Business

Social Chain co-founders Steven Bartlett and Dominic McGregor to step down

They are to step down from their roles at Social Chain after six years.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 17th August 2020
Social Chain AG

Co-founders Steven Bartlett and Dominic McGregor have announced today they are to step down from their roles at Social Chain after six years.

CEO Bartlett and COO McGregor were just 20 and 21 respectively when they became founding members of the Manchester-based social media publishing and marketing company that has since grown to over 750 staff globally and has revenues forecast to hit $200 million this year.

Announcing his stepping down across social media this morning, Steven Bartlett said: “Social Chain was conceived on a small desk in the backroom of the uni I had just dropped out of in Manchester. I was 20, full of wild dreams, and I believed we could take on the world.

“What started as a crazy and sometimes ridiculed idea, in the mind of a few drop-out underdogs, at a time when people didn’t believe in the potential of this new thing called social media.

“As I write this, at 27, we have more than 700 Social Chainers around the world, a world-beating team, we went public last year, we are the best at what we do, and we’ve just posted record numbers. The company is showing unbelievable momentum and I remain Social Chain’s biggest fan, supporter, and believer.

“I owe an unpayable debt of gratitude to my team, past and present – if it wasn’t for you, my board, our chairman, (and mum and dad), I would be nothing.”

Twitter – Steven Bartlett

In a post to LinkedIn today, Dominic McGregor added: “I’m deeply proud of everything we’ve achieved, the relationships we’ve made and the lessons learned,”

“Social Chain is a very special company, the growth we’ve seen over the last six years has been quite frankly phenomenal, we recently posted record numbers, and based on some of the exciting things I’ve seen over the last year, the future promises to be even brighter than the past.

“This business has been my rock, even when I faced difficult times in my personal life. The purpose it gave me, and the people I worked with got me through – they gave me something to fight for and without it, and without them, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.”

LinkedIn – Dominic McGregor

The pair has overseen exponential growth throughout the past six years at Social Chain.

The journey may have started with humble beginnings in Manchester, but Social Chain now has bases in London, Berlin, New York and Munich, and works with global brands such as Amazon, Coca Cola and Apple.

It claims an owned media reach of over 2 billion views a month.

Last year, the company merged with German online retailer Lumaland AG to become The Social Chain AG and list on XETRA and the Düsseldorf Stock Exchange, and it recently announced the largest acquisition in its history by taking a 51% stake in A4D Inc – a Southern Californian digital performance marketing agency.

It has been confirmed that Wanja S. Oberhof – currently Co-CEO of Social Chain AG – will retain his position as CEO upon Bartlett’s standing down.

You can find out more about Social Chain AG via its website here.

Business

Co-op is offering shoppers £10 discounts as a ‘thank you’ following its cyber attack

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Co-op is offering shoppers £10 discounts to say ‘thank you’ for their cooperation during the recent cyber attack disruption.

Last month, the supermarket retailer’s stock was massively affected due to what was described as ‘malicious attempts by hackers to access [its] systems’, leaving shelves of stores across the UK bare, and payments by shoppers disrupted.

The company called it a ‘highly complex situation’, and also confirmed that hackers stole personal data – including members’ names and contact details.

The Co-op was just one business to be hit by cyber attacks this year, with other major ones affecting several other retailers like Marks & Spencer and Harrods.

Co-op is offering shoppers £10 discounts as a ‘thank you’ following its cyber attack / Credit: Co-op (via Flickr)

Now that Co-op’s 2,300 food stores nationwide have successfully returned to usual trading, the retailer wants to show gratitude to its 6.5 million members who supported the business while the attack was taking place.

To say ‘thank you’, Co-op is offering its members a 25% discount on a £40 shop, meaning they can get £10 off their purchases.

“I’m very proud that, thanks to the work of our colleagues, we are very near to making a full and complete recovery from the recent cyberattack on our Co-op,” commented Co-op’s Managing Director of Food, Matt Hood, “and I’m delighted to see our stores looking back to normal and being able to serve our shoppers and communities.

“We are so grateful to our member owners for their support and patience with us during what was a very difficult time.

“I hope this gesture of appreciation goes a little way to showing them our thanks, with more value rewards to come over the summer.”

The 25% offer runs from today (Wednesday 18 June) right through to 24 June at all Co-op stores across the UK, and it can only be used by members one time.

Read more:

The offer is also open to new members who join.

Featured Image – Chris Bull (via Co-op)

Business

Plans for a new cultural hub in Wythenshawe have been green-lit

Danny Jones Danny Jones plans for new cultural hub in wythenshawe town centre approved

Proposals for a new cultural hub in Wythenshawe have officially been approved, with the overall regeneration plans valued somewhere in the region of £500 million.

The Greater Manchester town has long been accused of being neglected by local authorities and investors, but now natives and those living in and around the area are being asked to consult on what has the potential to be a huge transformation.

Wythenshawe town centre could look almost unrecognisable should everything go according to plan, not to mention inject a much-needed boost to the arts and creative industries in the area.

Put simply, this could be huge for a place long overlooked and deserving of some TLC.

wythenshawe culture hub
Credit: Manchester City Council

The simply titled ‘Culture Hub’ will aim to create a new community outlet and environment for everyone to enjoy, allowing them access to professional facilities and support, as well as further tap into that vital grassroots culture and creativity.

Discussions surrounding the project actually date back to 2022, when the idea was first pitched to Manchester City Council as part of a wider bid for a slice of Britain’s Levelling Up Fund.

While the UK government has a total of £4.8bn set aside for infrastructure and regional disparity works that fall under the initiative, the Culture Hub was set to cost £20m back then, though Wythenshawe is looking for an estimated half a billion to upgrade their town centre.

As per an official press release, the hub is set to sit within Civic – Wythy’s much-loved shopping complex – and will include space for food and drink on the ground floor, as well as a mix of artist studio spaces and flexible areas for workshops, exhibitions, classes or local events on the first floor.

The Council itself is set to contribute a further £11.9m, as they hope to back future plans for a bustling new food hall spilling out onto an updated public square, with new workspaces for independent start-ups and growing Manc businesses.

wythenshawe town centre redevelopment
Credit: MCC

Meanwhile, a new 200-seater performance space will be created on the second floor, “providing a backdrop for a diverse range of performances, whether it’s dance or drama, music or modern art, there’ll be something for everyone.”

As touched upon, a larger public square will also be included, with improved outdoor areas, new paving and, crucially, more trees, plants and green spaces to make the town centre a much more natural, vibrant and welcoming space.

Private construction company Muse was appointed as the development partner for the new cultural hub and further Wythenshawe town centre regeneration initiative back in August 2024; as a local firm, they have a heavily vested interest in the 30,000 sq ft site and the surrounding area.

Work on the Culture Hub is due to commence this autumn, with the opening scheduled for some time in early 2027 – touch wood.

wythenshawe town regeneration
Credit: Manchester City Council (MCC)

Councillor Gavin White, who serves as an executive member on Manchester City Council’s executive housing and development team, said: “The Culture Hub planning approval is a really exciting milestone in the long-term regeneration of Civic.

“This is a statement of intent of how serious we are about investing in Wythenshawe’s town centre – and this is an early sign of what is to come. We want to build on the destination potential of Civic, create opportunities for local people and visitors to spend time in the area, and widen the offer for our residents to enjoy and participate in the arts right on their doorstep.  

“High streets are the soul of our communities and we are investing heavily in our town centres across the city, including Gorton and Moston, to celebrate how they bring people together, support businesses and help grow local economies.

“This is just the start for Wythenshawe, and the conversation we are having with local people is ongoing to make sure we can be guided by the very people who live and work in this community. I’d urge as many people as possible to tell us what they think about the future of their area.” 

Read more:

Joe Stockton, senior development manager at Muse, added: “Getting the green light for the new Culture Hub is a major milestone in our once-in-a-generation plans to work with local people to transform Wythenshawe town centre.

“The feedback that we’ve received so far for the hub has been really positive with many seeing it as a creative space where people and groups of all ages can spend time, learn new skills and explore culture in a positive way.”

“We look forward to getting started on construction later this year, which we hope the people of Wythenshawe will see as a significant sign of our intent to drive this project forward with their ongoing support.”

Exciting times ahead.

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Featured Images — CGIs via Manchester City Council

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