Eric Martyn

MWOTY Awards to Celebrate 15th Year with 2025 Event

The Merseyside Women of the Year (MWOTY) Awards 2025, headline sponsored for the third consecutive year by FCP (Financial Planning Corporation), will celebrate 15 years under the stewardship of founding director Ellie Kerr this year and nominations for the event will close on Friday 4th April 2025.

Speaking of MWOTY’s 15th anniversary year, Ellie said: “This is always an exciting part of the MWOTY calendar, as we wait to be inspired by the amazing stories and achievements of women from across the region.
“However, this year is even more exciting as it is marks 15 years since MWOTY became a completely women-led event.

“In the last two years we have begun to realise the importance and impact of MWOTY and its alumni on the Liverpool City Region. It is more than a moment in time at an awards ceremony, it is a movement, and we are working hard to harness the power of our network and help it to impact more people through our NEW podcast and the business conference that I will be bringing to the city in April.

“Taking sole ownership of the event in 2022 was a huge step and MWOTY wouldn’t be where it is now without the support of our small, hardworking team, our fabulous alumni, network and sponsors, particularly FPC and longstanding category sponsors: the Institute of Directors (IoD) Liverpool, Neo Community & ADDvanced Solutions, the Community Foundation for Merseyside, Auteur Media, Morecrofts, Rise Construction Framework
and Investec Wealth & Investment (UK), who are part of the Rathbones Group.

“I urge everyone to look at the women around them who deserve to be in the spotlight, whether they are business leaders, entrepreneurs, activists or charity leaders – and get nominating!”

Nominate Now

Nominate: https://merseysidewomenoftheyear.co.uk/nominate/
Buy Tickets: https://merseysidewomenoftheyear.co.uk/tickets/
Find Out More: https://merseysidewomenoftheyear.co.uk/

If you find it difficult to nominate using the online form, due to disability or other reason, please contact us at nominations@mwoty.co.uk or call 07966 308 405

The 2025 MWPOTY awards will take place on Friday 27th June 2025 at the Crowne Plaza Liverpool, City Centre Waterfront


Photographs by Ray Farley

March 2025

Nicholson group’s new year incentives for start-ups, young ambitious businesses & established companies in st helens

Nicholson Group has announced plans for Barrow Street’s Nicholson Parade in St Helens Town Centre to help start-ups and established businesses with ambitious growth targets for 2025.

CEO of Nicholson Group Paul Nicholson said: “This is a retail parade in the primary retail zone of St Helens town centre benefitting from active retail frontage and as stated by the Council, experiences ‘dense footfall’.

Nicholson Group previously attempted to secure permission to covert the current large space from retail to residential. However, the council ultimately preferred the space to be retained for retail use given its reputation as a retail hotspot in the town centre.

Mr. Nicholson continued: “We’re seeking people with business ideas that require some support to start or continue and expand their journey. If you have a great concept and a carefully thought-out business idea, Nicholson Group are willing to support you with rent-free incentives.

“We want to attract businesses who will add to the current offering in the town centre and people shouldn’t be too worried about experience as we have a strong track record in helping people establish successful enterprises. The town centre is starting to attract interest from new business which is re-emphasised with our recent letting at Nicholson Lofts, the former Tyrer’s Building, to Bondi Pilates.”

The Group revealed that the newly completed units ideally suited to retail, hospitality, health and beauty will be fully equipped with new lighting, bathrooms, staff kitchens and flooring throughout. They will also be exempt from business rates given the design configurations too.

Nicholson Parade’s creative retail concept in assisting new and aspiring entrepreneurs has already proved popular and prior to release, just four units remain. These range from 450 sq ft to 550 sq ft respectively with floor to ceiling glass frontage on these ground floor premises.

Mr, Nicholson added: “Given the limited availability, those taking advantage of the opportunity early, will enable us to provide a more bespoke unit suited to business requirements before the fit out is complete, which is imminent. The sooner the commitment, the greater the incentives we can offer to help in support.”

One of many thriving businesses in the area that received initial help from the Nicholson Group is that owned by Ellis McCarthy (pictured above) who began with one unit and has now doubled his brand’s space.

Mr. McCarthy said: “We really appreciate how Paul and the Nicholson Group have supported us. They truly understand what it takes at the start to grow a business, and their help has been inspiring too. The location has also worked really well, and I’d recommend Nicholson Parade to any ambitious young businesses looking for a head start in early January to get in touch with Nicholson Group.”

Mr. Nicholson further commented on how Nicholson Parade faces the conservation square surrounding the Town Centre and how, “there is a residential population providing footfall within the immediate vicinity with potential clientele literally above the door of the Parade.

“It is surrounded by national retail and hospitality brands too with St Helens College’s student population close by, boasting more than 4,000 students attending the town centre daily.

“St Helens town centre as a concept works and Ellis’s business is the proof.”

 

December 2024

Wellness in the city founder announces 2025 date as annual showcase achieves 3-year milestone

The founder of Wellness In The City has revealed the company will be staging it’s third annual showcase in 2025 following the brand’s latest success – their International Men’s Day Conference, held on 18 November at the Innside Melia Hotel, Liverpool.

Clare Ellis, who launched the company at The Spine in January 2023 said: “We were thrilled with the success of our inaugural International Men’s Day event. The feedback from delegates has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the balance we struck for a first-time event. It was intimate and created a safe space for people to share their thoughts openly, yet dynamic enough to foster meaningful connections without feeling overwhelming.”

“The event addressed three vital themes: embracing vulnerability and acknowledging that failure touches us all; transforming life’s challenges into opportunities for growth and reinvention; the power of community and collaboration to amplify impact and inspire others as positive role models.

“All this has given Wellness In The City the impetus and support necessary to be able to follow up with a third successive annual showcase on April 24th 2025.”

A highlight of the Conference was launching the first-ever Positive Role Model Awards for the Liverpool City Region. Leon McCowan, Brian Phillips, Alfie Fitzsimmons, and Barry Marsden scooped awards for their outstanding contributions to the community, with Clare adding:

“These men exemplify how actions, words, and integrity can create meaningful change and inspire those around them. This is just the beginning of a movement to celebrate the men and boys who are making a difference in our communities, and we are excited to see where it leads.”

The event attracted strong support and was sponsored by DNA Financial Solutions, Oriel Studios, Cockbain and Associates Wealth Management, and Sood Marketing.

The audience also heard powerful stories of resilience from Paul Sculthorpe MBE, former Everton midfielder Tony Grant, and business leader Frank Mckenna. on how they redefined success and personal growth.

The event included a masterclass with mental health and self-development expert Dave Verburg, with practical tools for creating lasting positive change. Keynote Speaker Sam P Jalloh shared his incredible journey from surviving war to becoming an international tennis coach, inspiring all to pursue strength and purpose.

A spokesperson for co-sponsor DNA Financial Solutions said: “We enjoyed attending and found the subject matter and the format of the day, including the speakers, to be very good. The Q&A with the panel had some powerful messages, as did the headline closing speaker Sam, who’s story was incredible and gave us all food for thought about our day to day lives. We spoke to many people during the day and received some strong interest in our services and the products we advise on – we have number of active leads that we are currently following up on.”

Hype merseyside launches crowdfunder to transform neglected space into community leisure park in new brighton

Wirral-based social enterprise HYPE Merseyside has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise £45,000 to turn a neglected green space on Coastal Drive in New Brighton into a leisure park for the whole community to use.
HYPE (Helping Young People Everywhere) Merseyside has extensive experience in bringing neglected and underused green spaces back to life and public use, with other projects under its “Vibrant Parks” initiative including Birkenhead Park in 2016 and Central Park, Liscard in 2021. The New Brighton project aims to transform the six-acre Coastal Drive site, which has been left unused for seven years, into a place where people will be able to access bikes and cycling activities, participate in sport, get involved in community projects and learn about local wildlife and plants.
Year-round activities proposed for HYPE Merseyside’s Wirral Coastal Leisure Park will include bike hire, repairs and learn-to-ride sessions, footgolf and a chip and putt course. Its health and wellbeing offer will cater to people of all ages and abilities and include running, walking, and cycling clubs and cross-country, yoga, and outdoor gym sessions.  The park will also integrate a nature reserve, wildlife observation hides, and community tree planting to support local biodiversity, alongside educational workshops on conservation and sustainability and opportunities to actively contribute to its upkeep through volunteering.
HYPE Merseyside is aiming to raise £45,469 by Monday 3rd February 2025, with the aim of opening Wirral Coastal Leisure Park in the summer of 2025. Activities at the site, such as training for young cyclists, mechanics, green space managers and community leaders, will also aim to create pathways for skill-building and potential employment, through the opportunities offered. The project is intended to create a lasting legacy, with the park developing year on year to meet the needs of the community, while also preserving the space for future generations.
Matthew Houghton from HYPE Merseyside said: “We have long been committed to finding neglected, empty spaces in our region, transforming them into vibrant, accessible and dynamic places and reclaiming them for public use. We aim to maximise the use of these spaces and ensure that the local community reaps the benefits, particularly young people and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“The site at New Brighton holds immense potential, not only for a host of fun activities that will get people outdoors and active, but for social cohesion too, bringing people together through regular events, cycle rides, group activities and youth clubs. We have a dedicated team of staff and volunteers, as well as a supportive network of experts ready to make this project happen in the new year. All we need now are the funds to help us to make our vision for Wirral Coastal Leisure Park – which will be a resource for our community – a reality.”

Matthew adds, “Even the smallest donation will help us move towards our goal, so we are calling out to organisations, businesses, funders and individuals to give what they can. In return we promise that we will deliver a vital and transformative space that they, and others in their communities, will benefit from for many years.”
As part of its crowdfunding pledge, HYPE Merseyside has also promised to plant 1,000 trees, provide 100 families with bikes for summer seaside rides, enable 100 children to learn to cycle in the space and to work with 12 primary schools on educational and social activities in the space, all in 2025.
The crowdfunder will run until Monday 3rd February 2024. To find out more about the project or to donate, visit:
Since its establishment in 2007, the team at HYPE has used its extensive expertise to transform the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in the Merseyside region, empowering them and introducing them to a broad landscape of opportunities. Hype Merseyside strives to fulfil its objective of being Merseyside’s catalyst for social change, inspiring young people and opening the door to a new mindset and new opportunities.

Novotel liverpool paddington village launches a luxury bottomless lunch

As the countdown to Christmas begins, Kieran Maxwell, the talented Head Chef at Novotel Liverpool Paddington Village, has unveiled a new luxury bottomless brunch, which will be available to book every Saturday from 30th November to 21st December.

Kieran wanted to ensure that the bottomless brunch featured a range of guests’ favourites, such as crushed avocado toast, smoked salmon scrambled eggs, French toast, hot wraps and Shakshuka, as well as pancakes and a range of freshly made pastries and a tempting array of desserts.

The hotel’s General Manager, Howard Lewis, said: “When creating the new luxury bottomless brunch, we were aware that bottomless brunches can sometimes feel rushed, so it was important to us to ensure that people would have plenty of time to enjoy a leisurely experience that would feel relaxed and indulgent at this busy time of year. That’s why everyone who books a bottomless brunch with us will have their table from 1-4pm, giving them plenty of time to unwind and enjoy some of the highlights of our menu.”

Drinks available with the premium bottomless brunch will include prosecco, a choice of three cocktails (Aperol Spritz, L7 Martini and ‘A Day in the Life’), wine by the glass, bottles of Carlsberg or Poretti, soft drinks and mocktails, and the following house spirits and mixers: Beefeater, Beefeater pink, Absolut, Jack Daniels and Bacardi.

The bottomless brunch costs £55 per person and will be served within the hotel’s stylish Kensington Restaurant.

Howard said: “Our chefs have put a lot of thought into devising our luxurious brunch menu, and we also wanted to make sure our guests have plenty of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink options, elevating the traditional bottomless brunch and making it more of a memorable experience.”

To book your three hour bottomless brunch, (which starts from 1pm and ends at 4pm) on

November 30th, December 7th, December 14th or December  21st,

visit:
 https://www.ibookedonline.com/novotel-liverpool-paddington-village

Kimpton ‘ready for next chapter’ following mbo

Kimpton, which specialises in M&E, HVAC, commercial fit-out, and service and facilities management, has successfully completed a management buyout as it enjoys a period of sustained growth across the UK.

The Bromborough-based business, which celebrated its 60th anniversary last yearin 2023, will now be led by a team of directors, including new managing director Tim Davis, who was formerly the firm’s general manager, and Linzi Kelly, who steps up to become financial director.  They are joined on the board by five experienced colleagues from the existing senior team – Paul Cooper, Scott Bennett, Paul Davies, Andy Morgan and Matt Breakwell – who share many years of operational, service and project delivery expertise.
Departing chief executive Richard Kimpton (pictured above on left with new Kimpton managing director Tim Davis) himself completed an MBO from his father and company founder Eric Kimpton in 2001 and he will remain invested in the business and continue to support the MBO team in a non-executive capacity as part of a long-term succession plan. Long-serving Kimpton director Ron Tierney will retire from the business following the MBO, while Colin Swanick is also retiring as a director but will remain employed within the business.
The move follows a period of marked expansion over recent years, led by the new management team, which has seen Kimpton broaden the diversity of its revenue through an expansion of its service offer into full facilities management, turnkey commercial and science fit-out, with a focus on decarbonisation and net zero solutions, alongside the team’s developed MEP specialism in high rise residential construction.
Tim Davis said: “We are all delighted to take the reins at this exciting time for Kimpton. Our strong customer base continues to grow, encouraged by our expanded range of services, and the dedication of our team. The vision we have for the company is ambitious and yet pragmatic. We will continue to build on our reputation for quality and dependability, in keeping with the ethos and foundations of the company, building the diversity of our business, and in turn creating growth, security, and opportunities for our staff, our customers, and the communities in which we operate.
“Our recent introduction of hard FM services and full turnkey project solutions are a step towards this. By enabling our teams to better leverage the collective experience that exists within Kimpton for the benefit of customers, in the last year we have been able to deliver for local clients including ACC Liverpool and the refurbishment of the Capital Building for the Home Office and Crown Commercial Services. Simultaneously, our core MEP Projects Division has also developed its offer with specialist teams now dedicated to delivering particular project types that fall within the broad scope of commercial mechanical and electrical building services. 
“Alongside their work regionally for a variety of clients from manufacturers, education providers, NHS trusts and hospitality venues, our specialist BTR and PBSA division has also been expanding its work nationally across the UK, with multi-million pound projects in Birmingham, Bath, Cardiff, London, Leeds and Manchester.
“I would also like to pay special thanks to departing director Ron Tierney, who has worked tirelessly over many years to help make Kimpton the business it is today. I hope we can continue to build upon the legacy that he, Richard and our other former directors have built.”
Richard Kimpton said: “It has been a privilege to lead Kimpton for the past 23 years and witness the continued broadening of our customer base and the enhancement of our local and national reputation as a trusted delivery partner across a range of projects and sectors. We are lucky to have such a highly experienced leadership team here, some of whom have been with us since they were apprentices and I have no doubt they are all more than ready to lead the next chapter in the Kimpton story. Planning and consistency over time has been vitally important to us in achieving this succession responsibly. Having begun the process on this over five years ago, I have no doubt that the MBO team that we have in place will continue to build upon our long history, and are the right team to secure both long-term stability and growth aspirations for Kimpton as a trusted company within the industry. 
“We needed to know that we would be leaving the company in safe hands so we have been careful to take our time with this, and I now look forward to supporting the team in the next chapter for Kimpton in a non-executive capacity in the years ahead.”

Inaugural international men’s day conference receives strong support

The event organisers behind Liverpool’s first International Men’s Day Conference have had an overwhelming response to the initiative.

Happening next Monday at Innside Melia in Liverpool’s business district and sponsored by DNA Financial Solutions and Oriel Studios, the event focuses on positive role models, reinvention, and recovery.

A day-long invitation from 10am to 3pm, the audience will hear powerful stories of resilience from Paul Sculthorpe MBE, former Everton midfielder Tony Grant, and business leader Frank Mckenna on how they redefined success and personal growth. The event also includes a masterclass with mental health and self-development expert Dave Verburg with practical tools for creating lasting positive change.

Keynote Speaker Sam P Jalloh will also share his incredible journey from surviving war to becoming an international tennis coach, inspiring all to pursue strength and purpose.

Founder of Wellness In The City and the organiser behind the Conference Clare Ellis said: “The day is a result of 12 months of planning and I’m so pleased it’s all come together. In addition to an array of influential guests, there’ll be networking with opportunities to connect with a business community that is passionate about mental health, men’s wellbeing, and personal transformation. There will be real insights from those who’ve overcome adversity in the hope that many attendees will leave with strategies to reset their own path.”

The Wellness In The City initiative is supporting Sean’s Place as their chosen charity plus the Conference will reveal International Men’s Day award winners to be announced on the day in categories including Community Champion, Business Leader, Young persons award ( under 21 years of age ) and Positive Role Model.

Remaining tickets for the event are available via: International Men’s Day Conference Tickets, Mon, Nov 18, 2024 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite

Split perspectivz teams up with peoples ford and ford motor company to raise funds for liverpool’s youth

Split Perspectivz is thrilled to announce a partnership with Peoples Ford and Ford Motor Company to bring the Drive 4 UR Community initiative to Liverpool – the initiative’s first time in the UK.

This unique event offers the local community an opportunity to support Split Perspectivz’s Planet Pack in Park initiative—which educates schoolchildren on environmental sustainability—by test-driving Peoples Ford’s new range of electric vehicles.

For each test drive conducted on Friday 22nd November, Ford Motor Company will donate £20 to Split Perspectivz, aiming to raise up to £6,000 for this important cause.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Peoples Ford and Ford Motor Company to bring the community together in support of environmental education,” said Natalie Reeves Billing, CEO and Founder of Split Perspectivz.

“Our commitment to sustainability aligns perfectly with the promotion of electric vehicles. The funds raised will enhance our Planet Pack in Park programme, allowing us to educate more children about environmental issues and inspire them to become stewards of a greener future.”

In addition to taking a test drive in the All-Electric Ford Mustang Mach-E or Explorer, attendees will have the opportunity to experience the iconic All-New All-Electric Ford Capri, which will be available on-site as a static demonstration.

Peoples Ford staff will be on hand to introduce the latest electric technologies, providing insights into Ford’s vision for a sustainable future.  To add to the festive spirit, all test drivers will receive a complimentary festive drink to enjoy in the café at Novotel, Paddington Village.  No booking is necessary, simply stop by and take part in the event.

“At Peoples Ford, we are excited to showcase our new electric vehicle lineup while contributing to a sustainable future,” said Nicola Gilda, Managing Director of Peoples Ford.

“By partnering with Split Perspectivz, we are not only promoting eco-friendly transportation but also supporting vital environmental education in our community. We encourage everyone to join us in making a positive impact.” ends

Event Details

Date: Friday 22nd November 2024

Time: 9am til 5pm

Location: Novotel, Paddington Village, Grove Street, Liverpool, L7 3FA

More info:  www.peoplesford.co.uk/split

Note: Each test drive will last approximately 7–10 minutes. Participants must be 18 or older, have held a full UK drivers license for over 1 year.  Driver’s license must be brought on the day. The event is free to attend, with no obligation to purchase.  Terms and conditions apply.