The Favourite Cities to Work in Within the UK

Posted on May 29, 2014

Happy Office WorkerIn the increasingly globalised world we live in, it has become common for professionals to relocate to a new city in search of better career opportunities. There are many factors that need to be considered when choosing a new home base, but over the years, a number of UK cities have profiled themselves as the best destinations for working professionals. Career opportunities and good quality of life are no longer centralised in or around London, so take a look at our list of the top British cities to live and work in and at everything they have to offer.

Milton Keynes

Due to its proximity to London and to its excellent business infrastructure, Milton Keynes is considered one of the most desirable destinations for working professionals. This Buckinghamshire city creates over 5,000 new jobs every year, and according to the Milton Keynes Intelligence Observatory, the city has one of the UK’s lowest unemployment rates (2.6 per cent in April 2014). The private sector dominates the local labour market, as there are over 116,000 private sector employees versus 30,600 in the public sector. Milton Keynes also boasts a highly qualified and skilled workforce. The city ranks high in terms of its healthy business environment, presence of multinational companies, and average weekly earnings too.

Aldershot

Despite its relatively small population, this Hampshire city has been climbing the ranks of the top UK cities to live and work due to its excellent ratings in aspects like employment equality, average earnings, business start up rates, and overall life satisfaction. Aldershot seems to attract large numbers of entrepreneurs, mostly thanks to its low business churn rate. The number of jobs available in the private sector has been growing steadily over the past few years, having experienced growth rates of over 9 per cent in 2012. Affordable housing and great transportation links with London and with the rest of the South East are other important factors that attract professionals and entrepreneurs to the city.

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The Changing Face of UK Cities: Glasgow

Posted on May 9, 2014

Glasgow Centre Over Water at NightA Look at Glasgow’s Changing Demographic Profile

Although Edinburgh is Scotland’s official capital, Glasgow has by far the region’s largest population. According to data published in December 2013 by the National Records of Scotland office, Glasgow has a total population of just over 595,000 people. This means that the city is home to approximately 11 per cent of the Scottish population.

Glasgow’s demographic make-up has certainly changed over the years. During the early 20th century the city attracted many Eastern and Southern European immigrants. The city’s population (along with its boundaries) increased considerably during the first few decades of the century, peaking at more than 1 million people during the 1950s. However, a long period of economic and social decline ensued, resulting in a steady population decrease between 1986 and 2005. During that period, the city’s population declined by 5,000 people every year, but a period of stabilisation followed during the mid-2000s.

Although over the past five years there has been a large number of young people moving to Glasgow from other parts of the UK and Europe, fertility rates have been decreasing, giving rise to a generalised decline in population numbers. This may be due to the fact that a significant percentage of Glasgow’s young population are professionals who are postponing parenthood. Glasgow’s City Council reports that the areas that have suffered the highest levels of population loss are Easterhouse, Croftfoot, and Balornock.

A look at Glasgow’s population pyramid reveals that the city’s population is predominantly young, since more than 24 per cent of its residents are aged between 16 and 29 years old. This figure contrasts with the Scottish average for this age group, which is barely 18 per cent. The second largest age group is comprised by people aged 30 to 44 (11 per cent), whereas people aged 75 and over constitute the smallest group, accounting for 6.7 per cent of the city’s population.

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The Benefits of Serviced Office Space

Posted on April 25, 2014

Office Building at NightServiced offices can help businesses thrive, especially smaller businesses that have limited finances and want a cost-effective and professional space to operate. Whether as a temporary space or for longer-term use, serviced office spaces are often attractive to start-up and newer businesses, especially smaller businesses. The following outlines a few of the benefits that serviced office accommodation can offer businesses.

Simplified Expenses

A serviced office space simplifies budgets with a single bill. These types of offices typically offer an all-inclusive bill each month. The single bill covers a range of expenses, including rent, shared support services, office maintenance, heating and other utilities. With fixed costs and consolidated billing, businesses are able to budget more easily and save on accounting time. There are also no nasty surprises with higher than expected bills or unexpected costs.

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The Changing Face of Great Britain’s Cities: UK Cities Today

Posted on April 11, 2014

Map of United KingdomIn recent years cities across the UK have undergone many changes in quick succession. After the struggles of the 2008 financial crisis causing much hardship across the country, the economies of UK cities have started to grow and in some cases flourish once again. While in many cities here is still a long way to go to get back to pre-2008 levels, there are many signs of optimism and economic recovery.

Let’s take a look at some of the recent changes in some of most important cities in the UK and how their economies are performing today, along with information on current industry trends and demographics:

The Changing Face of Britain’s Cities: London

As the largest city in the United Kingdom and the most populous metropolis in Europe, London is a vibrant city marked by constant change and innovation. These characteristics affect everything in the city, from its economic life to its demographics. The diversification of the economy has also made it stronger and better equipped to face the recession. Although the financial sector was affected by the economic crisis, unemployment levels in London remain low, especially following the 2012 Olympic Games, which helped create thousands of jobs, mostly in the fields of tourism and construction.

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The Changing Face of Britain’s Cities: Manchester

With a total population of over 2.5 million people, the Greater Manchester Area is the second largest urban municipality in the United Kingdom. At the heart of this metropolis is the city of Manchester, a vibrant urban centre that has been crucial to the development of the UK economy since the late 18th century. Like many other large cities throughout the country, Manchester is experiencing a series of social and economic changes that are transforming its face. In this article we take a detailed look at the changing face of this great British city.

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The Changing Face of Britain’s Cities: Birmingham

Birmingham has had a leading position as one of Europe’s largest and most important manufacturing centres for nearly two centuries. The role that this Midlands city played during the industrial revolution marked the future development of its population, economy, and industry. Following a series of regeneration projects, modern day Birmingham is at the forefront of socio-economic development in the United Kingdom. In this article we cover the demographic, economic, and industrial changes that the city has recently experienced.

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Seven Essentials for How To Hold an Effective Meeting

Posted on April 4, 2014

People having a business meetingGiving notice of a meeting can have several effects. Staff might believe it is an important meeting, a progress meeting, or a meeting where “we are all going to get tasked with extra work”. Effective meetings achieve outcomes. When a meeting inspires each attendee to complete tasks, the meeting is successful. To chair an effective meeting, be aware of several common factors that make meetings more dynamic and fluid.

1. The Invite List

Make sure each invitee knows exactly why the meeting is proposed. Take a firm stand when writing the invitation, composing the purpose for the meeting in the active voice. For example, “Tomorrow’s meeting is about the publishing aspects concerning the printing supply chain” is vague. One of the main issues with this is the resultant parade of invitees, who knock on your door asking why they need to be there. A firmer statement is; “Tomorrow we are meeting to reduce costs in the printing supply chain by actioning ways we can cut costs from the publishing department side of operations.” For the second statement, the staff invited know they are there to come up with ways to cut costs. They will come prepared to innovate and recommend.

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The Changing Face of Britain’s Cities: Brighton

Posted on March 21, 2014

Brighton Boardwalk SignSituated in East Sussex and founded by the Saxons, Brighton sits on the southern coast of England. The city forms part of the unitary authority of Brighton and Hove, which was created in 2000 and includes Hove, Portslade and other villages in the surrounding area. Traditionally a fishing village, the community emerged as a resort town during the 18th century and became an increasingly popular tourist destination with the arrival of railways. Still a significant tourist destination, the city is England’s most populous seaside resort. It is home to a well-developed seafront with restaurants, bars, clubs, amusement arcades, sports facilities and piers overlooking the English Channel.

Brighton and Hove boasts a population of 273,369 according to the 2011 Census, an increase of 10.3 percent from 2001. This makes Brighton and Hove the largest unitary authority in the South East. The city covers an area of 87.54 square kilometres or 33.80 square miles. Brighton and Hove is increasingly diverse. One out of every five residents or 19.5 percent of the city’s population is from a black or minority ethnic community, according to the 2011 Census. This represents an increase of 79.7 percent compared to the 2011 Census.

Brighton was primarily a farming and fishing community until the early 18th century. Throughout the 18th century, the community emerged as a resort town beginning with the rising interest in saltwater as a curative treatment in the 1730s. Spas and indoor baths opened throughout Brighton and the surrounding area during this period. With the arrival of passenger rail service in 1841, the city evolved into a poplar day-trip destination for Londoners. Much of the city’s growth can be attributed to the patronage of the future King George IV following his first visit in 1783 as Prince Regent. During the later part of the century, Georgian terraces and landmarks such as the Royal Pavilion, the Grand Hotel, and the Palace and West piers began to define the community.

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The Changing Face of Britain’s Cities: Sheffield

Posted on March 14, 2014

Sheffield Town HallAlthough there has been a human presence in the area now known as Sheffield since prehistoric times, the city itself traces its roots to Anglo-Saxon and Danish settlements in the 8th century. Following the Norman Conquest in 1066, Sheffield Castle was built to protect the growing city. By the late 13th century, a market was established in present-day Castle Square. During the 17th century English Civil War, the city would see itself under attack and its castle destroyed. Situated in South Yorkshire, Sheffield owes much of its development to industry and steel production.

Sheffield was a major centre for industrial change during the 19th century and the source of significant inventions, including stainless steel, silver-plated copper, crucible steel, and high-strength low-alloy steels. Coal mining was also a major economic driver in the area surrounding the city. The economy of Sheffield saw a major transformation over the past 20 years with the decline of iron and steel industries due to increased international competition during the 1970s and 1980s. Founded in 1805, the only remaining steel works in Sheffield is Forgemasters. The city is increasingly known as a centre for excellence in a number of sectors, according to the State of Sheffield 2013 Report. The city continues to be a centre for innovation in the advanced manufacturing sector, which is concentrated at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Sheffield. The AMP is home to the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), Castings Technology International (CTi), and The Welding Institute (TWI)

Much of the city’s economy is driven by small and medium sized enterprises, according to the State of Sheffield 2013 report. In 2012, an estimated 783,600 people worked in the Sheffield City Region, with 80 percent of workers employed in service sectors. The city’s largest employers include its two universities, the National Health Service (NHS), and national and local government agencies. An estimated 13 percent of Sheffield’s workers are employed in manufacturing, a figure that is higher than the national average. Other significant sources of employment include finance, business and technical services (16 percent), retail, food and drink serving sectors (15 percent), and the hospital and medical sector (10 percent). Major retail centres include The Moor, Fargate, Orchard Square and Devonshire Quarter in the city centre, as well as Meadowhall and Crystal Peaks shopping centres.

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Free Business Mentoring Programs in the UK

Posted on March 7, 2014

Words on a blackboardMentoring is an opportunity to share experiences and gain new knowledge and skills. While mentors are able to provide guidance and share their experiences with new or developing professionals, mentees gain valuable insight into how to apply successful marketing and business strategies. Several organisations offer helpful mentoring opportunities to London-based businesses and marketing practitioners.

Chartered Institute of Marketing Free Mentoring Scheme

The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Mentoring Network is available to all CIM members. The CIM represents the interests of marketing professionals. In addition to setting service standards for the profession, the CIM also develops and organises professional development opportunities. Learning and networking opportunities include from an extensive calendar of conferences and workshops. The CIM is organised by regional networks of volunteers, and is represented in London by the Greater London Region.

The CIM’s Free Mentoring Scheme provides an opportunity for senior members to share their skills and knowledge with less experienced marketing professionals. As part of the programme, mentors help other marketing professionals develop their skills through confidential and objective support. The scheme also provides an opportunity to gain new perspectives and contacts. At the same time, mentors earn Continuing Professional Development (CDP) points. They also gain new insights and share their talent with new marketers. Mentors are typically senior professionals, while mentees are marketing managers and practitioners. Mentors must be members and recognised as a Chartered Marketer for at least two years, in addition to working as in a marketing position for at least eight years. For more information about the CIM’s Free Mentoring Scheme, visit www.cimlondon.co.uk.

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The Changing Face of Britain’s Cities: Cardiff

Posted on February 28, 2014

Cardiff UK at DuskThe Welsh capital is often hailed as an example of successful development and adaptation to changing demographic and economic conditions. Cardiff’s history spans more than two thousand years, when the city was nothing more than a small fort built by the Romans. How has Cardiff changed since and what are the current demographic and economic trends that prevail in the Welsh capital?

Demographics

Historians believe that Cardiff’s first inhabitants arrived during the Neolithic era from the southern Mediterranean region, most likely from Spain and Portugal. During several centuries, population growth was slow, although historical records show that by the late 13th century, Cardiff was already the most populous town in Wales, with an approximate population of 2,000 people. However, Cardiff’s true demographic explosion did not take place until the 18th century, when the city docks were built and railway lines reached the city. In the three decades between 1840 and 1870, the local population grew by 80 per cent, mostly due to the arrival of English and Irish migrants. At the turn of the 20th century, Cardiff had a permanent population of 172,000.

The city’s population reached its peak during the early 1970s, although it quickly fell into decline, not being able to recover until the mid-2000s, when several urban regeneration projects turned Cardiff into one of the most desirable locations to live in. The latest demographic data (taken from the 2011 census) show that Cardiff’s current population amounts to 346,000 people.

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UK Business Start Ups: Grants and Funding

Posted on February 7, 2014

Investment Sources DiagramAs the majority of entrepreneurs know, starting up a new business entails a series of challenges that not everyone is able to rise to. These challenges include a wide range of issues, from making sure that your business practices comply with the relevant regulations to finding ways of staying ahead of your competitors. But before any of these things can happen, it is crucial to ensure that you get up on the right foot financially speaking.

According to a 2014 data set published by Entrepreneur Weekly, approximately 25 per cent of small businesses go bankrupt during their first year. This figure goes up to 44 per cent in the third year and to a scary 71 per cent in the 10th year. By far, the most commonly quoted reason for failure is incompetence, a broad term that includes poor knowledge of business finance. How can you make sure that your small business is off to a good start? In this post we take a look at some of the start-up grants and funding schemes available to small UK businesses.

Public bodies

It is often a good idea to start looking at the funding options available from public government bodies. These are made available via your local city council, and start-up grants can cover part of the costs involved in purchasing machinery, renting and buying a business property, etc. Go online and check the business section of your city council website to find what is available and whether you meet the requirements.

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