The TFI team is back, bright eyed and bushy tailed after a well earned summer break. Today, we bring you news of an exciting forthcoming Downtown event with the Leader of Manchester City Council, Sir Richard Leese; the new Chief Executive of MIDAS, Angie Robinson, is our ‘Woman of the Week, whilst White Events feature as ‘Business of the Week’. The most talented PR guru in town, the delectable Clare Lawrence of MC2 tells all in ‘Who Are Yer?’ and there is a smattering of news and views from across the great city that is Manchester. Read on, enjoy, have a great weekend and don’t do anything Frank wouldn’t do...

This week saw Manchester’s links with Dubai strengthened further thanks to the launch of Emirate’s Airbus A380 service between the two cities. Set to fly one of the two daily flights from the region to the Middle East, the 517-capacity, twin-deck plane landed at Manchester Airport on Wednesday lunchtime, welcomed by a 10,000 strong crowd.
 
The new flight, which joins established routes from Dubai to London Heathrow, Sydney, Auckland, Seoul, Bangkok, Paris and Toronto, is a world first for any regional airport and marks 20 years of operations to Manchester.
 
The A380 increases business class capacity from 42 seats to 76 as well as offering the best first class product in the air. It is understood that demand has outstripped supply on this route for the past four years, as the Middle East has become a major tourist and business destination.

I will be paying a visit to Waterstones tomorrow to buy Tony Blair’s new book ‘A Journey’.

From the newspaper reports and media reviews it is an autobiography that is well worth a read...

Fletcher Architects and Rae Design, two rival practices based in Manchester, have merged. The new business, Fletcher-Rae Architects, boasts 18 employees and will use Fletcher Architect’s office space in Castlefield.

Mr Rae said: "The combined business is a 50:50 venture and a merger of skills and capability, which includes both private and public sector work.

"With our previous experience and current workload covering commercial, industrial, retail, leisure, education, residential, retirement, master-planning and significant expertise in the ‘energy from waste’ sector, we believe the new business will provide a first class offering for current and future clients."

With thousands of students finding out their GCSE results last week, Andrew Barnes, a business adviser at one of the region’s top accountancy firms, RSM Tenon, has been on the lookout for the next wave of students to join Peter Jones’ backed National Enterprise Academy (NEA) in Manchester.

Using his expertise as an associate director at RSM Tenon and as a member of the NEA Board, Andrew will help to run workshops with around 75 young entrepreneurs, to give them insight into managing accounts, drawing up business plans, working with clients and creating opportunities with confidence.

Andrew said: “The NEA is a great initiative for young people who want to experience other ways of working beyond studying set subjects, and are keen to get their teeth into the business world.”

Absolute Invoice Finance, the specialist business financier that was acquired in November 2009 by Aldermore, the new British bank, has this week rebranded as Aldermore Invoice Finance.

The relaunch marks nine months under the bank’s ownership for the invoice financier formerly known as Cattles Invoice Finance. It coincides with the business, which has an office in Manchester, recording a 35 per cent surge in new business volumes for the seven months to 31 July 2010, when compared with the same period last year.

Darren Cottenden, regional managing director of Aldermore Invoice Finance in the North West, said: “Rebranding as Aldermore Invoice Finance marks the final step in the integration process and brings the invoice finance division in line with the other areas of the wider Aldermore bank, which comprise commercial mortgages, asset finance, residential mortgages and savings.”

White Events was established by Vicky Collins, an experienced event professional, with over 10 years experience working across public and private sectors including retail, leisure, property, business to business and consumer marketing. Supporting Vicky is Event Manager Megan Clark-Bagnall who started with White Events in March 2008. White Events work closely with White Marketing established by Hilary Johnson, together they can deliver a full Marketing Service.

www.whitemarketing.ltd.uk

This week saw Angie Robinson take up her new role as chief executive of Manchester’s Investment Development Agency Service – MIDAS. Previously chief executive of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Robinson’s new position will see her spearhead projects to attract new investment and employment to the city region.

Robinson said: “There can be no doubt that there are challenging times ahead but MIDAS is a highly successful, results-driven organisation that creates jobs and prosperity for the city region and our role is vital to Manchester’s continued success.

“I am very much looking forward to rolling my sleeves up and leading the already successful team at MIDAS to even greater achievements in the future.”

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Have you ever tried to catch a small potato chip in your mouth whilst swapping business cards? Well that was the task the chef’s at Sapporo Teppanyaki set over 30 DMIB members last night at our Member’s Reception....and what great fun it turned out to be.

If you have never eaten at Sapporo we highly recommend you pay them a visit. From the moment you take your seat the talented chef’s will entertain you bringing a sense of theatre to your dining experience.

However, it isn’t just about the entertainment. Sapporo offers an extensive menu and the quality of the food is sensational with the majority being prepared right before your eyes.

Sapporo also offers a lunch menu with 2 courses for £9 and 3 courses at just £12 (Monday – Friday)

So next time you are dining out, whether it be a business lunch or a family celebration think of Sapporo....you won’t be disappointed.

For more details and to view the Christmas menu visit:

www.sapporo.co.uk

Join Downtown as the DMIB chairman Frank McKenna has a 'frank' discussion with leader of Manchester City Council Sir Richard Leese.

Coffee & Danish will be served in the Theatre foyer prior to the event.

Date: Tuesday 21st September
Time: 8.30am - 10.00am
Venue: Royal Exchange Theatre

Name: Clare Lawrence

Company: MC2

Position: Account Director (Property Team)

Red or Blue: Neither

Labour, Liberal or Tory: Good question. My opinions are largely liberal but no one party truly represents my views at the moment

Favourite Bar/Restaurant: Room

What’s Your Tipple: G&T

Favourite Band: Coldplay

Top Tune: Fix You

Favourite Book: The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

Favourite Movie: The Hangover

Who Would Play You In A Film: Drew Barrymore

Favourite TV Programme: I’m a Gleek!

Most Visited Website: BBC News

Celebrity Crush: David Beckham (as long as he keeps his mouth shut)

Interesting Fact About You: I appeared in a film with Michael Caine

Why Downtown: Simple, no fuss networking