Business Entrepreneur – Page 2 – Andy Pilley Official Website

06/03/2019by andypilley andypilley No Comments

Card Saver Teams Up With Blackpool FC To Give Fans Hassle-Free Payment Options

Card Saver is today delighted to announce it is Blackpool Football Club’s new payment technology provider – a partnership which will allow fans to buy tickets and merchandise via a range of hassle-free methods.

The Blackpool-based payment solutions company – set up and led by Lancashire entrepreneur Andy Pilley – will now provide all cashless payment services at the League One club.

This will enable fans who want to buy tickets, merchandise or food and drink at Blackpool’s Bloomfield Road stadium the opportunity to do so through quick, easy and secure payments via either debit and credit cards, or Apple and Google Pay.

Thousands of Seasiders’ fans are expected to return to Bloomfield Road for this Saturday’s home League game with Southend. This has already led to large queues outside the club’s ticket office.

Andy Pilley, who is chairman of the Seasiders’ League One rivals Fleetwood Town, said: “Myself and Card Saver are delighted to be the new payment technology providers for Blackpool Football Club.

“Blackpool FC and Fleetwood Town are rivals on the pitch for 180 minutes every season, but we are also Fylde coast neighbours and so I’m delighted my company is partnering with the Seasiders in this way.

“You can clearly see from the crowds that have already been queuing up to get tickets there is huge excitement building ahead of Saturday’s game.

“The new board at Blackpool contacted me to say they needed a new card services and contactless payments provider and asked whether we could help.

“We have now installed 25 payment terminals covering all areas of the club, from the ticket office, club shop and in the hospitality and food and beverage areas.

“I am delighted Card Saver is able to provide payment solutions for this proud and historic football club as they and their fans enter a new era.”

Card Saver was set up in 2015 and has thousands of business customers across the UK. Together with many high street stores, SME businesses and charities it works with several football clubs, including Fleetwood Town and Premier League Burnley FC.

Ben Hatton, Blackpool FC’s Executive and Managing Director, said: “We are extremely grateful to Andy Pilley, and to everyone at Card Saver for coming in at short notice and pulling out all the stops in order to get us up and running for the game this Saturday.

“These new payment terminals will make a huge difference, particularly at the kiosks in the stadium. With contactless payments available to all supporters it should significantly speed up the time taken to serve people.

“It has been heart-warming to experience the swell of support for the club in the last week or so, and the fact Andy, the chairman of a neighbouring rival League One club, has been so helpful is a fantastic example of the football family pulling together.”

15/02/2019by andypilley andypilley No Comments

‘Dream Team’ Rose and Rimmer reunite in bid for titles

Champion boxer Brian Rose has teamed up with long-time coach and mentor Bobby Rimmer in his bid for titles.

The Blackpool middleweight is midway through a “punishing” training camp in California ahead of his eagerly-awaited return to the ring in April.

And Brian – who is sponsored by Fleetwood Town FC and club chairman Andy Pilley’s Lancashire-based businesses BES Utilities and Card Saver – is delighted to have Bobby back in his corner after a break of 18 months.

Brian said: “All my best moments in my career have come with Bobby by my side. He not only helps get me physically right, but mentally right and I’m delighted we are back together. I need him in my life, it’s the dream team!”

Brian and Bobby flew out to the States in January for an intensive eight-week training camp. They are based at Tiki Ghosn’s Huntington Beach Ultimate Training Centre where Brian is training alongside former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and Mixed Martial Arts Hall of Famer Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson.

Working with renowned strength coach Paul Herrera and nutritionist Eric Huerta, the hard work is already paying off.

Brian says he is now focused on returning to light middleweight, the division where he enjoyed most success in his illustrious career, which included a British championship and a fight for the WBO World Super Welterweight Title in 2014,

The boxer, who celebrates his 34^th birthday today with another tough training session in the States, added: “It’s full on here, it’s punishing stuff. There is no time to celebrate my birthday.

“The reason I came here was to be taken out of my comfort zone. Being away from home and my family means I am totally focused. These last few weeks have shown me what I need to do and what levels I need to reach to be challenging for titles again.

“The facilities here are out of this world, there is everything I need. The training is very hard, but the focus and intensity are exactly what I need.

“I feel brilliant, the best I have in years, and I will be a force to be reckoned with when I get back in the ring.”

Bobby said he was delighted to again be coaching Brian full-time and believes the popular Lancashire fighter has a real shot at winning titles again.

He said: “I would not be here with Brian if I did not believe he had the hunger and desire to get back to the top. To make it as a top boxer you have to make so many sacrifices, especially at home, with your family and how you live your life.

“Brian is making these sacrifices because he wants to get back to be fighting at the very top. Since we’ve been here in California, we are starting to see the old, hungry Brian Rose again and it’s a joy to see.”

Brian returned to the ring last November with a points win over Alistair Warren. He is set to fight an, as yet, unnamed opponent in April.

Both Bobby and Brian praised the support from Fleetwood Town and Andy Pilley.

Brian said: “Without Andy and Fleetwood Town’s help none of this would be possible.

“He’s given me the opportunity to come here, safe in the knowledge everything is covered back home so I can concentrate on getting back to the level I know I am capable of reaching. The world’s my oyster with the backing and support of Andy and the Cod Army.”

Bobby added: “Brian’s sponsorship is brilliant and it means he gets access to amazing facilities, both at Fleetwood’s Poolfoot Farm training base and here in the States. Coming on training camps like this is going to make all the difference.”

04/10/2018by andypilley andypilley No Comments

The Lion Is Ready To Roar Again With The Support Of The Cod Army

Brian ‘The Lion’ Rose is back – and he has Fleetwood Town in his corner.

The former British champion is set to return to the ring next month after 15 months away from boxing.

And the Blackpool middleweight is being supported on his road back to the top by Fleetwood Town FC and their owner Andy Pilley.

The League One Club – together with Andy’s Lancashire-based businesses BES Utilities and Card Saver – are now Brian’s headline sponsors.

They will be roaring ‘The Lion’ on to victory when he makes his return on November 11 at Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse.

Brian, who won the coveted Lonsdale belt in 2012 and fought for the WBO World Super Welterweight Title in 2014, says he has never felt better and has his eyes on winning titles again.

He said: “The Lion is back and I’m in the shape of my life.

“I can’t thank Fleetwood Town and Andy Pilley enough for supporting me on this next chapter of my career. It will be the final chapter, but it will be the best chapter.

“Fleetwood’s backing means I can focus 100 per cent on my boxing. On top of the financial support, I can use all of the club’s facilities at their state-of-the-art Poolfoot Farm training base. The facilities and staff are brilliant and the best I’ve ever had access to.

“The club and Andy have been superb, and I want to repay their support by winning titles again.”

Brian, 33, whose professional career has included 29 victories and countless memorable nights in the ring, has not fought since challenging for the World Boxing Association International Middleweight Title in February 2017.

But since returning to training, under the watchful eye of Robert Rimmer – the son of his long-time mentor Bobby Rimmer – Brian’s sharpness and hunger have returned.

Brian added: “I’ve had 15 months away from boxing and in that time I’ve matured as an athlete, both mentally and physically. I’ve never felt better – I’m in the shape of my life.

“I’m not coming back for the money, this is about professional pride and unfinished business. I don’t want to end my career with any regrets and there’s no doubt I believe I can win titles again.

“I know I’ve fought for world titles and won a Lonsdale Belt, but I know that I’m capable of coming back and achieving even more than I already have.

“I truly think I could get another shot at a world title. I’m seeing people now winning world titles that I feel are not as good as me and that’s another thing that drives me on. I’m back and I’m back with a mission!”

Andy Pilley, chairman of Fleetwood Town FC, BES Utilities and Card Saver, said his club and companies are backing Brian to return to the top. He said: “Brian is a fantastic boxer and a wonderful guy.

“He’s a local lad whose desire and drive to get back to the top is infectious. We are delighted to be helping him in this way.

“Poolfoot Farm is a facility we are very proud of. We have given Brian free use of all the facilities, including access to our coaches and physios, which will hopefully help him on his way back to the top.

“Brian will be proudly wearing our club crest on his shorts when he steps back into the ring in November and we’re sure every member of the Cod Army will be roaring him on.”

31/07/2018by andypilley andypilley No Comments

Card Saver Boost For Fylde Coast Hospice Care

Lancashire entrepreneur Andy Pilley is supporting the Fylde coast’s hospice services by making it easier for people to donate money.

Through Blackpool-based Card Saver, merchant service terminals have been donated to Trinity Hospice and Brian House Children’s Hospice enabling members of the public to swiftly donate cash by card rather than having to look for loose change.

Andy was encouraged to donate the card payment terminals free of charge to Trinity and Brian House after being contacted by local fund-raiser Andy Charles who has raised more than £70k for Brian House through a series of sporting challenges.

Andy Charles said he is delighted Andy Pilley has been able to help. Andy Charles said: “I approached Andy Pilley as in my experience, collecting by cash and by text is difficult in the digital revolution.

“Making it easy for people to donate gives the chance to donate for those who choose to be cashless and embrace contactless technology.”

The Trinity and Brian House team have wasted no time putting the terminals to action as they encouraged concert-goers to donate using the Card Saver terminals when they were charity partners at the recent Lytham Festival.

Trinity Hospice and Brian House Head of Fundraising Linzi Warburton, said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone at Card Saver for these new card machines.

“These days, making card payments is so easy that people often don’t carry cash on them. This can affect charities like us as people just don’t have anything to put in our charity collection buckets or to make spur-of-the-moment purchases like for our raffle tickets.

“It was great to be able to have the machines ready for our night at Lytham Festival, where people commented it was definitely easier for them to be able to support our charity by using them. This will make a huge difference for us.”

Card Saver supplies credit and debit card machines to businesses both locally and across the UK employing more than 100 people at its Bispham offices.

Andy Pilley said: “I am absolutely delighted that through Card Saver we are able to help both Trinity Hospice and Brian House Children’s Hospice.

“We’re moving more and more into a cashless society, so it makes absolute sense that people should be able to donate easily using their credit or debit card when they see these amazing charities collecting.

“Hopefully by providing these merchant service terminals free of charge Trinity and Brian House will see donations rise at their many events.

“Both facilities provide the most wonderful care, so I am happy that through my business we are able to support them in this way.”

Chairman Andy Pilley is creating 50 new jobs

18/04/2018by andypilley andypilley No Comments

Major boost for Fylde Coast as BES Utilities creates 50 new jobs

Lancashire-based energy supplier BES Utilities is creating 50 new jobs.

The company, which turns over more than £100m per year, currently employs almost 200 staff at its Fleetwood headquarters.

As the business continues to expand in the hugely competitive non-domestic energy sector, BES founder and chairman Andy Pilley today announced the creation of 50 new roles.

The jobs – which cover all areas of the business from Customer Services, Operations, Human Resources to Business Support Services – will be based in Fleetwood.

A two-day recruitment event will now take place on May 2nd and 3rd for potential candidates to learn more about the roles which range from apprenticeships to management positions.

Andy said: “We have seen fantastic growth since we set the company up in 2005.

“The business continues to go from strength-to-strength, so we are delighted to announce we are creating these 50 new roles here in Fleetwood.

“We want to find ambitious people who want to become a part of our future success, while offering them not just jobs, but real careers and life-changing opportunities.”

Andy’s BES Group, which include BES Utilities, merchant services company Card Saver, Fleetwood Town Football Club and the Poolfoot Farm Sports & Leisure Complex, employs more than 600 people from across the Fylde coast.

Andy added: “We are proud to be a Fleetwood-based business and one of the biggest employers on the Fylde coast.

“The recruitment event is a great way to showcase our business and the career paths available to local people. We want to see as many people as possible, with varying skill sets. These could be entry level apprentices or experienced and highly-skilled people looking for a fresh challenge.

“Over the years we have helped many people realise their untapped potential, develop their skills and open new opportunities, and that is what we are looking to do here again.”

The May 2nd and 3rd recruitment days will run into the evening to allow people the chance to attend outside of normal office hours.

Those who attend, will be able to find out more about BES, the roles on offer and how their skills could fit in the business or with other BES Group companies.

To find out more about the recruitment days and how to get involved, please visit BES’ website.

BES Wins High Court Victory Against 3 Year Hate Campaign

12/02/2018by andypilley andypilley No Comments

BES Utilities successfully ends 3 year online hate campaign

In January 2018, BES Utilities successfully concluded a legal action against two individuals who had orchestrated a long-running online hate campaign against the company, its directors, employees and legal representatives. The defendants, Oliver Mooney and Neil Scrivener, had published numerous abusive and inaccurate articles and blog posts including (sometimes doctored) images of Andy Pilley, his young family and others.

It appeared that large amounts of inaccurate information had been sent to by the defendants to Trading Standards, Ofgem and others. Evidence shown to the court also indicated that the men had discussed teaming up with an energy brokerage, whereby they would receive payment for forwarding customer details to the broker, who would then attempt to move customers from BES to other energy suppliers in return for a commission payment. They had also requested large sums of money from BES in return for ceasing their campaign. The defendants had also published homophobic images of Mr Pilley and others, plus shared photos online of employees’ young children.

The defendants in the case provided undertakings to the court to remove the content they had published in relation to Mr Pilley, his companies and all employees, agents and representatives. Both men were issued with court orders including penal notices which prevents further interference with BES, its directors or associated businesses.

If the men fail to comply with the order they may be held in contempt of court and could be fined or imprisoned. The court has also ordered that if the defendants breach the undertakings, they will be required to pay £250,000 towards BES’s substantial legal costs. They also signed the following statement: “We withdraw any allegation of fraud or dishonesty against Business Energy Solutions Limited and BES Commercial Electricity Limited, their directors, officers, agents, legal advisers and other professional representatives”.

Following a raid of BES and Commercial Power in July 2016, which it appears may have been influenced by the actions of the defendants, a claim for damages equating to £8.6m was launched against Cheshire West and Chester Trading Standards in late 2017. These proceedings are ongoing.

17/07/2017by andypilley andypilley 282 Comments

Card Saver raises money for BHF

Card Saver Limited, the business merchant services arm of BES Group, is proud to support the fantastic British Heart Foundation and has successfully raised money to support the great cause.

The learn more about the British Heart Foundation, click here. To learn more about Card Saver and how it can help save businesses money on their card payment processing costs, click here.

18/04/2017by andypilley andypilley No Comments

New age of atomic power

“I was working in Manchester selling to small and medium sized enterprises when the Enron financial scandal hit our company. I had around 25 salesmen out in the filed with customers ready but suddenly nothing to sell. So I set up on my own here as I had had high level contact with suppliers.

“I ended up working from 6am to midnight, which obviously could not go on so I recruited my sister who is the operations expert and it grew from there.”

BES Group has grown into a company with a turnover in excess of £100m a year and more than 600 staff.

To read the full story, visit the original ‘County stands on edge of new age of atomic power‘ story.

15/04/2017by andypilley andypilley No Comments

Fleetwood Town posted a £4.5m pre-tax profit

Fleetwood Town not only escaped relegation last term but the club also returned to the black as recently released accounts show they posted a £4.5m pre-tax profit.

It took a final day win over Crewe Alexandra to ensure Town’s League One status last season but they have gone from strength to strength on the pitch this term.

To read the full story, visit the original ‘Town profit from their success in League One‘ story.

breck-apartments-wins-visit-england-award

27/02/2017by andypilley andypilley No Comments

Breck Apartments wins Visit England top award

Breck Apartments, 5-star gold luxury accommodation based in Poulton-le-Fylde, has won a top rating from national tourism body Visit England.

It is the fifth year running it has won the award and, to top it off, the Breck’s sister site at Northumberland Avenue, North Shore, was granted the four star award after just one year in business.

Manager at the Poulton apartments, Ami Gullane, said they were delighted to retain their top rating.

To read the full story, visit the original ‘Five out of five for Poulton apartments‘ story.