GDPR can be difficult to wrap your head around. A room full of nervous business people. The threat of fines and David Wood, IT Director of FDR law, a calm head in a sea of confusion.

Our Latest Event

The latest event at The Base provided insights on the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation).

Most significantly, we learned the actions needed by May 2018 and the challenge of “Why haven’t we started already?” emphasized by David.

Those that attended benefited from David’s knowledge as well as advice. And, in addition to sharing his slide deck, David even offered a forum to ask GDPR questions after the event.

New Regulation

The new regulation places responsibility on the data controller for data management. Businesses will no longer be able to sidestep accountability by ‘passing the buck’ to outsourced data processors.

In fact, the arrangements you have with third parties need to comply with the GDPR too. And clients and partners, as David pointed out, will soon be asking the same of us.

Policies and Procedures

Businesses must therefore ensure that their policies and procedures are documented to support the rights of the individual whilst also legitimising their own data usage – be that for day to day commercial expediency, legal obligations or providing for that individual’s best interests (which can include providing a better service).

The need to record the how, what, where and who of data you hold and policies to protect Personal Identifiable Information (PII) was David’s strongest recommendation.

This will ensure you have a response ready, within 72 hours, if you should fail any criteria (e.g. if you’re breached); meaning the potential fine from the ICO could be mitigated.

Resources

To that end, David pointed the audience to a number of resources and examples from the BBC’s Information and Privacy statements (as Plain English best practice) to guidance on cybersecurity from the NCSC.

Beyond the depth and detail of the seminar, David’s directions for practical action extended the very real and pragmatic approach he gave to his presentation.

If you’d like to attend an event as valuable as this one was, please register with the BaseConnect community.

Want to know more about The Base?

The Base is a Grade-A office and co-working space in the centre of Warrington that’s home to many market leading digital technology and advanced engineering companies. Whilst calling The Base your home, you will have access to free business support, including marketing, tax, legal advice, as well as help with innovation, research and development.

Contact us for more information.

A trio of tech lettings to tech companies at The Base is proof that Warrington’s position between Manchester and Liverpool – for years a major factor in its growth – can continue to sustain and grow the town as Britain’s economy changes.

That’s the view of Steve Park, managing director of Warrington & Co, the council’s public-private sector regeneration arm.

Great location

He says that easy rail and road links into Warrington from its bigger neighbours is helping tech-led businesses such as Cube32 Studios and DAT Draughting Services attract and retain the skilled staff that they need.

“We don’t have a Northern Quarter or a Baltic Triangle in Warrington, but we’re growing a cluster of hi-tech companies here because they see the locational advantages.  They can tap into two established labour pools yet access vital business support in somewhere like The Base.  There’s an exciting tech cluster developing here that is helping future-proof our economy.”

More than 130 staff

The three new occupiers at The Base on Dallam Lane, which also includes JSA Design, take the number of tech and engineering occupiers at the space to 16.  More than 130 staff now work in the 50,000 sq ft grade A office, which is managed by Langtree on behalf of Warrington & Co.

Chris Bain, the managing director of Cube32, said: “Attracting and retaining talent is key to our whole business plan and being in Warrington makes that much easier.  Draw a map showing a 30 minute commute and you’re looking at a workforce of more than three million people.”

Productivity boost

At a recent presentation at The Base by Siemens’ chief technology officer, Alan Norbury, the audience heard that technology-led manufacturing companies could expect to see a 30% boost to productivity as the ‘fourth industrial revolution’ took hold.  He predicted a significant boost for the north west, with its strong cohort of advanced manufacturers.

“Norbury’s comments really chimed with us in Warrington,” says Steve Park.  “We want to have our cake and eat it: be a home for the tech businesses that are driving productivity gains for our existing manufacturers.  That would set us fair for years to come.”

Want to know more about The Base?

The Base is a Grade-A office and co-working space in the centre of Warrington that’s home to many market leading digital technology and advanced engineering companies. Whilst calling The Base your home, you will have access to free business support, including marketing, tax, legal advice, as well as help with innovation, research and development.

Contact us for more information.

The respected Centre for Cities think tank has released a recent report* forecasting that the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) will lead to the redundancy of nearly a quarter of Warrington’s jobs.

The head of the town’s investment agency has acknowledged the report’s findings as ‘helpful’ but says that the town’s strengths in the technology, nuclear and manufacturing sectors should ‘more than balance out’ what jobs may be lost.

Interesting reading

“The report makes for interesting reading and there’s some helpful analysis in there that tells us that our strategy of developing a cluster of technology businesses specifically targeting the engineering and nuclear sectors is the right one.  In essence, we can have our cake and eat it,” says Steve Park, the CEO of Warrington & Co.

He says that by developing tech businesses that can help local manufacturers become more efficient and competitive, the town can develop a workforce that can then export its skills worldwide.

And, says Mr Park, investments like The Base in Dallam Lane and its neighbouring University Technical College, are helping ‘future proof’ the town’s economy.

“The whole convergence of digital technologies with manufacturing sits well with Warrington, as we have great strengths in both.

Our schools and colleges are now teaching youngsters coding and other vital digital skills and we’re already seeing that feed through in to the recruits at places like The Base, which is home to almost 150 skilled workers.

The Base’s tenants work in a wide range of digital and engineering-related industries and the collaboration between them is creating a whole eco-system of growing, innovative companies.”

A unique software

One of those businesses is Avanite, which has developed a unique software system that helps tidy up workplace computers, removing the cookies that clog-up expensive hard drive space and slow down computer processing, damaging productivity.

The company now has thousands of users worldwide and is busy recruiting ‘re-sellers’ to take the product in to new global markets.

“We’re expecting to double in size this year,” explains Avanite director Francesco Giarletta.  “We see only opportunity from continued digitalisation.

If Warrington can ensure that its school children are equipped with the skills to help companies like ours grow then there’s a great future for them and for the town.”

And, whilst there may be a lag in the supply of skilled youngsters coming on to the market, employers are investing heavily in training and development to plug the gap, says Steve Park.

Technological change

“Technological change is so rapid that it’s always going to be difficult for the education sector to keep pace, but we’re on the right track and have great partnerships with Warrington’s employers to train our young people to be job-ready.

Major employers like Siemens and Unilever are working with the UTC on collaborations that lead the country.  We have every reason to be optimistic,” believes Mr Park.

“Predicting doom and gloom will always grab the headlines, but here in Warrington we see Artificial Intelligence as just another example of why we need to remain on our toes and be flexible and open to change as a workforce and a community,” he concludes.

*Cities Outlook 2018 is available to download at www.centreforcities.org.uk

Want to know more about The Base?

The Base is a Grade-A office and co-working space in the centre of Warrington that’s home to many market leading digital technology and advanced engineering companies. Whilst calling The Base your home, you will have access to free business support, including marketing, tax, legal advice, as well as help with innovation, research and development.

Contact us for more information.

Warrington boasts the sixth highest number of start-ups in the country and is in the top ten places in the UK for high growth SMEs – and now, say bosses at Warrington Borough Council, the town has a fitting new home for ambitious entrepreneurs.

The Base, a 50,000 sq ft grade ‘A’ office building in the town’s emerging central business district, has been developed by Warrington & Co., Warrington’s partnership for growth, on behalf of Warrington Borough Council to meet demand from ambitious SMEs for high quality business space.  And, Leader of Warrington Borough Council; Cllr Terry O’Neill, says, he has no doubt it will soon be humming with enterprise.

“The level of company formation in Warrington just keeps on growing as business people realise that the skills and expertise they need are here in abundance.  We’re targeting The Base at advanced manufacturing and engineering businesses in particular, sectors where Warrington has strong credentials.

“The Base plays to the town’s strengths.  Ambitious businesses want to co-locate with like-minded firms in their early days before they reach a size where they need to spread their wings and so there will be a business development manager on hand to lend their experience as part of the overall package.  A home like this gives small firms enhanced credibility.” added Cllr O’Neill.
The five story development, designed by Liverpool-based Falconer Chester Hall and constructed by ISG, offers flexible space from a single desk up to a whole floor plate of 10,000 square feet.
Jayne Furnival, group property director at Langtree, who provide all aspects of the building’s management, said that The Base’s location was key to its appeal: “You’ve got bus and rail interchanges immediately to the south, along with the town’s retail core, and a growing business base around the stadium.  The emerging central business district will be key to the town’s future growth and we’re delighted to be a focal point of that,” she noted.

Steve Park, managing director of Warrington & Co. added, “This is a fabulous facility in a superb location. Warrington is always top of the UK start up tables and this will provide a much needed facility that will support the growth of fledgling businesses.”

The first tenant is due to move in to the building in early February and discussions are already underway with a number of other parties with regards to taking space, added Jayne.
The High Sheriff of Cheshire, Bill Holroyd CBE, DL, officially opens the building at a ceremony on 21st January for invited guests from the region’s property and business communities.

Two new tenants have signed up for space at The Base in Warrington, the enterprise hub which supports the growth of advanced manufacturing and engineering businesses and their supply chains.

Business tax advisors R&D Tax Claims (North) Limited and digital marketing agency Carpe Diem have moved to the new development as part of their strategy of supporting high growth manufacturing companies.

R&D Tax Claims

“We have one focus and to help company owners legally reduce the amount of tax they pay so that they are left with more funds to invest in growing their businesses,” said Pamela Cunliffe of R&D Tax Claims (North) Limited.  “Manufacturing businesses, particularly in their early stages, are very investment-heavy so The Base is perfect for us as it’s home to growing companies in need of our expertise.”

Carpe Diem

Bill Carr of Carpe Diem echoed those views but added that the centre’s outstanding broadband capability was also a key reason for his decision to move.

“We can help advanced manufacturing businesses develop a strong online strategy that will enhance their brand and help market their product or services to customers globally, which being tenants at The Base will help us to achieve.  The sort of online presence manufacturing businesses need means that communications and connectivity are very important and The Base gives us outstanding benefits in that regard.  Plus, it’s a great place to meet with clients and gives us the flexibility we need as we grow.”

Helping ambitious SMEs grow

The two new lettings at The Base follow the recent appointment by the building’s manager, Langtree, of Sylvie Morton as business development manager for The Base. 

Sylvie remarked, “The Base represents a pioneering endeavor for advanced manufacturing and engineering firms, in addition to their supply chains. Furthermore, it is the first of its kind.” Our focus is on helping ambitious SMEs grow via outstanding facilities and support and our two new lettings at The Base prove that this strategy is the right one.”

Warrington boasts the sixth highest number of start-ups in the country, the highest in the north west and it is in the top ten places in the UK for high growth SMEs.  The Base was opened in January 2016 to help the town capitalise on this key strength and provides 50,000 sq ft of grade ‘A’ flexible space from a single desk up to a whole floor plate of 10,000 square feet.

Want to know more about The Base?

The Base is a Grade-A office and co-working space in the centre of Warrington that’s home to many market leading digital technology and advanced engineering companies.

While making The Base your home, you’ll gain complimentary access to a range of essential business support services. These services encompass marketing, tax, legal advice, as well as valuable assistance with innovation, research, and development

Contact us for more information.

Warrington, which leads the north west in company formation, is to get a new enterprise champion as it pushes its growth agenda.

New Business Development Manager


Sylvie Morton, hailing from Nord, France, takes on the role of business development manager at The Base, a newly-opened 50,000 sq ft grade ‘A’ office building in Warrington’s burgeoning central business district.

The building specifically caters to ambitious SMEs in the advanced manufacturing and engineering sectors, meeting their demand.

She had a particular focus on advanced materials and was part of the team responsible for developing the region’s supply chain capabilities for new wonder material, graphene.

Her new role, says Sylvie, is as much about helping tenants through providing networking channels to new business as it is in securing business for the centre itself.

Networking

“Our customers’ success is what will drive our own, so it makes sense to focus on helping them access new markets and make useful contacts that can help them grow their companies,” said Sylvie.

Sylvie will actively develop a networking programme and ensure The Base gains recognition for promoting best practices in technology transfer, corporate venturing, and open-source innovation.

Home For Advanced Manufacturing

“The Base is about reinforcing Warrington’s leading position as a home for advanced manufacturing and engineering businesses, as well as for wider start-ups, and with Sylvie championing them we can expect the town to maintain its place at the top of the leader board for business growth,” said Jayne Furnival, group property director at Langtree, who provide all aspects of the building’s management for owner Warrington & Co, Warrington’s partnership for growth.

The five story development, just fifteen minutes from both Liverpool and Manchester and a short stroll from Warrington railway station, offers flexible space from a single desk up to a whole floor plate of 10,000 square feet.

Want to know more about The Base?

The Base is a Grade-A office and co-working space in the centre of Warrington that’s home to many market leading digital technology and advanced engineering companies.

While making The Base your home, you’ll gain complimentary access to a range of essential business support services. These services encompass marketing, tax, legal advice, as well as valuable assistance with innovation, research, and development

Contact us for more information.

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01925 909777
info@thebasewarrington.co.uk

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The Agents for themselves and for the Sellor/Lessor of this property who agents they are give notice that: 1. These particulars do not constitute any part of an offer or a contract. 2. All statements contained in these particulars are made without responsibility on the part of the Agent(s) or the Seller/Lessor. 3. None of the statements contained in these particulars is to be relied upon as a statement or representation of fact. 4. Any intending Buyer or Tenant must satisfy himself by inspection or otherwise as to the correctness of each of the statements contained in these particulars. 5. The Seller/Landlord does not make or give and neither the Agent(s) nor any person in their employment has any authority to make or give any representation or warranty whatever in relation to this property.

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