It was nice for Manchester to be part of a history making event as we hosted the very first Leaders Debate in the UK, but it was hardly the most riveting of viewing. More 'Going For Gold' than 'X Factor.' Nevertheless, it was another opportunity for Manchester to take centre stage across the national media, so job done in that respect. We promise a more entertaining evening at Downtown's election night networking party, details of which you can find below. Also in this week's TFI all the usual features including Chairman McKenna's thoughts on last night, and tomorrow's Manchester 'Derby', and Venture Capital firm Aquarius Equity Partners are our Business of the Week. Have a great weekend, and don't do anything Frank wouldn't do...

History was made last night, for the first time in UK politics, the leaders of the three main political parties’ held a live debate, in the run up to this year’s general election.

Early polls declared that Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg was the winner of the showdown, which was hosted in Manchester’s Granada Studios, after the party leaders traded blows on schools, hospitals, crime and the economic crisis.

Read Downtown Chairman Frank McKenna’s thoughts on the historical debate in this week’ s ‘Totally Frank’!

What a fabulous week it has been for the city of Manchester in terms of media profile. The first ever Leaders Debate, hosted at the Granada Studios, meant that the whole of the UK media descended on Manchester and helped cement its position as the UK's second city...

Law firm Kuits has advised the writers of Coronation Street on a new storyline concerning the death of Maggie Jones, who played the much-loved character Blanche Hunt.

Maggie Jones died in December 2009 aged 75 after a short illness.

ITV Granada subsequently contacted tax and estate planning associate, Lauren Clyne at Manchester-based Kuits, to assist its writers with a storyline concerning Blanche's will.

Jo Sellick, Managing Director of Sellick Partnership Group, has been elected onto APSCo’s Executive Committee for the second year running.

APSCo works to support professional recruiters across the sector, with the overall aim of raising standards and recognising the achievements of members. As a continued member of the Executive Committee, Jo Sellick will play a key role in promoting the interests of professional recruiters, through sharing his knowledge, experience and passion for the sector.

Jo will represent the category of companies within the £10 - £20 million turnover bracket. Ann Swain, CEO at APSCo, has commented, "It is vital for the continued growth of APSCo that we have representation on the committee from across the professional staffing sector, and all regions of the UK."

NCC Group plc has recruited a new principal consultant to head up its forensic service.

Steve Wilkinson has joined from KPMG. His role as principal consultant at NCC Group will allow Steve to use his expertise in this area to help launch the Forensic Readiness Review, which will be tailored advice and services to individual clients before, during and after a security breach.

Steve Wilkinson commented: “This is a fantastic opportunity to work with a team that has such strong credentials and I am excited to be part of the division’s next phase of growth. With security and data breaches, such as credit card fraud, ever increasing, the need for forensics in the corporate and government arenas is even more apparent. And with the data volumes of corporate firms becoming larger, the provision of affordable e-discovery programmes has also increased demand for this service.”

Aquarius Equity Partners is a specialist fund manager of high net worth individuals and family offices. Their funds focus exclusively on private equity and venture capital, investing in the UK unlisted company market. Based in the North of England, Aquarius Equity Partners have illustrated how the combination of private capital and the investment knowledge of an experienced team can drive portfolio value.

The Aquarius Origin Fund will be closing on 30th April. For more information on the Aquarius Origin Fund please use the button below.

Tel: 0161 837 6200
Fax: 0161 837 6201
Email: info@aquariusequity.com
Web: www.aquariusequity.com

In October this year one of Buttress Fuller Alsop Williams' Directors, Gavin Sorby will be trekking up to the19,339ft. summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro for Scope.

Gavin's target is to raise £6,000

To show your support donate as much as you to raise much needed funds for the charity, who focus on people with cerebral palsy.

It would mean a great deal to have your support for this life changing challenge.

What were you expecting from this website?
A new fact is revealed every day; and you never know, you might just learn something useful.

Private dining is far from being a new initiative; however it seems that more establishments have now recognised the demand. No more so than Manchester’s Restaurant Bar + Grill on John Dalton Street.

Recently opened, the private room is an exclusive, and definitely executive dining and event space that will appeal to those with a passion for fine quality. The private room has the WOW factor, with access by private lift and its own theatre style kitchen. The design is stylish and debonair, with elegant wood panelling as the dominant feature.

Cherryl Pinnington is the dedicated events manager, who is committed to ensuring the smooth running of your event in this versatile space. It is well worth while organising a viewing with Cherryl to see for yourself, the amazing opportunity this venue now has to offer, be it corporate, cocktails or company of friends…….with a little privacy.

For contact details, click on the link below. We will be featuring the private room in the future, and who knows, we may even invite you along to sample their hospitality.  

http://therestaurantbarandgrill.co.uk/manchester_privatevents.html

Downtown Manchester, in association with Irwin Mitchell, will be hosting an 'election night' networking evening at the fabulous Living Room. A great opportunity to mix and mingle with some of the city's movers & shakers, and prepare yourself for a night in front of the tele, watching the old swingometer. Labour supporters, Tories, Lib Dems and Raving Loonies all welcome. NO BNP!

Date: Thursday 6th May
Time: 6.00pm Start
Venue: The Living Room - Deansgate

The votes will have been counted, the dust settled, and a new administration will be in place. But what will the election result mean to our city? To discuss this and more, we are delighted to be joined by the editor of North West Insider magazine, Michael Taylor, the former political editor of BBC North West and EN columnist Jim Hancock and Rob McLoughlin, the host of Granada's popular political magazine programme 'Party People.'
 
To read more about our panellists please CLICK HERE

Date: Wednesday 12th May
Time: 8.30am - 10.00am
Venue: The Royal Exchange Theatre

The next Dewi Morris Curry Lunch is on Friday 30th April, at EastzEast, Riverside Branch, Manchester. For just £45/person + VAT, come along and enjoy a free beer, Poppadums & Chutneys, a mixed starter followed by Chicken, Lamb or mixed Vegetable Curry with Pilau Rice and Naan Bread whilst listening to our 2 fabulous speakers, Steve Womack and Jimmy Bright.  All the details can be found on the web site www.dewimorriscurryclub.co.uk including photos from the last event, and other events that may interest you. Contact Helen via email helen@dewimorriscurryclub.co.uk for further information or to book.

Name: Martin Clancy

Company: Keppie Design Ltd

Position: Divisional Director – Manchester Office

Red or Blue: Blue (Everton)

Brown or Cameron: Brown

Favourite Bar/Restaurant: Piccolino

What’s your Tipple: Red Stripe

Favourite Band: Parliament/Funkadelic

Top Tune: Little Walter – My Babe

Favourite Book: Catch 22 – Joseph Heller

Favourite Movie: Apocalypse Now

Who would play you in a film: Martin Sheen

Favourite TV Programme: X-Files

Most visited website: All Music

Celebrity Crush: None!

Interesting Fact about you: Previous Career as a DJ!