Hello and welcome to the latest edition of Thank Frank It’s Friday. This week we look at an awards ceremony highlighting the fantastic work being done in the city, and throw the spotlight on a beer festival now in its 17th year. Enjoy the latest TFI, have a great weekend and don't do anything Frank wouldn't do...

Moore & Smalley’s Rob Kenmare won the coveted title of Dealmaker of the year at the annual Lancashire Dealmakers Awards recently.

These awards, hosted by North West Business Insider magazine, are one of the key events of the business calendar – second only to Downtown’s own awards of course – and are a great chance to showcase some of the work that is being done in Preston and further afield in the county.

Moore & Smalley also picked up the award for Corporate Finance Advisory Team of the Year.

Frank McKenna, DPIB chairman, said: “Awards ceremonies like this are a fantastic way to show off what Lancashire is capable of.

“There is some great work being done, even as we emerge from a recession, and looking at these awards it is obvious that Lancashire has not taken the recession lying down. Dealmakers like Rob Kenmare, and entrepreneurs like Mohsin Issa are doing a great job of putting the county firmly on the map for the quality of its business community.”

As some of you may know, I host a radio programme on Sunday morning’s on Liverpool's City Talk 105.9 FM. This week, I will be talking to the author of recently published business ‘handbook’ ‘Bright Marketing’ Robert Craven.

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Well over 100 people packed into Cloud 23 at the Hilton Hotel last night for the official launch of Downtown Manchester in Business. Guest speaker Sir Howard Bernstein was full of praise for the initiative, and urged the Manchester business community to get involved. "I look forward to constructive debate and challenge from Downtown" he said. DMIB Chairman Frank McKenna pledged to bring "new ideas" to Manchester and promised to support entrepreneurs and offer quality and diverse networking events to the city. CLICK HERE to see press coverage of the event.

Lancashire architecture and urban design practice Croft Goode Architects has appointed Chris Homer as a trainee architect.

Chris, 29, of Leyland, joins Kirkham-based Croft Goode after three years with another architecture practice based in the Preston area.

As part of his appointment, Chris has also been enrolled onto the Croft Goode Foundation Scheme, which sees staff sponsored through further and higher academic study to complete their architectural training.

At present the Croft Goode Foundation Scheme plans for the qualification of two chartered architects in 2011, followed by a further chartered architect in 2012. This is at the same time a further four staff will gain their architecture or built environment degrees.

Croft Goode, which employs 19, grew turnover and profit in 2009 securing work across a number of sectors, including local authority housing, education, healthcare and commercial.

The Corporate team at Napthens solicitors is reporting a substantial increase in deal activity involving businesses sales.

Rob Dobson, solicitor in the department, reveals that while funding is still often difficult to secure, lenders now have more appetite for putting packages together.

As a result, there has been a marked increase in the number of opportunities, particularly disposal of businesses. The Corporate department is also handling an increasing number of internal restructures.

However, Rob reported that the number of MBOs (Management Buyouts) taking place is still at a low level, reflecting recent figures from the Centre for Management Buyout Research which showed the overall value of UK buyouts fell 72 per cent in 2009 compared to 2008.

Picking up the 'Corporate Law Firm' accolade for the third consecutive year at last week's Lancashire Dealmakers awards dinner, Forbes Solicitors is a worthy Business of the Week. For details of Forbes' latest events please CLICK HERE

Joe Hall, owner of Chorley based Hall’s Bakery has announced he will create a new ‘manufacturing hub’ in Preston. Mr Hall has announced he hopes to quadruple the size of the company, and increasing staff numbers by more than 25 per cent. Other areas targeted for expansion over the next five years include the Fylde and Wigan.

Lewis Carroll himself would be proud of this.

Follow the white rabbit just like Alice.

http://www.lidu.fr/followthewhiterabbit/en/

The 17th annual Preston Beer Festival takes place this month at St Walburge’s Church, from March 18-21. This event is becoming a real institution among Preston drinkers, and is a great event to support – whatever your tipple!

Join DPIB for the first Members Reception of 2010. Taking place at East Z East, this is one dinner you will most definitely not want to miss.

COST: £25.00 + VAT per person, inc 3 course meal and half a bottle of wine.

Date: Thursday 25th March
Time: 6.30pm - 9.00pm
Venue: East Z East

REGISTER NOW

As from Friday 26th March and then the last Friday of every month, Vintage will be hosting a new networking event in association with Downtown Preston. TFI Friday will kick off at 3.00pm and will be a great opportunity for networkers to meet new contacts and catch up with old. It’s worth blocking the afternoon out in your diary.

Date: Friday 26th March
Time: 3.00pm - 5.00pm
Venue: Vintage

REGISTER NOW

Name: Ged Dolan

Company: Talk Consultants Ltd (Project Management & Quantity Surveying)

Position: Left Back! Oh sorry........Director

Football Team: Liverpool FC

Brown or Cameron: Which ever one is going to pump money back into construction!

Favourite Lancashire Bar/Restaurant: Nineteen Duxbury Park, Chorley

What’s your Tipple: Southern Comfort & Coke

Favourite Band: Kings of Leon

Top Tune: Use Somebody (Kings of Leon)

Favourite Book: CARRA My Autobiography - Jamie Carragher

Favourite Movie: Lord of the Rings (Trilogy)

Who would play you in a film: Matthew Perry

Favourite TV Programme: Shameless

Most visited website: Probably Facebook

Celebrity Crush: Mariah Carey! Mmmm!

Interesting Fact about you: I was an extra in the children’s TV programme ‘Sloggers’

Why Downtown: Great place to meet new people and network with potential clients.