Contact - June-July 2013

NECC: Making the North East a success JUNE -JULY 2013

JUNE - JULY 2013

Christian aid Robert Parker, churchman, businessman, philanthropist

set in stone

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guilty pleasures So what happens when you leave the office?

Construction in focus

appliance of science Putting STEM trailblazers in the frame

Hi! tech

The new column for techies with attitude

profile

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iron lady Jacqui Miller: The mission to keep Britain manufacturing

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Welcome...

Welcome to the latest issue of Contact.

This is my last welcome as NECC President before I step down at the AGM and it is hard to believe that two eventful years have passed, both professionally and personally.

It has been a privilege to serve the NECC Network as President since 2011 and as I enter the final stage of my tenure I would like to thank everyone who has worked tirelessly to support NECC across the region. It is a fantastic organisation with members and the good of the North East at its heart.

John Mowbray reflects on the region’s success in his last welcome as NECC President

In particular my thanks must go to the members of NECC’s Board, Council, local and sub-regional committees for their support to me and continued commitment and dedication to the NECC cause.

I must also thank the fantastic team within NECC, who continue to work for members in so many different ways to ensure that every business in membership has the full support of our great network. I have met many of them during my term and they are a dedicated bunch of people.

Finally I would like to thank each and every NECC member business - members make NECC tick and without them, we would not have such a great organisation.

In a time of challenge for many, my focus has been on the positive things in our region and look at ‘Regional Image’ on the NECC website to see what that looks like. I have seen and spoken to some amazing businesses and understand why we can be a powerhouse in the UK. There is much work to do but I am sure that 2013 will be another year filled with positives for the North East which is a great place to do business. This issue of Contact Magazine, with news of a number of high profile awards in the region amongst all the other successes, once again reminds us of that.

Enjoy the issue, John Mowbray, NECC President

editor Jane Pikett jane@offstonepublishing.co.uk editorial team Karen Dent Laura Emmerson Alastair Gilmour Liz Hands Owen McAteer Paul Robertson Contact is the magazine for NECC members. News and press releases should be sent to submissions@necc.co.uk Advertising Contact our commercial team 01661 844115 sales@offstonepublishing.co.uk PHOTOGRAPHY Kevin Gibson www.kgphotography.co.uk Nicky Rogerson www.nrphotography.co.uk Peter Skelton www.photo-psp.co.uk

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When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it

Rev Robert Parker

Jacqui Miller

Stan Higgins

“The Government is entrenched in its thinking. Politicians have an inability to say, ‘sorry, we were wrong’. David Cameron is completely out of touch with ordinary people. There is no humility... They just generate more money for people, like me, who already have enough.”

“Times were different then and if I wanted to sue every guy that pinched my backside, the lawsuits would still be ongoing.

I used my personality, drive and determination. I was known as the Iron Lady. You had Margaret Thatcher in the south and me in the north.”

“It is the companies and employees who manufacture goods that really create value.

I hope this realisation has not come too late for our economy.

All too often Governments have allowed the real value creation activity of manufacturing to be exported from our country.”

Hotelier and priest

Director, Miller International

CEO, NEPIC

©Offstone Publishing 2012. All rights reserved.

No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher.

All information contained in this magazine is as far as we are aware, correct at the time of going to press. If you submit unsolicited material to us, you automatically grant Offstone Publishing a licence to publish your submission in whole or in part. Although every care is taken, Offstone Publishing is not liable for resulting loss or damage. Offstone Publishing endeavors to respect the intellectual property of owners of copyrighted material reproduced herein. If you identify yourself as the copyright holder of material we have wrongly attributed, please contact us. Offstone Publishing does not guarantee the insertion of any particular advertisement on a specified date or at all.

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TWORK • G R

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Contents

NECC'S KNOWLEDGE OF REGIONAL POLICIES HAS HELPED US DEVELOP OUR STRATEGY FOR CONTINUED GROWTH

”

HUGH WELCH, MANAGING PARTNER, MUCKLE LLP WINNERS OF THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY AWARD, 2012 NORTH EAST BUSINESS AWARDS

From world-domination at the hands of Jacqui Miller to one man’s obsession with all things automobile, all business life is here...

34

Business gets behind the British Science Festival

12 Jay-z business

The brains behind the brand that is Mr Beyonce

13 global power Argus Powerbend, investing in export

Join the challenge to boost apprenticeships

15 port record

Port of Tyne reports record-breaking results

16 bootcamp

Tech start-ups boosted

17 the winner is...

All the winners of the North East Business Awards

Features

19 trade, mark

Mark Bryce, trading a golf ball for charity thousands

6 driving seat

An aubomobile obsession, with David Stubbs

19 ELECTRIFYING! Your chance to create electricity from waste

24 success all tied up Jacqui Miller with her brothers and business partners Keith (left) and Gary (right) p34

26

Sarah Pittendrigh’s journey from bankruptcy to awards success

26 trailblazers

The women in the frame for their pioneering STEM industry success

30 CHRISTIAN AID

Rev Robert Parker on squaring his multi-millionaire status with God

Jacqui Miller on bringing manufacturing back to Britain

40 SET IN STONE

Construction in focus

56 WORKING breakfast A full English with Joanna Berry

53 hi! tech

Battling with the new Blackberry, among others

To join the North East’s leading business membership organisation call 0300 303 6322 or visit www.necc.co.uk/join

10 be a boffin

14 jobs challenge

30

34 IRON LADY

THE CHOICE OF CHAMPIONS

News

The trailblazing Ada King, above, Rev Rovert Parker, above right, Sarah Pittendrigh, bottom right, David Stubbs, right

6

24

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Driving drivingSeat seat

I don’t look at things in terms of value but more as something to treasure

Vintage pursuit

David Stubbs, FD of NECC Partner member Franks the Flooring Store, shares his love of cars and vintage automobile memorabilia with Laura Emmerson

D

avid Stubbs is a self-confessed workaholic, grafting seven days a week in the job he loves as FD of two of the North East’s largest flooring companies - the family-run Maguire’s Flooring Specialists and Franks the Flooring Store, the latter boasting 32 stores across the region.

The only director in the company who isn’t a Maguire, when he’s not crunching numbers David can be found polishing and admiring his classic cars and associated memorabilia.

Q When did you first get into cars?

It’s something I’ve lived with for longer than I care to remember! My dad was mad about cars and I would go to classic car shows with him when I was young, but my passion grew to a greater level in my early 20s, which is more than 30 years ago.

Q What was your first car?

A 1275cc GT Mini in classic red, which I got when I’d just passed my test in 1974 and is the reason I still have a passion for Minis. I bought a classic 1996 Mini Cooper 12 months ago, fully refurbished, reconditioned and re-sprayed, so it’s like a brand new car.

Q Tell us about your classic cars?

In my time I’ve owned a 1950 Mark 6 Bentley, a 1954 Ford Popular, a 1948 Austin 6 and a 1977 MG Midget.

Alongside the Mini Cooper, I currently own a 2002 X-Type Jaguar that has only done 18,000 miles and is like a new car, and a 1937 Austin 6, which I will take to classic car shows as I did with other classic cars I’ve had.

I used to own a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow and in 1990 I was asked to drive a couple of local councillors in the Rolls Royce to Durham Castle for them to have lunch with the Queen after she opened the Fujitsu

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factory in Newton Aycliffe. I was parked outside Durham Castle when the Queen and Prince Phillip came out for a walkabout; it was fantastic to be part of it and see them greeting the crowd.

Q What about classic car shows?

The thing I love about the shows is the team spirit and shared passion of classic cars; it’s a great experience and a good time to network with other like-minded people. I’m a member of the North East Club for Pre-War Austins and there are a lot of shows in the North East I can go to any time. I went to one at Darlington Railway Museum last Sunday as a spectator. They’re great to pick up ideas and chitchat with people; it’s how I like to relax.

Q Do you collect classic car memorabilia?

I started my collection 25 years ago, hunting out interesting items at antique fairs or car boot sales; any time I see an interesting piece, I buy it.

I have a special collection from Wade, which includes lots of classic car plates and tankards made in the 1950s; I’m currently trying to build up the complete collection.

I’ve been to the Belgian Grand Prix twice and Silverstone once, so I’ve picked up a few Formula One pieces for my collection, including a signed picture of Lewis Hamilton. I don’t tend to look at the memorabilia I have in terms of value, but more as something to treasure.

Q How do you most like to enjoy your cars?

I like to sit in the garage and look at them, wash and polish them, keep them clean, and drive them now and again! While I do take them out for a spin, my favourite thing is being in the garage to enjoy them when they’re all cleaned up.

I’m a workaholic, I love my job and work seven days a week because I love what I do and want to keep busy. After work I go home and potter around in my garage. For me it’s a great opportunity to chill out, to think, and to come up with ideas for work.

Q Your best driving experience?

Last year I went to Silverstone and drove a singleseater sports car round the track. It was a fantastic, adrenalin-fuelled experience. I’ve no clue how fast I went, I just put my foot down and drove. It’s as close to driving in Formula One as you can get.

I hope to do it again at Croft, but next time I want to be a bit more adventurous and go faster. Anybody who likes cars has got to do it; it’s a not to be missed experience.

My big ambition is to go to the Monaco Grand Prix before I retire. Watching the big races like that on television means you get to see a lot more of what’s going on, but when you’re there the atmosphere is fantastic. It’s about the noise and being part of the whole event. What’s going on is electric.

JUNE - JULY 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 7

inbox

inbox...

T

Have you got something to say about the magazine or about business in general? Then inbox may be the perfect home for you. Send your views, comment and gossip to inbox@necontact.co.uk Earless Bob

Bob has no ears, which annoys him. One day, interviewing job applicants, he asks the first and second if they notice anything unusual about him. Both reply, “Yes, you have no ears.”

Bob is furious and throws them both out. He then asks the third interviewee the same question, and she says: “Yes, you wear contact lenses, don’t you?”

Bob is amazed and asks how she knows. She says: “Well, it’s pretty hard to wear glasses with no ears, isn’t it?”

listen carefully

A tale of this magazine’s editor and her recent dealings with HMRC...

Episode one: She rings HMRC to make arrangements to pay an outstanding VAT bill.

The (very polite) HMRC man listens carefully and enters a useful dialogue re available funds, resulting in an arrangement convenient to both parties.

Episode two: Editor picks up the phone to hear a low growl: “This is Mr Richardson from HMRC. I need you to answer some security questions.” She asks which HMRC office, and he says (not at all politely) that he can’t tell her until she answers his questions. Doubting his veracity, she hangs up.

So when will HMRC learn that the meaning of your communication is the response you get?

13 Strides founders Kevin Allinson (left) and Anthony Borsumato (right)

We’ve bagged a Bafta!

Good work by Teesside-based 13 Strides, whose work on the Channel 4 Paralympics website helped it to win the prize for Digital Creativity at the Bafta Craft Awards.

The sports digital agency designed the website alongside developer deltatre, using high-impact graphics to display key information, results and explanatory features.

It received 18.7m page views, which was a record for the Channel 4 brand.

13 Strides founder Anthony

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Anthony Borsumato at the Baftas

Borsumato, a former international hurdler, founded 13 Strides in 2006 with his cousin Kevin Allinson at Teesside University.

The company is still based on campus at the Phoenix Building and now employs seven people, all of whom are Teesside Uni graduates.

Clocking on

No excuse to be late checking in at Newcastle Airport, where Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Tyne & Wear Nigel Sherlock OBE and airport chief executive Dave Laws officially unveiled The Airport Clock to mark The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

By the looks of this picture, Dave, left, Mr Sherlock, centre, and Graeme Mason, planning and corporate affairs director, were clearly well pleased with it!

In my view

NECC chief executive James Ramsbotham reflects on the region’s need to do even better in exports.

in my view

he region’s great and good turned out in force in May to celebrate the achievements of the companies at the forefront of the North East’s overseas trade effort.

The North East Exporter of the Year Awards proved to be another fantastic event with a host of winners, all of them NECC members, and some unlucky runners-up, many of whom missed out on the top awards by a hair’s breadth.

May also brought us Export Week and another great opportunity to not only recognise the North East’s prowess in the field of exports, but also reinforce the need to encourage more companies to explore foreign markets.

An NECC study shows that 35% of North East companies currently export goods, compared to 39% nationally.

Popular markets are the EU (89%), Asia (57%) and the Middle East (53%).

There were many more interesting stats thrown up, but what this particular data proves is that while we are the only region in the country with a positive balance of export trade, we must get more companies exporting if we are to continue our impressive performance.

We have a relatively small number of high-volume exporters and we must do more to encourage more SMEs to sell abroad. A successful economic recovery will have to rely heavily on

export markets. Regional companies have massive untapped potential to expand, but it is vital that the right support is available to help them compete globally and break into new markets.

It is important that businesses have access to local knowledge on the ground that can deliver practical contacts, potential partners, real customers and supply chains.

NECC and our partners who deliver the UKTI regional service do just that, but to fully meet the scale of the economic challenge, funding for the development of SME exporters and in-market support should be increased in the government’s upcoming Spending Review.

Our International team is incredibly successful at providing export guidance and documentation support, which is available to all companies, and ensuring the positive experience of companies that have made the leap into these markets are shared with those about to make that leap.

Businesses must be ready to seize upon the opportunities of global trade.

There is literally a world of opportunity out there for North East businesses to exploit.

I would encourage anyone considering taking that first step into exports to do it.

They are limited only by the extent of their ambition.

Mission accomplished

Darren Rhodes, a former REME Warrant Officer, took to social media to publicise his online shop, Militree, and hit on an idea that generated an unexpected 14,000 responses on Facebook in response to the question: “What was your favourite item from the old 24-hour canned ration pack?” Responses peaked at 14,400, which Darren turned to good use to publicise Veterans at Ease, which supports exmilitary suffering Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, making a cash donation to the charity in the name of his social media mates.

Showered with praise

Shower maker Roman, of Newton Aycliffe, has won the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Professional Development) award for its Project 252, which documented a year in the life of its plant through photos taken each working day and shared widely on social media.

Who knew life in a shower factory could be so exciting?

Take a look here: www. roman-showers.com/romancustomers/project-252/ JUNE - JULY 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 9

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Have you heard of authentic, values based leadership? You probably already have a ‘coaching culture’, but do you have authentic values based leadership? Is leadership responsibility in your team delegated to empowered leader?

“It is clear that the UK is falling behind many of our key competitor nations in terms of leadership and management capability, which is undermining our productivity compared to those competitors. This is having a direct and detrimental impact on UK business profits, sales, growth and survival.... Quite simply, improving leadership and management capability is an issue that no organisation wishing to achieve long-term success can afford to ignore.” (Department for Business Innovation and Skills Report, (2012), Leadership and Management in the UK – The Key to Sustainable Growth).

I continue to run a number of very popular ‘Leadership Conversation’ open programmes with the next in York on the 18th of July, which is already full. In the summer and autumn, I am offering a limited number of bespoke ‘Leadership Conversation’ closed programmes for NECC businesses. Contact me to discuss your specific requirements. www.timcainleadership.co.uk Twitter: @ctimboc1

Tim Cain MBE, MPhil, FInstLM.

New HQ TDR Training has achieved one of its long-term strategic objectives of owning its own training facility. The new property on Quorum Business Park in Newcastle is 40,000sqft and will allow all TDR’s training and development programmes to be delivered from one site.

The property was purchased with the assistance of Baker Tilly, Lloyds Banking Group, Gavin Black & Partners, and Square One Lawyers.

Businesses are being sought to support the British Science Festival in Newcastle in September, with sponsorship available from £2,000.

AkzoNobel, Northumbrian Water and Saudi Aramco are among the sponsors of the Festival organised by the British Science Association and hosted by Newcastle University and associate partners Northumbria University and Newcastle City Council. The Festival hosts more than 200 events with more than 350 of the world’s leading scientists, social scientists, technologists, engineers and science communicators. It averages 40,00050,000 attendees each year, with activity for families and school groups, thought-provoking entertainment and stimulating debate.

The six-day Festival is facilitated with investment from partners and sponsors like AkzoNobel, which will highlight some of its research through the Festival’s programme for schools and colleges.

Young people will explore the chemistry of paint which prevents barnacles sticking to ships, and learn about colour and its perception through handson activities. Title sponsorship is available for key events including the British Science Association Award Lectures of which previous winners include Professor Brian Cox and British space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock.

For information, contact the British Science Association, tel 020 7019 4948, email Festival@britishscienceassociation.org

Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards The 14th annual Women into the Network (WIN) North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards are now open for nominations.

Nickie Gott, chair of WIN and founder of events company She’s Gott It! says: “The WIN Awards are hugely important in celebrating the region’s inspirational female success stories. We want to encourage as many North East entrepreneurs as possible to take the opportunity to achieve the

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recognition they deserve. We have some exciting plans that will further support the North East’s growing female entrepreneur circle.”

The awards are open for entries now and winners will be announced on Friday November 15.

For more information go to www.womenintothenetwork. co.uk and to sponsor an award category get in touch with Ken Wallace, tel 0191 385 6619 email ken@shesgottit.com

in association with

NEWS

First on Forth for Alnmaritec

Table set

Bowled over

John McCabe, former regional economic development director at Rio Tinto, has launched a new communications business, Round Table Solutions, with Rio Tinto as one of its first clients.

“I’m particularly pleased Rio Tinto has given me the opportunity to continue the work I’ve started in attracting new investment and jobs to Northumberland and supporting local communities in the aftermath of the closure of the smelter,” says McCabe. Round Table will offer a range of communications and management solutions. in association with

Tilly Bailey & Irvine Solicitors has renewed its sponsorship of Barnard Castle Cricket Club.

Partner Helen Dexter says: “We’ve made great friendships with Barnard Castle Cricket Club.

They are actively creating opportunities for local young people to participate, and we’re delighted to help them.”

As main club sponsor, Tilly Bailey & Irvine Solicitor’s branding is on the team’s kit and leisure clothes and the club’s new electronic scoreboard.

Port of Blyth-based boat builder Alnmaritec has delivered a new 50-passenger ferry to the bridge constructor JV, which is currently building the Forth Replacement Crossing over the Firth of Forth.

The new Alnmaritec Wave Commander class will transport construction personnel from Rosyth docks to working platforms.

The boat, named Linzi S after the marine office secretary on the project, is the first vessel in the UK to be built to the new Merchant Shipping Notice MSN1823(M) Passenger Craft Rules for Category D waters.

JUNE - JULY 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 11

NEWS

PRoFILE

PROTECT YOUR ASSETS

norTh easT Businesses are owed Thousands – are you one of TheM?

a

North East law firm says businesses in the region are owed hundreds of thousands of pounds from the latest mis-selling scandal.

The scandal saw complex Interest Rate Hedging Products (IHRP) sold aggressively by banks on to small and medium-sized companies when they were sold loans. businesses were sold the products on the basis that if interest rates shot up, they would be better off. but as interest rates plummeted to record lows, thousands of busineses have been left out of pocket – some have even been forced to close. TLw’s professional negligence specialist lawyer Rachel burns said in some cases, SMEs in the North East are owed six-figure sums as a result of the mis-selling.

TiMe is running OuT TO ClaiM. She said: “IHRPs were a one-way bet for the bank with a devastating legacy for thousands of businesses in the North East. As rates began to fall businesses were stuck with high monthly payments unable to afford the fees charged by the bank to exit to specialist lawyer: the agreement. Compensation claims for Rachel Burns interest rate swap mis-selling can be complex because businesses are entitled to be restored financially to the state they would have been had they not been mis-sold the products.

“However, ther is a time limit approaching – there is a six-year limit to make claims, so people who bought these interest rate hedging products in 2007 should seek immediate legal advice as they could soon run out of time to make their claim.”

areas. If you are an artist or an Businesses are too often architect, a graphic designer failing to protect their or a designer, copyright will be intellectual property, reports an issue Niall Head-Rapson, partner at • New-shaped products: These McDaniel & Co in Newcastle. are covered by design rights “If you have created and apply with new designs something new or innovative Head-Rapson says: “Think then you will more than likely of IP like a house - you can have created something which keep it to yourself, rent it is called Intellectual out, rent parts of it out Property (IP),” he or sell it. The only says. “Intellectual “Intellectual difference is, you Property allows proPerty allows can make multiple you to maintain a you to maintain copies and sell premium image a premium image those, too. If you and price. In its and price” are working on any simplest form, it new idea, seek the is the right to stop advice of an intellectual others doing what you are doing and businesses need property expert.” to be fully aware of this.”

Intellectual Property covers: • Inventions: Invention can be a costly business and someone copying your idea is wrong • Brands: The names and logos synonymous with your business are covered by trade marks, which can be registered to give businesses a trading asset and weapon in the fight against counterfeiting • Copyright: This covers diverse

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Engineering change

Coun Paul Watson, leader of Sunderland City Coucil, and Johan Swanepoel, quality engineering director at Argus Powerbend

Argus powers ahead Sunderland manufacturer Argus Powerbend has invested more than £500,000 in new machinery and technology and is recruiting up to 10 additional staff to handle new contracts.

Through its client John Deere, Argus has won new contracts with German-based Dura Automotive Systems, which manufactures joysticks and levers for forestry machinery.

The company operates across Europe, Brazil and India with global names including Caterpillar, JCB, Johnson Controls and

John Deere. Its end products include hydraulic pipelines, car seat components, medical equipment and structural parts for tractors, trucks and construction machines.

It is also the supplier of tubular components to the Nissan Leaf and Invitation models produced in Sunderland.

Quality engineering director Johan Swanepoel says: “We have secured new orders and are now looking to expand our workforce to meet the increased demand.

We have grown year on year since 2008 through an

export drive and winning new customers.”

Established in 1978 as Dunlop Powerbend, the company was purchased by an internal management team in 2005 and became Argus Powerbend in 2008.

Coun Paul Watson, leader of Sunderland City Council says: “The company’s manufacturing expertise and its ability to win new contracts has seen the customer base grow.

“Argus is now working with world-leading companies and bringing new investment and jobs to Sunderland.”

Four sixth formers studying science at Northumberland Church of England Academy were awarded a BA CREST gold award for a school project as part of the Engineering Education Scheme.

The group - Rebecca Campbell, Jack Mullaney, Lewis Auchterlonie, and Kyran Fish - looked into the feasibility of installing wind turbines at their campus in Ashington. They completed field tests and looked into the energy output of different turbines, the cost of installation, local planning issues, and efficiency before writing a report and presenting their ideas to a panel of experts.

NEWS

On course

New equipment signals investment video of the month

if you think your business has been affected by an iRHp loan call Rachel Burns for a fRee asessMent on 0800 169 5925

tlW solicitors, 9 Hedley court, orion Business park, north shields, tyne & Wear, ne29 7st

NEWS

www.youtube.com/ watch?v=yOGHruglpKM

Okay, we couldn’t resist this – it’s Jay-Z’s take on business.

He was selling crack on the street at 13 and is now a global business operator. “Have a standard and some sort of integrity and find some sort of truth in what you’re doing,” he says.

He heads a multi-million dollar brand empire and is married to Beyonce - he can’t be wrong! in association with

Creative, print and digital supplier Elanders, at New York, North Tyneside, has invested in a new six-colour and coater press to increase speed, finishing options and printing capacity by 20 million impressions.

MD Kevin Rogers says: “This is about being able to offer more to our customers; not only for the new and exciting finishing effects, but also in terms of how efficient our service delivery is.

The new press will increase our capacity, ensuring we are well placed to continue to exceed our customers’ expectations.” in association with

Advanced Industrial Solutions (AIS), which offers specialised training for the oil and gas sector, has become only the second company in the UK to gain OPITO industry approval for its offshore blasting and painting courses.

The Blaster Painter courses qualify offshore workers to prepare, paint and blast offshore structures at introductory and advanced level.

JUNE - JULY 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 13

NEWS

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Work Discovery Week North East businesses have pledged their support for an innovative Wearside initiative to give Sunderland’s young people an opportunity to get a taste of working life.

Work Discovery Week Sunderland 2013 is a pioneering five-day project from July 1-5 delivered by Sunderland’s Economic Masterplan Business: Schools Task Group which recognised a need to forge stronger links between companies and school pupils.

A programme of informative and fun events has been devised, with companies already committing both their involvement and their sponsorship of their events.

Gary Hutchinson, commercial director of Sunderland AFC and cochair of the task group, says: ”Work Discovery Week Sunderland 2013 has just been launched and we’ve already seen an incredible enthusiasm and commitment to the event from both schools and businesses. Although the focus is on schools in Wearside, we hope businesses from across the North East will sign up to be part of this unique event.”

A number of sponsorship packages are now available for the week, ranging from headline sponsors to exhibition stands at the careers fair being held on the first day.

“We have numerous opportunities for companies to get on board with this event,” says Hutchinson.

100 Days Apprenticeship Challenge NECC is supporting the 100 Days Apprenticeship Challenge once again in a bid to boost apprenticeships in the region.

Working with the National Apprenticeship Service, Capital FM and other training organisations across the North East, NECC aims to encourage employers to recruit as many apprentices as possible over the challenge’s 100-day period.

In previous years, the 100 Days Challenge has secured thousands of apprenticeship starts for young people across the North East.

NECC apprenticeships

are available across most industry areas and schemes run at various levels, which means a programme can be designed for anyone at any age or stage of their career, regardless of level of seniority within your organisation.

The 2013 Apprenticeship Challenge will feature initiatives broadcast on Capital FM Radio throughout the 100 days.

Go to the100 Days Apprenticeship Challenge website at www. apprenticeshipchallenge. co.uk and for information on NECC apprenticeships, tel 0300 303 6322

Croner Guide: Whistleblowing Stuart Chamberlain, senior HR consultant at Croner, analyses the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998

video Visit the following link http://www.youtube.com/ watch?feature=player_ embedded&v=6KskLNGgHzM Alteratively scan the QR code

Milestone reached The final stone in Gateshead’s new town centre square has been laid, marking the completion of the public spaces for the North East’s largest regeneration project.

The £150m Trinity Square project features shops, a cinema, health centre, bars, restaurants, offices and a Tesco Extra store.

At the centre of the development, Trinity Square provides seating, planting and public art. The final stone in the new square was positioned by Gateshead Council leader Mick Henry, projects director at Bowmer and

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in association with

Kirkland Paul Dodsworth and Tesco store manager Marc Smith, joined by Northumbria University vice chancellor Andrew Wathey and NHS Gateshead Clinical Commissioning Group finance director Joe Corrigan.

The Pennine sandstone was the last stone to cover more than 6,000sqm of public areas throughout the development.

More than 4,000 workers and specialist trades people have worked on the Trinity Square project, delivering it on schedule, despite losing 50 days to bad weather.

Record results for port Port of Tyne has announced in handling wood pellet and servicing offshore record financial results wind manufacturing. We for 2012 and for the third are continuing to support consecutive year. existing customers with new The award-winning developments including a port has broken its own second gantry crane at a records with year-on-year cost of £6m, development growth since 2009. Last of newly acquired land, new year, turnover increased to IT systems and focus on a record £63m, cash flow customer service.” from operating activity rose In February the Port to a record £19m and profit announced plans to extend before tax reached a its main Riverside Quay and record £12m. develop new facilities for The impact of Port handling, storage of Tyne on the and transporting region’s Gross wood pellet in an Value Added “profit £180m project is estimated before tax that will create at almost reached 300 new jobs £500m a record and 900 jobs in in 2012, construction. supporting £12m” 2012 saw an more than increase of more 10,000 jobs. than 40% in bulk cargo This includes £54m handling – a record volume of estimated to be brought 5m tonnes was achieved, at into the region by cruise and the highest level since 1989. ferry passengers.

There were also record Since 2009, cargo numbers in car handling, volumes have almost with export, import and doubled and turnover transhipment of cars for has increased by more Nissan and VW just beating than half, while cash flow last year’s record. from operating activities The logistics division and profit before tax both brought in more iconic brand increased fourfold. names, with Barbour and CEO Andrew Moffat says: Ringtons joining JML, The “Looking forward, we are Co-Operative Clothing, Tetley planning major investment and Tommee Tippee, and the in our site and infrastructure number of passengers using to accommodate new the Terminal rose to 600,000. renewable fuels, both in association with

Whistleblowing is known legally as public interest disclosure, eg when a member of staff raises a concern about a risk, wrong-doing or malpractice in the public interest, usually because it threatens others.

The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA 1998) was introduced to protect workers from detrimental treatment or victimisation by their employer when they raise a concern in the public interest, internally or to a prescribed regulator.

The PIDA 1998 protects most workers in the public, private and voluntary sectors.

The Act does not apply to the self-employed (other than in the NHS), voluntary workers (including charity trustees and volunteers), police officers or the intelligence services, but good practice suggests that a whistleblowing policy should apply to all those who work.

For a disclosure to be protected by the Act’s provisions, it must relate to matters that qualify for protection. Qualifying disclosures are disclosures of information about criminal offences, the breach of a legal obligation, a miscarriage of justice, a danger to the health and safety of any individual, damage to the environment, deliberate concealment of information tending to show any of the above five matters.

The Act protects workers: if an employee is dismissed because he or she has made a protected disclosure, then that will be treated as unfair dismissal;in any event, workers are given a new right

not to be subjected to any detriment (i.e. disadvantaged) by their employers on the ground that they have made a protected disclosure.

In such situations, they have the right to present a complaint to an employment tribunal. If the reason for the dismissal is because the worker has made a qualifying disclosure then the dismissal will be automatically unfair.

A qualifying disclosure will be a protected disclosure provided the worker makes it in good faith to the employer or to certain third parties, eg the Health and Safety Executive, and reasonably believes that the information disclosed and any allegation contained in it are substantially true. Disclosures made for personal gain are not generally protected.

It is good practice for employers to have a separate policy, making it clear that it will be a disciplinary matter to victimise a bona fide whistleblower.

The Government has proposed changes to the whistleblowing regime in the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill. These include: introducing a requirement that the disclosure must, in the worker’s reasonable belief, be in the public interest; removing the good faith requirement for a disclosure to qualify as protected, but reducing compensation by up to 25% where a disclosure was not in good faith; making employers vicariously liable for detriments by fellow workers.

As a member of NECC you have access to Croner-i, Business Essentials at www.necc.co.uk

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Start-up bootcamp launched

Save the date The NECC’s Annual General Meeting on June 20 at Ramside Hall Hotel in Durham is set to attract more than 150 business people.

The guest speaker will be Tony Cleary, MD of Lanchester Wine Cellars, a family business which is now in its 33rd year supplying mainly the ontrade wholesale market nationwide.

Formal proceedings will commence at 11.15am and the meeting and presentations will be followed by lunch at 12.45pm.

To book your place, tel 0300 303 6322, email events@necc.co.uk or visit www.necc.co.uk/events

Ambitious plans to make Middlesbrough the start-up capital of the country were unveiled at the launch of a unique incubator programme for new digital businesses.

Searchcamp at Teesside University comprises a 12week immersive accelerator programme which has attracted applications from 84 start-ups in 14 countries.

The Searchcamp board is in the process of shortlisting the entries and the successful 10 startups will be given up to £15,000 each of seed funding.

They will live and work on Teesside University’s campus while they develop their product or service using lean start-up principles.

They will be mentored by internationally renowned business people including Kate Rutter, co-founder and

NECC short courses

principal of San Franciscobased consultancy Luxr.

Stephen Lusty, former European director of operations for Google, has also joined the board of directors, while other mentors will be travelling from across the world.

At the end of the 12 weeks, the businesses will be invited to move into the incubator at Boho 4 building in Middlesbrough, which will

be known as Searchcampus.

Prof Cliff Hardcastle, the university’s deputy vice chancellor (research and business engagement), says: “This is exactly the sort of spirit of enterprise we try to engender in our graduates.

What makes this unique is not just the close-knit bond between the University and business but also the one between the University and entrepreneurs.”

high quality en-suite accommodation available during the summer months • Fully furnished & equipped self-contained flats • Single and deluxe en-suite bedrooms • Broadband available in every bedroom • Flat screen TV with Sky package in each flat • Direct dial telephone in every flat • Close to city centre and excellent transport links • Communal common rooms • 24 hour CCTV monitoring within secure grounds • Affordable prices starting from £35.00

Find out more on 0845 168 9500 or newcastle@victoriahall.com Victoria Hall Ltd, Byron Street, Newcastle, NE2 1XH

welcome to your

VICTORIA HALL 16 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / JUNE - JULY 2013

future www.victoriahall.com in association with

After a review period NECC has re-introduced its calendar of short courses, beginning later this month.

They include some of the most popular courses such as Finance for NonFinancial Managers and also several new courses such as LinkedIn. Over the past few months NECC has taken time to listen to North East businesses to better understand what courses are needed the most and, as the courses are launching on a quarterly basis, they are able to be more flexible than ever before.

To find out more and to book your place visit www. necc.co.uk/courses

North East Business Awards NECC joined The Journal and Evening Gazette to reveal the winners of the North East Business Awards 2013 at Hardwick Hall.

NECC Partner member Port of Tyne was awarded the prestigious Company of the Year Award, while the other categories were spread among deserving recipients from all over the region, many of them NECC members.

The audience enjoyed speakers including journalist John Sargeant and North East Chamber of Commerce chief executive James Ramsbotham, who said: “To have so many Chamber members shortlisted and winning these prestigious regional honours is fantastic and I would like to congratulate them all for their various impressive achievements in what are still challenging economic times.

“The North East Business Awards provide a unique showcase for our companies, many of which are at the very forefront of their sectors and

provides us with a muchvalued event to celebrate their success.

“Once again the awards ceremony was a huge success and I very much look forward to taking the winners forward to compete on the national stage at the British Chambers of Commerce Awards later in the year.”

THE WINNERS Not-for-Profit Organisation of the Year North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) Ltd Best Creative Company Award Atomhawk Design Manufacturing Award NIFCO UK Internet & ICT Award Visualsoft eCommerce Low Carbon, Environment & Corporate Responsibility Award Elddis Transport (Consett) Ltd Innovation Award QuestUAV Ltd

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Heart of the Community Award Derwentside Homes Services Award Odyssey Systems Ltd Newcomer of the Year Nortech Solutions Small Business Award Aspire Technology Solutions The Export Award, in which specialist road surfacing company Velocity, Teesside steel making giant SSI UK and Gateshead-based computer game developer Eutechnyx were shortlisted, was presented at the North East Export Awards (see p22)

Law firm Sintons has struck a sponsorship deal with Durham county cricketer Michael Richardson.

South African-born Richardson, 26, is a wicketkeeper and batsman and son of ICC chief exec and South African international David.

Sinton’s Iona Sims says: “We are pleased to lend our support. Michael is a genuine talent.”

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Thank You

For your recent membership renewals. Particular thanks to members supporting NECC for over 15 years 35+ YEARS! K Home International Ltd PSI Global Ltd Brewin Dolphin Middlesbrough Shopping Centre Ltd Pipeline Engineering & Supply Co Ltd

36 36 35 35 35

30-34 YEARS Arco Ltd Casper Shipping Ltd KPMG LLP Northern Machine Tools (Eng) Ltd

34 33 33 32

25-29 YEARS BT 27 Bulkhaul Limited 27 Dodds Brown Commercial 26 Aycliffe Engineering Ltd 25 Horncastle Executive Travel Ltd 25 20-24 YEARS A H L Industrial Pipework Specialist Ltd Feller (UK) Limited Melbray Chemicals Ltd Newcastle City Council Northumbria University Ramside Hall Hotel Samuel Phillips Law Firm South Tyneside Council David Fox Transport Equine Products (UK) Ltd Headlam Hall Hotel Petards Group plc Sir Robert McAlpine Limited Swaisland Harris Associates Tyne Gangway (Structures) Ltd Bradley O’Mahoney Public Relations Cormeton Fire Protection Ltd Dunwoodie Architects Limited Gott Technical Services Ltd Minkon Ltd Spire Washington Hospital Stockton Riverside College U H Y Torgersens Vixen Surface Treatments Ltd W O Silmon Ltd Wessington Cryogenics Ltd Altomed Ltd Cherry Parts Ltd Debmat Surfacing Ltd

24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 21 21 21

Entek International Ltd Going Global Skills Hepple Engineering Services Ltd International Syalons (Newcastle) Ltd Robert Kirkland (Blyth) Ltd Shuttleworth Picknett & Associates LLP Storage Equipment Safety Service Ltd Techwax Ltd The Galleries Shopping Centre The Sunlight Service Group Ltd Todd Milburn Partnership Limited Carter Steel Ltd Elring Klinger (Great Britain) Limited Erimus Insurance Brokers Labman Automation Ltd Middlesbrough Football Club Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners NVM Private Equity Ltd The Metrocentre Partnership

21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20

15-19 YEARS ABB Low Voltage Systems Limited 19 Cramlington Precision Forge Ltd 19 Durham University 19 GSE Systems Limited 19 Origen Workplace Solutions 19 Rettig (UK) Ltd 19 Safetech 19 SIB Office Supplies Ltd 19 Thyssenn Krupp Access Limited 19 Travel Bureau 19 Anglitemp Limited 18 AUK (rpe) Ltd Trading as Airservices (UK) 18 BAM Construction Limited 18 Beacon Electrical (N.E.) Ltd 18 Christopher Brummitt Architect 18 Cummins Ltd 18 Gilpin & Harding Limited 18 Indigo Multimedia Ltd 18 Interglobal Forwarding 18 Leven Bridge Limited 18 MetroMail Ltd 18 Minchella & Co 18 Murray Hogg Limited 18 Murray Services Ltd 18 Parkland Engineering Ltd 18 Playprint Limited 18 RTR HANDELSGESELLSCHAFT 18 SGS United Kingdom Ltd 18 Shaw Lifting Company Limited 18 Universal AV Solutions Ltd 18 A S Pneumatics 17 achillesphysio 17 Adecco UK Ltd 17 ARK Associates 17 Barker & Stonehouse Ltd 17

BES Consulting Engineers Ltd 17 Cavotec UK Limited 17 Clive Owen & Co LLP 17 Comtek 17 Consett Steel Services and Taylorsteel (NE) Ltd 17 Doby Verrolec 17 Doncasters Paralloy Ltd 17 DWF 17 England & Lyle Limited 17 Fife Engineering Co Ltd 17 Fine & Performance Chemicals 17 Gateshead College 17 Gillens Ltd 17 J W Colpitts & Co Ltd 17 Jotron (UK) Ltd 17 MMC Group 17 Perfect Image Ltd 17 Reay Security Ltd 17 Ribchesters Chartered Accountants 17 Schenker International 17 Scotia Instrumentation Ltd 17 Stockton Bearings & Transmission 17 Trans-Store Security Compounds 17 Browell Smith & Co LLP 16 Collectables 16 Excel Commercial Services Ltd 16 Fleet Services North East 16 Grahams Engineers (Seamer) Ltd 16 Heatpac 16 J N Straughan & Co Chartered Accountants 16 PC Henderson Ltd 16 Pertemps Recruitment Partnership Ltd 16 Quality Office Supplies Ltd 16 Reynolds Packaging 16 Shepherd Offshore Ltd 16 Starscape Star Ceilings 16 Three Counties Ltd 16 Tynetec Ltd 16 Typhoon International Limited 16 United Carlton Office Systems Ltd 16 Van Der Velde (Services & Support) Ltd 16 Able Construction (Northern) Limited 15 Acquisitions International 15 Cane & Pine Design 15 Carbis Filtration Ltd 15 Claremont Controls Ltd 15 Cleveland Cable Co Ltd 15 D W Marshall & Co Ltd 15 Hanro Ltd 15 Lomax Training Services Limited 15 Newman Insulation Limited 15 Scott Bros Ltd 15 Stockton on Tees Borough Council 15 The Solution Group Limited 15 youngsRPS 15

The above includes members that have supported NECC for over 15 years and renewed their membership during February to April 2013. We would like to thank all of our members for their continued support

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Trade, Mark!

Close House golfer Mark Bryce has come up with an innovative charity challenge to benefit children in the region, with a little help from North East business.

Starting with a white golf ball, Mark, director at United Carlton, is trading up items for charity. Within the first month, the ball had been traded up for a theatre poster, which was traded for a pair of Vivenne Westwood gloves, which in turn went for the chairman’s box at St James’s Park for the Newcastle v Sunderland derby, which Mark then traded to Richard Sinton, owner of Richard Sinton Jewellers in Newcastle, for a £6,350 gents

Mark was inspired to Jeager-Lecoultre watch. embark on a charity challenge “It’s amazing how quickly by a friend’s little boy, Jack people have got on board,” Alfie Savage, two, says Mark. “It’s a way who suffers to make loads for from Cornelia charity without “It’s a way to de Lange asking people for make loads for Syndrome money. I have one year to do charity without Foundation and has spent this and the aim asking people 90% of his is to end up with for money” life in hospital. an amazing, very The challenge high value item, to will also support the sell and distribute the Children’s Heart Unit Fund, the funds to four local charities.”

Percy Hedley Foundation, and The challenge was inspired by the book One Red Paperclip Children North East.

– the story of Kyle MacDonald, For more information email markb@united-carlton.co.uk who started trading with a red paperclip and in a year had Join the Facebook page The White Golf Ball a house.

Electrifying news DRD Power, based at the Wilton Centre on Teesside, wants a business with a by-product of hot water or steam to trial an innovative system to create electricity from waste energy.

The system uses Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) technology to generate electricity from waste heat, and following 3,200 hours of a successful demo operation at Huntsman Pigments’ manufacturing plant in Hartlepool, is ready to be trialed by another business with a by-product of hot water or steam.

Director Clive Whitbourn says the system is unusual as it is designed to work with low pressure steam or hot water. “We’re keen to hear from any companies with about 50 tph hot water above 90C, or about 2 tph LP steam, from which they’d like to generate electricity.” in association with

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Banking on repairs

International skills training

An historic Teesside community church, targeted seven times by lead thieves, has reopened following an extensive renovation assisted by a grant from Banks Group.

The roof at the Grade I listed St Cuthbert’s Church at Redmarshall near Stockton has been replaced with terne-coated stainless steel and the interior, including its 17th Century pews, renovated following water damage caused by the leaking roof.

The church’s insurance policy covered only a small proportion of the near £50,000 cost, so the rest of the money was raised by fundraising efforts and contributions, including a £5,000 grant from The Banks Community Fund.

Groundwork North East’s Kate Culverhouse, Henry Barrie, Nigel Orr, Stephen Calvert and Sam Palombella

Green shoots The former Gateshead Council Central Nursery is to become a centre for training in horticulture, health and wellbeing.

Groundwork North East, which is dedicated to making changes to create better neighbourhoods, is hoping to deliver activity

Canadian High Commissioner Visit

at the site from early summer. MD Kate Culverhouse says: “We’ve got a five-year lease and we will offer accredited training in horticulture alongside activity with local communities, showing them how to grow vegetables and eat healthily.”

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Shredding warning Data security experts at PHS Datashred, Gateshead, are calling for the EU to educate British businesses on the financial impact of proposed changes to the law.

PHS Datashred says British firms that are unprepared for new European data laws could be hit with unexpected costs.

Around 87% of businesses are unable to estimate the costs of the draft proposals to their business, according to a survey of 506 businesses by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

The report also found that 40% of companies do not fully understand any of the 10 main provisions being proposed.

Building Canadian links NECC has welcomed Canadian High Commissioner Gordon Campbell to the region to strengthen links.

Mr Campbell was taken on a tour of the region including a visit to Wallsendbased Soil Machine Dynamics (SMD), a world leader in the manufacture of remote intervention equipment.

The company, a three-time Queen’s Award winner, provides specialist machinery for the nuclear, mining, renewable and subsea sectors throughout the world including Canada.

NECC chief exec James Ramsbotham says: “The region already has very strong links with Canada with many Canadian organisations based here and it is important to build on these existing links.”

The High Commissioner also met with Edward Twiddy, chief executive of the North

Going global

Ian Swales, MP for Redcar, Business Secretary Vince Cable, Simon Hamilton and Keith Williams of UK Steel Enterprise at the Innovation Centre in Redcar

Steel for Cable Business Secretary Vince Cable learned about UK Steel Enterprise’s support for business in steel areas during a visit to its Innovation Centre in Redcar.

The Government’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF) has contributed £1.2m to a new £4m Access to Finance Scheme set up by UK Steel Enterprise.

The Business Secretary met UKSE regional managers Simon Hamilton and Keith Williams with Ian Swales, Lib Dem

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MP for Redcar, who recently moved his constituency office into the Innovation Centre.

“The Access to Finance Scheme is enabling us to include an element of grant funding alongside our loan and equity finance,” says Hamilton. “We already provide growth finance of between £25,000 and £750,000 and the RGF support means we can broaden the scope of our financial packages and that will give a real boost to business.”

East LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) at the Canadian-owned Sandman Signature Hotel in Newcastle.

As part of a consortium of organisations in the North East tasked with delivering international trade support, NECC has worked to establish new trade links with overseas markets in 2013.

Already this year, NECC has strengthened ties in Japan and the Middle East following a trade delegation visit to Osaka and Abu Dhabi, whilst recently welcoming a visit to the region led by the Colombian British Chamber of Commerce and plans are in place to link with other overseas markets throughout the year.

To find out more about the range of international trade support available through NECC, visit www.necc.co.uk/international

NECC President John Mowbray meets Akira Koyama, President of the Vantec Corporation, in Kawaski, Tokyo

NECC chief executive James Ramsbotham, president John Mowbray and chairman Alan Ferguson met with business leaders across the UAE and Japan to strengthen growing relationships with the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and businesses in Japan.

The trip also involved a visit to Yokohama and Nissan’s Global HQ to meet Trevor Mann – now executive vice president for Europe, Africa and Asia.

NECC has begun working with the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) playing a leading role in the Government’s Get Britain Exporting agenda and launching a new National Trade Skills Training Programme.

Seven core modules will be accredited by the BCC and offered by NECC as a family of skils-development sessions: • Export Documentation (Course: Export Processes, Compliance and Documents) • Letters of Credit (Course: International Payment Methods/Letters of Credit) • Methods of Payment (Course: International Payment Methods/Letters of Credit) • Import Procedures (Course: Import Processes, Compliance and Documents) • Introduction to Exporting (Course: Export Processes, Compliance and Documents) • INCOTERMS® 2010 (Course: Export Processes, Compliance and Documents) • Customs Procedures (Course: Customs Compliance, Processes and Documents) Candidates achieving a Pass or Merit in any of the elements will receive a uniquely numbered certificate in each area.

Those who pass six of the seven modules on offer will achieve a nationally recognised Foundation Award in International Trade.

Contact Matthew Ord matthew.ord@necc.co.uk

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export

Haskel grows global markets Mining expertise A trade delegation from Colombia has visited the North East to establish links with the mining industry in the region.

Hosted by NECC and led by Patricia Tovar, exec director of the Colombian British Chamber of Commerce, the delegation completed a seven-day visit to share best practice and explore new technologies.

Having recently received a visit from Lord Stephen Green, Minister for UK Trade and Investment, Colombia is being highlighted as an area significant development for UK firms in the oil and gas and mining sectors.

In addition to information gathering, the visit encouraged open channels of communication between North East business and their South American counterparts.

NECC international trade manager Brian Dakers says: “Our track record in relation to mining and engineering in the North East is recognised around the world and there are fantastic opportunities to link our two regions in terms of trade and expertise. There are some exciting plans to develop the mining sector and the North East is in the best position to offer its expertise and benefit from opportunities in Colombia.”

NECC International Trade Team, tel 0300 303 6322, www.necc.co.uk

Sunderland-based Haskel Europe has won new contracts in the growing oil and gas industry in Angola, Dubai and Kazakhstan.

The new business is from clients attracted by the Sunderland company’s expertise in equipment which operates in and monitors high pressure environments.

Haskel now exports to more than 50 countries and overseas sales made up 56% of its business last year.

MD Stephen Learney says: “Export is increasing steadily year-on-year. In 2007, we decided to increase activity in markets outside Western Europe. We are now seeing growth everywhere, but it is faster in our newer markets of West Africa, North

UKTI events 2013-2014 Africa and the former Soviet Union.” A total of 62 of the company’s 81 staff work at its manufacturing operation in Sunderland, and Haskel also has offices in France, Spain and Aberdeen. A long-term relationship with US industry giant Baker Hughes’ staff in Aberdeen recently led to orders from the company’s offices in Dubai and Kazakhstan.

Export excellence celebrated

The North East Exporters’ Awards at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light recognised the achievements of the region’s export champions.

Six award winners were announced and a special award was presented to Geoff Ford, chairman of Ford Aerospace and Ford Component Manufacturing of South Shields.

New Exporter/SME Exporter Award, sponsored

by UK Trade & Investment: Fentimans Ltd Fentimans, of Hexham, specialises produces botanically brewed soft drinks and cocktail mixers and has a turnover of up to £25m. Runners up: Guardian Marine Testing Ltd and SMTS Ltd High Growth Exporter Award, sponsored by UK Trade & Investment: Soil Machine Dynamics Ltd Soil Machine Dynamics Ltd (SMD) of Wallsend manufactures remote intervention equipment

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specialising in subsea engineering. Runners up: Aesica Pharmaceuticals and Mactech Inspection & Engineering Services Export Team of the Year, sponsored by Tees Valley Unlimited: Ecco Finishing Supplies Ltd Ecco Finishing Supplies Ltd, of Middlesbrough, is a supplier of paint applications, blast machinery and fire protection equipment. Runners up: Ford (comprising Ford Aerospace Ltd and Ford Component Manufacturing Ltd), and Phusion Large Exporter Award, sponsored by Sunderland City Council: Aesica Pharmaceuticals A business with turnover in excess of £25m that has demonstrated exceptional achievement in export, Aesica, of Cramlington, manufactures drugs and carries out clinical trials. Runners up: Soil Machine Dynamics Ltd and domnick hunter Filtration and Separation (a division of Parker Hannifin Manufacturing Ltd) North East Business Awards Exporter of the Year, sponsored by Port of Tyne: Velocity The overall winner chosen from the heat winners of the North East Business Awards. Runners up: Eutechnyx, SSI UK Overall Exporter of the Year Award sponsored by HSBC: Guardian Marine Testing Ltd Guardian Marine Testing Ltd, of The Wilton Centre, Redcar, provides a range of fuel testing and quality analysis services for marine fuels.

Runners up: Soil Machine Dynamics Ltd, Ecco Finishing Supplies Ltd and Aesica Pharmaceuticals.

UK Trade & Investment supports companies in the North East which want to trade and invest overseas and are hosting a number of specialist events and market visits over the next year. For information, contact the UKTI North East International Trade Team, tel 0845 05 05 054 or email enquiries@uktinortheast.org.uk

ways to get your business noticed

Events China Networking Club

July 2013

Export Coaching for New Products and Markets

August 2013

International Networking Club

August 2013

Brazil Networking Club Sector Engagement – Healthcare and Life Science

August 2013 August 2013

Export Coaching for New Products and Markets

September 2013

Recruitment Event for Export Insight

September 2013

Sector Engagement – Chemicals Roadshow

September 2013

Sector Engagement – Digital, Design & Creative

October 2013

China Networking Club

October 2013

Sector Engagement – Energy and Renewables

October 2013

Export Week – Explore Export Roadshow

November 2013

India Networking Club

December 2013

Export Coaching for New Products and Markets

December 2013

International Networking Club

December 2013

China Networking Club

January 2014

Brazil Networking Club

February 2014

Ireland Market Visit Recruitment Event

February 2014

Export Coaching for New Products and Markets

February 2014

Sector Engagement – Food and Drink

February 2014

India Networking Club

March 2014

Print: 7,500 magazines distributed on a bi-monthly basis to businesses across the region

September 2013

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Market Visits Kuwait/Qatar Market Visit (Multi-Sector) China Market Visit (Multi-Sector)

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MEDICA Exhibition (Pharmaceutical Sector)

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France Market Visit (Creative Sector)

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UAE Market Visit (Multi-Sector)

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Email: An e-bulletin sent to 5,600 NECC members every two weeks To discuss how to communicate effectively with these audiences contact offstone publishing on 01661 844115, or email sales@necontact.co.uk

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Offstone Publishing, Unit One, Bearl Farm, Stocksfield, NE43 7AJ t: +44 (0) 1661 844 115 www.offstonepublishing.co.uk JUNE - JULY 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 23

Success

Success all tied up

There came a point when I realised I needed to get a grip of the situation

Sarah Pittendrigh has come back from the brink of bankruptcy to be named a National Chamber Awards winner for her business, Simply Bows and Chair Covers, as Bryn Littleton discovers

S

imply Bows and Chair Covers has blazed quite a trail in the last 12 months, picking up a string of awards and a good deal of positive comment in business and consumer circles, but for owner Sarah Pittendrigh, it wasn’t so long ago that the picture was very different.

“My previous company had closed through the impact of the 2008 economic downturn. I was on income support, I was divorced with a nine-year-old son and it was only a matter of time before my home could be repossessed,” she remembers, adding that it was this set of desperate circumstances that would provide the catalyst she needed to launch her awardwinning business.

Her lowest point, she says, inspired her to succeed, and from the moment she sat down at her PC to devise the business plan for her new company in 2008, her life and her business

fortunes began to turn around.

Simply Bows and Chair Covers provides hotels with quality table linen and chair covers for weddings, events and special occasions, in addition to offering a bespoke service to private clients.

The company competes on quality over price, and with 11 franchises and aspirations to take her business model to international markets, Pittendrigh’s success is a far cry from the events that almost cost her her home four short years ago.

“I was going through hell; there’s not another word to describe what it was like,” she says. “My previous company had been closed down, nobody was recruiting in 2008, property prices were falling through the floor and the prospect of starting a company during such a severe recession seemed ridiculous.”

Pittendrigh’s previous company, which organised events for blue chip companies

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across the UK, was an early victim of the onset of the recession.

“There came a point when I realised that I had to get a grip of the situation. It was difficult, but once I managed to remove the emotion it became clear that I had to pick myself up and move on.

“There was a realisation that I had been living quite a shallow existence. I had missed a chunk of my son growing up and I decided pretty quickly that despite the economic situation I would start my own business on my own terms. I wanted to be around when my son went to school in the morning and

when he came home in the evening and I wanted to enjoy my life and my work.”

The idea for Simply Bows and Chair Covers followed a frustrating experience with a company that supplied linen for weddings.

“My brother struggled to find quality chair covers and table linen for his wedding. We were completely underwhelmed by the product and the company’s attitude seemed to be, ‘well, this is what we have, take it or leave it’, which in my mind isn’t something you should be saying to people planning the most special day of their lives,” she says.

Pittendrigh became convinced there was a market for premium-quality table linen and chair covers among venues which would value a company that took away the hassle of fitting the linen and tying the bows.

She spent six weeks on her business plan and took it to Business Link, which supported her with initial funding. Before long, she says, she was meeting prospective clients.

“It was like it was meant to be, and before long I was on the road meeting with hotels and venues,” she says.

Rockliffe Hall, Redworth Hall, Auckland Castle and Close

House are just a few of the premium venues recognising the benefits of Simply Bows and Chair Covers’ unique offering and last year the team dressed more than 300 events.

“Many companies offer chair covers and table linen,” says Pittendrigh, “but we offer a bespoke, high-quality service.

We have a huge amount of stock, but we can also produce bespoke, made-tomeasure covers.

“We can match our linen to tie into the venue décor or the bride’s colour scheme, and we don’t just deliver into to the hotel, we also fit it and make sure it is presented in the

correct way with all the bows tied correctly and in the right place. Everything we do is aimed at making an event as memorable as possible.

“Weddings take a great deal of organisation, and once we know the fabrics and colours required we take that stress away from the bride, so she knows everything is in hand and will look spectacular on the day.”

Pittendrigh runs her own Simply Bows and Chair Covers Co Durham franchise, which she operates from her home in Unthank on the border of Co Durham and Northumberland, and there are a growing number

of franchises in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Teesside, North Yorkshire, Cumbria, Lancashire, Berkshire, and Scotland.

She admits to nerves each time a franchisee sets up in business. “You’re handing over something you have worked extremely hard to establish and so far I’ve been fortunate that everyone who has come on board has shared my views.”

Pittendrigh’s franchise employs three permanent staff and three seasonal workers, and it manufactures all its covers in the North East.

“I’m committed to helping other firms in the region,” says Pittendrigh. “The eventual aim is to bring manufacturing in-house, but that will be in the North East, and until then I will use North East manufacturers and all of my franchisees will, too, as they buy their product through me.

“I also have plans for eventually expanding internationally, but for now I’m happy with the speed we are growing. I believe that small fires warm you, but large fires can burn you.”

And the philosophy appears to be paying off. The company has won a string of awards, most recently the British Chambers of Commerce Award for Most Promising New Business.

Pittendrigh’s professional resurrection coincided with an upturn in her personal life, as she re-married her former husband Stewart and realised her aim of spending more time with her son, William.

“It’s been a complete turn-around for all of us,” she says. “I now get to spend the time with my son that we were missing out on. We travel all over the country while William competes in equestrian events and to be where I am now, enjoying life and loving my job is amazing considering how it all started. I honestly feel blessed.”

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TRAILBLAZERS 1958

1950

Blazing a trail Thirty women who have blazed a trail in science, technology, engineering and mathematics are in the frame at a new exhibition, discovers Karen Dent

Trailblazers is at the Discovery Museum in Newcastle until September 29, 2013. It is sponsored by SCM Pharma and Parsons Brinckerhoff, Friends of Discovery Museum, Connect through Culture and the Institute of Physics

A

portrait of Augusta Ada King, 1815-1852, stares out from the wall of Newcastle’s Discovery Museum, a vision of 19th Century beauty.

But so much more than a pretty face, and more than daughter of the poet Lord Byron, King was also a mathematician, writer and computer pioneer best known for her work on Charles Babbage’s early computer. She is also known as the very first computer programmer. Quite a gal in her day, so it seems, and an inspiration still today.

Her portrait is one of 24 gathered for the Trailblazers show at the museum and their faces all tell something of the story of the STEM industries of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics over the last 250 years.

These portraits of pioneering women, many of them drawn from the National Portrait Gallery’s collection, will be joined in June by specially commissioned photographic portraits of four of the region’s contemporary female STEM sector leaders.

Well-known names including birth control pioneer Marie Stopes, and scientist (and former politician’s wife) Mary Archer are included, in addition to many more who may not be so familiar, but are no less acclaimed in their fields.

Trailblazers patron and former electrical engineer, Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah,

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Marie Stopes

Rosalind Franklin

1852 Dorothy Hodgkin

by Maggie Hambling ©National Portrait Gallery, London

1880

Kay Davies

1994

1920

1956

1815 1951

1910 Ada King, Countess of Lovelace, by Alfred Chalon ©Science Museum SSPL

Susan Greenfield

1885

says: “When I grew up, there was only ever one woman mentioned in science and that was Marie Curie, and she had 50% of the population on her slender shoulders, so it’s great to see that there are so many other women involved.

“This exhibition reminds us all of some of the great women in science, such as Charles Parsons’ daughter Rachel, who was a renowned naval architect. I never knew that, and I studied Charles Parsons. There are so many things I have learned from this.”

The exhibition journeys back to astronomer Caroline Herschel (1750–1848) and mathematician, astronomer and science writer Mary Somerville (1780-1872), and to the present day with new portraits of Sembcorp’s Jane Atkinson, SCM Pharma’s Fiona Cruickshank, Nicola Pearsall from Northumbria University and Northumbrian Water’s Laura Wilkinson, whose portraits will be unveiled in June.

Encouraging more North East girls to consider careers in the STEM subjects is close to Ms Onwurah’s heart, and this show, she says, will help that cause. Currently, girls from fewer than half of the UK’s co-educational state schools go on to study physics at A-level, and just 12% of professional engineers in Britain are women - the lowest rate in Europe.

“I was inspired by the great examples that I

Rachel Mary Parsons by Bassano ©National Portrait Gallery, London

1950

pharmaceutical manufacturing company saw around me, and I particularly founded by pharmacist Fiona remember seeing the Turbinia at the old Cruickshank. She now chairs the Science Museum and thinking how company and is one of the four women to beautiful it was,” she says. be celebrated in the contemporary “I know the importance of having photographic portraits. women involved in engineering. I was “As a business, SCM does things in the always in the minute minority as a woman community and doesn’t sponsor many and that’s bad for engineering; it makes it things, but this marries everything SCM less innovative and it’s bad for the stands for,” she says. “We’ve got a economy, as we have a skills female MD in Dianne Sharp, and shortage. Careers in major shareholder and chair, engineering are satisfying and that’s unusual. and well paid.”

“Careers in “The exhibition gives us She has been taking engineering are the opportunity to interact the message to girls in a satisfying and with young people, and we series of school visits and well paid” felt it was a really good recently showed off a match. It wasn’t just women circuit board she designed in science.” as an engineer during a talk She shares Chi Onwurah’s to pupils at Monkseaton Middle concerns about the lack of women in School. Her present role as politician, STEM sector careers and says “the odds she says, is not so far away from aren’t great” for a radical improvement in her roots. the short term.

“I miss the problem solving from my “I don’t have a crystal ball, it’s difficult profession, but then I use a lot of my to say but I’ve a horrible feeling we will training in terms of problem solving, still be talking about it. There is a lot that logic and evidence assessment as a has been done and things are changing; politician. Engineering is a great the undergraduate numbers are great, but foundation for other careers.” they don’t progress.”

Trailblazers’ main sponsor is SCM Women’s careers continue to be Pharma, the Prudhoe-based

interrupted by marriage and children, and they often drop out before they reach their full potential, but Cruickshank says women who start their own businesses are more likely to remain in the sector for the long term.

“There has been research, not specifically into STEM subjects, about gender pay scales. Women entrepreneurs are more likely to pay themselves more than men. They are more confident of their ability.

“With women in science, there are fewer in senior management roles.

Women drop out. But in business they pay themselves more when they are entrepreneurs. We could look at the linkage between the two. We just need to stop talking and start doing.”

Cruickshank says being a woman has been “a complete non-issue” in her career and she shared her experiences at a conference of 16 to 19-year-olds to herald the exhibition’s launch.

“I talked about my career, how I ended up doing science and working in the industry. I talked about it more from a human point of view and tried to tell them how I started the business. They’ve all watched Dragon’s Den, and they all want to know what it’s like.”

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TRAILBLAZERS

Chi Onwurah, patron of Trailblazers at the Discovery Museum

The trailblazers featured in the exhibition are: Augusta Ada King (Ada Lovelace) 1815-1852 Mathematician, writer and computer pioneer best known for her work on Charles Babbage’s early computer. Known as the very first computer programmer, her father was poet Lord Byron.

Dorothy Hodgkin 1910-1994 Chemist and crystallographer who won the Nobel prize in 1964 for her work mapping the structure of penicillin and deciphering the structure of insulin.

Rosalind Franklin 1920 – 1958 X-ray crystallographer and biophysicist who worked on understanding the structure of DNA, which led to the discovery of the DNA double helix.

Penelope Leach, born 1937 Psychologist and writer on childcare, best known for the best-selling book Your Baby and Child: From Birth to Age Five.

Denise Everett, born 1965 Embryologist at the Hugh Wynter Fertility Management Unit at the University of the West Indies.

Lesley Yellowlees, born 1953 Inorganic chemist, who was the first

female president of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Jocelyn Bell Burnell, born 1943 Astrophysicist and radio astronomer who was a joint winner of the Nobel prize for physics, president of the Royal Astronomical Society and president of the Institute of Physics.

Cheryll Anne Tickle, born 1945 Cell and development biologist best known for her work on the development of limbs.

Hilary Downes, born 1958 Geochemist / igneous petrologist and Professor of Geochemistry at Birkbeck, University of London.

Monica Mary Grady, born 1958 Planetary and space scientist best known for her work on meteorites and Professor of Planetary and Space Science at the Open University.

Jane Goodall, born 1934 Zoologist and conservationist recognised as the world’s leading expert on chimpanzees.

Rachel Parsons 1885 – 1956 Naval architect, engineer and company

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director, who advocated women in engineering. Daughter of Charles Parsons.

Marie Stopes 1880 - 1958 Palaeobotanist and women’s rights campaigner who co-founded Britain’s first birth control clinic.

Kathleen Ollerenshaw, born 1912 Mathematician and educationalist who served as Lord Mayor of Manchester and advised the Thatcher Government on education.

Kay Davies, born 1951 Human geneticist and Dr Lee’s Professor of Anatomy at Oxford University, governor of the Wellcome Trust and director of the Oxford Centre for Gene Function.

Julia Stretton Higgins, born 1942 Professor of Polymer Science in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemical Technology at Imperial College London.

Monique Simmonds Biologist, director of the Kew Innovation Unit and deputy keeper of the Jodrell Laboratory. She co-ordinates Kew’s scientific research.

Mary Archer, born 1944 Scientist specialising in solar power conversion and president of the National Energy Foundation.

Lydia Arnold, born 1989 Scientist and inventor who designed a prize-winning laser photonic robotics hand control aged 17.

Carole Jordan, born 1941 Physicist/astronomer who was the first female president of the Royal Astronomical Society and the third woman to be awarded the society’s Gold Medal.

Patricia Simpson Geneticist and developmental biologist, who is Professor of Comparative Embryology at Cambridge University.

Susan Greenfield, born 1950 Professor of Synaptic Pharmacology at Oxford University, specialising in degenerative conditions including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Caroline Herschel 1750 – 1848 Astronomer who discovered a number of comets including the periodic HerschelRigollet comet. First woman to be awarded the Royal Astronomical Society’s Gold Medal.

Mary Somerville 1780 – 1872 Mathematician, astronomer and science writer, who was only the second female scientist to be recognised in Britain.

Trailblazers’ contemporary portrait sitters Jane Atkinson Senior vice president of Sembcorp Utilities UK Asset Management, responsible for the day-to-day running of the utility business at Teesside’s Wilton International site. Her engineering career began with British Steel, and she now chairs the University of Teesside Science and Technology Advisory Board and is a Fellow of both the Institution of Chemical Engineers and the Royal Academy of Engineering. She is a former winner of the CBI First Woman Award in Manufacturing and has appeared in The Journal’s 500 most influential people in the North East every year since 2008.

Fiona Cruickshank Founder and non-executive director of specialist pharmaceutical manufacturer SCM Pharma. She supports the award winning Prudhoe-based company on matters dealing with strategy and vision. A graduate of the London University School of Pharmacy, Cruikshank is a former North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year.

Nicola Pearsall Director of Northumbria Photovoltaics Applications Centre (NPAC) and group leader for the Energy Systems and Materials research group in the university’s School of Computing, Engineering and Information Sciences. She is an expert in photovoltaics – the conversion of sunlight to electricity. She joined Northumbria University in 1989 and became a professor in 2004.

Laura Wilkinson (nee Stephenson) Northumbrian Water engineer who joined the company in 2007 as a technical adviser.

With a degree in Applied Biology, she provides advice on waste water treatment, much of which relies on microbiological processes.

She has also worked on an anaerobic digestion (AD) energy production project with Northumbrian Water.

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Profile

CV

Christian aid Rev Robert Parker - multi-millionaire businessman, priest and philanthropist talks God, business and money with Jane Pikett

T

he week before we meet, Robert Parker has celebrated his 70th birthday. Acutely aware of the passage of the years, he is as enthusiastic for life as he has ever been.

“Every day of my life has been precious and wonderful. That doesn’t mean there hasn’t been pain, but pain is part of experience.

I am excited about every day when I wake up,” he says. Thus, his birthday has been celebrated in style over the course of more than a week; a whirl of get-togethers with family and friends which culminated in a dinner at which the candles set off the house fire alarm. The seven firefighters who turned up in the early hours received apologies and an invitation to join the revellers for a drink. “It was a lot of fun,” says Parker, chuckling.

After all of this, which included a three-day visit from a gaggle of grandsons aged eight-15, you or I might be forgiven for being a bit ragged round the edges, but if he is, there is no sign of it.

For this individual’s boundless energy and enthusiasm fuels 80-100-hour working weeks (“and that’s not a complaint; I enjoy it all”) and a relish for travel and business, which today includes country house hotels in Northumberland and Scotland and a large estate in Shropshire.

Matthew 6:24 says: “You cannot

serve both God and Money”, so how does a man of the cloth reconcile his Christian life with that of the multi-millionaire? “To be honest, I’m not sure one can, and there are times when I feel very guilty,” he says. “But what matters is the way you use your money.”

He is a dedicated philanthropist who invites kids from inner city schools to his vast Shropshire estate to engage with the livestock and the countryside. “I spend every minute with them when they come because it’s so important,” he says.

I always ask if they think I have too much and they always say yes.

Then I ask them what I should do with it, and they always say we should all share, whatever we have.

They’re right, and 90% of what my wife and I have is already left to charitable causes.”

His three daughters and one son are all high flyers in their fields (one a university professor, another a vicar) and there are seven much-loved grandsons. “They come to stay and that’s it; there’s no work. I spend every minute with them, as one should.”

He says he is priest first, businessman second. He has been ministering to a parish in Derby for the last couple of years, during the illness and subsequent death of its priest. His role is crucial in supporting a grieving congregation and, when the time comes, leaving them to a new parish priest.

His ministry is the most

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important part of his life, though God knows he doesn’t need the extra work it brings. The day before we meet, a Sunday, he has driven 70 miles from his Shropshire home early in the morning (following the birthday party with the firemen) to the parish in Derby to conduct three services. Then he has had lunch with the late minister’s husband before driving 70 miles to Oxford to chair a meeting of The Simeon Trust before driving to his Northumberland base at Guyzance Hall near Morpeth to meet with the general manager of his hotels, Eric Kortenbach.

There is no hint of fatigue, but he does acknowledge his advancing years and is in the process of passing day-to-day business responsibilities to senior staff. When his work is done in Derby his ministry will shrink to occasional services, covering for other priests, and one imagines the leisure that will result will be a shock to the system, but perhaps not. “More time to do other things!” he declares.

Four times during his life as a parish priest, he fundraised and facilitated the re-building or re-modelling of a parish church, and the businessman is not so far from the churchman in managing major projects and people.

He speaks, he says, as he finds; a policy which has at times landed him in trouble. “But you have to say what you think,” he says. “The

Rev Robert Parker is married and has four children and seven grandchildren. He is a governor of Ripon College, Oxford and chairman of the Simeon Trust.

Born in 1943, he achieved a BSc (Hons) in mathematics at London University. He was ordained in 1967 and as chaplain of Cheltenham College in the early 1970s, he persuaded the town council to hand over a block of derelict flats to the college to be re-furbished by the boys.

The college then brought 11 Ugandan Asian families to Cheltenham and found jobs for them. In 1974 he became Rector of Yate in the Diocese of Bristol and during his time there a new church was built and another re-modelled with £100,000 raised by his team.

He was appointed Church of England development principal in 1980 and organised schemes including the Parish Holidays scheme which raised £100,000 for the Church and the charity benefits scheme Co-Aid. Parker left the Church in 1986 to establish a group of nursing homes, Mount House Ltd., which was sold 20 years later for £43m. He remained actively involved in the Church during this time and while Vicar of Pool Quay he raised £200,000 for the re-modelling of the parish church. In 2006, Parker and his fourth wife Gina, who hails from Northumberland, bought the 300-acre Tedsmore Hall and estate in Shropshire.

They bought the 900-acre Guyzance Estate near Alnwick in 2008 as their second home, which is also let for 20 weeks a year, and have since purchased Eshott Hall near Morpeth, Doxford Hall Hotel near Alnwick, and Dalhousie Castle near Edinburgh.

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PRoFILE

Profile

ChaRiTY CElEbRaTEs 10 years

a

charity set up to support people with Down’s Syndrome and their friends and families is celebrating its tenth anniversary.

Down’s Syndrome North East (DSNE) has helped hundreds of families throughout the region since it was established in 2003.

To celebrate its anniversary, the charity held a celebration at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland the same venue at which DSNE was launched ten years ago.

The event which took place on Saturday (May 11), provided an opportunity for DSNE members and supporters to celebrate the charity’s many achievements. Many of those who attended the launch party in 2003 will also be there for the celebration.

Anne webster, Chair of DSNE, said: “Since setting up Down’s Syndrome North East ten years ago, we have worked with hundreds of very special individuals and their families across the whole region. we have formed close friendships over that time, and it has been wonderful to see the progress our members have made. left to right: “The fact so many people are coming to Anne Webster, celebrate the achievements of DSNE is DSNE; Amanda Maskery, Sintons; fantastic. we feel very privileged to have been able to help so many people in such a Phil Shiels with positive way.” son Daniel; Law firm Sintons is a supporter of DSNE, Adrienne Nicholas, DSNE; and it is the Newcastle based firm’s charity of the year for 2013. Sintons has donated several Donna Shiels prizes for the raffle at the celebration event and some of its staff will be attending. Sintons chose DSNE as its annual charity after it was nominated by Donna Shiels, whose five year-old son Daniel has Down’s Syndrome.

Her family has benefitted greatly from the help and support of DSNE. Mrs webster said: “we are very grateful for the support from Sintons and for making us their charity of the year. DSNE is funded entirely by donations and their backing both financial and in terms of goodwill is appreciated hugely.”

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trouble is, I then go away and worry terribly in case I have upset someone.”

And upset people he has, losing a friend, a colleague and a family member through speaking his mind over the years. “But if something seems wrong I will say so, though that means taking the risk that one will be misjudged.”

Self-belief, manifested in decisiveness, has driven his 50-year career in church and business. “Better a decision made than no decision, even if it’s wrong,” he says. “The worst decision is no decision.” He fails, he says, “all the time”, because life is “all about relationships”, which can be challenging. He replays exchanges and conversations ad infinitum, and not always in a positive way. “One agonises all the time,” he says.

So how does he manage the requests for money - some 50 per month - from individuals and charitable organisations?

“It’s extremely hard. My wife and I reply to them all and we probably give to about 20%.

And I agonise over it all.”

From his parents, he soaked up a can-do attitude which proved that one’s start in life is far less important than one’s sense of self. From working class Mansfield in Nottinghamshire, one grandfather worked on the

railways, the other was a collier.

His father would have gone down the pit were it not for the fact that when he was demobbed in 1946 the country was crying out for school teachers, so he trained to be one and ended up the local school head. “That took us from a terraced house to a four-bedroom detached,” says Parker. “In the same way, all my children have aspired to significant jobs.”

His mother, who died aged 86, was gregarious, lighting up every room, while his father, who died last year aged 94, was self-contained, offering erudite opinion only when invited. “I conducted his funeral service and there were nearly 400 people there, which is quite a thing for a man of his age,” he says.

When a young parish priest in the heart of Sheffield’s steelmaking area, Parker was told he had become known within the church as ‘the revolting [as in revolutionary] curate’. “I can’t help questioning and challenging,” he says. “Jesus is my hero, and I try to make decisions as he would. I don’t believe you have to be ruthless to succeed, but I am decisive, and that is not always well received.”

When he sold his care home business, he pulled out from a deal with a potential buyer who

missed a deadline. It set him back a year. “I had given my word that I would pull out if they missed that deadline and they did. There was an element of ruthlessness in that, but keeping one’s word is important; it’s the only way to gain trust.”

If he were aged 40 again, he says, he would go back into care homes and run them as they should be, as small communities, like families, in safe, happy surroundings.

“Of our nine care homes, the happiest by far was the smallest, with 20 residents. It was a lovely, happy place. The care industry now is dedicated to the bottom line and scale is king, so places have 75 or 100 residents. That’s wrong.”

He is driven by respect for people. “There is nothing so wonderful as the children who visit the estate in Shropshire or the parishioners who raise £250,000 for a church hall. If you value, care for and appreciate people, business will run itself, and for every criticism I offer 20 thanks.

Value people and they will grow into the responsibility you have given them.”

If he had not entered the church or business he might have entered politics, he says, “and it would have been a disaster.” A socialist by instinct, he is disappointed by Labour’s

economic record. The Conservatives, he says, have greater discipline, “but they generate more money for people like me, who already have enough.”

Of the coalition Government, he says: “It is entrenched in its thinking. Politicians have an inability to say ‘sorry, we were wrong’. David Cameron is completely out of touch with ordinary people. There is no humility, no desire to change.”

His business life is extremely busy, but if a stranger were to him what he does, he would reply “a priest, with a few things on the side.” He devotes himself fully to the task in hand, so while work generally soaks up 100 hours a week, the office remains empty when the grandchildren visit and on holiday there is no emailing or calls home. “I cut off, so I am completely focused on whatever I’m doing,” he says.

Away from work, his passion is for time with family and friends, walks with his two Labradors, and his O-gauge model railway, which is so large it is housed in a room 70ft x 40ft. He and a team of enthusiasts spend each Thursday working on it, or on train trips. “There are 300 locomotives, 2,000 carriages and wagons, and I’m the fat controller,” he says, grinning widely. “It’s all tremendous fun.”

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profile

Iron lady By her own admission no pushover, Jacqui Miller MBE has a steely determination which has helped to place the family business at the leading edge internationally, as Liz Hands discovers

❝

I used my personality, drive and determination to succeed

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A

s an eight-year-old girl living in Felling, Gateshead, Jacqui Miller would save her pocket money and buy as many sweets as she could from Barry’s the travelling van.

Rather than scoffing them she would put up a sign at her house the next day and sell what she’d bought to the kids in her street for twice the price. “On Sundays, the shops were closed so I’d buy all the sweets I could afford on a Saturday,” explains Miller. “Then, on Sunday, I’d hang a sign outside my mam’s shed and sell them. The kids would complain I was double the price of Barry’s van but I’d just say, ‘well, Barry’s not here is he?’

“It’s about having the foresight to see opportunities. That’s what makes the difference as well as having determination, a sound plan, the ability to change direction quickly and a strong worth ethic.”

It’s a work ethic that runs through the Miller family. Her brother Keith founded Miller International in 1978 aged just 21. A year later, their brother Gary, then 18, joined and the pair operated their mobile welding service out of a rented allotment. Their sister completed the sibling team at the age of 17 in 1981.

“Keith was doing an exhibition in Birmingham and said, ‘I need you to come on the stand because you’re a woman and that’ll be novel’.

The following week, he had phone calls from people asking to speak to Jacqui, so he brought me on board.”

Fast forward 32 years and Keith is company chairman, Gary is responsible for research and development, and Jacqui is sales and marketing director. Miller International now operates globally from its head office in Gibraltar, its main

manufacturing site in Cramlington, Northumberland, and through a joint venture facility in China. Specialising in earthmoving equipment, the firm has a clutch of big-name customers including Caterpillar, JCB, Komatsu and Hitachi.

There is a steely determination which has seen Miller soar to the top of her game in a male-dominated world. As a 17-year-old, she faced the cut-and-thrust of selling to and negotiating with industry stalwarts.“Times were different then and if I wanted to sue every guy that pinched my backside, the lawsuits would still be ongoing,” she says.

“I used my personality, drive and determination. It was about doing a deal and I made it clear from the outset that was all it was ever going to be. There were some sticky situations, but I adapted myself. I was Teflon. I was known as the Iron Lady. You had Margaret Thatcher in the south and me in the north.

“I wasn’t expecting any favours because I was a woman, just a fair chance. I said, ‘let us do this for you and we won’t let you down’. And we didn’t. It turned me into the person I am today.”

That person is a formidable businesswoman who you immediately know is going to get things done, and get them done well.

Miller’s achievements in the world of industry and international trade were recognised in the New Year’s Honours when she was made MBE, an accolade she will officially receive at Buckingham Palace this summer.

In her time at Miller International, she has completely revolutionised the way the firm does business. “It’s been a tough learning curve,” she says. “I’ll never forget the time someone promised to give me an order and I came back

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profile

What’s it really like working with your siblings?

Did you get on as children?

Gary and I have always been close and Gary and Keith have, but Keith had done his growing up while I was still doing mine. The business has brought us together and we’re all really good friends.

Is there any sibling rivalry?

International as ‘like a fourth sibling’. “We’ve and told the lads, but it never came. It was a got a lot of integrity. We needed to be able to harsh lesson, but it’s the lessons you get look at ourselves in the mirror and know we’d through failure that make you the person you’re done everything we could to save jobs, to going to be. I started putting everything in keep the business running and to keep writing. Deals used to be done on the back of a Britain manufacturing.” fag packet and sealed with a handshake.”

Now the firm has taken the first next Miller is responsible for breaking into new generation Miller on board. Her son Ryan, is markets in China, India, Australia and the rest currently working in sales administration. “It of Asia. “You have to do your homework,” she was his decision. My daughter Victoria, 11, is says. “It’s no good thinking you can just hop on very single-minded, very intelligent and she a plane with a trade and industry visit and thinks everything through. I always want make your fortune. It’s like anything in them to have a huge dollop of life, you only get out of it what you humility, but I encourage them to put in.

“I’m the sort dream big and to work hard to “In China, trade reports were of person deliver on their dreams.” coming back saying there was Miller is fiercely passionate no market, but I’m now doing who’d have about championing brand Britain business with two of the leading to be prime and shares her expertise through companies there. We’re doing minister” trade bodies, by linking with local tremendously in Australia, we’re schools and as a member of negotiating on two other big Genesis, a forum established to advise contracts and we’re talking to a the government on the issues facing SME privately-owned company about joining businesses. “It’s no good the Government forces in Asia.” sitting there and saying they’re encouraging the Miller International is now well on target to banks to offer loans,” she says. “They own bring turnover to £40m, but it hasn’t been easy.

Lloyds and they own RBS so they need to get “Before the global financial crisis,” says Miller, their finger out. Statistics for new businesses “we were turning over almost £40m and almost are bleak, but why aren’t they lending to the £6m was profit, but by 2009 we’d lost 82% and medium-sized businesses, the ones that turnover was down to £8.5m. We’ve reinvested, have come through the recession and are we’ve remortgaged personal assets and now still trading?” we’re looking at a turnover of £24m or £25m, Miller’s forthright views have led, she says, £40m if we introduce new products we have in to approaches to become involved in politics. the pipeline.” It was inconceivable that the “I’ve been asked, but I can be of much more Miller siblings would let their firm go to the wall. benefit to the country here. Anyway, I’m the Their parents, Doreen and Ronnie, had sort of person who’d have to be prime minister; refinanced the family home to get the company I just wouldn’t stop.” off the ground and Miller now describes Miller

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No, we all have different skill sets. We’ve disagreed of course, there have been huge debates but it’s all within a loving environment because that’s what we got from our parents. Anyway, we were all too busy building a business for sibling rivalry to factor.

Is it difficult working with siblings?

Working with family has its own challenges but when your back’s against the wall, there’s no one you’re going to trust more than someone with the same blood running through their veins.

Do you bring family troubles to work and vice versa?

If you have pressures at home then work becomes your sanctuary and the other way round. When we’ve had huge stress at work I didn’t even want to talk about it at home. I was like Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With The Wind, I’ll think about it tomorrow.

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Innovation and personalisation the key to 30 years in business.

Washington Direct Mail are celebrating 30 years in business. Now universally branded as WDM, the abbreviation of their full name reflects the enormous changes in their business and the needs of their clients over the last three decades. Today their services go far beyond what most people think of as ‘direct mail’.

‘The business, and the mailing sector as a whole, has evolved considerably from when we started in the early eighties.” Says Managing Director Lynn Beasley. “We still handle general bulk mail for some clients but increasingly we are working with marketing agencies and businesses on very sophisticated, complex marketing solutions where a mailed item is one element in a bigger marketing effort. These campaigns are often response driven and highly personalised to the recipient. Blanket, unsolicited mailing is relatively rare – we are mailing items requested by, or at least personalised to the recipient.”

Increasingly WDM are a key part of a broader marketing solution, working with marketing services agencies as well as directly with clients. As marketing and the gathering and dissemination of information

have become more sophisticated, so have the services provided by WDM. ‘Often we are involved in gathering information that may come from very diverse sources, a mix of data that may have come from responses via telephone, SMS, mail and customer records. These need to be handled, turned into something uniform, and then worked into a response.

That response is often a personalised mailing piece.’ Says Noel Proudfoot, Sales and Marketing Manager. ‘Getting fully involved at an early stage and helping piece together the solution is our strength, and actually, when clients fully appreciate our capabilities, it often expands their own offering and gives them ideas about how they can run their business, particularly communication with customers, in a better way.’

Working with customers as diverse as Sage (one of their longest standing clients), Newcastle United, NHS trusts, Local authorities, banks, estate agents and the regions advertising and marketing agencies the company handles everything from initial data management to personalised print and mailing. Services now include; • Direct Mail Production • Daily Fulfilment • Mail Sortation • Printing Services • Data Services and Management • Design Services Via Printing.com the company also has the capacity to work with businesses of any size on the production of basic business stationery such as business cards and letterheads to company brochures and leaflets, offering design as well as print services.

The magic of mail

80%

of consumers open all mail they receive.

83%

of customers will open mail if it is addressed to them.

This rises to 87% in the 16-24 age bracket.

77%

of consumers like being informed of special offers and promotions by post.

44%

have done something – bought, ordered or enquired – because of mail they have received.

Source: BRMB 2011, Brand Science 2010

WDM can help you with all aspects of data management, design, print and mailing fulfilment. Why not call us to find out more about our services?

Tel : 0191 487 5148 www.wdmonline.co.uk

Hippo is a strategic marketing company that has been evolving over the last five years, developing a unique approach to delivering marketing solutions.

They combine strategic thinking, customer insight and first class design in order to deliver innovative projects across a range of different marketing platforms for a variety of different types of clients.

Working with WDM they have developed a specialism in direct mail. Together they have developed innovative print and production techniques that reduces waste and increases the relevance of clients campaigns for every single recipient. Washington Direct Mail has become a key partner, central to enabling them to deliver this approach. WDM’s outlook, and technical expertise has meant that together they have been able to deliver some truly innovative direct mail projects.

All of the work has personalisation as a high priority. Whether working to promote take up of health improvement initiatives or to raise the profile of new bus services, promoting financial services or housing, the combination of Hippo’s expertise in developing customer insight and design combined with WDM’s knowledge and experience of managing the complex mechanics of digital print and variable content create a potent blend.

Together they were able to deliver direct mail campaigns with a real difference. The finished mail targets individuals. Each item is completely personalised to the individual recipient with localised information based upon their address delivered both through text and images.

Many of the projects Hippo are involved in need this highly flexible and adaptable approach to direct marketing, not just in print, but also through digital channels like email and SMS. The team at WDM has worked closely with Hippo to make these projects a success and they are confident that this can-do approach will help deliver more successful joint projects in the future.

CONSTRUCTION

Set in Stone

You can’t put a price on reputation, and one North East firm is scaling the heights working on historic UK buildings, discovers Owen McAteer

W

hen Dave Stone set out in business in the late 1990s, swapping his beloved MG sports car for a van, he didn’t imagine he would one day be working on St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace.

But 15 years after he founded Stone Technical Services with his brother Grahame, the company has done just that and has busy offices in Darlington, central London, Edinburgh, Cheshire and Middlesex.

Darlington is home, and there is no intention of changing that, so what enables a small firm from the North East to work on some of Britain’s most prestigious buildings?

Stone, 50, who started out in the industry at 16 after leaving school with no qualifications, says: “Being professional, not cutting corners and being honest; they’re the important things.

“We’re old school; we never take short cuts and clients recommend us. Recently, we finished a job at Furness Abbey

Sussex, Stone is completing and I bumped into one of the maintenance and repairs. guys from English Heritage The company’s London who told me the people at the office near Piccadilly Circus has abbey thought we were seen increasing work following brilliant. We’ve since been the successful completion of offered another project by projects at Westminster Abbey English Heritage. and Selfridges, Oxford Street, “It takes a lot of years to get plus ongoing work on the Royal a good reputation. We’ve never Courts of Justice and St shouted about ourselves, Paul’s Cathedral. There has we’ve just got on with it and also been work on historic the bulk of our wok has come treasures managed by from referrals.”

English Heritage and The business the National Trust, began 2013 with while industrial further growth in “we now do clients include London and the more work INEOS south, with a nationally on Teesside. condition than we do The firm may survey on the at home” not always put in spire and tower the lowest bid for a of St Leonard’s job, says Stone, but it Church in Shoreditch does put in a realistic bid to (as in the nursery rhyme carry out the work properly.

Oranges and Lemons); “We work with our clients, repairs for Thames Water in we don’t rip them off, we Twickenham; and believe in providing a solution, conservation works at a grade not just a service.”

II-listed art-deco residential Clients may be surprised to block in Richmond. see the hands-on approach the In Brighton, Stone has Stone brothers take. “We were completed lightning protection working on St Leonard’s in installation work at a Shoreditch, and I had a meeting residential care home and at in the area so went to see the St Hugh’s Charterhouse work for myself and sign it off. monastery in Parkminster,

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They were surprised to see me.

They said they didn’t often get people in charge of the firm who were as interested, but that’s what we’re all about.

“And we work all over the country; we’ve had to in order to spread the business. We now do more work nationally than we do at home.

“We’re committed to providing long-term careers and our staff retention rates are testament to that. You could have thousands of employees, but they aren’t necessarily going to be the same ones year in, year out. Someone might ask what gold leaf we used on the Royal Courts of Justice, and I don’t have to go and find a record; I can tell them.”

Family links have engendered a commitment to the business that has seen it grow from eight employees 12 years ago to one that expects to support 40 by the end of this year. Grahame’s son Luke, an award-winning steeplejack, has kept up those family ties, working for the business as a foreman.

The company, which is presently carrying out work at Lumley Castle, Chester-le-

Street, has also taken on apprentices and a junior manager.

Stone says: “We’re passionate about training young people to the highest standards in this industry. It’s so specialist and we need to ensure we have the next generation of experts in place.

“I wasn’t the academic type, but in my family, once you left school you were expected to get a job and contribute to the household.

“I went around knocking on the doors at all of the engineering companies in Darlington. One was Harrison Brothers, which were steeplejacks. The managing director asked me for my National Insurance card, for the number. I had memorised it, so he said, ‘you’ll do’. That was my interview. I started the following Monday.”

During his time with

Harrison Brothers, Stone’s interest in refurbishing historic buildings was inspired, and his firm is now the approved contractor managing the lightning protection on St Paul’s Cathedral.

Stone Technical Services specialises in all aspects of high level and general maintenance, facilities management, steeplejack services, restoration and masonry refurbishment on churches, museums, clock towers, castles, spires and historic buildings throughout the UK. It is this range of skills that enables the firm to bid for a much wider range of specialist work than much larger firms. “And because all our people know the fundamentals of what they are doing,” says Stone, “when they talk to somebody, they do it with authority.”

Constructing Excellence in the North East would like to congratulate all of the winners of our ninth regional awards.

For more information about our awards, and membership please visit:

www.cene.org.uk Constructing Excellence in the North East @ConExcellence

Headline sponsor

Constructing Excellence in the North East

JUNE - JULY 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 41

CONSTRUCTION

Building a future With a number of new schemes under way, could the construction sector finally be turning the corner? Karen Dent tests the water

C

onsidered to be the bellwether of the construction industry, architecture is starting to see some sustained increases in workloads.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) monthly Future Trends Survey’s workload index rose from +16 in February to +19 in March. That was the fourth consecutive monthly rise, though RIBA says activity was stable rather than growing year-on-year.

Richard Waterhouse, Newcastle-based CEO of RIBA Enterprises, says: “Generally, the regions are seeing a return to growth, but are slower than London and the South East.

happen, we need to be getting “Anecdotally, a number of to the design phase now; there practices in the North East are two distinct phases – have seen more activity, but design and construction. there is pressure on fee levels “Our recession started in and incomes.”

2007 and our industry The Office for National is still about 40% Statistics reported down on its prea 2.4% dip in “it is too early recession levels. construction to talk recovery We are starting output for but the rise in to see growth, quarter one 2013, output is but people are compared to better news” worried; is this 2012. Architecture sustained growth or is included in the a bump?” construction sector Project funders, he when calculating GDP, but says, are predicting levels as an industry, it works to a of demand three years different schedule. ahead, and although there Richard Waterhouse says: is currently an over-supply “The forecast for construction is a return to growth from 2014 of office accommodation, decision makers are looking at and then to be relatively good economic forecasts to decide 2015 onwards. For that to

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if that is likely to continue to be the case.

The severity of the current downturn is clear, says Waterhouse, when it is compared with others.

Comparisons by the National Institute for Economic and Social Research show that even in the depression of the 1930s, the economy was growing again by this stage in the cycle. “And in the 1990s, there was growth by now,” says Waterhouse.

“We have been in recession for 60-odd months and we’re still 2% below where we were at the start of this, but the big developers know that at some point the economy is going to turn, so why not invest now while the price is low?

Large-scale developments are coming back on to the market.”

North East members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) who responded to the organisation’s Construction Market Survey for Q1, 2013 reported the first rise in workload since the end of 2007.

The net balance of 3% more chartered surveyors reporting a rise in work may sound small, but RICS chief economist Simon Rubinsohn says: “Although it’s far too early to start talking about a recovery, the rise in output is better news. The Government’s attempts to stimulate the market seem to be having some impact, but there are still significant challenges, in particular in finance and planningrelated issues.”

Newcastle’s £44m Stephenson Quarter project, started last month, includes a hotel and conference centre, office accommodation and multi-storey car park.

Although work on the 10acre development next to Central Station began too late

to be included in the RICS survey, it is another hint of green shoots.

RICS also highlights an increase in public projects including housing and industrial schemes. Although still at low levels, some initiatives have been aided by Government support, including help for first-time buyers.

Further support for house buyers was promised in the March Budget, triggering a jump in house builders’ share prices.

Indeed, demand for housing hit a three-year high in April, according to the RICS Residential Market Survey, which said 25% of members reported an increase in enquiries, up from 13% in March.

RICS’s global residential director, Peter Bolton King, says: “It’s encouraging to see

Michael Henning, of Government initiatives having Summer Inman construction an impact on the property and property consultants and market. a North East representative on “Help to Buy and the the RICS governing council, Funding for Lending scheme appear to be giving the market says: “Everyone involved in construction has had to a shot in the arm, albeit from adapt to the market historically low levels.” challenges. It’s However, “IT IS encouraging to see the improving ENCOURAGING TO increased activity, demand for SEE GOVERNMENT but in some areas housing INITIATIVES HAVING there remains a schemes has AN IMPACT” lack of confidence, not been echoed which is impacting in infrastructure upon the decision projects, which making process. has experienced little “There also appears to be no improvement since 2007, rush to get to the construction despite efforts to encourage stage, even with extremely privately funded initiatives. competitive professional fees And like RIBA, RICS reports and tender prices. that London and the South “These obstacles, along East continues to be the with the continuing difficulty in engine room of the economy, obtaining finance, make it an although the Midlands and on-going challenge, but one we other parts of the North have are working to overcome.” seen some improvement.

Surging ahead Jeff Alexander, director of Surgo Construction, points to a new degree of optimism in the industry.

Newcastle-based Surgo started work on a £4.7m bus depot contract in January for developer UK Land Estates; it has a £900,000 job building the shell for a restaurant at Backworth Business Park in North Tyneside for the Duke of Northumberland’s Hotspur Land Ltd; it is working on flood-defence works at ISOS social housing in Gosforth and it has a £1.3m job with Durham University.

Constructive Expertise Faithful+Gould is delighted to have been awarded Consultancy Practice of the Year at the Constructing Excellence North East Awards 2013 This prestigious award is a recognition of our diverse range of project and cost management solutions to both private and public sector clients. From mixeduse schemes, to major retail, banking and leisure schemes, private residential, social housing portfolios, health and education establishments we have the expertise and experience to leverage value, maximise certainty and guarantee delivery.

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JUNE - JULY 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 43

CONSTRUCTION

Confidence grows

Partnership in action New partnership working has helped to bring efforts spanning more than a decade to fruition on the £44m Stephenson Quarter development of 251-bed hotel and conference centre, offices and multi-storey car park on 10 acres next to Newcastle Central Station.

It’s been made possible via

a partnership of Newcastle City Council, North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), developers Silverlink, Aviva, Royal Bank of Scotland and Miller Construction.

Miller, which is also working on an £8.6m improvement project at the railway station, will employ more than 400 at the peak of the scheme and

07-05938 Surgo Contact Mag Ad V2_Layout 1 17/05/2013 11:31 Page 1

will provide 700 weeks’ work placements and training at the site.

Ian Jubb, Miller Construction regional MD, says: “People have had to be creative to make things happen. It’s that mix of public and private sectors that has come up with a way of beating economic obstacles.”

Owen Pugh Group chairman John Dixon says trading remains tough, with “very fierce” competition and growing input costs. “But this year feels different to last and there is a little bit more buoyancy in the market,” he says. “We’re more confident, though it’s still fragile.”

Owen Pugh works across disciplines including construction, earth moving, demolition, plant hire, haulage, and civil engineering. Their first and only female civil engineer, Sarah Jopling, 22, was named regional trainee of the year and most promising trainee civil engineer by the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (North East).

Still making a great impression on the regional landscape

• Commercial • Education • Residential • Health • Retail • Industrial • Design & Build

44 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / JUNE - JULY 2013

Surgo Construction Limited Albany Court Monarch Road Newcastle Business Park Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 7YB Tel: 0191 273 3311 www.surgo.co.uk

Commercial property

Wilton’s networked

Sunderland on software map

U

nderlining Sunderland’s commitment to developing the software sector, Sunderland Software Centre is a cutting-edge new hub for the technology community in the region.

The centre, big enough to house 60 businesses, is preparing to welcome more tenants, with connectivity now fully complete.

Custom-built office spaces combine with leading IT and technology support to create a collaborative and connected workplace and the centre is working with business and tech services company IBM and technology giant Cisco to ensure that companies based there tap into some of the best technology available.

Coun Paul Watson, leader of Sunderland City Council, says: “It’s state-of-the-art, stylish and progressive, and we genuinely believe it will foster the growth of Sunderland’s

burgeoning software and technology community attracting companies to the city centre and growing the city’s reputation as a high-tech hotspot.”

Among the organisations based in the centre is Sunderland Software City (SSC), a regionwide support service that is tasked with inspiring and supporting the growth of the software industry in the North East, with the aim of making it the place to do business for the international software industry.

Coun Watson says: “We believe that Sunderland Software Centre is a genuine hotspot for businesses in this sector. The combination of leading-edge IT infrastructure, technology and support teamed with practical business help specifically aimed at spurring on the growth of this sector, means that there is no better place for technology companies to be based.”

Science and technology park Wilton Centre will form part of a new nationwide portfolio of science and technology parks.

Wilton Centre, located between Middlesbrough and Redcar, is one of six sites assembled by LaSalle Investment Management that will now operate as a single entity linked by shared specialist services, access to nationwide facilities and secure communications.

The formation of BEST Network (the Business Environments for Science and Technology Network) as the largest privately owned portfolio of science and technology parks in the UK, creates crossnetwork clusters for the UK in some of the UK’s highest growth sectors and priorities of the Government’s industrial strategy, such as energy, IT and agri-science.

Together, the parks achieve a critical mass likely to be a powerful draw for international occupiers in the science and technology sectors.

The six members of the network accommodate 250 tenant companies and 7,500 employees. Major occupiers use a range of spaces from wet labs and pilot-scale manufacturing facilities to greenhouses and data centres.

JUNE - JULY 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 47

Commercial property

money matters

Construction specialist Offices from 2 to 250 Desks Newcastle

A construction lawyer who started his career in the building profession has joined law firm Sintons.

Alex Rayner has moved from a specialist construction law firm in London to join North East-based Sintons, further strengthening their construction and engineering team.

Alex’s knowledge of the construction sector comes from first-hand experience, after he spent the first three years following his law degree as a trainee quantity surveyor.

He then continued his legal training, and opted to specialise in the profession he had come to know and understand.

• Serviced Offices • Managed Offices • Conventional Leases • Virtual Offices

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Taxing issues In the Budget, George Osborne spoke of the Government’s desire to get behind the ‘aspiration nation’, which should have pleased the engine of the British economy – SMEs. Thus, cuts in employers’ National Insurance bills and a scheduled reduction in Corporation Tax for 2015 produced positive headlines. But a close look at the changes reveals a less rosy picture.

The General Anti-Abuse Rule (GAAR) is intended to target abusive tax avoidance schemes which, because they are “complex and/or novel” would not have been contemplated when formulating the relevant tax legislation. GAAR is applied when it is, in HMRC’s words, “reasonable to conclude” that

For further information including viewing arrangements and lease terms, please contact us below:

wiltoncentre.com | 01642 438050 | enquiries@wiltoncentre.co.uk KENT SCIENCE PARK

STONELEIGH PARK

HEXAGON TOWER

LANGSTONE TECHNOLOGY PARK

WILTON CENTRE

50 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / JUNE - JULY 2013

the obtaining of a tax advantage was a main purpose of the arrangements. But in practice it is unlikely to tackle the multinational tax avoidance that generates headlines, and be likely to impact on smaller businesses and sole traders.

So you might own a business and want to make your spouse or family member a partner to split the income generated. But if this resulted in HMRC collecting a lower amount of tax, would the GAAR then be applied?

Then there is Real Time Information (RTI); the biggest change to PAYE in more than 60 years. Employers must report online what they pay staff on or before each pay day and SMEs with more than ten employees will have to invest in new payroll software to do this. RTI has been criticised for disproportionately affecting small businesses, as

larger companies will generally maintain their own HR and payroll departments. October will also see the introduction of Universal Credit across the country. Eligible self-employed people will have to report earnings to the DWP on a monthly cash-in, cash-out basis.

HMRC is also rolling out the closure of all its 281 enquiry centres. In their place, it is offering visits by officials, online services and the telephone enquiry system which has in the past been criticised by the Commons Public Accounts Committee. Guiding HMRC is chief executive, Lin Homer.

Phrases such as “catastrophic leadership failure” and “shocking” were used by MPs to describe her record as head of the UK Border Agency. Let’s hope history doesn’t repeat itself.

Cash on tap

Our excellent range of facilities, set within a 75 acre landscaped park, offers tenants a network of support second to none, so you can focus on your business development in an environment committed to your success.

EDINBURGH TECHNOPOLE

Exclusive investment

Mike Fleming CTA. TEP, tax director at Straughans Chartered Accountants, on taxing issues for SMEs

Wilton Centre is the ideal location to launch or grow your business in fully serviced and managed accommodation.

The home of business and science

NEWS

Willi Thompson, business development manager of High Street Boutique Finance and Gary Forrest, director of High Street Boutique Finance

Small businesses may benefit from an innovative new funding facility which allows them to borrow against future credit and debit card sales.

Newcastle-based High Street Boutique Finance has launched Business Cash Loans in response to demand from small businesses such as retailers, cafes and hair salons, allowing them to borrow money and make

repayments based on a pre-agreed percentage of their future credit and debit card sales over a period of up to 12 months.

Based on a model widely used in the United States, High Street Boutique Finance has a fund of up to £2m available to support the service.

The Cash Tap offers SMEs access to credit up to £100,000.

Exclusive recruitment and HR company has turned to NEL Fund Managers for an investment from the Finance For Business North East Growth Fund to support the expansion of its Newcastle and Aberdeen operations and upgrade IT infrastructure and reporting systems.

Aimed at regional businesses which are at a development and growth stage, the Growth Fund forms part of the wider Finance for Business North East Fund.

NEL is looking to make around 130 investments over the five-year life span of the Growth Fund, and is actively looking to speak to ambitious north east companies with robust business plans.

NEWS £2m incubator fund A ground-breaking £2m incubator fund for social enterprises has been launched.

Social Incubator North is expecting more than 200 applicants and to help create 60 new investmentready businesses.

Successful applicants will receive up to £25,000 investment and 80 hours of tailored one-to-one business support alongside peer learning and networking, plus access to business premises.

The enterprises must create positive social or environmental impact, such as offering employment or training to vulnerable members of the community or have Green credentials.

To find out more, visit www. socialincubatornorth.org.uk

JUNE - JULY 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 51

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Effective communication with customers is the life-blood of any business. The telephone is the primary point of contact with our customers and missed calls are missed opportunities and missed sales. If you are providing a service, and all businesses do at some level, a missed call, or a badly managed call, leads to unhappy, frustrated customers .

Nobody can afford to miss sales opportunities or disappoint customers.

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specialise in supplying and managing telecoms systems that are incredibly easy to install and, crucially, can be added to and moved according to the changing needs of your business.

“Most businesses buy a few phones that will handle their needs today, knowing that if the business grows they will need to upgrade and add to it. It’s not until that time comes that they realise the money they have already spent is wasted.” Says Jeff Highfield, MD at Reefstream Network Services. “We’ll sell you something that works now, represents value for money now, and continues to work in the future, no matter how your business needs develop.”

“We’ll definitely save you money too.“ Jeff continues, ”Because all the customers calls and our services are handled over a broadband connection we can upgrade or improve your system without the need for more lines and more line rentals. Costs per call are going down and we service everything remotely. No engineers, no call out charges, no hassle.”

“The other major advantage is improved work flow and efficiency – the ability to decide how customer contact is handled so that customers get a great experience and staff can perform without unnecessary interruption. We handle all maintenance remotely, what few unforseen problems that do occur can be rectified in minutes over the phone.

Hi! Tech

Blackberry hits back Mark Anderson tests out Blackberry’s newest device

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’ve been a Blackberry user since the age of steam and while I am ridiculously loyal to the brand it has been really galling to watch as what was once the cutting-edge business communications device fall behind rivals from Apple and Samsung in terms of popularity and functionality.

So I was genuinely excited when RIM launched its newgeneration handsets, the Z10 and Q10. Launched in a blaze of publicity with celeb endorsements from the likes of Cameron Diaz and Lewis Hamilton, the hype promised

tech and style that would allow us ‘Crackberry’ addicts to once again hold our heads up high.

At first sight, the Z10 looks like an iPhone with a Blackberry logo on it, which I’m sure is exactly the look they were going for. Unfortunately, it doesn’t feel as substantial or well made as the Apple device, but it does sport a big touch screen. The touch-sensitive screen displays all your app icons, handles and displays pictures and videos well, and improves the user interface immensely. The camera is a huge improvement too. I cannot, however, get on with typing on touch screens

Follow me!

No, I don’t want fries with that

The blaggers’ guide to social media and a favourite of mine, Mashable brings together news and trends from across the social media universe so you can sound knowledgeable about Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook without trying too hard. Occasionally useful and always interesting, Like or Follow it to get a daily link. This morning I got the lowdown on Google’s new hangout app and watched a preview of Gran Turismo 6, among other things. mashable.com

I was looking for a new phone this month. The array of handset and contract combos is bewildering and in an attempt to avoid being patronised by a spotty youth at my local phone shop, I used a comparison site to peruse the detail at leisure. I liked this site as it allowed me to see all the deals on all the handsets and tariffs side by side. There’s a handy top ten if you’re looking for value. uswitch.com

in association with

and the Z10 screen keyboard is no different.

That’s where the justreleased Q10 comes in.

Blackberry knows that the ‘real’ qwerty keys and ‘clicky’ typing experience is a big reason users love them.

I won’t bore you with all the other whizz-bang features – the bottom line is I can now type and receive emails in real time, browse websites and use

Fore!

The golf season is upon us and if, like me, you eschew membership (like Groucho Marx, I’d never join any club that would have me as a member) in favour of playing on a pay-asyou-go basis at different courses, this site brings together contact information on all the regions golf courses. It’s the companion site to Northern Golfer, the mag you see at your local club, and has some great competitions, news and articles as well. northerngolfer.co.uk

social media sites on a decent sized screen, make calls (I know, radical), take pictures, use sat-nav and listen to music on a device that has a Blackberry logo on it. It does all that brilliantly, making Blackberry once again a smart choice for serious business users, rather than a sad loyalty to a decrepit friend. Available from about £30 a month on a contract, about £556 sim free.

Can’t talk now, I’m busy

Time-wasting website of the month - and several to come, I suspect - has to be Candy Crush Saga. Not strictly speaking a website, but available as a downloadable app, Facebook’s most played game is a fiendishly addictive puzzle, the thief of all time and ideal for looking too busy to talk to people on the train.

Download and say goodbye to your social life. Addiction support groups and rehab centres are available. playgoogle.com

JUNE - JULY 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 53

APPOINTMENTS

Thank you to our Global Members New direction

TSG has appointed Gerry Duffy as its group sales director. Duffy takes over with immediate effect from Jim Henderson, who is to retire. Duffy was previously MD of a software and IT business in South Africa and has held senior roles with Nokia and THUS, leading the transformation of its sales functions and market focus. THUS’ market share almost doubled during his six years there.

Engineering change

Haskel Europe has appointed Mark Adams engineering manager at its Sunderland HQ. He heads a team of eight engineers, six in the UK and two in France. Adams joined Haskel Europe ten years ago as a design engineer and was promoted to service engineer before being offered his new role as engineering manager. He and his team carry out all aspects of engineering and design.

New expertise

Law firm Sintons has recruited a new solicitor to work in its growing employment team.

Ailsa Wilkie joins Newcastlebased Sintons having spent two years at another North East law firm as a paralegal and trainee solicitor. She joins Sintons at a time of growth for its employment team, which recently marked three years of success for its employment law protection scheme, Assero.

Sales manager

The Sage Gateshead has created a new conference and events sales manager in a bid to increase commercial revenue.

Experienced event sales manager Amy Smith has been recruited to the position with a remit to deliver new leads and commercial bookings. Events previously delivered by The Sage Gateshead include three political party conferences, Emirates launches and BT launch events.

Global

NECC Global members are championing the North East as they do business across the four corners of the globe. We would like to thank all of our NECC Global members for their continued support and wish them every success for the year ahead.

Global Ambassadors

Global Leaders

Big hitter for SONE

Law firm expands

Gordon Brown Law Firm has appointed a new partner, Neil Large, to head its new corporate services department. Large is a business-orientated corporate and banking specialist with more than 17 years experience acting for companies, lenders, investors, SMEs and OMBs on a wide range of corporate, commercial, banking and private equity matters.

SONE Products has appointed Tony Burnell to the national role of business development manager, Duncan Wormald joins as project engineer and French-born Amandine Leighton has joined as customer service assistant.

The manufacturer has also offered a six-month placement to German student, Friederike Reess.

SONE appointed Mr Burnell based on his extensive experience of the industry, especially with regard to building strong relationships.

Better grows

Teesside-based brand agency Better has appointed Laura Mack as head of marketing. Laura brings 20 years’ experience in strategic marketing, successfully managing marketing for companies such as Heinz, Cadbury, and Procter & Gamble, in addition to agency experience.

She is expert in local marketing and global strategy.

Brook Street

Central Employment Agency

Exclusive Recruitment & HR Consultancy

Pertemps Recruitment Agency

Newcastle Brook Street provides expert recruitment support for temporary and permanent staff.

We specialise in a wide variety of roles; especially commercial and light industrial - with skilled, experienced applicants available now for Admin, Reception, Sales, PA, warehouse operative and FLT driver roles. Find your perfect applicant today with Brook Street.

With our access to a wide pool of talent & ability to train workers in the skills that employers need we are well placed to support companies by providing innovative & reliable solutions that enable organisations whether public or private to manage seasonal fluctuations & demands so they can adapt their workforce needs accordingly.

Exclusive are a recruitment and HR consultancy. We specialise in the recruitment of HR, Oil & Gas, Accountancy & Finance, Engineering and Executive level professionals across all sectors and industries. Our HR Consultancy offering includes a full Outsourced HR solution, Outplacement support and assistance with complex HR projects.

We have a nation wide network of branches in prime locations across the UK. Award winning temporary and permanent recruitment.

• Industrial • Commercial • Drivers • Bilingual • Temporary & permentant recruitment solutions 24 hour service

Newcastle upon Tyne 0191 232 5661 www.brookstreet.co.uk

Newcastle upon Tyne 0191 2324816 www.centralemployment.co.uk

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Newcastle upon Tyne 01661 867730 www.exclusiveltd.co.uk

Newcastle Upon Tyne 0191 2557900 www.pertemps.co.uk

Global Members A & C Associates Ltd Allied Irish Bank Arefco Special Products Ltd Avid Technology Baketime Beanbag Bazaar Cataly Systems Chirton Engineering Ltd Cox Agri Durable Technologies Ltd Dynamic Financials E-max Systems Ltd Envy Haircare Ltd Exwold Technology Limited F.P.E. Ltd Fluvius Ltd GAC Logistics (UK) Ltd Hammond Expanders UK LLC Hart Door Systems

Haskel Europe Ltd Hire Torque Limited Houghton International Integral Systems Europe Ltd International House Language Training International Pipelines Ltd International Syalons (Newcastle) Ltd John Lilley & Gillie Ltd Johnson Partners Ltd K H Networks Ltd Leica Biosystems Newcastle Ltd Lindy International Ltd LV Shipping Ltd McDaniel & Co MCPS Ltd MRB Schumag Ltd

MRC Transmark Limited MSI Origma Global Services Ltd Palintest Ltd Park Commercial Parkland Engineering Ltd Pipeline Innovations Ltd Prima Cheese Ltd PSL Worldwide Pyemetric Refractories Sales247. Ltd Samwon Tech (Europe) Ltd Scandinavian Airlines Schenker International Seaward Siemens Protection Devices Ltd Smithers-Oasis UK Ltd Spartan UK Ltd Spectrum Industrial Ltd

The Electrak Zucchini Division of Legrand Electric Limited The Fin Machine Company Ltd The High Street Group Thyssenn Krupp Access Limited TransGlobal Payment Solutions Tribo Synthetics Ltd Truport International UK China Connex Trading Ltd UK Industrial Tapes Ltd Victor Products Ltd Wessington Cryogenics Ltd William Tracey Ltd Woodland Global Ltd

NECC Global is a membership that NECC has designed specifically for businesses that are engaged in export. Members have access to a range of specialist services, specifically intended to improve their ability to trade with overseas markets.

To find out more about the benefits of belonging to NECC Global visit www.necc.co.uk/global or call 0300 303 6322.

Working Breakfast

In tune with the times The academic with huge business experience is still a rare breed, as Alastair Gilmour discovers

I

t’s often said that the North East isn’t very good at shouting about itself.

The theory is we know we’ve got it, but it’s up to others to find out what that is exactly.

That attitude isn’t enough any more; it’s lazy and it’s counterproductive. One champion of the North East, however, has taken it up as a personal assignment which she wields like a cudgel with ‘Challenge’ written all over it.

Joanna Berry is director of engagement at Newcastle University Business School – a role that balances academia with business, from combining research in all its disciplines to ensuring students are not only qualified for what they are heading into the real world to achieve but are actually employable when they get there. There’s a big difference between the two.

“The North East has taken a bit of a battering over the past few years,” says Berry. “We’re not really the best at telling our stories - and there are some fabulous stories to tell. There’s real success here, particularly in export,

but people tend only to hear the doom and gloom.”

Joanna Berry combines her academic nous with a varied business experience that took her to still-segregated South Africa as a newly qualified lawyer (“I still have my identity card that shows I’m a white person”), through spells in publishing and marketing in London, setting up three of her own companies, then a job with a record label that made her realise just how much new technology had blasted the music industry into numerous directions.

Sandwiched into all that was an MBA (with distinction) and a PhD at Newcastle University Business School.

The faculty attracts around 2,800 students from more than 80 countries and has developed a worldwide reputation through the quality of its research and the high standard of its academic staff. That appealed to Berry when she returned to the North East to study in 2002 (she was born and raised in Hartlepool, where her parents still live).

“The music industry was very much the canary in the coalmine,” she says of her fascination for new technology in business. “Music is at the front edge of technology and creativity. All the things that are now happening to the creative industries – in publishing, newspapers, books and film – were felt first by music. Issues surrounding intellectual property, copyright and technological disruption – music got it first.

“I started my PhD at Newcastle University Business School, studying the impact of technology on the television industry. I then got a phone call from a

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friend I’d worked for in London who’d started a record label asking if I like to come and work for him. I told him the subject of my PhD and he suggested I do it on the music industry instead and still go and work for him. I became the commercial director and the job was the central case study for my PhD. “Everything technology-wise was just kicking off at that time with the Arctic Monkeys exploring the direct link between artist and consumer. It was before Twitter, MySpace was huge and Facebook was just starting. It was a mad world and it was very difficult to pin anything down.”

There is no typical day for Berry, or week, for that matter. She is chairman of the North East regional board of the Chartered Institute of Marketing; she sits on the steering group of the Newcastle Institute for Creative Arts Practice, the North East Offenders Skills and Employment Board, and the NECC International Trade Committee, plus the Prince’s Trust Leadership Group.

She leads a research project for the cultural and creative industries in collaboration with Lancaster, Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds Universities through the Business School on behalf of Newcastle University and teaches strategic marketing, leadership, small business, entrepreneurship and management consultancy to EMBA students.

Her 12-year-old son attends the Chorister School in Durham, often studying, playing sports and working up to 60 hours a week.

Apart from seeing them during school holidays, parents of boarders can meet their children for tea on Thursdays.

With all those commitments, is she not too physically and emotionally knackered to be founder and managing director of the National Register of Personal Fitness Trainers UK? Apparently not.

“That’s why I love the job so much,” she says.

“It’s important for me to support the things that the Business School does exceptionally well – the university research with my colleagues to make sure what they’re doing is relevant to the real world of businesses and for business to get access to my colleagues who have different skill sets.”

So, what is the attraction of working and studying in the North East, and Newcastle in particular? Surely London has its plus points and South Africa can offer lifeenhancing experiences?

Berry says: “I remember coming back to Newcastle and looking down at the Quayside from the train onto a very different city I’d left.

When I got to the university I got called ‘pet’ and ‘love’ by the sandwich lady. It was wonderful.”

Breakfast at Filini At the Filini restaurant in the Radisson Blu hotel in Durham, Joanna Berry pours her Ringtons (Newcastle) breakfast tea. Over on the continental breakfast display, the cheese selection is Emmenthal, Gouda, Camembert and something they call “local hard cheese”.

It wouldn’t have hurt to wave a flag for its producer, surely?

The mushrooms in the Full English are particularly good and nicely earthy, but being a bit of a black pudding geek, I decide to push this sweated article aside. Ditto the overdone sausage.

The haddock and poached egg breakfast special is

superb. The Continental, Scandinavian and American breakfast options offer smoked salmon, prosciutto and turkey with soft cheeses, radishes and cucumber with some handsome-looking bread, plus mountains of far-too healthy ingredients such as seeds and dried fruits with which to customise a muesli, smoothie or compote.

The Radisson Blu, Durham, is an ideal spot for a breakfast meeting - witness the laptop action - but if you’re looking for a flag-waving exercise in North East breakfast, it’s hard cheese.

Full English £14.95 Continental 9.95

Radisson Blu, Frankland Lane, Durham DH1 5TA tel 0191 372 7200, www.radissonblu.co.uk/hotel-durham

Darlington College works extensively with businesses in the delivery of Apprenticeships.

We work closely with CITB Construction Skills to deliver high-quality construction Apprenticeships, making sure you get the Apprentice with the right skills for your company to grow and prosper.

We offer the following construction Apprenticeships: • Bricklaying • Carpentry and joinery • Painting and decorating • Plumbing

For more information on our Apprenticeships and our full range of training solutions, call our Business Development team on 01325 503210, or visit www.darlington.ac.uk

Darlington College, Central Park, Haughton Road, Darlington, DL1 1DR

JUNE - JULY 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 57

NEW NEWMENU members

promotional feature: Lunch

Welcome to new members Welcome to our New Members page. This page brings you information about the companies that have recently joined NECC - the region’s largest business membership organisation. Along with contact details, there are announcements from new members keen to publicise their products, services and activities to other NECC members.

While listings are free to all new members, editorial announcements are part of a broader package designed to promote a new member’s business to reach the readership of Contact magazine.

For further details contact the Contact advertising team, tel 01661 844 115, email sales@offstonepublishing.co.uk

SUMMER LETTINGS Those looking for accommodation in July and August may look no further than Newcastle Victoria Hall.

Whist catering for University students for the academic year, the summer months sees the Hall transform into summer lets. With self-catering accommodation available, Newcastle Victoria Hall is the perfect solution for affordable city centre breaks whether you are planning to visit to shop, see the sites or explore further afield in the surrounding areas.

All accommodation is en-suite and arranged in flats of 3 & 4 bedrooms and offers the options of booking anything from a room in

a shared flat to an entire apartment. Fully equipped kitchens and comfortable lounge areas allow you the flexibility and comfort not always possible when booking a room in a hotel.

Our summer accommodation offers: • En-suite bedrooms • Self catering shared apartments • 24 hour on site security • CCTV • On site Launderette • Nightly & weekly bookings For availability, further information and rates please contact the onsite management team at newcastle@victoriahall.com or tel 0845 1689500

Asha Balti House

Close House Argent d’Or

Hotel Du Vin

MaRco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill

More than four decades have passed since Asha Balti House opened its doors, and the venue remains as popular as ever. Having recently undergone a fivefigure renovation, Asha has now grown in size and is one of the most welcoming and contemporary restaurants on the famous Curry Mile, serving authentic Indian cuisine to its loyal clientele.

Those who love to embrace the style of a truly fine dining experience know the surroundings should fit the occasion. Offering simple modern-style cuisine with a contemporary British influence meticulously prepared using the finest seasonal ingredients and sourced locally wherever possible, enjoy two courses for £13.50 or three for £16.50 at lunchtime this June.

Bistro du Vin is at the heart of the hotel in Newcastle’s vibrant Ouseburn district. Experience an elegant and informal setting for lunch and dinner. At Bistro du Vin Newcastle, dishes rely heavily on fresh, seasonal, locally sourced and, wherever possible, organic produce. It’s about enjoying moderately priced à la carte dining in a down-to-earth, warm and relaxing setting.

The Steakhouse Bar and Grill Express lunch is £18 and includes two courses and a glass of wine (quote NECC).

If you haven’t got much time out of the office, try the Marco in Minutes express lunch two courses and a glass of wine for £18, and you should be back at your desk within the hour. If a leisurely lunch is more your thing, that’s always available, too.

Location: Asha Balti House, 168 Ocean Road, South Shields NE33 2QL Tel: 0191 4551600 www.ashabaltihouse.co.uk

Location: Close House, Heddon on the Wall, Newcastle, NE15 OHT Tel: 01661 852255 www.closehouse.co.uk

Location: Hotel du Vin, Newcastle City Road Newcastle, NE1 2BE Tel: 0191 2292200 www.hotelduvin.com

Location: Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill, 2-8 Fenkle Street, Newcastle NE1 5XN Tel: 0191 3009222 www.mpwsteakhousenewcastle.co.uk

Mannaza

RENDEZ VOUS AT THE COUNTY HOTEL

ROCKLIFFE HALL

DABBAWAL

Based in the vibrant China Town, Mannaza Korean Grill House offers an alternative dining experience.

Mannaza brings the traditional flavours of Korean cuisine with a signature modern twist to diners. Each table in the restaurant is fitted with its own unique grill, and diners can choose from a selection of meat, fish and vegetables and cook them to their own liking.

Located directly opposite Newcastle Central Station in the heart of the city, the County Hotel is the perfect location for a light midday snack, drinks after work with friends or a relaxing lunch or dinner. The Rendez Vous Restaurant, lounge and bar are open daily. The County Hotel also has 11 meeting & event rooms from 1:1 interviews to a conference for 220 delegates.

Experience triple-AA Rosette food in The Orangery at 5* Rockliffe Hall with its stunning views and menus to match. The Orangery is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, whether you’re seeking business or pleasure. Tuck into a culinary tour of the North with specialities such as North-east coast mackerel, Cumbrian lamb, Neasham beef and local linecaught Whitby cod. Menus start from just £19.50 for two courses.

Dabbawal, street food pioneer of the North East, brings the amazing tastes of the street to Newcastle, featuring unique tapas-style plates for sharing and classic dishes with a twist.

Larger parties can hire the whole restaurant on a Sunday while smaller groups can enjoy Dabbawal’s private room. The perfect spot for a business lunch, express early evening meal or dinner, Dabbawal is unique.

Location: Mannaza Korean Grill House, 5-7 Taylors and Tanners Court, Newcastle NE1 5XD Tel: 0191 2327950 www.mannaza.co.uk

Location: The County Hotel

by Thistle, Neville Street, Newcastle, NE1 5DF Tel: 0191 2322471 www.thistle.com/newcastle

Location: Rockliffe Hall, Hurworth-on-Tees, Darlington, Co Durham, DL2 2DU Tel: 01325 729999 www.rockliffehall.com

Location: Dabbawal, 69-75 High Bridge, Newcastle, NE1 6BX Tel: 0191 2325133 www.dabbawal.com

Celebrating success

The contact details for all companies that joined NECC betewwn April 1st and May 31st are now available at www.necontact.co.uk under the ‘New Members’ link.

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2013 has already proved to be a landmark year for North East social landlord Cestria Community Housing.

After celebrating its fifth anniversary in February, the Chester-le-Street-based organisation has now completed its first new build development, providing the area’s next generation of affordable homes.

Cestria has come a long way since it took over responsibility for social housing from the former Chester-le-Street District Council back in 2008.

To date, it has spent more than £72m improving its current properties, with plans to invest a further £55.7m over

the next five years.

The unveiling of 22 new bungalows at Cestria’s Crossleas development, in the village of Sacriston, marks the next stage of the Association’s development.

A further 24 new homes are currently being built in the nearby village of Nettlesworth, with plans also submitted for a specialist housing scheme for older people in the centre of Chester-le-Street.

Chief Executive Paul Fiddaman said: “Much has been achieved in the last five years and these new properties mark a new and exciting stage in Cestria’s development as an organisation.”

JUNE - JULY 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 59

EVENTS

We know networking is a huge part of your business, not only does it create new contacts but it raises the profile of your business. Here at NECC we decided this year that it was time to update our networking events.

After all, networking, meeting new people and creating a stronger voice within the region was why we were founded nearly 200 years ago.

Welcome to networking revisited; this new NECC networking events programme is a comprehensive programme promting our members to not just sell to one another, but to engage and share ideas and experiences.The programme ranges from large-scale round table networking to smaller presentation-focused events and localised informal networking.

To book, tel 0300 303 6322 email events@necc.co.uk www.necc.co.uk/events

This event creates an opportunity for members and non-members to attend an informal knowledge session focusing on business presentation and networking skills, helping you to: • Create business development opportunities • Improve confidence in networking • Enhance your profile The event aims to help you to develop business networking skills and get the most out of networking opportunities and other benefits within NECC.

EVEnts and courses

Summer BBQ – Canapes & Cocktails Hotel Du Vin, Newcastle, 4pm-6pm, Thursday 18 July 2013 FREE

Promoting business on a local level and encouraging local business to communicate, share ideas and work together was a founding aim of NECC and Chambers of Commerce in the North East more than 200 years ago, and this event offers businesses the opportunity to do exactly that.

This informal mix and mingle-style networking event will be held regularly in a variety of formats and locations across the region. As business time is increasingly precious, NECC Local events take place in your area to save you travel time and cost.

This event is a great opportunity to sell your business, raise your profile and meet new contacts. This is a lively, fun event with each business delivering a 60-second presentation with informal networking before and after the event.

With a structured format, your local membership adviser will guide you through the event as each business delivers its presentation. The event concludes with an update on activities and events within NECC, followed by refreshments and further opportunities for networking.

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The aim of this event is to encourage an exchange of experiences, ideas and offers between members within a structured yet relaxed networking environment. The event host will take you through the event with NECC staff and partners, leading each table to ensure you are relaxed and guided through the experience.

Members are invited in a round table setting to share successes, challenges and ideas with ample opportunity to mix and mingle before and after the event.

Delegates can network around a miniexpo and take part in a trading board making offers and posting ‘wanted’ ads.

The is to be NECC’s flagship networking event, encouraging an exchange of experiences, ideas and offers between members intertwined with multiple opportunities to network and build new contacts.

SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES

Supporting an NECC event is an excellent way to boost your companies profile through direct access to event attendees.

It is also a unique opportunity to present your business and expand your contacts.

NECC has tailored a range of support opportunities within the networking events to suit all members, from £50-£750. For more information visit www.necc.co.uk or email events@necc.co.uk

The NECC Exchange Mercure Darlington Kings Hotel, 11am-2pm, Tuesday 18 June 2013 FREE

The NECC Exchange De Vere Village Urban Resort Newcastle, 11am-2pm, Friday 5 July 2013 FREE

This event will launch the new Networking Revisited programme.

If you’re interested in taking an exhibition stand at a cost of £50 please email events@necc.co.uk. Space is limited.

Sponsored by: Mercure Darlington Kings Hotel The new Mercure Darlington Kings Hotel has recently re-launched following an £8m refurbishment. The hotel is a striking venue that has undergone a massive transformation now boasting 83 sleek contemporary bedrooms, stylish wine and coffee bar, Carriages Restaurant and cocktail bar and superb function suites.

The hotel is located in the heart of the historic market town with ideal access to the A1, train station and airport.

The conference and meeting space has state of the art technology in its boardroom-style Locomotion and Stephenson Rooms, and the splendid Ballroom, which can accommodate up to 300 delegates for a wide range of functions.

If you’re interested in taking an exhibition stand at a cost of £50 please email events@necc.co.uk. Space is limited.

Sponsored by: Village Urban Resort Newcastle Village is ideally located close to the A1(M) and A19, 6 miles from Newcastle Central Station and 12 miles from Newcastle International Airport. You will find everything you need under one roof at De Vere Village Urban Resort Newcastle, whether for business or pleasure. There are 157 bedrooms and a pool within the Velocity health and fitness and Viva urban spa. You can eat at Buca di Beppo Italian restaurant, the Victory pub and kitchen or Starbucks, and there are more than 400 free parking spaces. For meetings, conferences and events, Village has 12 air-conditioned rooms with a capacity of up to 400 with natural daylight, blackout facilities, and free wi-fi, plus dedicated conference café areas. Whatever the occasion, business or pleasure, there’s something for everyone here.

Sponsored by Hotel Du Vin Hotel du Vin & Bistro Newcastle is situated on the banks of the River Tyne and commanding outstanding views of Newcastle Quayside and bridges.

Moments from Newcastle city centre, this former home of the Tyne Tees Steam Shipping Company has been gloriously converted into 42 timelessly styled bedrooms, trademark bistro, intriguing Laroche tasting room, two stunning private dining rooms, Bubble bar, courtyard for alfresco dining and an outstanding wine cellar.

Whether you are interested in an away day, networking, a product launch, training, a drinks reception, seminar or meeting, Hotel Du Vin have truly individual and inspiring rooms, and a range of flexible packages.

NECC Golf Day 2013 Linden Hall Golf & Country Club, 12noon-7.30pm, Wednesday 26 June 2013 £60+VAT for a team of 4 Join NECC for the Annual Golf Day Event in June. The event will commence at 12noon with Tee-off from 1pm.

Included in this package are hot sandwiches and refreshments on arrival, 18 holes of Championship Golf and a private dinner with prize giving. Due to the popularity of golf days, early booking is strongly recommended.

Sponsored by Linden Hall Golf & Country Club

JUNE - JULY 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 61

EVENTS

Fab 5 Do they have anything

Networking JUNE

NECC Local

FREE

JUNE

The NECC Exchange

FREE

JUNE

Stand Up and be Counted

FREE

JULY

Exposure Newcastle

FREE

to feel guilty for?

JULY

Tees Valley Business Summit

FREE

This month, our fab five features your guilty pleasures, wrestled out of you by Laura Emmerson. Nice!

JULY

The NECC Exchange

FREE

JULY

Show Your Mussell

FREE

JULY

Summer BBQ – Canapes & Cocktails

12 18 27 3 4 5

17 18 JULY

25

5.30pm - 7.00pm Livello, Newcastle 11.00am – 2.00pm Mercure Darlington Kings Hotel 10.30am - 12.30pm Quality Hotel, Boldon

10.00am – 4.00pm Quorum Business Park, Longbenton 9.00am – 4.00pm Teesside University, Middlesbrough 11.00am – 2.00pm De Vere Village Urban Resort, N’castle 10.00am – 4.00pm Newcastle Racecourse

4.00 pm – 6.00 pm Hotel du Vin, Newcastle

Stand Up and be Counted 10.00am - 12noon The Croft Hotel, Darlington

FREE

JUNE

12

BUSINESS SEMINARS July

4

9.15am - 11.30am NECC Durham

COMMITTEES & Agms

FREE

book online at: www.necc.co.uk

HR Knowledge Seminar – Holidays and Absence Management

JUNE

13 FREE

book online at: www.necc.co.uk

JUNE

20 JUNE

21

CORPORATE

july JUNE

AGM

JUNE

NECC Golf Day

20 26 SEPT

13 oct

24

10.45am - 2.00pm Ramside Hall, Durham

12noon-7.30pm Linden Hall Golf & Country Club, Northumberland

Tees Valley Annual Dinner 6.30pm til Late Thistle Middlesbrough

Tyne & Northumberland Annual Dinner 6.30pm til Late Civic Centre, Newcastle

fab fab55

3

FREE £60

*

Team of 4

8.15am - 10.00am Visitors Centre, Wilton International

Darlington Committee

8.15am - 10.00am Darlington Town Hall

International Trade 7.45am - 9.30am Royal Bank of Scotland, Newcastle

North Tyneside Committee 8.00am – 10.00am Tyne Metropolitan College

Northumberland Committee

4.00pm – 6.00pm Arch, Ashington

july

Durham Committee

july

South Tyneside Committee

12

£65*

18

*

july

£85

Redcar & Cleveland committee

12

8.30am – 10.00am

Northumbrian Water, Pity Me, Durham

8.00am – 9.30am One Trinity Green, South Shields

Sunderland Committee

4.30pm – 6.00pm

Stadium of Light, Sunderland

01 July Selling Skills

FREE FREE FREE FREE

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08 July Introduction to Supervisory Skills 18 July H&S Awareness 29 July Minute Taking 05 Aug Train the Trainer 08 Aug Effective Meetings 13 Aug Presentation Skills 28 Aug LinkedIn

FREE FREE

02 Aug Leadership & Motivation 05 Aug Finance for Non-Financial Managers 10 Sept Project

FREE FREE

book online at: www.necc.co.uk

DFree / Shutterstock.com

04 July Telephone Skills

25 July Time Management

*Member price plus VAT

book online at: www.necc.co.uk

Short Courses

Management 10 Sept Selling Skills 18 Sept H&S Awareness 23 Sept Introduction to Supervisory Skills

book online at: www.necc.co.uk

1

2

3

4

Jackie Marston

Joe Waugh

Alastair Thomson Charlie Nettle Dean, Teesside Uni Business School

Marketing manager, NECC

Without a doubt, Dolly Parton is my guilty pleasure; it’s taken me years to admit it, but I’ve loved her since I was a child. I’ve seen her in concert twice.

I’ve always dragged a friend with me, but none of them would ever admit to being a true Dolly fan.

I haven’t quite got all her albums yet, but I do get them as presents every Mother’s Day and birthday from my kids, so I’m building a collection. I’m definitely on my own on this one!

I started buying Cycling Weekly magazine n 1967 and I’ve got a copy of virtually every edition since then, barring one or two. For about 15 years I was featured on a regular basis and was on seven front covers, so my guilty pleasure is taking time out to read about myself. It’s a great way to remember my cycling career highlights. I have the start and result sheets from every race I’ve competed in, plus jerseys, ID cards and memorabilia.

I’m an accountant first and foremost, which is obviously a career very exciting people are drawn to; so I don’t have a guilty pleasure that’s anything exciting like hang-gliding or sky-diving. But if I had half an hour to spare then I suppose my guilty pleasure would be, a cup of tea, some toast and a good book.

It would have to be a nice cup of tea and hot buttered toast, and I would opt for white toast as opposed to the usual brown.

A big wheel of Camembert stuffed with whole cloves of garlic and sprigs of rosemary popped in the oven to heat and then consumed with a baguette and a bottle of Chilean Merlot. The potent smell of garlic that follows you round for the next few days is enough to make you feel guilty, forget the 10,000 calories! Or a Friday night in with my wife turns into a monster rock fest, dancing around the living room (curtains closed).

MD, JAM Marketing,

Owner of M.Steel Cycles, Newcastle

5 Pat Dellow

Area commercial director, HSBC My guilty pleasure is definitely gin and tonic served with ice and a slice. It only became my tipple of choice three years ago when I was in the audience at a dance competition in which my daughter was competing. I was waiting for the results, and the only thing left to drink in the whole place was a gin and tonic. I was hooked from that point.

I’ve even set up a gin club with old school friends on the last Friday of each month.

JUNE - JULY 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 63

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SALES DIRECTOR: Newcastle Falconsi

commercial DIRECTOR: Durham ccc

Duncan Edward Tom Seymour How long in the job: I came here in Feb 2012. Before that, I had my own telecoms business, Activ Telecom, and we used to sponsor the club and have our name on the players’ shirts. I’d got fed up with the telecoms world and had been taking a break before the owners asked me to come here.

What’s the best thing about working in rugby? I’m a big fan, which helps, and everyone in the game is so accessible - the players, the fans, the owners, the head of the Rugby Football Union (RFU). It’s a family of people who share a passion.

And the most challenging aspect? Probably the fact that we’re in a region with two premiership football clubs, and as a result rugby gets relegated to an inside page rather than the back page, so we have to work that bit harder for our profile.

What’s been a highlight of the job so far? The fantastic support we had from our fans after we were relegated last year. We didn’t whinge about it, we didn’t make a fuss and challenge it, and the fans appreciated that.

Who’s your rugby hero? Brian O’Driscoll [Leinster and Ireland] for the way he can change a game and the way he leads Ireland.

Who inspires you? John Wetherill, who founded and floated the telecoms company JWE Plc and gave me some good advice along the way. He also gave me a job once. He works by good values, including always looking after your customers.

What would you do if you weren’t doing this? I guess I would still be peddling mobiles and photocopiers, which wouldn’t be so bad, but not as good as this.”

Name : Duncan Edward Age : 47 Job: Sales director, Newcastle Falcons Based at: Kingston Park, Newcastle Size of sales team: FIve

How long in the job: In this job three months, and I was previously corporate sales manager at the club for four years.

What’s the best thing about working in cricket? I’m a massive fan of cricket so it’s a bit of a dream job. I get to go to all the matches to look after the hospitality guests and maybe watch a bit of cricket now and again!

And the most challenging aspect? Given the current economic climate, looking for sponsorship is more challenging; companies don’t have as much money as they used to. But there are people out there with a passion for cricket so it’s about finding them.

What’s been a highlight of the job so far? It’s got to be bringing in two new sponsors since becoming sales director – Yorkshire Tea and VisitDurham.com Who’s your cricketing hero? Ian Botham. I started playing cricket at the age of five when he was a real legend of the game. He’s the best all-rounder and someone to look up to.

Who inspires you? My Dad; he was the Dean of Newcastle Dental School and successful at what he did, so he inspires me to do the same. There’s also Mike Grahamslaw, my former boss at North East Times, and Mike Elliott, the former commercial director here; both have been very influential and helped me get to where I am now.

What would you do if you weren’t doing this? I would probably try to be a professional cricket player. I play once to twice a week for Ponteland Cricket Club and midweek games too; it’s great for networking given my line of work!

Name: Tom Seymour Age: 34 Job: Commercial director, Durham County Cricket Club Based at: Emirates Durham ICG Size of sales team: Three

JUNE - JULY 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 65

GUEST COLUMNIST

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Last Word

This month: Dr Stan Higgins, CEO, NEPIC

T

he Association for the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) reports that there are some 67,000 jobs in the pharmaceutical industry in the UK and those employed in the sector generate one of the highest value contributions to our economy of £206,000 per employee.

This data alone means the 11,000 pharmaceutical-related workers in the North East are contributing some £2.2bn of Gross Value Added (GVA) to our economy, but due to the way the mainly multinational companies record and report their results we do not see this level of contribution landing in our region.

In fact, the economic contribution of this sector is way ahead of contributions from the employees of other high valueadding sectors such as engineering, automobile and aerospace. The automobile sector, for example, contributes around £80,000 GVA per employee - almost two thirds less.

If you analyse the data a little more closely, the contribution being made by the manufacturing employees of the pharmaceutical sector must be far higher than is recorded. Of the 67,000 pharmaceutical employees we have in the UK, 25,000 of them are researchers, and in value chain terms, those in R&D spend money rather than make it, particularly in the short and medium term. In fact recently, as the pharmaceutical new product pipeline shows, the R&D performance of most pharmaceutical companies has been abysmal, with fewer new drugs coming to market today than 10 years ago. So in fact, it is the 42,000 manufacturingrelated UK employees who make the money for the sector.

Logic tells us the actual GVA these employees generate is closer to £382,000 per employee. This makes the value created by each of the 11,000 pharmaceutical workers in the North East

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region closer to £4bn. It is unfortunate that the national statistics used by politicians and decision makers do not show the reality of this situation due to the ‘branch office’ effect and inaccuracies in recording detailed company data across all our industrial sectors.

Over the last 20 years, the pharmaceutical industry has also been subject to some unhelpful R&D hype.

Much has been written about new technologies such as high throughput screening and also new drugs coming from biotechnology and the genome project. It was suggested these technologies would boost the speed of new product introduction. With hindsight, nothing could be further from the truth. In 1996, when straightforward medicinal chemistry dominated the R&D labs of the major companies, more than 50 new chemical entities entered the pharmaceutical market.This now looks like a golden era for the industry, because in 2012 this figure dropped to only 12 new products.

This poor R&D performance is verging

66 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / JUNE - JULY 2013

on a disaster for many large companies with business strategies based on profits from bringing new products to market.

We have already seen the impact of this in the UK by the almost complete withdrawal of Pfizer research.

It is the companies and employees who manufacture goods that really create the value. I hope this realisation has not come too late for our economy. All too often, governments have allowed the real value creation activity of manufacturing to be exported from our country.

Adam Smith, the 18th Century economic philosopher whose book, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, still forms the basis of economic theory today, recognised that a nation’s wealth comes from the goods it creates. There is no truer word said.

Dr Stan Higgins is CEO of the North East of England Process industry Cluster (NEPIC) and has worked in pharmaceutical, speciality and fine chemical industries for more than 40 years in technical and business roles

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