News
Rob Cotton shortlisted for prestigious business award
Rob Cotton, CEO of global IT assurance company and MC2 technology PR client, NCC Group, has been shortlisted for Entrepreneur of the Year in the Financial Times’ prestigious PLC Awards.
The nomination follows a year of significant growth for NCC Group, with an annual revenue increase of 49 per cent, and an annual profit rise of 25 per cent.
This growth has been boosted by a number of recent high-profile acquisitions, including the takeover of US-based security testing services company iSEC Partners.
NCC Group provides independent IT assurance through escrow and assurance testing to more than 15,000 public and private sectors worldwide, including 94 of FTSE 100.
Rob Cotton has been at the helm of NCC Group since 2003 and has steered the company through admission to AIM in 2004 and then the London Stock Exchange’s main list in 2007.
He said: “Through a stream of acquisitions, NCC Group has experienced significant growth across all areas of the business.
“It is an honour to have been shortlisted alongside such high-calibre individuals and I am proud that both our success and proactive international outlook have been recognised on a national level.”
IoD brings in new chair
MC2 corporate PR client, the Institute of Directors (IoD) has welcomed well-known businessman, Tony Attard OBE, as new Chair for the North West region. Tony takes over from Ann Jordan, who has been in the role for four years and will now move onto the IoD board.
Tony Attard is founder and chief executive of Panaz Limited, the manufacturer of flame retardant fabrics for the international hospitality, leisure, commercial and healthcare sectors. Under Attard’s direction, Panaz gained two Queen’s Awards and today exports to 46 countries. He is currently a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, an associate of the Institute of Textiles, President of the Furnishing Industry Trust, a member of Court for the furniture makers' Guild and a member of the Institute of Management. He was previously chair at the British Contract Furnishing & Design Association (BCFA).
Attard obtained his OBE in the 2010 New Year Honours for services to the textile industry and international trade.
Deloitte urges North West businesses to engage with London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
The London 2012 Games can help businesses to improve staff engagement as well as generate revenue, according to the North West office of MC2 financial and professional services PR client, Deloitte.
The firm’s ‘Games Readiness’ report highlights that 60 per cent of companies think the London 2012 Games will have no impact on their business. However, Deloitte believes that this attitude could mean missing out not only on potential profit-making opportunities, but also – and more importantly – on a valuable tool to boost staff morale.
As the official professional service provider for the Games, Deloitte has embraced the London 2012 Games, with events including the Deloitte Ride Across Britain, when Olympic and Paralympic athletes and Deloitte staff cycled the length of the country to raise money for ParalympicsGB.
On a far smaller scale, however, the firm’s family day on Tuesday 15th February, which included guest appearances from the official London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic mascots, Wenlock and Mandeville, at the North West office, was a highly successful, cost-effective and staff-focused approach to engagement with the Games.
Paul Rawnsley, director in the Sports Business Group at Deloitte’s North West office, said; “The London 2012 Games is one of the biggest events that the UK will ever host and it will be a missed opportunity if businesses do not find creative ways to engage with the euphoria. Although large-scale events can involve huge resources, internal days that get employees excited and involved can be hugely beneficial in improving morale.
“Indeed, businesses can reduce the impact of staff absenteeism and lower productivity, which they may experience during the Games, by playing on the ‘feel good’ factor associated with 2012.
“The mascots were formed out of two drops of steel taken from the Bolton-based metalworks that made the Olympic Stadium girders. This serves as a further reminder that the North West is very much part of the Games and another reason why we should celebrate the mascots visit.”
Further Growth for BES says Andy Pilley
MC2 corporate PR client, commercial gas and electricity supplier, BES (Business Energy Solutions), is expecting to more than triple its turnover in the next two years thanks to innovative new steps to develop its services says Andy Pilley, MD of BES Gas and BES Electric.
BES, which was already expecting 50% revenue growth to reach £40 million turnover for 2011, is now predicting a £65 million turnover in 2012.
The forecasted growth is based on the successful application for two new licenses from industry body, Ofgem. The licenses for gas and electricity licenses will now allow the two separate limited companies, BES electric and BES gas, to supply both gas and electricity from either business.
Starting out as a gas only supplier seven years ago, BES launched into the electricity market in 2010, which saw customer numbers increase from 5,000 to 11,000.
Andy Pilley, managing director of BES, said: “The new licenses will allow the company to take another step forward, tying in perfectly with our growth strategy. To set up as an independent supplier that is growing at such a rate in a market dominated by large well-known suppliers has been a challenge but one we are enjoying.
“However, it is not just about growing the company - delivering excellent service to our customers is our priority and we are keen to try innovative steps that in turn benefit our growing client base. The new licenses will improve the service we offer to our clients by providing them with the option of receiving both gas and electricity from either company and receive one bill for their services.” Continued Andrew Pilley.
Operating across the UK, BES now employs 200 staff across the Fylde coast in the North West.
Andy Pilley, who founded the company with sister, Michelle Davidson, continues: “Businesses are operating in a tough climate at the moment and anything that reduces both paperwork and time, is a huge relief. This new offering for BES means businesses across the UK looking to switch contracts don’t need to spend hours looking for a new utility supplier and instead, get the service they need under one roof.”
New for Spring/Summer 2011: RHS Chelsea Collection from Wax Lyrical
MC2 consumer PR client, Wax Lyrical, and the Royal Horticultural Society have collaborated to create the RHS Chelsea collection, a premium collection of candles, reed diffusers and room mists, which promises to bring spring into the home.
The stunning new RHS Chelsea collection perfectly blends the beautifully traditional black and white botanical English garden illustrations from the RHS Lindley Library with the collection’s stylish and contemporary product design.
The collection’s delicate illustrations are complemented by a range of fresh spring scents including Sunflower, Hyacinth, Cyclamen and Hellebore. Each fragrance contains a luxurious blend of essential oils and the candles are made from natural creamy soy wax, which has a cleaner, more uniform burn with the added benefit of being eco-friendly.
The illustrations, which are decoratively displayed on the glass wax fills, teamed with the eye-catching colours of the packaging, make the range a beautiful gift and great addition to every interior.
The new range has already been shortlisted for Gift of The Year 2011 by the Gift Association.
Since the launch of the original collection in 2008, the RHS collection has become one of Wax Lyrical’s best-sellers, winning Waitrose’s coveted Best Product Innovation award last year, after it proved a hit with its customers.
The new RHS Chelsea range will be available from Spring/Summer 2011, priced from £12.
