goods exports to the EU rose 3.4% month-on-month in February 2025, while non-EU exports fell 11%.
The EU remains the UK’s largest trading partner, accounting for 43% of total international trade.
India FTA: Unlocking a high-growth market
The UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), ratified in May 2025, is considered an ambitious post-Brexit deal that has been under negotiations for several years.
Final, difficult negotiations of the agreement have delayed adoption for the last two years. Key provisions include:
Tariff reductions: 90% of UK goods (e.g., whisky, cars) see
tariffs reduced, with Scotch whisky duties dropping from 150% to 40% over a decade.
99% of Indian exports (textiles, jewellery, shrimp) gain duty-free UK access.
Sectoral exclusions: UK protections for sugar, rice, and poultry shield domestic producers.
Economic projections: Bilateral trade is expected to grow by £25.5 billion annually by 2040, boosting UK GDP by £4.8 billion.
Opportunities and gaps: While the deal benefits UK automakers and whisky producers, critics note limited progress on services (e.g., legal, digital) and rules of origin complexities.
India’s fast-growing middle class offers long-term potential, but immediate gains are modest.
Export performance: Non-EU exports surged 36% year-on-year in February 2025, partly driven by Indian demand.
The UK’s March 2025 exports to India grew 19% month-on-month, though starting from a low base.
US Trade Accord: Strategic wins amid tariff uncertainty
The US-UK tariff agreement, also announced in May 2025, focuses on sector-specific relief:
Automotive: Tariffs on UK car exports cut from 27.5% to 10% for the first 100,000 vehicles - a benefit for Jaguar Land Rover, which exported 90,000 cars to the US in 2024.
Steel and aluminium: US tariffs eliminated, supporting Britain’s £2.8 billion steel industry.
Agriculture: A 13,000-tonne quota for UK beef exports, although broader US 10% tariffs remain.
Strategic context: The deal aligns with US President Donald Trump’s “reciprocal tariffs” policy, imposing a 10% baseline on all imports. While avoiding a full-scale trade conflict, the agreement excludes contentious issues like the UK’s digital services tax.
Export challenges: UK goods exports to the US fell 7% in March 2025 after a January peak. However, the US
remains the UK’s top non-EU partner, accounting for 21% of exports.
Clouds on the horizon
Trade deficit: The UK’s goods trade deficit widened to £55.6 billion in Q1 2025, driven by rising EU imports. Services surplus narrowed slightly to £50 billion emphasising the importance of services to UK trade.
Geopolitical risks: Trump’s threat of 50% EU tariffs and China-US tensions cloud the outlook.
Sector resilience: Advanced manufacturing, defence, and renewable energy exports are growth areas, with the UK-EU defence pact unlocking access to a share of €150 billion in procurement opportunities.
Conclusion: A fragile rebalance
The UK’s 2025 trade strategy focuses on leveraging niche advantages - financial services, premium goods, and defence technology, while addressing post-Brexit friction.
The EU deal offers stability but poses regulatory challenges, the India FTA opens high-growth markets with certain limitations and could impact UK employment market, and the US accord provides targeted relief amid broader protectionist policies. For exporters, adaptability is essential.
Steelmakers and automakers gain support, while agrifood and tech sectors face evolving compliance demands.
As global trade evolves, the UK’s ability to uphold its “Global Britain” vision will depend on balancing sovereignty with practical alignment.
is a successful exporter and has been doing so through a variety of different businesses. He is currently Marketing Advisor at Forest and Co who specialise in offering guidance on branding, exporting and sales: www.forestandco.com
Useful links: gov.uk/ business-and-industry/ exporting gov.uk/government/ publications/export-strategymade-in-the-uk -sold-to-theworld/made-in-the-uk-soldto-the-world-web-version export.org.uk britishchambers.org.uk
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Tony Goodman MBE
Continued from previous page
&exporting logistics
First phase of multimodal freight strategy published
This Solent to the Midlands Multimodal Freight Strategy study forms part of Network Rail’s Long-Term Planning Process and Highways England’s Route Strategy and Pioneer Projects work, both of which are designed to identify investment priorities for the future.
Key findings include:
Roads are critical to complete the door to door journeys for shorter distances, such as regional and local movements or the last mile from a rail freight interchange. Rail is most cost effective over longer distances and for higher loads.
Rail and road both have similar reliability in terms of journey times, key for freight consumers where much freight is time dependent.
Modal shift to rail provides an opportunity to free up road capacity on the Solent to Midlands corridor, especially for those journeys that are greater than 50 miles and greater than 100 miles for bulk and consumer goods respectively.
The Solent to the Midlands route is one of the most important freight corridors in the South. It links the major port of Southampton with the numerous distribution centres and economic hubs of the Midlands, North and Scotland.
The Solent Ports, particularly Southampton, are in favourable locations for connections to the global freight and logistics market due to their proximity to the main shipping lanes. The Midlands is home to a high
concentration of large distribution centres and warehouses – the socalled ‘Golden Triangle’ of freight distribution.
The A34, managed by Highways England, links the Solent Ports and the Midlands and is closely mirrored by the equivalent rail route, owned and operated by Network Rail. The parallel nature of the road and rail routes means that it is an ideal candidate for cross-modal analysis.
Paul McMahon, Network Rail’s managing director for the System Operator said:
“Both our organisations have a shared goal of keeping Britain moving, as well as contributing to achieving the government’s target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
This study contributes to these goals by demonstrating how both networks could be used more efficiently in terms of their overall capacity and their carbon footprint.”
Elliot Shaw, Highways England executive director of strategy and planning, said:
“Highways England and Network Rail operate two of the country’s most important transport infrastructure networks for the freight and logistics industries. The Solent to Midlands Joint Strategic Study is a good example of us working together to identify the optimum solutions that could benefit road and rail users, the economy and the environment.”
Taking a holistic approach, the study uses data to identify where there may be freight flows that currently use road but could be better served by rail. It also outlines the significant benefits that modal shift to rail offers both to freight end-users but also to the wider road and rail networks.
Phase 1 of this freight strategy outlines the potential for change and the scale of the benefits that could be achieved.
Air, Sea, Road, and Customs, keeping regional trade connected, efficient, and competitive
Based in Stockport, ASL Worldwide is a freight forwarder built around the needs of North West businesses.
Whether you’re shipping urgent components by air, importing containers from Asia, or moving heavy equipment across the UK and Europe, we simplify freight so you can focus on what matters, growing your business.
We don’t just book shipments, we manage logistics end-to-end with hands-on support, local expertise, and proactive communication. From manufacturers in Bolton to eCommerce brands in Salford, we take the stress out of freight for companies across the region.
Why North West businesses choose ASL
Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and Cheshire move over £17 billion worth of
goods every year. Yet many companies still rely on London-based providers or call centre-style logistics services. That often means slower responses, less flexibility, and limited visibility.
ASL was founded to change that.
“We’re built for businesses who want global reach, but also a responsive, regional partner they can get on the phone.” - Bryn Atherton, ASL Director
From day one, we’ve focused on service, not scale. That means fast quotes, honest advice, and named contacts who understand your supply chain and solve problems before they escalate.
The North West’s One-Stop Freight Partner
Our Core Services
Air Freight
We provide reliable air freight solutions with daily departures from Manchester Airport, covering urgent shipments, consolidations, and global routing.
• Express uplift globally to & from UK
• Export consolidation to reduce cost per kilo
• Dangerous goods (DG) certified handling
• Live tracking and digital PODs as standard
• Pre-clearance and customs coordination
Ocean Freight
Our ocean freight team handles FCL and LCL imports and exports with weekly space allocations and trusted agent support worldwide.
• Weekly sailings on key East-West trade lanes
• China, S.E. Asia and India Subcontinent lane specialists
• Annual rate contracts to reduce volatility
• Port-to-door coordination and devanning options
• Full documentation, insurance and clearance
Road Freight and Heavy Haul
Flexible road freight solutions for everything from local deliveries to oversized, abnormal loads across the UK and Europe.
• Same-day collections across Greater Manchester
• Nationwide and EU-wide trailer coverage
• Out-of-gauge and abnormal load transport
• Coordinated site delivery with time-critical slots
Warehousing & Project Logistics
Value-added handling and project support tailored for businesses with oversized,
sensitive or complex movements.
• Bonded warehousing in Trafford Park
• 100-ton gantry depot for heavy/breakbulk cargo
• Pick & pack, rework, devanning and distribution
• Multi-leg project coordination with full visibility
Customs Brokerage & Compliance
Our in-house team handles customs entries quickly and accurately, so your goods keep moving without delays.
• Import/export declarations across all modes
• Classification, licensing, and VAT guidance
• Same-day clearance for 95% of entries
• Operate under BIFA Standard Trading Conditions
• Ongoing audit support and documentation control
What makes us different
Regional Focus, Global Coverage
We specialise in supporting North West companies with a global agent network, but always keep service personal and local.
Transparent, Predictable Pricing
Our rates are clearly presented and often locked in by contract, so you’re not caught out by hidden fees or seasonal surcharges.
Dedicated Account Management
Every client gets a named contact. No switchboards. No helpdesks. Just responsive communication from someone who knows your freight.
Scalable, Flexible Service
From a single pallet to a 30-ton piece of machinery, we scale to your volumes, timelines and operational needs.
We take the stress out
of logistics
We keep your supply chain running so your team can focus on production, customer delivery and business growth, not chasing freight.
By the numbers, 2024 performance
• 560+ consignments handled for North West companies
• 32% year-on-year growth in shipment volume
• 98% on-time uplift across all modes
• 15% average saving compared to national forwarders
• 0 customs compliance issues or cargo claims
• 50+ companies on active service agreements
• 30+ trusted international agent partners
Who we work with
We support a wide range of North West industries including:
• Engineering and manufacturing
• Consumer goods and eCommerce
• Construction and infrastructure
• Automotive and precision components
• Chemicals (non-hazardous)
• Events, exhibitions and film freight
Whether you’re running a single warehouse or a multi-site operation, we tailor our logistics to fit your priorities, cost, control, or speed.
Get in Touch
ASL Worldwide helps North West companies move smarter. If you’re looking for fewer delays, better visibility, and a logistics partner that understands the region, we’d love to hear from you.
Phone: +44 (0)161 637 1961 Email:
Continued from previous page
&exporting logistics
Your supply chain revolution starts now: Multimodal 2025 is
MEDIA PARTNER
Prepare to shape the future of logistics at Multimodal 2025, the UK’s leading supply chain and logistics event.
Returning for its 18th year from June 17th to 19th at the NEC Birmingham, Multimodal offers unparalleled three-day immersion into innovation, connection, and opportunity for the entire logistics community.
Multimodal 2025 will once again connect shippers and cargo owners with a comprehensive array of logistics providers, facilitating more efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions.
Hosting every logistics sector, the event provides invaluable face-toface contact with new prospects and existing suppliers across key verticals including manufacturing, retail, agribusiness, chemicals, automotive,
electronics, FMCG, food & drink, fashion, pharmaceuticals, construction, aerospace, energy, real estate, recycling, paper/print, and perishables.
Building on a record-breaking 2024, which saw a sold-out exhibition with 307 exhibitors and 13,003 visitors, alongside a fully subscribed awards ceremony, Multimodal 2025 is set to be even more impactful.
The logistics industry’s digital transformation, driven by automation,
AI, and data analytics, will be a central focus, offering attendees firsthand exploration of these technologies. Sustainability and ethical practices will also be prominent, showcasing the industry’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
The free-to-attend conference programme, spanning four theatres and featuring insights from leaders at Logistics UK, UKWA, BIFA, CCF, RFG, CILT, CIOE&IT, and the RHA, is a powerful knowledge engine.
The return of Google Digital Garage, with nine sessions and personalised mentoring, will boost attendees’ digital marketing skills. A key new feature for 2025 is the AI Clinic, offering interactive sessions and expert consultations on leveraging AI to transform logistics operations.
The 2025 conference will address critical global trade issues, including the impact of the recent US administration changes on tariffs, alongside deep dives into AI and ML applications in logistics. Key discussion topics include global trade dynamics, AI and ML integration, sustainability, economic uncertainty, and talent management.
The Multimodal exhibition will feature hundreds of leading companies, including Malcolm Logistics, Kuehne+Nagel, CMACGM, Howard Tenens, Maersk, Freightliner,
is here!
DP World, Samskip, Port of Boulogne Calais, ONE, and MSC, showcasing the latest supply chain innovations. Networking opportunities abound with the Multimodal Awards on June 17th and the free Multimodal Mixer on June 18th.
The Multimodal Awards, celebrating excellence across all freight modes, will announce its winners on June 17th at the VOX Centre, hosted by the renowned Martin Bayfield – on the field he enjoyed a successful international career, winning 31 England caps and two Grand Slams. He played in the World Cup in South Africa and was selected to represent the British Lions in New Zealand. He is now an established member of the BBC commentary team, as well as host of Channel Five’s NFL coverage and The World’s Strongest Man. As one of the tallest players in rugby, his height has helped him win the part of Robbie Coltrane’s body double as the giant Hagrid in the Harry Potter films.
Multimodal 2025 is more than an event; it’s your platform to redefine your supply chain, unlock new opportunities, and secure your competitive advantage.
multimodal.org.uk
Kelly Jackson, Vicky Lakin
Paul Daine, Steve Swinburn, Paul King, Clare Murtagh
Helen Bennett
Paul Mirage, Paul King
Paul O’Carroll, Emma Linton
Tony Rhoades, Paul Walsh
Graham Shiers with cheque winner Emma Linton
SOUTH MANCHESTER & CHESTER
Martin Brelsford
Eloise Lee Phoebe Wakeman
Paul Mirage and Nicola Palin
Simon Edmondson, John Galloway
Joseph Cortman, Bryn Atherton
Paul Mirage, Emma Beal
Danny Franks (and Win Edmondson!)
Dina Railean, Lisa Moizer, Nicole Fearon
wellbeing
When is your most stressful time of the day?
When is the most stressful time of the day for you?
A 2023 survey of 2,000 people by Rescue Remedy has revealed that 7.23am is the most stressful time for many.
There are a multitude of reasons why this could be the case.
It may be due to over-sleeping, concerns about work, dread about the day ahead, the commute or getting the children up and out of the house. All are valid and many could well be regular occurrences, filling each day with tension and stress.
Existing stress levels can be exacerbated if something sudden or unexpected occurs, like dropping or spilling something or when things don’t go to plan.
Of course, there will be unavoidable situations that crop up from time to time; we can’t plan for a major traffic incident or a flat type. But constant low levels of stress don’t have to be lived with.
Let’s look at some ways to improve your stress levels when getting up in the morning.
Start by going to bed at a time that allows you enough sleep. If you need to get up at 6am and want eight hours sleep, commit to going to bed at approximately 10pm. Then calculate backwards from your intended bedtime, assessing what needs to be done before bed. Prioritise the items which can be done comfortably within that time.
If the morning journey is always stressful due to heavy traffic, might it be worth considering reorganising your day to alleviate that?
Perhaps travel to work earlier and join a gym nearby, or take your breakfast with you to have at the office.
If you’ve children, would it help if you booked them into an early morning club or shared drop-offs and pick-ups with another parent?
Prepare what you can the night
before. Lay out your clothes, make your packed lunch, put kit and the next day’s bags near the front door, ready to go.
Maybe write a list of what needs to be done each day, so that you sleep better, reassured in the knowledge that you won’t forget essential items.
Also, make sure to schedule breaks throughout your day. Rather than plough from one task to the next take regular breaks and acknowledge each achievement, no matter how small.
A phone call, resolved query or answered email are all minisuccesses that you can smile about, rather than simply dismiss as you move onto the next item on your ‘to do’ list.
Take a break every ninety minutes or so. A glass of water, piece of fruit or walk outside can be a good way to let your mind detach a little from being fully engaged in work mode.
Unsurprisingly, people usually find that they’re less stressed, work better and are clearer-headed when they return to their work stations after a break.
Access to fresh air and daylight can improve our ability to cope with stress as it tops up our vitamin D levels. Going for a walk, run or bicycle ride can be positive ways to destress, exercise and provide healthy opportunities to take a break, all the better if you spend the time in the company of a pleasant friend or colleague.
Ensure there’s some fun in your diary to look forward to. Some times of the year can feel especially long and dark. Having a fun time scheduled can break the tedium. Even a phone call or catch-up with a friend over coffee or a light lunch can make a dull day brighter and is a good way to minimise stress.
Sharing and talking things through with friends or family can echo the sentiments of the saying ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’. Feeling listened to and supported is an effective way to manage stress, thus enabling you to wake up with a clearer head, feeling more upbeat and in control.
Nutrition is important. If early mornings are not good times for you to eat, then maybe take something to work or keep a bag of washed fruit in the car.
‘Breakfast is the most important meal of the day’ was a slogan invented for a breakfast cereal company’s advertising campaign, which has since been perceived as a statement of truth. Even so, it’s important to kick start our metabolisms with healthy choices, rather than a diet of coffee and sugary snacks. Wholegrain toast, porridge and fruit are good ways to start the day.
First thing in the morning should be, ideally, a time to awaken - feeling rested, refreshed and eagerly anticipating the day that lies ahead and the opportunities that may well come our way. Yes, we may have to
reschedule certain items or readjust our plans at times, but a little forward planning can manage stress and be a valuable investment in each day. It helps life become more positive and fulfilling.
Susan Leigh MNCH (ACC) South Manchester counsellor, hypnotherapist, relationship counsellor, writer and media contributor offers help with relationship issues, stress management, assertiveness and confidence. She works with individual clients, couples and provides corporate workshops and support.
She’s author of 3 books, ‘Dealing with Stress, Managing its Impact’, ‘101 Days of Inspiration #tipoftheday’ and ‘Dealing with Death, Coping with the Pain’, all on Amazon and with easy to read sections, tips and ideas to help you feel more positive about your life.
To order a copy or for more information, help and free articles please call 0161 928 7880 or visit www.lifestyletherapy.net
places to meet
Chamber Space
Meeting and Conference Facilities, Hourly rates, 4-160 capacity, Full venue capacity 400, range of catering options, unlimited tea/coffee with room hire
Elliot House, 151 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WD
chamberspace@gmchamber.co.uk 0161 393 4321 gmchamber.co.uk/chamber-space
Cottons Hotel & Spa
10 minutes to Manchester Airport, 138 bedrooms, 13 meeting rooms capacity 200 delegates, 3 dining areas, AA Rosette awarded terrace restaurant Manchester Road, Knutsford WA16 0SU
mandyrenshaw@cottonshotel.co.uk 01565 600333 www.cottonshotel.co.uk
DoubleTree By Hilton
Manchester Airport
230 bedrooms, 11 meeting rooms, restaurant and bar, 24Hr gym, On-site parking, airport shuttle Outwood Lane, Manchester M90 4WP
cheryl.garnett@dtmanchesterairport.com 0161 435 3000 www.hilton.com/manchesterairport
Delta Hotels By Marriott
Liverpool
Brew bar lounge, Merchant suite function room, fitness centre, Oliver’s breakfast restaurant
1 Queen Square, Liverpool, L1 1RH libby.blackwell@deltahotels.com 07818 309988 marriott.com/LPLDE
Delta Hotels By Marriott
Manchester Airport
Brasserie Blanc Bar and Restaurant, San Carlo Restaurant, Leisure Club, 12 Meeting and Function Rooms, Airport Shuttle Service
Hale Road, Hale Barns, Manchester WA15 8XW
libby.blackwell@deltahotels.com 07818 309988 marriott.com/MANDA ---------------------------------------
Hollinwood
Business Centre
Meeting rooms, Free hi-speed wifi, Free Parking, Café, Touch screen TV, 60 people capacity Albert Street, Hollinwood, Oldham OL8 3QL
walter.urquhart@bizspace.co.uk 0161 511 9450 bizspace.co.uk
Incspaces
Meeting rooms, Office space, Free Wi-Fi, Event space, Co-working, Capacity 1-50 2 Mount Street, Manchester M2 5WQ joanna.pawlikowski@incspaces.co.uk 07717 191851 incspaces.co.uk
Landmark Manchester Venues
Meeting Rooms (1-20 seats), Hourly, Half Day and Full Day rates, Free refreshments, Free Hi-Speed Wi-Fi, Co-working space available, Breakfast and Lunch can be ordered upon request
Chancery Place, 50 Brown Street, Manchester M2 2JG
3 Hardman Square, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3EB
Enquiries@landmarkspace.co.uk 020 3993 7487 landmarkspace.co.uk
Leeds Marriott Hotel
Events space, Executive Lounge, Bar & Grill, Executive Rooms and Suites, 17 Meeting and Event Spaces
4 Trevelyan Square, Boar Lane Leeds LS1 6ET zoe.hands@marriott.com 01132 366366 www.leedsmarriott.com
Manchester Central Convention Centre
Large and small scale conferences, Meeting rooms, Event spaces, Central location Petersfield, Manchester M2 3GX sales@manchestercentral.co.uk 0161 834 2700 manchestercentral.co.uk
Marriott Hotel
Manchester Airport
Brasserie Blanc Bar & Restaurant, San Carlo Bar & Restaurant, Executive lounge, 2 Function spaces (140 and 50 capacities), Courtyard (private outdoor dining)
Hale Road, Hale Barns, Manchester WA15 8XW
libby.blackwell@deltahotels.com 07881 312158 manchesterairportmarriott.co.uk
Marriott Manchester
Victoria and Albert Hotel
148 bedrooms and suites, 9 meeting and event rooms with capacity for 240 people theatre style, Restaurant and bar, South facing terrace, Private dining, Business centre
Water Street, St John’s, Manchester M3 4AW askus@thevanda.co.uk 0161 832 1188 marriott.com/manva
Marriott Hotel
Liverpool City Centre
Brew Bar (food and drinks), Oliviers breakfast restaurant, Merchant Bar (private bar/event space), 2 Function spaces (240 and 50 capacities)
One Queen Square, Liverpool L1 1RH libby.blackwell@deltahotels.com 07881 312158 liverpoolmarriott.co.uk
[One] London Road
Meeting Rooms, Co-working space, Free tea and coffee, Free WiFi, Screen and projector, Roof terrace
1 London Road, Alderley Edge SK9 7JU host@onelrd.com 01625 856666 onelrd.com
Orega Arkwright House
Crompton (seats 10) and Hargreaves (seats 8) meeting rooms, both come with Free WiFi, Clevertouch screens, Video Conferencing, Catering (extra cost) Parsonage Gardens, Manchester M3 2LF reception.arkwright@orega.com 0161 667 8100 orega.com/manchester-arkwright-house
Regus Digital World
Meeting rooms of various sizes, Free hi-speed WiFi, Central location, Beautiful roof terrace 1 Lowry Plaza, The Quays, Salford M50 3UB
uk.meetingrooms@regus.com 0161 601 7700 regus.com
Regus New City House
Fully serviced, private 10 person and 4 person meeting rooms, free hi-speed wifi, central location, close to motorway
57-63 Ringway (Ground and first floor), Preston PR1 6AF preston.newcityhouse@regus.com 01772 984651 regus.com
Regus Preston The Docklands
Fully serviced, Offices & meeting rooms of various sizes, Free hi-speed wifi, Business lounge
Unit 5, Albert Edward House, Preston PR2 2YB
preston.thedocklands@regus.com 01772 889800 myregus.com
Regus Spinningfields
Fully serviced, private meeting rooms, Free high-speed broadband, whiteboards, TV/projector, refreshments, Meeting rooms of varying sizes
10th Floor, 3 Hardman Street, Manchester M3 3HF
uk.meetingrooms@regus.com 0800 279 7131 regus.com
Regus St James Tower
Meeting rooms of various sizes, Hi-speed WiFi, Central location and good traffic links
7 Charlotte Street, Manchester M1 4DZ
uk.meetingrooms@regus.com 0161 521 9800 regus.com
Regus Trafford Park
10 person, 6 person and 4 person meeting rooms, Free WiFi, Free Parking, Close to Motorway
4th Floor, Centenary House, 1 Centenary Way, Manchester M5O 1RF
manchester.traffpark@regus.com 0161 504 2500 www.regus.com
Shout Connect Meeting and Conference rooms (1-80 persons), Free WiFi, Free parking, Co-working space, Podcast suite, American style diner with free tea/coffee/water when booked Unit 2, Edward VII Quay, Navigation Way, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston PR2 2YF richard@shoutnetwork.co.uk 01772 935930 shoutconnect.co.uk
SPACES Deansgate
Boardroom style meeting rooms, Presentation style training room, On-site Deli, Parking (chargeable), Hi-speed WiFi, Cycle store
125 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2BY
uk.meetingrooms@regus.com 0161 519 2000 www.spacesworks.com
The Life Centre 10 meeting rooms, Capacity of 2 - 250 people, In-house catering, Free WiFi, Free onsite parking, Projector or TV in every meeting room 235 Washway Road, Sale, Cheshire M33 4BP enquiries@lifecentremcr.com 0161 850 0770 lifecentremcr.com
voco Manchester Bed and breakfast, Cosy meeting rooms, Large banquet space, Accessible rooms, Designed for disabled guests 59 Portland Street, Manchester M1 3HP khealey@bespokehotels.com 0161 518 2936 www.hotelbrooklyn.co.uk
Worsley Park Marriott Hotel
Restaurant and Bar, 9 Meeting rooms, Leisure club & Gym, 18 Hole Golf Course Walkden Road, Manchester M28 2QT
Aimie.spearpoint@marriotthotels.com 0161 975 2000 www.marriottworsleypark.co.uk
If you currently have the printed edition of Business Connect Magazine available at your venue and you’d like to feature in our Places to Meet section please contact Paul Mirage at paul@businessconnectpublishing.co.uk
If you’d like to host our magazine at your site and feature on this page please contact Paul at the above email.
diary dates
BITA (British and Irish Trading Alliance)
BITA Liverpool Networking Lunch
5 Sept 12.00noon - 5.00pm
Venue Anfield Stadium, Anfield, Liverpool, L4 0TF
Cost £120+VAT, Discounts for members
BITA Liverpool Monthly Social Networking
10 Jul 5.00pm - 7.00pm, every 2nd Thurs
Venue Fazenda Rodizio Bar & Grill, Horton House, Exchange Flags, Exchange St E, Liverpool L2 3YL
BITA Manchester Monthly Social Networking
21 Aug 5.00pm - 7.00pm, every 3rd Thurs
Venue The Lawn Club, Hardman Square, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3HG
BITA London Monthly Social Networking
2 Jul 6.00pm - late, every 1st Weds
Venue The Rising Sun, 61 Carter Lane, Fleet Street, London EC4V 5DY
Cost FREE for all monthly social events
BNI Vision Stockport
Weekly every Weds 9.15am
Venue Bramhall Park Golf CLub, 20 Manor Road, Bramhall, Stockport SK7 3LY
Cost Please enquire
Contact Stephen Gomes 0161 956 2656
BUSINESS FAIRS 2025
Annual fairs across Northern venues.
Free to visit, all sectors welcome to exhibit.
Greater Manchester Business Fair 2025
10 Jul 10.30am - 3.00pm
Venue Mercure Bolton Georgian House Hotel, Manchester Road, Blackrod, Bolton BL6 5RU
Wirral & Chester Business Fair 2025
25 Sep 10.30am - 3.00pm
Venue New Brighton Floral Pavilion, Marine Promenade, New Brighton CH45 2JS
Bradford Business Fair 2025
16 Oct 10.30am - 3.00pm
Venue Mercure Bradford Bankfield Hotel, Bradford Road, Bingley BD16 1TU
Halton & Warrington Business Fair 2025
13 Nov 10.30am - 3.00pm
Venue DCBL Stadium Halton, Lower House Lane, Widnes WA8 7DZ
Cost FREE to visit (pre-registration required)
Contact Tony Haines tony@liverpoolba.com 0151 709 8932
Business Catalyst Club
Manchester and Leeds Networking Lunches
Manchester – 3 Jul, 23 Oct
Leeds – 18 Sep, 27 Nov
Costs, Timings, Venues and booking detailscontact organisers below (invitation only):
Contact Graham Shiers 07818 675 310 www.businesscatalystclub.co.uk
Carlisle Ambassadors
Regular showcase and networking events. Visit website for latest events.
Venue Carlisle Racecourse, Durdar Road, Carlisle CA2 4TS
Cost £10+Fees (eventbrite)
Contact Michelle Masters 07810 224 735 carlisleambassadors.co.uk
CHESHIRE BUSINESS
EXHIBITIONS 2025
Business fairs across Cheshire venues.
Business Connect Magazine are media partners.
Crewe 17 Sep 10.00am - 3.00pm
Venue The Mornflake Stadium, Gresty Road, Crewe CW2 6EB
Stockport 10 Dec 10.00am - 3.00pm
Venue Edgeley Park, Hardcastle Road, Edgeley, Stockport SK3 9DD
Cost FREE to visit (pre-registration required)
Contact Leon Broster 01270 919 500 leon.broster@cheshirebusinessexpos.co.uk
DTX Digital Transformation Expo
2 Day Expos in Manchester and London
DTX London
1 Oct 2025 9.30am - 5.30pm
2 Oct 2025 9.30am - 4.30pm
Venue ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London E16 1XL
Cost FREE (pre-registration required).
Manchester Contact dtxevents.io
FM North
Networking event for professionals in the FM, Cleaning and Construction Sector
4th Weds of each month
25 Jun 4.00pm - 9.00pm
Venue The Lawn Club, Hardman Square, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3HG
Cost FREE
Contact danny.cross@tennantco.com
Greater Manchester
Chamber of Commerce
Events, support, updates, revues, networking
Visit the GMCC website for a full range of listings and events.
Contact communicate@gmchamber.co.uk gmchamber.co.uk
High Peak Business Club
Regular monthly breakfast networking
All meetings - Fridays 7.30am - 9.30am
Venue Disley Golf Club, Stanley Hall Lane, Disley, Stockport SK12 2JX
Cost £25
Share Club meets monthly on Thursdays: Contact edwinacurrie@sky.com highpeakbusinessclub.co.uk
K-Club
Entrepreneurs Networking Manchester based
Contact Amanda Manson 07754 069 829 k-club.co.uk
MBH Business Networking
Business networking
Venue Manchester based
Cost FREE
Contact kyle@mpostcode.co.uk manchesterevents.mpostcode.co.uk
Multimodal 2025
3 Day Supply Chain Expo. Business Connect
Magazine are media partners
30 Jun 2026 10.00am - 5.00pm
1 Jul 2026 10.00am - 7.00pm
2 Jul 2026 10.00am - 3.00pm
Venue Hall 4, NEC, Marston Green Birmingham B40 1NT
Cost FREE (pre-registration required, tickets available soon from website). Contact multimodal.org.uk
pro-manchester
Full programme of events available online.
Contact Nicola McCormick 07929 671755 nicola.mccormick@pro-manchester.co.uk pro-manchester.co.uk
Property Catalyst Club
Leeds Networking Lunches for the Property Sector - 9 Oct
Costs, Timings, Venues and booking detailscontact organisers below (invitation only):
Contact Graham Shiers 07818 675 310 www.propertycatalystclub.co.uk
SHOUT
BUSINESS
EXPOS 2025
Annual business fairs across Northern venues. Free to visit, all sectors welcome to exhibit. Business Connect Magazine are media partners and supporters.
Cumbria Business Expo 2025 19 Sep 9.00am - 3.00pm
Venue Carlisle Racecourse, Durdar Road, Carlisle CA2 4TS
North West Business Expo 2025 24 Oct 9.00am - 3.00pm
Venue Bolton Stadium Hotel, De Havilland Way, Bolton BL6 6SF
Cost FREE to visit (pre-registration required)
Contact shoutexpo.com
Shout Network
Fortnightly networking. Breakfast or lunch
included. Venues across the Northwest.
Accrington Wednesday at 9.30am
Accrington Stanley Community Trust BB5 6BD
Blackburn Friday at 8.00am
Dunkenhalgh Hotel BB5 5JP
Blackpool Friday at 12.00noon
Hampton by Hilton, Blackpool FY4 1NG
Bolton Tuesday at 9.30am
Last Drop Village BL7 9PZ
Bolton Wednesday at 8.00am
Bolton Stadium Hotel BL6 6SF
Burnley Thursday at 9.30am
The Landmark Burnley BB11 1UF
Bury Tuesday 9.30am
Bury Business Lodge BL9 5BT
Chorley Thursday at 9.30am
Oak Royal Golf Club PR6 8SW
Clitheroe Tuesday at 9.30am
Holmes Mill BB7 1EB
Leyland Thursday at 9.30am
Fox Lane Sports Club PR25 1HB
Liverpool Friday at 12.00noon
Ropewalks Hotel L1 4AU
Manchester Wednesday at 12.00noon
The Promise@Leyland Farm M28 1BD
Preston Wednesday at 9.00am
Shout Connect HQ PR2 2YF
Preston Friday at 12.00noon
Shout Connect HQ PR2 2YF
Rossendale Friday at 9.30am
The Firepit BB4 6AJ
Southport Tuesday at 9.30am
The Grand, Southport PR9 0QG
South Ribble Tuesday at 9.30am
Civic Centre Leyland PR25 1NS
Wrea Green Friday at 8.00am
The Villa Wrea Green PR4 2PE
Fortnightly networking is on a sector
lock-out basis. Costs also vary.
Contact 01772 935930 info@shoutnetwork.co.uk shoutnetwork.co.uk
Small Business Sunday #SBS
Competition every Sunday for Small Businesses to raise their profiles on X and Instagram 5.00pm - 7.30pm Info www.theopaphitissbs.com/about/
The Business Network Manchester
Business networking lunch - inc seminars (all optional 10.00am start).
19 Jun Noon - 2.00pm
Venue Hyatt Regency Manchester, 5 Booth St W, Manchester M15 6PQ
Cost £57.50
16 Jul + 28 Aug Noon - 2.00pm
Venue Lowry Hotel, 50 Dearmans Place, Salford M3 5LH
Cost £57.50
Contact Helen Bennett 0161 823 1384 helen@business-network.co.uk business-network.co.uk
The Business Network
South Humberside
Business networking lunch
- inc seminars (all optional 10.15am start).
2 Jul 11.45am - 2.00pm
Venue Forest Pines Hotel, Ermine Street, Broughton, Brigg DN20 0AQ
6 Aug 11.45am - 2.00pm (seminars start 10.15am)
Venue San Pietro, 11 High Street East, Scunthorpe DN15 6UH
3 Sep 11.45am - 2.00pm
Venue Abbys Upsatairs, Abbys Bistro 12-16 Abbeygate, Grimsby DN31 1JY
Cost for all events £40.00
Contact Amy Heward 07908 258 354 amy@business-network.co.uk business-network-south-humberside.co.uk
The Business Network
South Manchester + Chester
Business networking lunch
- inc seminars (all optional 10.00am start).
South Manchester
3 Jul + 9 Oct 11.30am - 2.00pm
Venue The Alderley Edge Hotel, Macclesfield Road, Alderley edge, Cheshire SK9 7BJ
6 Nov + 4 Dec 11.30am - 2.00pm
Venue The Pinewood on Wilmslow, 180 Wilmslow Road, Handforth SK9 3LF Chester
11 Jun + 9 Jul 12noon - 2.00pm
Venue The Queen At Chester Hotel, City Road, Chester, CH1 3AH
7 Aug 11.30am - 2.00pm
Venue Forest Hills Hotel, Overton Hill, Frodsham WA6 6HH
Cost for all events £55.00
Contact Simon Edmondson 07766 493428
Simon.Edmondson@business-network.co.uk business-network-south-manchester.co.uk
The Heath Networking
Monthly Informal Networking for SMEs
26 Jun 11.45am - 1.45pm
Venue The Heath Business & Technical Park Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 4QX
Cost FREE
Contact Anthony Stonebanks 01928 513368 anthony.stonebanks@sog.ltd.uk theheath.com/events/
The Original Manchester Curry Club
Monthly Informal Networking lunches for SMEs
Contact organisers for details.
Venue Rajdoot Tandoori, Carlton House, Albert Square, Manchester M2 5PE
Cost £20 for 3 courses
Contact Kerry Bland 07966 275454
UKREiiF 2026
The UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum.
3 Day conference - 19 May, 20 May, 21 May. Business Connect are Media Partners.
Venue Royal Armouries, New Dock, Armouries Drive, Leeds LS10 1LT
Cost £915+VAT (early release only)
Contact Sales Enquiries: opportunities@built-environmentnetworking.com
Media & Marketing Enquiries: nathan.spencer@ukreiif.com
Please note
If you plan to attend any of the above events please ensure all details are correct in advance.
Whilst every effort has been made to confirm accuracy, some details may be subject to change.
