Manchester stories

Ultamation taps Manchester digital agency Pixel Kicks to build a unified WordPress and WooCommerce platform for its growing software services.

Doorly secures GBP £600,000 to accelerate its shift from barber-booking app to nationwide on-demand home services marketplace.

Apex Computing turns firewall upgrades into planned security strategy, helping clients avoid breaches, downtime and costly distressed buys.

ANS Academy becomes first apprenticeship provider to earn Ofsted’s new ‘strong standard’ rating across all inspection categories.

PushON launches Connect to unify fragmented eCommerce marketing, promising cross-channel insight and clearer links between spend and sales.

Voicescape acquires Enterprise RPA to fuse AI tenant engagement with housing automation, targeting stretched landlords and local authorities.

Houlihan Lokey hires Mark Ward as Managing Director to expand European IT services coverage from its Manchester and London offices.

Microsoft partner mhance names Chris Allan as CEO to drive cloud, data and AI-led growth under private equity owner SilverTree Equity.

Manchester’s Voxelo launches AI studio that turns a single product video into reusable 3D models, AR assets and eCommerce imagery in hours.

Preston’s restored red phone boxes are set to become a permanent LED art canvas, blending heritage street furniture with digital culture.

THG Studios hires Adam Mandelstam and Rob Sanderson to lead a reshaped senior creative team as it pursues international growth.

Hendrix Rose PR has been appointed to lead UK media relations for fashion search specialist Verde Digital, targeting fashion and eCommerce titles.

Huawei kit swap-out blamed as London’s 5G speeds and reliability fall behind Glasgow and other UK cities, new analysis suggests.

Monzo data shows spending on AI platforms has more than doubled to GBP £19 million in 2025, as pre-loved shopping and coffee also surge.

Widdop launches its first direct-to-consumer eCommerce site for Softies plush toys, marking a major digital shift for the 140-year-old brand.

Vespertec says AI growth will slam into hard data centre limits by 2026, as chip, memory and cooling bottlenecks reshape infrastructure plans.

UK firms pour cash into cyber security yet neglect AI-specific threats, leaving new attack surfaces exposed despite rising confidence.

Manchester’s FourNet has scooped Palatine’s inaugural Leadership in Social Value award after generating GBP £2,660,194 in social value.

Nottingham tech startups and grads surge ahead, but the city trails rival hubs on Innovate UK cash, securing just GBP £6.1 million in 2024/25.

Manchester agency PushON marks 20 years with 40% revenue growth, tripled scale and fresh AI-driven, international eCommerce ambitions.