Donna Scully Acclaimed in the 2025 IBUK Elite Women

Insurance Business UK conducted a far-reaching analysis of the insurance industry and is proud to recognize Donna Scully as one of the standout performers and celebrate their exemplary professional abilities and expertise.

Chris Sweeney, Managing Editor for Special Reports at Insurance Business UK shared his insights on the selection process, stating, “Our experienced judging panel did an excellent job selecting the list of worthy winners. Donna Scully was recognised for her ability to deliver for clients and for her proactive mindset. She also stood out for making a positive impact across the industry as a whole.”

Insurance Business UK’s 30+ strong Intelligence Unit compiled the final winners list after the completion of a rigorous process, canvassing the opinions of objective industry experts and collating leading-edge research. In addition, further insight was provided by IBUK’s esteemed judging panel. The prestigious list of honourees was then matched with the Elite Women’s precise criteria.

Donna Scully receives this honor with pleasure and is ‘delighted and humbled’ to be included among the insurance industry’s top performers.

This award is testament to the professionalism and commitment Donna Scully brings to the industry and additionally showcases their desire to maintain their first-rate standards.

For further information, please contact:

Lynda Thwaite, Comms Director
Carpenters Group
07833 169468

[email protected]

Carpenters Group | Carpenters Group

 

About Donna Scully:

Donna Scully is a Joint Owner/Director at Carpenters Group, a leading UK provider of insurance and legal services.

A global leader in the insurance world, based in Liverpool for over 25 years with a proud Irish heritage, Donna is a lawyer, experienced public speaker and podcaster who also works closely with the Ministry of Justice in relation to motor claims and civil justice reform.

Carpenters’ employ 1500 people across seven UK locations and work in partnership with insurers, brokers & MGAs to deliver a variety of outsourced claims.

Donna is renowned for her thought leadership on insurance industry fraud, reform and other matters that impact the insurance and legal market.

Donna received the Outstanding Achievement award at the 2014 Personal Injury Awards for her work in setting up AskCUEPI & in September 2018, she jointly won the Insurance Post Magazine’s Social Media Influencer Award.

Donna was awarded the Outstanding Achievement of the Year Award 2023 at the Modern Claims Awards and was named on the Insurance Business UK’s ‘Elite Women’ List 2024.

Beyond her work in the insurance and legal sector, Donna is passionate about social impact and dedicates her time and resources to helping a plethora of causes. A huge advocate and supporter for those in society that need extra care, Donna runs a homeless breakfast club every Sunday which she personally attends and provides food for. She is an Ambassador for Fans Supporting Foodbanks and mentors for the Girls Network and the Insurance Breakfast Club. She sponsors many grassroots organisations that support social mobility, homelessness and mental health.

Awarded the ‘Outstanding Charity Support’ Award 2021 at the Liverpool Echo Regional Business Awards for her charity work during the pandemic. Carpenters Group won the ‘Outstanding CSR Award’ at the YM Liverpool Property & Business Awards in 2022. Donna also won the ‘Metro Choice Award for Social Impact’ at the Employer’s Excellence Awards 2024.

Most recently, Donna received the Merseyside Woman of the Year 2024 and Business Leader awards for her outstanding work.

Donna is on the editorial Board of Modern Insurance Magazine & Chairs the Insurance Times Fraud Charter Group. She has twin men and lives in Merseyside.

About 2025 IBUK Elite Women:

Insurance Business UK invited insurance professionals from across the region to nominate exceptional female leaders for the seventh Elite Women list. Nominators were asked to provide details of their nominee’s achievements and initiatives over the past 12 months, including specific examples of their professional accomplishments and contributions to the industry.

To select the winners, the IBUK team relied on the help of an independent and esteemed panel of judges that included:

Amanda Scott, Willis Towers Watson

Leon Walker, Aon

Nicola Maguire, British Insurance Brokers’ Association

Paolo Cuomo, Insurance Women’s Inclusivity Network

Karen Ko, Marsh

The judges and the IBUK team reviewed all nominations, examining how each individual had made a meaningful contribution to the industry, to whittle down the list to the final 75 Elite Women. To avoid conflicts of interest, self-voting and voting for relatives were prohibited.

Acclaimed property and regeneration CEO appointed as a trustee for The Standing Tall Foundation in St. Helens

The highly respected and multiple award-winning CEO of property firm Nicholson Group, Paul Nicholson has been appointed as a trustee of the Standing Tall Foundation.

It’s a charity he has much admired after it was founded in 2020 by John Tabern MSc and triple amputee Andy Reid MBE.

Paul, a wellbeing advocate himself, was particularly inspired by how the foundation promote the mental health and physical wellbeing of all community groups in St Helens, by providing free professional support services.

His firm employs more than 20 staff and is based in Beecham’s Building in the centre of St Helen’s, a town he has championed and invested multi-millions of pounds of investment in since 2016.

Paul said: “I understand first-hand how the services provided by the Standing Tall Foundation are invaluable to families. The Foundation’s mission aligns closely with my own values, focusing on providing vital assistance to those in need, including mental health support, PTSD, addiction recovery programs and aid for veterans and disadvantaged individuals. They change lives for the better and I’m really proud to be involved.

“They are there for so many people who are literally at rock bottom in their lives. The charity’s founders, Andy Reid MBE and John Tabern have done a brilliant job since the Foundation was formed five years ago and providing advice and support in whichever way I can is a privilege, and I appreciate the opportunity for myself and Nicholson Group to be able to help.”

John Tabern said: “Andy and I could not be more pleased by the appointment of Paul to our Board of Trustees. This step will bring his wealth of experience directly to bear on our work, which can only result in better outcomes for those we support.”

The Standing Tall Foundation continues to provide essential services to individuals facing adversity, and with Paul’s appointment as a Trustee, the Foundation strengthens its leadership team with a dedicated advocate who is committed to making a difference.

Andy Reid MBE (left) and John Tabern MSc

For more information about the Standing Tall Foundation and how to support its initiatives, please visit:

www.standingtallfoundation.org.uk

Bathgate secures £500k for recruitment start-up

West Kirby-based business finance specialist, Bathgate Business Finance, has secured a £500k deal to support the growth of St Helens based start-up, Simply Recruitment Group Ltd.

Bathgate was introduced to the firm by its bank to help source a critical working capital facility to fund the firm’s significant growth to a projected £5 million turnover in its first 12 months.

Simply Recruitment Group Ltd was established by sole director, Paul Oakes, who operates a group of existing businesses, including an electrical engineering solutions company. Paul identified an opportunity to establish a recruitment company alongside other parties experienced in this sector and others, including hospitality, engineering and construction.

Bathgate Business Finance BDM, Paul Trickett, said: “When we were introduced to the client he was self-funding initial sales running at £40k per week, so speed was of the essence to meet the working capital requirements that were critical to growth.”

After reviewing the business and gaining an understanding of Simply Recruitment Group Ltd’s future plans, Bathgate introduced the firm to a number of potential funders.

Zodeq, a specialist in the recruitment sector, was selected and the £500k facility with credit protection was approved and paid out within six days of the initial introduction.

As part of the deal, the funder also agreed to increase the overall limit to accommodate the increase in sales forecast in the next 12 months, providing flexibility to the client as the business grows.

Paul Cooney, Managing Director at Zodeq, said: “We are delighted to be working with Paul and the wider team at Simply Recruitment as a local Agency located in the North West. As a Specialist Recruitment Sector Invoice Finance business the opportunity to support Simply was right in our sweet spot and we are delighted to commence our Facility with the initial limit to support the business which has since been increased to provide strong headroom for them in the future.

“Our thanks go to Paul Trickett and the Bathgate team for their usual high knowledge of ensuring their clients are matched with the right funding partner which is the case here. We look forward to a long relationship with this fantastic group of businesses.”

Paul Oakes, Director at Simply Recruitment Group Ltd, said: “At the point we started looking for funding, speed and an understanding of the potential of our business was vital. Bathgate Business Finance and Zodeq grasped this quickly and worked closely with us to find a solution that could meet our time constraints and support our projected growth. We now have a facility that will support our current working capital needs and grow with the business.”

The deal is a further demonstration of Bathgate’s award-winning support for SMEs and its commitment to service excellence. In September 2023, it was named winner in two categories at the prestigious NACFB Commercial Broker Awards 2023 – the SME Champion and Service Excellence award – and in October 2023 won Professional Services Business of the Year at the Merseyside Independent Business Awards (MIBS).

For more information about Bathgate Business Finance or to find out more about its asset finance and own-book lending visit:
bathgatebf.co.uk,
call Paul Trickett on 07469 140 180 or
email [email protected]

 


L-r: Paul Cooney (Zodeq) Laura Grace (Simply Recruitment) and Paul Tickett (Bathgate BF)
Photograph by: Andrew AB Photography

bathgatebf.co.ukor call 0151 625 732

BATHGATE LEASING LTD · 2 BROOK TERRACE · WEST KIRBY
WIRRAL CH48 4DX

 

dot-Art Gallery Iconic Women

RUNNING UNTIL 29TH MARCH 2025

An exhibition by dot-art Artists Kirsten Todd, Mariana Potenko and Charlotte Weatherstone

‘ICONIC WOMEN’ carries us through Women’s History Month which celebrates the contributions of women around the globe to events in history and contemporary life. The portraits you will see will bring a rush of film names, songs and dates to mind as the women in this exhibition have driven progress through scientific efforts, in the sports industry and changing the views of women in the media and culture. From local legends to the world stage, they each show characteristics of excellence, channelling their talents and strength to rise; a rising tide raises all boats.

KIRSTEN TODD
Brush in hand since childhood, Kirsten has always had a passion for painting. She originally gained a degree in graphic design, going on to pursue a career in design for over 25 years, whilst continuing to paint. As painting continued to be at the forefront of her creative energy, she decided to concentrate on painting professionally.

Specialising in portraits, Kirsten works mainly in acrylics and aims to capture, vibrancy, energy, strength, balance and beauty within the people she paints. Her latest series of portraits ‘Rise of the Divine Feminine’ highlights the rise of feminine energy within us at this time of great change, celebrating the strength of womenkind. Kirsten’s portraits in this exhibition focus on the ground-breaking and fiercely original women of predominantly the entertainment world, from Blondie frontwoman Debbie Harry, Tina Turner and her electrifying stage presence to Lauryn Hill’s vulnerability, authenticity and talent for musical storytelling.

MARIANA POTENKO
“As a Ukrainian artist who made Liverpool my home in 2022 after the war in Ukraine began, I was deeply moved to be part of this exhibition dedicated to the famous women of this city. The process of creating these portraits allowed me to connect with the city on a deeper level and to celebrate the women who have left an indelible mark on its history. My selection includes women from diverse backgrounds and fields, each of whom represents a unique aspect of Liverpool’s rich heritage.”

Instantly recognisable faces like Cilla Black and Kim Cattrall are painted in vibrant strokes alongside new some names you will remember after you leave the exhibition, such as Louise Kenny, a pioneering professor in women’s health and cancer survivor, who has made significant contributions to medical research, improving lives and advancing science.

CHARLOTTE WEATHERSTONE
Charlotte studied Graphics at Liverpool John Moores University and is an illustrator, designer and mural artist based in Liverpool. “This series of illustrated and mixed media portraits is a tribute to some of the most iconic women in the music industry during their early or breakthrough years. PJ Harvey, Siouxsie Sioux from Siouxsie and the Banshees, Grace Jones, Courtney Love from Hole, and Björk.

“These artists have influenced and inspired me at different stages of my life, not only through their groundbreaking music but also through their bold live performances, candid interviews, revolutionary fashion and, most importantly, their unapologetic attitude. For me, attitude is what defines a person, it is the force that shapes how they navigate the world, take risks, and make their presence felt.

Using my signature linear style, I sought to distil their spirit into a visual form using simple yet expressive mark making tools which reflect the raw energy, complexity, depth of these women. Each have taught me how to embrace boldness, defy convention, and remain authentic in the face of adversity.”

All artworks are for sale.
dot-art Gallery
14 Queen Avenue, Castle Street, Liverpool L2 4TX
Tuesday – Saturday, 10.00 – 18.00
For more information visit dot-art.com

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 [email protected] 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

May 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

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