Author: Sam Allcock

Russell Wright-Turner has officially joined the ownership group of Zerum, a leading multi-disciplinary property consultancy, marking a significant development for the firm. Having been a vital part of Zerum for several years, Wright-Turner will continue to lead and expand the consultancy’s cost management business in his new role as partner. Wright-Turner first joined Zerum in 2020 as head of the cost management division. Since then, he has spearheaded a team dedicated to delivering high-quality project services across various sectors, including residential, commercial, purpose-built student accommodation, hotels, and retail. His leadership has seen Zerum’s cost management team contribute to a series…

Toluna, a prominent global insights and research technology provider, has introduced its latest innovation, QProbe, as part of its AI Everywhere strategy. This cutting-edge tool aims to revolutionise both quantitative and qualitative research by providing conversational insights. QProbe’s initial launch focuses on improving the depth and quality of open-ended survey responses, offering more nuanced insights from respondents. The introduction of QProbe has shown impressive results, significantly enhancing the quality of open-ended answers in up to 90% of cases. The tool operates using two layers of artificial intelligence. The first layer interprets the stimulus to give context to the survey prompts,…

A former contestant of Married at First Sight (MAFS) has shared crucial insights for those considering participating in the reality TV phenomenon. The participant emphasised the importance of personal time and self-care, suggesting that contestants should not neglect their mental and physical health amid the pressures of filming. Reflecting on her experience, she stated, “It’s a very testing environment, and you don’t know who you’re going to be with. You need to make sure that you’re on top form.” She highlighted her commitment to self-care practices, including journaling, which she described as a significant part of her journey. “I did…

Inco Contracts’ North West office is celebrating a record-breaking first half of the year, marked by a significant surge in commercial work and its first contract at Manchester Airport. The principal contractors, who specialise in turnkey commercial and industrial refurbishments, have been appointed by Quartz Project Services to carry out extensive external decoration at the World Freight Terminal, valued at £1 million. The project involves a comprehensive renovation of six operational units, including replacing skylights, lining gutters, coating roofs, and refurbishing external elevations. Inco Contracts plans to deploy up to 20 professionals on-site at any given time, with the aim…

A landmark £6 million redevelopment project to convert former offices into luxury apartments on Manchester’s iconic King Street has been successfully completed. The project, located at 58-66 King Street, was managed by RECOM Solutions on behalf of asset manager DTZ Investors. The transformation of the 24,000 sq ft Grade II listed building, now known as Kingsgate House, has resulted in the creation of 24 one- and two-bedroom flats spread across four floors, including ancillary areas at the ground floor and basement levels. This marks the first residential development in the prime retail area of lower King Street. The luxury apartments…

On September 24, 2024, Huawei announced its recognition as a 2024 Gartner® Peer Insights™ Customers’ Choice in the Voice of the Customer for Enterprise Wired and Wireless LAN Infrastructure. This accolade is particularly notable as it marks the fifth consecutive year Huawei has received this esteemed distinction, reinforcing its position in the competitive landscape of network infrastructure. Huawei’s Xinghe Intelligent Campus offerings were highlighted as key contributors to this recognition, which reflects the positive feedback from customers across various sectors, including manufacturing, IT services, education, and telecommunications. The company received Customers’ Choice distinctions in four out of six customer segments,…

LSH Auto recently hosted its third networking event in support of the Women of the Year Awards, attracting over 70 delegates to its flagship site on Brighton Road, Stockport. The sold-out event aimed to empower women and create connections across different sectors, reinforcing the importance of female representation in business. Among the guest speakers were notable figures such as Bea Armstead, Belonging and Engagement Manager at the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), Nicole Sealey, CEO and star of Real Housewives of Cheshire, and Alexa Cherry, Group Director of Sales for Dakota Hotels. Their presence lent valuable insights to the…

Kinaxia Logistics has announced a three-year extension of its nationwide distribution contract with SPL Foods, a family-owned supplier of ambient food products. This contract is managed through Kinaxia’s Bay Freight depot located in Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, which was the company’s first acquisition back in 2012. SPL Foods, headquartered in Chadderton, Oldham, provides a diverse range of products, including pasta, rice, grains, herbs, spices, beans, pulses, sauces, and condiments. The firm caters to a broad clientele, including food retailers, cash and carry depots, national food wholesalers, manufacturers, and end-users such as industrial kitchen operations in schools and prisons. The business, boasting…

New research from the University of Manchester highlights a pressing issue regarding women’s safety in the city, particularly for those experiencing homelessness. Academics Isis Barei-Guyot, Dr Alison Briggs, and Dr Elizabeth Ackerley argue that the scarcity of women-only temporary accommodation presents a critical threat to the safety of vulnerable women, including trans women. In their article published by Policy@Manchester, the researchers’ detail how women placed in mixed-gender temporary housing often feel unsafe, especially when they are housed alongside men with criminal backgrounds, including domestic violence offenders and sex offenders. The report indicates that this situation creates significant risks for women…

As the 5th October registration deadline for Self-Assessment approaches, experts urge taxpayers to be wary of common misconceptions that could lead to costly mistakes. Pauline Green, Head of Product Compliance and Programs at Intuit QuickBooks, emphasises the importance of understanding the facts surrounding Self-Assessment to avoid unnecessary complications and penalties. Navigating the Self-Assessment process can be challenging, especially with a plethora of myths circulating about who needs to register and when. Many individuals may assume that the upcoming deadline applies only to those filing a paper return. Green clarifies, “This deadline is crucial for everyone who needs to complete a…

Aldi has been named the supermarket with the best value own-brand products in the UK, according to new research conducted by saving experts at BravoVoucher.co.uk. The analysis of 15 items from each of the UK’s major supermarkets revealed that Aldi offers the most competitive prices, with an overall cost of £5.64. The research evaluated various products, including staples such as brown bread, butter, beans, and milk, comparing prices per 100g, litre, or item. Aldi’s affordability shone through as it outperformed competitors on seven of the 15 items assessed. Notably, Aldi’s brown bread is priced at just £0.06 per 100g, while…

The University of Manchester’s policy engagement unit, Policy@Manchester, is set to wrap up a series of events at this year’s party conferences with four key discussions at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham. The programme, which began at the Liberal Democrat conference in Brighton and continued at the Labour conference in Liverpool, aims to share academic research with policymakers and politicians. On Tuesday, 1st October, two panel debates will take place at Birmingham Library, starting at 10:30am with a session addressing the question: “Is antimicrobial resistance the next big healthcare risk?” The panel, chaired by Ryan Henson, CEO of the…