Social housing is a market that has shown more activity than purely private sector schemes that continue to be hobbled by a non-moving mortgage market. For some private developers, partnering with a social housing group may be the way forward.
The coalition government’s had time to settle in now. After much noise in opposition about ripping up regional strategies and putting power in the hands of local people it’s now had a year to pout its money where its mouth is – so what’s the verdict on its performance so far?
Owner-managed businesses are a staple ingredient of the North West commercial landscape and their directors will come to a point when they either retire, or sell out to pursue something else.
At the back end of last year, commentators said that AIM was heating up – admissions were beginning to increase and plans were being laid for a swath of IPOs, we were told. Six months on there have 22 admissions to AIM in the year to May 2011 and 52 de-listings. What do these figures tell us?
Manchester’s inward investment agency MIDAS has set out its stall for the coming year, promising to equal last year’s tally of new jobs created in the city region. But while the market remains tough for major relocations, movement of jobs from RBS’ investment banking division in London could hail the start of something major for the North West.
What’s the best piece of work you’ve done in the past 20 years? That’s the challenge set by Insider’s annual review of the North West PR industry, looking back over the two decades this magazine has been in existence.
Recent documentary coverage, looking at how the Chinese are investing in Africa, proves this is a land of opportunity. Local businesses have since echoed these sentiments and called on others to explore what this vast continent has to offer.
The headlines in outlying areas of the North West have been around political and civic change but the performance of a county goes way beyond the strength of its public sector. In this feature, where we travel south away from Manchester, Insider will profile some of the region’s key businesses based in Cheshire.
Venues at the ready, budget at the ready; we’re all gearing up for this year’s Christmas party, right? Yes, the industry around festive celebrations is big business and lead times into December parties are long for a reason.
As universities come under increasing budgetary pressures, the need to drive further revenue from the private sector has come into play. Establishing links with businesses, providing consultancy, knowledge transfer, incubation and training are all established forms of engagement that are on the increase.
