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Oldham Business Edge magazine spring-summer 2016 edition with designer Sonia Ayaz on the cover

THE latest spring-summer edition of Oldham Business Edge magazine has just been published and is free to subscribers.

The quarterly magazine from the Oldham Evening Chronicle features textile and handbag designer Sonia Ayaz on the front cover.

Sonia (25), a former Hathershaw College of Technology and Oldham Sixth Form College student, has been supported by Sir Norman Stoller’s Oldham Enterprise Fund to launch her business. She has also been selected for a Greater Manchester hub for young businesses, alongside another Oldham start-up business called OfferMoments.

Technology specialist OfferMoments has devised an extraordinary electronic billboard which displays tailored messages to passers-by, based on their social media conversations.

The billboard is designed for high streets and shopping malls, and is set to make waves across the retail industry. One of the firm’s directors explains how he wants to put Oldham on the map for technology.

In other features, Ryder & Dutton commercial director James Roberts talks about the firm’s investment in a staff leadership programme to develop talent.

Innovative Technology’s Dayna Patterson explains the importance of global trade exhibitions for the Derker-based cash validation firm. Discover how much work goes into preparing, equipping and manning the firm’s high-tech exhibition stands at events in countries including China and South Africa.

In another report, Oldham Community Leisure reports how corporate health packages can boost business performance, staff attendance and recruitment. Employees at First Choice Homes talk about the gains from their membership with OCL.

Elsewhere the magazine profiles Karen Piontek, commercial property department associate at Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers. She talks about her career and non-traditional training route, and her thoughts on being a woman in the commercial property sector which was once seen as a man’s world.

In another article, Oldham College highlights important reforms to apprenticeship programmes that are designed to make training more suited to individual businesses.

Hundreds of young people will be looking for apprenticeships this summer and the college is working with employers to raise awareness of the many types of apprenticeship programmes available. These include higher degree-level apprenticeships, and a widening of sectors such as law and surveying.

As the EU referendum approaches, the magazine includes a round-table discussion on what local businesses think are the pros-and-cons of the UK’s membership.

Other features include a visit to Oldham Training Centre, which is celebrating 50 years of work with Oldham businesses and holding an open day in June.

The A4 magazine is free to subscribers and is distributed to influential business and professional readers with an increased circulation of 3,000.

To subscribe, email your name, position and business address to: mariaw@oldham-chronicle.co.uk. For advertising: 0161 633 2121 or advertising@oldham-chronicle.co.uk.