Member Article

Vivark invests in 11 Knowsley businesses to boost economic growth

A networking event organised by North West facilities management company and social enterprise, Vivark, has created growth opportunities and project work for 11 Knowsley businesses.

Vivark, part of the First Ark Group, organised a ‘Meet the Buyer’ event in September to present small Knowsley enterprises with the opportunity to undertake project work alongside the company.

Following an application process, 11 of these businesses were successful and have recently received an induction and are now being allocated work.

Where appropriate, businesses were offered additional training, which was paid for by Vivark and provided by Knowsley-based social enterprise, Fusion 21. Additionally, all the companies operating in conjunction with Vivark will be required to follow health and safety material risk assessments, which they can then use in the future to help them secure work with other organisations.

Tony Cahill, executive director at Vivark, said: “Our social purpose means we are continually seeking opportunities to invest in the local community. One way in which we aim to do this is by offering project work and training to local businesses through initiatives such as ‘Meet the Buyer’.

“We’re looking forward to these traders working alongside our passionate team of experienced professionals and are proud that the training we offer can be used to secure future employment, increasing entrepreneurial activity and supporting economic growth in Knowsley.”

One of the traders connecting with Vivark, David Gibson, of Gibson Home Improvement, said: “The opportunity to link with the Vivark team by assisting with their facilities management work appealed to me because I knew I’d be working alongside a firm with a great reputation on a wide range of jobs.

“The extra income is a great boost to my existing contracts and gives me a chance to further grow my business, which at four years old, is still in its infancy.”

The first 11 companies to start work with Vivark comprise a mix of builders, decorators, gas technicians, joiners and plasterers, including, A&M Building and Maintenance, Blue Flame Gas Tech, Coult Decorators, CSJ Joinery, Gibson Home Improvement, JK Plastering, JPL Building Services, MC Plastering, MJH Decorators, Michael Foott and Richards and Son Plumbing and Heating.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .