The Baltic Triangle - Business In The Liverpool City Region

In Episode 48 of the Baltic Triangle podcast, join hosts Mick Ord and Mark Reeson as they delve into the inspiring journeys of two dynamic women, Angela McKay and Michelle O'Dwyer, whose entrepreneurial spirit is not only driving their award-winning businesses forward into 2024 but also deeply enriching the local communities they serve. Angela McKay, the Operations Manager at Homebaked Bakery, located right across from Liverpool FC's Anfield Stadium, operates under a social enterprise model. Her dedication is evident in providing high-quality food and creating job opportunities within the community. Michelle O'Dwyer, the driving force behind Bay Tree Catering and Training Academy, is on the cusp of expansion due to the success of her dual ventures – one for profit and the other not-for-profit. Her business acumen and commitment to community service are paving the way for a promising New Year. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the real-life stories of influential movers and shakers within the Liverpool City Region, offering a unique glimpse into the lives of those who are shaping the future of local business and community engagement.

In the 47th installment of the Baltic Triangle podcast, we immerse ourselves in the flavour's of French gastronomy with a unique Scouse twist. Join us as we step into the Bootle establishment of entrepreneur Andy Rogers, the recent recipient of a prestigious Gold accolade at the World Charcuterie Awards, further elevating his distinguished collection of accolades. Additionally, we're treated to the soothing Scouse sounds of Professor Tony Crowley, discussing his latest work, 'Liverpool - A Memoir of Words.' Crowley's book offers an engaging and enlightening examination of the myths surrounding the iconic Liverpool vernacular, exploring its history, evolution, and future. Tune in for a slice of authentic Merseyside culture, straight from the voices that shape the vibrant landscape of this celebrated city region.

 We hear the remarkable story of Nicola Chan whose Liverpool-based company Waishee Coaching focuses on body confidence, particularly for women.   There's a fascinating chat with Toxteth-born Anthony Grice is the man behind the award-winning  Swedish-inspired FIKA coffee shops which actively encourage mental well-being as part of their ethos.

In episode 45, there's a definite Ukrainian cultural theme to the podcast. In the wake of Liverpool's successful staging of the Eurovision Song Contest finals on behalf of Ukraine, we hear from two local community artists whose work reflects the unique cultural links the city now has with that country. Mick and Mark have been hearing from designer Peter Lloyd  and the community artist Alex Corina - both with fascinating tales to tell."

In Episode 44 we hear from Claire Lewis the CEO of Liverpool-based tech accelerator, Baltic Ventures, whose 5 year mission is to support Northern tech businesses to access angel and venture capital investment without having to go cap in hand to London. "We're hyper-local, with global ambition", says Claire. Miles Pearson is the director and co-owner of NBT Offices, which owns properties throughout the city including the Baltic Triangle and Crosby. Miles explains his company's ethos and his view on the future of Liverpool's creative and digital district. The Baltic Triangle podcast - talking to the REAL movers & shakers in Liverpool City Region.

In episode 43 of the Baltic Triangle podcast we hear from two businesses who used the lockdown period after Covid to re-calibrate their companies and are looking to the future with fresh optimism. The Fermentation Station is a Liverpool-based food and drinks producer owned by Amy Yarker and Sam Watson, who use ancient fermentation methods to preserve their products rather than pump them with preservatives. In 2021 they were winners in the Great Taste Awards and they're very confident of more successes as the business grows. There are an estimated 4 millions podcasts registered worldwide (including this one!) and in the UK 50% of adults have listened to a podcast before - that number is likely to grow in the coming years, which is good news for Clare Campbell and Roy Basnett who've just set up The Podcafe - an audio and video podcasting studio here in the Baltic Triangle on Norfolk St. For more news visit Livepool's Baltic Triangle here

In this month's Baltic Triangle podcast we're taking a deep dive into cycling and graffiti art in Liverpool City Region. Bafta-winning  actor and presenter Simon O'Brien is the region's Cycling and Walking  Commissioner who is no stranger to the podcast. We spoke to him 2 1/2  years ago when he first started in the role with the aim of improving  the cycling and walking infrastructure of Liverpool.  His role has  been expanded to include the whole of the city region and he's as  enthusiastic as ever but says we still have a LONG way to go to catch up  with other UK cities - however he's determined that we can do it with  the right political support. Sean Webster is a  young artist whose work you may well have seen around the Baltic  Triangle area and the city centre but not realised he's behind it. In  a short space of time , Sean's career has really taken off.  We hear  about his artistic journey, his embrace of NFTs (non-fungible tokens) to  help to support his work and how he sees his career developing.

In episode 41 - We chat to two Liverpool based business people, Chief Exec of Baltic Creative CIC Lynn Haime and Paul Webley from Blaze Media. Lynn has recently taken the vacant Baltic Creative position after Mark Lawler left earlier in the year. Lynn who has an impressive resume in property with positions held at Matthews & Goodman and Manchester's Media City. Paul heads up a relatively young digital agency in the Baltic district and this year won the Creative and Digital Agency of the Year at the Downtown in Business Awards. Now celebrating their 5th Birthday, Paul talks about hiring the nest talent and how more businesses are looking outside London and Manchester for support. You can listen to more podcasts on the Baltic Triangle website here

In this month's Baltic Triangle podcast, we hear about the amazing & diverse work being done by STEC - the Speke Training & Education Centre- which includes nurturing business start-ups & supporting 200 Afghan families living in the area. And we visit the Baltic Triangle offices of the innovative Liverpool company, MGISS - the multi-award-winning firm that informs organisations in the smarter use of geospatial data. The Baltic Triangle podcast speaking to the REAL movers & shakers in Liverpool City Region - with Mick Ord & Mark Reeson.

In the latest Baltic Triangle podcast, we chat to Jayne Lawless, the Merseyside-based artist who runs the North End Sketch club and the 'roaming' Dead Pigeon Gallery and whose work has taken her to Poland, Slovakia, Portugal, USA, Cyprus and London Rd, to name just a few. She's about to embark on a major commission in Cheshire. Jayne's working-class background in Everton underpins her work and she's as much an activist as an artist. In the second part, we tap into the analytical mind of Jim Quail who along with his business partner Alison Johnson produce conceptional prints. These prints focus on modern culture and are famous around the world, featured in magazines such as Wired, DJ Mag and Mix Mag. Dorothy prints

In this month's Baltic Triangle podcast we take a deep dive into the local and national economy with Professor Michael Parkinson CBE ambassador for the Heseltine Institute at the University of Liverpool and a man who's been commenting on Liverpool City Region for 40 years. He gives his unique take on our prospects for the next few years, taking into consideration the political turmoil we find ourselves in locally, nationally and internationally. Believe it or not, he remains quite optimistic despite all the bad news in the media! Our next guest is Rebecca Taylor who is the Chief Executive of innovative Liverpool-based medical equipment supplier, Aquarate. They've developed a smart Hydracup which is being used in the care sector to better monitor the hydration levels of elderly patients.....innovation at its very best from the heart of the city region." If you're interested in reading more about our guests please follow the links below. Liverpool University Press: Books: Liverpool Beyond the Brink Aquarate - Hydracare Smart Cup for Reducing Dehydration in the Elderly

Beer, bees and glass..............in this episode we visit 2 businessmen who are reviving some ancient skills and traditions right in the heart of the Baltic Triangle. The first one is a much-missed Liverpool beer and the other the art of glass-blowing.  We all love beer right...? If there's one thing that's been missing from Cains' Brewery Village - its freshly brewed Cain's Beer. However, the wait is over with a brand new venue and brewery (inside the old brewery} ready to serve up some of the old classics - including the infamous Raisin Beer! Our next guest is John Fenn who has been creating sublime art from glass and honey - something you would expect from the Baltic! John keeps his own Bee's that produce the honey and runs is workshop and Glass blowing courses in Northern Lights, an artist led studio in the Baltic Triangle. Find out more about the Cains Brewery here Find out more about John Fell who is a Baltic Creative tenant at Northern Lights Join Mick Ord and Mark Reeson for the monthly Baltic Triangle podcast, brought to you by our new sponsors, Baltic Creative CIC.

The Baltic Triangle podcast is dedicated to delivering stories about people and businesses within the Liverpool City Region doing extraordinary things.  In this episode we brought the conversation back home and the guys will be talking to the new Baltic Triangle Chair Fiona Shaw. The area company has had a shake-up in the past few months recruiting new members to the Baltic Triangle board to pursue various portfolios. In addition, Fiona talks about her own companies and interests that include Wordscapes and Ethos Magazine. Our other guest is travel writer Rupert Wolfe Murray who has recently contributed to new a book written by Daoud Sarhandi. The publication exhibits a collection of Bosnian War Posters which Daoud collected shortly after the conflict. The posters are arranged chronologically, with long captions, and it tells the story of Bosnia’s war. Young people in Bosnia Herzegovina are particularly interested because they don’t learn about the war in school – it’s too recent, too raw, too politicised – and they want to learn about it so they can avoid the mistakes of their parents. Young Bosnians also want to see how people communicated before the internet. You can find out more about the book and the collection here: This is so relevant to what's happening in the Ukraine at the moment and the Baltic Triangle are already exhibiting art in venues to raise money for the Ukraine people who need it most. Read more about Daoud Sarhandi Read more about the Liverpool4Ukraine exhibition.

In episode 35, we speak to Dr Tony Lloyd from the ADHD Foundation who are the  UK’s leading neurodiversity charity, offering a strength-based, lifespan service for the 1 in 5 of us who live with ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia and Tourette’s syndrome. We also speak to Jake Nolan from Space by Liquid who have recently located to the Baltic Triangle to provide a managed canvas for photographers, videographers and exhibitions.

In this months episode we speak to Say it with Diamonds entrepreneur Charlotte Donoghue and business consultant Garth Dallas. Garth is managing the good small business programme in next month's event across Liverpool. The festival has been in the mindset of the city for over two years but due to the pandemic has been postponed. Finally, the city-wide event is due to launch again in March over three days. The GBF 2022 will cover good practice topics in venues from the British Music Experience on the world famous waterfront to Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral to the Baltic Triangle. Tickets are now available here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-good-business-festival-2022-tickets-223297176867 Next we hear from Charlotte who started her own jewellery brand 6 years ago in the city. She created the business with only five necklaces and is now turning over 6 figure sums!  This episode is sponsored by TalkTalk Future Fibre