Hello and welcome to another edition of Thank Frank Its Friday. This week, MIDAS, with help from the NWDA, has created a record number of jobs in the Manchester city region. New Downtown 100 members, TNT Post, take centre stage as our ‘Business of the Week’. Whilst Events Manager, Roger Jonas reviews the Jaguar XF, which he was very generously allowed to ‘borrow’ for the weekend from Jaguar Manchester and Journey9. All of this, plus the usual from your weekly dose of TFI. Read on, enjoy, have a great Bank Holiday weekend and don't do anything Frank wouldn't do...

MIDAS with the support of the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), has created a record 3609 new jobs across Manchester City Region in 2009-10.

And the Investment and Dvelopment Aency for Manchester has also helped preserve a further 1,350 existing jobs, bringing the total number of jobs created and safeguarded to 4959. The total number of successful projects rose to 94 – an increase of 13% on last year’s figure of 83 projects.

The results also highlight a record number of foreign direct investment jobs created in the past year, a total of 3655, spread over 56 projects – an increase from the 30 projects in 2008-9.

Business growth and leadership company, PINNA, has strengthened its team with the appointment of Michael O’Flaherty and Caroline Hampson as Business Development Managers.

Hampson, joins following more than 20 years at Mars, while O’Flaherty has experience in a range of senior roles, most recently at MITIE Property Services.  They will work to bring on new clients within the legal and SME sectors respectively and will also deliver PINNA programmes as coaches and facilitators across the full client base.

The two appointments are part of an ongoing new business drive for PINNA, which aims to gain clients through creating excellence in the leadership and management of regional businesses and organisations through transformational coaching.

Specialist business financier, Absolute Invoice Finance (“Absolute”), has appointed Nick Smith as Sales Development Director, as the company continues a period of rapid expansion following its acquisition by Aldermore, the newest name in British banking.

Nick, who has more than 17 years’ experience in commercial finance, joins Absolute from Davenham Group, where he was Business Development Manager for Yorkshire and the North East. Nick will work with Absolute’s senior management team and regional sales teams to develop and enhance the firm’s sales infrastructure.

Nick Smith said: “Absolute has an outstanding reputation and holds an increasingly strong market position following its acquisition by Aldermore. The company has highly ambitious growth targets, and I am looking forward to working closely with the senior management team and regional sales teams to realise these.

Ian Wilkins, Managing Director at Absolute Invoice Finance, added: “Nick will play a key role in ensuring that our improved funding solutions reach strong, entrepreneurial businesses throughout the UK.”

England v Algeria
Friday 18th June 2010
Copperface Jacks, Palace Hotel Manchester
Special Guests: Gary Pallister
Price £35 + VAT per person
Kick Off 7.30pm

As this game falls on a Friday evening we have taken the decision to host the screening in the private pub, Copperface Jacks at the Palace Hotel Manchester. As opposed to the normal corporate sit down meal that we are hosting for the other England games, this will be a more informal event with a relaxed dress code, a hot buffet and full cash bar available. The price per person is much cheaper than normal and it will be hosted by former England and Manchester United defender Gary Pallister.

For further information call 0161 926 1907 or email Pete@mbnpromotions.co.uk

TNT Post's Northern operations are overseen by Andy Goddard and are based out of the offices in Denton, Manchester.

Originally concentrating on the North West of England, the Northern office expanded out to cover small and medium organisations from the East to West coast. TNT Post's excellence comes from account management which is bred from our 'can-do' approach and on the back of high demand and great success Andy's team has grown considerably. They are on hand to provide a flexible, customer focused approach that ultimately helps deliver significant savings to your bottom line.

Alongside this they provide operational flexibility which eases the transition from a traditional supplier to the leading challenger in the marketplace.

Tel: 0161 337 9000
Web: www.tntpost.co.uk

DMIB members JMW Solicitors have promoted Private Client Specialist Elaine Roche to Partner.

At 30, Mrs Roche, who specialises in trusts and tax planning as well as wills and estates, will be the youngest of the 30 Partners at the Manchester-based firm.

She joined JMW’s private client department as an associate from Brabners Chaffe Street less than 12 months ago.

Audioboo. Because sound is social.

Audioboo is a mobile & web platform that effortlessly allows you to record and upload audio for your friends, family or the rest of the world to hear.

Is it the next generation in social media?

Downtown Events Manager, Roger Jonas, goes all Top Gear as he reviews the Jaguar XF.

This is a perfect start to any day. DMIB will host an exclusive Chairman’s Breakfast in the sleek and sophisticated Tom’s Champagne Bar located on the 3rd Floor, House of Fraser. We will be joined by a keynote speaker from Bruntwood.

Guest Speaker: Sir Howard Bernstein

DMIB will hold its second breakfast event at the Town Hall. Chairman, Frank McKenna will discuss the future of Manchester with Chief Executive of Manchester City Council, Sir Howard Bernstein.

Date: Tuesday 15th June
Time: 8.00am - 10.00am
Venue: Manchester Town Hall

Name: Karen Campbell

Company: Grant Thornton UK LLP

Position: Tax Partner

Red or Blue: Neither - The Mighty Whites!

Labour, Liberal or Tory: Is there a difference?

Favourite Bar/Restaurant: The Wiganer (My husband's pub)

What’s Your Tipple: Gin and slimline tonic

Favourite Band: Scouting for Girls

Top Tune: Up the Junction (Squeeze)

Favourite Book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar (read with all my children)

Favourite Movie: Toy Story

Who Would Play You In A Film: Susan Sarandan

Favourite TV Programme: Coronation Street

Most Visited Website: HM Revenue & Customs (sad!)

Celebrity Crush: Michael Bublé

Interesting Fact About You: I love Karaoke

Why Downtown: Good opportunity to meet contacts and develop business opportunities, combined with good company and good food.