Eric Martyn
Laura and Jermaine Beckford’s SuperNova Living lead speaker and exhibitor slots at Wellness In The City Liverpool Expo 2025
Taking place at Innside Melia, Old Hall Street, on Wednesday June 25th, the theme of this year’s Wellness in the City Liverpool, Expo is Community, with headline sponsors including Privilege HR, Hobs Reprographics Print and The INNSIDE by Melia Hotel.
Wellbeing advocate, Clare Ellis, who founded the now annual Wellness in the City showcase, has revealed that this third expo has attracted record levels of business and community support.
Clare said: “True wellness isn’t just about personal habits, but about the people we surround ourselves with. And this year’s wellness business and community expo is a very clear demonstration of that. We’re really pleased to have SuperNova Living join us. They have a global wellbeing reputation for their products and its taken our support for the Expo to the next level. Similarly, we’ve gained extra kudos this year with the news of our headline sponsorship support from leading Liverpool City region brands Privilege HR, Hobs Reprographics and The INNSIDE by Melia Hotels.”
Clare maintains that thriving communities make thriving individuals. “We’re seeing a shift where people want more than just self-improvement; they want to connect, support, and grow together.”
From engaging in run clubs to lifting each other up in fitness groups and wellness circles, community-driven wellness across the Liverpool City Region is on the rise and the trend is impacting positively on employers’ benefits packages for their people.
Clare continued: “Wellness events like these can provide a significant boost to exhibitors. They also work for companies that invest in employee wellbeing and not just through the Expo. We know from feedback that wellbeing programmes increase productivity, reduce absenteeism, and improve morale. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, manager, or team member, prioritising health within a business environment leads to stronger, more engaged teams. That message seems to be getting through more than ever.”
By attending Wellness in the City Expo 2025, business leaders can gain valuable insights into fostering healthier workplaces, explore the latest corporate wellness trends, and connect with experts who can help integrate wellbeing into their company culture.
Attendees will experience an inspiring lineup of speakers, hands-on wellness experiences, and expert-led masterclasses that focus on everything from nutrition and biohacking to mental resilience and fitness trends.
Clare added: “A healthy business lifestyle isn’t just about what you eat or how you exercise; it’s about who you surround yourself with. We want to create a space where people feel empowered and supported. More people are choosing new types of wellness tools to maximise their health, using science and personal experimentation to help their routines and improve physical and mental performance. Enhancing your health through nutrition, health tech, and good habits that match your biology, is very forward-thinking. And it’s more than just a trend, it’s a movement toward proactively looking after yourself. That’s been the essence of Wellness In The City Liverpool since day one.”
Wellness In The City 2025 looks set to be one of the business events of the year for those ready to take control of their health in a supportive and inspiring environment.
Remaining tickets for the Wellness in the City Expo 2025 along with last minute exhibitor stands are available via: www.wellnessinthecity.co.uk
Why young workers should no longer be allowed to opt out of workplace pensions
The conversation around rising living costs and financial wellbeing or lack thereof stemmed from the Pandemic but whilst the spread of Covid has diminished, financial insecurity is on the up. Given this, we’ve seen an emerging trend in conversations around pensions based on offering young workers the option to opt out of their workplace pension schemes.
“That will only end in tears and long-term hardship,” said Junaid Afzal, commercial director at Haven Financial Planning.
“It’s not about taking draconian measures against Generation Z and restricting freedoms like in a totalitarian state but rather, protecting their future. I’ve lost count of the number of financially successful mature clients I help on a weekly basis who stress how they wished they had used the value of time in their younger years, to make even modest pension contributions given how they multiply over the decades into a decent retirement fund in their 60s. I’ve never had to share with any of them, the staggering difference it would have made if they hadn’t missed 10 or more years of contributing. They already know. In addition to the protection, there’s also the opportunity cost foregone of free money given employer regulations on contributions and the government’s tax relief policy. In other words, for every £50 you contribute, that’s doubled by the state and your employer. Name me a scenario where you can replicate this elsewhere? You can’t! Also, not far from media headlines right now, is the real threat of poverty approaching retirement. And that’s not an exaggeration or just click bait.
“Difficult circumstances in retirement age owing to a poor pension pot can exacerbate owing to, for example, poorer health, isolation, and despondence. Looking at the long-term consequences purely from a financial wellbeing angle, where would opting out in your younger years leave you? You don’t want to be faced with only receiving a state pension in retirement, so the consequences can be severe. This is especially important given the current landscape of more young people living at home well into their thirties, the transient nature of their employment patterns, people living sicker for longer, and size of the welfare state on the demise.
“This may sound harsh but it’s also a strong reality check. We need to future proof younger generations of workers. This also educates them, so providing the opportunity to become financially astute and pave the way to potential wealth in future. If we briefly analyse why auto-enrolment ever became a thing, it’s based around human behaviour. Too many people are hedonistic with money and won’t actively save for retirement unless they are given the catalyst to do so.
“Opting out isn’t about freedom. It’s about making a really damaging financial decision for the future of your welfare.
“And for those who genuinely struggle to contribute in their early working life, advice on a rethink of the structure of contributions is the best way forward. For example, starting small, the offer of financial counselling where appropriate and pensions education.”
For more information and advice, contact:
Junaid Afzal, DipPFS & ACA Qualified Accountant, Commercial Director at Haven Financial Planning
Merseyside Independent Business Awards 2025 open for entries
The Merseyside Independent Business Awards (MIB Awards) is officially open for entries for 2025, marking another milestone in the celebration of entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, and community impact across the Liverpool City Region.
The black-tie ceremony will take place on Thursday 16 October 2025 at Titanic Hotel Liverpool, bringing together 500 guests from across the city region’s business community.
Founded in 2013 by Morecrofts Solicitors to mark the firm’s 200th anniversary as a proud independent business, the MIB Awards were created to showcase and champion the diverse and thriving landscape of independent businesses across the region.
This year introduces new category, CIC Business of the Year, recognising Community Interest Companies that are making a difference through purpose-led business. The category aims to celebrate organisations that blend entrepreneurship with social impact, reflecting the growing role of ethical business in regional growth.
Alison Lobb, Managing Partner at Morecrofts Solicitors, said: “The MIB Awards are about shining a light on the determination, resilience and creativity of independent businesses that power our local economy. Whether you’re a start-up, a long-established company or a community-focused CIC, we want to hear your story. I would encourage every independent business in our region to consider entering – this is your platform to be celebrated.”
Returning for another year as headline sponsor is the Liverpool BID Company, reinforcing their ongoing commitment to supporting the region’s business community. Bill Addy, CEO of Liverpool BID Company, said: “Independent businesses are the beating heart of our city region. The MIB Awards not only celebrate their success but also highlight the incredible diversity and innovation they bring to our economy. We are proud to support this event once again and look forward to recognising those who make Merseyside such a dynamic place to live, work and invest.”
Entries are now open at www.mibawards.co.uk and close on 11th July 2025.
Businesses can self-nominate or be nominated by others. When nominated, the MIB Awards team will reach out directly with entry details.
Categories for the 2025 MIB Awards:
Trades or Manufacturing Business of the Year Professional Services Business of the Year Culture & Tourism Business of the Year Best Creative Business
Children Focussed Business of the Year Retailer of the Year Best Start Up Business CIC Business of the Year (New for 2025) Food Venue of the Year
Health and Wellbeing Business of the Year Employer of the Year Digital & Technology Business of the Year Business Person of the Year
For more information or to request an entry pack, please contact the MIB Awards team at mibawards@morecrofts.co.uk.
2024 MIB OVERALL WINNERS – WONGS JEWELLERS
On the up – Liverpool is now the fourth most successful city in the UK for attracting international conferences
Liverpool has leapfrogged Manchester, Belfast and Cambridge to become the fourth most successful city in the UK for attracting major international conferences.
This is our city’s highest ever ranking in the annual ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) report, which also saw it rise 61 places in the world meeting table, from 173rd to 112th place worldwide.
In the UK, Liverpool is now only behind London, Edinburgh and Glasgow, having hosted 23 major international meetings in 2024.
Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said: “This incredible leap in the global rankings is a testament to Liverpool’s growing reputation as a world-class destination for international events. Rising 61 places and achieving our highest-ever position in the UK reflects the hard work, passion, and ambition of everyone involved in our visitor economy and business tourism sector. From our cutting-edge facilities to our vibrant cultural offer, Liverpool continues to punch well above its weight on the global stage. The success of Club Liverpool and our incredible ambassadors, who help attract high-calibre events, is proof that collaboration and local pride can drive real economic impact – bringing in millions and creating opportunities across the region. This is just the beginning of what we can achieve.”
ICCA is the global community for the meetings industry with over 1,000 members in more than 90 different countries.
The rankings are based on the number of international events that come to a destination when meeting the following criteria; the event must rotate between at least three countries/territories, it must attract at least 50 participants face-to-face and be held with an established frequency (annual, biennial, triennial etc.).
Natalie Wyatt, Managing Director of Liverpool City Region Destination Partnership said: “To jump so many places shows the true appeal of Liverpool to associations and is testament to the hard work of all those involved in both attracting events to the city and hosting them. This leap isn’t just a statistic, it represents a transformative moment in Liverpool’s evolution as a world-class business events destination. The city’s unique blend of historic charm and modern innovation resonates with international organisations seeking vibrant, accessible venues for their most important gatherings. This achievement speaks volumes about Liverpool’s growing global reputation and the exceptional dedication of our hospitality professionals, event coordinators, and civic leaders who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Their commitment to excellence has not only put Liverpool on the map but has established it as a premier conference hub that delivers unforgettable experiences. As we celebrate this milestone fourth position in the UK rankings, we’re realising the wins of a collaborative vision that has positioned Liverpool as a beacon for business tourism and cultural exchange for years to come.”
Ambassadors play a key role in supporting the key growth sectors of Life Sciences, Advanced Manufacturing, Digital, Creative and Technology, Professional & Financial Services and Clean Growth & Renewable Energy.
Lisa Owen, Head of Business Tourism said: “At Liverpool Convention Bureau (LCB) we do so much more than fill venues. This year we celebrate 10 years of Club Liverpool, the city regions ambassador programme, which now has 320 members. Of the 23 ICCA ranked events hosted in 2024, 12 were led by ambassadors. To date, over 100 events delivering 56,000 delegates have been secured, bringing a significant £100m to the local economy. To support this growth in business visitors Liverpool city centre now boasts 85 hotels, with more in the pipeline, offering nearly 10,000 bedrooms for delegates.”
Just some of the events held in the city contributing to the ranking include The European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology Annual Meeting, The 12th International Conference on Fluvial Hydraulics, European Low Gravity Research Association Biennial Symposium & General Assembly, The International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory and The International Symposium on Chromatography.
Nicola Carragher revealed as MWOTY 2025 guest speaker
Nicola Carragher will be the guest speaker at the Merseyside Women of the Year awards 2025 later this month, with the last few remaining tickets for the event
still available.
The mother of two, (pictured top left with Ellie Kerr, founder director MWOTY), and avid runner, is currently completing a challenge to run all seven Abbott World Marathon Majors consecutively within 12 months, to raise as much money as she can for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.
So far, Nicola has completed the Berlin, Chicago, New York, Tokyo, Boston and London marathons, with just Sydney remaining on 31 August 2025. Nicola is the wife of Sky Sports pundit and former football player, Jamie Carragher. The pair are childhood sweethearts who met in primary school and married in 2005. They have two children, James and Mia.
The glittering annual celebration of exceptional women, which will take place at the Crowne Plaza in Liverpool City Centre on Friday 27 th June. Much loved commère, Pauline Daniels, will once again host the event, and there will be entertainment from Liverpool-based singer-songwriter, Emilie Culshaw, and The Liverpool Signing Choir.
Ellie Kerr, MWOTY Founding Director, said: “The challenge that Nicola has taken on to raise vital funds for Alder Hey is truly extraordinary and we are looking forward to hearing her talk about rediscovering herself through running and the circumstances that inspired her to take on this multi-marathon feat.”
Speaking about the event Nicola said: “It’s an honour to be invited to speak at the MWOTY 2025 awards. I am excited to be there to celebrate the amazing finalists and to also have the opportunity to share my own experiences as a mother and woman.”
Rae Brooke, CEO of the Community Foundation for Merseyside said: “The Merseyside Women of the Year Awards provide a platform to celebrate the remarkable achievements of women from our region. It serves to recognise success, highlight unsung heroines, and inspire others. We are looking forward to hearing Nicola’s story and acknowledging her achievements, along with those of the incredible MWOTY 2025 finalists.”
The overall “Merseyside Woman of the Year 2025” will be selected from all the finalists, following a public vote (contributing 50% of the overall score) and marked
by the organisation’s judging panel against its criteria, contributing the remaining 50% of the final score.
The coveted top prize will be presented by headline sponsor, FPC, and the category sponsors for 2025 include Merseyrail, Community Foundation for Merseyside,
Rathbones, Auteur Media, Neo Community and ADDvanced Solutions, McIver Scott Recruitment, and Morecrofts.
A few tickets for the event still remain and you can purchase them here
LFC Foundation and Forever Reds donations take Liverpool Spirit Appeal over £100,000
The Liverpool Spirit Appeal has officially raised £100,000, thanks in part to a £50,000 donation by LFC Foundationa and Forever Reds.
The appeal, set up those directly affected by the tragic events in Liverpool city centre on May 26th, and to invest in community recovery and wellbeing, has captured the hearts of people across Merseyside and beyond.
While these major donations mark a significant milestone, the appeal has been built on the strength of hundreds of contributions of all sizes, from £5 and upwards, each donation reflecting the compassion and unity of football fans worldwide plus those who love our city.
“We’re incredibly grateful to LFC Foundation and Forever Reds for helping take the appeal over £100,000,” said Rae Brooke, CEO at Community Foundation for Merseyside. “But just as importantly, we want to celebrate everyone who gave what they could, from young people donating their pocket money to supporter clubs organising community fundraisers.”
Further notable contributions came from Jamie Carragher’s 23 Foundation, Blue Sky Foundation, Leahy Foundation, Football for Change and Spirit of Shankly.
The appeal remains open for donations and will focus on support for those directly affected and long-term wellbeing initiatives in response to the impact of the tragedy.
The appeal, led by the Community Foundation for Merseyside (CFM) in partnership with Liverpool Charity & Voluntary Services (LCVS) and endorsed by LFC Foundation and Liverpool City Council, will provide support to those affected, starting with individuals that required medical attention due to injuries sustained, as identified by emergency services.
Property and commercial specialist Gary Beggs joins Bathgate team
Bathgate Business Finance has appointed property and commercial finance specialist, Gary Beggs, as part of its strategic growth plans.
Gary joins Bathgate from his role as commercial finance manager at Manchester-based Pomegranate Commercial Finance, bringing with him 22 years of industry knowledge and experience.
Throughout his career, Gary has built up an extensive portfolio of property clients and developed an impressive network of lenders, which allowed him to lead Pomegranate’s expansion into Liverpool. Gary also spent 15 years with Royal Bank of Scotland across a wide range of roles. These include business advisor, lending manager and commercial relationship manager, based in Liverpool, Prescot, Wigan, Bolton and Manchester.
Gary’s appointment positions Bathgate for further expansion, not just into the property sector but also geographically throughout the North West and beyond, through his extensive connections and previous experience. His arrival will further enhance the breadth of expertise offered by the Bathgate team, helping them to provide an even more innovative range of funding solutions to property businesses. He said: “Bathgate has a huge presence in Merseyside and across the North West, an excellent reputation as trusted advisors, and they work to build long-term relationships with clients. The company has significant history to build upon and ambitious expansion plans that I believe I can help them to achieve. By combining my property expertise and network of specialist lenders with the team’s expertise and existing network, and own funding book, The Bathgate Capital Fund, I know that we can make a difference. Joining the team feels like becoming part of something really dynamic and exciting, and I am really looking forward to helping to drive the business forward and learning from those around me too.”
A passionate supporter of start-up businesses and equity in access to business advice, Gary also participates in Entrepreneur in Residence Business Clinic drop-in sessions delivered by the Business & IP Centre and a team of volunteers alongside former mayor, entrepreneur, Mentor and Pay-it-forward champion Gary Millar. The sessions have been running for almost 10 years now and Gary has been involved since the session’s inception.
He will continue to attend drop-in sessions that take place on the second Wednesday of every month at Clockwork Studios CIC in Prescot, to offer free advice to early-stage businesses, and once a month at Lifestyles Ellergreen as part of the Fit for Business Sessions.
Speaking of Gary’s appointment, Bathgate MD, Gordon Andrews, said: “Gary’s property and commercial expertise will be invaluable to our growth plans, and we are really excited to have him on board. Gary is innovative, well connected, active in the business community and focused on building long-term relationships with clients, industry peers and professionals, which makes him a perfect fit for our team. We’d like to welcome him to Bathgate, and we look forward to working together to achieve our ambitious goals.”
For more information about Bathgate Business Finance visit bathgatebf.co.uk call 0151 625 7323 or email proposals@bathgatebf.co.uk
Photograph by Kat Hannon
Property firm’s expansion drive supported by quality of team recruitment
A Liverpool-based property development firm is meeting increased demand from its roll out strategy across the perimeter of Liverpool City Centre by creating multiple new roles over the next 12 months to support its existing workforce.
Nicholson Group, founded by CEO Paul Nicholson, is a vertically integrated business with approaching 20 years of experience in the property development and construction industry. The company employs more than 20 direct staff and utilises services of sub-contractors through its projects.
The business has grown exponentially in the past two years having completed ground-breaking projects including the acclaimed Beecham’s Building plus a large portfolio of residential properties located across the boroughs of Merseyside.
The company is also in talks with councils on regeneration projects across the wider North West. Mr Nicholson said: “We’ve been on a growth journey for the last three years during which we’ve experienced high growth in turnover. In driving this, Mr Nicholson explained how the market had “opened up given the volume of houses coming to market through people with for example, personal debt issues, or properties with a change in landlord.”
He adds: “We’ve been growing quietly but the past two years especially has seen us grow more rapidly, being led by a stronger team with a proven track record. We’ve strengthened our culture and as a result have bolstered the quality of our team through attracting better quality candidates. This has been a real key to accelerating our growth, investing in our people and creating a happy workforce. This is something we hadn’t really focused on previously but now we have, it has been instrumental in our growth across the group. There’s an exciting summer and autumn ahead for us too, as we develop some of our most ambitious projects yet, which we’ll be sharing once they progress through their respective phaases.”
Sunday 18th May, from 11am to 4pm is set for TogetherFest and a day of Fun, Music and Fundraising at Blackstock Market
On Sunday 18th May, get ready for a day of community spirit, fmily fun and incredible entertainment as TogetherFest takes over Liverpool’s Blackstock Market.
Hosted by entrepreneur and philanthropist Gill Ashcroft, this vibrant family-friendly fundraising event promises a packed line-up of performances, activities, and heartwarming moments in support of two UK Charities, Cash for Kids and The Combined Care Consortium.
This all day celebration of giving and togetherness will feature a dazzling mix of music, magic, dance, and interactive family experiences, which will include live performances by Livvy K, one of Liverpool’s most exciting musical talents, the acclaimed rapper Shocks, Miguel Deforo and his team of viral dance sensations , as seen on Britain’s Got Talent. There will also be DJ Sets from Sacha PVJ – O Beach Ibiza, Sin Sundays, Lost in Lark Lane, Kaci Lea Lynch – resident at Ibiza’s O Beach, and Sin Beach.
Magician Dan Maze will be on hand to mesmorise guests of all ages with his jaw-dropping illusions, and there will be face painting, glitter stations, mascots and petting animals plus lots, lots more to enjoy.
All proceeds from the day, including from a raffle and auction featuring amazing prizes will go directly to the above two wonderful charities.
Tickets for the day can be purchased from: http://blackstockmarket.co.uk/events/family-fundays