Markland Hill Wealth are winners at Edge Hill’s NW SME Growth & Innovation Awards 2022

Edge Hill University’s SME Productivity & Innovation Centre (SME PIC) celebrated the success of regional SMEs at its annual NW SME Growth & Innovation Awards 2022 and we’re delighted to announce that Markland Hill Wealth won the Skills for Growth Award.

The Skills for Growth category is awarded for an outstanding example of where a business has utilised higher-level skills from a student or graduate to harness an identified growth need or opportunity.

Photo: MHW directors, students Tom Birtles and Joe Stuart, with Professor Simon Bolton and Andrea Cunningham from Edge Hill

Director of SME PIC Professor Simon Bolton said: “The awards are a great opportunity for the SMEs that we have worked with to demonstrate their business success and showcase the impact. The work we do with businesses is pivotal to the development of highly-skilled job opportunities for our students and supporting academic knowledge exchange. Well done to all the shortlisted SMEs and winners.”

MHW Director Barrie Dawson explained: “We identified the need to strengthen our support team and were offered a placement by Edge Hill University who put forward two candidates. We were so impressed at interview that we took both of them.

We never looked back! Two thoroughly decent young men who applied themselves and their ability, flexibility and dedication are a credit to them.

Our experience of working with Edge Hill University has been first class and we have no hesitation in recommending it to other companies.”

Joining the celebrations were Janice Mears, Head of Business Growth at Growth Platform – Liverpool City Region Growth Company, Gillian Hodgkinson and Lisa Ratican from West Lancashire Council and Dr Joanne Leek from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

Head of Business Growth at Growth Platform Janice Mears said: “It is fantastic to see so many SMEs from across the North West being recognised for their growth and scale up potential. The Edge Hill University SME Productivity & Innovation Centre is a key component of our LCR High Growth Programme that has been designed to help innovative ambitious businesses sustain and grow. SME businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and, through partnerships such as this, we are ensuring that Liverpool City Region is a great place to grow your business.”

The final word goes to the students.

Tom Birtles commented: “Over the course of my internship, I was exposed to a wealth of knowledge and professional experience. Rotating round different areas of the business including financial wealth management to mortgage products and advice, it has been a privilege and a significant factor towards my development, professionally and personally.”

Joe Stuart said: “I progressed to being deeply involved with many aspects of the company’s operations, whilst gaining exposure to various steps of the advice process. I received support from everyone at the company, furthering my professional development and providing me with invaluable experience, giving me the reassurance that a career in financial advice is one I’ll continue to pursue.”