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Leeds-based Brand Consultancy Propaganda has been appointed by hair styling brand CLOUD NINE as their lead marketing and creative agency. The appointment marks a significant return to working with the brand that Propaganda initially helped to create in 2009.

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The seven-figure account, previously held by IMA Home, was awarded without a pitch.

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The Yorkshire-based hair styling business is celebrating its 15th year and has ambitious targets for growth across its global retail and eCommerce estate. Propaganda will now be working with the board to drive the strategic brand recommendations and creative campaigning.

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Danny Emmett, CLOUD NINE CEO said, “Celebrating our 15th year in business is the perfect time to reflect on our success to date but also to accelerate our future growth ambitions. Propaganda were pivotal in the formation of the brand and since we re-engaged with them in August, we have been impressed with our recent campaign and the Brand DiscoveryTM work they have undertaken. This appointment marks an exciting new chapter for CLOUD NINE.”

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Propaganda’s sdtrategy and planning director, Tom Fowler said, “We are delighted to see CLOUD NINE return to the Propaganda fold. It feels like a homecoming, and we are excited to reunite with many of the talented team members at Cloud Nine. Propaganda played a vital role in creating the brand back in 2009, and we can’t wait to implement our strategic recommendations and make a huge impact on the hair sector again.

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Team Blossom is walking 22 miles raising funds for The Outward Bound Trust to empower young women from West Yorkshire.

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Group marketing director at Alfred Bagnall and Sons Ltd, Joanne Gualda, has been appointed to the Management Board of a national trade body.
nJoanne, who is based at Bagnalls’ head office in Cleckheaton, was elected to the Board of the Painting and Decorating Association (PDA) at its AGM held on November 15.

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The PDA’s Management Board works with the staff team, headed by chief executive Neil Ogilvie, to ensure the Association undertakes work that is beneficial to its members.

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Joanne was chosen as a representative of the larger nationwide contractors that employ hundreds of people in the painting and decorating trade across the UK.

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She said: “I have worked for Bagnalls since 2000, so I have nearly 25 years’ experience in the painting and decorating industry.

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“I am a chartered marketer and love to promote the positive aspects of our industry including apprenticeships, sustainability, innovation and quality workmanship.

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“I have a passion for our industry and fully support the excellent work undertaken by the PDA.

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“I believe by being part of the Management Board I will excel in engaging at all levels with people within the industry including the paint suppliers, the BCF, the PDA Members and the wider community.”

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The PDA is Britain’s largest trade body dedicated to the sector and marked its 130th anniversary this year.

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The Association represents painting and decorating businesses of all types from sole traders through to large scale national contractors employing hundreds of operatives.

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With a proud history and a long-standing legacy of promoting high standards and best practice, the PDA requires its members to be insured and appropriately trained as well as committing to a Code of Conduct that includes providing quality work at a reasonable price.

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Neil said: “I am delighted to welcome Joanne Gualda, to the PDA Management Board. Her experience and understanding of the industry will be invaluable to us as the collective voice of the painting and decorating sector.

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“The PDA enjoyed a successful 130th anniversary year in 2024 and work is already underway to build on those achievements in 2025.”

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Landscape supplier Green-tech is proud to share an inspiring update on Janet Willoner’s progress. Back in 2019, motivated by her grandchildren’s passion for combating climate change, Janet from Boroughbridge embarked on an ambitious mission to grow 5,000 trees from seed by the time she turns 85 – a remarkable achievement that Green-tech is delighted to support.

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As 2024 draws to a close, Janet has grown an additional 800 saplings, bringing her total to an incredible 3,500 trees raised since she began this journey. Many of these saplings have been planted at Skipbridge and Bank Woods in Summerbridge, part of the beautiful Nidderdale area. These new trees will enhance the local landscape, support biodiversity, and contribute to the Northern Forest project.

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Janet continues to prepare for the coming year with her characteristic determination. She has already collected and stratified seeds, ensuring they will germinate successfully when spring arrives. With the finish line in sight, she remains optimistic about achieving her target of 5,000 trees.

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Janet expressed her gratitude, saying, “I’m thrilled to see the progress we’ve made this year. Knowing these trees will stand for generations to help combat climate change and increase biodiversity is immensely rewarding. I couldn’t have done it without Green-tech’s support. Their sponsorship has provided me with the compost, grit, and fertiliser I need to grow healthy saplings without worrying about funding. I’m thankful they agreed to sponsor me again for another productive year.”

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Green-tech’s marketing director Kate Humes expressed her admiration for Janet’s ongoing efforts: “Janet is an inspiration. Her dedication and hard work remind us of the power of individual action to help mitigate climate change. We’re delighted to help and look forward to supporting her as she works towards her 5,000-tree goal.”

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Looking ahead to 2025, Green-tech is proud to support initiatives like Janet’s that align with its mission of promoting sustainability and creating a greener future for all. It will continue its commitment to Janet’s project, ensuring she has the necessary resources to nurture her next batch of saplings.

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Award-winning Yorkshire based Mini First Aid is expanding with investment from Finance Yorkshire.

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The company was founded nine years ago by Yorkshire Businesswoman of the Year award winner, Kate Ball who has successfully grown the business which now operates more than 70 franchises covering most of the UK.

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Mini First Aid provides first aid training and education to people of all ages with its original parent and carer classes proving most popular. Other classes are aimed at children and adults with workplace training available.

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Kate started the business from her home after her brother died suddenly from heart failure. His student friends called the emergency services but the students did not know how to do CPR. Later, pregnant with her first child, she found there was little in the way of first aid training for parents-to-be.

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A £100,000 investment from Finance Yorkshire’s Loan fund will support Mini First Aid in its growth ambitions which include new product development and staff hires including a marketing manager.

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Mini First Aid’s parent and carer class covers all emergency situations including CPR, choking, bleeding and burns. On average, 1,000 families are trained each week. The company also sells branded first aid kits and has recently added a reuseable hot and cold gel pack to its product range.

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Kate said: “My aim has been to build a brand providing first aid training which is memorable. All Mini First Aid classes are a brilliant learning experience – they are hands-on with skills taught in a way that people will remember should they need to put them into practice.”

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Kate is joined in the business by her husband Matt who is operations and financial director. They have six children and Kate was named Yorkshire Businesswoman of the Year 2024.

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The couple are now working with leading charities and the NHS to provide fully funded classes for low-income families. Kate added: “Only 10% of new parents are learning first aid so the opportunity to grow Mini First Aid in the UK is massive. There is also the potential for us to roll out our training model in other countries.”

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Alex McWhirter, CEO of Finance Yorkshire, said: “Under Kate’s leadership, Mini First Aid has become a widely recognised brand delivering vital life skills to people of all ages. We are pleased to support the Mini First Aid team in their ambitions to grow further by reaching more people with their innovative style of first aid training.”

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Finance Yorkshire’s business loans fund is part of a wider regional investment fund which is expected to provide more than £50m to SMEs over five years. Investment is also available from its seedcorn and growth funds.

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