Contact - August-September 2013

NECC: Making the North East a success

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013

Wish you were here So, how does the region remain passionate about tourism?

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VIRTUAL REALITY Executives’ lives online

WASTE NOT, WANT NOT Rubbish in focus!

BRIGHT SPARKS

Dedication to despatch and delivery at Spark

RIDING HIGH The business woman taking to the saddle for Team GB

LOTTA BOTTLE INTERVIEW

Tony Cleary: Sending wine around the world from a windy hill in Co Durham

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WELCOME TO THE LATEST ISSUE OF CONTACT. As someone born and bred in the North East, I’ve always been proud of my roots and it’s a great honour to wear the chains of office for the region’s largest business membership organisation.

I will use my time as president to promote the many strengths of the region and use my position as chief executive of Newcastle International Airport to carry this message overseas.

I gave a lot of thought to a theme for my time in post and I believe our focus should be on working together. The whole is always greater than the sum of the parts and without regional unity we’re making things harder for our businesses.

New NECC president Dave Laws reflects on the region’s successes and its strength when the public and private sectors work together

We have made significant strides in this area with our two Local Enterprise Partnerships. They are resource-light and efficient, ask difficult questions and rightly prioritise the investments they make. The LEPs mesh the aspirations of both public and private sectors and provide a united voice that will be heard in Whitehall. If we can demonstrate common goals, an economic case for our ambitions, and a genuine benefit for UK PLC, we’re more likely to receive backing from the Government.

I’m pleased that my presidency will include NECC celebrating its 200th birthday and 20 years since the North East chambers united. Within the region, there is much more which unites us than divides, and we must remember that, even if some administrative boundaries have been re-drawn.

In conclusion, I extend my thanks to, and admiration of, John Mowbray OBE, who passes on the presidency and is an incredibly hard act to follow. He has worked tirelessly for NECC over the past two years as president and for many years before that, including 15 years as chair of the Durham Committee. He was instrumental in the 50 Great Reasons campaign and has helped our President’s Club flourish. He has represented NECC with distinction and class. I hope my time in the post will be as successful.

David Laws, 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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Toby Heintz

Tony Cleary

Gill Brown

“We use agents and local knowledge whenever we visit any country, so while we’re visiting some very unstable places, we’re always well away from any conflict. We do our homework and have local knowledge, and that means we can go in, get the job done, and get out.”

“You have all that hassle in the early years, when you can’t pay the wages and cash flow is a nightmare, then you get to the point I’m at now, and you’re still hungry, the fire still burns, but you’re running out of time.

Mind, I’ve no interest in retiring; I’ll die in my chair.”

“Endurance riding helps me to de-stress, but at the same time, it’s very target-orientated. There’s always a goal, and knowing my targets motivates me. I’m often out training in winter when it’s difficult to want to go out for long rides, but keeping records keeps me motivated.”

MD, Pinnacle Re-Tec

MD, Lanchester Group

Co-owner, Dissington Hall

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AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 3

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NECC'S GLOBAL CONTACTS ARE A KEY PART OF OUR INTERNATIONAL MARKETING EFFORT

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ANDREW HODGSON, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SOIL MACHINE DYNAMICS WINNERS OF THE HIGH GROWTH EXPORTER AWARD, 2013 NORTH EAST EXPORTERS’ AWARDS

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

Contents

From wind-powered wine bottling with Tony Cleary to endurance horse riding with Gill Brown, all business life - and more - is here...

34

Plus 10 WELL SPENT?

The Spending Review in focus

15 THE APPRENTICES The 100 Day Challenge to boost apprentice places

17 FIRE FIGHTING

The new fire training centre setting the world alight

19 PROSPERITY

The video to make you proud of the North East

21 RECORD GROWTH Record results for Aspire Technology Solutions

16 BOOTCAMP

Tech start-ups boosted

24 PROCURING PROBLEMS

The national strategy harming regional builders

Features

63 FAB FIVE

6 DRIVING SEAT

Your favourite websites revealed

In the saddle with Gill Brown

24 PINNACLE OF SUCCESS

65 DOUBLE TAKE

Pinnacle Re-Tec’s global success

Tony Cleary’s adventures in wine and wind... p34

The law in their hands

26 SHIP’S MATE

Guardian Marine Testing keeping the world afloat

28 BRIGHT SPARK

Peter Slee on the company that delivers all your needs to your door

30 PASSIONATE PLACES? The costly question of tourism

26

34 LOTTA BOTTLE

Tony Cleary on his dual passions of wine and wind

45 HI! TECH

We’ve gone reburb...

46 IN GOOD HEALTH Health & safety in focus

56 WORKING LUNCH With John Mowbray

65

51 WASTE NOT

Waste management in focus, sponsored by Riverdale Paper Plc

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AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 5

DRIVING DRIVINGSEAT SEAT

It allows me to get away and focus entirely on what I’m doing

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In the saddle

In big races it can be a real scram at the start, with 40-plus horses all starting very close to each other.

Gill Brown, co-owner of Dissington Hall, shares her love of endurance riding with Laura Emmerson

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ill Brown and her husband Michael own Dissington Hall, a Georgian manor house in Dalton, Northumberland, available to hire in its entirety for weddings and corporate events. She is also a leading endurance rider.

Endurance riding tests competitors over distance, climate, terrain and the clock.

Q When did you get into riding?

I used to ride as a teenager, but I never had my own horse because we couldn’t afford it, so I’d help out at riding schools in return for lessons and riding. Later, as an adult, I hadn’t been riding regularly for years because I had a young family, but I was hooked again the moment I got on a friend’s horse. It wasn’t until I was in a position to keep and buy a horse about seven years ago that I got into endurance riding. I read an article about how endurance riders get into the countryside and ride in difficult places that wouldn’t otherwise be possible, and I thought it was for me, so I decided to buy an endurance horse.

Q What are you riding right now?

I’ve just bought a new horse called Ocean; a pure Arab endurance horse I bought from France. He has a really sweet nature and is very gentle. He’s only 15 hands high and quite lightly built, but he loves endurance racing. He gets very excited at the start of a race, then he gets into rhythm and really enjoys it.

Q How demanding is endurance riding?

It’s pretty physically demanding and riding an 80km race means six hours in the saddle. I train in the gym and go running in order to be fit enough. Ocean is currently too young to be at full competition level, but he will be old enough next year. I’m on the potential squad for the British team. My ambition next year is to ride 100 miles in a day before my 50th birthday.

Q What’s it like during a race?

Speeds vary from 10km-15km an hour, and 18km20km when the horse is more experienced. Speed depends on the terrain and the number of obstacles.

Q Do you have a crew to keep you moving?

Definitely; we’re met every 10km to give the horse a drink and slosh him with water. It’s a bit like a pit-stop and is a real team effort. I also crew for another endurance team member in the World Championships; I’ve done it in the dessert in Abu Dhabi and in France. It’s good fun and there’s a real art to doing it well.

Q What about the horse?

There’s a lot of concern for horse welfare. They are checked by a vet before the race and have their heart rate checked. There are also compulsory breaks and checks throughout the race. I ride with a GPS and heart rate monitor for the horse, and the horses are cooled with water throughout the race.

Q How much do you train?

I ride with the local Northumberland and Tyneside Group who are very supportive, and I train in Harwood Forest, the Cheviot Hills, and around Dalton, where I live. I go out four times a week and do a mix of schooling, lunging, and horse treadmill, as well as going on the gallops. We have a couple of people who help us and when we go to team training the horse gets checked over by team vets and physiotherapists.

Q What do you love about endurance riding?

It gets me into the countryside, well away from everything else, allowing me to concentrate purely on what I’m doing. It helps me to de-stress, but at the same time, it’s very target-orientated. There’s always a goal, and knowing my targets motivates me. I’m often out training in winter when it’s difficult to want to go out for long rides, but I have spreadsheets of speeds and distances, etc, and I keep a record of how the horse is improving. It really spurs me on.

Q Where do you most like to ride?

I enjoy the Cheviots, and Blawearie in Northumberland, which is remote and beautiful, and on good days you can see not only the hills but the sea in the distance. The whole of Northumberland is incredibly beautiful. Druridge Bay is another favourite.

Q Any hair-raising moments?

Fortunately, nothing too serious! With endurance riding you have to be very self-reliant when riding in remote places. I usually ride with a friend who works for the British Horse Society checking bridleways, but you need to take care. I occasionally jump out of my skin when a low-flying jet flies overhead, though the horses don’t often get fazed by that. I fell off in June and broke my ankle after my horse got a fright when the person in front fell off. I’ve still got another couple of months before I’ll be able to ride for six hours straight again, which is so frustrating. I just want to be back in the saddle.

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 7

INBOX

inbox...

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

BRIDGE CROSSED

This prize for the happiest photo in this magazine goes to this engineering team from Gateshead Council, pictured following a training workshop in the ups and downs of ensuring the smooth operation of the Millennium Bridge.

The council engineers are now up to speed on the science of hydraulics thanks to Ken Parker from Gateshead College (front, widest grin).

Members of the International Jurists network in Newcastle

Glenda Cook with PARO seal

ENTER THE DRAGON

ROBO-PET TO THE RESCUE Prof Glenda Cook of Northumbria University has been involved in an international collaborative effort which has discovered that robotic animals can help to improve the quality of life for people with dementia.

The study, led by Griffith University in Australia supported by Prof Cook and researchers from institutions in Germany, discovered that interacting with a therapeutic robot companion made people with mid to late-stage dementia less anxious and

also had a positive influence on their quality of life.

The pilot study investigated the effect of interacting with PARO - a robotic harp seal - compared with participation in a reading group. The study built on Professor Cook’s previous ethnographic work carried out in care homes in the North East.

PARO is fitted with artificial intelligence software and tactile sensors that allow it to respond to touch and sound. It can show emotions such as surprise, happiness and anger.

Congratulations to Anson Corporate Media, Newton Aycliffe, which is celebrating the endorsement of TV’s Dragon’s Den star Theo Paphitis.

Each week, Paphitis rewards six small businesses which tweet him a description of their business with a retweet to his 350,000 followers under his Small Business Sunday #SBS. Anson can now carry #SBS on its own tweets.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS BOOSTED

The annual meeting of the International Jurists Network (who knew such a thing existed?) has been held in Newcastle for the first time, attracting members from all over the world. Newcastle law firm Sintons, one of only two UK members of International Jurists, provided activities including a Ceilidh with a traditional Northumbrian band and sightseeing trips of Vindolanda Roman Fort, Alnwick Castle, Holy Island and Newcastle.

SCOOT COMMUTE

ON THE BEACH

Summer, at the time of writing, was very definitely here, which is why the Contact magazine team (pictured) has decamped to NE1’s Quayside Seaside.

Mind, it’s not all relaxing; in addition to a mere 100 deckchairs, the beach is also

8 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013

Staff at Spark eCommerce Group in Gateshead have swapped walking boots for scooters thanks to their client equipped with volleyball court, Micro Scooters, which offers buckets and spades, so we’re free and discounted scooters not planning to be too sedate. It’s to Spark’s fulfilment, call centre also 20% bigger than last year, and office staff. Spark’s deputy which means more sand, more operations manager Phil opportunities for castle building, Robertson is a big fan. “They’re and more reasons to slope off to great for for cutting down on the Malmaison for a cooling G&T travelling time between units when things get heated. and getting to work,” he says.

E

In my view

NECC chief executive James Ramsbotham reflects on a fine past president and the new man at the helm

IN MY VIEW

very two years there is a changing of the guard at the North East Chamber of Commerce as a new president is elected.

It’s always exciting to welcome a person with fresh ideas and aspirations, and it is also a time to reflect on the great work of the former president.

Fortunately, in Dave Laws and John Mowbray, NECC has two men who are passionate about North East business and share a similar outlook regarding the direction of our organisation.

Dave gave a stirring first speech as president in which he called for unity between the public and private sectors and warned that a fragmented region would struggle to keep pace with the rest of the UK as the recovery gathers pace.

In his final speech as president, John spoke about helping to guide NECC through a double-dip recession and he too counselled on the need for the North East to stand together to ensure a voice in Whitehall and drive economic growth.

It is fantastic to have such a seamless transition from president to president, and for Dave it is great to have John as immediate past president as a sounding board throughout his term of office.

From a personal point of view, it has been a wonderful experience working with John over the past two years.

His business acumen, vast experience and positive outlook helped to guide

the organisation through the harshest recession in generations and come out the other side in robust health.

Likewise, I know Dave very well and to be able to call on someone with so much experience in the field of regional connectivity - one of the Chamber’s key lobbying issues - will be invaluable, particularly with the raft of infrastructure projects recently announced in the Government Spending Review.

Dave is the chief executive of Newcastle International Airport and has been with the airport for more than 30 years. He has an indepth understanding of every level of the business, having started his working life as a fireman before rising through many areas of the business including health and safety, human resources, operations, aeronautical and commercial development.

He is passionate about the North East and maintaining connectivity links for the business community as well as providing popular holiday destinations for nearly five million passengers per year. He was also instrumental in the introduction of the daily route to Dubai in 2007.

So, I’d like to welcome Dave on board as our new president and thank John for his hard work and effort over the past two years. The NECC is incredibly fortunate to have two such committed individuals at its head.

John Mowbray and Dave Laws together at the NECC AGM

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 9

NEWS

NECC

POLICY FOCUS New NECC president Dave Laws (right) with outgoing president John Mowbary

LET’S STICK TOGETHER The new president of the North East Chamber of Commerce has called for regional unity to aid economic recovery.

Newcastle International Airport chief executive Dave Laws used his first speech as president, at the NECC AGM, to call on the private and public sectors to work together for the region.

“The whole is always greater than the sum of the parts and we must push the message of unity and solidarity,” said Laws.

“We hope and expect that the economic doldrums of the past few years are over. Our region is excelling

in a range of activities, from offshore oil and gas, to renewable energy, biosciences, automotive. We have two excellent Local Enterprise Partnerships which are resource-light, quick, efficient, ask difficult questions and prioritise the investments they make.

“The LEPs are an ideal way to mesh the aspirations of both the public and private sector and provide a united voice to help us be heard in Whitehall. If we can demonstrate common goals, an economic case for our ambitions and a genuine benefit for UK PLC we’re more likely to receive backing from the Government.”

John Mowbray delivering his final address as NECC president

Presidents past and present More AGM pictures, on p60

Worth spending time over?

Does the Government’s Spending Review go far enough? Here, NECC, the region’s largest business organisation, offers it a cautious welcome...

The Government’s Spending Review focused business minds again on the Government’s ability to stimulate economic growth, and while NECC largely welcomed the measures announced for the regions, it also called for more clarity on how the plans will benefit the North East.

Weak growth over the last three years led the region’s largest business membership organisation to caution against cuts to areas with the potential to provide economic stimulus.

As NECC director of policy Ross Smith says: “The increase in capital spending and infrastructure is

NECC’s Ross Smith & Julie Underwood with the past president’s leaving present

10 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013

in association with

welcomed and will hopefully see some major infrastructure projects already promised by the chancellor, such as an uninterrupted motorway link from London to Tyneside, come to fruition.

“Establishing a single pot of funding for Local Enterprise Partnerships is also good news, although significantly less than that proposed in Lord Heseltine’s growth report, and now the real question is how much will the North East benefit from the Spending Review.”

Chief secretary to the treasury Danny Alexander has revealed that £100bn of national infrastructure investment could boost the region.

The North East will see investment in roads, rail, flood defences and broadband while further clarity has also been revealed re LEP funding.

You say...

Call for growth

NECC chief executive James Ramsbotham says: “On top of investment already announced for the Western bypass and A1, these proposals represent a genuine success for NECC lobbying and the NEvolution campaign, and business will deliver a significant return on this investment.

“However, there is a disappointing lack of investment in projects in the Tees Valley, so while this is a good start, more is still required.

“The additional investment in broadband is good news, and I would expect our two airports to benefit from the proposed £20m regional airport fund. The development of energy policy in particular is hugely welcome in the North East where offshore wind could bring up to 20,000 new jobs by 2030.”

A poll of North East firms prior to the Spending Review revealed that neither the Coalition nor Labour can claim firm backing for their economic plans.

Businesses in the region also want the Government’s capital spending outlay trebled, with priority given to investment in economic development, education and transport infrastructure.

In a tight poll, conducted as part of a study by the British Chambers of Commerce, 30% said public spending and taxes should be lowered, while 29% called for higher public spending and a tax freeze, even if this meant more public borrowing.

A total of 24% backed a status quo of taxes and spending, while 17% called for higher spending and higher taxes to stimulate growth.

NECC director of policy Ross Smith says: “Clearly, businesses in the North East are not ideological about how economic growth is delivered, just so long as it is delivered.

The Government has failed to convince North East business it can deliver growth.”

The survey, which formed part of NECC’s submission to the chancellor ahead of the Spending Review, also revealed that 76% believed the Government’s capital spending priority must be economic development, with education and transport infrastructure second and third respectively.

“There is a rise in positivity, and the Government must harness this,” says Smith.

in association with

NECC reaction: Spending Review 2013 SUMMARY • A £2bn single funding pot for Local Enterprise Partnerships is a step forward • Added investment for UKTI and support for exporters to China is welcomed • NECC backs the expansion of apprenticeship funding and the protection of finance for science and innovation • Investment in key North East road and rail projects is a step forward, but must be delivered quickly • Added clarity on energy policy will help investors in energy-intensive industries • The £250m allocated for digital funding is £50m short of the £300m previously announced OVERVIEW NECC is generally heartened by the focus on growth.

Announcements on capital spending will add to general positivity. The Government must now follow up with action.

CHAMPIONING BUSINESS The proposal for a £2bn single pot for LEPs falls short of expectations. It requires management to ensure resources are allocated to areas with capacity for long-term growth. Resources should also go to local priorities instead of local implementation of national programmes. Control of access to finance schemes should be retained regionally.

REMOVING BARRIERS Local government must avoid spending cuts which undermine efforts to improve the planning system and

also prioritise development.

Greater support for house building is welcome; building houses via a single pot would help deliver it. Empty property rates, Air Passenger Duty and fuel duty all impact on the North East and neither of the North East’s airports will benefit from the £20m regional airport fund. Reforms are also needed in business rates.

IMPROVING PERFORMANCE £70m for UKTI is welcome, but air links must be protected and increased. The protection of skills funding within BIS is good news.

Greater harmonisation of funding for 16-18 year olds and 19-24s is needed to stop providers being incentivised to deliver apprenticeships to the youngest. Added funding for the Technology Strategy Board is welcome, though it requires a permanent presence in the North East.

INFRASTRUCTURE The A19/Testos flyover, A19 Silverlink junction enhancements and feasibility studies for the A1 western bypass and A1 north of Newcastle must all happen without delay. Investment in UK energy infrastructure has been dangerously slow.

Clarity over policy once the Energy Bill is concluded will help unblock it. We are yet to receive an announcement regarding the Tees Valley proposal for Carbon Capture and Storage which needs Government support. The £250m allocated for digital funding is £50m short of the £300m previously announced.

Faster broadband is crucial to our our export community.

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 11

ADVERTORIAL

NEWS

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.

BEST MEDICINE Newcastle-based Independent Financial Adviser Blackett Walker Ltd has set up BW Medical Accountants Ltd; a specialist accountancy and taxation company dedicated to healthcare professionals.

Specialist medical accountant Keith Taylor and taxation expert Peter Waller, both from Whitley Bay, head the team. Blackett Walker is already regarded as a national specialist in NHS pensions.

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.”

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 12 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013

HOT WHEELS Elddis Transport has followed up its win in the North East Business Awards by being named 2013 Haulier of the Year at the 28th Motor Transport Awards.

Haulier of the Year was sponsored by MAN Truck & Bus UK Ltd and comedian Dara O’Briain presented the award in front of 1,600 guests at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.

Elddis MD Nigel Cook says: “This is a fantastic honour for Elddis and great recognition in association with

of all the hard work put in by all the staff.”

Elddis, which also won the Newcastle Building Society Cornerstone of the Community Award on the same day, is the largest haulage business in the North East. Elddis operates more than 150 vehicles and 300 trailers from depots across the North East, Yorkshire and Lancashire.

Founded in 1973, the business is still family owned and run.

Tales of the riverbank Under secretary of state for transport Stephen Hammond visited Teesport and viewed some of the £17m-worth of infrastructure improvements made in the last 18 months, including a new terminal operating software system to

NEWS

improve productivity and provide greater visibility for customers. The container terminal facilities have also been upgraded and include the arrival of new rubber-tyred gantry cranes with GPSassisted technology.

Don’t panic!

The Ministry of Defence is preparing employers for a planned increase in trained reservists from 19,000 to 30,000 by 2020.

Measures include an annual training calendar, increased notice of mobilisation, and streamlined processes for employers to apply for financial assistance when an employee is mobilised.

More information is available at www.sabre. mod.uk/WhitePaper Stephen Hammond(left) David Robinson of Teesport

MEMORIES...

The Tyne & Wear Shipyards Collection at Tyne & Wear Archives has been included on UNESCO’s online Memory of the World Register.

Only 11 items have been selected from the UK, among them the Domesday Book, and the Churchill Archives. The Tyne & Wear Archives Shipyards Collection documents achievements in shipbuilding and engineering over 200 years.

The UK Register is available at www.unesco.org.uk/ukregister in association with

ICONIC BRAND SOLD

Historic fishing brand Hardy & Greys has been sold to tackle provider Pure Fishing Inc. The Alnwick-based company and its subsidiary Hardy Advanced Composites were bought for an undisclosed sum. Corporate finance specialists at Grant Thornton and lawyers from Ward Hadaway in Newcastle advised Hardy & Greys’ owner, the Harris & Sheldon Group Ltd, on the sale.

Hardy & Greys Ltd has been based in Alnwick since its formation in 1872.

NEWS

Sunderland scores in Africa Sunderland AFC is supporting a football academy programme in Tanzania developed by global electricity giant Symbion Power.

The project will offer football, education and community engagement, harnessing the expertise of Sunderland AFC and its own Academy here in the North East. The first phase of the development will create a community football facility in Dar es Salaam.

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 13

ADVERTORIAL

NEWS

THE MINEFIELD OF EMPLOYMENT LAW

A

Business Manager: Mike O’Beirne

s employees become more aware of their rights, and the rules for employers get more time consuming and complicated, the cost of getting it wrong can be very expensive, no matter what the size of your organisation.

Sintons’ Assero, an employment law protection package, can help you to manage the risks.

Assero offers a bespoke service to help employers understand and adhere to employment legislation. The fixed-fee package offers unlimited access to the firm’s employment team, an audit of employment documentation, policies and procedures, and representation at a tribunal in the event of a claim.

Over recent years there has been a huge increase in the number of unfair dismissal tribunal claims with the cost of awards becoming increasingly alarming.

With no set limit for compensation, discrimination claims have the potential to cause considerable financial harm and can suffocate a business with the need to respond to onerous requests for information and to provide copies of letters, minutes of meetings and other documents.

The nature of your business does not matter.

Whether you are a small, medium or large owner-managed business, a plc, local authority or a charity, the dangers are the same.

In the past three years, Assero has worked with over 100 organisations - including private companies, public sector organisations and charities - to help produce employment law packages tailored to their exact needs.

To discuss the benefits the package could bring to your organisation, please contact: Mike O’Beirne Business Manager 0191 226 3790 mike.o’beirne@sintons.co.uk For more information, please visit www.sintons.co.uk/business/employment

14 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013

THE SCIENCE BIT the Smart Future City is a The British Science Festival networking event exploring returns to Newcastle in the role of science September for the in the growth of a seventh time in its MAJOR SCIENCE future city and 174-year history.

EVENT TO the Science This year, SHOWCASE Central site. businesses and BUSINESS-FOCUSED Star speakers professionals EVENTS include fertility will have a expert Lord Robert unique opportunity Winston, who will talk to showcase their about his latest interests in scientific credentials. science, and space scientist Highlights include Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, From Innovation to who will reveal the latest in Commercialisation: Taking space exploration and earth Scientific Discoveries to hazards.

Market which explores taking Powering the Globe from a research concept through Walker Riverside takes a proof of concept, prototyping, tour of GE Oil and Gas’s and creating a commercially innovative engineering and viable product or process. manufacturing facility in Be a Maths Millionaire Newcastle while Generating showcases famous Power From Poo takes a mathematical equations tour of Nothumbrian Water’s and the adventures of the Tyneside sewage treatment mathematicians working works, where methane on them, while InnovateNE produced by bugs is used to brings together businesses, create power. researchers and investors For information go to www. to connect, innovate and britishsciencefestival.org grow new ideas. Newcastle: in association with

SKILLS

NEWS

New talent More than 1,000 new apprenticeships and training opportunities were created in the North East in the first 10 weeks of the 100 Day Apprenticeship Challenge.

NECC and the National Apprenticeship Service worked with 29 sponsors to encourage employers to recruit apprentices over 100 days from April 22-July 30.

As of July 15, 634 employers had signed up to

the Challenge, creating 808 new roles and supporting 221 existing staff in new opportunities.

NECC head of training operations Andrew Robson says: “Each year the appetite for the challenge is stronger.

Companies recognise the opportunity to mould young people and more young people see apprenticeships as an ideal first step into work.”

NECC chief executive James

A taste of working life Ramsbotham says: “For many companies, apprenticeships are a critical way of training people, helping the individual and the business to develop.

“This is a fantastic campaign that achieves excellent results. NECC and our partners encourage all businesses to consider investing in apprenticeships and the 100 day Challenge will further raise interest in apprenticeships.”

New skills partnership

NEWS

Derwentside Homes, New College Durham and East Durham Partnership have set up the Northern Apprenticeship Training Academy to match apprentices with employers.

The partnership will ensure apprentices have a range of support and when a host company is unable to retain an apprentice the Academy will find an alternative placement.

Fitting reward

In control The North East Local Enterprise Partnership (NELEP) is one of only three LEPs across the country to pilot innovative new approaches to skills development funding to help boost local jobs and business growth.

The opportunity presented by Business Secretary Vince Cable is for the North East to enjoy much greater influence and decisionmaking about skills funding in the LEP area. NELEP and the North East Leadership Board of seven councils will work jointly with the Skills Funding Agency to develop the skills model. in association with

More than 1,500 young people from 20 schools experienced a taste of work with Sunderland’s first Work Discovery Week, thanks to the involvement of 40 businesses.

The event was supported by SAFC, NECC and Sunderland City Council and sponsored by businesses including Gentoo, Grundfos, Nissan, Sunderland University, Arriva, Sunderland College and the National Apprentice Service.

Denis Healy, business development manager from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, with managers and apprentices at Caterpillar’s Learning Centre of Light

Top programme Caterpillar Articulated Trucks has gained formal accreditation for its Advanced Apprenticeship programme from IMechE (Institution of Mechanical Engineers).

The programme at Caterpillar Peterlee has

been active for seven years and it will recruit more apprentices in September.

Apprentice manager Fred Felton says: “This is an endorsement of the scheme and recognition for the teams delivering first-class training.”

Students from two North East colleges awarded OCN North East Region Access to HE Awards in May had their achievements recognised by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) at the Access to Higher Education Awards.

Amy Grainger, Megan Thompson and Monica Pizzoli from Sunderland College and Peter Tinkler from Gateshead College were recognised at a ceremony in Birmingham to honour outstanding achievement.

Sunderland University also picked up the Access to Higher Education Provider of the Year Award for 2013.

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 15

NEWS

NEWS

NEWS

Hotels join the club

The big 4-0

Hotel group Ailantus has joined NECC’s prestigious President’s Club with the aim of engaging further with like-minded businesses.

With more than 200 employees at the Mercure Newcastle George Washington Hotel Golf and Spa and the newly re-opened Quality Hotel in Boldon, the business is one of the best-known hotel operators in the region.

MD Mike Chawla says: “Both hotels have benefited from major investment and NECC President’s Club is the type of organisation we wish to be associated with. We are committed to engaging with like-minded businesses to further enhance the region.”

Julian Atkinson (left) with Jonathan Luke of NEL

DYING TRADE The UK’s largest independent coffin maker is seeking further growth after completing a three-year investment cycle with NEL Fund Managers.

Since securing a £150,000 investment from the Finance for Business North East Growth Fund managed by NEL in 2010, JC Atkinson & Son’s

turnover has risen from £5.5m to £7m and it now employs more than 100 people in Washington.

The 60,000 coffins it supplies each year range from traditional and bespoke designs to caskets made from bamboo, seagrass and Yorkshire wool.

Teesside’s K Home International (KHI) Ltd is celebrating 40 years.

Established by Ken Home OBE, KHI provides world-class engineering design solutions for developers and operators of process and infrastructure projects. With clients ranging from Rio Tinto to Huntsman, spanning Teesside to South Korea, and across sectors from chemicals to mining and metals to infrastructure, KHI is currently working with Wilton-based Lotte Chemical UK, providing non-core plant design services for the new 200ktpa Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) plant and has also been appointed by Huntsman Tioxide in support of the Improved Chlorinator Efficiency project.

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PEUGEOT VAN RANGE

Choosing a van for your business is a big decision. The Peugeot van range is tried and trusted by thousands of businesses across the country and includes the Peugeot Partner – the UK’s best-selling compact van.

They’re loaded with useful features like exceptional payload, and optional extras such as air-conditioning or Peugeot Connect with USB. Plus, the whole range uses our latest Euro 5 engines, which deliver a quieter ride, lower CO2 emissions and better fuel economy. Contact us to arrange a test drive.

MOTION & EMOTION

ROBINS & DAY NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE Benton Road, NEWCASTLE, NE7 7DT Tel: 0191 2706600 E-Mail:michael.mullaney@peugeot.com

The official fuel consumption figures in mpg and CO2 emissions for the Bipper range are: Urban 32.1 – 60.1 (8.8 – 4.7), Extra Urban 47.9 – 76.3 (5.9 – 3.7), Combined 40.9 – 68.9 (6.9 – 4.1) and CO2 emissions 164 – 119 (g/km), for the Partner range are: Urban 47.1 – 55.4, Extra Urban 56.5 – 64.2, Combined 52.3 – 60.1 and CO2 emissions 140 – 123 (g/km), for the Expert range are: Urban 42.8 – 48.7 (6.6 – 5.8), Extra Urban 32.9 – 37.1 (8.6 – 7.6), Combined 39.2 – 44.1 (7.3 – 6.4) and CO2 emissions 189 – 168 (g/km). *Rentals are subject to VAT and are payable monthly. Business Users Only. A guarantee may be required. Over 18’s only. Written quotations from Peugeot Contract Hire, Quadrant House, Princess Way, Redhill, RH1 1QA. Offers apply to eligible vehicles supplied and registered from 30/09/2013 until such time they are withdrawn by Peugeot Motor Company PLC. Rentals are weekly equivalent. Rentals based on 10,000 miles per annum. Initial and financial rental payable. For full terms and conditions, please consult your Peugeot Dealer in the UK. Calls may be recorded for training purposes.

16 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013

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NEWS

Charity effort Supporters of businesswoman Jacqui Hampton are organising a charity ball; the latest in a series of events for Cancer Research.

Jacqui, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, soon after she and her sister Tracey Griffiths founded H&G Training in Saltburn-by-Sea, is the inspiration for The Pink Ladies, comprising Jacqui and sister Tracey, nieces Claire Starsmore and Rachel Griffiths, daughter-in-law Sharon Hampton, family member Joanne Starsmore, and friends Mandy Cutler and Natalie Colbeck.

The group ran the Race for Life 2012, then raised £5,175 with a charity evening, and ran the Race for Life again in June 2013. Plans are now underway for the Pink Ball with band Last Anthem on November 23 at Gisborough Hall.

To buy tickets or donate prizes, contact Claire Starsmore at claire.hampton@nhs.net

FIRE FIGHTING A new £1m offshore training centre has opened at Newcastle International Airport to train up to 6,000 offshore workers a year in emergency fire fighting.

The world-class facility developed by Offshore Training Newcastle (OTN) is a partnership of three training organisations: AIS, Newcastle International Airport and Maersk Training. The partners aim to position Newcastle at the forefront of offshore training globally.

The new 20,000sqft centre features a three-storey mock offshore platform rig with full size heli-deck, Super Puma helicopter simulator and internal structures.

The centre is endorsed by OPITO – the training body for the oil and gas industry – and it complements AIS and Maersk Training’s existing 70,000sqft bespoke training centre in North Tyneside.

AIS MD Paul Stonebanks says: “We will fulfil every offshore training need.”

NEWS

Big tick

VIDEO OF THE MONTH Flood Focus

On the first anniversary of Thunder Thursday, flood agencies, academics and businesses gathered to forge partnerships to tackle flooding. They also viewed this film - FLOOD FORCE: Finding solutions in better company - produced by Northumbrian Water, Newcastle University and Living With Environmental Change (LWEC). in association with

http://youtu.be/mJOiRQWYY_I

Newcastle’s Quorum Business Park has been recognised for its commitment to corporate responsibility by Business in the Community (BITC).

It received reaccreditation of its Big Tick status in BITC’s Responsible Business Awards 2013. Other businesses successful in receiving a Big Tick included Gentoo and Northumbrian Water Group.

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 17

New members 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

The contact details of all the companies which joined NECC between May 1, 2013 and June 30, 2013 are now available at www.necontact.co.uk under the ‘New Members’ link

Thank You For your recent membership renewals. Particular thanks to members supporting NECC for over 15 years 60+ YEARS Bond Dickinson LLP Francis Brown Ltd North British Tapes

TAP Ltd 20 Technology Services Group Limited (TSG) 20 63 63 63

40 +YEARS LH Quarry Plant Ltd

41

30-34 YEARS Consteel Technical Services Ltd Corrpro Companies Europe Limited Analox Sensor Technology

34 33 32

25-29 YEARS AG Lathe Castlegate Shopping Centre LLP Cooper & Barr ITEC North East Ltd Sarabec Ltd (BP Sector) AECOM Limited LV Shipping Ltd

28 27 26 26 25 25

20-24 YEARS Berger Closures 24 Charter Self Drive Ltd 24 D B Thompson & Co 24 Datawright Computer Services Ltd 24 Martel Instruments 24 Norton Cleaning Services 24 NOV Mission Products UK Ltd 24 RHK Business Advisers LLP 24 Teesside Fluid Systems (Swagelok) 24 UK Steel Enterprise Ltd 24 Mayflower Glass Limited 23 Pattinson Scientific Services Ltd 23 Tharsus Engineering Ltd 23 Fraser Hydraulic Power Plc 22 Howarth Litchfield Partnership 22 OSG Ship Management (UK) Ltd 22 RIBA Enterprises Limited 22 Ryder 22 21 Bulmer Interior Contracts Ltd C M R (UK) Limited 21 D P C Screeding Ltd 21 Vishay Ltd 21 Containerships UK Limited 20 International Plastic Systems (IPS) 20 Orchard Information Systems Ltd 20 Royal Station Hotel 20 Springs Roofing Ltd 20

15-19 YEARS 19 Armah Switchgear Ltd Contract Flooring Services (North East) Ltd 19 Falck Safety Services 19 Fidgeon Ltd 19 Hexham Golf Club 19 J B Colman & Co 19 Leica Biosystems Newcastle Ltd 19 M M Contracts Limited 19 Polar (NE) Limited 19 Robson Walker (Northern) Ltd 19 Tait Walker LLP 19 Alston Murphy Associates 18 Cleveland Biotech Ltd t/a cbio 18 First Choice Recruitment 18 Metro Radio Arena 18 Middlesbrough College 18 Northumbrian Water 18 Orwin Limited 18 Peterson Engineering (Cleveland) Ltd 18 Reece Group 18 Ronco Engineering Ltd 18 Sabre Rail Services Ltd 18 The Customs House Trust Ltd 18 Victor Products Ltd 18 W A Browne (Building Services) Ltd 18 Bishop Skinner Insurance Brokers Ltd 17 Discount Communications Limited 17 Jacksons Law Firm 17 JBH Design & Exhibition 17 Kevin Doonan Architect 17 Knight Frank 17 Lane Plastics Ltd 17 MZ Factoring Limited 17 Nippon Express (UK) Ltd 17 Russell Telecom Ltd 17 Suzuki Techno Europe Ltd 17 Ward Bros (Plant Hire) Ltd 17 Zoom CCTV (North East) Ltd 17 Gateshead Council 16 Simon Bailes Ltd 16 Workwise Personnel Ltd 16 B & W Lifting 15 Britton Group Ltd 15 Esco (UK) Ltd 15 Fluid Automation Limited 15 Frutarom (UK) Ltd - Billingham 15 NEL Fund Managers Ltd 15 Redworth Hall Hotel 15 Stand up Marketing Ltd 15 UHY Torgersens Ltd 15 Upex Group 15

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

ADVERTORIAL

NEWS

BESPOKE TIMBER SOLUTIONS

H IN THE PIPELINE Newton Aycliffe-based International Pipeline Products (iNPIPE PRODUCTS™) is using a £500,000 mezzanine investment from FW Capital to fund the company’s ambitious new expansion plans. iNPIPE PRODUCTS™ is a leader in the design, manufacture and supply

of pipeline maintenance equipment in the oil and gas, petrochemical and water industries. The company’s management team recently completed an MBO and is expanding into the pipeline testing, maintenance and pig tracking market in the expanding oil and gas industry worldwide.

VIDEO OF THE MONTH

http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=Mnr9tf0 -3ew&list=PLCE01D0D2 886599F8&index=1

ere at Katell we pride ourselves on delivering quality products on time and to budget. Based in the north east of England Katell design and manufacture bespoke solid timber, veneered and MDF products for the shop fitting and furniture industry. A proud UK manufacturer with a comprehensive range of wood working machinery, full assembly line and large spraying and finishing facility. wWhether it’s a one off piece or large volume batches Katell have the skills and passion to deliver.

The company was set up in 2001 with 10 employees manufacturing solid wood fireplaces for the independent fireplace market. Over the years as the company grew we started to supply national house builders such as Barratt, Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey. Katell also manufacturing products for major retailers which have included Tesco, ASDA, Homebase and Next.

Katell have our own in-house design team who can design products from scratch or work to customers specific specifications.

Prototypes can also be produced very quickly if required. We have a large timber machine shop where we can work in either solid timber or board materials and have a large assembly area with highly trained staff who assemble and finish products by hand. Our spray booths are manned by skilled sprayers who can finish products in any stain, paint or lacquer. All products are delivered by our own in-house distribution department.

Due to the way we manufacture we have the ability to produce one off bespoke pieces to large batch production.

To discuss how we can add this level of expertise and experience to your supply chain call Martin Holmes.

Northern prosperity is national prosperity

The north of England has enormous potential to provide jobs and opportunities and to make a real contribution to the recovery and rebalancing of Britain’s national economy, as outlined in this video from The Northern Economic Futures Commission in conjunction with IPPR North. The partnership has a long-term plan for economic growth in the North. For more about the Northern Economic Futures Commission, visit http://www.ippr.org/research-project/...

in association with

Katell 478-480 Durham Way North Aycliffe Industrial Park Newton Aycliffe, County Durham DL5 6HP Tel: 01325 379060 www.katellcommercial.co.uk

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 19

NEWS

NECC FOCUS NECC approved provider Sixth Sense Learning advises the following to aid training: • Effective performance management to allow staff to identify training needs • Quantify training needs irrelevant content can cause disengagement • Engage with the provider before events to pay dividends • Ensure learners know the aim of the training and the changes you expect to see • Encourage learners to give feedback – this ensures they give meaningful consideration to the workshop • Give your managers time to gauge the effectiveness of the training Contact Sixth Sense Learning, approved training provider for NECC. View NECC courses at www.necc.co.uk/ shortcourses

Greg Bolton, RMT, Tim Bates, Roger Peart, Graham Brown, RMT, Luke Phelan, Sintons

GB FUELS SOLD GB Fuels, which has operated on Tyneside for more than 50 years, has been bought by fuel supplier Oil NRG Ltd of Stokesley for an undisclosed sum.

GB Fuels, a division of the

fuels across the region.

The GB Lubricants division of the group is unaffected by the deal. The sale was handled by Newcastlebased law firm Sintons and RMT Accountants.

family-run Goodall Bates & Todd Ltd, was established in the early 1960s. The newly combined business now has the capacity to distribute domestic, commercial and agricultural

PEUGEOT 308 ACTIVE from £199* per month • 17" Alloy Wheels • Peugeot Connect Navigation RT6 • Rear Parking Aid • Aluminium Pedals, Footrest & Doorsills

PEUGEOT 508 ACTIVE from £269* per month • 18" Alloy Wheels • Peugeot Connect Navigation RT6 • Rear Parking Aid • Electric Folding Door Mirrors

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With the Peugeot 308 and 508 Active, your business won’t just make a great first impression. We’ve added over £1000 worth of features as standard – like Peugeot Connect Navigation RT6 and rear parking aids. And we’ve got a passion for cutting your running costs too – with low CO2 emissions, low BIK payments and high mpg. Ready for an executive upgrade? Contact us to arrange a test drive.

MOTION & EMOTION

ROBINS & DAY NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE Benton Road, NEWCASTLE, NE7 7DT Tel: 0191 2706600 E-Mail:michael.mullaney@peugeot.com

The official fuel consumption in mpg (1/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km) for the 308 are: Urban 29.7 – 61.4 (9.5 – 4.6), Extra Urban 51.4 – 78.5 (5.5 – 3.6), Combined 40.9 – 70.6 (6.9 – 4.0) and CO2 emissions 150 – 104 (g/km); 508 range: Urban 31.4 – 57.6 (9.0 – 4.9), Extra Urban 60.1 – 76.3 (4.7 – 3.7), Combined 45.6 – 67.2 (6.2 – 4.2) and CO2 emissions 167 – 95 (g/km).

*Rate refers to the 508 Active HDi 115 5dr and 308 Active HDi 92 5dr. Rentals are subject to VAT and are payable monthly. For 508 and 308 models 3 rentals in advance followed by 35 monthly payments. All rentals are based on 10,000 miles per annum and include metallic paint and Peugeot Assistance. Business users only. A guarantee may be required.

Over 18’s only. Written quotations from Peugeot Contract Hire, Quadrant House, Princess Way, Redhill, RH1 1QA. Offers apply to eligible vehicles supplied and registered from 01/07/2013 until such point they may be withdrawn by Peugeot Motor Company at any time and without notice. Calls may be recorded for training purposes

20 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013

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LEAP AHEAD in business with a £125 a week Newcastle University Postgraduate intern to undertake an in-house bespoke business improvement project • New product and process design • Renewable energy feasibility study • Energy audit • Market research • Business systems planning • Development of technologies for renewable energy generation etc Call 0191 222 5259 Tweet @postgrads4busin Email postgraduates4business@ncl.ac.uk

Aspire TS sales director Michael Errington and MD Nigel Begg

RECORD GROWTH Aspire Technology Solutions of Gateshead has announced record financial results for a sixth consecutive year.

The firm saw turnover increase by 52% in the last 12 months from £2.5m to £3.8m, and its sales are ahead of its own projections for the current financial year.

Aspire TS, which won the North East Business Awards

Small Business of the Year in April, increased staff by 48% during the period and expects recruitment to increase by a further 25% in the coming months.The company, which specialises in managed networks, data centre solutions and traditional IT support, is on schedule to open a £1.1m, 3,500sqft data centre at its head office.

WINNING FORMULA

A specialist skin care company called on Assembly and Packaging Services (APS) in Northumberland to secure a major retail deal with a national pharmacy chain.

Assembly and Packaging Services (APS), Blyth, was

asked to support Skin Salveation in a bid for a deal with a division of of Lloyds Pharmacy group, which could be worth £7m to the two companies. APS produced a retail-ready pack and point-of-sale material.

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EUROPEAN UNION Investing in Your Future

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AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 21

NEWS

NEWS

RMT backs St Oswald’s A milk kitchen for preparing feeds for babies and young children will be built at St Oswald’s Children and Young Adults Service in Gosforth thanks to a donation from RMT Accountants & Business Advisors.

Families from across Tyne & Wear and Northumberland benefit from St Oswald’s services and the charity’s annual running costs are £9.5m, of which £6.5m is raised through voluntary giving.

Green shoots North East businesses are growing, recruiting and have more work than at any time since the recession began, according to NECC’s latest Quarterly Economic Survey.

Members surveyed returned the best scores on sales, orders, workforce and investment since 2008, and the results are consistent across the manufacturing and service sectors.

The QES, produced in partnership with Barclays, demonstrates growth across all its 11 separate indicators and the cash flow result is positive for the first time since the recession.

NECC director of policy Ross Smith says: “This

suggests the North East is bouncing back from the downturn. Future confidence remains relatively high and expectations on profitability are the best since 2008.”

Chris Rigg, director of Barclays North East team, says: “I take most encouragement from the increases in workforce and

investment. The only note of caution is that it would only need a reasonablesized shock to send us backwards, but I remain cautiously optimistic.”

Almost all key indicators in the survey are in positive territory, with the exception of prices in manufacturing in the North Eastern LEP area.

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Take the wheel. Capture the thrill. The new Peugeot RCZ delivers unforgettable driving excitement and with a redesigned front end featuring stunning feline lights, it’s thrilling on the outside too. Low monthly payments, BIK and CO2 emissions plus up to 53.2 mpg mean it’s also a surprisingly smart choice for business. Maybe it’s time to re-think sensible? The new Peugeot RCZ. Test drive it at Robins & Day Gateshead today.

MOTION & EMOTION

ROBINS & DAY GATESHEAD Lobley Hill Road, GATESHEAD, NE8 4YJ Tel: 0191 4933500 www.robinsandday-gateshead.co.uk

The official fuel consumption figures in mpg and CO2 emissions for the RCZ range in g/km are as follows: Urban 27.4 – 41.5 (10.3 – 6.8), Extra Urban 50.4 – 62.7 (5.6 – 4.5), Combined 38.6 – 53.2 (7.3 – 5.3), CO2 168 – 139. *Rate refers to the RCZ 1.6 THP 156 Manual . 6 rentals in advance followed by 35 monthly rentals with a non-maintained contract. Rentals are subject to VAT. All rentals are based on 10,000 miles per annum but variable annual mileage available (5,000 to 40,000). Excess mileage charges may be payable. Business users only. A guarantee may be required.

Over 18s only. Model shown is the RCZ GT with matt black roof arches at £320 optional extra. Written quotations from Peugeot Contract Hire, Quadrant House, Princess Way, Red Hill, RH1 1QA. Offers apply to eligible vehicles supplied and registered from 30/09/2013 until such time they are withdrawn by Peugeot Motor Company PLC. Calls may be recorded for training purposes.

22 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013

in association with

Procuring problems Construction firms in the region are faltering under the public procurement process, sector experts report.

NECC has campaigned to convince regional public sector bodies to use local firms, but national strategy makes this increasingly difficult.

NECC director of policy Ross Smith says: “Many perceive barriers to compete for public sector contracts, yet with public spending in the region 7% higher than the UK average, the opportunities are potentially great.”

The first negative effects of public procurement policy made their mark with the appointment of building contractors to the National Framework for Academies in 2009. Of the 12 companies each appointed

Minor Works Framework for to Sector 1 (North and the North East and Yorkshire, Midlands) and Sector 2 plus a £10.4m grant by the (London, South, and the Homes & Communities South and East), none Agency under the had its head office Government’s in the North FOCUS: ARE WE Affordable East, and 10 of Homes the 12 were MISSING OUT Programme. the same in ON THE PUBLIC In May, six both sectors.

PROCUREMENT contractors NewcastlePROCESS? were shortlisted based by the Department education for Education for specialist Surgo the £2.4bn Priority School Construction, was Building Programme (PSBP), unsuccessful in a bid for including BAM Construction Sector 1, while Co Durhamand Kier Regional. This based Esh Group didn’t bid followed the appointment because it considered the in January of Sir Robert PQQ was geared towards McAlpine Ltd to build schools national contractors from in the North East, Yorkshire the previous Partnerships for and Humberside. The North Schools National Framework.

East contract is worth some Esh Group has, however, £64m and nine schools will be secured a place on the rebuilt or refurbished.

Environment Agency’s

LENDING CALL Nearly half (44%) of 50 construction companies surveyed by Watson Burton Law Firm said the Government should improve access to finance and a further third believe the Government should be increasing investment in infrastructure projects.

Meanwhile, North East-based High Street Boutique Finance has seen demand for its Development Finance product soar, with a 30% increase in enquiries Jan-June 2013, compared Jul-Dec 2012. High Street Boutique Finance will fund 100% of build costs and will consider finance of up to £1m. in association with

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 23

SUCCESS

Pinnacle of success Bryn Littleton meets Toby Heintz, head of global engineering specialist Pinnacle Re-Tec

T

he stamps in Toby Heintz’s passport are enough to impress even the most hardened traveller.

Libya, Iraq, Egypt, Malaysia, Venezuela, the Philippines and a host of North African and South American countries appear, plus many more air miles accumulated over a hectic year.

Heintz’s philosophy is simple - “we go where the work is” and business has been good for reverse engineering specialist Pinnacle Re-Tec in recent years.

2012 saw near 50% growth and the business, based in Consett, Co Durham, has found a unique niche, as one of only two companies in the UK specialising in the reverse engineering of complex water and oil pumps.

Its specialist engineers assess problems within industrial pumps and then re-engineer replacement parts at a significantly cheaper price than manufacturer-produced replacement parts. Heintz says it is a niche that has made his company extremely unpopular with manufacturers, but enormously popular with its customer base.

“Pump manufacturers make a lot of money on spare parts

which are very expensive; we’re the alternative,” he says. “Our engineers can pinpoint the parts within the pump that are not functioning and rebuild them in our workshops quickly, so downtime is kept to an absolute minimum.

“The engineers have been to some incredible places, but they have little time for sightseeing because they go out to the company, measure the parts and then come back and make it.”

Pinnacle Re-Tec employs 30 and currently exports around 65% of its products, with the Gulf region and North Africa its key markets. It has come a long way in the seven years since its creation, and it is fortunate that travel comes easily to German-born Heintz.

“We use agents and local knowledge whenever we visit any country, so while we’re visiting some very unstable places, we’re always well away from any conflict,” he says.

“In fact, the scariest thing is always the driving, which can be absolutely terrifying!

“Our customers know that we make an extra effort. We do our homework and make sure that whenever we travel overseas we have local knowledge so we go in, get the

24 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013

Wherever we travel, we have local knowledge, so we go in, get the job done, and get out

on fostering that spirit of job done, and get out. We have togetherness that the prize a highly skilled workforce and money was spent taking the their machining skills are entire workforce out for a night becoming quite rare. The on the town. average age of our machine It’s come a long way, havng shop engineers is around 60, been formed in 2006 with a and while we have apprentices, workforce of five. It quickly it is almost impossible to find outgrew its first base in enough talented engineers.

Consett before setting up on A whole generation of skilled Number 1 Industrial Estate. people has been lost. There are It hasn’t all been plain few people with these skills sailing, though. Heintz admits aged between 35 and 50; the Arab Spring impacted on something that can be traced the business, but by focusing to the industrial policies of the on expansion in other parts of 1980s and the shift away the world the firm has become from manufacturing and less reliant on the North engineering.

African market.

“We have made great The company also avoids strides in our attempts to patent issues due to the design recruit and have an excellent of pumps changing very little relationship with Derwentside since they were first invented.

College, which understands the “We’re also fortunate that skills we are looking for in our there aren’t many people young recruits.” who do what we do,” The focus on says Heintz. “There recruiting the best “ITS GROWTH is only half a and ensuring that IS TESTAMENT handful in Europe his workforce TO HARD WORK, and we have remains happy INNOVATION, never lost a job to and motivated is AND TALENT” those competitors. key to Heintz’s What we do doesn’t business philosophy. make us very popular “The people we with the five big pump recruit are passionate about manufacturers, but when you what they do. If they’re not at consider that this is a £2bn work they’re fixing bikes or industry, our share of the cars; they’re people who enjoy market isn’t a real threat to what they do and are keen to them, though we do very well learn more. out of it.”

“I have worked for large Pinnacle Re-Tec is a regular corporations where some user of services provided by members of staff are not the North East Chamber of happy in their jobs, making Commerce’s International them less efficient. Here we Team and it recently signed up put a lot of importance on as a Global Leader with the keeping a happy workforce. organisation, enabling it to take It’s more fun as a work full advantage of the range of environment and makes us international services provided more competitive.

by NECC at optimum rates.

“Our apprentices are NECC international trade learning from guys with a manager Brian Dakers says: wealth of experience. A lot of “Pinnacle Re-Tec is a perfect our customers have obsolete example for other SMEs of machinery, but our team will unlocking the potential in always find solutions and keep overseas markets. Its growth in it running for a long time.” recent years is testament to The business was named the hard work, innovation and Export Team of the Year at the talent at the business, and long North East Exporters Awards may it continue.”

2012 and so focused is Heintz AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 25

EXPORT

SHIP’S MATE Guardian Marine Testing’s growth into a global leader in just five years is a story of which the region can be proud, which is why the Redcar business is the new North East Exporter of the Year, as Owen McAteer discovers

26 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013

I

n business, as in life, the simple things and adding their own tweaks to make it better. The three partners also bring very often make the difference, and this different skills sets to the business. “I was has helped Guardian Marine Testing the sales and commercial side, Andy (GMT) grow to sales of £7.45m just provided the technical and customer five years after its formation. service expertise and Paul’s skills are The Redcar firm is now a world leader in in the operational side and running the the testing and analysis of marine fuel for laboratory,” says Shaw. shipping companies, protecting vessels “We work very well together; having from inferior quality products. Earlier this others to bounce off gives us a distinct year, it was named North East Exporter of advantage, and our different skill sets help. It the Year; more than 99% of its sales relating would be easy for me as a commercial guy to exports prompted by significant growth to say we don’t need 25 lab technicians, following the award of a global contract for whereas Paul might say, ‘you’re right - we fuel testing from Lloyd’s Register. don’t need 25, we need 28 to make it work’.”

When they entered this competitive Samples taken anywhere in the world are market in 2008, MD Andrew Shaw and sent by courier to GMT at the Wilton Centre, fellow directors Andy McEwan and Paul where they are tested on site. To cater for Livingston knew they needed to provide the global market, the staff work shifts something different; not necessarily, to cover an 18-hour working day, Shaw says, by reinventing the which runs 8am-2am. wheel, but by ensuring they met “HUGE GROWTH The effectiveness of GMT’s their clients’ needs more WHICH HAPPENED approach was proven in 2011 successfully than their OVERNIGHT GOT when it won a contract to competitors. “Take the US NOTICED AS A provide fuel analysis for Lloyds cubitainer,” he says, “basically SERIOUS PLAYER” Register clients, prompting a a flat plastic bag to collect the tripling of the team. “We basically sample which is then measured. went from running a family-style No one supplied this cubitainer as business where everyone mucked in if part of the sampling kit, but we did. It’s a something needed doing to being a simple thing; an example of how we give business with strict departmentalisation,” solutions to our customers.” says Shaw. “It was Shaw says GMT had the advantage of a huge growth that virtually happened starting from a blank sheet of paper and the overnight and it got us noticed as a directors had prior experience of working in serious player in the market place.” the marine fuel testing industry before they There is no legal demand on shipping struck out on their own. Hence, they focused firms to carry out fuel testing, though there on taking the best of what already worked is legislation relating to sulphur levels in some parts of the world, but the increasing cost of fuel is likely to see business grow.

“They want to make sure that if they have bought 1,000 tonnes, they get 1,000 tonnes of the right quality fuel,” says Shaw. “If you are running a ship, it needs to be running 24/7. If a fuel damages moving parts, they have to be stripped down, which takes the vessel out of action, and that costs money.

Our service identifies problems with the fuel.

Considering that our customers use billions of pounds worth of fuel every month, it’s important to get it right.”

Business is brisk and demand is growing globally, which means the 40-strong team at GMT will continue to grow along with the firm’s reputation. As the business continues to grow, and given the fact that it could realistically operate from anywhere in Europe, home to 90%of its customers, Shaw remains committed to the region. “The success of the business is down to the Andrew Shaw and his co-directors at GMT

employees and their families,” says Shaw.

“Our people are key to our success.”

It was “a pleasant surprise”, he says, when GMT won the North East Exporter of the Year award; a major achievement given that the North East remains the only English region with a positive balance of trade in exports. “I think we as a region should be proud of that,” says Shaw.

For the present, he and his team expect to be increasingly busy for some time to come. “It would be lovely to play golf every week, but at the moment I’ve got a 24/7 job. We’re planing for the next five to ten years, and that’s exciting.”

Following its win at the North East Exporters’ Awards, GMT will be representing the North East at the National Chamber Awards in London at the end of the year

50 GREAT

REASONS NECC is currently running a campaign to spread the word about 50 Great Reasons to do business in the North East. Guardian Marine Testing is one business which is making the most of the many great reasons to export from the North East. Here are some of them: • The North East is the leading UK exporter • In 2011, the North East exported more to markets outside the EU than to those within the EU • World-class transport links through our ports and airports ensure ease of access to international gateways • From 2007 (the first year of the Newcastle Emirates service to Dubai) to 2010, exports to Australasia grew exponentially • The success of the route has led to the airline upgrading to a new aircraft with 45% more capacity For more about the campaign, visit www.necc.co.uk/greatreasons

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 27

INTERVIEW

Bright spark From a background in banking to the forefront of e-commerce in the region, Karen Dent discovers what motivates Peter Slee as he marks 10 years at the head of Gateshead-based Spark

I

nnovation, innovation, innovation characterises Spark under the leadership of Peter Slee.

Founded in 1982 to deal with direct mail, Spark now handles calls, picking, packing, distribution and delivery for a range of companies in addition to its own portfolio of retail websites.

It employs some 200 people year-round and augments this with 100-150 more in the run-up to Christmas, which for the Spark e-commerce group at Follingsby Park in Gateshead, starts around September.

Slee has overseen some remarkable strides, despite half of his tenure being overshadowed by the economic downturn.

“It’s about innovating and standing back,” he says of his formula. “Asking how we can improve, should we really do it that way or this. The big thing is increased innovation and maximum participation at all levels.”

The Sunderland-born former banker, cable industry executive and contact centre boss is currently celebrating a decade at Spark, where he became MD in 2006. The business made its first profit as a group just as the UK plunged into recession in 2008.

In 2012, it broke the £1m EBITA barrier for the first time.

Originally Spark Response, handling orders and distributing goods for clients such as Toys R Us, fitness footwear company FitFlop and the Micro Scooter brand, the business also now includes online retail brands of its own.

Beginning with Ethical Superstore and Natural Collection (retailer of home wares and fashion), Slee oversaw three more acquisitions in just 12 months to create the e-tail division, which also includes Wild Garden (garden and nature products), Spirit of Nature (mum and baby products), and Frank & Faith (ethical fashion).

Ethical superstore is its

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“It’s a real Pandora’s Box, once you challenge your ogranisation to challenge and innovate in everything” flagship online brand and it sells a range of goods from gifts to gadgets to groceries on one site.

The group is expecting revenues of around £14m in the current financial year, made up of £11m from the Response side and £3m from its retail websites. There are aggressive plans to boost the e-tail side’s turnover to £10m by 2016.

“We have five quite diverse brands, the common

denominator being ethically sourced, fair trade, environmentally friendly products,” says Slee. “We aim to grow the online revenues of those five brands to around £10m by 2016.

“Ethical Superstore on its own had enjoyed a good five years growing top line revenues and acquiring customers, but it lacked solid and consistent funding and had to keep going back to the market for working capital,

which is a distraction. Now, in terms of funding, working capital, suppliers, credit, etc, the business is on a more solid platform than ever.”

The new additions are part of Slee’s commitment to constant review and innovation and he brings to Spark skills gathered during nearly 20 years with TSB, then cable company NTL, and a year with Garlands call centres.

He says: “Within Spark we are running innovation

workshops twice a week with people at all levels within the organisation,” he says. “It’s a real Pandora’s Box once you challenge your organisation to challenge and innovate in everything.

“I’m happy for everybody to take on that challenge. Noel [Lambert, operations director] and I create the environment and the direction, then it’s something everyone gets to grips with.”

Creating its own portfolio

of retail businesses has given Spark greater influence over its own destiny. “It gives us a part of the business we can directly control and influence through marketing activity, which we didn’t have other than going out and winning new customers,” says Slee, adding it also brings wider skills into the business.

“We have strong web development, e-commerce development, SEO, paperclip email marketing within the

e-tail side of the business which we can now promote and drive additional revenues into the service side with our smaller clients.

“We’re strong on service and execution, we’re very responsive and we’re very flexible. Our answer is always yes first, then what’s the question and our clients love that.”

Slee particularly enjoys the diversity of the business and working across the different strands, and in addition to service fulfilment and e-tail Spark has recently returned to the outbound telemarketing market after securing a major contract with BT. Slee has also recently returned from China, where Spark has been working with Well Mount, which supports other Chinese firms interested in manufacturing for and selling to the UK and European markets.

“I’m very lucky because we’re very diverse in terms of our client base, our service offering and internally in the team. As the years go by, I get more satisfaction from the team at all levels, and not having a hierarchical structure that means it can only happen if the directors sign it off.”

An enabler more than an ideas person, Slee says his strength lies in creating an environment which fosters innovation.

“It’s really about creating the context and the environment for people to feel good about putting ideas forward. We’re also heavily into collaborating with strong strategic partners as a business.”

A shareholder in Spark, Slee says he will be there until he retires. “I’ve enjoyed it from day one and I wouldn’t swap it. I love being in a dynamic growing business and all the challenges that come from that.”

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 29

FOCUS: TOURISM

Wish you were here The region has much to offer visitors, but with no co-ordinated tourism marketing campaign in place, Liz Hands asks if we are making the most of our visitors in the regional economy

30 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013

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ummer 2013 will be long remembered for the arrival of a new royal baby, but here in the region, we have rather more to shout about.

We have the Lindisfarne Gospels in Durham, the inaugural Festival of the North East, big music names playing, including Rhianna, Bon Jovi, and Alicia Keys, the Ashes Test match at Chester-le-Street, the Great North Run, and the EAT! Festival in Newcastle and Gateshead.

Nicole Kidman and Colin Firth have been filming on Holy Island for their new movie The Railway Man, the new series of crime drama Vera is set to hit TV, and it’s been announced that Newcastle will be a host city for the Rugby World Cup in 2015.

Latest statistics for NewcastleGateshead show the area attracts some 17.6m visitors every year, bringing £1.26bn to the local economy and supporting more than 18,000 jobs. Regionwide, we welcomed 83.5m visitors in 2011 (the most recent stats available), spending £4.2bn and helping to employ 65,000 people.

But is the North East getting as much out of these events in economic terms as it should be?

And can we continue to attract world-class affairs following the demise of One North East?

Labour peer Lord Adonis’s recent review into the North East economy suggested the region is missing opportunities, and Neil Barker, chair of NECC’s NewcastleGateshead committee, says: “The thrust of the Adonis report was working together, and we need joined up thinking to have a robust offer for tourism.

“Scotland and Yorkshire have got their act together with good marketing campaigns, but we seem to have lost out. There doesn’t seem to be anyone out there using the Passionate People, Passionate Places

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 31

IanC66 / Shutterstock.com

FOCUS: TOURISM Sarah Stewart, chief executive, Newcastle Gateshead Initiative



2013 highlights Lindisfarne Gospels: July 1-September 30

A must-see exhibition at the heart of Durham’s UNESCO World Heritage Site where the Lindisfarne Gospels are the star of a contemporary interpretation of the tale of St Cuthbert

Sunderland International Airshow: July 27-28 The spectacular free show with the Red Arrows, RAF Eurofighter Typhoons and a Battle of Britain fly past

strapline in a coordinated and coherent way.”

Northumberland National Park Authority reports visitor numbers at its centres dropped 26% last year compared with the previous five-year average; a fall it partly blames on a lack of regional tourism marketing.

But many tourism providers are optimistic. Jeff Sutheran, chair of the North Northumberland Tourism Association, says: “We’ve got a lot to be happy about. When One North East went we were horrified that all that marketing spend had evaporated overnight. We came together to voice those concerns and the destination management organisation Northumberland Tourism has now managed to access Regional Growth Fund money for strategic marketing.

“We had a 13-page pull-out in the Daily Telegraph recently and we’re looking to increase tourism by 6% over the next five years.

“Obviously, it’s challenging to retain a slice of the pie in these economic times, but we’ve got much to play for. It’s all too easy to sit back and moan about what isn’t happening.

We need to think about what we’re doing for ourselves because we haven’t got £5m of marketing anymore.”

Sarah Stewart, chief executive of NGI,

says: “Last year was fantastic with the opportunities brought by the Olympics and we’re just as optimistic about this year’s programme of major cultural, sporting and science events. We’re continuing to raise our profile with national and international visitors.

“Tourism is vital to our local economy and brings real benefits to a big supply chain across the region. We’re looking forward to even more people discovering what a genuinely inspiring place we have.”

NECC chief executive James Ramsbotham says: “North East England has a vibrant tourism industry, encompassing modern visitor attractions, internationally recognised heritage sites and unique landscapes. The sector makes a significant contribution to the North East economy yet has a great deal of untapped potential.

“We have been saying for a long time that economically the North East is an untapped asset that could be delivering more for UK Plc and this is also the case with our tourism offer.

“We boast some of the most beautiful coastline in the UK, breathtaking countryside, historical attractions and vibrant towns and cities; we just need to make sure more people come to visit them.”

32 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013

Ashes Test, England v Australia: August 9 to 13 Durham’s Emirates ICG will host this match as part of a package of games including the Twenty20 cup Finals Day in 2015 and another England Test Match in 2016

EAT! NewcastleGateshead: August 24-September 8 A foodie’s delight, the acclaimed EAT! Festival is returning for its seventh year to champion local food producers, restaurants and culinary talent

Great North Run: September 15

More than 50,000 people will take part in one of the world’s most famous half-marathons

British Science Festival, Newcastle: September 7-12

A celebration of the cutting edge of science with hands-on activities and lectures

I DON’T SEE BORDERS I SEE OPPORTUNITIES. AS A CHAMBER MEMBER I’M WELL CONNECTED. IF IT’S NEW CUSTOMERS YOU’RE AFTER OR THE RIGHT ADVICE TO KEEP YOUR BUSINESS GROWING, BELONGING TO YOUR LOCAL ACCREDITED CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEANS YOU ARE ALWAYS WELL CONNECTED. VISIT WWW.NECC.CO.UK TO SEE HOW WE CAN SUPPORT YOUR BUSINESS. #JOINYOURCHAMBER

INTERVIEW

Lotta bottle

It’s one of the world’s biggest wine bottlers and a leader in green technology, all from a windy hill in Co Durham.

Jane Pikett shares a glass or three with Lanchester Group MD Tony Cleary

T

ony Cleary is no shrinking violet. He “had a go”, he tells NECC’s AGM where he is keynote speaker, “about a few things”, when he met Nick Clegg recently, telling the deputy prime minister that funding for business is a nice earner for the country, so he should make more of it available.

“I told him, we’d had £750,000 from the Regional Growth Fund, we gave £150,000 to the tax man immediately, which left us with £600,000, which we used to create 92 jobs. If you’re paying benefit of £10,000 to each of those people, we’ve saved the country £920,000 in return for its £600,000 investment. I told him straight, we need son of RGF, son of RGF2, and more. That’s the only way to get this country growing again.”

Clegg, it turns out, admitted he had never had the benefits of the RGF explained to him with such clarity, but then Cleary is hard to ignore. A bear of a man with a personality to match his figure, he is generally, he says, on ‘auto-ramble’ or ‘auto-rant’, with a skill for ‘encouraging phone calls’ where necessary. His rants are always delivered with humour and charm, mind. “Oh, I have my say, but I’m just soft,” he claims.

Interviewing someone as voluble as Cleary is highly entertaining, if also a bit like nailing jelly to a wall, so I

to be important to us. The turbine we dump the questions and just listen; have now will do 2m kwh a year. As a and it all makes perfect sense, because Cleary is a born entrepreneur; business we do 1.8m kwh on this site. a big thinker who grabs opportunity by Include the tucks and it’s 3.7m kwh, so when all three turbines are up this the throat and squeezes every last year, we will be carbon minus across drop out of it. There have been the whole business, including trucks, mistakes – “I’m not sure we’ll ever be heating, everything. It’s a huge USP.” rid of those John Lennon sunglasses Lanchester Energy is both a cost and the luggage which tips you over saver and marketing tool, saving Ryanair’s baggage allowance in an instant” – but the good decisions have millions (the £5m cost of the turbines will be recouped in four years) and a been good long-term, and the profit generator, fuelling growth at mistakes have been learned from.

Thus, over 33 years, the Lanchester Lanchester, which has been exponential over the last Group has grown from a small couple of years, supported wine business founded in

by Handlesbank and Tony and wife Veronica’s “WE NEED also HSBC. The front room into the SON OF RGF, bankers, says Cleary, world’s largest bottler come mob-handed to of quarter bottles, a SON OF RGF2, TO meetings these days. major player in GET THIS COUNTRY “There were three of worldwide wine sales GROWING” them last time. I said, and distribution, and now ‘why do you need three of a leader in carbon minus you to see me?’ Am I that technologies; all from a windy bad, do you think? I tell them, we hill in Co Durham. And what does the need investment to fuel this amazing business of wind turbines hold for a wine company? “Ah, that’s easy,” says growth, and meanwhile, we’re growing so fast, we’re not on the bus, we’re Cleary, brightening with enthusiasm chasing after it. They’ve been alright on the subject of the company’s with us, though.” soon-to-be three wind turbines, its The business recently purchased own sub-station, and its soon-to-be the former Waverley Vintners depot in achieved carbon minus status (ie, it Gateshead to ease the pressure on makes all its own energy from wind warehousing at its base near Stanley and sells the surplus to the grid).

“It’s important to young people, and caused by growth which saw turnover they’re our future customers, so it has of £31.5m in the year to June 2012

34 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013

Lanchester Group:

“We love wine, which helps!”

Lanchester Wine Cellars Ltd was founded in Tony and Veronica Clearly’s front room in 1980, importing wines from Europe. Its reach soon spread worldwide and it now specialises in New World wines and exports widely.

Lanchester Gifts Ltd was founded in 2006 to source and design wine gifts, accessories and hampers.

It now works with major online retailers, high street stores and supermarkets and operates its own successful gift websites.

Lanchester Properties Ltd operates a 25-acre site at Greencroft Industrial Estate, Annfield Plain, Co Durham, bought by Lanchester Group in 2000. The group has invested heavily in the site and Lanchester Wines now occupies the five largest units.

Greencroft Bottling Company Ltd began in 2003 with one small bottling line. It is now the second largest bottling facility in Europe and the world’s biggest filler of 187ml ¼ wine bottles. Greencroft bottles 1.8m litres a week for major retailers, wine producers and Lanchester Wines’ own brands, and a new Tetra Pak line was installed in 2012 to be marketed at airlines attracted by its carbon minus USP. Lanchester Wine Sales Ltd in Manchester employs eight staff dealing exclusively with own-brand wines sold into UK supermarkets and large retailers. The team includes a wine technologist, marketing expert, sales and logistics staff.

Lanchester Energy Ltd is Lanchester Group’s latest venture. Its first project was the planning and erection of two EWT wind turbines on industrial land purchased by Lanchester Properties next to its site, and a third turbine planned for a site in Stamfordham. In 2013 Lanchester Group will become powered entirely by wind power, allowing it to claim carbon minus status.

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 35

INTERVIEW

rise to £49.5m in the year to June 2013. In the year to June 2014, it will reach £93m. “That’s because we have the best bottling plant in Europe,” says Cleary. “Even Lanchester Gifts - the smallest division in the group - will grow from £3.9m to £6.2m. It’s the second biggest hamper business in the UK and this year will do 100,000 gifts for BHS and 50,000 for internet operators. The bus might be racing down the hill, but we’re in control; fact is, we’re not as daft as we look. We’re doing 500,000 cases of wine a week, we have contracts with the big names and we do virtually everyone’s quarter bottles.”

The recipe for the current success lies in “some good decisions” over the years for which the business is now getting its payback. No ego present, Cleary is selfdeprecating and more than aware of his own limitations, and he lets the people running the divisions get on with it. “We have half a dozen people here who are cleverer than I am, so I let them get on with it. None of them are as smart as me, mind!”

Now 60, he is also in reflective mood. “The first 25 years of any business are always the hardest,” he says

with a rueful smile, and now, he I’d like to put the turbines into pensions, but you’re not says, at 60, he’s getting a bit allowed to do it, and that’s long in the tooth to make hay while the sun shines. “You have just stupid.”

He’d also, he says, employ all that hassle in the early years, smart people sooner. “You when you can’t pay the wages don’t have the money to pay and cash flow is a nightmare, them when you’re smaller, and it’s a pain in the arse, but the smart people but you love it all the grow the business, same. Then you “YOU’RE STILL so you have to get to the point I’m at now, and HUNGRY, THE FIRE get them in early, you’re still STILL BURNS, BUT to allow the business to hungry, the fire YOU’RE RUNNING move faster.” still burns, but OUT OF TIME” He’s never you’re running taken money from out of time. Mind, venture capitalists and I’ve no interest in the family leaves its money retiring; I’ll die in that chair.”

If he had his time again, he’d in the business. “You get people who take a million here, another do a few things differently. there, to buy a villa and a car “We’d grow differently and and they wonder why it’s gone wouldn’t rely on banks. Lack of cash is always a big constraint. tits up. You have to leave your

36 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013

money in the business.

Veronica and I used our pension fund to buy the site in 2000. That was a good move.

The money is still here, the site is a good asset and it makes more money for us now than it ever did.”

Lanchester Group is not for sale, for any price, and if the Clearys’ three kids sell it when their parents are gone, their father will come back to haunt them. Their two daughters and one son are in their twenties and too young to take their places on the board yet, so there will, says Cleary with regret, be a gap when he and Veronica step back, until their offspring are qualified to take their places. So, they are succession planning through the board – a challenge Cleary neither wanted nor enjoys. “It’s a challenge,” he says, the smile momentarily gone.

He and Veronica are good foils for one another - he the broad brush stroke, she the devil for detail. It’s a mix they eneavour to reflect through the senior executives also, and one Cleary values. “I have to think big and look to the future,” he says, “and while I do that, Veronica does all the detail - HR, HMRC, Wine Standards Board. I can’t be doing with any of that.

Veronica won’t let me near VAT people, inspectors, nobody. I’ve no time for them.

I’ve got to an age where I’m in a hurry, and while margins are depressed, the numbers we’re doing are big, and that’s where my attention is.”

Money, he says, doesn’t motivate him, while employing a local workforce does. “There are two or three people here earning more than me. I’m not bothered about money. You can only live in one house and drive one car. I’ve bought a daft sports car and that’s enough for me. I’m motivated by keeping the business strong. It’s my life’s work. I’ve done it since I was 27. I want to pass it on as strong as it

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INTERVIEW

Can you sell this?

can be, and if we weren’t here there would be potentially 300 people on the dole.”

Cleary’s people enjoy a twice yearly 10% of net profit share.

“It’s all about people. You can have the best machines, but you need the people to operate them,” he says.

A first generation business, he says, “takes 10 years out of your life, and I’d never start from scratch again. I’d buy a business. We’re 100% family owned, though, and that’s important to us. We don’t want other shareholders trying to put pressure on. We’re building something that’s worth something; not for me, not even for the kids, because I would spin in my grave if they sold it.

“This last few years has contained quite a bit of unnecessary hassle, and it takes away from the business.

I don’t like that. I’ve told supermarkets trying to drive us down to go and stuff someone else. I also don’t like people being taken for a ride by financial people and I object to having to tell our people to put money in pensions. I want to put a turbine into a pension fund, but it’s against the rules.

That was another thing I told Clegg. We operate with pride, passion and professionalism, because that gets you through when things are wrong.”

School kids tour the site, guided by Tony or Veronica

personally, because they want to pass on the principles of business to kids who might never aspire to it otherwise.

“We hope we inspire them.

We tell them the basics of business, then we do a little wine tasting, which always gets the teachers worried. The kids have great fun and go away thinking they’re wine experts.”

He grew up in Co Durham with his mother, a subpostmistress, and his father, who worked for the Coal Board.

His father always wanted his own haulage business, but his mother was against it, so it never happened. “I wouldn’t let anyone stop me,” says Cleary.

“There’s the difference.” His 33 years in business has taught him to surround himself, he says, with clever people. “Smart people take some managing, but I’m good at that, and I’m good at listening to them. Then, I get them on the same road, in the same direction.”

When he’s not at work, he enjoys watching Sunderland play, his car, and taking the grandchildren out on a boat at Kielder. Other than that, his passion is for the business.

“The country worries me, the way it’s going, but then I view everything through massive rose-coloured spectacles and enjoy it all. We have some fun and have some grief, like any other business. And we like wine, which helps.”

38 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013

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ACIS RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATE £600,000 IN FUEL SAVINGS AND INCOME FOR ELDDIS TRANSPORT Biomass installation helps to win environmental award

E

Elddis Transport MD Nigel Cook (left) and ACIS Renewable Energy MD, John Forth

lddis Transport are one of the largest and most established haulage and logistics providers in the north of England. Elddis wanted to adopt a low carbon heating system which would address the issue of their increasing heating bills.

Elddis contracted biomass experts, ACIS Renewable Energy to undertake a feasibility study and heat loss assessment. Following a comprehensive heating analysis and consultation, ACIS recommended the installation of a Windhager biomass system. ACIS installed a 180Kw Biomass (wood pellet) heating system to heat their lorry workshop, and a 35Kw Biomass system for their offices.

John Forth, MD of ACIS Renewable Energy said “The biomass system is auto cleaning and auto feeding and uses a highly efficient vacuum system to suck in pellets from an external fuel store. The boiler system is 93% efficient and not only will Elddis benefit from a 50% reduction in fuel costs they will benefit greatly from earning income via the government’s Renewable Heat Incentive.”

John went on to say…“Taking the fuel savings and RHI into account, it is estimated that Elddis Transport will benefit from approximately £600,000 in fuel savings and income over 20 years, as well as dramatically reducing their carbon footprint” Nigel Cook, MD of Elddis said “We are extremely pleased with the professionalism of ACIS, the quality of the workmanship and the quality of the system. I would recommend ACIS to anyone considering biomass” The adoption of the biomass system helped Elddis Transport to scoop the 2013 North East Business Award for Low Carbon, Corporate Responsibility and Environmental Improvement.

John Forth from ACIS went on to say that it is

possible to fully fund a biomass installation through either the Carbon Trust or other finance agreement, and ACIS can arrange finance for clients who require this service…

”A fully financed biomass installation can offer clients a zero net cost renewable heating solution.”

“The system earns sufficient revenue from RHI to be fully self financing, with a highly significant income left over – In some cases this surplus can be large enough to pay all fuel bills for an entire 20 year period, and leave a positive cash flow for the business. And what’s more, most biomass installations qualify for ECA (Enhanced Capital Allowances) which means the total cost can be written off in the first year.”

The basis of this opportunity is the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). The RHI is designed to play a key role in meeting the UK’s legally binding commitment to reducing carbon emissions. The scheme actually pays you to produce heat via a renewable technology such as a biomass boiler rather than relying on increasingly expensive fossil fuels which have extremely high carbon emissions.

Interested in being paid to heat your business? Then speak to the experts…

ACIS Renewable Energy Ltd Innovation House South Church Enterprise Park Durham DL14 6XB www.acisenergy.co.uk Telephone: 0800 023 7024

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 39

Sage One Take your first steps to business success Online accounts & payroll software for start-ups & small businesses

Up In The Cloud Many of you reading this will have heard of Sage, the FTSE-100 software company based in Newcastle, but have you heard of Sage One, their cloud-based accounts and payroll software? No? Well, Sage One was launched in 2011 to provide a low-cost, jargon-free solution for start-ups and small businesses with little or no knowledge or experience of accounting or payroll.

Great Value Unlike Sage’s desktop software, Sage One is available on a subscription basis for just £5, £10 or £15 + VAT per month instead of a lump sum up front, which keeps costs down and means new businesses can be up and running with high quality software from day one.

Not only that, but Sage One comes with free 24hr telephone and email support from Sage’s award-winning contact centre based in Newcastle meaning help is always there when you need it. This puts Sage One among the best value services for start-ups and small businesses in the UK.

Flexible As everything is hosted online, you can access Sage One from any Internet-enabled device (including iPad) giving you ultimate freedom and flexibility to work whenever and wherever you like.

Safe and Secure

Includes free 24hr support from just £5 per month

www.sageone.com

There’s also no need to install any software on your machine or worry about losing your data as it’s always backed up by Amazon Web Services (arguably the most secure in the world). Being in the cloud means it’s always up-to-date with the latest legislation too (like Real Time Information for PAYE).

Try Sage One for FREE If you’re starting or growing a small business (or know someone that is), take a closer look at Sage One Accounts and Payroll software and sign up for a FREE 30 day trial at: http://bit.ly/necc-sageone

http://uk.sageone.com | www.facebook.com/SageOneUK

Case Studies

Chocolateas

Sage One Customer Focus Week Business software and services company Sage has launched an initiative to strengthen ties with local businesses.

The aim is to help it to get even closer to customers and learn first-hand the difference its’ products and services are making for business owners.

Sage’s inaugural Customer Focus Week, saw customers set up stalls at the company’s Newcastle headquarters and provided an opportunity for the businesses to promote their goods and services to Sage’s employees. Sage employs more than 1,200 people in the city.

Gary Young, of Sage UK, said: “For more than 30 years Sage has been making it easier for people to run their business. In the UK alone, more than 830,000 business owners trust us with their firms, relying on us for their accounts and payroll software.

“We have only been able to earn their trust by listening to them and taking the time to understand how we can make running a business simpler.

“We are enormously proud of our work with our customers and want all our people to understand the challenges they face, and how we are able to help them. Customer Focus Week is a fantastic initiative and one that will deliver real benefit to the businesses involved and all our customers.”

Start-Up Loans Scheme Some of the exhibitors are beneficiaries of the Government-backed Start-Up Loans scheme. The loans are part of a nationwide initiative designed to encourage more young people to take the first step into business and also come with free business advice, training and mentoring from the three main delivery partners – PNE Enterprise (a not-for-profit enterprise agency based in Newcastle), Virgin Money and Virgin Unite.

Sage One are committed to supporting new businesses through the Start-Up Loans scheme for 18-30yr old entrepreneurs (the upper age limit was increased from 24 on 3rd January 2013). As part of a pilot programme for the North East and Cumbria, all successful loan applicants from the region will receive a FREE 12 month license for Sage One Accounts and Payroll software to help them manage their finances.

Keith Arkle (Commercial Development Manager, Sage One) said: “Sage are a real success story for the North East and proof that the region is a centre for innovation. It’s important that we put something back into the community and help the next generation of start-up businesses come through so when the opportunity to support this initiative came up we jumped at the chance. We wish every applicant the very best of luck!”

in association with

Jodi and Stella Kean are twin sisters from Newcastle who own a speciality tea company called Chocolateas. The idea behind Chocolateas is to merge the worlds of tea and confectionery together and offer something fun, quirky and totally new to the hot drinks market…tea that tastes like sweets and chocolate!

“We have only been using Sage One Accounts for approximately 3 months but it really has been a life saver.

We decided to change as the business was growing and we needed something more professional (but not too complex) to help us keep track of our incomings and outgoings. The best thing about Sage One is how easy it is to use.”

Jodi and Stella Kean, Chocolateas

*The TeaShed Another Sage One user, *The TeaShed is a design-led tea company, born and brewed in Newcastle. Quality whole tea leaves wrapped in silky pyramid bags, which are imported from Sri Lanka and then packaged with some cool designs that are very much part of the fun and enjoyment. Limited edition designs are commissioned from young designers to help promote their work and give *The TeaShed its distinctive look. In addition to teas the company sell a range of funky mugs, tea towels and cards.

Retail availability is growing, as are online sales and in April they opened their first ever ‘pop up’ TeaShed in Fenwick Food Hall, serving breakfasts, lunches, afternoon tea, cakes and of course a range of delicious whole leaf teas!

Jules Quinn, *The TeaShed

ADVERTORIAL

Reefstream Network Services offer effective telecoms solutions without the need for expensive BT line installations

INTEREST FREE FINANCE AVAILABLE

Cutting costs and growing your business Most start-ups and small businesses buy basic telecoms systems, with an eye to cost, that meet their needs at the time of purchase. As the business grows and develops they find it quickly becomes unfit for purpose and needs to be completely replaced or upgraded, both at considerable cost.

Reefstream Network Services 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.

“We’ll definitely save you money too. 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.”

Jeff Highfield, Managing Director

Missing calls and experiencing these problems?

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VS.

Up to 70% lower at installation and 40% lower on-going costs Typical In Touch install Typical landline install 5xCisco SPA500 series phone £500 one off 5 user Phone System £995 Install 1 Line (10 voice l £100 one off 6 Voice lines Install £750 Intouch Service Monthly charge £35 Five user installation fee £500 (£7 per user, per month) Line rental £60 per month Data Line £29.99 Maintenance of System £40 per month Total one off cost £600 Total one off cost £2245.00 Total Monthly cost thereafter £64.99 Total monthly cost thereafter £100.00

is a fantastic smartphone app that effectively turns your mobile into landline.

This means you are always available and customers will not pay expensive mobile tariffs to contact you.

Once downloaded and in use calls to your mobile will;

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Display any UK landline number you choose Receive calls diverted from any other landline numbers you nominate Receive calls to your mobile for free when you are abroad Huge savings on call charges can be made for most users, and businesses travelling and calling abroad.

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Our lines are always engaged.

Our service is poor as we operate on mobiles only.

We cant forward calls, its too complicated.

We ran an advert and the calls were too much to handle.

We will lose our business number when we move.

We don’t know about out of hours calls or missed calls, or where they came from.

Train staff in 15 mins.

In Touch is a leading edge telephone service designed for business. It makes all these problems a thing of the past and will help you grow your business and save money.

Reefstream Network Services Ltd DTV, Orde Wingate Way, Stockton on Tees, Cleveland, TS19 0GA Tel: 0191 3000200 www.rnsplc.com

HI! TECH

Bargain hunt Mark Anderson’s shopping for a laptop and ventures into the world of refurbished goods

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bought a £1,000 laptop for £200 this month. I was researching online with a very limited budget and was pretty uninspired by models under £350, so I started clicking the ‘used’ and ‘refurbished’ options. This brought prices tumbling down because you pay a premium for new. Click ‘refurbished’ and suddenly the spec and quality I could afford were much more exciting.

Second-hand on the internet, though? ‘You don’t know where it’s been’, sneered a friend, and

that was a concern. Fortunately there are a number of excellent independents in the region people you can actually speak to - that offer refurbished equipment. One such is Cramlington-based Refurb That, where I bought an IBM Thinkpad T61 for £200, compared to the new price of £1,000-£1,500.

“The laptop you bought differs greatly in quality and build from the consumer ones that you would buy on the high street,” says Refurb That MD Mark Harrison. ”They are

The business

Let’s do lunch!

Articles from this, so far, minor business news and ideas forum are trending high on social media; always a sign it contains ideas worth stealing.

It’s American, so you can laugh at the inappropriate use of the word ‘booth’ in an exhibition attendance context while browsing. It nevertheless contains great, bite-size articles on hot topics such as finance, sales, marketing and technology that might inspire the small business. www.smallbiztrends.com

Bored of dining at the usual corporate trough? This companion website to Appetite magazine, a cracking read free at delis, cafes and farm shops, turns up great alternatives for that essential ‘working’ lunch.

Packed with info on the region’s foodie scene, there’s a handy searchable A-Z which produces a hand-picked selection based on local knowledge rather than distance from London. Plus, loads of recipes to salivate over without actually cooking. www.appetitemag.co.uk

in association with

manufactured to a much higher specification and have a much more robust design, to survive the rigours of corporate life.

“When we receive them they are two to three years old, which for a laptop of this quality, once refurbished, isn’t old at all. We put them through a rigorous all-points technical check. We then install a Microsoft Windows 7 operating system and Microsoft Essentials Security programs.

This gives you the same

Can I stop now?

My increasingly desperate attempts to keep my waist measurement under my inside leg length has turned me into a cyclist, and this excellent app and website allows me to obsess. Good for runners, too, MapMyRide is a fitness tracking application that enables you to use your mobile device to track all your fitness activities. It saves your work-out details including duration, distance, pace, speed, calories burned, etc. I get tired just looking at it. www.mapmyride.com

experience you have with a brand-new machine.

My IBM looks new and is running beautifully. I’ve got fully licensed software, a one-year warranty and I know where Mark lives. With the £800 I’ve saved I’m off to buy a flash case, and I certainly won’t be telling anyone that it’s a refurb.

Oh, rats... www.refurbthat.com

Swapsies!

Barter Angels is Saturday Swap Shop for the digital age, allowing transactions without cash. A virtual currency, Barter Pounds, is used to purchase goods and services from other members, and you earn Barter Pounds by providing goods and services to other members.

This allows you swap your downtime, spare capacity or unwanted goods for something useful. So, what will you give me for an unused Cheggers Plays Pop board game? barterangels.com

JUNE - JULY 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 45

HEALTH & SAFETY

Health and safety has not gone mad A new code effectively bans local authorities from carrying out unnecessary health and safety inspections, leaving businesses to get on with the job in hand 46 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013

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ealth and Safety is right up there with estate agency and journalism in terms of bad press, but question any business owner, and it’s not health and safety per se which attracts criticism, but the over-zealous application of the rules.

The UK has a reputation for being one of the most health and safetyconscious nations in the world, and few of us who have noted the lack of protection for workers on some other countries’ construction sites would argue with the principle of it.

However, the UK’s health and safety inspectors also attract negative headlines for over-zealous application of the rules (conkers in playgrounds, anyone?), which is why the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) statutory National Enforcement Code for local authorities is now banning local authorities from carrying out unnecessary inspections.

Instead, the code will require proactive council inspections to be carried out on higher-risk activities in specified sectors, or where there is intelligence of workplaces putting employees or the public at risk.

Employment minister Mark Hoban says the new code should stop over-zealous inspections. “We need health and safety that protects people where there are real risks, but doesn’t stifle business,” he says. “There are too many examples of local councils imposing unnecessary burdens on low-risk businesses.”

While tens of thousands of businesses, including most shops and offices, will be removed from health and safety inspections not justified on a risk basis, checks will continue on poor performers and high-risk sites. These include cooling towers where legionella bacteria can develop, and buried liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) pipes.

If such businesses believe they are being unreasonably targeted, they will be able to complain to an independent panel, which will investigate and issue a public judgment.

And employees can be secure in the knowledge that there is no lessening of the legal duties of care on businesses; so even though proactive inspections may cease, employers must still comply with applicable H&S law.

Research on health surveillance for noise

The HSE has published new research on health surveillance for people exposed to noise at work. It reveals: • Noise health surveillance was conducted in ‘a proactive manner’ with respondents demonstrating a knowledge of the importance of risk assessment • Communication was seen as ‘a vital component’ to the effectiveness of any noise health surveillance programme • There were variations in practitioner training, background and the setting in which they worked, creating potential for differences in perspectives and practices With regard to the final point above, RR966 current practice in health surveillance for noise said that such variations were seen at many levels throughout the assessment process, from pre-test checks, to undertaking audiometry, access to previous test data, categorisation and interpretation of results, frequency of audiometry and the feedback provided to both employee and employer.

The report is at http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/ rrhtm/rr966.htm

Fatalities fall

The number of workers killed in Britain last year fell, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says, with 148 workers fatally injured between April 2012 and March 2013 compared with 172 in the previous year.

Britain has had one of the lowest rates of fatal injuries to workers in leading industrial nations in Europe for the last eight years. HSE chair

Judith Hackitt says: “HSE is striving to make health and safety simpler and clearer for people to understand so that more people do what is required to manage risk.

“We all have a part to play; good leadership, employee engagement, and effective risk-management are key to ensuring our workers come home safe at the end of the working day.”

Smart Solutions from NECC’s preferred supplier of workplace advice, information and software: CONSULTANCY SERVICES The scope of our consultancy services for both employment and health & safety ranges from on-site training, disciplinary, grievance, redundancy, TUPE and document reviews through to audits for both HR and health & safety. We’re here to help.

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WEB-BASED MANAGEMENT TOOLS Our extensive online health and safety and HR resources provide additional in-depth guidance, best practice and ready-to-use practical tools. Specialist areas include: environmental management, facilities management, construction and much more.

CRONER SIMPLIFY A complete solution for companies with limited health & safety and/or HR resources. Proactive guidance from a dedicated business team and practical tools – reducing your risk and making managing your employees much easier.

For further information: www.cronersolutions.co.uk partnership@wolterskluwer.co.uk 0845 450 1306

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 47

HEALTH & SAFETY The new figures show fatalities in several key industrial sectors: • 39 fatal injuries to construction workers; a rate of 1.9 deaths per 100,000 workers, compared to an average of 53 deaths in the past five years and a decrease from 48 deaths in 2011/12 • 29 fatal injuries to agricultural workers; a rate of 8.8 deaths per 100,000 workers, compared to an average of 36 deaths in the past five years • 10 fatal injuries to waste and recycling workers; a rate of 8.2 deaths per 100,000 workers, compared to an average of 6 deaths in the past five years Across Great Britain: • 118 fatal injuries in England; a rate of 0.5 deaths per 100,000 workers, compared to an average of 144 deaths in the past five years • 22 fatal injuries in Scotland; a rate of 0.9 deaths per 100,000 workers, compared to an average of 22 deaths in the past five years • 8 fatal injuries in Wales; a rate of 0.6 deaths per 100,000 workers, compared to an average of 12 deaths in the past five years

Reporting rules change The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published details of proposed changes to simplify the mandatory reporting of workplace injuries for businesses.

Changes to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995 will clarify and simplify reporting requirements and ensure that data collected gives an accurate and useful picture of workplace incidents.

HSE has published information to support duty holders with the requirements which are on track for implementation from October, subject to Parliamentary approval. The main changes will simplify the reporting requirements in the following areas: • The classification of ‘major injuries’ to workers replaced with a shorter list of ‘specified injuries’ • The existing schedule detailing 47 types of industrial disease to be replaced with eight categories of

reportable work-related illness • Fewer types of ‘dangerous occurrence’ will require reporting There will not be any significant changes to the reporting requirements for: • Fatal accidents • Accidents to members of the public • Accidents resulting in a worker being unable to perform their normal range of duties for more than seven days The changes will require fewer incidents to be reported overall and it is estimated that they will result in a net benefit to business of £5.9m over a ten-year period.

They will not alter the current methods of reporting an incident at work and the criteria that determine whether an incident should be investigated will also remain the same. http://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/ october-2013-changes.htm

MacDonald Martin A comprehensive range of safety and engineering support services covering the entire lifecycle of your project Potentia is a Health, Safety and Environmental Consultancy and recruitment agency, providing specialist safety and engineering support. We have an established core team of safety professionals who are available for long and short-term contracts to provide · HSE Recruitment · Training (incl. IOSH Managing Safely) · Culture change and behavioural safety · Safety Case (Design, Construction & Operation) · Incident Investigation and Root Cause Analysis · ISO 9001, 14001 & OHSAS 18001 · Process Hazard Analysis (HAZOP, HAZID) · Site Safety Support · HSE management systems audit and development

Web: www.potentia.uk.com | Tel: 0191 229 9515

48 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013

Fire Safety Consultants

MacDonald Martin has over 20 years experience in the Fire safety industry. Our highly experienced team of fire safety assessors have previously spent many years in fire safety enforcement for Local Authority Fire Services.

Contact Andy Trafford on 0191 5237870 36d Ellesmere Court, Leechmere Industrial Estate, Sunderland, SR2 9UA Email: michaelganley@macdonald-martin.co.uk

www.macdonald-martin.co.uk

Join us for THE most important and prestigious business events in the region’s calendar which are the ideal place to meet with many of the largest organisations and key businesses from across the region. Guests attending will be the region’s decision makers and influences.

Tees Valley Annual Dinner Friday 13 September 2013; 18:30-00:00 Thistle Middlesbrough Dress code: Black tie The Tees Valley Annual Dinner welcomes Middlesbrough College as its sponsors and Nora Senior as our keynote speaker for the evening. Nora is Vice President, British Chambers of Commerce and Executive Chair, UK Regions and Ireland of global public relations and public affairs consultancy, Weber Shandwick.

Tickets: £65 plus VAT for members (£80 plus VAT for non-members)

Northumberland & Tyne Annual Dinner Thursday 24 October 2013; 18:30-00:00 Civic Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne Dress code: Black tie The Northumberland & Tyne Annual Dinner welcomes Newcastle International Airport and Gateshead College as its sponsors and Tim Clarke as our keynote speaker. Tim is the President of Emirates Airline and has been in the civil aviation business for his whole professional career.

Tickets: £85 plus VAT for members (£100 plus VAT for non-members)

ADVERTORIAL

SPECIALISATION THE KEY TO RIVERDALE’S CONTINUED SUCCESS Investment ensures operations continue to meet relevant standards in environmental responsibility and quality control

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Graeme Riccalton, MD, Riverdale Paper PLC

uccessive legislation on data protection, the environment, waste disposal, packaging waste and land-fill has placed considerable demands on organisations in the public and private sectors, demands that are sure to grow in the future.

Requirements imposed by legal instruments, such as the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations and Landfill Tax, which continues to increase year on year, change with government policies. Keeping abreast of these changes in requirements can be daunting, time consuming and costly for any organisation, no matter how large or well-resourced.

Faced with such challenges, it is understandable that most private companies and public authorities place waste management in the hands of specialist external contractors.

Specialist waste management companies will also invest in their own facilities, not only to ensure that their operations can handle all types of waste material, such as paper, card, plastics, metals and wood, but also to ensure that their operations continue to meet relevant standards in environmental responsibility and quality control.

Placing these responsibilities with a single waste management supplier offers a number of advantages in terms of operational and cost efficiency. It simplifies the management and administration of waste disposal; one phone call is all that is required to access a comprehensive service, whilst costs are controlled through economies in operation.

Specialisation is the key to efficiency and effectiveness in any organisation, it creates expert knowledge, assures dedicated facilities and delivers value for money.

Riverdale’s strength in providing total waste management solutions is built on specialisation in key areas where the company operates dedicated services: Waste paper recycling, security shredding and waste management. This allows the company to offer

50 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013

customers flexibility in the services they choose as well as delivering a complete package to meet all waste management requirements.

From the environmental perspective, Riverdale is accredited to ISO 14001, the international environmental management standard. Operationally, the company’s quality control management systems are independently certified to comply with ISO 9001 and its occupational health and safety management systems are accredited to ISO 18001.

In addition, the company is a member of leading industry associations, The Recycling Association and an accredited member United Kingdom Security Shredding Association which operates to BS17513.

Director Graeme Riccalton states, “As a company that provides its clients with advice and services to ensure compliance with the various standards relating to data protection, waste management and environmental responsibility, it is essential that our company operates to the most rigorous standards in performance and quality.

Riverdale’s Team Valley Headquarters

Riverdale Paper plc Earlsway, Team Valley Trading Estate Gateshead, Tyne & Wear NE11 0RQ Tel: 0191 482 4271 www.riverdalepaper.plc.uk E-mail: info@riverdalepaper.plc.uk

WASTE

NEWS

Waste made simple

Grease has its chips

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orthumbrian Water is teaming up with business to encourage responsible disposal of food waste, kitchen oils and grease.

The water company has teamed up with food outlets around the region to create a webpage - www.nwl.co.uk/ loveyourdrain - designed to help businesses dispose of kitchen grease correctly.

As it cools, greasy liquid can congeal, harden and restrict the flow of waste water and eventually lead to pipes becoming blocked.

In 2012 Northumbrian Water spent more than £145,000 clearing more than 2,000 blockages caused by greasy liquids such as cooking oil, butter, meat fats and sauces poured down sinks or drains.

Northumbrian Water

Restaurant of the Year 2013 technical adviser Greg Lee says the damage to a business for its environmentally friendly approach, is backing and the environment can be the campaign. costly. “Food businesses who Co-owner Frances Ord dispose of grease down the says: “Every business has a sink or drain are at risk responsibility to look after of costly drainage problems, the environment and odours or flooding around responsible waste collection premises, and is nothing new to us. For the reputational damage. last 20 years we have been “Owners often have completely no choice but to sustainable and close down while responsible the sewers are “AS WELL AS waste collection inspected and BLOCKING DRAINS, is a key part appropriately GREASE CAN of this.” remedied and POLLUTE STREAMS Businesses this could result AND RIVERS” are advised to in a loss of arrange for waste earnings. As well fat, oil and grease to as blocking drains be taken away by a waste grease can also pollute carrier registered with the streams and rivers when Environment Agency. They will poured into surface water provide a Waste Transfer Note drains or gullies.” with every collection. A free Colmans of South Shields, advice pack can be found at which was recently awarded www.nwl.co.uk/loveyourdrain Les Routiers Sustainable

in association with

A new system for recording transfers of waste online will streamline processes for businesses and save the nation money, says the Environment Agency.

In a recent survey, 72% of large or medium-sized waste operators welcomed edoc (electronic duty of care) – a free online system being developed by the Environment Agency in partnership with the waste sector for roll out in January 2014. edoc will provide a quick and easy alternative to the exchange of paper Waste Transfer Notes (WTNs) , saving time and money spent filing, searching and retrieving records manually.

It will also give businesses the tools to interrogate their own waste data and identify opportunities to improve efficiency. edoc is being developed under a four year project co-financed by the European Commission (LIFE+) led by the Environment Agency in partnership with the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), Reconomy (UK) Ltd, Welsh Government and WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme).

Use of edoc will not be mandatory, but the project partners hope that the benefits it offers will encourage businesses to make the move online.

You can find out more at www.environment-agency. gov.uk

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 51

ADVERTORIAL

BRIGHT SPARKS USING THE POWER OF POO! Northumbrian Water now has two sites which will cut the company’s annual £40m electricity bill by nearly 20%

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Northumbrian Water environmental plants at TeesPort (above) and Howdon (right).

orthumbrian Water is the award-winning national industry leader for generating green power from what comes naturally from all of us.

It’s the first waste water company in the UK to use all the sludge remaining after sewage treatment to produce renewable electricity.

Pioneering environmental plants have been built at Tees Port on the river’s south bank and at Howdon at the mouth of the Tyne.

The £70m dual investment will annually save Northumbrian Water multi-millions of pounds in gas electricity operating costs and significantly cut its carbon footprint by 20%.

The science uses a natural biological process. A new advanced anaerobic digestion (AAD) process called thermal hydrolysis has been developed, which involves pretreating the sludge remaining after sewage treatment, heating it to 165 degrees Celsius under six bars of pressure – a bit like putting it in a pressure cooker.

This destroys any pathogens and breaks down the cell structure, which makes it better to be fed to billions of bacteria in giant digester tanks – and easier for them to eat.

The two plants reduce two million cubic metres of sludge, resulting from the treatment of domestic sewage and biodegradable industrial effluent from a population equivalent of about four million, to about 150,000 cubic meters.

The resulting methane released by the bacteria is collected in 11-metre diameter biogas storage bags before being burned in a gas engine to produce nearly 10 megawatts of electricity.

Some of this is used in the process, making it

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self-sufficient, but there is enough excess to meet most of the whole sites total energy requirements.

Waste heat and steam generated from the process are also captured and recycled for use elsewhere in the process.

It also means less energy used for transportation of sludge leading to significant carbon savings.

And what remains of the sludge afterwards is an excellent Class A biosolid fertiliser for farmers.

Northumbrian Water now has two sites which will cut the company’s annual £40m electricity bill by nearly 20% and brings the company significantly closer to having a fifth of its energy produced from self-generated renewable sources by 2015.

Innovation is still at the forefront of this leading green initiative. Northumbrian Water is currently looking at further re-use of any remaining waste heat from the AAD process elsewhere on the treatment works sites.

Further cleaning of the biogas is being investigated so that it can be injected directly into the national gas grid, alternative fuels to supplement the sludge feed for the process, including food waste, are under examination and continuous optimisation of the process to maximise operational performance is targeted.

For more information visit www.nwl.co.uk Follow us on twitter @northumbrianH2O

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 53

WASTE

Power to the people

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ork is underway to develop a new purposebuilt £8m waste transfer station and visitor centre at Campground in Wrekenton, Gateshead.

Representatives from SITA UK and the main contractor on the project, Lend Lease, were joined by the chairman of the South Tyne and Wear Waste Management Partnership, Coun Peter Mole, to mark the official ground breaking.

The new facility is being developed by SITA UK as part of its 25-year contract with the South Tyne and Wear Waste Management Partnership to manage residual waste from Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland.

The enclosed facility will enable bin lorries to drop off waste collected from households inside the new building, rather than under the

rubber sheeting which houses the operation at the moment.

The design of the building will enable SITA UK to control noise and odours more effectively at the site. After waste has been delivered into the building it will be bulked up and sent to a new purposebuilt energy-from-waste facility at Teesside where it will be used to generate electricity.

The skyline in the local area has been changed for ever as a former incinerator building was demolished at the site to make way for the new buildings, which will be 10 metres lower.

SITA UK is also developing a new visitor and education centre on the site to show visitors and school pupils how a modern waste transfer station works and encourage people to manage their own waste in more environmentally friendly ways.

SITA UK project director Andy Stokes says: “This new

54 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013

waste transfer station is a key part of our contract, which will provide a modern solution for managing residual waste for the people of Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland. The waste delivered to this transfer station will be put to good use, generating electricity rather than being sent to landfill.”

Chairman of the South Tyne and Wear Waste Management Partnership, Coun Peter Mole says: “We are changing the way we manage our waste for the better. Converting our non-recycled waste into electricity is a much better solution environmentally than landfill. We will also save residents in the three councils around £300m over the next 25 years. The new waste transfer station being built at Campground is integral to these plans and will be a marked improvement.”

The building is expected to be complete by April 2014.

in association with

“We are changing the way we manage our waste for the better.

Converting our non-recycled waste into electricity is a much better solution and will save residents in three councils around £300m over the next 25 years”

Going for growth

T

he Journal has opened its £30m growth fund to more new businesses after already backing 1,870 jobs.

Since its launch earlier this year, the campaign has paid out millions to North East firms looking to grow their business, safeguarding or creating jobs across the region.

A third round of applications is now invited to come forward after the Let’s Grow campaign notched up £14m of support for North East firms in under six months.

The £30m campaign sees The Journal award money from the Government’s flagship Regional Growth Fund.

Companies in the next round are able to bid for grants of between £50,000 and £1m towards the costs of investment projects costing £200,000 or more.

Former chief executive of Northumbrian Water John Cuthbert, chair of the Let’s Grow investment panel, has urged firms to make their bid for the remaining cash.

He said: “We’ve had some really strong applications from a broad range of sectors. The businesses have all varied in

size and there have been some very interesting projects to consider. But the fund certainly isn’t fully committed at this stage. Businesses which have projects in mind, but haven’t quite got all the capital available, should apply.

“It’s a competition and it’s a limited fund. If a business has a project that meets the criteria, then they should not think about it for too long.”

The amount of support available depends on a number of factors such as the location of the project, the size of the company, the types of expenditure planned and the level of job impact.

In round one, 77 expressions of interest were received, with 48 of these converting into full applications. Of the 48 applications received, 42 have been approved, with £14.1m grant funding committed in principle.

The scheme set out to create or secure 2,275 jobs by December 2014, when the two-year campaign officially ends.

Journal editor Brian Aitken says: “Let’s Grow is proving to be an outstanding success. A brilliant team of people is

helping to make sure that much-needed growth funding is getting to companies in most need.

“We were unsure what level of interest would be generated when we began the process and we have been knocked out by both the quality and quantity of entries since then.”

Working with The Journal on the campaign is business improvement company BE Group and chartered accountancy practice UNW. Successful applicants must be either manufacturers or service sector firms offering more than a local service.

Simon Allen, senior project manager at BE Group, said: “After receiving some excellent applications in round one of the Let’s Grow programme, we are delighted to open the process for the second round of competition.

“We look forward to hearing about more businesses looking to invest in the growth of their business, so we can see if we can support them.”

Businesses keen to access the fund are urged complete an expression of interest online now at www.nebusiness.co.uk/ letsgrow

MONEY

Award winners The winners of the Nigel Wright North East Accountancy Awards 2013 sponsored by NECC have been announced.

A total of 400 of the region’s most influential finance and accounting individuals and companies attend the 7th annual North East Accountancy Awards at Hilton NewcastleGateshead.

The evening was hosted

by BBC Look North’s Carol Malia.

The winners of the 12 award categories include: Accounting Technician of the Year - Gemma Waugh, Avec Partnership Ltd New Accountant of the Year - Paul Batchelor, The Sage Group Accountant of the Year Graham Thomson, Quantum Pharmaceutical Business Finance Team of the Year - Balfour Beatty Worksmart Tax Advisor of the Year - Paul Price, KPMG LLP Corporate Finance Deal of the Year - PwC Independent Firm of the Year - Evolution Business & Tax Advisors LLP Public Sector Finance Team of the Year - Cleveland Police Finance Director of the Year - Michael Brodie, NHS Business Services Authority Branch of the Year - PwC Accounting and Finance Employer of the Year, sponsored by NECC - NHS Business Services Authority The Outstanding Achievement Award, sponsored by Title Sponsor, Nigel Wright Recruitment, was awarded to Robert Forrester.

Paul Walker, former CEO of The Sage Group, spoke at the event, which raised £6,380 for The Sunshine Fund and Barclays is fund matching.

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 55

WORKING LUNCH

All roads lead to Romano’s An Italian-style restaurant in classy Cleadon Village leaves Alastair Gilmour purring like a Ferrari

S

erendipity’s role is to discover virtue in the unexpected.

Things fall into place and the unintended appears to be deliberate.

So it would seem appropriate that we’ve invited John Mowbray, NECC’s immediate past president, to lunch at Bistro Romano in Cleadon, South Tyneside. The café bar and restaurant is owned by brothers Romano and Paolo Minchella and framed on the walls are evocative black-and-white photographs tracing every stage of Italian family life. Wedding guests jostle for space with handsome young men sporting bushy moustaches, suited-and-tied fathers dangle curly-haired tots, and nonna (grandma) is flanked by dutiful sons.

Mowbray’s no stranger to this place and his commitment to the harmony of family makes him feel very comfortable here.

He is now retired, having left his role as director of corporate affairs at Northumbrian Water in August 2012, while his two-year stint as NECC president drew to a close in June this year.

Despite his exuberance and passion for North East business, conversation meanders back to family; his daughter’s wedding and the the prospect of becoming a grandfather overtaking talk of export

drives and north-south divides. “I realised I didn’t have any time for myself,” he says of life before he retired. “I’m now doing what I like.”

But “doing what I like” doesn’t just involve a regular stroll along the seafront at Fulwell in Sunderland, or a day at Lord’s watching England thrash Australia. It’s clear from his portfolio of business and community interests that his is one hefty diary. He has just agreed to co-chair the new Culture Partnership for the North East - a link-up with 12 local authorities to give the region’s arts sector a louder voice.

He also sits on the board of the University of Sunderland, he is development board chairman at Sunderland AFC Foundation of Light, a trustee of Sunderland Music, Arts and Culture Trust, a governor of Castle View Enterprise Academy, and a non-executive director at TEDCO, Press Ahead Media and Husband and Brown, the Gateshead-based land agent.

An OBE for services to the water industry and to charity - WaterAid in particular - was a surprise in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Birthday Honours list.

To him, anyway.

But retirement appears to be business as usual. He says: “As immediate past president I’m still involved with the NECC council and board. The board runs the business side of the Chamber and I chair the council which decides policy and direction, lobbying and advising.

“The Foundation of Light involves 2,000 youngsters, getting them into education through football. And now that there’s no One North East, Government Office North East or Arts Council North East left, we’ll connect the region’s arts programmes and get people talking to each other through the new programme.

“It’s quite a change for me. I used to

56 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013

work full-time and do this sort of thing after work, but now I can pick and choose.

“Being NECC president gave me the opportunity to meet a lot of businesses. I’ve run companies, but never my own.

You’ve got to admire people running businesses.”

A legacy of his presidential tenure is his pride in the campaign 50 Great Reasons To Do Business In The North East, which emphasises everything from our estimated £3bn trade surplus to leading electric vehicle infrastructure.

“In my time as president I went on trade missions to Japan and Abu Dhabi,” he says. “It’s then you really appreciate the huge investment in the region we have from the likes of Komatsu at Birtley, Hitachi in Newton Aycliffe, with its biggest investment in the world outside Japan, and Nissan (the most productive plant in Europe).

Simply delicious

“50 Great Reasons started off as 10 business statements. It’s about building confidence and it was good to hear Dave Laws’ opening speech as NECC president picking up on that.”

So, is there space in the Mowbray agenda for more? His interest in writing poetry could develop into fiction, and he enjoys travelling in an old camper van. A trip to Australia to visit friends is in the offing and he’s considering taking a history degree. “I’m working through my family tree. The Mowbrays came here in 1066 with William The Conquerer and were the Earls of Northumberland before the Percys. But there’s a gap in the middle of the 15th Century.

I’m not sure what happened.”

Then, from the top of John Mowbray’s head, the poetic words come: “Of course, Minchella’s ice-cream is the best in the world.”

Bistro Romano is Mediterranean with an Italian bias coupled with an international outlook and British class. It is owned by Romano and Paolo Minchella of the famous ice cream family and they are everpresent in kitchen and dining room. It’s set among chic outlets in Cleadon Village, Sunderland, including florist, saddlery, Bijoux Boutique and the Happy Organic café owned by Romano’s daughter Luisa. It’s stylish and contemporary, impressive not showy, and tastefully furnished with the informality of a city-centre trattoria. John Mowbray’s starter of black pudding and boiled eggs with paprika-spiced pancetta

(£6.95) looked - and apparently was - amazing.

And something soused in alcohol just should not be ignored. Tagliatelle salmone - smoked salmon, tomato, cream and vodka (£10.50) danced with flavours and texture shot through with a bite of spirit.

A risotto of salmon, petit pois, cold water prawns and saffron cream (£11.50) kept our guest reflecting on visits to Lake Garda and the Amalfi Coast, and focused our photographer.

The lunch, beautifully simple yet deliciously full-flavoured, also influenced our Italian poetic nature: Questi pantaloni sono troppo stretti (these trousers are too tight).

Bistro Romano, 63 Front Street, Cleadon Village, Sunderland SR6 7PG, tel 0191 519 1747

Meeting your budget, exceeding your expectations Rockliffe Hall, the luxury five star hotel, golf and spa resort, recently awarded Silver for Business Tourism at the VisitEngland awards for Excellence, offers awardwinning facilities - without the five star price tag.

The perfect setting for meetings, conferences and events: • Great links to A1, A19 and Darlington train station • Complimentary Wi-Fi and state-of-the-art technology for smooth presentations • Award-winning food in stunning surroundings • 11 well-equipped meeting rooms • Sublime guest service, a five-star home from home

Summer Delegate Offer This summer, delegates can enjoy a meeting in Rockliffe Hall’s newest meeting facility; The Gatehouse from just £25+VAT per delegate including delicious lunch, refreshments and private meeting space for the day.

You will be surprised just how affordable five-star luxury can be.

www.rockliffehall.com Hurworth-on-Tees Darlington County Durham DL2 2DU +44 (0)1325 729999 enquiries@rockliffehall.com

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 57

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE: LUNCH CLOSE HOUSE ARGENT D’OR

HOTEL DU VIN

THE CROFT HOTEL

THE BOYSON RESTAURANT

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 August.

Experience an elegant and informal setting for lunch and dinner. At Bistro du Vin Newcastle, dishes rely heavily on fresh, seasonal, locally sourced produce. Summer’s here and we’re celebrating with our Al Fresco menu, served daily in the Bistro and on the Terrace. 2 courses and a half bottle of wine for £25 (£20 without wine).

3 Courses and a half bottle for £35 (£30 without wine).

Reopened in February 2013 following extensive refurbishment and under new management, The Croft Hotel now boasts a new Gastropub, private dining room, traditional Tea Rooms, extensively refurbished function/conference suites and 20 bedrooms.

The Croft Gastropub is the perfect venue for a business lunch with our highly competitive Market Menu available between 12-2pm every week day. Just £12 for 2 – courses.

Longhirst is ideal for a spot of lunch. New head chef Konrad Sliniwski focuses on locally sourced fresh ingredients and his newly launched seasonal lunch menu is delicious in this formal setting. The Collingwood Bar offers a more modern, informal setting with a traditional pub menu. To benefit from a special 10% discount available until August 312013, quote ‘Working Lunch’.

LOCATION: Close House, Heddon on the Wall, Newcastle, NE15 OHT www.closehouse.co.uk

LOCATION: Hotel du Vin, Newcastle City Road Newcastle, NE1 2BE

LOCATION: The Croft Hotel Croft-on-Tees Darlington, DL2 2ST Tel: 01325 720319 www.crofthotel.net

LOCATION: Longhirst Hall

Tel: 0191 2292200 www.hotelduvin.com

Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 3LL Tel: 01670 795000 www.longhirst.co.uk

MARCO PIERRE WHITE STEAKHOUSE BAR & GRILL

RENDEZ VOUS AT THE COUNTY HOTEL

ROCKLIFFE HALL

SACHINS

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.

Located directly opposite Newcastle Central Station and 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. Our 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.

Celebrating almost 30 years in service, the award winning restaurant Sachins on Forth Banks in Newcastle has been delighting diners with their signature, meticulously crafted menu since opening its doors.

Using only the freshest, locally sourced ingredients, chef and proprietor Bob Arora perfectly balances his dishes; a skill learned from years in the profession, which many other restaurants do not offer, truly offering Punjabi perfection.

LOCATION: Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill, 2-8 Fenkle Street, Newcastle NE1 5XN Tel: 0191 300 9222 www.mpwsteakhousenewcastle.co.uk

LOCATION: The County Hotel by Thistle, Neville Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 5DF Tel: 0191 2322471 www.thistle.com/newcastle

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

LOCATION: Sachins, Forth Banks,

58 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013

Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3SG Tel: 0191 261 90 35 www.sachins.co.uk

APPOINTMENTS

HOWDY, PARTNER

Rowlands Accountants is boosting its Restructuring and Insolvency services with the appointment of new partner Andrew Little.

Chartered accountant and insolvency specialist Andrew joined Rowlands Accountants as an associate at the end of last year and has already had significant success with business development and creating new partnership opportunities for the firm.

Operating primarily from the Yarm and Portobello offices, he is tasked with consolidating the team’s presence across the Tees Valley region as well as growing the Northern region as part of Rowlands’ wider expansion plans.

Andrew says: “The team I work with is an extremely strong one and my role is to add a new commercial perspective and develop and accelerate the growth plans put in place before my arrival.”

RETURN ADDS UP

Finance professional Dawn Chambers has returned to regional fund management firm NEL Fund Managers. Dawn was a financial analyst before leaving to have her two children. She has now rejoined the company as a management accountant.

HEADHUNTER

Nortech Staffing Solutions, which sources and provides permanent and temporary personnel in the process, offshore, onshore oil & gas, steel and iron industries, has appointed Gary Fish, 41, as recruitment manager.

COMMERCIAL ROLE

Remploy has appointed Matt Fellows to a key commercial role in its employment services business. Matt moves from head of Remploy’s Armed Forces & Veterans service to the new role of director of public sector commercial.

NEW RECRUIT FOR AWARD-WINNING TEAM The specialist public sector property team at law firm Ward Hadaway has been further strengthened with the recruitment of lawyer Saji Bratch.

Saji joins the UK Top 100 firm as an Associate after spending more than a decade specialising in advising on property issues for a variety of public sector organisations.

She has extensive experience providing legal advice on a wide range of property transactions.

FIRST PAST THE POST

Newcastle Racecourse has appointed Emily McGowan as events manager to help to drive its growth as a venue for private and corporate events and conferences. Emily will work alongside executive director David Williamson, as well as the racecourse’s sales and marketing team in her new role.

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

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

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

59 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013

EVENTS

NECC AGM

Three Chamber Networking Event De Vere Slaley Hall, Northumberland, 11am-2pm, Thursday August 29, 2013 FREE Slaley Hall, Northumberland is the venue for the 2013 joint Chambers’ business networking event.

Cumbria Chamber of Commerce and Dumfries and Galloway Chamber will be joining The North East Chamber of Commerce for this leading business networking opportunity.

This free lunch event includes round table networking and is for both NECC members and businesses looking to find out more. The event will give you a taste of the benefits of belonging to NECC intertwined with plenty of opportunities to network and build new contacts.

If you are interested in taking an exhibition stand at a cost of £50 please email events@necc.co.uk.

Sponsored by De Vere Slaley Hall: Slaley Hall is set in 1,000 acres of moorland and forest, perfectly located 24 miles from Newcastle city centre and 21 miles from Newcastle International airport. A grand entrance leads to an even bigger welcome, the perfect escape for business or pleasure. This is your luxury space. There are no boundaries for blue sky thinking in the 12 event rooms for up to 300 guests, complement this with 142 rooms, two championship golf courses and three unique dining experiences so there is no reason to leave you’ve arrived at the complete destination.

Business Lunch with Mark Hoban MP New College Durham. 11.30am-2pm, Tuesday September 17, 2013 £20+VAT Join Mark Hoban, Minister of State for Employment, for a business lunch. Mark will speak on the youth contract - a UK Government initiative aiming to get young people into employment through various incentives for businesses and is designed for 18-24 year olds.

The event will include a two- course lunch and an opportunity for networking and interaction with other businesses. Sponsored by Triage

NECC welcomed new president Dave Laws at the AGM at Ramside Hall, Durham, and bade a fond farewell to past president John Mowbray. Tony Cleary, MD of Lanchester Wines, shared his experiences in business with the audience.

 John Mowbray, keynote speaker Tony Cleary, Dave Laws, James Ramsbotham

 Vicky Stone, Vicky Stone Marketing  Anne Spetch, DWF and Kate Davis, and Mark Anderson, New College Durham Becoming Visible

 Patricia Boynton, Butterworth Hospice Care

 Lisa Thomas, Newcastle University Business School

 Brian Aitken, The Journal

 Les Walton CBE

60 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013

The NECC Exchange The Beacon, Newcastle, 11am-2pm, Thursday 26th September 2013 FREE

NECC PRESIDENT’S CLUB GOLF DAY NECC enjoyed a fine day’s golf on Close House’s Lee Westwood Filly Course at the 2013 NECC President’s Club Golf Day sponsored by TSG

 John Turnbull, Lloyd’s Bank, Mark Joynson, TSG

 Longest drive winner Paul Duncan, Parker Hannifan, Mark Joynson, TSG

 Winning four-ball team, Nigel Cook, Elddis, Ross McAlpine, Duco, Bob Moncur, NUFC, Mark Joynson, TSG

This is the NECC’s flagship networking event encouraging an exchange of experiences, ideas and offers. 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 mini-expo and take part in a trading board making offers and posting ‘wanted’ ads If you are interested in taking an exhibition stand at a cost of £50 please email events@necc.co.uk.

Space is limited.

Sponsored by The Beacon: Situated on Westgate Road in the heart of the west end of Newcastle, The Beacon provides affordable, flexible office space, artisan workshops and a place to meet, eat and network in its very own stylish bistro.The top floor features the flexible Skylight conference and function suite with panoramic windows and outdoor balcony space. The Beacon works all businesses, of any size, shape or sector, including home-based businesses looking for temporary office space www.thebeaconnewcastle.co.uk

NECC Golf Day De Vere Slaley Hall, Northumberland, 12pm-7.30pm, Wednesday October 16, 2013 £100 for a team of 4 Following the great success of the NECC Golf Day in June, we have added a second date to the calendar. Included are hot sandwiches and refreshments on arrival, 18 holes of Championship Golf and a private dinner with prize giving. Early booking is strongly recommended.

Sponsored by Chamber Utilities: Chamber Utilities™ is an established service, operating with more than 40 Chambers nationwide for the last 10 years. It works closely with members to remove the complexity of energy purchasing and secure the best supplier tariffs and contract structures to suit their business. In addition the service offers a wide range of energy management solutions.

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 61

EVENTS

SHORT COURSES

BUSINESS SEMINARS AUG

29 SEP

Discipline and Grievance Procedures

FREE FREE

9.15am - 11.30am, NECC Durham

The new NECC networking events programme prompts members to engage and share ideas and experiences. With events throughout the region, the programme ranges from large-scale round table networking to smaller presentationfocused events and localised informal networking.

17

Content Marketing

OCT

Talent Management

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

13

NETWORKING

OCT

FREE

AUG

NECC Local

FREE

AUG

NECC Local

14 14 22 AUG

29

10.00am – 12.00pm, Venue TBC 3.00pm – 4.30pm The Palace Hub, Redcar 3.00pm - 4.30pm Grace House North East, Sunderland

Three Chamber Networking Lunch

11.00am - 2.00pm Slaley Hall, Northumberland

SEP

NECC Local

SEP

Business Lunch with Mark Hoban-MP

03 17 SEP

17 SEP

19 SEP

26 OCT

01 OCT

17

11.00am - 12.30pm Evans Easyspace, Newton Aycliffe

11.30am – 2.00pm New College Durham

Coffee & Connections (Ladies only) 10.00am – 12.00pm Venue TBC

NECC Local

5.30pm - 6.45pm Nunthorpe Academy, Middlesbrough

The Exchange

11.00am – 2.00pm The Beacon, Newcastle

Stand Up and be Counted

FREE FREE FREE £20* FREE FREE FREE

10.00am – 12.00pm The Workplace, Newton Aycliffe

FREE

Durham Oktoberfest 2013 - Engineering and Manufacturing Show

FREE

9.00am-4.30pm The Xcel Centre Newton Aycliffe

book online at: www.necc.co.uk

9.30am - 11.30am, NECC Durham

FREE

book online at: www.necc.co.uk

SEP

OCT

24

Tees Valley Annual Dinner 6.30pm til Late, Thistle Middlesbrough

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

NECC Golf Day

12.00pm-7.30pm Slaley Hall, Northumberland

£65*

SEP

Stockton Business Forum

03 10 SEP

11 SEP

13 SEP

16 SEP

17

8.15am-10.00am Teesside University, Darlington Campus

4.00pm-5.30pm Holme House Prison, Stockton

Redcar & Cleveland Committee

8.15am-10.00am Freebrough Academy, Brotton

North Tyneside Committee

8.15am - 9.45am Cobalt Business Exchange

Newcastle Gateshead

4.00pm - 6.00pm, Venue TBC

Middlesbrough Committee

8.15am-10.00am Middlesbrough College, Middlesbrough

2 Sept Leadership & Motivation 5 Sept AAT Finance for Non Financial Managers

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

£85* £100* team of 4

COMMITTEES Darlington Committee

28 Aug Linked In

Management

book online at: www.necc.co.uk

SEP

20 Aug First Aid at Work

10 Sept Project

CORPORATE

16

Coffee & Connections (Ladies only)

AUG

01

9.30am - 11.30am, NECC Durham

13 Aug Presentation Skills

FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE

Supervisory Skills 25 Sept First Aid Refresher

Book online at www.necc.co.uk email: emma.lowery@necc.co.uk call 0300 303 6322

INTERNATIONAL TRADE SHORT COURSES 11 Sept International Payment Methods/Letters of Credit 12 Sept Meet the International Trade Team 27 Sept Export Processes, Compliance and Documents 3 Oct Import Processes, Compliance and Documents 15 Oct Incoterms

FREE

22 Oct Customs

FREE

and Documents

Compliance, Processes

SEP

Hartlepool Committee

SEP

Durham Committee

8.30am - 10.30am, Venue TBC

FREE

control seminar

Northumberland Committee

FREE

(All international courses are scheduled to be at Aykley Heads, Durham but subject to change dependent on numbers).

18 20 SEP

25

4.00-5.30pm Housing Hartlepool, Hartlepool

4.00pm - 6.00pm, Venue TBC

book online at: www.necc.co.uk

*Member Price + VAT

62 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013

23 Oct Export

email: Jacqui.tulip@necc.co.uk call 0845 076 8324

FAB FAB55

Fab 5 Surfing!

Some call it the ultimate distraction from work, but the online world has also revolutionised our knowledge base for business.

Laura Emmerson discovers your favourite websites

1

2

3

Robin Owers

Claire Richardson Dr. Sarah Glynn Tait Walker, outsourcing/business services manager

Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums

I find many of the social media channels direct me to the content I’m after, so the likes of Twitter and Mashable , which aggregate all the information I want into one place, are perfect for me. Digiday is similar but specifically about digital, marketing, media and advertising new, so it’s relevant to my line of work.

PSFK provides daily briefing on industry news for the arenas of advertising, creative business, digital, design and architecture, and I find the blog layout style and blocks of information appealing.

I also love Instagram which is great for providing inspiration and motivation, but it depends who you follow.

I’m currently following ‘exercise’ and ‘healthy’.

The main website I use is that of the accountancy software provider Sage. We are Platinum Business Partners with Sage, of which there are only 37 partners in the country.

The main website is accessible for everybody and features lots of useful articles and reports in the business resources section, but the business partners section features a useful forum, where I can ask other business partners their thoughts and advice, and lots of technical features such as tutorials.The online support function’s great for those who don’t have time to sit on the phone, and the regular news bulletins with advice, hints, and tips are very informative.

My favourite website is a microsite accessed through Facebook called The Earth Story, which features amazing photos from all over the world of natural phenomena on our planet, explanations of the photos and discussions.

My research was in marine geochemistry so I find the natural world hugely interesting anyway, but there are lots of people who follow the site that are not academics or scientists – it’s relevant to everyone.

Being a geology geek I’ve found the site to be quite scientifically robust, and the quality of the contributor’s and their images make it a bit like a beautiful coffee table book. I really recommend it.

MD, OPR Newcastle

4 Sharon Adams

5 Victoria Thompson

I find a reference website called Tolley the most useful for my needs. It’s a subscription-only service providing tax intelligence information, owned by Lexis Nexis.

I started using the system about three years ago and find it much more up to date than the previous CD system we used, or prior to that I used reference books. The Tolley online system is the equivalent of having a library at my fingertips which I can access anywhere - life is a lot easier being able to search for information electronically. It’s very user-friendly and features commentary from tax professionals, as well as the Inland Revenue’s point of view.

News sites, although picking my favourite one is not so easy! I’m an avid reader and need to keep up to date with what’s happening both on a regional and national level so in addition to having numerous alerts set up and being a massive fan of the news aggregator feedly, I frequently find myself on the Guardian website.

The printed publication still very much appeals to me, but going through it online opens up a whole other world, enabling me to link to previous stories and research related subjects really easily.

I also like to go off on an unrelated tangent and as usability is the key to success of any site The Guardian lets me. It knows its audience.

Tax partner, Waltons Clark Whitehall Accountants

Head of communications, North East BIC

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 63

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TAKE TWO

Double take

SENIOR PARTNER, WATSON BURTON I

HEAD OF FAMILY LAW, SINTONS LLP

Gillian Hall Katharine Lowthian How long have you been in the job?

I joined Watson Burton in 1985, was head of corporate from 1992-2010 and was made senior partner in June 2010. Before Watson Burton I worked for one of the big City law firms.

What do you love about your job?

The people; both the clients and our staff. We have a really talented team working for us at Watson Burton and a varied and exciting client base; I learn some thing new every day.

What are the most challenging aspects of your position?

Corporate law itself is intellectually challenging in terms of the level at which we are doing deals and negotiating.

In terms of running a large business, with my senior partner hat on, there are constant challenges, and we use our business expertise and experience to help provide advice to our clients, because we know and understand the issues they face.

Highlight of your career so far?

Becoming the senior partner. To have the confidence of the other partners at the firm and our staff, and the support of all the firm’s clients has been hugely important.

Who do you admire most?

People who treat other people the way they would want to be treated themselves.

What would you do if you weren’t in the legal profession?

I would definitely be involved in business; I come from a farming family so I am too commercially focused to not be in business.

How will you spend your time when you retire?

I will definitely spend my time travelling more. I have travelled extensively in Europe already, and would love to travel in luxurious style to interesting places I’ve not been before, staying in lovely hotels.

How long have you been in the job?

I spent 18 years at Dickinson Dees setting up the family law department, but have been qualified for 25 years. In 2007 I set up my own niche family law firm, Lowthian Gray, and have just joined Sintons as head of family law.

What do you love about your job?

The nature of the work we do is extremely personal, so I feel privileged to be advising people and giving them support at such a crucial time in their lives.

What are the most challenging aspects of your position?

Due to the area of work that I am in, managing clients’ expectations can be particularly challenging, because often what they expect, and what they are entitled to in the eyes of the law, can be quite different.

Highlight of your career so far?

Advising many high profile professionals and entrepreneurial business people, and obtaining advantagious settlements for my clients are the highlights.

Who do you admire most?

I don’t especially admire one person in particular, but I do admire women who are in very senior management positions and have fought hard to get where they are, but take the time to mentor and encourage other women to follow in their footsteps.

What would you do if you weren’t in the legal profession?

In my dreams I’d like to be a Professor of English Literature at Cambridge, but that is very much in my dreams!

How will you spend your time when you retire?

I will be a very old lady by the time I retire, so I imagine I will spend my time reading my books, working my way through Charles Dickens in particular.

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 65

GUEST COLUMNIST

Last Word This month: John Irwin, director, Edward Symmons Group

T

he most obvious signs of the North East’s recession are the empty buildings and vacant land being offered at unimagined low prices. What we do with these buildings and land and how we provide buildings for the new requirements for the redefined businesses in the new post-recession era will undoubtedly help to shape the economic success in our region.

Property and business have of course always been interlinked, as property is merely the cover under which companies and organisations conduct their business. The main issue has been and now most certainly is - the extent to which they are mutually reliant and dependent.

Before the world changed in 2007, business involvement in property issues was significant. Banks competed keenly to lend to business for their working capital, improvements and expansion with security based on the borrower’s property asset value. The worth of the business could be significantly enhanced by their property assets – sometimes exceeding the value of the going concern business. Private business owners could secure tax and pension advantage by having the property in a separate “vehicle” from the main business.

More individuals became property speculators and developers finding readily available finance.

As the world economy changed in 2007, the property industry paused as business decided against making decisions that could be avoided. Business contraction meant most properties were now too large for their reduced needs with their rents, repayments and rates forming a larger proportion of their overheads.

The lack of occupier demand, an

oversupply and forced sales saw values drop in all sectors. The effect on the financial sector has been well documented and it’s my view the consequences have yet to work all their way through the banking system.

Banks do not lend on pure property purchases and the amount they will lend to businesses with their property as security is less of a percentage than before and on a much reduced value.

Many banks have not fully taken into account their client’s reduced asset worth. Tenants are not confident about the future and will understandably not sign up to leases often beyond five years which is inadequate to justify new build especially when, for example, industrial units can be rented for £3.50 per square foot (psf) compared to a building cost of some £65 psf. It is small wonder that businesses are holding onto their cash and not investing as they understand the catch 22 of not being able to borrow money if they do not have money.

Government understands the problem but is not really helping. Business rates

66 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2013

are now far too high, with no prospect of this changing until 2017. Empty property rates stifle businesses competitiveness and speculation.The pain and reduced rents paid to landlords further devalues properties and makes the justification and prospect of new ones being built even more remote.

New planning regulations actually encourage more greenfield development with the central brownfield areas becoming more derelict and forlorn.

Grants now go direct to businesses which is encouraging.

As a result we are in danger of not having an up-to-date flexible property stock to cater for the requirements of not only our existing but the new industries of the future that we will see the north east survive and thrive. We are demolishing old stock and do not have the financial wherewithal to build new. We need a solution - sooner rather than later!

John Irwin is a director with the Edward Symmons Group and is based at its Teesside office, Storeys Edward Symmons

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