A Yorkshire-based property entrepreneur has further boosted his growing portfolio across the north of England after securing a £4.7m funding solution to purchase and develop Prospect Shopping Centre in Hull. Zahid Iqbal has a proven track-record of acquiring and rapidly transforming shopping centres across the region and is hoping to emulate that success by utilising the facility provided by Reward Finance Group to purchase the 5.1 acre retail site in the heart of Hull city centre. Zahid, who runs Z&F Properties and also owns The Ridings Shopping Centre in Wakefield, Packhorse Shopping Centre in Huddersfield and Batley Plaza, is now looking to reinvigorate the Prospect Shopping Centre, which houses major retailers such as Greggs and Specsavers and attracts circa six million shoppers each year. The deal is one of the highest single lends provided by alternative finance lender Reward, which specialises in providing property investors and SMEs with tailored business finance loans and asset based solutions of up to £5m. Zahid Iqbal, property entrepreneur and owner of Z&F Properties, said: “This latest acquisition of the Prospect Shopping Centre underlies our commitment to investing in Hull and transforming one of its most prominent shopping centres into the primary retail destination for people locally." "Despite huge competition from out-of-town retail parks, we firmly believe that shopping inside town and city centres across Yorkshire and the Humber is still in huge demand and the lifeblood of many local economies." “We turned to Reward as we needed a lender that has extensive property finance expertise and was able to provide a fast and flexible funding solution that helped make an acquisition of this size as seamless as possible. We’ve established a clear vision for what we want to do with the centre and are looking forward to sharing our exciting future plans with new and existing retail tenants and the millions of visitors who shop here each year.” Dave Jones, Reward’s founding director, added: “Zahid is one of the most highly respected entrepreneurs and property developers in the region and has a phenomenal track record in acquiring and transforming a growing portfolio of shopping centres." "Being able to help finance a property transaction of this magnitude also demonstrates our experience in delivering solutions which are able to fund purchases outright, leverage a property asset to generate working capital or simply bridge a sale." “It can also be a very small world as I used to be Zahid’s bank manager over 30 years ago during my early career at Yorkshire Bank. I’ve stayed in touch ever since and having already assisted in his purchase of the Ridings at Wakefield am delighted that Reward is able to assist again in another major acquisition. We’re proud to be a part of this journey and look forward to supporting Zahid in his vision to transform the wider regional town and city centre retail landscape.”

A Scottish grandmother has launched the UK’s first and only pre-measured baby formula scoops after accessing support from Business Gateway. Alison Marshall, who has spent her life raising and supporting children as a stay-at-home mum, came up with the idea for her product while making up a bottle for her youngest grandchild. The business, Ready in One, now sells a range of pre-measured scoop sizes to help make bottle-making from baby formula milk powder a quick, one-step process. Alison Marshall, business owner, Ready in One, said: “Making a bottle with baby formula becomes trickier as your child grows, and the likelihood of being interrupted or miscounting is high, leading to a wasted bottle." “I realised that I must have made thousands of bottles in my life and have probably had to throw hundreds away. I wanted a scoop that gave me the correct amount of formula I needed. After months of research, measuring and designing, Ready in One was born.” Alison, who had no business experience, approached Business Gateway for support to get her business off to the strongest start possible. Alison accessed a suite of Business Gateway’s start-up support, including one-to-one advice from a dedicated business adviser, as well as advice on her business plan, company regulations, and marketing. Business Gateway also supported Alison with the development of a prototype of her first product, as well as offering advice on naming, branding and pricing. Thanks to support from her adviser, Alison was also able to access a business start-up loan, as well as a grant from South Ayrshire Council’s AMBITION programme, with funding going towards prototype development. Business Gateway also supported Alison with social media marketing, with Ready in One’s first TikTok reaching just over 600,000 views. Alison continued: “I’ve been a stay-at-home mum all of my adult life and so I didn’t have a clue about how to turn the idea in my head to a product in my hand." “Business Gateway has been so helpful, and I feel very lucky to have had the support from my adviser. I’ve gone from being a wee granny with an idea to an inventor and businesswoman. It still doesn’t seem real, but it feels amazing.” Jane Toye, Business Gateway adviser, said: “It’s always so rewarding to support a business with an innovative product, and Ready in One is no exception. Alison has enjoyed great success since launching in late 2023, and I’m very much looking forward to watching more and more orders pour in for her pre-measured scoops in the months ahead.”

Work on a factory extension, predicted to increase Raskelf Group’s manufacturing capacity by 30%, is now under way. The Group’s existing factory at Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, which currently produces up to 3,000 mattresses, toppers and sleeping bags every week, will increase in size by 16,000sqft over two floors. The capital project represents a £1.2m investment for the sleep innovators, who are a BBC Dragons’ Den success story. Thomas Colleran, Commercial Director at Raskelf Group commented: “Having secured the appropriate planning permissions, I am delighted to confirm that our new factory extension has officially started,” said Thomas Colleran, Commercial Director at Raskelf Group. “We have planned the works carefully to cause minimum disruption to our normal operations, and our hope is that construction will be complete by October this year.” Purchased in 2019, the four-acre site currently consists of a 28,000sqft factory, with an additional 12,000sqft office and showroom block. The original factory was fully renovated when it was bought by the Group; however, due to significant growth in business, an extension is now required to take operations to the next level. “As the extension nears completion, our plan is to invest in new machinery; to introduce new processes; and to add in extra product lines with the aim of becoming as vertically integrated as possible,” revealed Thomas. “All of this will require more labour – especially increasing our foam conversion capacity, so there will be new employment opportunities for skilled operatives later this year.” Huddersfield-based firm Radcliffe Construction have been contracted by the Group. They are specialists with more than a hundred years’ experience of doing construction in Yorkshire – including building a 20,000sqft manufacturing unit for Firth Steels. “We are confident that our build is in safe, experienced hands,” said Raskelf Group Finance Director William Colleran who, together with his brother Thomas, is overseeing the project. “Keeping investment in Yorkshire, wherever possible, sits well with our values, and we are proud to be contributing to the local economy with this particular purchasing decision. It is through sound financial management that Raskelf Group can go ahead with this extension, which will enhance the strong, stable manufacturing site we have nurtured at Heckmondwike these past five years.” Increasing its manufacturing capacity is the latest development for Raskelf Group, which revealed in March this year it had consolidated its various business interests – including the Duvalay brand – under an umbrella organisation. There are no plans to relocate its cot mattress manufacturing division, Nursery Connections, from its base in Corby, Northamptonshire. “From pitching to the ‘Dragons’ to growing our high-end mattress brand in Asia, we have never been afraid of making bold decisions,” added William. “Increasing our output by nearly one-third with this seven-figure investment is another big step, but one we are confident will pay off.”

Hampshire accountancy firm and business advisors HWB Chartered Accountants is getting the show on the road once again this year after renewing its sponsorship of Mayflower Theatre in Southampton. Chandler’s Ford-based HWB has signed a new two-year agreement to support the 2,271-seat theatre, the biggest on the south coast and one of the largest outside London. HWB Director Michaela Johns said: “Mayflower Theatre and MAST Mayflower Studios are vital cogs in the city’s entertainment wheel, playing a crucial role in bringing culture to the public." “We had no hesitation in demonstrating our continuing support for the organisation by extending our sponsorship of the Mayflower Theatre Trust for a further two years." “The high-quality productions staged at Mayflower really do shine a spotlight on Southampton, boosting not only the city’s standing nationally and internationally, but also the many ancillary businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector." “These West End calibre shows also provide us at HWB Chartered Accountants with the perfect opportunity to socialise with valued clients and contacts in a more relaxed environment than office surroundings.” Mayflower Theatre was established in 1928 by theatrical group Moss Empires as The Empire Theatre before changing its name in 1950 to the Gaumont when bought by the Rank Organisation. Southampton City Council bought the Commercial Road building in 1986, after a public enquiry, to prevent it becoming a bingo hall. Renamed Mayflower Theatre, it reopened in February 1987 with the Mayflower Theatre Trust established to manage it. The Trust is also responsible for MAST Mayflower Studios in Guildhall Square, off Above Bar Street, Southampton, an additional cultural hub for the city. More than 500,000 people visit the theatres each year, contributing over £70 million to the local economy in 2022/23. West End shows coming up at Mayflower Theatre in 2024 include Wicked, Six, Pretty Woman, Disney’s Aladdin, Grease and Elf. Mayflower Theatre Chief Executive and Creative Director Michael Ockwell said: “Sponsorship from businesses in our community is appreciated as we don’t receive direct funding from any external bodies and operate independently as a charitable trust." “Therefore, this generous support from HWB Chartered Accountants is welcomed with open arms. We are extremely grateful to once again be backed by one of the region’s most prominent firms. This ongoing partnership enables us to not only maintain our Grade II listed theatre in Southampton but also carry out our community and education roles for both adults and children across our area." “After operating costs, all surplus is invested into our education and participation programme to make arts and culture accessible across the city and communities we serve." “The Engage Programme, for instance, is pivotal to our plan to make theatre the catalyst for social change in Hampshire. Theatre influences the way we think and reflects the needs and desires of our communities while contributing to education and literacy.” Chartered Accountants HWB, based at Chandler’s Ford, near Southampton, provides business and tax advice.

Aristocratic entrepreneurs in Warwickshire are toasting the latest international success for their handcrafted drink which has been named the World’s Best Floral Liqueur. St Maur elderflower liqueur was described by judges as ‘close to perfection’ on its way to beating off stiff competition from entries across Europe, North and South America and New Zealand, to claim one of the top accolades at The World Liqueur Awards this month. The award also becomes the latest in a collection of prestigious industry accolades for the drink, which has been personally handcrafted in Alcester by its proud founders William and Kelsey Seymour, Earl and Countess of Yarmouth, since 2020. Previous honours include The American Distilling Institute International Spirits Competition Best in Category; Las Vegas Global Spirits Awards Gold; Swiss Spirits Review Gold Medal, and Great Taste Award 2 Star rating. The World Drinks Awards celebrate the very best of the international recognised styles in the global drinks industry, for taste and design excellence. The judges were made up of a panel of highly respected and experienced experts in the spirits industry. Their notes read: "Elderflower notes and a pink champagne hue greet the senses, leading to a warm palate with a dry finish that transitions into a delightful sweetness. The aroma is bold and clear, with a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity on the palate. The finish is long and charming, making for an excellent tasting experience with hints of floral notes." Tobias Gorn - Drinks Consultant Specialist, Critic and Writer, Chairman on the World Liqueurs Award, said: “As the Chairman of the World Liqueurs Awards - the biggest liqueur specialist competition globally of this kind - I would like to specially congratulate one specific entry: St Maur has won some big accolades before but being the best according to our judges at the World Liqueur Awards is indeed an outstanding achievement but honestly, not a surprise." “We have tasted St Maur before in different scenarios and it was very hard to advise what could make it better or how could it be even better. It is a top product with a lovely personal story behind it. It is an outstanding drink that is memorable and versatile and close to perfection.” St Maur was first produced for guests on the couple’s wedding day, at William’s family home Ragley Hall, in Alcester. Provenance is core to the brand’s success. The wild blossoms used to make St Maur are hand-picked by William and Kelsey and their friends and family in the shadow of trees which grew when William’s ancestors were young. The map co-ordinates on the logo lead to Ladies Wood and an elder grove in the ancient Ragley Woodlands, now cared for by William and Kelsey. William said: “To win world’s best in the floral liqueur category at the World Drinks Awards is a significant achievement, particularly for a hand-crafted artisanal drink like ours. This is a prestigious award, and one of the most prestigious we have won with St Maur." “The best accolade for us will always be the reaction people have when they taste St Maur. This latest award is an extension of that, this time with drinks experts and professionals from around the world doing the tasting." He added: “St Maur started out as a drink Kelsey and I served to our guests on our wedding day. Now, only a few years later, St Maur is recognised as one of the world’s best liqueurs and the best in our category as well as our country. We are very proud of that but it’s really just the start of the story for us." “With such a versatile drink to work with, suited to spritz, cocktails, and sipping on its own or over ice, the world is our oyster, and our plan is to take St Maur, our little drop of England’s heart, out into the world one big milestone at a time.” Visit St Maur here .

Leeds-based independent marketing services group, Audience Collective has announced the acquisition of Adgen.  Founded in 2006, Adgen is a specialist media planning and buying agency. The team of 18 strong work in partnership with medium to large sized UK higher education institutions, connecting with students through strategic and creative marketing campaigns.   Audience Collective is already home to six specialist agencies, including Unicom – a digital marketing and media agency operating and producing insight-driven results within the higher education space.  Speaking on behalf of Audience Collective, Group CEO, Rob Wescott said, “The acquisition and the synergy between Adgen and our existing agency, Unicom deepens and widens our expertise within the higher education sector." “We’re really looking forward to getting under the skin of the agency and strengthening its service offering through our network of agencies, to support its ambitious growth plans.” Adgen will have access to the group’s specialist agencies, spanning research, data-driven insights, creative and branding to support its mission to become the go-to marketing partner within the education sector.   Founder of Adgen, Marcel Dalziel added: “The acquisition came at the right time and opens the door to significant opportunities for Adgen, in terms of skill set and presence within the higher education sector." “Through Audience Collective, Adgen now has access to a network of marketing experts and world class planning and media tools – all of which will transform the way we work and take our offering to the next level." “Whilst I will be stepping away from the day-to-day running of the business, I will still be actively involved in a consultive capacity. Adgen’s Managing Director, Tom Dyer will be working closely with the team and Audience Collective to ensure the smooth and successful transition of Adgen into the group.” Adgen’s client portfolio includes Birmingham City University, University College London and the University of Warwick.

A swimming school is celebrating after receiving vital shower and changing equipment - thanks to a £5,000 boost from JCB. Paddles Disability Swim School, based at South Moorlands Leisure Centre, in Allen Street Cheadle, supports more than 50 children and adults from across the country with severe physical needs, including cerebral palsy, to help them strengthen their muscles and enjoy time in the water. The swim school, which has a squad of six swimmers who regularly compete at the Special Olympics, has now become one of the only schools in the area with specialist changing facilities after fitting the new shower chair and changing bed to make it easier for swimmers to get ready. Darren Worthington, whose 14-year-old son Joseph has been swimming at the school for six years, said the new equipment makes such a difference in helping swimmers to get ready for their lesson. Travelling for nearly an hour each way from Macclesfield every Saturday for the half hour lesson, Darren said: “There is nothing like Paddles Swim School anywhere else locally and it is amazing to have the new changing facilities available to us. As a parent it just makes it so much easier to help Joseph get ready and to keep doing what he loves. The freedom of being in the water makes him so happy and without this equipment we just would really struggle to lift and support him as he gets older.” Paddles Disability Swim School was formed with the aim of providing safe and fun opportunities for young disabled people to access water activities. The club now supports children and adults from the age of four with regular recreational and competitive swimming opportunities. Many swimmers compete in regional, national and even Olympic swimming galas.

Contractor Clegg Construction has handed over a new 65-bedroom care home to Barchester Healthcare. The £9m Highfield Care Home at Barkston Ash in North Yorkshire is located on the former Scarthingwell Park Estate and replaces an ageing care home that had previously been on the site. The new two-storey facilities include lounge, dining and communal areas and will provide 24-hour residential care tailored to the individual in a warm, friendly, and modern environment, as well as specialist care for those living with dementia. Throughout the build, Clegg Construction consistently achieved high Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) scores in testament to Clegg’s engagement with the local community, its approach to safeguarding the environment, and the protection of the workforce. Darren Chapman, operations director at Clegg Construction, said: “Highfield Care Home is situated in an idyllic location, with peaceful and picturesque surroundings which will provide future residents with a sense of well-being. It is less than five minutes away from Tadcaster and all the services and facilities that the town offers." “Clegg Construction is proud to have delivered such a wonderful scheme for Barchester Healthcare, which has a reputation for providing high quality, person-centred care services in superior care environments.” Clegg Construction has vast experience in managing the construction of new-build, state-of-the-art care and nursing homes across the country for a number of respected operators, delivering over 400 care home beds in recent times. As part of its commitment to engaging with the local community during the build of Highfield Care Home, Clegg Construction visited Barkston Ash Catholic Primary School to speak to pupils about how local flora and fauna have been protected during construction and also organised a bird box design competition. Clegg also donated fencing to a local residents’ group and wood to residents. More than 20 existing trees and hedgerows on the site, including a mature turkey oak, a sycamore maple, a Lawson cypress, and a hazel tree, were safely protected, and common pipistrelle bats found at the site were moved to a place of safety. The team on the Highfield Care Home scheme working alongside Clegg Construction included project manager and quantity surveyor Holden & Lee, architect Harris Irwin Architects, structural engineer Cameron Darroch Associates and M&E consultant Harniss. Senior Property Development Manager for Barchester Healthcare, Michael Coggin, said: “We’re now welcoming residents to our stunning new care home in Tadcaster. Not only will our residents have a home set in beautiful grounds, the new home will also offer a range of job prospects boosting employment in the neighbouring areas. We look forward to showcasing our home to the local community, if anyone has questions about care please do come and see us.” Clegg Construction is a Midlands, East Anglia, and Yorkshire-based construction firm specialising in the delivery of public and private sector projects.

A family-run Inverclyde business is hiring and training young people in the field of ground investigation, after the business owners accessed specialist advice from Business Gateway. A & I Geotechnical is supporting youths in the local community by providing them with training and qualifications in the field of geotechnical ground investigation, which the team are experts in. The team has practical experience on a variety of sites throughout the UK. A & I Geotechnical offer a full range of in-house geotechnical services including trial pitting, dynamic sampling, cable percussion, technician services, surveying, site supervision, reporting and project management. The business was founded in 2016 by Ross Cameron and is still led by Ross and supported by his wife Maria Cameron. At the heart of the business is family and their name is inspired by two of their children. A team that once consisted of just Ross now has six team members and is looking to grow further. Four of these team members are young professionals who they have trained, two of them being their sons. One of the company’s key goals is to provide jobs for young people and give them training in a field they may not have considered. This came from a lack of experienced people in the area, so Ross decided to begin hiring and training young people to teach them all about ground investigation, helping them work towards an NVQ in Land Drilling. The basic training for these members of staff takes two years, but Ross and Maria are keen to expand this and train them to do even more. Their two sons are further along in their training and so now get involved in the teaching of the less experienced members of the team. Though it is a small business, the team want to give back to the local area by sponsoring events and sports teams, using local suppliers where possible and only employing people in the Inverclyde area. When they approached Business Gateway, Ross and Maria met their adviser Mario Alonzi, who has been able to provide advice on growing their business and guidance on how to apply for funding from a range of sources. Through this support, the couple has received wage-subsidy grants from Inverclyde Council and has managed to secure a place on the Inverclyde Business Growth Programme. The programme allowed Maria to learn more about aspects like finance, net zero, strategy and growth mindset and provided great tips on how to improve workflow and performance. The couple received 1:1 business support from Mario, as well as being signposted to his wider network and given innovation support. Business Gateway also helped them to facilitate recruitment of new members of the team. Maria Cameron, Director of A & I Geotechnical said: “Mario has given us fantastic help and advice. With his support, we have managed to secure a grant for equipment that will help us expand the business and also secured a meeting with Scottish Enterprise." “Mario has been a great help in continuing to grow the business and provide us with invaluable support.” Mario Alonzi, Business Gateway adviser said: “ By helping Ross and Maria to grow their business and access funding, we have supported the hiring and training of people in the local community. I look forward to seeing how they continue to grow their business and give back to the area.”

The most eagerly anticipated floral extravaganza of the year has landed. This year, The Chelsea Flower Show takes place from Tuesday 21st of May until Saturday 25th of May. Flora enthusiasts from around the world have been looking forward to this event for months. From beautifully blooming flowers to stunning greenery, The Chelsea Flower Show promises a sensory journey through nature's finest creations. Amidst the vibrant blooms and lush greenery, capturing the essence and beauty of these floral wonders requires more than just a keen eye. As a photographer, there are several factors to consider to ensure that shots achieve a professional quality that draws the viewer’s attention. James Whitten, Marketing Manager at photoGuard says: “It goes without saying that flowers are truly beautiful - from roses to lilies, they are one of the most popular objects to photograph and for a good reason." In honour of the magnificent Chelsea Flower Show, leading camera equipment insurer photoGuard shares few effective flower photography tips and tricks: Timing It's better to take photographs of flowers outside as opposed to indoors if possible. This means photographers can take advantage of natural light and can capture the flowers in their natural habitat. If taking pictures outside, photographs should be taken in the early morning or early evening. Whilst it may seem tempting to take the photographs when the sun is shining, soft lighting makes for a clearer shot and better compliments the flowers. Additionally, taking photographs at this time greatly reduces the amount of shadow that will appear in the photograph due to the position of the sun. Macro Don't be afraid to get up close when taking photographs of flowers. A closer shot can be achieved with a macro lens or even by zooming in nice and close can bring out details in a flower that often go unnoticed. Macro lenses can often be found for a reasonable price. Steadiness While photographers can't control the weather, they can put certain measures in place to ensure their photoshoots are not disturbed too much by the weather. Whilst rainy days make for excellent photographs, wind can be a difficult element to battle in photography as it means the flowers will be moving slightly in the breeze. As a result, it can be hard to keep the camera focused. One way to address this is by placing an object outside the shot to block the wind and keep the flower still. “Whether you're a seasoned photographer or an amateur enthusiast, our expert tips and tricks will help to elevate your floral photography skills to new heights” adds Whitten. Discover more flower photography tips here :

Great Britain’s Emily Hutt took the under-23 women’s silver medal at the 2024 UCI BMX Racing World Championships in Rock Hill, South Carolina, taking GB’s top result after a tumultuous week which saw the weekend’s event under threat from extreme weather. Women Beth Shriever’s bid to defend her rainbow jersey got off to the perfect start in Rock Hill, as day one saw her confidently lead the full British women’s contingent through to day two’s quarterfinals. Shriever dominated her heat, showing her usual powerful start with one of the quickest reaction times across the elite field, winning by almost half a second to avoid any need for a last chance qualifier race. A seamless quarter-final saw Shriever head into a dramatic elite women’s semi-final where it all came unstuck and the rider, who had been flying all weekend, crashed out on the final straight, ending her competition. Under-23 rider Emily Hutt delivered an equally impressive performance in the heats, winning by 0.606 seconds – the largest margin of victory across all the under-23 heats. Throughout day two, Hutt progressed steadily through the quarter and semi-finals, winning both of her heats before heading into the final. The 19-year-old delivered a cool and collected race, being pipped to the finish line by just 0.220 seconds, to take a sensational world championships silver medal for the second year in a row. In the junior races Betsy Bax and Sienna Harvey made if four from four for British women on day one as they placed second in their respective heats, putting themselves in the mix for medals. Both sailed comfortably through to the semi-finals where they found themselves going head-to-head where Harvey just pipped Bax to qualification by 0.84 seconds. Harvey went on to take sixth place in the junior women's final, having been squeezed early on and struggled to get back in the race, but she leaves Rock Hill after a fantastic championships, having made it into the final. Men Olympic silver medallist Kye Whyte was the only British man still standing after a wild first day in the men’s races. Having required a last chance qualifier to get through to the 1/8 finals, Whyte rode his luck to make it to day two. A slip on the pedal out of the gate had looked to have ended his race and championships, but with riders crashing ahead of him, he managed to pick himself up to breeze through the field and finish second. Two more skilfully managed races saw him sneak under the radar and through to the men’s elite final, where the weekend's racing seemed to take its toll. Whyte was looking good at the start, having worked his way from the back up to third, but he was forced high and off the track in the second corner, putting him in the back of the pack. He eventually rolled over the line in eighth. Unfortunately Quillan Isidore and Paddy Sharrock had rather different weekends, with the 1/8 finals seeing Isidore crash out after clipping a wheel in the first corner, while a difficult start hindered Sharrock as he was unable to move up through the pack before finishing sixth. Under-23 teammate Callum Russell also went out in the 1/.8 final after finishing fifth. Ross Cullen had earlier been eliminated in the last chance qualifiers by teammate Whyte, with under-23 Matthew Gilston and junior Mark Fletcher also falling at that hurdle. Overall, the Great Britain Cycling Team head home with a silver medal in the final Olympic qualifying event of the season.

Leading Hampshire media buying and digital marketing company CMe Media has appointed Jack Thomas as its sales manager. The son of founder and owner Charisse Smith, Jack has had to prove his talent and drive before being taken on board. Jack started work at 15 and subsequently did a business course at college before moving into car sales selling new Vauxhalls and used vehicles. At 20 he was promoted to business manager and then joined Global, the media company selling advertising space across radio brands in late 2022. This gave him an insight into media and marketing and he worked with companies in Hampshire and Wiltshire to offer media solutions to promote their business. Having proved his ability he then put forward to the directors of Fareham-based CMe Media a proposal to join the business, which was accepted. The company recently added a specialist automotive department – CMe Automotive Marketing - which is accelerating fast with Jack at the sales’ wheel. Charisse said: “Jack’s appointment was due to his ability and work ethic. Like me, he started work as a teenager and has a real desire for success." “He very much wanted to stand on his own two feet from a young age, which hasn’t changed. Jack started working at 15 having spent a lot of his school years supporting me - a single mum – by helping to look after his younger brother." “He passed his college course and received a distinction in the selling module. While he was there Jack saw a job advertised and went for it, starting out as a showroom host at Eden Vauxhall Fareham. By 20 he was promoted to a business manager - he’d come a long way from sitting in a car park watching a video on YouTube to work out how to tie his tie on his first day." “Jack has already made an extremely positive impact at the business using the skills he has developed in his previous jobs.” Jack said: “I very much wanted to prove myself to my mother and was inspired by her journey building a business as a single mother." “CMe Media has huge ambition and I am determined to be a part of its continued success and growth.”