One of the most rewarding parts of the job is seeing the outcome of the positive work we do, and this holds particularly true for our work in the North West and the city of Manchester.

Read Upside - Autumn 2019

In recent months, Duff & Phelps has successfully negotiated and secured a stream of multimillion-pound refinancing deals throughout the region, putting a host of well-known and well-loved businesses on a brighter path for the future.

Duff & Phelps' Debt Advisory team has led the way on a number of deals in the North West, including two of the most iconic hotels in the region – Bredbury Hall near Manchester and Losehill House Hotel and Spa based in the Peak District.

First opened in 1812, Bredbury Hall is set on seven acres of private grounds in Goyt Valley, just over two miles from Stockport town centre and under ten miles from Manchester Airport, with motorway links to the major northern cities. The deal – secured with Allied Irish Bank (AIB) has enabled the hotel to continue a major refurbishment program to the benefit of guests and employees alike.

Losehill House Hotel and Spa, winner of The Sunday Times "Country House Hotel of the Year" award, has also secured a multimillion-refinancing deal through working with our Debt Advisory team.

The team has also secured a seven-figure refinancing package for Springfield Day Nurseries, a family-run business providing the highest-quality childcare in the County of Conwy and a full member of the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA).

But our work does not stop there. The team in Manchester has been leading the way when it comes to giving back to our community. For the second consecutive year, we supported children's charity, When You Wish Upon a Star, at a black-tie event, which raised a staggering £30,000. This brings our fund raising in support of the charity over the last 12 months to over £50,000.

The Duff & Phelps Charitable Foundation, which was launched in 2018, announced its first Manchester-based grant being presented to The Mustard Tree, a deserving charity that focuses on improving the lives of those experiencing the struggle of poor mental health, homelessness and poverty in Greater Manchester.

As an employee-directed fund, the Manchester team was keen to recommend The Mustard Tree for a grant. It's a fantastic charity that does amazing work in the local community and it's great to be able to give back to an organisation that the team here feels very passionately about.

The charity was one of 11 organizations in the UK that was selected to receive a grant from the Foundation, which has granted nearly £40,000 to deserving causes in the UK and more than USD $500,000 worldwide since its founding.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.