THE University of Bradford’s School of Management has been recognised for its work with small businesses and the opportunities it creates for students.  Small Business Charter status has been given to the School of Management for the next five years.

The School of Management’s contributions were recognised in three categories: Support for Growth of Small Businesses, Stakeholder Engagement to Support Growth, and Encouraging Student Enterprise and Entrepreneurship.  Bradford University has supported budding entrepreneurs with the £2.5 million Bradford-Renduchintala Enterprise Ecosystem (BREE), launched in January.

Professor Sankar Sivarajah, dean of the School of Management, said: “We are delighted to be re-accredited with the Small Business Charter award.  Thank you to all our colleagues, students, alumni, and business community who have played their part in helping the School to secure this re-accreditation.”

Tim Rogers, chief executive officer of Bradford district-based firm Future Transformation, said: “With access to students, research, and innovation, the University of Bradford School of Management proves a vital resource for SMEs like mine and the wider business community locally, regionally, and nationally to grow sustainably and increase our skills, resulting in a strong and stable economy.”

The School of Management hopes to help develop businesses further when it launches its new MSc in Entrepreneurship Practice, in September 2025.

Kevin O’Hare, Principal

Keighley College is a further education institution, offering a range of academic and technical qualifications at multiple levels for post-16 and adult learners.

The college has a rich local history, tracing its origins to Keighley Mechanics’ Institute, founded in 1825. It has been a member of Luminate Education Group since 2007.

Keighley College provides caring, authentic, and respectful learning experience, which seeks to prepare learners for a range of future opportunities.  The close-knit college community holds its values at the heart of all it does.

The campus boasts an Industrial Centre of Excellence, equipped with  industry-standard equipment, designed to encourage more learners to take up careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Keighley College, Bradford Road, Keighley BD21 4HQ

Tel:  01535 685000

Website: keighleycollege.ac.uk

A Bradford company handed over a cheque for more than a £1,000 to a charity after its fundraising efforts in aid of the organisation last year.  Staff at Thorite baked cakes, dressed up daft, and fired up the barbecue in a year of fundraising for Huddersfield-based Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice.

The compressed air and fluid power specialists picked the group as their 2023 charity and handed over £1,216, which came from money-raising efforts across all Thorite’s sales and service centres, including those in Bradford, Leeds, and Sheffield.  Forget Me Not provides expert clinical care, respite, therapy, days out, memory-making, end-of-life care, and bereavement support to children with life-shortening conditions, and their families, across West Yorkshire.  It relies heavily on charitable donations to support its work.

Presenting the cheque to Masood Ahmed, of Forget Me Not, at Thorite’s Bradford headquarters, Managing Director, Stephen Wright, said: “We were delighted to do our bit to support the charity’s important work with children and families who are facing the toughest of life’s challenges.”

Masood Ahmed said: “It’s great when colleagues come together to raise funds to help us continue and build on our work and we’d like to say a big thank you to everyone at Thorite for their fund-raising efforts.”

Thorite has chosen the Alzheimer’s Society to benefit from its fund-raising efforts this year after a company-wide vote.

A UNIVERSITY of Bradford department has been ranked among the top 25 in Europe for the number of start-up companies created by graduates.  The university’s School of Management, celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, has been ranked in 25th place for its Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) course in the 2023 PitchBook Universities list of the top undergraduate, graduate and MBA rankings at institutions across Europe.  Bradford was ranked among business schools from universities in Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden in the MBA category.

PitchBook’s annual university rankings compare business schools by totalling up the number of alumni entrepreneurs who have raised venture capital in the last 10 years.  The University of Bradford posted 22 founder and business counts in PitchBook’s MBA list   The 2023 listings are based on the number of founders who received a first round of venture funding between 1 January 2013 and 1 September 2023.

Professor Sankar Sivarajah, Dean of the School of Management at the University of Bradford, said: “We are delighted that we are among Europe’s top universities in the 2023 PitchBook University rankings.  The School of Management is proud to be a launchpad for so many successful fledgling businesses created by our students.  Completing an MBA can provide individuals with the opportunity not only to sharpen their business acumen and skills but also to increase their credibility when seeking investment for business ideas.”

The University of Bradford is helping support the entrepreneurs of tomorrow through the £2.5 million Bradford-Renduchintala Enterprise Ecosystem (BREE).  The Dragons’ Den-style initiative is open to staff, students and members of the public.

The university is aiming to become the UK’s number one destination for entrepreneurs. It will build on the university’s long history of research and innovation. BREE was launched in January 2024 through a £1.25m donation from alumnus Dr Murthy Renduchintala, and a further £1.25m from the university.

The MBA PitchBook ranking is the latest recognition for the University of Bradford’s School of Management. It is ranked in the top two per cent in the world last year after it received a joint re-accreditation from the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the Business Graduates Association (BGA), who are two of the world’s leading authorities on business education.

It is three years since the School of Management became the first business school in England to receive its initial joint accreditation from AMBA and BGA.  A total of 300 of the world’s 16,000 business schools, including Bradford, are AMBA accredited, equivalent to two per cent.

THREE Bradford employers have been named in The Sunday Times Best Places To Work 2024.  Arts organisation Bradford 2025, manufacturer Mansfield Pollard, and legal firm Schofield Sweeney all make the nationwide list this year.  Over 70,000 companies and brands were surveyed to form the newspaper’s list.  The list looked at businesses’ ability to engage and support people of all ages.  It considered the following criteria: reward and recognition, instilling pride, information sharing, empowerment, wellbeing and job satisfaction.

Bradford 2024                                                                                                                                       Bradford 2025 was set up two years ago following the UK City of Culture winning bid. The list says the organisation has “quickly created a company culture for 56 employees”.  It added: “Set up in 2022 when Bradford won a bid to become UK City of Culture, the mid-sized arts organisation has quickly created a company culture for 56 employees.  There is an induction programme for new staff members, fortnightly all-company sessions and events to celebrate Pride, black history and mental awareness.  Perks include an employee assistance helpline, high street discounts and flexible work patterns.”

Mansfield Pollard                                                                                                                                      Dudley Hill-based Mansfield Pollard was praised for giving all its employees a £2,500 pay rise to help with the cost of living.  The list said: “A ventilation specialist that has breathed fresh air into the business with an overhaul of the culture and new facilities after a management buyout in 2020, the same year it moved to a 64,000-square feet state-of-the-art headquarters in Bradford.  New initiatives introduced by chief executive Louise Frankland include an employee forum.  Last year, all 146 employees received a £2,500 pay rise to help with the cost of living.  Other rewards include a day off for birthdays and paid charity days.”

Schofield Sweeney                                                                                                                               Schofield Sweeney is located in the city centre and has 167 employees.  It has been highlighted as “one of the best work/life balances in the profession”.  The list said: “It is not all about work at the law firm that battled for sub-postmasters in the Post Office scandal.  Schofield Sweeney, based in Bradford, aims to offer its 167 employees one of the best work/life balances in the profession.  There are tea and toast Thursdays, Iftar meals, massages, posture clinics and one volunteering day annually.  The firm has a book club and bake-off competition, a healthcare insurance plan and has promoted its first non-lawyers to associate and director level.”  It comes after the firm was named Employer of the Year Award at the Bradford Means Business Awards last summer.

A MULTI-cultural festive tree in Bradford is sending a united message of peace and togetherness this Christmas.  Adorned with bright baubles, the tree can be seen standing tall in Centenary Square, opposite the historic City Hall.  In a world facing grief, pain, and conflict, it’s hoped the tree will send a poignant reminder about Bradford’s strong multicultural friendships.  It is a symbol of how communities and businesses from different faiths and backgrounds live and work together.

After many late nights, Mr Kader helped unveil the tree alongside representatives from different religions.  As part of the ceremony, four baubles were added to the tree by Manoj Joshi DL MBE, Nirmal Singh MBE, vicar John Bavington, and Shamsuddin Ahmed.

Speaking at the ceremony in front of the tree, Mr Kader said: “Sometimes we take for granted what we actually have in our city: the great entrepreneurial spirit, the young population, and especially for me the multiculturalism in our population. In a world that’s often divided you only have to look around and realise how well we host people from so many backgrounds and cultures and are able to live in perfect harmony, enjoying each other’s cultures, foods and festivities.  The tree symbolises this in many ways. So many organisations got together to show unity and remind people of this.

Bradford is often criticised. We, the BAME business committee, are on a mission to highlight the positives and the amazing thing is we don’t have to create anything,  as most of the success is already here.  The problem is we don’t tell people about them. The city has a history of economic success which over the years has emerged as a successful and entrepreneurial city, buzzing with so many brands. Today’s agenda is about true strength, which is multiculturalism. We will be using every opportunity to tell the world how well we do this.”

Mr Joshi, a well-known philanthropist, businessman, and pharmacist, sent a powerful message. “Co-existence or no existence,” he said.  Speaking to the crowd, he said: “Being a minority within a minority, as a Hindu in Bradford, today I feel absolutely included. And I’ve always felt included. That is the history and legacy of Bradford, but the future of Bradford. The future of Bradford is about living, working and enjoying ourselves in love, peace and harmony. This is the evidence. This festive period of Christmas is an opportunity for all of us to come and celebrate the joy and love we share.”

Gill Arnold JPDL, chairman of the West Yorkshire bench of Magistrates, shared her joy at witnessing the event.  It’s inclusive,” she said.  We’ve much more in common than we’ve not. You can see, by the people who’ve turned up here, the warmth, the good relationships between us all.”

Rev Bavington, who set out to build bridges between Bradford’s communities when he first arrived in the city as an Urdu-speaking vicar, spoke about the bible.  “Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus. One of the teachings of Jesus is we should love our neighbour.  The arrival of Jesus is the moment of the arrival of that message. His arrival is the epitome of showing what it means to love your neighbour. Christians believe Jesus was the epitome of love.”

Tree sponsors

1. Platinum Partnership Solicitors
2. Jinnah Restaurant
3. Bombay Stores Wholesale Group
4. Schofield Sweeney LLP
5. Tutor Doctor Bradford Huddersfield
6. Fairmount Properties
7. Willmott Dixon Construction Ltd
8. IK Collections
9. Malik Group Holdings
10. Love in Care
11. Chadwick Lawrence
12. Adams Foodservice Trading Ltd
13. Bradford Breakthrough
14. Incommunities
15. Bradford Grammar School
16. Britannia Care
17. Bradford UK City of Culture
18. Leeds City College , Keighley Campus
19. A & S Leisure Group Ltd
20. LCF Law
21. Blacks Solicitors
22. Telegraph & Argus
23. African and Caribbean Business Ventures
24. Culture City Radio
25. Brookfield Construction Group Limited
26. National Science and Media Museum
27. Azets
28. Bradford 2025
29. Latitude Bradford Ltd
30. Rajas
31. Quantuma Advisory Limited
32. Nasreen Karim
33. Palm Cove Society
34. Palm Cove Society
35. Palm Cove Society
36. Palm Cove Society
37. Ashrock Estates
38. Brookwater Accountants Ltd
39. University of Bradford
40. Sekhon Group

 ‘A FANTASTIC vote of confidence’.

That was the message after it was revealed city centre businesses had voted in favour of a second five-year term for the Bradford Business Improvement District (BID).

Almost 600 businesses were asked to vote in a secret ballot on whether they wanted the BID – which originally launched in December 2018 – to continue, along with its plans to raise £2.5 million to spend on projects to boost the city centre over the next five years.  In all, almost 82% of those who took part in the ballot voted in favour. The vote represented 75% of the individual business votes and 88% of the total rateable value of the properties owned and managed by those who voted.

The BID is a limited not-for-profit company funded by a small levy on businesses and organisations within a specified area of the city centre. It is run by a team of four (full and part-time) staff and an operating board made up of voluntary representatives of all sectors who receive no remuneration.

Under UK national regulations, BIDs have to re-ballot every five years and more than 50% of those who take part, representing more than 50% of the total rateable value of the BID area, must vote ‘yes’ for it to go ahead. Every business which pays the BID levy has the opportunity to vote.  The levy take – which applies to every business with a rateable value of £10,000 or over – is used for projects to help promote and develop the city centre and the total proceeds of about £2.5 million will be spent on projects and services that are completely over and above those provided by Bradford Council.

BID chairman Ian Ward, general manager of  The Broadway shopping centre, said: “This is a fantastic vote of confidence from our city centre businesses of all shapes and sizes and a reflection of the amazing support they have given the BID over its first five years.  I’d like to thank our members for backing our vision for the next five years and their confidence in our ability to continue to make real progress on positive changes for the future of our brilliant city.  Bradford still faces many challenges but the only way we can overcome them is by working together with a shared goal, grasping our opportunities with enthusiasm and passion and pressing on with determination and pride.  I’d also like to say a big ‘thank you’ to Jonny Noble and our small-but-perfectly-formed BID team who have worked tirelessly and unceasingly through some extremely difficult times – not least the pandemic – to deliver the important projects and valuable services and support that our members needed.  Their commitment and dedication have been magnificent and I’m certain we can rely on it continuing for the next five years and beyond.”

James Paynter, Deputy BID chair, and retail area manager of Yorkshire Building Society, said: “It’s fabulous news that businesses have voted in favour of a second term.  The BID has been tremendously important for the city centre and its team has worked incredibly hard to deliver a huge range of projects over its first five years from business training to crowd-pulling flagship events, from smartening up our streets to launching brilliant initiatives like Bradford at Night, which is having a real impact on our evening and night-time economy.  It plays a vital role in protecting and supporting our high street and that role can only get bigger and more important as we head towards City of Culture 2025 and the major opportunities that will help to deliver.”

The ‘yes’ vote means that the BID can now start to deliver on its new five-year Business Plan which responds to the needs that businesses have identified, with three core strategies: creating a Positive Environment, making the city centre Better For Business and generating a Vibrant Experience.

BID manager Jonny Noble said: “I’m incredibly proud of my team and what we’ve been able to achieve in our first five years and we are all looking forward with huge enthusiasm to another five years’ working together with businesses and other partners across the city centre to continue the work we’ve started and take it to the next level.  We listen very closely to what our levy-payers tell us is needed and the fact they have voted to invest a further £2.5 million in supporting the city centre is testament to their commitment to making it a thriving place in which to live, work, invest and do business and an exciting and welcoming destination for visitors.  Our task now is to deliver on the new five-year business plan and the priorities our levy-payers have identified and we’re determined to meet the challenge.  Bradford is on its way back and we now have a mandate to play our part to our fullest potential. We can’t wait to get stuck in.”

Civic and business leaders say they are enthusiastically supporting Bradford BID’s campaign for a second five-year term.  The Business Improvement District’s first term will come to an end later this year and the highly-praised organisation is asking more than 600 levy-paying businesses and organisations to support its continuing until at least the end of 2028 by voting “Yes” in a ballot which closes on September 28.

The BID is a limited not-for-profit company funded by a small levy on businesses and organisations within a specified area of the city centre. It is run by a team of four (full and part-time) staff and an operating board made up of voluntary representatives of all sectors who receive no remuneration.  The levy take is used for projects to help promote and develop the city centre and the total proceeds of about £2.5 million will be spent across the five years on projects and services that are completely over and above those provided by Bradford Council.

Bradford Council Leader Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe said: “Bradford BID has an ambitious plan that builds on the successful work already undertaken in its first five years and addresses the top priorities of businesses in the city.  I’m especially keen that the Council supports local businesses helping to deliver on the priorities around sustainable, inclusive and economic growth. The work the BID does, which complements the work of the Council, is essential for a thriving economy, boosting business and creating jobs.  The Bradford BID has a reputation as one of the most effective in the country and we’re delighted to give them our support.”

Her words were echoed by Bradford Chamber of Commerce President Mark Cowgill. He said: “Bradford BID, like the Bradford Chamber, is at the heart of the business community in the city. The difference they have made in the first five years has been remarkable.  It’s vital to city centre businesses that they get a massive ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming ballot and I would encourage any business in the BID voting zone to vote YES immediately.  The next five years are going to be massive for the city, with the restructuring of the city centre and many other exciting developments. We need strong backing for the BID so our businesses get the support they need and deserve from the BID team and the Chamber of Commerce to help them make the most of the opportunities that will come over the next few years.”

Bradford Breakthrough, which represents senior leaders of influential businesses and organisations across the city, is also backing the call for a second BID term.  Chief executive Dr Trevor Higgins said: “Bradford Breakthrough have supported the BID since its launch five years ago. Since then the BID has made a hugely positive difference – with the promises made in its original business plan largely delivered – and the city centre is a much better place to visit, for business or for leisure, than it was before. This is a tremendously exciting time with many great things on the cusp of delivery, such as Bradford Live, Darley Street Market, the transformation of The National Science and Media Museum and, of course, Bradford City of Culture 2025!  Bradford BID is umbilically linked to all these schemes. For me, continuation of the BID, for another five years, is a ‘no brainer.’ We have achieved great things over the last five years – just imagine what could be achieved over the next five!”

Smaller businesses are also getting behind the BID and urging city centre traders to return their ballot papers with a ‘Yes’ vote as soon as possible.

Barney Mynott, West Yorkshire Development Manager at the federation for Small Businesses said: “Local business owners are best served when we work together. For us to work with another business organisation requires two things: absolute confidence that the other business organisation is professional and has expert knowledge; and there needs to be an outward looking, generous culture that supports collaboration. Bradford BID is definitely both these things. Their knowledge of city centre businesses is second to none. We really benefit from their insight and knowledge (and the work they did during Covid to ensure businesses got the grants they were entitled to should never be forgotten).  Their work in the city centre is so important to building pride in Bradford. This has never been so important as we look forward to City of Culture status.  They are also a generous partner to work with, freely providing information, time and effort that helps us better understand business needs in Bradford. There are always barriers when working with other organisations. But the approach the BID takes means that these are minimised, and it has always been a pleasure to work with them.  In short, Bradford BID is a vital part of the jigsaw that will enable us together to grow the whole Bradford District economy.”

LOCALiQ has launched an exclusive study to detail the state of digital marketing in the UK.

In 2022 LOCALiQ surveyed over 300 businesses. This year they aim to build on that success and attract even more participants from managerial and marketing backgrounds.  Last year’s data revealed that almost 50% of marketers thought that marketing had changed more in the last 2 years than it has in the past 50.  In addition to this, 70% of respondents reported they struggled to keep up with advancements in marketing technology. Over the past 12 months, we have seen a meteoric rise in AI.

In this year’s State of Digital Marketing Survey, LOCALiQ will look to uncover if and how businesses have adapted to this shift in technology, as well as the challenges and opportunities businesses will no doubt be confronted with now that AI has started to take centre stage.

The survey will dive deeper into the industry’s hottest topics such as AI and marketing technology, whilst also revealing what UK businesses deem to be the critical elements of digital marketing.  From marketing channels and marketing performance to budgets and trend predictions – these answers can help form a better understanding of the current state of marketing in the UK whilst also outlining what is in store for 2024 and beyond.

To complete the survey please visit: https://hubs.li/Q01XqvBQ0

The past 12 months have been some of the most turbulent yet for marketers. The constant changes combined with stretched marketing budgets mean it has never been more vital for businesses to understand exactly how their investments shape up compared to those of their competitors.  LOCALiQ believes that this year’s State of Digital Marketing Report will help many local businesses understand how they compare against similar businesses and assess their current and future marketing plans.

Nikki Broxup, Marketing Director of LOCALiQ – the digital marketing business of Newsquest Media Group commented “The digital marketing industry has experienced significant developments over the past year. AI is everywhere, with businesses navigating how to balance the benefits while mitigating the potential drawbacks.  As the leading digital marketing partner to local businesses across the UK, and with insights into more than 200 local communities through our Newsquest publications, we’re excited to launch our 2023 State of Digital Marketing Survey, enabling us to gain a comprehensive understanding of how local businesses have tackled and surmounted challenges, as well as pinpoint the crucial digital marketing strategies for the future.”

LOCALiQ invites all UK business owners and marketing personnel to complete the survey and contribute to this extensive research. As a reward, all participants will get an exclusive first look at the survey later this year and will also be entered into a prize draw to win an Amazon gift card.

A STRATEGY for up to £2.5 million of improvements to the city centre will be revealed at the launch of Bradford BID’s new five-year business plan next week.

The Business Improvement District’s first term will come to an end later this year and the organisation will launch a ballot at the end of August to secure a second five years.  Almost 600 levy-paying businesses and organisations will be asked to support the BID in the ballot, which if successful will see the organisation run until the end of 2028.  The results are set to be announced at the end of September.

The BID is a limited not-for-profit company funded by a small levy on businesses and organisations, and the money it raises is used for projects to help promote and develop the city centre.

Ian Ward, general manager of The Broadway shopping centre and chairman of the BID, said: “The BID and its hard-working team have achieved an astonishing amount over our first term to date and have quickly gained a reputation as one of the best organised and most effective business improvement districts in the country.  We have smartened up the city centre, helped improve safety, boosted footfall, generated trade through events and promotion, supported – and provided a voice for – businesses and lobbied local, regional and national authorities for improvements.  But we believe the work has only just started and there is so much more to come,” he added.

An independent survey of city centre businesses found that 89 per cent of those responding agreed the BID had “made an impact” and 94 per cent said that a second term would “benefit the city centre”.

The BID’s objectives for the second term will focus on creating a positive environment, making the city centre a better place to do business and generating a vibrant experience for all those who live, work, visit and enjoy their leisure time there.

A £2.5m business plan launch will take place on Thursday, July 6, at The Light Cinema.

BID manager Jonny Noble said the work of the BID will play a “crucial role” in preparing the city centre for its year in the spotlight as UK City of Culture 2025.  “It’s vital that we’re there to help the city centre, its retailers, its hospitality venues, its leisure attractions and the people who live and work here to make the most of the opportunity City of Culture provides, along with the other major developments that will be coming on stream.”