Robin Harris is the founder and Managing Director of Velway Limited. Robin established Velway Limited in January 2019 after leaving his role as National Head of Operations for a large Facilities Management company. Robin wanted to build a company that would represent his core values and working ethos.

Robin was joined by his friend and facilities management professional, Matthew Wilson CIWFM, and since it was started Velway Limited has shown year on year growth.

Velway Limited is a national property and facilities management company providing management of around 1,000 properties across all sectors throughout the UK.

These properties include a 300,000sqft city centre office development, a software campus, multi-tenanted office blocks, residential developments, retail parks, high street restaurants, pubs and bars, and care facilities.

Velway manage all reactive, planned and compliance works, whilst also providing soft services such as landscaping, cleaning and security.

In 2023 Velway Limited expanded it’s offering with the establishment of Velway Project and Maintenance, this has become Velway’s self-delivery arm of the business and is completing both project and reactive works across the country.

Based within Nostell Priory Business park, Velway’s office stretches across 2 double units which house their 24 / 7 Helpdesk, senior management team, facilities managers, project managers, administration and accounts, whilst also having it’s own designated meeting room. Other facilities managers and engineers are based throughout the UK.

Anyone interested in learning more about Velway, are always welcome to visit their office – their kettle is constantly on!

More information can be found at the company websites – www.velway.co.uk and www.velwaypm.co.uk

 

Based at Calder Business Park, Durkar, Wakefield Palm Financial Services LTD are Award Winning Independent Financial Advisers that specialise in Mortgages, Commercial Finance, Protection, Investments and Pensions.

Palm Financial was founded by Yasir Al-Din and over the last 15 years has developed a reputation throughout the UK as having a wealth of over knowledge and expertise in the financial sector.

Within the last few Years Yasir and Palm Financial have won and become finalists in a number of awards including Yorkshire Financial Awards Mortgage Broker of the Year 2021, PFS Mortgage & Protection Advice Specialist 2022/23 and Mortgage Awards Finalist in Specialist Mortgage Broker 2024.

Initially specialising in residential mortgages and protection the business has naturally developed into Commercial Finance and been able to provide advice and services to protect clients both now and plan for their financial future and security.

The company now has a specialist Mortgage and Protection Adviser Sara, Yasir who specialises in Commercial, Higher Value Mortgages, Pensions and Investments.

Palm Financial is dedicated to ensuring their clients are in the best financial position and knowledge possible whilst insuring clients have the right financial foundations in place for their families future.

#wakefield #collaboration #wakefield businesses

Wakefield Pride is committed to promoting equality and diversity, focusing on eradicating discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Through events like the annual LGBT+ festival, they raise awareness and foster positive sentiments.

This year, Wakefield Pride returns on August 11th at 10 am at Trinity Walk, celebrating🎊it’s 20th anniversary. The community stage highlights local talents, showcasing the best of Wakefield’s culture and diversity. The Parade at midday supports LGBT+ rights and recognises the work of local entities.

The Festival stage features beloved Pride favourites, alongside charity and local business stalls. With an equal emphasis on charity and business, Wakefield Pride aims to make a positive impact on the city until 8 pm.

Reflecting on Wakefield Pride’s impact, they celebrate their journey and look forward to a brighter, more inclusive future. This celebration is made possible by the dedication of volunteers and the support of partners, showcasing the essence of Wakefield. 🌈🍾

Visit the Wakefield Pride’s website to learn how you can support or get involved: Wakefield Pride – Wakefield Pride

🎉 #wakefieldpride #wakefieldbusinesses #wakefield

📸 Looking to Capture the Essence of Your Property Business? Look No Further! 🏡

Meet Mark Rowbottom, the founder of Photoneg, who is here to elevate your property marketing game. With over twenty years of dedicated experience in the property industry, Mark has fine-tuned his craft to help businesses like yours stand out in today’s competitive market.

At Photoneg, they specialise in a range of photography and videography services tailored specifically for the property sector. Whether you’re an estate agent, architect, or commercial property developer, they have you covered:

🏢 Commercial Photography: Showcase the unique features and character of your commercial properties to attract potential clients.

🚁 Drones Video & Photography: Capture stunning aerial views of your properties to provide a comprehensive perspective to your audience.

🌐 Matterport 3D Photography: Immerse your clients in a virtual tour of your properties, allowing them to explore every nook and cranny from the comfort of their own home.

🛋️ Staging and Lifestyle Photography: Highlight the lifestyle potential of your properties through expertly staged and curated photographs.

📸 PR, Events, and Press Photography: From grand openings to industry events, they ensure every moment is captured professionally and in line with your brand image.

They understand the importance of visual storytelling in today’s digital landscape, and are committed to helping you generate captivating images that resonate with your audience.

If you’re considering leveraging the power of photography to elevate your business, connect with Mark over a coffee and discuss how Photoneg can bring your vision to life.

Contact Mark at your convenience:

📞 07974135318 📧 [email protected]

Let Photoneg transform your property marketing strategy one image at a time!

#photographer #wakefield #wakefieldbusinesses

⭐ A huge welcome to Andrew and Rob of Panda IT Solutions, who have chosen to join We Are Wakefield at “Supporter Level” 😍  Panda IT Solutions are proudly serving businesses in West Yorkshire and beyond. They specialise in providing comprehensive IT services designed to optimise company operations and enhance productivity.

As a trusted technology partner, they offer a wide array of solutions, including broadband and leased lines, VoIP services, Microsoft 365 integration, and professional web hosting.

At their core, they specialise in IT support, taking care of company servers, PCs, and the entirety of company IT infrastructure. Their team of dedicated professionals includes nine individuals who are deeply passionate about their craft and are committed to delivering excellence in customer service. They prioritise building strong, personal relationships with their clients, ensuring that all needs are met with attentiveness and care.

With over a decade of industry experience, Panda IT Solutions stands apart from the competition by eschewing cumbersome ticketing systems in favour of immediate, personalised support. When you reach out to Panda IT, rest assured that assistance is just a phone call away.

Whether you’re a burgeoning startup or a well-established SME, their flexible support contracts are tailored to accommodate businesses of all sizes. Moreover, their commitment to accessibility means that you’ll always speak directly with a knowledgeable professional, no-automated response, just genuine expertise and assistance.

#wakefield #wakefield businesses #it solutions

In Episode 9, we are joined by Simon Banks, facilitator of The Alternative Board (TAB) Wakefield District and Nick Johnston-Davis co-founder of Instoppabl.

In this powerful conversation we discuss how to achieve maximum performance in your business and personal life and how wellbeing builds the foundations of success.

Host & WAW MD Claire Sutherley explains how the support from these individuals has changed her life and credits Nick with saving her son’s life. 

Simon and Nick share their top tips for 24. 

In an inspiring collaboration aimed at fostering a culture of equality and diversity within the Wakefield District’s business community, We Are Wakefield and Wakefield First joined hands to host a groundbreaking event. The gathering, held today at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, welcomed business owners and decision-makers from various sectors, all looking to overcome obstacles and achieve their GOLD!

At the heart of today’s event was a transformative workshop led by none other than Steve Judge, acclaimed author of “GOLD” and a renowned motivational speaker. With three accolades as the Professional Speaking Associations speaker of the Year, Steve Judge brought unparalleled expertise and insight to the table.

Steve’s journey from wheelchair to world champion serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity. Through his experiences, he has gleaned invaluable lessons, firmly believing that every obstacle presents an opportunity for growth and empowerment. His message resonates deeply with individuals at every level of the business sector.

The workshop, aptly titled “Overcoming Obstacles,” delved into the five winning ways to unlock the power of one’s potential and achieve personal and professional goals. Drawing from his own journey of championing equality, diversity, and inclusion, Steve provided attendees with practical tools, inspiration, and motivation to navigate their own paths toward success.

Steve’s session was not merely a theoretical discourse but a practical guide rooted in real-life experiences. Attendees left the workshop armed with actionable strategies and a newfound sense of empowerment, ready to implement positive change within their organisations.

In a world where diversity and inclusion are increasingly recognised as essential drivers of innovation and success, events like this serve as catalysts for change. By coming together to learn, share, and collaborate, the Wakefield business community reaffirmed its commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable future for all.

As we reflect on the insights gained and the connections forged at today’s event, let us carry forward the spirit of empowerment and inclusivity into our workplaces and beyond. Together, we can create a brighter, more prosperous future where every individual has the opportunity to thrive, irrespective of background or circumstance.

&

Elis UK and JS Recruitment have joined forces via We Are Wakefield to harness the power of collaboration.

Elis UK is an international multi-service provider offering laundry and hygiene services. Ambitious growth plans prompted a search for talented staff to join their commercial and operations teams at the production facility in Wakefield. With over 40 years’ experience, a proven track record in recruiting for these functions and an expansive network of over 40,000 local candidates, JS Recruitment made for the ideal recruitment partner.

Jonathan Parkinson – General Manager and Jilly Spiers – Managing Director, along with their respective teams, collaborated to recruit for four key roles. This involved streamlining processes, adopting new ways of working, successfully leveraging technology, and providing a first-class candidate experience.

Through close consultation, they have built a strong partnership, mutual understanding and an effective recruitment process enabling JS Recruitment to identify candidates who are an excellent match for and aligned to the values at Elis UK.

The impact of the partnership has been to attract top talent to Elis UK and mark the organisation out as an employer of choice in the region. Crucially, roles have been filled efficiently by JS Recruitment with high calibre candidates who are already adding value to the business.

Jilly Spiers said

“The team at JS Recruitment feel privileged to act as brand ambassadors for Elis UK and are proud to support them in achieving their business goals. We know that good people can transform businesses and the right jobs transform lives. We’re more driven than ever to create opportunities for our candidates, clients, fellow We Are Wakefield members and boost the local economy.”

The collaborators win 4 tickets to Featherstone Rovers to see how teamwork makes the dream work!

The Yorkshire Broker are a commercial insurance broker who began trading in January 2023 and, with over 40 years’ experience between them, Martin and Phil are experts in all things insurance.

 The Yorkshire Broker are a true independent broker with more than 1000  products available. There’s nothing The Yorkshire Broker can’t do when it comes to commercial insurance and, it also means they can tailor products to their clients’ needs and provide choice.

 They are proud to be Yorkshire, and proud to be part of it’s community. They believe it deserves to be looked after. Yorkshire Broker believe that  many services are faceless these days and are missing the personal touch but, The Yorkshire Broker want to change this. They have built their business on providing unparalleled personal service. The many five star🌟 reviews they receive, really shows they deliver on this.

Martin said, ‘Phil and I are passionate about our business and what we have achieved so far, and our initial success is in part thanks to groups like We are Wakefield, we are delighted to become Supporters and continue to help our business community.’🎉

martin weaver-parker, dip cii

Phil Hodgson

#insurance #wakefield #wakefield businesses’