Manchester investment platform AJ Bell and the University of Salford have teamed up to launch a new initiative for the university’s top performing technology students.
The first round of the AJ Bell Technology Award will be presented at the end of this academic year, with winners being judged on their practical and written ratings. Students studying Computer Science, Computer Science with Cybersecurity, and Software Engineering can win one of three awards totaling £ 1,000. The final year winner will receive £ 500, with the best first and second year students receiving £ 200 and £ 300 respectively.
AJ Bell is an important industrial partner for the university. This recent collaboration is yet another way of recognizing the academic achievement of its talented students.
Dr. Julian Bass, Senior Lecturer in Software Development at Salford, said, “We are excited to welcome AJ Bell as one of our strategic industry partners and look forward to our growing relationship. With the AJ Bell Technology Award, we can recognize the performance of our top-performing students in each of the annual groups with a financial incentive. “
Mo Tagari, AJ Bell’s chief technology officer, said, “Technology is the blood of business. As an online company whose core is technology, we are passionate about helping students gain their technological qualifications and become tomorrow’s business leaders. “
The AJ Bell Technology Award is initially awarded for three academic years. The last gift will be promised to students in 2022/23
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Teams of consultants from the north supported TPA Capital’s investment in Bis Henderson logistics and supply chain solutions group.
Based in Northampton, the company has grown from a recruiting firm for professionals in the Suppuu chain to the consulting and aerospace industries.
The logistics sector has seen unprecedented pressures and growth in the past 12 months, which gives Bis more opportunities to support its ever-growing customer base. TPA will try to use its sector references and experience to support the continuation of the growth path of Bis.
Ravi Aujla, Investment Director at TPA, said, “Supply chains are in a phase of significant change and Bis is very well positioned to take advantage of the opportunities that this presents.”
Until Henderson was assisted by a team of consultants from the Northwest, including Gerard Lucas, Dan Walker and Rachel Green from Dow Schofield Watts, and Ian Riggs, Sean Lightfoot and Olivia Jones from Hill Dickinson.
TPA was advised by Squire Patton Boggs, led by Paul Mann, Ben Squires and Louise Parker of Leeds, as well as Azets and Apex Insight.
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Vital Energi training academy
Vital Energi works with the City of Liverpool College to offer bespoke training programs in renewable energy and heating networks.
The new apprenticeship programs demonstrate Vital’s commitment to developing the key industry competencies required to achieve net zero and create a sustainable workforce for the future. Vital is committed to recruiting 20 apprentices across the UK and is proud to partner with the college, which will deliver the £ 2million curriculum of the state-of-the-art apprenticeship academy at Vital’s Blackburn headquarters in two ways: craft and Technology.
Both paths will take the trainees on an energy journey where they will learn and work in the market for renewable energies and heating networks. You will find out how energy is generated and distributed and how consumption can be controlled and reduced for private and business customers. The trainees also learn how CO2 emissions are reduced through Vital’s renewable technologies and the innovative products it develops.
Mike Cooke, Vital Energi’s Manging Director North and Scotland, who graduated from City of Liverpool College believes that it is a great foundation for his successful career path: “My education has given me social, interpersonal and technical skills Skills Acquired was the platform of my career, and although the pay was well below what Vital is offering today, I was able to continue my career without the burden of tuition and student loans. “
Sophie Park, Director of Workforce Literacy at City of Liverpool College, said, “Our partnership with Vital Energi is based on the knowledge and skills of its engineers and our innovative curriculum leaders. This new state-of-the-art training center will play an essential role in developing the skills needed for our low carbon future. “
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Everton in the Community, Everton FC’s charity, is committed to continuing its vital support to local families during the pandemic through the Blue Family program.
The charity launched the initiative at the start of the first lockdown last year to tackle social isolation and provide urgent support to some of society’s most vulnerable.
So far, Everton fans have donated more than £ 400,000 through the season ticket refund process when games were played behind closed doors – a figure hit by owner, Mr Farhad Moshiri, and chairman, Mr Bill Kenwright – while local businesses Donated approximately £ 200,000 – worth of laptops, clothing and toys for families
Since the first national lockdown began in March 2020, Blue Family has helped 29,000 families and individuals, and there are plans to continue the program as long as the local population needs the support.
Richard Kenyon, CEO of the Everton Community, said, “Blue Family was originally created as a temporary measure to respond to the tremendous social isolation and sheer need for help and support among some of the most vulnerable populations. But a year later, we are still running the services – from welfare calls from staff and players to emergency deliveries of food parcels. The initiative remains strong and will continue. “
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From left: John Pout (LFC), Tess O’Callaghan (NSPCC), Matt Parish
The LFC Foundation works with the NSPCC to improve the lives of children across the metropolitan area. It is the first official partnership of its kind between the Kinderhilfswerkstatt and a Premier League club foundation.
The LFC Foundation is already working to support young people across Liverpool and beyond, as are NSPCC practitioners at the charity’s Hargreaves Center. Childline volunteers also work on the charity’s Great Homer Street, speaking to thousands of children across the country each month.
The Foundation and NSPCC will work together to serve even more children and families across the metropolitan area, alert them of resources and help they may need, and advise adults, parents, and supporters on how to spot signs for that something may not be right young people in their area.
Liverpool FC mascot Mighty Red welcomed the NSPCC’s Pantosaurus mascot to Anfield to launch the new partnership designed to provide essential support to children and youth particularly hard hit by the pandemic.
Matt Parish, Executive Director of the LFC Foundation said, “We are two organizations that were born in the same city. By working together as a team, we can achieve a common ambition to help and support the children and young people of our city. Liverpool people care for one another and if we work together we can make our city and society safer. “
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Team Mullock
A Chorley-based technology start-up launched a new mobile and desktop app that enables traders to do business more effectively and put an end to payment disputes.
The Kiistone app was developed by CEO Tim Mullock and is intended to financially protect both tradespeople and customers who agree on job specifications and budgets via the app. The payment is then protected and held independently by the largest escrow provider in Europe until both parties are satisfied that the assignment has been completed as agreed.
Tim Mullock said: “My experience as a British craftsman for the past 20 years has shown me that the industry is both good and not so good and the biggest problem we still have today is a lack of trust between the customer and the trade. While it is undeniable that there are some cowboys out there, professional artisans are often tarred with the same brush, which doesn’t lead to good customer relationships.
“On the flip side, tradespeople can experience a lack of understanding from customers or unrealistic expectations, which can lead to disputes over final invoices.”
In addition to the escrow solution, the app offers other functions with which tradespeople can manage their projects, diaries, cash flows, administrators and communication. It also includes links to the Kiistone Community website, which provides industry news, guidance, and support for retailers and homeowners.