The Directors of Butterworth Spengler, one of the UK’s longest established and fastest growing insurance brokers, having been founded in Liverpool in 1924, have invested in a rebrand as they near their centenary in 2024. The rebrand comes at a time when they have a firm focus on growth and on attracting the best in the business to join their company.

Butterworth Spengler became part of the JMG Group in 2021, a move which MD John Lacey (pictured) says has fuelled the Directors’ ambitious growth plans for the business, adding: “Joining JMG has helped us up our game. We knew we wanted to grow, and this has turbo charged it.”

Part of the firm’s growth strategy includes making acquisitions, the first of which was Gloucester-based insurance brokers, Brunsdon, which changed its name to Butterworth Spengler South West Ltd in 2022.

Butterworth Spengler has three divisions: Commercial insurance, professional risks, and specialist schemes and their areas of expertise include professional, commercial and manufacturing sectors including property, construction, retail, haulage and leisure.

Director Richie Bell said the timing of the rebrand, featuring a “fresh and modern” new logo, coincided with an exciting period for the business as they approach their 100^th anniversary. A strapline: Part of JMG group (which is a ‘Top 30 UK Insurance Broker’ with £230m plus in gross written premium placed into the insurance market annually) has been added to the company’s logo. Meanwhile, the addition of the shield is a nod to Brunsdon Insurance’s logo, incorporating some of this business’s brand identity into the new design.

Butterworth Spengler’s Directors say that alongside their commitment to furthering company growth, they are also keen to make a valuable contribution to the local community. The firm has a longstanding reputation for supporting local charities, such as Nugent (a registered charity which supports vulnerable children, young people and adults through their schools, care homes, and community and social work services).

In order to empower their team to make a difference, they’re giving every member of staff one day a month to spend doing something for charity.

The rebrand also includes a fresh new look for Butterworth Spengler’s website, reflecting the growth of the business, and although the company’s Directors may have 100 years of heritage to celebrate in 2024, their main focus is on the future, with ambitious plans for recruitment and company growth firmly on the agenda.

https://butterworthspengler.co.uk/

River Capital has been named the winner of the Best New Product/Service award for its dedicated artificial intelligence (AI) fund, fund:AI at the Growth Investor Awards 2023 held in London on Thursday 23rd November.

Fund:AI was chosen as the Best New Product/Service winner by an independent panel of judges drawn from the alternative investment industry and wider business community.

fund:AI is the first Northern dedicated AI fund targeting the underfished waters of the North for high-growth AI investment opportunities. It concentrates on two approaches. The first are AI, Machine Learning or Data Science companies. The second are companies (particularly where they already have large data sets) who are not primarily AI companies, but who wish to apply these technologies to real life business issues.

Launched in November 2022 and with investment typically between £500k to £2m available to qualifying businesses, fund:AI is an EIS fund intended for investors who want to achieve capital growth by investing in early-stage, unquoted companies which have the potential to increase significantly in value.

Since inception, the fund, the first of its kind in the North, has invested in standout businesses including Southport VR gaming company Fallen Planet (to support the development of new titles with AI) and innovative Liverpool veterinary practice VidiVet (to embark on a computer vision, IOT and deep learning journey) with further deals imminent.

Speaking on the award, River Capital Investment Director David Walters said:

“I am thrilled that our evergreen EIS AI fund, fund:AI, has been recognised as the Best New Product/Service at this year’s Growth Investor Awards 2023. This achievement highlights our commitment and success in supporting fantastic Northern businesses on their AI and machine learning journeys. Since launching in November 2022, we have developed a management team and advisory board that are second to none and have completed investments in innovative companies like Fallen Planet and VidiVet that showcases the strength of our pipeline.

With further deals imminent, we’re looking forward to working with more exciting AI businesses across the North”

With the award win, River Capital now looks forward to cementing its place at the forefront of AI investing in the North and welcomes contact from interested parties, be they companies seeking investment or investors seeking AI exposure.

Ainsdale-based independent financial planning and investment management firm, Financial Planning Corporation (FPC), has announced that it will return as headline sponsor for the Merseyside Women of the Year (MWOTY) Awards 2024.

The women-led business stepped up as the headline sponsor for the 2023 event after five years as category sponsor and has supported this year’s winners – Heather Evans and June Russell from Halle’s Hub CIC – as well as finalists and category winners from previous years.

Cementing its commitment to the awards and champion women in the region making a difference, FPC has delivered two business leader events in partnership with MWOTY, to bring this year’s winners and finalists together with those from previous years, to encourage knowledge sharing, networking, collaboration, and celebration of success.

Moira O’Shaughnessy, Managing Partner, FPC, said: “MWOTY is a movement, not a moment, and it turns out that being headline sponsor is a similar experience! Over the past year our team became more involved with this unique community than ever before, creating a momentum that we want to ensure continues. The drive and focus of Ellie, her team, and all the winners past and present is having a positive impact throughout our region; we are honoured to keep supporting their endeavours. May 2024 be MWOTY’s best yet!”

Ellie Kerr, MWOTY Founding Director, said: “We are so excited that FPC has committed to a second year as headline sponsor for MWOTY. Not only is it a woman-led business with values that align perfectly with our own, FPC is also dedicated to supporting and improving communities. Over the past year Moira, Bernice and the team have supported us with incredible passion and gusto, and we have experienced a truly fantastic year of growth and even greater visibility. We would like to thank FPC for its support and being an incredible part of the MWOTY family – we’re eagerly anticipating what we can achieve together to make MWOTY even more of a movement in 2024!”

With clients across the Northwest, the financial planning and investment management company has 40 years’ experience supporting its clients, many of which are business owners based in the region, to achieve and maintain financial independence, secure their future and legacy, and lead the lives they aspire to. Through its charitable organisation, the FPC Foundation, it supports other events, initiatives, and organisations across the Northwest, including MWOTY category sponsor, the Community Foundation for Merseyside, which seeks to empower women in the region.

Other category sponsors returning for 2024 include Neo Community and ADDvanced Solutions, the Institute of Directors (IoD), global law firm, Taylor Wesssing, and communications and publishing consultancy, Auteur Media.

The 2024 MWOTY awards will take place on Friday 28th June 2024 at the Crowne Plaza in Liverpool City Centre and nominations are set to open in January 2024. Category sponsor opportunities are available, if you would like further information, please contact Ellie Kerr on [email protected]

For all other information, please visit: ​https://merseysidewomenoftheyear.co.uk/

fund:AI (managed by River Capital) have made a six-figure investment into leading pet health-tech platform company Vidivet Limited.

Based in Liverpool, Vidivet, has been named one of the UK’s Top 10 most exciting early-stage technology companies by Tech Nation and provides online vet triage services to pet owners all over the UK 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

VidiVet was founded in March 2020 by experienced vet Ben Sweeney and the Liverpool-based business now employs a team of 60, including a global team of vets who work remotely.

The app is redefining telehealth and providing enhanced operational efficiency and profitability to veterinary practices across the UK. The company is growing rapidly, with a number of new B2B clients including entry into the lucrative pet insurance ecosystem.

fund:AI will support the business with not just capital but also AI expertise, as the business embarks on a computer vision, IOT and deep learning journey that is designed to enhance the vet service and to further improve customer satisfaction levels.

The investment was led by David Walters of River Capital and was supported by Daniel Hayhurst of Brabners LLP and Mike McMahon of Trowers & Hamlins LLP

Vidivet CEO, Ben Sweeney, (pictured top) commented: “Raising investment can be hard and many founders inevitably find it difficult to select the right partner to pursue their vision. From early meetings with the team at River Capital, it was clear that they not only understood what we have now but also where we are going – which is of course critical. We live in a time where people are excited but also fearful of AI, so it is lovely to be able to share our journey with pet owners and to utilise AI and machine learning to fuel our learnings and evolution as a company.”

fund:AI Investment Director, David Walters, (pictured below) commented: “We are delighted to support Ben and the team and are impressed with the work in building out a highly sophisticated technology platform and a strong client list.  Ben is a great guy to work with too, his energy is infectious and he is genuinely open to our expert operational support. Growth in the sector is strong and we look forward to supporting Vidivet to further diversify their B2B customer base.  Health-tech is an area that will benefit greatly through AI innovation and we see a real opportunity for the company to go on a high growth journey over the coming years supported by deep learning projects with specialist veterinary health innovation facilities and pharmaceutical partners.”

About the River Capital EIS AI Fund ‘fund:AI’

fund:AI is the North’s first dedicated AI fund and was launched in November 2022 and managed from River Capital’s Liverpool head office. The fund is designed to support the North’s most promising AI and data companies.   fund:AI is an evergreen fund deploying investments of up to £2m into EIS qualifying companies predominately in the North of the UK. Drawing on AI operational expertise the fund is managed by Artificial Intelligence and Data industry experts and investors.

Norris Green residents are benefitting from a groundbreaking business support programme which was first launched in 2015 through Liverpool Central Library’s Business & Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC). 

Successfully launched last Monday, 23rd September, the Entrepreneur in Residence Business Clinic will be held at Lifestyles Ellergreen, Norris Green each Monday and delivers free, confidential advice and help to hundreds of people wanting to start, grow or secure their business.

A team of big-hearted professionals, led by Gary Millar FJMU, former Lord Mayor of Liverpool, aim to deliver a high impact service and are able to give people top quality business advice through these clinics. Supported by almost 40 specialist volunteer mentors, Gary and his team have provided support to thousands of entrepreneurs since opening within Liverpool Central Library in 2015, combining together to help people in accessing specialist expertise, from trademarks and patents through to marketing, finance and a whole range of other business areas. They genuinely care about our business community and turn up, listen, advise and follow up, giving hours of their valuable time for nothing .

At the first clinic last Monday, Gary was joined by fellow volunteers, lawyer Francis McEntegart of MC Legal and finance and banking expert Gary Beggs of Pomegranate, were on hand to answer questions from anyone who dropped into Lifestyles Ellergreen wanting advice on protecting their ideas, accessing finance or general help on starting or growing a business.

BIPC’s business engagement and marketing manager Geraldine Fuller said: “The Entrepreneur in Residence clinics have been a huge success and played a critical role in supporting over 2,000 businesses over the last three years. People come to us from all walks of life and we help anyone – from an individual with an idea needing to be protected, to a larger business needing patent advice or access to market research. There is a huge demand for our services from start-ups through to established businesses. Gary has as always given up his time completely free of charge and his infectious passion and energy has meant he’s enlisted the support of a brilliant team of people who share his drive and commitment to supporting our local businesses.  Thanks to Gary and the volunteers we are now also able to deliver this world class service in Norris Green.

Gary said: “Please pop into see us each Monday. Between us we have loads of useful experience, masses of helpful connections and a passion for paying it forward. It’s free of charge, impartial, independent and no one is getting paid to help you. We genuinely want to give Norris Green and areas further afield the very best opportunities. We are also really good listeners, and we look forward to helping you explore your business ideas and issues. We know from the work we’ve been doing over many years that we can help you make a real difference. With this new opening in Norris Green, I’m pleased to see that the BIPCs are again helping spread the access to business guidance and help turn your concepts into commercial reality.