#northernflex - Shouting about the love of flex up North with.....

Louis Georgiou, Code Computerlove

1. Tell us a little about you? (work, family, location etc)

I’m a husband and father of two young children, aged 10 and 5.  We live in Altrincham and I take the Metrolink to work in Manchester City Centre every day.  I’m the Managing Director of Code Computerlove, we’re a digital agency with around 100 staff, based in the Northern Quarter.

2. Your fave spot in Manchester?

My favourite area doesn’t exist anymore, well since the Manchester bomb it’s now the Triangle near Selfridges.  Back when I was a student it was a flea market called the Corn Exchange (a bit like Affleck’s Palace) and it’s where I collected all my Beatles & 60’s records and imported Japanese video games 

3. How would you describe your ideal working week?

I love being in the office, but I know I’m more productive when I’m totally by myself.  So my ideal working week has me working from home for a day or two, speeding through a backlog of work I’ve been meaning to get to for a while – it’s very satisfying!

4. Fave Manchester band/song?

Tough question as there’s so many!  I’d say The Stone Roses are my favourite Manchester band, but my favourite song by a Manchester band is ‘Hymn from a Village’ by James.

5. Why does flexible working appeal to you?

I’m probably a workaholic, I love what I do and so work is intricately woven into my life.  I’ve got a family and 2 young children so I do need to juggle my work and family lives so I need flexibility to be able to do that.

#northernflex - shouting about the love of flex up North with....

Simon Biltcliffe, CEO of Marketing and Print Agency, Webmart

Here's Simon @webmart taking part in our #northernflex - all of Simon's team work flexibly and here, he tells us why this is the right decision for his business...

1. Tell us a little about you?

Simon Biltcliffe, CEO of Marketing and Print Agency with offices in Bicester, Barnsley and East Kilbride. Proud father of 2 daughters. Marxist-Capitalist. Currently living down South near Bicester but heart will always be in Barnsley! Recent new Trustee of Barnsley Football Club.

2. Your fave spot in Manchester?

Wythenshawe at my brother’s house!

3. How would you describe your ideal working week?

Up at 6 and at home by 6. On Tuesdays doing my DIY MBA day (reading about different business strategies whilst listening to some good tunes out of the office. No emails, phone calls or distractions.) Then out and about seeing as many people as possible, driving around in my Hyundai Ioniq, the greatest best low cost car you get and environmentally friendly too!

4. Fave Manchester band/song? Oasis – Super Sonic.

5. Why does flexible working appeal to you?

Flexible working helps us to keep our team happy. We can retain the best talent as circumstances change in their life, such as moving or starting a family. Technology allows us to stay in touch and keep them involved in the business. It’s worth us being flexible it have and keep the best team.

#northernflex - shouting about the love of flex up North with.....

Laura Mott from @flexandthecitymcr

1. Tell us a little about you?

I have lived in Sale, South Manchester for 8 years and love living in the North West.  I am currently a freelance social media and project manager working remotely from home.  I am a mum to an almost teenage son and a young daughter.  My husband does the school drop off, whilst I pick up and juggle most of the things in between. 

2. Your fave spot in Manchester?

Walkden Gardens.  Its a wonderful hidden gem recently named one of the top ten happiest views by Harpers Bizaar.  It's known as the maze for it's many secret "rooms" and it's the best place for an epic game of hide n seek. A little oasis in the city and a fantastic place to get away for a few mins of peace. I feel very lucky to have it on our doorstep. 

3. How would you describe your ideal working week?

To be busy, productive and organised. I distribute my work across school hours and sometimes catch up in the evenings once the kids are in bed. Planning is key as is communication, especially when working remotely with clients.  Working from home can be lonely so a perfect week would also include lunch with friends or others in the same working from home boat as me.   

4. Fave Mancunian song?

One of my favourite running songs is Charlemagne by the Blossoms.  Dont Look Back In Anger always gets me singing and I'm not ashamed to admit I love a bit of Take That (a partly Mancunian band). 

5. Why does flexible working appeal to you?

For me it's all about managing the jugglestruggle and working flexibly around family life.  But in general, it seems common sense to me that working in a way that finds a better balance between work, life and family is going to improve your mental well being and thereby empower you to approach the time you spend working in a more positive and productive manner.  I see that everyday in my work and the work of others around me. I want to be there for my kids parents evenings and assemblies but I don't believe that having children should equal the end of my career aspirations.  I can work succesfully without compromising my career goals, if given a bit of flexibility.