North Cheshire Chamber

The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II will build on the success of the first Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund and will deliver a £660 million commitment of new funding to smaller businesses.

The fund which now includes the whole of the North East aims to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the North of England.

The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II offers a range of commercial finance options with smaller loans and debt finance from £25,000 to £2 million and equity investment up to £5 million. The fund covers the whole of the North, including rural, coastal and urban areas.

For more information, click here

As part of the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, BIC Innovation and AMRC have been successful in securing funding to deliver a unique and free productivity improvement programme to manufacturing businesses in Cheshire East. The aim of this extensive research and development productivity programme is to address some of the specific challenges facing the manufacturing sector in Cheshire East, by working with manufacturing business who are eligible and ready to take the next step on their growth journey.

This free programme will be delivered through practical workshops, action learning and 1-2-1 support to introduce concepts of how R&D and technological advancement can improve productivity and enable greater sustainable growth:

1. How to gain direct improvements to productivity
2. Progress new R&D strategies
3. Build resilience and sustainability through technical innovation for a future focused business

For any businesses who want to learn more about the programme and submit an expression of interest, please visit CERDPIP (bic-innovation.com)

Alternatively, if they would like to meet the team and learn more about what the programme offers and how it can benefit their business, we will be holding a free Inception Workshop between 9.00am – 1.00pm on 17^th April 2024 at Macclesfield Football Club. Registration is free via this link: CERDPIP Workshop 2 (bic-innovation.com)

Any questions about the programme can be directed to the CERDPIP Project Manager, Hilary Centeleghe at hilary.centeleghe@bic-innovation.com

David Lewis, a leading charity providing comprehensive support for individuals with complex needs in Cheshire, has partnered with Bruntwood SciTech, the UK’s largest property platform serving the innovation economy, to create an impactful work experience programme at Alderley Park. This collaboration demonstrates the organisations’ commitment to empowering individuals with diverse needs and fostering inclusive work environments.

The work experience programme aimed to offer students and residents supported by David Lewis an opportunity to gain valuable experience and enhance their skills.

Participants had the chance to work in various job roles tailored to their interests and abilities, such as administrative tasks, reception duties, deliveries and working in the gardens. This hands-on experience provided participants with a sense of belonging and contributed to their personal and professional development.

Jessica Crowder, ESG Coordinator, from Bruntwood SciTech said “Working in partnership with David Lewis has been an incredible opportunity for our company to give back to the community in a meaningful way. Part of our strategy is to be a great place to work, with a focus on inclusion and diversity.”

John Heritage, Chief Executive of David Lewis, expressed his satisfaction with the initiative’s success: “We are delighted to have collaborated with Bruntwood SciTech and Sodexo on this work experience initiative.

“Through this programme, participants from David Lewis have gained valuable skills and a greater sense of personal achievement. We are committed to building on this success and developing more partnerships and work experience opportunities for individuals with diverse needs.

“I would like to thank colleagues at Bruntwood SciTech and Sodexo for their support as well as Christine Green who is volunteering her time at David Lewis to support us in building and developing relationships with employers like Bruntwood SciTech, and their shareholders Bruntwood ”

One of the key outcomes of the programme was the significant impact on participants’ confidence and communication abilities. Engaging in a team environment within a professional setting allowed students and residents to build self-assurance and develop essential workplace skills. The positive feedback from participants highlighted the transformative nature of the work experience, boosting their sense of accomplishment and encouraging further personal growth.

David Robins, Registered Manager from David Lewis commented “We have witnessed a remarkable transformation in the individuals we support, as they have developed an undeniable sense of confidence and belonging. Our approach has allowed them to embrace new opportunities and achieve personal and professional growth like never before. We are proud to play a role in their journey and are dedicated to continuing to foster their empowerment and well-being.”

The collaboration between David Lewis and Bruntwood SciTech demonstrates their joint commitment to investing in individuals with diverse needs and creating inclusive work environments. Any businesses who are looking to create work experience programmes or jobs for people with complex needs please contact David Lewis at enquries@davidlewis.org.uk to find out how you can get involved in future projects.

We are delighted to announce the launch of the 2024 North Cheshire Young Professional Network #NCYPN.

For more information and to book a place, please click here

The search is on to find selfless people who help others and make Wilmslow ‘a better place’

Nominations are now open for a new community awards programme. Wilmslow Town Council hopes to showcase individuals, businesses and community groups living, working or volunteering who have shown dedication and community spirit.

Winners will be selected and celebrated at an awards ceremony in May. Nominations can be made online at wilmslowtowncouncil.gov.uk/wilmslow-community-awards

Town mayor Cllr Jon Newell said: “We know that there are many individuals, businesses and groups within the community that go out of their way to help others and make Wilmslow a better place. “From litter picking to planting trees and vegetables, running community cafes to volunteering at youth clubs, there are people within Wilmslow who give hours and hours of their own time and expect nothing in return. We are delighted to introduce a new community awards programme to highlight, celebrate and show our appreciation of these people, who make a big contribution to the community spirit of Wilmslow.”

Paper application forms are also available at Wilmslow Library.

Closing date for nominations is Easter Sunday, March 31.

(Article and image courtesy of Wilmslow Town Council)

The King’s School’s under-14 titans will travel to the spiritual home of rugby to play the final of the National School Sports’ Magazine Cup.

As King’s Head of Rugby, Giles Hetherington, said: “This is arguably the biggest achievement in King’s 94 year history of rugby. We have won Bowls and Vases in major national competitions, but this is the furthest we’ve gone in the main event and it’s down to fantastic coaching, great inner belief and tremendous team-work.”

On Thursday, King’s will go head-to-head with the Collegiate School Bristol in the national final played at The Close, Rugby School, where in 1823 William Webb Ellis picked up the ball and decided simply to run with it.

The final follows a nail-biting, truly tough encounter against Northampton School for Boys with the Macc’ lads winning 6 -3. Playing into a driving, relentless wind, King’s did well to only go in 3 – 0 down at half time. But then cometh the hour, cometh the man, with talisman and fly -half Hayden Oliver drilling two penalties. Hayden said modestly: “I was very nervous, but as soon as I put the ball in the kicking tee I relaxed, remembered how I had been coached, and went through the process.  One was fairly easy but the other was 15 yards out from the left touch line and needed a good strike.”

The match was characterised by brilliant tackling from both sides, with centres Freddie Bartle and Rocky Maguire repeatedly putting everything on the line to make last gasp tackles.

The team had shown the same true grit but with decisive attacking flair in the quarter-final against Prince Henry’s Grammar School in Otley, West Yorkshire, winning 20 – 15. A rampaging Freddie Bartle had set the game alight with a stunning run after a precise pass from Hayden Oliver, with second row Alfie Russell then completing a brilliant team try with skills honed to perfection on the training pitch.

Giles paid tribute to under-14 coach Paul Bartle, who has taught rugby for 31 years, the first 10 years at Rugby School, where he will return for the final. “This team have great skills, outstanding team-work and a never say die spirit that have all been developed by Mr Bartle. Win or lose, it is a great achievement, but make no mistake we are going to Rugby to play rugby and bring the cup back to Macclesfield.”

Earlier in the year, King’s was named as one of the Top 25 schools in the UK for sport, in the School Sport Magazine’s national league tables.

(Article and picture from wilmslow.co.uk – Lisa Reeves)