Michael Taylor

Manchester

North West Editor at TheBusinessDesk.com

Lifelong journalist and sometime politico. Editor of @BusinessDesk_NW, Governor of @aquinasuk.

Articles

Gateley maintains momentum in 'unpredictable market'

4 days ago | thebusinessdesk.com | Michael Taylor

Home / North West / Latest News / Gateley maintains momentum in ‘unpredictable market’ Gateley is “carrying good momentum” after a year of steady growth in a challenging market. The professional services group said its adjusted pre-tax profits will be “broadly in line” with market forecasts of £23.8m. However the AIM-listed business said its revenues for the year to April will be “not less than £179.0m” against a market consensus of £183.5m. Gateley chief executive Rod Waldie was “pleased”...
Innovation's frontier: how Greater Manchester's entrepreneurs can rewrite the collaborative playbook

5 days ago | thebusinessdesk.com | Michael Taylor

There was a palpable buzz in the Lemm Sissay conference room at the Greater Manchester Growth Hub. Fifteen of the region’s most innovative minds—entrepreneurs, academics, and support strategists—had gathered not just to discuss innovation, but to dissect its very essence. Yvonne Grady sets the stage with characteristic directness. “Greater Manchester has been a hub of innovation for decades, even centuries,” she explains. “But what’s changed recently is national recognition.
New direction for Steve Morgan's charitable foundation

5 days ago | thebusinessdesk.com | Michael Taylor

Home / North West / Charity / New direction for Steve Morgan’s charitable foundation Redrow Homes founder Steve Morgan is taking his charitable foundation on a “new strategic direction” to tackle social disadvantage and fund diabetes research. Founded in 2001 by the entrepreneur and philanthropist The Morgan Foundation has provided funding, support, expertise and best practice to not-for-profit organisations. However, for the next phase Morgan has pledged to invest £100m over the next five...
GM Pension Fund poised to back building of 'genuinely affordable' new homes

5 days ago | thebusinessdesk.com | Michael Taylor

Home / North West / Construction / GM Pension Fund poised to back building of ‘genuinely affordable’ new homes Manchester City Council is poised to agree an investment partnership with the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) to fund the building of hundreds of “genuinely affordable” homes as part of plans to build 1,600 more homes in the coming years. GMPF has been selected, through a competitive process, as the investment partner for the next phase of development by This City, the...
Round table on Liverpool's hospitality and leisure sector: realistic, stoic but ambitious

5 days ago | thebusinessdesk.com | Michael Taylor

On the day after the horrific incident at the end of the Liverpool FC parade, together with law firm Freeths we gathered several of Liverpool’s hospitality and leisure luminaries to dissect the city’s visitor economy – a sector simultaneously wrestling with profound challenges and brimming with untapped potential. Paul Askew, chef-patron of the Art School Restaurant and co-chair of the Liverpool Hospitality Association, set a candid tone.
Information Commissioner to move HQ from Wilmslow to Manchester

6 days ago | thebusinessdesk.com | Michael Taylor

Home / North West / Property / Information Commissioner to move HQ from Wilmslow to Manchester The UK’s independent data protection and freedom of information regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), is to relocate its headquarters to Manchester city centre, having agreed a lease for 20,000 sq ft of high-quality workspace at Bruntwood SciTech’s No.3 Circle Square. The move expected in Autumn 2026 will see the ICO move into the city’s technology cluster alongside German...
Central Co-op, Costa and Greggs open their doors at Botany Bay

1 week ago | thebusinessdesk.com | Michael Taylor

Home / North West / Property / Central Co-op, Costa and Greggs open their doors at Botany Bay A trio of national retailers have opened their doors to the public at Botany Bay Business Park in Chorley. FI Real Estate Management, the owner and developer of the 21-acre industrial and logistics site, has welcomed the first retailers, Central Co-op, Greggs and Costa Coffee, located at the front of the business park, just off the M61 junction. Each of the retailers has completed a unique fit-out...
My Fabulosa eyes global expansion after HSBC loan deal

1 week ago | thebusinessdesk.com | Michael Taylor

Home / North West / Deals / My Fabulosa eyes global expansion after HSBC loan deal Fragrance manufacturer My Fabulosa, a Cheshire-based manufacturer of cleaning products, has secured funds for international expansion with the support of an eight-figure funding package from HSBC UK. Following significant sales growth in European markets in 2024, My Fabulosa is utilising funding from HSBC UK to invest in new automated machinery and production capabilities. With two production lines already in...
Burnham launches mapping tool for developers to access key sites in GM

1 week ago | thebusinessdesk.com | Michael Taylor

Home / North West / Property / Burnham launches mapping tool for developers to access key sites in GM Greater Manchester is starting a new Development Forum and an accompanying interactive map of development sites that highlight its key strategic priorities. Earlier this year, the city-region’s leaders unveiled a ten-year plan to deliver tens of thousands of new homes and major new employment sites. Today, 30 May 2025, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is creating what he calls “a single...
North West the worst region outside London for minimum wage underpayment

1 week ago | thebusinessdesk.com | Michael Taylor

Home / North West / Economy / North West the worst region outside London for minimum wage underpayment The North West has the largest number of companies named and shamed after failing to pay some of their staff the minimum wage. North West workers affected are part of nearly 60,000 staff who have been left out of pocket and have been repaid over £7.4m, the Government has announced. The employers and businesses named today have since paid back what they owe to their staff and faced financial...