Contact - August-September 2014

NECC: Making the North East a success

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2014

Time lord

Beamish Museum’s Richard Evans looks to the future

Top flight

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FAB FIVE We’re all going on a summer holiday

The ups and downs of the private jet business

PROFILE

AND ALL THAT JAZZ Benfield Motor Group’s Mark Squires: Hitting the high notes in business

BUILDING A FUTURE CONSTRUCTION IN FOCUS

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Welcome...

Welcome to the latest edition of Contact magazine, packed with everything from environmentally friendly architecture to commemorative stamps.

There have been some significant highlights since last issue, most notably the continued rise of positivity recorded by our Quarterly Economic Surveys.

As a gauge of the region’s economic health, the QES brings much to celebrate. The slow but steady growth recorded over 2013 seems to have laid a solid foundation for many businesses to kick on in 2014 and that is being reflected in significant investment, recruitment and training plans.

It adds to the regional feel-good factor that not even England’s early departure from the World Cup could derail.

I have also had the pleasure of hosting another fantastic President’s Club event for 170 of the

NECC president David Laws reflects on a positive quarter

region’s leading business folk at Newcastle Falcons’ Kingston Park home.

It was great catching up with guest speaker Chris Browne, CEO of Thomson Airways, who recently launched the Dreamliner Boeing 787 service from Newcastle International Airport.

Another opportunity to renew friendships came when a delegation from NECC visited the Mid Ruhr Chamber of Commerce in Bochum, Germany.

We hosted our German colleagues last year and it was fantastic to cement our friendships with a return visit.

We visited companies such as RESOL Regelsysteme, which specialises in equipment for the solar and thermal heating industry, and met management at Dortmund Airport, which gave me the opportunity to share best practice.

Among the more bizarre but no less enjoyable meetings was a surprise encounter with the former West German goalkeeper Hans Tilkowski, the man between the sticks when England triumphed in the 1966 World Cup. He still maintains that England’s third goal should never have stood, but be that as it may, if this visit helps get some business deals over the line then it will have been time well spent.

Oh, and sorry Hans, as a former referee I have to tell you that while that ball may not have crossed the line…we still would have won 3-2!

EDITOR Jane Pikett jane@offstonepublishing.co.uk EDITORIAL TEAM Dean Bailey 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 844 115 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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Becky Unthank

Mark Squires

Richard Evans

“Being in The Unthanks is the best job ever. I think no matter who you are, whether singing is your job or not, people find singing therapeutic. It is an act of joy, celebration, and solace; whatever you want it to be.”

“I see two kinds of family business out there.There are those which hold on too much to the past and the principles of yesteryear. And there are those that understand they need to evolve and develop as they grow.”

“My office is in the museum ‘town’, so I work in a 1910 terraced house, although I do have a computer. We are a slightly weird place to work.

I’ve got four costumes and I wander around in a bowler hat.

It’s not everyone’s cup of tea.”

The Unthanks

Benfield Motor Group

Beamish Museum

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AUG - SEP 2014 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 3

Championing the region since 1815 Be part of it

For two centuries our members have stood shoulder to shoulder for the good of the region, developing ground breaking innovations, and playing key roles in industrial and economic change. Our region’s economic and physical landscape continues to change and NECC is, and will always be, evolving with it, but our sole purpose remains the same - we will always make the prosperity of our members and the North East our number one priority.

NECC is your Chamber.

Be part of it. Join us now at www.necc.co.uk/join-us or call 0300 303 6322 #GreatNE

Contents

To keep up to date with all the latest NECC and member news download the NECC app by searching for NECC in the Apple app store and on Google Play

Plus 10 TEEING OFF

Celebs join Steve Cram for COCO golf day

15 HATS OFF AC/DC’s Brian Johnson

bags an honorary doctorate

26 THE CORE First building at Science Central set to open

28 SUCCESS Award-winning

Gradon Architecture

38 NECC POLICY Scottish vote in focus 40 SKILLS 100 Day Apprenticeship

Challenge breaks records

42 EXPORT To Russia with love

Features 06 60 SECONDS

With Becky Unthank

30 HIGH FLYERS

NAL Asset Management

Mark Squires, chief executive of Benfield Motor Group

32 ALL THAT JAZZ

32

54 HI TECH Making contact 63 FAB FIVE Holiday memories 66 LAST WORD With Sean Bullick, NE1 Ltd

Third-generation Benfield Motor Group boss Mark Squires

36 ALL HART

Scientist-entrepreneur Alby Pattison

45 FOCUS: ENERGY

Exploring the region’s energy sector

50 FOCUS: CONSTRUCTION Bridging the housing gap

56 OUT TO LUNCH

With Beamish Museum director Richard Evans

65 DOUBLE TAKE

With award winners Jo Hand and Kari Owers

30 28 36

Clockwise from above: Gradon Architecture’s Graham and Donna McDarby; NAL Asset Management’s Craig McLeod; and Hart Biologicals’ Alby Pattison

AUG - SEP 2014 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 5

60 SECONDS

Thank you for the music 60 Seconds: Becky Unthank, folk musician

S

inger Becky Unthank is part of one of the world’s most critically acclaimed folk groups, The Unthanks along with her elder sister Rachel. Nominated for the Mercury Music Award, winners of Mojo magazine’s Folk Album of the Year, and described by The Sun as ‘the most beguiling act’ in folk music, the sisters, who grew up in Ryton, are due to perform at the Great North Run Million Opening ceremony to celebrate the race’s millionth finisher on September 4.

Q Who did you look up to as a child?

My sister. I know it’s a bit sickly but it’s true. She took me under her wing, we spent lots of time together wandering around folk festivals singing.

therapeutic. It is an act of joy, celebration, and solace; whatever you want it to be.

Q What do you enjoy most about your career?

Going to festivals! That was always mine and my sister’s dream, to get a free ticket for doing a bit of singing. I love meeting new people, we get to meet so many different people but also being part of a close-knit group like a band is a really wonderful feeling.

Q What would you be doing if you weren’t in your current job?

I was studying History of Art with Practice when I took a year out with the band, so something along those lines. Also, I would love to be a registrar.

Q How do you compare to your 21-yearold self?

It was only eight years ago! But I had only left home two years before so the world was a new exciting place, emotions were amplified and possibilities endless. My immaturity was freeing but a self-conscious lack of confidence held me back. Maybe now it’s the opposite?

Q The best career decision you’ve made and why?

I have two. To become a full time folk singer and getting married.

Q How would you describe yourself now?

Lucky to have the opportunity to make a living doing something I am very passionate about. I would definitely describe myself as still learning.

Q Who has inspired you in your life?

My family, the folk world and the world in general. I look for inspiration every day and don’t have trouble finding it.

Q What’s the best job you’ve ever had and why?

Being in The Unthanks is the best job ever! Expressing yourself through the act of singing is such a constructive outlet. I think no matter who you are, whether singing is your job or not, people find singing

6 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / AUG - SEP 2014

Q If I were to tell you you couldn’t fail what would you do?

Fly.

Q What scares you the most?

Loneliness and spiders.

Q Who would play you in a film of your life?

Someone much more beautiful and eloquent than me I hope, but they would have to be a Geordie.

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Being part of a

close-knit band is a wonderful feeling

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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 Twitter has been celebrating graduation season. Here’s our pick of some of the best #capsandgowns pictures from the region’s universities

Carolyn Tilly presents the donation to Anne Gladwin

WILLING DONATION FOR A GOOD CAUSE

Clients of Tilly Bailey & Irvine Solicitors have helped the firm raise £3,740 for Hartlepool & District Hospice.

The Hartlepool-based practice took part in the Hospice’s annual Make a Will Month, waiving its fee for the preparation of wills in return for a donation to the Hospice, and raising £3,740 in the process.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Tony Turner Accountants (TTA) in Swalwell is celebrating its tenth year in business.

Having qualifed as an accountant in 1979, Turner launched TTA in June 2004.

Since then, the firm has grown its client base in a range of sectors, and kept going through two fires and a number of floods at its offices.

“We provide a wide range of services to individuals and businesses and remain humbly proud of the many positive comments received,” he says.

NE1 FOR TABLE TENNIS

As we’re sure you’re aware, National Table Tennis Day took place in July and NE1 Ltd, which manages the Newcastle Business Improvement District, celebrated by installing seven ping pong tables in the city centre. The free-touse tables at Northumberland Street, Princess Square, Trinity Gardens, and the Quayside will be in place throughout the summer as part of NE1’s summertime events programme.

Jason Cook (@ jasonmarkcook): This happened today. Honorary fellowship from Sunderland Uni Newcastle University (@ UniofNewcastle): We’re honouring legendary musician and former NCL Uni Fine Art student Bryan Ferry this afternoon Northumbria Uni (@ NorthumbriaUni): New ‘Rock Doc’ as @AC_DC @BrianJohnson awarded Doctorate of Music @NorthumbriaUni

5,000 REASONS

How much profit could you turn a £5,000 investment into?

That’s the challenge being laid down to businesses by the Changing Lives charity.

In a task akin to an episode of The Apprentice (we hope without the shouting) the charity is asking companies to sign up to its Put 5k to Work initiative.

The challenge calls for corporate teams to take up to £5,000 loaned from the charity and generate as much profit as possible over six months.

The money raised will go towards Changing Lives Employment Service, which helps people struggling with barriers to work to get employment ready and enter the jobs market. Nice work!

Northumbria Uni (@ NorthumbriaUni): Congratulations @verabaird @northumbriapcc awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Civil Law today

AT THE TOP TABLE

NECC member Alan Richardson, contracts and export manager for Hart Door, was part of a delegation of firms from across Britain at a private breakfast meeting with chancellor George Osborne at 11 Downing Street in July.

Led by British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) director general John Longworth and BCC president Nora Senior, the chamber delegation presented Osborne with a grassroots view of the opportunities and challenges facing companies.

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PEDAL POWER

Staff from Matfen Hall Hotel and Spa in Northumberland cycled more than 200 miles to raise funds for Cancer Research UK in July. Nineteen staff and leisure members, including five cancer survivors, completed the Coast and Castles challenge from Edinburgh to Newcastle, raising more than £4,000 for the charity. Special mention goes to Robert Foster, who organised the event and rode the 200 miles in one day beforehand to get to grips with with the route.

Durham University (@durham_uni): Congrats to @ tonylaithwaite and @BabsLaithwaite on receiving their honorary degrees today at #DUCongregation Newcastle College (@NCLCollege): Congratulations to our nursery children on their special Graduation Day! How adorable! #capsandgowns

S

In my view

NECC chief executive James Ramsbotham reflects on the confidence blossoming among North East business

IN MY VIEW

ummer is here and positivity among North East business is blossoming like the roses in the garden.

Once again we have seen incredible results in the North East Chamber of Commerce’s Quarterly Economic Survey which prove the feel-good factor is back.

The slow but steady growth we saw throughout 2013 has provided the foundation for a sudden and welcome ignition in optimism which is now being converted into rising confidence.

The record results this quarter see more companies investing in training, recruitment and their own facilities. In short, they are investing in the future and preparing to seize the opportunities the recovery is presenting.

Even the most hardened cynic can’t fail to appreciate the current groundswell in business confidence. Since the start of the year, we have seen GVA growth outstripping the rest of the country, rising employment levels (we have more people employed in the region at the moment than ever before), and a continued export performance that must be the envy of the rest of the country.

Driving through Yorkshire the other day, I must have been the only person on the A1 with a smile on his face in the 50mph cone zone. This to me wasn’t a delay, it was the beginning of our region

being linked to our neighbours via a motorway; proof our message, that we are an unrealised asset for UK PLC is finally being heard in Government.

Another consistent source of good news is Newcastle International Airport, which is now running the Thomson Airways’ new Dreamliner service.

And at NECC we have launched our innovation project; a wide-ranging study of what we do well, what we could do better, and what is required to make us the best. We are working with NECC Partners and a range of firms from our membership on this project, which promises to be one of the largest we have conducted.

I was delighted that another new Partner, Watson Burton, was so keen to spearhead a task group of NECC members to assess the demand for housing development in the North East and the associated economic effects.

The spirit of togetherness across the business community is strong and the NECC policy team is working to harness this shared passion to further bolster our lobbying priorities and build on the successes of the past two years.

Of course, there are many issues to overcome, unemployment among them, but there is a growing feeling that we are now heading in the right direction and we must not let up in our efforts.

AUG - SEP 2014 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 9

NEWS

NEWS TO THE MANOR BORN

Co Durham-based Banks Group has moved into the manor house at Mount Oswald as part of a scheme to safeguard the property during its redevelopment.

Banks is currently developing plans for the sustainable conversion of the Manor House into high-quality apartments, with additional new build properties being added in the car park area.

The project will see around 120 people employed on site during the construction phase, with a further 100 jobs supported across the supply chain.

NEWS POLE POSITION Digital agency Orange Bus has developed and launched a multiplatform mobile app for Aston Martin Racing.

The app is designed to bring behind-the-scenes information, telemetry data and pit-lane updates to fans following the FIA World Endurance Championship and Le Mans.

Orange Bus delivers complex customer development projects and is a leader in the field of UX and testing. It recently opened an office in London.

Steve Cram and his line-up of celebrity supporters

Stars tee off for charity

S

teve Cram’s Coco charity is £25,000 better off thanks to its annual celebrity golf day at Slaley Hall.

The event, now in its 11th year, supports the international children’s charity founded by Cram and former Army Major Jim Panton to work with communities in remote regions to alleviate poverty preventing education.

Sportspeople at Slaley for the event included former Durham and England cricketer Steve Harmison, Southend United manager Phil Brown, Olympic medallists

Zac Purchase, Robbie Grabarz, Eve Murihead, and Vicki Adams, footballers Steve Harper, Ryan Taylor, Ritchie Pitt, and Micky Horswill, and rugby stars Doddie Weir, Andy Nichol, and Chris Patterson.

Durham cricket coach Geoff Cook, who suffered a heart attack the day after the event last year, was a welcome returnee.

EMPLOYMENT RECORD North East employment levels have reached their highestever level, with almost seven out of 10 working-age people in work.

The year-on-year increase is the largest of any region and twice the national average.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures for March-May 2014 show 1,214,000 people are now in work in the North East; an

10 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / AUG - SEP 2014

increase of more than 60,000 on the same period last year.

North East LEP chief economist Mauricio Armellini (right) says: “A decrease in unemployment and an increase in the working age population have contributed to the excellent employment performance. This means the region is managing to absorb new entrants to the labour market.” in association with

News and views from NECC membership advisers NECC Global We’re delighted to welcome Magnet/Nobia in Darlington into NECC Global.

This is a North East Business Awards winner which will represent the region at the national award finals in London in November.

Industrial Marine Hydraulics in Middlesbrough is also new to NECC Global. Matthew Ord tel 07717 300 351 matthew.ord@necc.co.uk Twitter @NECCMatthew Northumberland It’s been an excellent first half of the year and we have some fantastic new and existing members in the north of the region. It’s great to see John McCabe take over as our Northumberland Committee Chair.

Les Dixon tel 07850 740 645 les.dixon@necc.co.uk Twitter @NECCLes

Forum events at East Durham and Gateshead colleges.

Andrew Heavisides tel 07912 478 961 andrew. heavisides@necc.co.uk Twitter @NECCAndrewh Darlington Welcome to new members Southdale Homes, Steve McGuirl Motors, Easy Aviation and GP Strategies Training. We held two events for businesses to meet and exchange ideas, at the Holiday Inn Darlington North and Devonport Hotel.

Ann Boyd tel 07739 162 408 ann.boyd@necc.co.uk Durham Had a great meeting with Debbie Judd at Debbie Judd HR. She makes HR understandable in the face of constant change.

John Mansel tel 07736 799 727 john.mansel@necc.co.uk Twitter @NECCJohn

Newcastle/ Gateshead PNE Group, in partnership with Newcastle City Council’s Enterprising Newcastle programme, hosted a celebration of North East business, presenting six business achievement awards. Congratulations to all.

Lynsey Fairless tel 07834 444 627 lynsey.fairless@necc.co.uk Twitter @NECCLynsey

Teesside CTA Select Academy in Middlesbrough has had a positive start to business life. It already has four full teams and recently had four players taken on for trials by Everton Football Club.

Tom Warnock tel 07714 845 617 tom.warnock@necc.co.uk Twitter @NECCTom

Medium Business Welcome to The Alternative Board (TAB) which is delivering successful peer Board taster sessions for NECC members and a big thank you to all the members who attended the Local Employment Advisory

Sunderland/ South Tyneside Thanks to members for their continued support; it’s great to hear your positive stories.

Arthur Hodgson tel 07980 259 991 arthur.hodgson@necc.co.uk Twitter @NECCArthur

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AUG - SEP 2014 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 11

NEWS

ADVERTORIAL

TLW LAUNCH SPECIALIST MOTORING OFFENCES SERVICE

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Peter McKenna, founder of MotoPro and Partner at TLW Solicitors

aw firm TLW solicitors has launched a new service and brand – MotoPro - aimed at representing people dependent on their driving licences. MotoPro offers a range of fixed fee service packages - meaning no hidden charges or unexpected bills. The team of experienced lawyers understand that losing your licence can significantly impact on both your professional and personal life and aim to remove the stress and worry you may face. Expert advice from the MotoPro legal team can help prevent the loss of your licence or ensure that you are back on the road as soon as possible.

Dealing with all motoring offences from simple speeding fixed penalty notices to more serious charges where injury or death may be involved, services include pre-trial conferences with a specialist barrister, preparation on what to expect at court and looking to recover your costs in the event of a successful defence.

‘The service is aimed at individuals and businesses where driving is essential and where losing a driving licence can be disastrous – executives, salespeople, taxi drivers, couriers.’ says MotoPro founder and TLW Solicitors Partner, Peter McKenna. ‘It offers niche expert representation with the peace of mind of fixed fees.’

A new website has just been launched which includes a detailed overview of the MotoPro packages and answers lots of FAQs. If you are facing prosecution for a motoring offence, MotoPro can help.

info@motoprolegal.co.uk www.motoprolegal.co.uk Tel : 0800 7562415 12 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / AUG - SEP 2014

Stone builds more capital Building restoration, repair and maintenance specialist Stone Technical Services Group (STS) has secured new high-profile contracts on historic buildings.

The firm is again working at Westminster Central Hall - central London’s largest conference and events venue - to assess water systems and monitor the condition of the sandcast lead following poor weather.

The building was the world’s first purpose-built meetings facility and was constructed on the site of the former Royal Aquarium in the early 1900s since when it has welcomed VIP visitors including Mahatma Gandhi, Winston Churchill, the Dalai Lama, the Queen, Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

In Co Durham, STS is again working at Lumley Castle and at Sir William Turner’s Almshouses in Kirkleatham near Redcar.

LET’S GET PHYSICAL

A new £10m building for Durham University’s worldrenowned Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics is a step closer thanks to a £3.35m donation.

Physics alumnus and entrepreneur Sir Peter Ogden, chairman of The Ogden Trust, attended a ceremony at the university to announce the donation, which follows £1.5m from the Wolfson Foundation.

University vice chancellor in association with

Prof Chris Higgins says: “Durham is a world leader in physics research and teaching.

This exceptionally generous gift from The Ogden Trust, the support of The Wolfson Foundation, and our alumni ensures we can create a prestigious development to help keep us at the forefront of international physics research.”

It is the largest single donation in The Ogden Trust’s history.

ADVERTORIAL

PROBATE SPECIALIST JOINS SINTONS

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CLEANING UP

Ingrid Forshaw, probate specialist

Acquisition team: David Thomas, fund manager, NEL; Graham Conway, MD, Maxim FM; James Bryce, partner, Square One Law LLP; Michael Hall, FD, Maxim FM; Juliet Conway, operations director, Maxim FM; and Carl Swansbury, partner, Ryecroft Glenton Corporate Finance

Sunderland-based Maxim has become the largest independent contract cleaning and facilities management company in the North East following its acquisition of the contract cleaning division of New Life Cleaning Systems (North) Limited.

The acquisition makes

Maxim one of the city’s largest employers, with more than 500 staff, and increases the company’s turnover by 50% to around £5m, with further plans to grow the business to a turnover of £15m within the next three years.

Maxim was formed in 2010 and its clients include Toys R Us, Gentoo, and Quorn Foods. in association with

well-known probate lawyer has joined law firm Sintons.

Ingrid Forshaw, who has more than 10 years’ experience in handling probate, wills and trusts, has moved to Newcastle-based Sintons from another law firm in the city.

The solicitor, who is STEP qualified, has established a strong reputation during her career for her work in her specialism, and is a key addition to the Personal and Family department at Sintons.

Ingrid is the latest in a series of new appointments at Sintons, which employs over 200 people and has taken on 23 new members of staff already during 2014.

Other key appointments at Sintons in recent months include Katharine Lowthian as Head of Family Law, and healthcare and employment specialist Barry Speker – formerly senior partner at Samuel Phillips, which he left in January after 42 years to move to Sintons. The firm has also created a new residential development team, headed by consultant Alan Harkness, a well-known specialist in his field.

Ingrid said: “Sintons has a very strong reputation for the quality of its work and its personal service, and is highly regarded throughout the North East and beyond. Its Personal and Family department has an unrivalled reputation, and I can genuinely say I have always wanted to work here. I am really pleased to join the team, and am looking forward to helping to continue to grow and develop this department and the wider firm.”

Alan Dawson, Chairman of Sintons, said: “Ingrid is a highly capable and experienced solicitor who is a great addition to our very strong Personal and Family department. We have a huge amount of capability and expertise here at Sintons and have made several key additions so far this year, Ingrid being the latest. We are very pleased she has decided to join us.”

Sintons LLP, Barrack Road, Newcastle, NE4 6DB tel: 0191 2267878, www.sintons.co.uk AUG - SEP 2014 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 13

ADVERTORIAL

BENFIELD AND UNW MOTOR AHEAD WITH UNIQUE CAR BENEFIT SCHEME Flexicar scheme allows employees to make savings equivalent to 11% payrise, while potentially saving employers money

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Lee Muter, UNW, Jason Smith, Benfield Corporate & Geoff Thompson, Utilitywise

lexicar, the innovative, tax efficient car benefit scheme launched 18 months ago by motoring giant Benfield Motor Group and North East chartered accountants and tax advisers, UNW, is proving popular among employers looking to attract and retain high quality employees.

The unique Flexicar scheme allows employees to make savings equivalent to an 11% pay rise, at the same time as potentially saving the employer money.

The hassle free salary sacrifice service provides tax efficiency for employees with a number of significant benefits all conveniently wrapped up in one monthly payment. The benefits of the unique car scheme include fully comprehensive insurance, full service, breakdown cover and roadside assistance.

Salary sacrifice schemes have been around for many years and typically include childcare vouchers, cycle to work and pension contributions. To date, salary sacrifice car schemes have been more widely operated in larger businesses but Benfield and UNW are offering this scheme to all businesses in both the public and private sectors, irrespective of the number of staff on the pay roll.

One company offering Flexicar as a benefit to employees is South Shields based Utilitywise. MD, Geoff Thompson, is quite clear about why he is involved; “We already offer highly competitive rates of pay to our employees.” says Geoff “We also invest a great deal in training and development. Flexicar is a fantastic benefit employees can access alongside a

14 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / AUG - SEP 2014

broader package of benefits we hope will attract the best people to us and encourage loyalty over the long term. We are a successful, growing business and good people are our life’s blood. Happy, well motivated staff are central to our continued success.”

“We have launched with 12 seperate employers already” said Benfield Corporate Motoring’s general manager, Jason Smith “and takeup is growing steadily. Employers see the benefit of offering staff such a valuable benefit immediately and are quickly impressed with the service and support provided by UNW and Benfield, ensuring it is hassle-free for all.”

Benfield and UNW will provide a complete package of support for both employees and employers throughout the process of implementation, providing what is essentially a ‘turnkey’ solution for employers. This is a cost efficient salary sacrifice scheme for businesses and staff – a real win-win situation. On average, the scheme takes two to three months to implement, depending on the size of business. UNW and Benfield offer full project management and can assist employees in disposing of current vehicles if required.

The scheme offers a massive range of cars with low emissions, which, for companies that operate with an environmental or CSR policy, also make it highly attractive. The benefits of Flexicar could mean a saving of between £100-£200 per month for each employee. Additionally, the cars available under the scheme benefit from a significant discount available only to Benfield plus a host of other attractive features.

www.flexicar.co.uk Contact: Peter Atkinson on 07501467540

NEWS

NECC PRESIDENT’S CLUB UPDATE With Eamonn Leavey, head of NECC President’s Club

HATS OFF TO BRIAN

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C/DC lead singer Brian Johnson was back in Toon recently to pick up an honorary degree of Doctor of Music at Northumbria University, where he admitted that the prospect of making his acceptance speech was far more daunting than the last stage of the Le Mans classic car race.

“It was 1am, the rain was pouring down and I was driving a Porsche at 175mph around one of the most terrifying circuits in the world, but all I could think about was what I could and should say to everyone at Northumbria,” said 66-year-old Johnson. “It’s such a big day for everyone and all the students here have a long road ahead. Enjoy the ride!”

ENERGY CONFERENCE HEADS FOR SAGE NOF Energy, the business development organisation for the oil, gas, nuclear and offshore renewables sectors has announced its 2015 national conference, Energy: A Balanced Future, will take place at Sage Gateshead.

The fifth annual conference on March 10-11 will include sessions on new energy resources and the opportunities they present. NOF chief executive George Rafferty (pictured, right with Anthony Sargent, Sage) says: “The interest this event has generated across the industry in the past five years has been phenomenal. We have seen, year on year, an increase in

delegates and exhibitors for the conference, which reflects the role NOF Energy plays in supporting the industry and the aspirations of supply chain companies keen to secure a proportion of the opportunities being created by the investments being made in the energy sector.”

in association with

It was fantastic to see a room full of senior management from the region’s largest companies and organisations at the most recent President’s Club Lunch.

The event at Newcastle Falcons welcomed 170 business leaders and Chris Browne, CEO Thomson Airways, as keynote speaker.

She shared the Thomson’s Dreamliner story and the many challenges the holiday company had to overcome to get this magnificent aircraft onto the runway.

Chris’ clear, customer-focused strategy and the value of having a great team were two key messages of her presentation. It was great event and our thanks to Gateshead College for sponsoring it.

Highlights of the last couple of months include our welcome to Hargreaves UK as NECC President’s Club’s 250th member.

This reinforces the important engagement level we can provide for key business leaders across the region.

We also welcomed NIFCO in Eaglescliffe and our thanks to Doug Binks for his enlightening talk on the NIFCO success story and for arranging a tour of the new factory.

Specialist kitchen and joinery firm Nobia UK, which won the Manufacturing Award at the recent North East Business Awards, has also joined NECC President’s Club. Nobia UK makes 300,000 panels a week at its Darlington factory and is part of a leading European kitchen specialist whose brand portfolio includes Magnet and Gower in the UK. I also had the pleasure of visiting the newly formed Thirteen Group at its Middlesbrough headquarters and seeing how this combination of the former Vela and Fabrick Housing Associations are coming together.

To join President’s Club, contact Eamonn Leavey, tel 07714 845 624, email eamonn.leavey@necc.co.uk Twitter @NECCEamonn

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NEWS

PARTNERS UPDATE With Jo Fryett, head of NECC Partners

To review in full, visit http://www.necc.co.uk/events-and-news/ news/2945-rise-in-positivity-set-to-create-north-east-jobs

Confidence grows

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says: “The slow but steady ptimism across growth throughout 2013 has North East provided the momentum for business is an excellent first half of 2014 creating new jobs “More than 60% of firms across all have attempted to recruit full sectors, according to the time staff, which is region’s largest quarterly comfortably higher than last business survey. quarter (53.8%) and The QES from NECC considerably above last year’s records rises in investment figure (45.7%) which is a clear plans, including plant statement of confidence. investment at its highest since “The figures for investment 1997, and gains in workforce in both plant and training and recruitment. are easily the highest The results are the since the recession. highest overall Given the scores recorded “INVESTMENT IS contraction in the by any QES since AT ITS HIGHEST cashflow score, the survey began SINCE THE which is at odds in 1995 and RECESSION” with the include an investment scores, upsurge in UK and it is worth speculating international trade. what is driving cashflow The QES shows the health pressures. Are businesses and direction of the North East choosing to invest limited economy measured across 11 cash, or is this a wider problem indicators. It shows arising from time to pay issues confidence in manufacturing or other general issues? with sales, investment and “Taken against last year’s workforce projections all figures, expectations are positive. The only exceptions markedly stronger. Businesses are cashflow and are looking to hire and the export orders. region is very much open NECC policy and research for business.” manager Mark Stephenson in association with

There’s rarely a dull moment working with NECC Partners; a group of companies and organisations dedicated to making the North East a fertile ground for business development and investment.

Partners are incredibly busy working on behalf of NECC’s wider membership and through Partner-led working groups they pick up and act on key issues impacting on members across the North East.

Several of our working groups have met over the last couple of months, covering topics ranging from planning and transport to energy.

We have a newly established housing group led by new Partner Watson Burton. This group recently launched a survey asking businesses for views on the region’s housing market as we build the case for greater levels of development.

We also have a new

innovation group led by Teesside University. This project has been split into the key themes of service, product, process and technology and sub-groups looking at these themes are led by NECC Partners Virgin Money, Bond Dickinson, Gateshead College, and BT. Our recent Partners meeting took us to Durham Cathedral to hear from guest speakers including the Homes and Communities Agency’s Bill Carr and the cathedral’s property and facilities manager Tom Billington.

We learned of the cathedral’s latest major build project – Lego Cathedral.

For every £1 donated to the cathedral’s Open Treasure project, another brick is added to the 350,000-piece model, which is progressing rather more rapidly than the cathedral’s original 40-year build. We wish them luck!

Jo Fryett, tel 07867 541 467 email joanne.fryett @necc.co.uk Twitter @NECCJo

OUR PARTNERS...

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NEWS

NEWS

Top blog The first awards celebrating the best bloggers in the North East will take place in September.

There are 11 categories in the North East Blogger Awards, including Best Business Blog, and entries close on September 19.

Other categories include food, sport, beauty, lifestyle, parenting, style, travel, student, and best newcomer.

To sponsor an award or to enter, go to www.nebloggerawards.co.uk

NEWS

Left to right: Alex Cutts, sales executive at Atlas Cloud, Victoria Anderson, managing director of Art Evolution and Paul Wilson, MD of Catalyst at Newcastle’s High Level Bridge, location of the first golden ticket

It’s a treasure hunt rollover!

NECC’s Great North East Digital Treasure Hunt continues this month - can you solve the clue?

What’s in a name?

PD Ports has welcomed a new pilot vessel to Teesport.

The new boat has been named the Saltholme after the Middlesbrough RSPB nature reserve in keeping with sister vessels Coatham and Greatham, also named after protected areas. After a blessing by Father Adam Gaunt and Colin Worswick from Mission to Seafarers, Business in the Community chief executive Dame Julia Cleverson broke a bottle of champagne on the vessel.

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ECC’s Great North East Digital Treasure Hunt continues this month with a rollover after the last round’s 50 entrants missed out on the big prize.

This means Round Two’s prize of an artwork from online art gallery Art Evolution is joined by last month’s unclaimed prize of a Nokia Lumia 625 smartphone from Activ Telecom.

Launched in the last issue of Contact, the digital treasure hunt is a technologyenabled challenge to find a prize-winning golden ticket.

Similar to the treasure hunt game geocaching, part of each clue points to co-ordinates which can be typed into a

search engine, a GPS device, or a smartphone with a GPS app. The next part of the clue helps entrants to find the spot where the golden ticket is hidden in a waterproof container.

There is no digging involved, and the last code led to a well-hidden cubbyhole on the west path of the High Level Bridge in Newcastle.

The Great North East Digital Treasure Hunt is open to NECC members and will run for 12 months to coincide with the approach of NECC’s 200th anniversary next year and the 10th birthday of recruitment specialist Catalyst, which has organised the event alongside Newcastle-based technology company Atlas Cloud.

How to take part: To register for the Great North East Digital Treasure Hunt go to: www.pluscatalyst.co.uk/treasurehunt

The Prize: One artwork from an impressive collection produced by local artists donated

by Art Evolution and a Nokia Lumia 625 Smartphone donated by Activ Telecom.

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in association with

ADVERTORIAL

SHOULD BUSINESSES OPERATE A MANDATORY RETIREMENT AGE? Lee Betchley, head of employment at Clarke Mairs LLP, advises on the legal issues surrounding mandatory retirement ages

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Lee Betchley, solicitor and head of employment at Clarke Mairs LLP

ontrary to what most people may believe, it remains open to an employer to operate a mandatory retirement policy. This mistaken belief stems from the fact that regulations previously enabled employers lawfully to dismiss an employee by reason of retirement who had attained the default retirement age of 65, and the same regulations entitled employees to request that they be kept on. It has been well publicised that those regulations have been repealed and businesses generally no longer operate a mandatory retirement policy as a result.

The current legal position is that a retirement dismissal will amount to direct age discrimination, but such discrimination may be lawful if the policy in question has legitimate aims and can be objectively justified.

In a recent case involving a solicitor’s firm, the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) upheld an Employment Tribunal’s decision that, as at 31 December 2006, the firm’s mandatory retirement age of 65 for partners was a proportionate means of achieving the legitimate aims of workforce planning and staff retention. The EAT’s decision in this case offers useful guidance as to how an employer may operate a mandatory retirement age lawfully.

I sense that many businesses are unaware that this possibility exists.

There is no particular difficulty with not having a mandatory retirement age, however for some organisations, particularly those which have a need to retain key staff and plan for future workforce requirements, operating a mandatory retirement age will make commercial and operational sense. Whether an employer can justify mandatory retirement will to a large extent depend upon the nature of its organisation.

In each particular case, if faced with a claim for direct discrimination on the ground of age, an Employment Tribunal will have to decide the issue of objective justification with reference to the employer’s reasons for operating such a policy. Another issue which the employer will need to consider carefully is the age at which it requires its employees to retire. In the case referred to above, the age of 65 was held to be

proportionate, however it may be that a different age is required in different circumstances.

It has to be remembered that the approach an Employment Tribunal will take to this matter has two distinct but connected limbs. The employer who has operated a mandatory retirement policy must not only identify its legitimate aim or aims for doing so, but must also demonstrate that the policy (and the age at which retirement is mandatory) is proportionate. This is likely to involve the employer engaging in a careful analysis of its operational requirements and the options for achieving its commercial objectives before deciding on the appropriate terms of any mandatory retirement policy. This will necessarily involve the need to take expert legal advice as to how an Employment Tribunal will decide whether or not the policy is lawful.

In my view, employers should not shy away from operating a mandatory retirement policy if it is a proportionate means of achieving legitimate commercial objectives. Operating such a policy does run the risk of litigation, however if the correct legal analysis has been conducted in advance, the prospects of any such litigation being successful should be significantly reduced.

Should you require any advice on this or any employment related matter please contact Lee Betchley at Clarke Mairs LLP on 0191 245 4817.

Lee Betchley is a barrister (non-practising), solicitor and head of employment at Clarke Mairs LLP tel 0191 2454817 email leb@clarkemairs.com

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NEWS

NEWS RURAL BOOST North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has welcomed a £22.5m boost for rural businesses.

Chancellor George Osborne visited Berwick to announce the investment in the Rural Growth Network, which drives growth in rural areas of the North East LEP. It comprises £6m Government funding, £9.5m private sector investment, and £7m European cash. It is expected to create 266 jobs and £30m of output through two new funds.

NEWS BARRIER GROUP EXPANSION

Barrier Group, the Wallsend-based coatings specialist, has announced plans to build a new factory and office building as part of a £1.8m investment.

The new 2,720sqm facility on a two-acre site on Hadrian Way, Wallsend is close to its existing operation on the banks of the Tyne.

The expansion is being supported by a £164,000 Regional Growth Fund grant secured through the Let’s Grow programme and is expected to create 30 jobs.

Barrier chairman Robert Bowles (above) says: “This is a clear demonstration of our confidence in the future growth of the business and the buoyancy of the offshore industries.”

Museum funding win

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yne and Wear Archives & Museums (TWAM) has been awarded Major Partner Museum funding and Bridge grant funding for 2015-18 by Arts Council England.

TWAM is the only museum service to become one of 10 bridge organisations in the UK, taking over the role from Sage Gateshead.

TWAM director Iain Watson says: “Being awarded both Major Partner Museum funding and Bridge organisation funding means we can realise our ambitious plans for developing opportunities for audiences to engage with

our museums and collections over the next three years.

“It also means that TWAM can continue to work beyond our venues with the wider cultural, education and business sector to open up even more possibilities for people, especially children, to connect with the rich variety of culture we have on offer in the North East.”

In 2013-14 TWAM attracted 1.3m visitors to its museums, galleries and heritage sites, which include Shipley Art Gallery, Discovery Museum, Laing Art Gallery, Great North Museum: Hancock, Segedunum Roman Fort, Baths & Museum and Stephenson Railway Museum.

CEOS ROUGH IT Business bosses from across the Tees Valley plan to make history in October with the largest CEO Sleepout in the country.

Up to 100 MDs, chief execs, company directors, and senior managers are expected sleep on the streets for one night to raise awareness of homelessness. CEO Sleepout was created in 2013 by Andy Preston of Green Lane Capital and two events were held at Middlesbrough and Newcastle Utd’s grounds in collaboration with Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation.

This year’s event is led by NECC international trade senior account manager Matthew Ord and NECC Global member Keith Miller of Ecco Finishing Supplies in Middlesbrough (pictured).

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in association with

Miller says: “I managed to complete the challenge in 2013 and this year’s event allows me to be more involved with what is an amazing event with a truly great cause.”

To take part, contact Matthew Ord, tel 07717 300 351, email matthew.ord@necc.co.uk

ADVERTORIAL

GO SMARTER HELPING TO EASE JOURNEYS Go Smarter helps commuters ease their journeys during A1 Western Bypass improvements

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he Roads Minister has given the green light for the Highways Agency to widen the A1 Western Bypass at Gateshead , which will help to tackle congestion and support economic growth and local development.

The Go Smarter programme taking place across Tyne & Wear helps commuters makes more sustainable transport choices on their journeys to work. By walking, cycling, using public transport or car sharing, congestion is eased, the environment is protected and local economy is boosted by enabling employees to have easier, cheaper and greener commutes, with the business benefits that that brings.

The aims of Go Smarter and the A1 Western Bypass improvements – taking place from Coalhouse to Metrocentre from this August 2014 – are aligned, with the objective of easing road congestion and improving the region’s economy.

The latest Go Smarter campaign ‘Make the Switch’ is rolling out across Tyne & Wear in four key employment areas around Team Valley,

‘Make the Switch’ is encouraging all commuters to consider using a different form of transport during the period of the roadworks and beyond

Metrocentre, Newcastle/Gateshead city centres and Washington. ‘Make the Switch’ is encouraging all commuters to consider using a different form of transport during the period of the roadworks and beyond. Making positive behaviour changes now could mean a lifetime of more sustainable commutes, a healthier workforce and an improved economy.

Many businesses across Tyne & Wear have already engaged with Go Smarter on campaigns encouraging employees to look at greener and healthier ways to travel to and from work.

Introducing people to the idea of leaving the car at home and looking at other alternatives has been well received.

To find out more about Go Smarter and to seek advice on how you can travel more sustainably to work, visit the website at www.gosmarter.co.uk More information on the Western Bypass improvements from the Coal House junction to the Metrocentre junction can find out more about the scheme by visiting the website at www.highways.gov.uk A1CoalhouseMetroCentre, by emailing A1CoalHousetoMetroCentre@highways.gsi. gov.uk or calling the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000.

If you think Go Smarter could help your business, contact us via our website at www.gosmarter.co.uk

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NEWS

NEWS ENTREPRENEUR AWARDS LAUNCHED

The search for the winners of the 15th annual Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards organised by Women into the Network (WIN) and supported by NECC has begun.

The awards champion female enterprise, celebrate success and recognise those blazing a trail in their chosen fields.

WIN’s Nickie Gott (above) says: “When we established the Woman’s Advisory Board with NECC we decided early on that these awards must be bigger and bolder and shout about the achievements of women in business.

“It’s not only a fabulous night, but also a fantastic opportunity to network and be inspired by the accomplishments of others and share your own triumphs and experience.”

NECC chief executive James Ramsbotham says: “These awards play an important role in celebrating the region’s inspirational female success stories.”

Entries for this year’s awards are now open, with winners to be announced on Saturday November 15.

Entries are £20 +VAT per category and up to three categories may be entered.

For more information go to www.winawards.co.uk

Coun Paul Watson, leader of Sunderland City Council, charges up

Sunderland charges ahead in eco race

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underland says it is leading the way in creating the best conditions for electric vehicles, with more than 50 charging points now in place.

The Government is investing £500m to persuade more drivers to switch to electric cars and Sunderland’s infrastructure now includes a network of easily accessible points in the city centre and outlying areas such as Herrington Country Park.

The latest Government investment will

provide funding into 2020 and includes £32m to boost the current charging infrastructure.

Sunderland City Council leader coun Paul Watson says: “Sunderland is leading the way in creating the building blocks for the new low-carbon economy.

“Encouraging people to use electric vehicles is an important part of this and we’re hopeful that once people know where to find charging points, we will see a rapid growth in electric car usage.”

TEENAGER LAUNCHES ANTI-BULLYING VENTURE Teenager Leanne Morse has launched a new venture to help children effected by bullying in schools.

The 17-year-old Gateshead College student, who suffered mental and physical abuse from fellow pupils over a 12-year period launched new venture, Bullstop, in July.

The venture aims to educate schoolteachers and pupils on the issues surrounding bullying. Morse says: “I am driven to help

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others and ensure that students get the support that I never received at school. It’s all about breaking down barriers and raising awareness of what is and isn’t acceptable behaviour in the classroom.

“I don’t want other children to go through the experiences that I had to endure.”

Almost half (46%) of children and young people said they had been bullied at school at some point in their lives, according to the NSPCC. in association with

NEWS

NEWS SAFETY FIRST

Colin Leyden

Leading offshore safety training provider Falck Safety Services has launched a new training course to correspond with legislation from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regarding breathing apparatus for offshore workers.

Falck, which has 32 training centres across the world delivering more than 200 health and safety and survival courses to more than 340,000 people each year, has launched the OPITO-approved training courses in Aberdeen and Teesside.

NEWS ON THE BEACH

1879 Events Management has opened a new seafront bistro in Sunderland.

The Beach House at Marine Walk, Roker offers seaside eating with an upmarket twist. 1879, established in 2012, also manages catering and events at the Stadium of Light and National Glass Centre, as well as offering event management services across the North East.

NECC chair Lucy Winskill; AGM speaker Bryan Bunn, MD of Nortech Solutions; NECC president David Laws; and NECC chief executive James Ramsbotham at the NECC AGM at Ramside Hall

AGM unveils plans for birthday year

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Laws, who is also chief executive of year of celebration to mark Newcastle International Airport, was voted NECC’s 200th birthday next in for his second year as NECC president year was officially launched at with Esh Group’s Brian Manning and the organisation’s AGM at Nifco’s Mike Matthews as vice presidents.

Ramside Hall in Durham.

The foundations of what would The milestone year will be marked by a eventually become the modern NECC were series of events, exhibitions and a world laid shortly before the Battle of Waterloo in record attempt.

1815 when Newcastle Chamber of Events will include a gala dinner at a Commerce was formed.

World Heritage site, a touring Prominent figures have exhibition of previously unseen CELEBRATE presided over the running of items from the NECC archive, 2015 - A what was later to expand into a speed networking world Tyne and Wear Chamber and record attempt, continued LANDMARK Teesside Chamber, including support of the North East YEAR FOR NECC Caribbean plantation owner Business and Exporters’ John Graham-Clarke, Awards, and the NECC200 industrialists Sir Matthew White Anniversary logo projected onto Ridley, HWF Bolckow and Lord Joicey, and iconic North East landmarks.

MPs Somerset A Beaumont, Sir Charles NECC president David Laws says: “For Mark Palmer, Isaac Wilson, and Walter two centuries our members have stood Raine. In 1995, the Tyne and Wear, shoulder to shoulder for the good of the Teesside, and Tynedale chambers formed region, playing key roles in industrial and NECC, which now represents around 4,000 economic change. 2015 is a landmark year businesses employing more than a third of for NECC and we want all our members to the region’s workforce. be part of our anniversary celebrations.”

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in association with

NEWS

NEWS THE WORLD AT A GLANCE

A new website from the British Polish Chamber of Commerce has been launched to help British companies break into overseas markets. uktradedata.co.uk analyses data in more than 4,000 trade codes to show the top 15 markets for UK exporters. It also features fascinating facts including: • The UK imports more cider (£163m) than it exports (£52m) • UK car exports were worth £24bn in 2013 • UK antiques and art exports were worth £4.3bn in 2013 • The UK exported £73m of razor blades in 2013, 50% of them to Poland

The Core set to bring £20m to Science Central The Core, the first building to open in Science Central in Newcastle, is set to bring 400 jobs and £20m to the city’s economy when it opens in November, says Newcastle City Council.

The building will open on November 3 and more than half of it is already pre-let to tenants, which include a significant academic and industry research partnership.

Owned by the city council, The Core spans seven floors and 2,750sqm of serviced office space for high-growth technology and science-based businesses, plus additional event space.

The building includes a bee hotel, planted sedum roof, rainwater harvesting, and one of the UK’s tallest living walls. The 27m-high elevation creates a vertical garden of ivy, seagrass, thyme, primula, euphorbia and nesting boxes.

The 24-acre mixed-use development on the former Scottish & Newcastle Brewery site opposite St James Park will be a hub for science, research and innovation, in addition to leisure, retail and residential use. It is being delivered by Newcastle Science City, a partnership between Newcastle University and Newcastle City Council.

NEWS VISITOR AWARDS Entries are open for the North East England Tourism Awards, to be announced on November 11 at the Stadium of Light.

The awards, delivered

by NewcastleGateshead Initiative in partnership with the Northern Tourism Alliance and local authorities, showcase the best of the visitor industry.

NECC is sponsoring this year’s Business Tourism Award as part of the 50 Great Reasons Campaign.

To enter, go to www. newcastlegateshead.com

TRIBUTE TO THE FALLEN A famous North East War Memorial to a WWI battalion which was raised by the Chamber of Commerce is being featured on one of six postage stamps issued this month.

Welsh artist Sir William Goscombe John created The Renwick Memorial (“The Response”) at Newcastle Civic Centre, which is dedicated to the 16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers or The Commercials - so named because they were raised by the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce in September 1914.

Entitled Memorial, the stamp is included in a batch of six to commemorate WWI. As part of its support for the Northumberland Fusiliers, the Chamber of Commerce raised, equipped, paid for and established a Widows

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in association with

and Orphans Fund for three Battalions of Northumberland Fusiliers. This eventually cost the Chamber £50,000 - the equivalent of £2,153,000 today.

NECC is incorporating the commemorative stamp and its association with the Northumberland Fusiliers into its own 200th anniversary celebrations next year. NECC chief executive James Ramsbotham will also take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial on August 2.

Expertise at your side

GOING FOR GOLD

Gott Technical Services director Ian Gott

Vehicle equipment supplier Gott Technical Services has announced the winners of its second Gott’s Golden Garages awards.

Best Overall Garage went to Benfield Toyota and Lexus Leeds for an increase in business growth percentage.

Dean Mavin of Morpeth-based GK Jackson & Sons was named Best Technician for his 33 years of service. The nomination from his colleagues praised his ‘bright-eyed and bushy

tailed’ persona and his Elvis impersonation.

Jennings Washington took home two titles with June Appleyard named Best Service Manager for her positivity and performance, and Jade Tiffin winning Best Team Mascot for her bubbly personality and ability to motivate.

Stephen Scott was awarded Star Student of the Year for the improvement he has made at Gateshead College, and Orin Rowe was awarded Apprentice of the Year.

in association with

THROUGHOUT THE NORTH EAST Hexham, Ponteland, Sunderland, Yarm, Crook, Portobello www.rowlands accountants.co.uk

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SUCCESS

Firm foundation Bryn Littleton meets the founder of Gradon Architecture, which has risen from its launch during the recession to become an award-winning international operator

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ith projects stretching from Morpeth to Mongolia, Gradon Architecture is a local firm with a global outlook.

Yet design director Graham McDarby, who founded the firm with his wife Donna in 2009, says a growing list of overseas projects serves to strengthen his belief that the company’s heart is in the North East.

Founded at the height of the worst recession the construction industry has ever seen, Gradon has grown into new sectors and international market places, making strides in Kazakhstan and Mongolia.

Having worked on projects to improve building stock in the Mongolian capital Ulan Bator and advised the government on new residential developments for people currently living in deprived Ger communities, Gradon is now in the process of establishing a

dedicated operational base in the country.

“We targeted Mongolia because we are passionate about green and sustainable architecture and Ulan Bator is the second most polluted city in the world, so we used UKTI to open doors in the country,” says McDarby.

The practice has submitted design proposals for 50 energy-efficient homes in the Nukht Valley of Ulan Bator, incorporating sustainable features to help to protect residents against dangerously cold winter temperatures of up to -30F. Gradon has also recently put forward design proposals for an 18-storey hotel, apartment and shopping plaza in the city of Darkhan.

Committed to designing sustainable environments with energy-efficient, socially responsible buildings and spaces, the practice also raises money for local charities and invests in education projects in

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Uganda and Mongolia to improve lives through design.

The son of a commercial painter and decorator who gained an understanding of the construction industry on school holiday visits to building sites with his father, McDarby studied architecture in London and Sheffield and has worked for practices including Geoffrey Purves Partnership, John Edwards Architects, and Ryder, where he became a director.

He and his wife and finance director Donna created Gradon Architecture after being made redundant from Ryder in 2009.

“We started at the kitchen table which now sits proudly in our studios,” he says. “It was hard during the recession, but we managed to develop a portfolio of diverse clients, including a number of small residential projects which we still offer today. When we started we never wanted to be an enormous global firm. I had spent 14 years working for a

Sedgefield Health Centre

Graham and Donna McDarby

large company and I wanted to get back to personal interaction with clients.

“A landmark project in those early days was for the North East Autism Society, and while the building may not be the most attractive in the world, we delivered it on time, on budget and to client specification. We won a Constructing Excellence Value Award for it.”

Gradon is now working with the Percy Hedley Foundation to design a new children’s home and hydrotherapy pool in Killingworth, North Tyneside.

“Fortunately, I’ve never been pigeonholed in one particular

sector,” says McDarby. “Our team has a wealth of experience across sectors.

Before the recession I felt the industry had become greedy and this was reflected in fees and salaries. In some respects the recession has enabled us to go back to basics and build upon delivering a costeffective service.”

Gradon has designed world-class badminton facilities at Tyneside Badminton Centre in Newcastle, the new flagship headquarters for leading industrial technology company Tracerco on Teesside, student and social housing projects in

Gateshead, Durham and Stockton, and is currently working on a mixed-use master plan for a development of 450 homes and community facilities in Sedgefield.

In 2014 it was named SME of the Year at the North East Constructing Excellence Awards and runner-up in the New Exporter of the Year. This followed success in 2013 at the same awards. Its design concept for a renewable energy tower has also been shortlisted for the International Specialised Exposition in Kazakhstan in 2017. The practice has doubled its workforce to 12 over the last

year and has forged ties with schools and universities.

For the past two years, Gradon has achieved profit of 20%-25% of turnover. All profits are re-invested into the business, helping to finance the development of its NE40Studios in Ryton. The practice has delivered more than 50 completed projects in excess of £100m in value since it was established. Of this, it has designed and delivered more than £10m of sustainable and affordable housing in the North East. If it can do that during a recession, the future in a recession-free landscape has to be good.

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HIGH FLYERS

Top flight Liz Hands tastes a little of the high life enjoyed by the clients of private jet operator NAL Asset Management

“

It was like something from Silence of the Lambs or Con Air,” says private jet operator Craig McLeod of one of the more risky jobs of his career.

He’d been asked to pick up a highcategory prisoner who’d escaped from Durham jail and turned up in the Republic of Ireland. He’d previously bitten off a prison guard’s nose during a road journey, so it had been decided to fly him home.

“We landed in an army base and there he was in his orange jumpsuit surrounded by about six coppers,” says McLeod (opposite left). “Everyone got in and I said to the guards, ‘you need to keep me safe and keep the door safe, otherwise we’re going to crash. After that, do what you want’.

“It was the only time a prisoner had been moved by air outside of the Metropolitan Police and when we landed at Teesside, all of Cleveland police were there to welcome him back.”

It’s just one of many colourful tales the pilots at NAL Asset Management have to tell about their experiences as they have grown the company, which is based in an unassuming building in Annitsford, near Cramlington.

It was co-founded by Craig McLeod as

flying school and charter service Northern Aviation following a hairy experience he had in the air as a rookie pilot. “I used to be a goldsmith and had my own business, learning to fly while a jeweller,” he says.

“I bummed around the aeroclub flying planes no one else would because I needed the hours.”

That led to one of his most terrifying experiences as a pilot, trying to make it into Newcastle in the middle of a thunderstorm. “I flew over the Pennines and it was like flying underwater,” he says.

“Suddenly the clouds swallowed me up and my instruments failed. Someone at the back said at least the strobes at the back were working, but I didn’t have strobes, it was the lightning.”

Air traffic control brought him down so far, but because he had zero visibility, they told him they’d have to send him back up rather than land.

“I said I wasn’t going anywhere; I was terrified and I’d been flying like that for more than two hours. Eventually I saw the runway, landed and kissed the plane. They handed me a pint as soon as I walked into the building.”

After that, McLeod was determined to fly bigger, better planes and he remortgaged his house to buy a plane

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“I flew over the Pennines and it was like flying underwater. I was terrified.”

with his then business partner. Northern Aviation did well, flying footballers and celebrities around the UK and Europe and undertaking medical flights for transplant patients and organs.

Having initially borrowed £1.6m, the company paid off £1.2m but needed to borrow another £1m to pay for a new engine just as the recession started to bite, forcing a re-think.

That’s why, now re-branded as NAL

Asset Management, the company manages private jets for companies and individuals rather than owning the jets it operates.

The company now has four directors; McLeod, his sister Donna Bulman, Nick Lyons and fellow pilot Nick Waters (pictured right). “We look after super midsize and large business jets which seat 10 people in comfort,” says Waters, a former solicitor who turned down a job with BA

to join the firm. “We do everything to manage the asset for them, from spec’ing a purchase, pre-buy inspections, and importing aircraft with all the implications like registration, taxes and insurances.

“Once the aircraft comes into service, we provide the crew and we’ve got a 24/7 operations department which looks after the logistics of any trip, end-to-end.

“We get the aircraft into position, organise the fuelling, the crew, the

permits, the catering and hotels and cars if they want us to.”

NAL has an international client list and is asked to fly into some unusual and sometimes dangerous places by clients such as the construction company boss operating in emerging markets like Equatorial Guinea, Senegal, Cameroon, the Congo, and Gabon.

“We’ve transported pretty much everything,” says McLeod. “We’ve been there with doctors trying to keep patients alive on the ramps while we waited for an ambulance, we’ve taken pigging devices to go in pipes for the oil and gas industry, we’ve taken flowers from Paris to Morocco for a wedding.

“Once I had a president’s bodyguards who’d missed their plane in Africa and tried to jump onto mine with their guns.

I’m there saying ‘you can’t take a loaded gun on’, so he’s spitting bullets out of it by my feet, but he’s still there with his side arm and a knife. I was saying ‘no, I’m not going to let this happen’, but we had to take them in the end.

“We’ve also arranged a flight for a president’s 12-year-old son. He was really poorly so we had to arrange a £300,000 charter to take him to a doctor in Brazil.”

NAL hasn’t been adversely affected by the recession, something Waters puts down to the deep pockets of its clients and their business strategies.

“Because we’re operating aircraft of a certain level, the owners have weathered the recession,” says Waters. “In some cases, the downturn has thrown up opportunities because they’re operating in emerging markets. As long as our clients are busy, we’re busy.”

NAL is now hoping to expand its charter service, selling seats when they aren’t in use by clients. “It can actually be quite cost-effective if there’s a group of businessmen,” says Waters. “It’s perceived as very high-end, but if you’ve got eight, nine, 10 people on board whose time is valuable, it’s quick - you only have to arrive 15 minutes before you fly.”

NAL is growing and diversifying, having acquired AirFotos, a specialist aerial photography operation.

It is also running an apprenticeship scheme. “We train staff from scratch,” says Waters. “They can end up liaising directly with powerful, high net worth clients, so they have to have good customer service skills. Nothing can go wrong in this business.”

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PROFILE

Cars…and all that Jazz Third generation Benfield boss Mark Squires talks to Liz Hands about profits, piano, and a Fiat Panda

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nyone listening to the Hexham Jazz Quintet play a recent gig at the town’s Tap and Spile pub may not have realised the musician on keyboards was also the boss of one of the region’s best-known firms.

Mark Squires is certainly a man of many talents.

As well as being a pianist and guitarist, he is an adept advertising executive, having worked on campaigns for some of the world’s biggest companies including IBM in the run-up to the launch of the PC, Swiss Air, and Johnnie Walker.

But while he says there was never a burden of expectation placed upon him, it was probably inevitable he would one day return to the North East to head the family business, Benfield Motor Group.

It was founded by Squires’ grandfather John in 1957 and was later run by his father, also John.

“There’s always been a history of retailing in the family,” he says. “My grandmother ran a general store in east Newcastle and my grandfather had been in the fruit and veg trade. He had a wholesale arm with two or three lorries he kept on a factory ground in Byker with a bit of spare land next to it. In the late 1950s, cars were beginning to become mass-produced so there was a market for secondhand vehicles. That was when he spotted an easier way to make a living than getting up at 3am to go to the market.”

John Jnr had trained as a chartered accountant, but joined the family firm when his father’s health

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began to fail. “My father went down to the British Motor Show and persuaded Volkswagen he could do a good job for them on North Tyneside. They gave him the franchise and that’s where a lot of our early growth came from,” says Squires.

He has fond memories of growing up with the family business. “I have vague memories of the original Addison Motors in Byker, which was a very small premises crammed full of second-hand cars, and as a schoolboy I would go with my dad and hang out at the dealerships.

“He’d send me down to the newsagents with a few bob. I’d come back with a bag of sweets and comics and spend the day holed up in a Volkswagen Caravelle.

“As I got older, I had holiday jobs valeting cars for the busy August registration period and then driving and delivering cars. The business is very much in the blood.”

Squires knew the opportunity was there to join Benfield, but he says advertising was a perfect fit for him, and the idea to become involved in the family firm only grew gradually.

He went to the States to attend business school, attracted he says by the idea of going to the home of the MBA and, as he puts it, “capturing some of that enterprising spirit and energy that the Americans have.”

His time at the Kellogg School of Management in Chicago left him feeling he had “something different to offer, something to give as well as to learn.

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PROFILE

look after them.” Something is “I see two kinds of family clearly working; turnover business out there. There are topped £622.4m for 2013 - a those which hold on too much rise of 15% year on year to the past; they’ve always while pre-tax profits more than done it that way and they can’t doubled to £7.3m. let go. And there are those that Benfield’s digital offering, understand they need to says Squires, has had a major evolve and develop as they impact, while as we speak, he grow. There is an innate is gearing up for the launch of strength in a family firm and a new £7m Audi dealership on we’ve learnt how to deploy Scotswood Road, Newcastle, that to greater advantage.” where Squires, who has Because he was bringing in owned no less than three TTs, new staff as the company may indulge in a little grew, Squires launched nostalgia for an the Be Benfield iconic car. initiative, which With a team of aims to instil the “IT IS IMPORTANT 1,300 staff values of the WE BUILD AN across 38 firm across AFFINITY WITH OUR North East the workforce.

CUSTOMERS” dealerships, “As an Benfield’s industry, we corporate division haven’t had the best is a key area of growth. reputation,” he says.

“We didn’t think business “When you’re making the customers were being second biggest purchase of particularly well represented in your life, you want to be well the existing market,” says treated. You want to deal with Squires. “There was a big gap people you feel are aligned between huge leasing with your needs and in whom companies only interested if you feel you can trust. It’s you have a fleet size of 1,000 important we build an affinity with our customers and we set vehicles and the emergence of what I called the ‘bedroom out with purpose to genuinely

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brokers’. Now, corporate has become a very powerful multi-franchise proposition.

We’ve built that up from a couple of people in a Portakabin at the side of a van site in Byker to our own corporate offices on the Team Valley. We’ll do 10,000 units through that division this year.”

Running Benfield has allowed Squires to indulge his passion for music, and he played alongside Jason Smith, the general manager of Benfield Corporate, on a single for the charity Cry in the Dark, which aids orphans in eastern Romania.

Benfield’s charitable trust gives away 5% of pre-tax profits to deserving causes and also makes match funding available to employees doing charitable work. “I feel very strongly that with capitalism must come a conscience,” says Squires, who lives with his architect wife Louise and two children near Corbridge.

“We’ve got a responsibility as businesses to recognise and give back. I would challenge any and every business to consider that.”

CV Mark Squires is chief executive of Benfield Motor Group, having joined the family firm in 1992. During this time the company has grown to become a top-15 franchised dealer group, following recent acquisitions including the North East Audi market area and the Ford franchise for Sunderland.

It is the largest private business in the North East, where most of its 34 operations are based, and it also enjoys a sizeable presence in West Yorkshire and the North West.

The company has previously received the industry’s top honour, the AM Dealer Group of the Year. It remains the largest dealer group to be accredited as an Investor in People and has featured in the Sunday Times HSBC Mid 250 private companies and Profitrak 100.

Squires is an executive member of National Franchised Dealer Association and previous regional chairman of the Institute of Family Business and governor of Newcastle College Group.

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PROFILE

All Hart

Owen McAteer meets scientist-entrepreneur Alby Pattison, the head of world-leading biomedical specialist Hart Biologicals

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development work nly 12 years after beforehand, but it was still one walking into a of the biggest challenges I’ve small business ever had,” he says. “I walked support office into a small commercial without the first support organisation with my idea of how to set up a business plan and said, ‘what company, scientist Alby do I do?’

Pattison is now running an “I got great help from organisation recognised as a Andrea Miles who was with world leader in its field.

Business Link in From humble Middlesbrough then beginnings, Hart and is now with Biologicals is now Hartlepool a £1.6m “IT WAS ONE OF Borough turnover THE BIGGEST Council. She business with a CHALLENGES I’VE found great display case advice for me packed with EVER HAD” with things like awards in its premises and reception area. finances.”

Founded as a The firm, based on manufacturer of niche Queens Meadow Business biomedical products, the Park, specialises in blood Hartlepool company has testing, making biological recently launched its own reagents used to investigate research and development blood-clotting disorders. division and employs 25, a It makes its own branded number that should hit 30 by products and manufactures the end of this year. products for partner firms and Pattison has come a long 80% of its products are way since 2002 when he left a exported to the US comfortable job as a research and Europe. scientist and started In recent weeks it the business. announced an exclusive “I did a lot of research and

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distribution partnership with leading German medical diagnostics supplier Haemochrom Diagnostica, which will allow the firm to supply reagent lines into markets including Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Austria.

In April, the firm picked up the export award at the Bionow awards, which highlight the work of biomedical firms in the North of England, and in May it was selected to lead research in partnership with Prof Amar Rangan of James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough on a process which reduces the risk of venous thromboembolism in post-operative orthopaedic patients, which leads to around 25,000 deaths a year.

The study is funded by a £120,000 grant from the Academic Health Science Network for the North East and North Cumbria and will aim to develop a test to predict a patient’s risk.

Pattison says the company’s impressive growth is based largely on a major initial stroke of luck.

“We were very fortunate,” he says. “We identified a test that was popular in the UK at the time but wasn’t available for sale. It was being made at the old Withington Hospital in Manchester so I went to talk to them about distributing it.

“The hospital was due to close and they were looking for a partner to carry it on. I walked through the door on the day they put it up for sale.

“We had no cash, but I worked with the hospital trust to put a deal together over three years, paying for it using royalties and sales. It gave us a foothold from day one and a revenue stream to reinvest in the business.”

Last October the firm made a £1m investment in buying the 10,000sqft leased premises it moved into in 2009, investing in new equipment, and beefing up its research and development capabilities with a new division called Hart Innovations.

“I think I have always known we had the capability to do product development,” says Pattinson. “I am a bio-chemist by degree and I have worked in pharmaceutical research. Now we’ve got over the hustle and bustle of setting up the company, it’s time to get into developing products.”

This is a family affair, and having started out with his brother Bob and sister-in-law Pauline on the payroll, Pattison’s other brother Mal later joined the firm as operations manager, followed by his nephew Jason.

“It may seem like a minor point, but when we started my children were young and I was able to take them on holiday without fear of what was going to happen to the business while I was away.

“Being able to combine that work life with social time is an advantage that having members of the family involved in the business

gave us.” Pattison still spends a great deal of his time travelling on business; something he plans to share with younger staff members he is now bringing through.

And after recently taking part in a growth accelerator programme the company is looking to take on additional senior staff this year. “We need to build the management team,” he says. “The growth accelerator programme gave our managers a chance to see exactly what my vision was.

We now have a management team of six and probably need one or two more.”

The team also includes three apprentices in addition to a school leaver due to start her apprenticeship training in September.

Meanwhile, research and development manager Keighley Campbell, 26, who joined the firm four years ago, won Promising Technologist of the Year Award at this year’s Bionow Awards.

Pattison, who sends younger members of staff to do outreach and careers guidance work in local schools, says: “A lot of people interested in science see the oil and gas industry or pharmaceuticals as their only options, but bioscience is a growing area and we need more young people to think about it as a career.”

Hartlepool born, bred and loyal, he attended Hartlepool Boys Technical College and is treasurer at Hartlepool Rovers Rugby Club as well as supporting Seaton Carew Cricket Club and sitting as a governor of two schools and the sixth form college.

“We started in Hartlepool, all our family is here and we try to keep our recruitment local. I see us remaining here and growing here, and I’m very excited by the future of the company. This is a good place to be.”

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Image Credit: © Jane Rix / Shutterstock.com

NECC POLICY

Fish eye view of the interior of the Scottish Parliament building

Yes, no, maybe?

As the Scotland’s in/out referendum approaches, Ross Smith, NECC director of policy, considers its likely impact on North East business

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oters in Scotland have a monumental responsibility when they decide on September 18 whether the country will remain part of the UK or become an independent nation.

And while most will understandably be weighing up the impact on themselves, their families and their immediate communities, their decision will have a much wider impact - including on North East businesses.

Even if there is a ‘no’ vote, there is likely to be a strong push for a new devolution settlement, meaning change is probably inevitable.

NECC is weighing up three main issues in assessing how members might be affected by the decision.

The first is the impact on trade. More than 50% of NECC members do some business with Scotland, and in particular the links between our offshore industries and Aberdeen are strong. However, a

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recent survey of members found 14% forecast that independence could have a negative impact on sales.

The most significant change could be in the currency, with Westminster parties insisting an independent Scotland could not keep sterling. However, the effect of working across different tax or regulatory regimes, or different institutions such as a separate postal service, will also need to be considered.

The second issue is competitiveness.

As the nearest business centre to the border, the attractiveness of the North East as a location will be influenced by relative views about Scotland.

Critical to this issue is the extent to which Scotland is able to tailor policies to its own economic needs, particularly if decisions on the same issues for the North East are made from Whitehall and deemed London-centric.

Clearly, finance will dictate how this flexibility can be exercised. Scotland gets favourable funding levels within the UK, but may need to sacrifice this for more tax raising powers.

Lastly, there is the issue of uncertainty. 12% of NECC members say the referendum is affecting investment. But uncertainty will not go away after September 18.

In the event of a ‘yes’ vote, it is far from clear how a

separation would be implemented.

On the other hand, if independence is rejected then the 2015 General Election and 2016 Scottish elections are likely to see competing versions of devolution debated, with a long wait before the final settlement is concluded.

Regardless of the outcome, links with Scotland will remain very important to the North East.

NECC is working to strengthen these, including through joint activity with Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber on issues affecting our offshore industries, together with NECC Partner Bond Dickinson.

After all, the North East is already the top performing English region on exports. If Scotland becomes a foreign market, we can consider ourselves very well placed.

SURVEY REVEALS REFERENDUM SPLIT

Almost half of oil and gas firms (45%) have reported that the Scottish referendum is impacting on plans and investment proposals.

The 20th Oil and Gas Survey - launched by NECC and Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce at survey sponsor Bond Dickinson’s Stockton offices - highlights the importance of the North East to the supply chain, with 13% of respondents saying the region is a key location. The survey, conducted by the Fraser of

Allander Institute since 1996, is used by Scottish Chambers of Commerce and British Chambers of Commerce to develop national energy policy.

Oil and gas businesses are more confident about future prospects than a year ago. A total of 38% of respondents said a vote in favour of independence would make little difference to the sector, 18% said it would be positive, and 12% negative. Uncertainty is underlined by the one in three firms who feel it is difficult to reach a clear view.

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Ask us about the Business Growth Investment Scheme and we’ll tell you how to apply for grants from £25,000 that your business can invest in capital or revenue expenditure. Whichever is going to help it grow most effectively.

We’re here to help Tees Valley businesses grow.

To find out more visit our website at: www.teesbusinesscompass.co.uk

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SKILLS

MARK STEPS UP A GEAR

Mark Pinkerton from Stanley has joined Jennings Kia as part of the Kia Academy programme.

Pinkerton, 17, has joined Jennings as an apprentice motor vehicle technician at Jennings Kia’s service department on Parsons Road in Washington.

He is the second member of staff to embark on an apprenticeship through the academy programme, joining 18-year-old Ellis Matthews from Washington.

The three-year programme will see Pinkerton gain on-the-job experience and nationally recognised qualifications in addition to completing training courses at Kia’s Nottingham-based training centre.

After achieving 10 GCSEs at St Bede’s Catholic School in Lanchester, he spent a year at New College Durham where he achieved a Level 2 certificate in Vehicle Maintenance before starting the programme.

2,290 new roles created by apprenticeship boost

100 Day Apprenticeship Challenge hailed a huge success 100 Day Apprenticeship Challenge is More companies than ever before signed testament to our excellent batch of learners up to this year’s 100 Day Apprenticeship and the number of forward-thinking Challenge, creating more than 2,200 businesses who appreciate the unique offer new positions. a young and enthusiastic apprentice Supported by NECC - which was once can bring.” again the biggest contributor to the The Challenge, which ran project supplying 301 (13%) of the new roles - and 28 other THIS FANTASTIC from March 31-July 8, facilitated 1,763 new roles local training providers, the CAMPAIGN and 527 positions for Challenge aims to encourage HIGHLIGHTS THE existing staff to access the employers to recruit as many OPPORTUNITIES apprenticeship programme. apprentices as possible in a Nick Wilson, deputy 100-day period.

AVAILABLE director for the Skills Funding The 2014 Challenge, Agency in North East, says: co-ordinated by the National “This fantastic campaign, now in Apprenticeship Service, created 2,290 its fourth year, highlights the new roles and saw 1,139 employers signing opportunities available.” up for apprentices - a rise of 20%.

To find out more about NECC NECC chief executive James apprenticeship opportunities, Ramsbotham says: “To have once again go to www.necc.co.uk secured such a tremendous response to the

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NEWS

Top marks

Graham Ingleson, technical general manager SITA UK; Rob Walsh, technical training manager, SITA UK; Garry Evans, Teesside University sustainable technologies project manager; Fiona Smith, business development manager for the School of Science and Engineering

Brain power of waste Producing energy the focus of new qualification Teesside University has teamed up with recycling and resource management firm SITA UK to help its workforce learn the best ways of producing energy from waste.

The university has developed an HNC in Energy from Waste to meet the growing demand for more sustainable means of energy production.

It will be undertaken by SITA UK employees from the company’s Energy from Waste facilities in the UK, including Billingham. As well as minimising the amount of waste which is sent to landfill, Energy from Waste plants reduce the need for power generated by burning fossil fuels.

Although Energy from Waste plants

have been used for several decades on the continent, they are still relatively new in this country.

SITA UK technical training manager Robin Walsh says: “We wanted something unique to our business with the flexibility to cope with changes in the industry.

“As well as training staff at our Energy from Waste plants it will also enable employees in other areas of our business to develop careers in energy.”

The HNC will be studied over two years with the majority of the course being delivered by Flexible Open Learning, which will enable participants to study irrespective of their location.

APPRENTICESHIP REFORMS Employer-designed changes to the Government’s funding of apprenticeship programmes will be introduced in September.

The new standards for apprenticeships begin with a pilot entitled Trailblazers, which will apply to eight sectors aerospace, automotive, digital industries, electrotechnical, energy and utilities, financial

services, food and drink manufacturing and life sciences and industrial sciences.

The Trailblazers pilot also introduces a partial trial of the new apprenticeship funding system whereby businesses contribute towards the cost of training and education to the value of £1 to match every £2 the Government funds.

Details from Amanda Vanek or Kwaku Saifah tel 01642 773 413 or email amanda.vanek@necc.co.uk / kwaku.saifah@necc.co.uk

The Independent Inspectorate of Schools (ISI) has endorsed TTE Technical Training Group’s training provision for international technicians.

Following a three-day inspection of its facilities, programmes and pastoral care provision, ISI has confirmed that TTE has demonstrated that it meets the high standards required to deliver education to trainees from around the world.

MD Steve Grant says: “The experience of our training staff, who support the development of local apprentices, international students training at TTE and at our international centres in Libya, Ghana and Azerbaijan, is second to none and it’s very pleasing they have been recognised.”

NEWS

Setting sail The Port of Tyne has recruited five new apprentices in finance, engineering and security as part of its target of 25 apprentices per year.

A leading Investors in People organisation, Port of Tyne invested £500,000 in training development in 2013.

HR director Geoff Gillon says: “The future is exciting, the Port of Tyne is investing in expanding our business operations and improving the chances for young people is part of our commitment.

“Apprentices provide an excellent alternative to academic study, and offer a fresh perspective that we’ve found is good for business.”

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EXPORT

MARKET VISITS BEYOND MUMBAI: OPPORTUNITIES IN BANGALORE AND NEW DELHI OCTOBER 6-11

Image Credit: Mark Schwettmann / Shutterstock.com, saiko3p / Shutterstock.com

India is home to many opportunities in sectors including advanced engineering, infrastructure, education and vocational skills, energy and life sciences.

This visit focuses on three key business events: The Global SME Summit, the FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry) Convention, and the GBIndia Business Convention and will include meetings with potential customers, buyers and agents, and networking event.

SAO PAULO, RECIFE, RIO DE JANEIRO AND PORTO ALEGRE NOVEMBER 24-28

This visit will highlight the market opportunities available to businesses in regions beyond the major commercial centres in markets such as aerospace, automotive, creative industries, education, energy, health care, marine, airports, rail and ports.

More at www.necc.co.uk/events

Return fixture

NECC delegation meets German colleagues A North East Chamber of Commerce delegation has cemented links with key contacts in the Mid Ruhr Chamber of Commerce, Bochum, Germany.

The visit, which followed a German visit to the North East last year, showcased the region’s private sector offering and links between members, and focused on making the most of the global network of chambers of commerce.

NECC chief executive James Ramsbotham, president and Newcastle International Airport chief executive David Laws, MD of Berger Group and chairman of NECC’s International Trade Committee Richard Swart, and UKTI operations director Julie Underwood made up the North East delegation.

Hosted by Mid Ruhr Chamber vice president Wilfried Neuhaus-Gallade and president Jurgen Fiege, the group visited companies including Dortmund Airport, engineering firm Eickhoff, Opel cars, and RESOL Regelsysteme, which specialises in equipment for the solar and thermal heating industry and has distributors in Wearside.

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The NECC delegation also enjoyed a surprise encounter with the former West German goalkeeper Hans Tilkowski, who played in the 1966 World Cup final.

“He maintains that England’s third goal should never have stood,” says James Ramsbotham, “but we have still cemented strong friendships which I hope will open more doors in Germany for our membership.”

The NECC and Mid Ruhr Chamber of Commerce delegations during the trip

MARKET VISITS

TO RUSSIA WITH LOVE

FREIGHTLINER MOVE TO TEESPORT

Moscow’s spectacular waterfront

The North East Access programme’s itinerary of Market Visits is gathering pace with a further two scheduled this autumn to India and Brazil (see far left for details).

Meanwhile, the Access Programme’s most recent Market Visit to Russia provided greater insight into market support and the opportunity to visit regions beyond traditional and often saturated centres.

John Slider, CEO of Washington-based Canford Audio, says: “This was my first visit to Russia and I set out to meet with our customer base and gain a better understanding of the markets in which they operate.

“I felt it would be useful to meet with organisations such as the Russo British Chamber of Commerce, representatives from HSBC bank, and companies assisting British SMEs to establish a presence.

“The majority of my customers recommended that we employ a local sales representative as a voice on the ground; someone who could visit them on a regular basis. They agreed this would generate additional business.”

For more about the ERDF-funded Access Programme and associated Market Visits contact Nynzi Maung, tel 08450 768 391, email nynzi.maung@necc.co.uk

PD Ports has announced a new rail service with Freightliner, which will see an investment of more than £3m in a new intermodal rail terminal at Teesport.

The new rail terminal is part of PD Ports’ ongoing investment at Teesport and follows a £16.7m container terminal expansion in 2011.

CEO David Robinson says: “We have invested significantly in expanding the intermodal services available at the port.”

Championing the region since 1815

Enabling local businesses to achieve global ambitions

NECC Global is a membership package designed for international businesses. Specialist products and services ensure NECC Global members are operationally proficient, streamlined and informed.

To find out more about the benefits of #NECCGlobal visit www.necc.co.uk/Global or call 0300 3036322

AUG - SEP 2014 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 43

ADVERTORIAL

£22M INVESTMENT IN SKILLS WILL SUPPORT GROWTH OF OFFSHORE AND RENEWABLE SECTOR A £22m investment in skills from the North East Growth Deal will help ensure the offshore and renewable energy sector can maximise opportunities for growth.

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Andrew Hodgson, North East Local Enterprise Partnership Vice Chair and Skills Board Chair

he offshore and renewable energy sector offers the North East a significant opportunity for growth. It is one of our priority sectors and it’s essential that we have the right skills base to match current and future needs of the industry.

The North East’s strong performance in advanced manufacturing and ability to attract substantial inward investment from multi-nationals such as Nissan and Hitachi, means that pressure on the skills base for offshore and renewables is ever increasing.

INVESTING IN FUTURE NEEDS The £290m North East Growth Deal offers an opportunity to future proof our skills base. The £22m package of investment in skills includes two projects which have a specific focus on the offshore sector.

Through the Growth Deal the Port of Blyth will build a new shared training centre to provide otherwise unavailable specialist training. The new facility will create specialist workshops including an offshore training platform. It will house Northumberland College’s wind turbine course and enable Port of Blyth to increase the number of traineeships. This will more than triple the number of young people trained.

The second investment is in South Tyneside College’s marine and offshore energy training facility. This investment will improve and increase training facilities at the College, doubling the number of employer led programmes and the number of people trained for the offshore and renewable sector.

The three remaining projects also support the sector’s skills base: Tyne Met College will provide a base for vocational training to support engineering and manufacturing industries operating from and linked to the River Tyne; Newcastle College will invest in skills and training around low carbon technologies; East Durham College will focus on

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improving science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) based skills.

A LONG TERM COMMITMENT It’s not just capital projects that the Growth Deal is investing in. As part of the Growth Deal we have also secured a commitment from government to support us, school and business leaders and local authorities to develop a North East schools challenge. This means that we will have central support and access to key expert contacts to work with us to improve standards and increase educational attainment.

The North East schools challenge will close the attainment gap within schools, and increase the number of young people progressing to universities and advanced apprenticeships. In particular it will focus on raising standards for science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subject which are essential for sustainable growth of the offshore and renewable sector.

Andrew Hodgson, North East Local Enterprise Partnership board member lead for skills said: “The North East has a thriving offshore and renewable energy sector. It offers a great opportunity to grow our economy and create more and better jobs. It is essential that we have the right number of people with the right skills to support its growth and these investments are a great start to making sure this happens.”

Find out more about the North East Growth Deal from www.nelep.co.uk/agenda-for-growth/

North East LEP 0191 222 3180 info@nelep.co.uk www.nelep.co.uk @northeastlep To sign up for North East LEP updates please visit www.surveymonkey.com/s/northeastlep

ENERGY FOCUS

We have the power Dean Bailey assesses the region’s world-leading energy sector

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he North East’s role in the energy sector has come a long way from mining coal in centuries past.

North East-based energy companies generate a combined turnover in excess of £2.5bn, the majority of it in the oil and gas sector, with approximately 15% (66,000) of the total UK oil and gas workforce residing in the North East.

George Rafferty, chief executive of NOF Energy, the UK business support organisation for the oil, gas, nuclear and offshore renewables sectors, says: “The well-established North East oil and gas industry supply chain contains worldrenowned businesses experienced in both

domestic and international markets.

Through its technology-led solutions, carefully honed skills and innovative products, the region’s supply chain has secured itself a strong position in the increasingly competitive global industry.”

The strength of the region’s energy sector extends well beyond oil and gas, from nuclear power at Hartlepool to a thriving offshore renewables sector.

North East England’s renewables group Energi Coast, a steering group of North East companies, has invested more than £400m in its offshore renewables operations and employs in excess of 6,000 people. “Energi Coast highlights the extensive expertise the region offers to the

industry through its integrated supply chain. Through its collaborative supply chain relationships, the region has the infrastructure and logistical capabilities to become a global hub for the offshore renewables sector,” Rafferty adds.

There is also no denying the importance of the North East’s subsea sector. “With a cluster of more than 50 technology-led companies operating out of the region, the North East is globally recognised as a hub for subsea innovation and operations,” says Rafferty.

“Generating revenues of £1.5bn a year and employing in excess of 10,000 people, the sector is an invaluable asset, not only to the North East, but the entire UK.”

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ENERGY FOCUS

CASE STUDY: EDF Energy EDF Energy is a major player in the North East energy sector, its sites in the North East ranging from Hartlepool nuclear power station, which is capable of supplying electricity to more than 2m homes, to EDF Energy Renewables’ first UK offshore wind farm at Redcar.

At Hartlepool, the company’s advanced gas-cooled nuclear power station has been producing low-carbon electricity for more than 30 years.

A few miles down the coast at Redcar, EDF Energy Renewables’ first UK offshore wind farm has 27 turbines, delivering 62MW of low-carbon electricity.

Opened by EDF chairman Henri Proglio and the then energy minister Michael Fallon earlier this year, the wind farm is expected to meet the average annual electricity needs of up to 40,000 households.

Meanwhile, at Doxford Business Park, Sunderland, EDF Energy has its largest customer service centre in the UK where more than 1,500 people liaise with EDF Energy’s 5m customers.

Elsewhere in the North East, EDF has a number of onshore wind farms in Co Durham and Northumberland, while the EDF Energy Renewables national wind farm development and construction teams are headquartered at Rainton Bridge, near Houghton-le-Spring.

HARTLEPOOL POWER STATION

Hartlepool power station has been a key player in the region’s economy for the past 30 years, from employing more than 3,000 people during its construction in the 1970s-1980s to more than 700 staff with an annual wage bill in excess of £40m The site recruits apprentices in a range of disciplines annually. Station director Simon Parsons says: “We draw all our apprentices from the local area. The quality of applications is always very high, which means the quality of our apprentices will also be very high.”

When it was built, the site was expected to operate until 2019.

However, following major investment including a three-yearly maintenance shutdown which sees hundreds of extra contract staff on site to support the EDF Energy team while they carry out key maintenance and inspection checks the site is expected to operate beyond 2019.

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TEESSIDE OFFSHORE WINDFARM

The Teesside Offshore Windfarm is an EDF Energy Renewables’ first - a 50/50 joint venture between EDF Energy and EDF Energies Nouvelles with responsibility for building, owning and operating renewable projects in the UK. Located 1.5km off the coast at its nearest point, the new 27-turbine scheme is capable of delivering 62MW of low-carbon electricity, which is enough to supply electricity to 40,000 homes.

During construction, a dedicated supply base was established at the Port of Hartlepool, with more than 350 construction workers involved at peak times. In total, 1.2m man hours were utilised on the project.

A number of local companies supplied specialist electrical, cabling and marine engineering services for the project and an independent study estimated more than 950 jobs were created directly or indirectly by the construction.

COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING FOR THE

ENERGY INDUSTRY BENEFIT FROM A RANGE OF EMPLOYER TRAINING COURSES AND APPRENTICESHIPS AT OUR PURPOSE BUILT ENERGY ACADEMY BASED IN NEWCASTLE. Courses available include: • Training for offshore manufacturing and service and maintenance • Sustainability courses • Introduction to renewables • Welding and fabrication • Subsea engineering • Instrumentation and SCADA

FIND OUT MORE For more information on The Energy Academy and what it can do for you, or to register your interest, please ring direct to 0191 200 4950 or email: employers@ncl-coll.ac.uk

ENERGY FOCUS

Academy creating bright sparks for energy industry With the North East’s role in the renewable energy sector growing, Newcastle College invested £2.2m in its state-of-the-art Energy Academy to meet the industry’s need for skilled workers.

Officially opened in May 2012, the Energy Academy on the North Bank of the River Tyne was developed in partnership with a range of employers and stakeholders to meet the needs of the industry, offering qualifications from level 2 through to degrees in energy technologies, manufacturing and maintenance as well as apprenticeships at all levels.

Andy Stephenson, director for the School of Construction, Engineering and Science at Newcastle College, says: “The energy sector is a major area of growth for the region. As a result, employers have a more complex and evolving range of skills

requirements, which cannot be met through traditional training programmes alone”.

The 20,000sqft Academy was developed with support and involvement of major employers in the energy and manufacturing sectors including Shepherd Offshore, SMD, Technip Duco Ltd and BEL Valves Ltd. Facilities include a range of workshop areas, industry standard welding bays and more recently the addition of specialist subsea equipment of a Christmas tree and diving bell.

Since its opening the Academy has gone from strength to strength, not only growing its student intake but also delivering training to a range of employers along the bank of the Tyne. Understanding the skills gaps in the oil, gas and subsea sector has also led to a new partnership being formed between the College and

Advanced Industrial Solutions (AIS) that will deliver a number of key activities developed around the Energy Academy.

AIS is a leading provider of full industrial solutions in on and off-shore training for the oil, gas and renewable energy sectors. Together the partnership will offer support for a business’s existing training and development programmes as well as helping individual companies grow their own talent. The partnership will also develop initiatives for employers to access that will include; the subsea engineer conversion course, transition training focused on ex-military personnel, subsea on-line learning and an oil and gas-focused diploma scheme.

For more information on working with the Energy Academy go to www.newcastlecollege.co.uk or email employers@ncl-coll.ac.uk

CASE STUDY: FREEMAN THONDHLANA

 Andy Stephenson

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“I had a particular interest in renewables and attended an Open Day at Newcastle College. Once I spoke to the tutors I knew that I wanted to study here. They explained that they were introducing a new Foundation Degree in renewables and it was perfect for my career aspirations.

“While on my Foundation Degree I was based at the Energy Academy, the college’s new facility in Wallsend. The academy is excellent for practising our skills and gives us the chance to work on wind turbines, testing the theory we’ve learnt. We’ve been able to learn about the impact of wind turbine angles and take part in turbine tests all on site.”

Working together to power a more sustainable future.

At EDF Energy we’re working to ensure a secure supply of affordable energy for the future and tackle climate change.

Our approach to this has just won seven Big Ticks in the Business in the Community 2014 Responsible Business Awards.

It’s recognition of how we’re improving safety and wellbeing, supporting local communities and schools, helping customers on sustainability, and protecting the environment.

It’s all thanks to the collective efforts of our people, our customers, our partners and the communities that we’re part of.

Seven Big Ticks and one very big thank you all round from Britain’s largest producer of low carbon nuclear electricity.

We think that’s something that everyone can feel better about.

Feel better energy EDF Energy Customers plc. No. 02228297 England. Registered Offices: 40 Grosvenor Place, Victoria, London, SW1X 7EN.

CONSTRUCTION

Bricks back in business Esh Group chief executive Brian Manning welcomes the upturn boosting the construction industry

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he construction industry has certainly seen improvements to workload over the last 12-18 months and this is now bringing different challenges to the market.

The recovery has been predominantly housing market-led, in both the for sale and social/affordable sectors. This market is critical to construction and related markets such as retail, where the impact of people kitting out a new house is massive.

The chain effect can also have a big effect on the second hand market, while local authorities also benefit from taxes, higher school numbers, and more facilities.

We at Esh Group see the full extent of the housing upturn through utilities company work and infrastructure work via Lumsden & Carroll, putting in roads and sewers for house builders. We also have involvement via our specialist companies in Deerness Fencing & Landscaping with boundary works and individual plot sales.

Bartram Walker, our

plumbing business, is just beginning to see an upturn, somewhat behind the rest of the field, which may be because the plumbing market was saturated prior to the recession. Our House Building business Esh Property Services has more than 1,000 houses under construction in the for sale and the social/ affordable sectors across the north, while Mechplant, our plant hire business, supplies all the above so it benefits.

So where are the challenges? A shortage of materials is one area. Bricks, blocks, and roof tiles are all now on extended deliveries, and we have been quoted 40 weeks for bricks in some instances.

The market has shrunk during the bad times and needs new investment to reach the required capacity again, and this will take time.

Skills are another challenge, as the workforce is ageing and not enough young people are coming through.

Although the housing sector is leading the recovery, there is a sense that this is buoyed by the Help to

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in association with

 The new Construction Skills Training Centre at Britain’s Energy Coast College, Workington

in association with

We have been working with Buy scheme and Homes & Tolent and Surgo to access Communities Agency (HCA) national frameworks but we grant funding to the social/ are finding it very difficult affordable market. to win through. Experience Help to Buy accounts for is vital, not so much in nearly 50% of sales in our building but in filling in the Dunelm Homes business and documentation and pitching any changes to this scheme for the commercials where could affect the market. in one particular instance it’s Mortgage approvals are also scored not on competiveness, tightening under instruction but the mean average across from both Government and all bidders. It’s like playing the Bank of England and this cricket with a shuttlecock. could slow the pace.

Diversity is key and we Another challenge remains are now established in in getting planning permission Cumbria, Lancashire and and despite changes to policy Scotland with our recent over the last four years, Esh Border acquisition. In planning remains a major Yorkshire and Humberside challenge for developers. we are now putting in place a Other markets seeing signs regional structure to support of recovery must play their our growth across civil part in moving construction engineering, housing, and forward. Utilities have been commercial/industrial build. steady throughout the We are moving forward downturn and provide a with the Building My good flow of work Skills programme as well as being IT’S TIME TO in partnership professional TAKE THE with 75 firms through INITIATIVE NOW, across the North procurement and WHILE WE HAVE and Scotland. delivery.

MOMENTUM This will involve Industrial build 60 secondary for warehousing/ schools and 6,000 factories is slow, students in 2014/2015. but with a more upbeat Esh group founded this manufacturing sector, programme with partners particularly in the north, this Arup, Ryder, and Turner could gather pace.

Townsend in 2012. It is highly Commercial build in terms structured with students of office space is still quite learning about the world of slow, with many looking at work through sessions with build/land costs against rents different businesses. We are and yields, while the public also well underway with our sector has a big part to play in apprentice intake for 2014, education, MOD, MOJ, startwhich will be over 60 with ups, science parks etc. this figure rising to 150 over The problem here for the next three years. For the regional players is in finding existing workforce, we are a way through public developing talent-spotting procurement. At Esh we have programmes for different been successful locally with levels across the business. the North East Procurement Regardless of doubts Organisation (NEPO), but we over the economy in general are disappointed for other and how they relate to regional businesses which construction, we need to have not been successful, take the initiative and move as we feel their inclusion forward now, while we have would have strengthened some momentum. the offering.

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CONSTRUCTION

Home comforts

NECC policy adviser Rachel Travis considers the role of the housing market on the economy, and how NECC members can direct policy

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of potential development sites and hen it comes to lower population densities ensure the securing economic recovery, few issues are foundations for a strong housing market are here. as contentious and But in 2012/13 the region recorded hotly debated as 4,090 housing completions, the role of the housing industry which is approximately half in sustaining HOUSING the number needed to satisfy positive momentum.

POLICY IS AT THE housing demand.

Whether it is daily FOREFRONT OF NECC and NECC Partner news stories on a THE POLITICAL member Watson Burton potential housing bubble, AGENDA LLP have now embarked on new housing-led policy a project to build the case for announcements, or disquieting greater levels of development in figures on the scale of the UK’s the North East. A task group comprising housing crisis, the debate on what representatives from across a range of kind of housing market is the right business sectors has been formed to kind is unavoidable. assess demand for housing development In the North East, an abundance

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in association with

in the region and examine constraints on further development.

Task group chair Tracy Hall, partner and group head for real estate at Watson Burton, says: “The North East is home to some of the major players in the UK construction industry. Our housing sector supports thousands of jobs and attracts skilled workers to the region, but are we maximising the opportunities available for housing to satisfy market demand?

“This house building project offers an ideal platform for analysis and debate on key issues at a time when housing policy is at the forefront of the political agenda and we have a real opportunity to influence that debate.”

As the task group has debated the

factors blocking the region’s ability to provide more houses, it has become apparent that many of the barriers identified are not new.

They include the challenges of the planning system, a skills shortage in the construction sector, and a lack of local political leadership. A key issue identified by the group is that positive policy changes must be complemented with greater public support for housebuilding.

An NECC survey regarding the issues is open to businesses with interests in the housing sector or supply chain and will explore opinion on regional housing market performance, the importance of the sector to the economy, barriers to development, and the region’s role in the wider housing agenda.

The findings will provide data to inform future NECC policy and offer a clear indication of how North East businesses feel about how we can capitalise on our region’s potential for development.

The economic case for housing is widely understood, with every £1 spent on housing having the potential to generate £1.84m in the local economy, so when it comes to housing we know the North East has strong foundations – now it is time to build on them.

To complete the housing survey visit svy.mk/W09MVD

NICE WORK

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 Barry Spedding collecting his award tory Homes has picked up two awards at the Local Authority Building Control (LABC) awards ceremony at the Hilton Hotel in Gateshead.

The Woodlands development at Shotley Bridge won Best High Volume New Housing Development, while Barry Spedding won the LABC Warranty Regional Site Manager of

the Year award for his work on the Mabel Wood development in Great Clifton, Cumbria.

Northern area contracts manager Richard Cannon says: “Awards like this mean a lot as we pride ourselves on build quality and quality of design.

We’re all part of a good team. We love to win awards and we wouldn’t be able to do that without our staff and the people who work with us.”

Finance North East For Business Growth Plus Fund

The team to finance growth

If you are looking for an investment partner who will help you achieve your growth aspirations speak to one of our investment experts on 0191 269 6969 or 01642 343 494 EUROPEAN UNION Investing in your Future

European Regional Development Fund 2007-13

in association with

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HI! TECH

Here’s my card Mark Anderson explores the world of e-buisness cards. Are they actaully any better than the traditional alternative?

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remember being very excited when I was given my first business card with my name and credentials emblazoned across it. I sent one to my mum.

I’ve had a fair few since then and have a desk drawer full of other people’s. At least once a week, I dive into that drawer for a card. Sometimes, I even find the one I’m looking for.

But the humble business

card’s days appear to be numbered as app developers seek to provide us with better ways of sharing our details.

My personal favourite is an app called CamCard, which does away with the need to keep the things. I simply take a picture of the card with my phone and the app takes the details and puts them in the correct slots in my contacts book. It is genuinely brilliant,

and free in most app stores.

Other phone apps, like Cardswapp and Jumpscan, go a slightly different route, reading printed QR codes; not quite as simple but they work well.

V-cards take things a stage further, eliminating the physical card altogether. Apps like SnapDat and My Name is E create digital business cards that can be shared in ways I haven’t even heard of.

Will these apps ever replace the humble business card? My money says no.

They rely on everybody having tech that will talk to everybody else’s and while we are approaching ubiquity, we aren’t there yet.

Even when we do get there I suspect many will cling to the low-tech calling card for years to come. If it isn’t broken, why fix it?

Feed me!

Chill Out..man

Fancy a pint?

Are we nearly there yet?

foodfestivalfinder.co.uk If you love visiting food festivals, add Food Festival Finder to your favourites list.

This recently launched site is a comprehensive guide to food and drink-related events in the UK and Ireland.

You can now make sure you never miss a date. Of course, you’ll find details of all the major events, such as Abergavenny and Ludlow, but you’ll also find details of smaller local dos from ale and beer festivals to night markets and farmers markets.

headspace.com Headspace is a meditation and mindfulness app. With over 1m subscribers including celeb fans Arianna Huffington, Emma Watson, and Davina McCall who tweet about it constantly - it offers ‘gym membership for the mind’; a range of exercises that aim to help you focus more, sleep better, stress less and generally live a happier, healthier life. It’s phone and web-based so you can take it anywhere, which is why you will occasionally see me asleep in the park at lunchtime.

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Swarmapp.com Swarm, the new app by Foursquare, allows you to see which of your friends is nearby at any given time and, ergo, who wants to hang out. You can share what you’re doing, check who’s available to get together, or propose ideas for things to do. Every time you check in at your chosen location, you’ll see who’s been there, see photos and then share your current activity through Facebook and Twitter.

Very useful for the Friday night post working week wind-down.

dayoutwiththekids.co.uk As Contact goes to print, your little darlings will be a couple of weeks into the summer break from school. This brilliant site pulls together hundreds of ways to keep them occupied and protect your sanity. Listing everything from swimming pool opening times to major events with links to relevant websites and split into helpful categories like ‘history’ (castles and stuff) and ‘outdoor play’ (parks and farms) it provides inspiration as well as information. Good luck!

APPOINTMENTS

in association with

L-r Yasmin Davoodi, Luke Kidwell, Amy Henderson, Ross Cooper

GOOD PHARMA

International pharmaceutical firm Aesica has taken on four new interns at its head office in Newcastle and manufacturing site in Cramlington.

Yasmin Davoodi undertakes a two-year marketing placement; Ross Cooper is on a four-month IT placement, Amy Henderson is on a one-year HR placement, and Luke Kidwell is undertaking a summer internship within the Chemical Development Group.

HR director John McConnell says: “Internships provide an excellent opportunity for high quality on-the-job training.

The placements we support at Aesica provide students with an insight into how our company operates and enables them to put knowledge gained from university into real-life scenarios within a global organisation.”

LEADING SAFETY TRAINING FIRM APPOINTS HR MANAGER Survival and health and safety training company Falck Safety Services has appointed Nick Hobdey as HR manager for its 125 staff across three centres and at its additional facilities in Peterhead and Montrose.

Falck offers services including fire, technical, maritime and renewables at its three UK training centres in Aberdeen and Teesside and Hobdey brings more than 15 years of experience to the firm, having worked in various HR positions in the public and private sectors.

IN THE CHAIR Paul Woolston has been reappointed as chairman of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (NELEP) for a second three-year term.

Sunderland-born Woolston, who recently retired as a senior partner with PwC North, was initially appointed chairman in July 2011. “In the next three years and beyond, the implementation of the North East Strategic Economic Plan will be one of the LEP’s main focuses,” he says.

“The 10-year plan for growth and employment, which lays out ambitious plans to create a further 100,000 jobs, is based on the findings of the North East Independent Economic Review, a route for the region to be more globally competitive and create more and better jobs.”

IN THE MONEY

WELCOME ABOARD

Port of Tyne has appointed Paul Foster to the new post of director of projects to drive forward its ambitious development plans.

Before joining the Port, Foster was project director for an international renewable energy business based in Manchester, having started his career with 15 years’ service in the Royal Engineers.

“I have joined the Port at an exciting time and am looking forward to seeing these plans through to fruition,” he says.

Northstar Ventures has recruited finance executive James Foster to support its finance team.

Northstar, one of the North East’s leading venture capital firms, now has 15 employees and Foster will be responsible for management accounting and fund reporting, as well as working on the Proof of Concept portfolio.

“It has been a long-term ambition to move into venture capital and I look forward to getting involved in the exciting work that goes on at Northstar Ventures and helping to contribute to its on-going success,” he says.

Foster joins Northstar from Sage.

PRESTIGE APPOINTMENT Sodexo Prestige, which works in partnership with Newcastle United at St James’ Park providing match day catering, hospitality and banqueting, has appointed business graduate Lucy Haresnape as sales co‑ordinator.

The former Newcastle University student joins the Sodexo Prestige team having spent six years at some of the region’s leading hotels.

“I am incredibly excited to be working at a venue which offers something special and unique as a venue,” she said.

L-r Adam Gallagher, Jeroen Pichal

RECRUITER RECRUITS

Recruitment consultant GEM Partnership has added new talent to its rapidly expanding team. Adam Gallagher joins as trades and labour recruitment consultant at GEM’s Newton Aycliffe branch and Jeroen Pichal has been appointed as head of GEM Talent Search, based at Newcastle HQ.

DEVELOPING GEMS GEM Partnership has been working with apprentices over the last five years and has found this a fruitful route to develop and nurture young talent within our business. Apprentices have the opportunity to work within genuine roles in our business while gaining a meaningful qualification. Our apprentices are achieving great things and a recent success story is Beth Appleby, who joined the team in 2011 and has recently moved into a permanent resourcing role. At GEM we are passionate about apprentices, which enables us to develop the next generation of talent.

Maria Miller Operations director GEM Partnership in association with

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OUT TO LUNCH

The time lord Richard Evans, director of Beamish Museum, tells Liz Hands how he kept the attraction from being consigned to history

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“and my six years at Beamish here’s something have been a pleasure.” fundamentally odd Having said that, his early about Beamish days here were something of a Museum director baptism of fire given that the Richard Evans’ working life, as museum had run up huge he freely admits, given that he losses and its future existence essentially travels back in time was uncertain. each day.

“We had a mini financial “My office is in the museum crisis in 2008, just before ‘town’, so I work in a 1910 Lehman Brothers, so it wasn’t terraced house, although I do particularly connected to that. have a computer,” he says. “We Our visitor numbers were in are a slightly weird place to decline and costs were work. I’ve got four going up. We faced a costumes and I deficit of between wander around in I’VE GOT FOUR £250,000 and a bowler hat, so COSTUMES AND A £500,000. it’s not everyone’s “We chose to cup of tea.”

BOWLER HAT become selfToday, however, sufficient rather than as we meet for lunch rely on public funding. in the nearby Black We realised we weren’t going Horse, Evans is back in the to be sustained by going 21st Century, discussing how around with a cloth cap; we Beamish has come through needed to be successful and what he describes as a “mini support ourselves.” financial crisis” to be ready to Since then, Beamish has launch a new 1950s attraction. grown from 300,000 visitors a Evans was too busy at his year to 600,000 and created previous job at the Wentworth 120 jobs. It’s a transformation Castle Trust in South Yorkshire Evans puts down to tweaking to think about applying when many nuts and bolts rather the Beamish post came up, but than one big initiative. a recruitment consultancy put “It’s easy when you’re new; him forward. “I’d never worked nothing is your fault,” he jokes. in museums, but I’d always “We restructured and reduced dealt with old things,” he says,

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costs by 20%, which isn’t nice, but I was very transparent. I said we all want it to be here in 50 years’ time, so we have to do something. The thing about organisations which are funded externally is that they tend to focus on the funders and the system rather than the consumers. It was about focusing on our customers, understanding what they might want in the future and developing new things that bring them back, make them spend more or stay longer.”

Evans has developed an apprenticeship programme to train and develop the Beamish

staff of the future as the museum continues to expand.

“We’ve now got a member of staff whose job it is to identify people for leadership and they go around the world looking at museums and other sectors,” he says. “A lot of graduates don’t have the right skills because we’re not a normal museum, many of which are 80% publicly funded. We still need curatorial expertise, but that needs to be applied to a business. I do feel that now that people pay for education, they come out with a sense of entitlement. If you put £40,000 on the table to go to university,

WORTH WAITING FOR

that changes the relationship between the employer and the graduate. It’s almost like people come out and say ‘it’s payback time now’.”

Our food arrives as we discuss Beamish’s future and it is apparent that Evans’ plans for the museum and the portion sizes at the Black Horse have something in common – they’re both big. Beamish has won Lottery funding of £11m towards a £16m project to build a 1950s town. “When we were looking at which decade to choose we opted for the 1950s because it was a period of great change with the NHS, the

Education Act, leisure time, fashion and culture from America, delinquency, private ownership of the car, the nationalisation of industry and much more.”

Beamish is now collecting objects to tell the 1950s story, including four Airey prefabricated houses from Kibblesworth, Gateshead.

“We don’t just value the object,” says Evans, “it’s the social story. We’re not after the most remarkable thing, but the everyday items; stuff that is often forgotten. So we don’t want the chair Winston Churchill sat on, we want the

chair Joe down the road sat on.”

If there’s one thing guaranteed to make everyone feel old, it’s the time period Beamish will be looking at once the 1950s project is completed, when the focus turns to the 1980s. “We rely on living memories,” says Evans, “so we don’t want to leave it too long.”

So, within the next 30 years, we could see black ash furniture, cassette players, early home video games, VHS players, Care Bears and New Kids on the Block posters adorning the homes at Beamish. For now though, for Evans at least, it’s back to 1910.

It’s busy when we visit the Black Horse on a Monday lunchtime to find most of the tables occupied.

It’s just as well that we have time to work up an appetite because the portions are gargantuan.

The land and sea platter turns out to be, in effect, a little of everything from the menu - sausages, battered fish, a bowl of mussels, a little pile of prawns, some cold meats, a large triangle of paté, salad and a bread bun.

If I’d had all these ingredients in my fridge, I could probably make lunches for the entire week.

Evans’ homemade 8oz burger is huge and accompanied by pickles, relish, bacon, cheese, coleslaw, onion rings and fries. And it’s a big meal for a relatively small price, coming in at just over £25 for two, including drinks.

The Black Horse, Red Row, Beamish, Co Durham, DH9 0RW, tel 01207 232 569, www.blackhorsebeamish. co.uk

AUG - SEP 2014 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 57

New members Visit our website for information about the companies which have recently joined NECC - the region’s largest business membership organisation.

Along with contact details, there are opportunities for 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

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

64 64 64

40+ YEARS! LFF Glamal Limited

41

35-39 YEARS Consteel Technical Services Ltd

35

30-34 YEARS Corrpro Companies Europe Limited Analox Sensor Technology

34 33

25-29 YEARS AG Lathe Castlegate Shopping Centre LLP Roman Limited ITEC North East Ltd Sarabec Ltd (BP Sector) LV Shipping Ltd AECOM Limited Berger Closures Charter Self Drive Ltd D B Thompson & Co Martel Instruments Norton Cleaning Services NOV Mission Products UK Ltd RHK Business Advisers LLP Teesside Fluid Systems (Swagelok) UK Steel Enterprise Ltd

29 29 27 27 26 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25

20-24 YEARS

The contact details of all the companies which joined NECC recently are now available at www.necontact.co.uk under the ‘New Members’ link

Mayflower Glass Limited Pattinson Scientific Services Ltd Tharsus Vision Ltd Fraser Hydraulic Power Plc Howarth Litchfield Partnership RIBA Enterprises Limited C M R (UK) Limited D P C Screeding Ltd Vishay Ltd Containerships UK Limited FPE Ltd International Plastic Systems (IPS) Orchard Information Systems Ltd Royal Station Hotel Springs Roofing Ltd Tait Walker LLP TAP Ltd Armah Switchgear Ltd Contract Flooring Services (North East) Ltd Falck Safety Services Fidgeon Ltd

24 24 24 23 23 23 22 22 22 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 20 20 20 20

Hexham Golf Club J B Colman & Co Leica Biosystems Newcastle Ltd M M Contracts Limited Polar (NE) Limited Robson Walker (Northern) Ltd Technology Services Group Limited (TSG)

20 20 20 20 20 20 20

15-19 YEARS Alston Murphy Associates Cleveland Biotech Ltd t/a cbio Clover Controls Ltd First Choice Recruitment Jacksons Law Firm Metro Radio Arena Middlesbrough College Peterson Engineering (Cleveland) Ltd Reece Group Limited Ronco Engineering Ltd Sabre Rail Services Ltd Victor Products Ltd Discount Communications Limited JBH Design & Exhibition Kevin Doonan Architect Knight Frank Lane Plastics Ltd MZ Factoring Limited Northumbrian Water Suzuki Techno Europe Ltd Wainstones Hotel Zoom CCTV (North East) Ltd Gateshead Council Manpower (North East) Simon Bailes Ltd Svitzer Marine Ltd Workwise Personnel Ltd B & W Lifting Coveris Flexibles (Hartlepool) UK Limited Fluid Automation Limited Redworth Hall Hotel Torque Calibration Ltd UHY Torgersens Ltd Upex Group Denholm Wilhelmsen Limited Desco Ltd Hutchinson Environmental Solutions Iain Nicholson & Co MS Research & Relief Fund Oberlin Filter Limited Research Independent Financial Services Ltd SaBRE Screentech (NE) Ltd Seaton Burn College SPX Bolting Systems The Little Haven Tyneside Standards Ltd Vinovium Associates Ltd

19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 17 17 17 17 17 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15

This is a list of businesses which have been members for 15 years or more and renewed their membership in May and June 2014.

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE: LUNCH NO.19 AT CLOSE HOUSE

DABBAWAL

HOTEL DU VIN

MARCO PIERRE WHITE STEAKHOUSE BAR & GRILL

No.19 is a place where comforting home-cooked food is served in a contemporary environment.

Whether you are grabbing a quick bite after a round of golf, enjoying dinner in No.19 or a light lunch on the terrace, you can relax in stunning surroundings in the heart of the Northumberland countryside while tasting the best of Northumberland’s local produce. No.19 also offers a restaurant and function room able to cater for parties up to 140.

Dabbawal, street food pioneer of the North East, brings the amazing tastes of the street to its two restaurants in Newcastle, featuring unique tapasstyle plates for sharing and classic dishes with a twist. Larger parties can hire the whole restaurant on a Sunday for Indian cocktails, canapés, a feast of dinner and dancing. Smaller groups of up to 20 can also take over Dabbawal’s private room and the Dabbawal team delights in coming to you to cater for parties large and small.

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

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

If you haven’t got much time out of the office try the Marco in Minutes express lunch two courses and a glass of wine - and you should be back at your desk within the hour.

If a leisurely lunch is more your thing, that’s always available, too.

LOCATION: Close House, Heddon on the Wall, Newcastle, NE15 0HT Tel: 01661 852 255 www.closehouse.com

LOCATION: 69-75 High Bridge, Newcastle, NE1 6BX Tel: 0191 2325133. Brentwood Mews, Jesmond, NE2 3DG Tel: 0191 281 3434 www.dabbawal.com

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

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

NATIONAL GLASS CENTRE BRASSERIE

PEACE & LOAF

RENDEZ VOUS AT THE COUNTY HOTEL

SACHINS

Eating at the Brasserie is as much about the atmosphere and stunning surroundings as it is about the food. Having undergone a stylish transformation, from the décor down to the tableware, the Brasserie stands out as one of the most attractive restaurants in the North East. Echoing the philosophy of National Glass Centre, the menu showcases heritage and innovation, delivered with creativity and passion. Open daily: 10am–5pm

The latest addition to the North East’s fine dining scene, Peace & Loaf boasts a chic and stylish venue alongside an entirely original and unique dining experience.

Indulge in the meticulously crafted three course business lunch for just £19.95, showcasing the skills of the dedicated team and highlighting fresh, locally sourced produce. The menu is inspired by traditional British cuisine and will excite even the most discerning of palates.

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

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

Using only the freshest, locally sourced ingredients, chef and proprietor Bob Arora offers the discerning diner a unique opportunity to sample the very finest Punjabi food in a fresh and exciting environment.

LOCATION: National Glass Centre Brasserie, Liberty Way, Sunderland, SR6 0GL Tel: 0191 515 5555 www.nationalglasscentre.com

LOCATION: Peace & Loaf 217 Jesmond Road, Jesmond NE2 1LA Tel: 0191 281 5222 www.peaceandloaf.co.uk

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

LOCATION: Sachins, Forth Banks, Newcastle, NE1 3SG Tel: 0191 261 90 35 www.sachins.co.uk

AUG - SEP 2014 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 59

EVENTS The NECC networking events programme prompts members to engage, share ideas and experiences.

To book tel 0300 303 6322 Email events@necc.co.uk www.necc.co.uk/events NECC has various opportunities for event sponsorship in 2014/ 2015. If you are interested in supporting or sponsoring one of our many events and to find out more, contact Ashley Carney, events executive, email ashley.carney@necc.co.uk

Marketing Bootcamp in association with CIM May 22, HMS Calliope

Three-Chamber Networking

De Vere Slaley Hall, Northumberland, 11am – 2pm, Thursday August 28, 2014

FREE

Cumbria Chamber of Commerce and Dumfries and Galloway Chamber join North East Chamber of Commerce. There is also a mini expo. Exhibition stands are £50+VAT. Email events@necc.co.uk Sponsored by

 Eve Whitaker, The Eight

NECC Local Business Networking

 Military welcome from Royal Navy Reserves Xcel Centre Newton Aycliffe 10am – 12pm September 10, 2014

FREE

This free networking event in association with St Teresa’s Hospice, an independent charity providing free care and support in South Durham and North Yorkshire, includes round table networking.

Sponsored by  Steven Parker, Mediaworks

 Paul Yuk, Eliesha Training; Francine Rodgers, durhamlane

 Charlotte Thompson, Meldrum Construction and Laura Bradford, Matfen Hall

 Eve Whitaker, The Eight

Oktoberfest

Xcel Centre in Newton Aycliffe, 23 October 2014 Durham Oktoberfest is the region’s biggest engineering and manufacturing inter-trading and networking event. Businesses including Hiatco, Bignall Group, Dyer, and Parker Hannifin are already confirmed. Exhibitor stands from £200-£800. www.durhamoktoberfest.org.uk 60 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / AUG - SEP 2014

NECC Golf Day

June 25, Matfen Hall (sponsored by Matfen Hall)

NETWORKING AUG

NECC Local

AUG

Three Chamber Networking

21 28

08:00-10:00 Stratstone BMW, North Tyneside

FREE

SEPT

NECC Local Business Networking (in association with St Teresa’s Hospice)

FREE

10

FREE

11

Rainton Meadows Arena 09.45-11.00

Stand Up and Be Counted

FREE

SEPT

NECC Exchange (Taster)

FREE

SEPT

President’s Club July 3, Newcastle Falcons, in association with Brewin Dolphin and sponsored by Gateshead College

11 OCT

23

28 SEPT

11  David Laws, Chris Browne OBE, Judith Doyle of Gateshead College, James Ramsbotham

SEPT

11 SEP

18 OCT

07 OCT

 Kelly Gaston, NECC

 Judith Doyle

Rainton Meadows Arena 10.00-11.00

Rainton Meadows Arena 14.30-16.00

Oktoberfest

09:00-16:30 Xcel Centre, Newton Aycliffe

From

£200

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION NETWORK AUG

 Jamie Martin of Ward Hadaway, James Ramsbotham of NECC, Gary Fawcett of Brewin Dolphin

10.00 – 12.00 Xcel Centre, Newton Aycliffe

Coffee and Connections

11

 Richard Ward, Handelsbanken winner of Nearest the Pin

FREE

NECC Local

SEPT

 Prize giving hosted by Les Dixon, NECC

11:00-14:00 Slaley Hall, Northumberland

FREE

SEPT

04  Winning team, KF Training

Digital House, Stockton on Tees, 15:30-17:30

08

Scottish Independence: Views from across the border Slaley Hall, Northumberland 14:15-16:00

Selling Exposed – how it really works Rainton Meadows Arena 11.15 - 12.30

FREE FREE

The digital stronghold how to protect and repair your online reputation

FREE

Intro to Online Crowd Funding: Connecting entrepreneurs with investors

FREE

Rainton Meadows Arena 12.45-14.00

15:30-19:00 Brewin Dolphin, Newcastle

HR Knowledge – Legislation Update

09:15-11:30 NECC Durham

See through the clouds in association with Atlas Cloud & Brewin Dolphin Brewin Dolphin, Newcastle 08.00-10.00

FREE FREE

AUG - SEP 2014 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 61

World Cup EVENTS themed NECC Exchange event June 19, sponsored by Sunderland Marriott

COMMITTEES SEPT

09 SEPT

10 SEPT

 Chris Nimmo, Reefstream and Carolyn Sinclair, Sunderland College

12 SEPT

15 SEPT

 Ross Smith, NECC

16:00-17:30 HMP Kirklevington Grange

Redcar & Cleveland Committee 08:15-10:00 TBC

Newcastle Gateshead Committee

16:00-18:00 Santander

08:15-10:00 Middlesbrough College

SEPT

19

Durham Committee

SEPT

Northumberland Committee

SEPT

25

25

FREE

06

FREE

08:00-10:00 TBC

Middlesbrough Committee

FREE

SEPT

NOV

North Tyneside Committee

16

24  Grant Henderson, I3 Profiling Paul Carew, PRS

Stockton Business Forum

FLAGSHIP

08:30-10:00 Collingwood College

16:00-18:00 TBC

International Trade Committee

07:45-09:30 Newcastle Civic Centre

NECC Tees Valley Annual Dinner 2014 Guest Speaker: Stephanie McGovern (BBC) 18:30-00:00 Thistle Middlesbrough

NECC Tyne & Northumberland Annual Dinner 2014 Guest Speaker: Ann Cairns (Mastercard)

* Member Price + VAT

INTERNATIONAL TRADE SHORT COURSES

FREE

FREE

£90*

18:30-00:00 Newcastle Civic Centre

FREE

FREE

FULL

SEPT 09

Import Processes, Compliance and Documents

SEPT 18

Letters of Credit and Methods of Payment

NECC HQ Aykley heads Durham 1 day duration 9.30am-4pm £285+Vat

FREE

(£235+vat for NECCglobal members)

Championing the region since 1815

NECC Member Showcase Rainton Meadows Arena, Houghton le Spring, 9.00am - 4.00pm, Thursday 11th September NECC is now taking bookings for the first ever NECC Member Showcase which will take place in September.

opportunity to meet and network with hundreds of other businesses from across the North East.

The event, open to NECC members, will be located at Rainton Meadows Arena with easy access to both the A1 and A19 for our members across the region. The Exhibition aims to bring together a diverse attendance, representative of our diverse membership.

We’re proud to continue to support our members with this exciting addition to our events programme. Full information and booking is available online www.necc.co.uk/events.

NECC Member Showcase Exhibition Packages start from £50:

The event will include structured networking events, seminars and the

Be part of it. Join us now at www.necc.co.uk/join-us or call 0300 303 6322

62 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / AUG - SEP 2014

Platinum

£150 plus VAT

- Prime location - Company Logo and 50 word profile listing within event programme - Logo on screens around the venue running throughout event - Power included - 6’ table and cloth - 8’ x 3’ exhibition space

Gold

£125 plus VAT

- Good location - Company logo and 25 word profile listing within the event programme - Power included - 6’ table and cloth - 8’ x3’ exhibition space

Standard

£50 plus VAT

- 6’ table and cloth - Text company name listing within the event programme - 8’ x 3’ exhibition space

#GreatNE

FAB 5

Fab 5 Our trip advisers

This month we find out our Fab 5’s favourite holiday memories

1

2

3

4

5

Nevil Tynemouth

Liam Phillips

Marketing manager Faculty of Business and Law, Northumbria University

Director of sales De Vere Slaley Hall

Joanne Tipper

Jason Smith

General manager Benfield Corporate

Marketing manager Elanders

My favourite holiday was a mega road trip I enjoyed with my wife Nicola.

The plan was to drive through France in my convertible, arrive in Monaco to watch the Formula 1 qualifying, then drive the most amazing scenic and twisty roads through Italy, Austria, Switzerland and France, finishing with a tour of Veuve Clicquot in Epernay. Ten amazing days and 3,000 miles later, we had a boot load of memories.

My favourite holiday was to Torrevieja, Spain in 1992 when I was nine.

I’ve got two older brothers and it was one of the last times we all went away together. The weather was amazing, we spent hours playing in the sea on our new body boards. My dad taught me how to dive properly into a swimming pool. We watched Linford Christie and Sally Gunnell win gold at the Barcelona Olympics then had our own family Olympics on the beach. Good times.

Every holiday has been a favourite for a different reason.

There was the first holiday abroad and going on a plane; my first girlie holiday and with my first love. One of the first I remember was to Colwyn Bay in Wales.

I remember being treated to a new swimsuit - navy blue with a pink and white rabbit on the front. I spent what seemed forever paddling, making sandcastles and being wrapped in a big towel.

My best holiday has to be Italy.

My wife and I honeymooned in Tuscany where the scenery and cuisine is stunning and the weather beautiful. I’m a big fan of Rome’s rich history too. Everything from the language, the style and attitude of modern Romans echoes the swagger of its imperial past, put against the backdrop of 2,000 year old architecture which still captivates my imagination.

So hard to choose! But if you were making me pick my favourite I’d say the first time I visited New York.

My trip coincided with some family and friends, which was purely coincidental. As a result, I had people to eat dinner with and go out for drinks with day and night, but I had also time to do some solo tourist stuff too. I saw my sister and brother-in-law tie the knot, which was amazing. So, a lot packed into five days.

MD New Results Training

Helen Foley

AUG - SEP 2014 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 63

MEMBER 2 MEMBER

Member2Member

Make more of your NECC membership with these great member offers and many more on the NECC website

www.necc.co.uk/member2member ONLINE SOFTWARE PROPERTY INVESTMENT & PENSIONS GLOBAL MANAGEMENT PLATFORM

Offer Code: GMP-NECC Your business is on the move any time any place with GMP: Crystal CRM system. This allows you to control all client and prospective client records in one place, helping to manage relationships with clients and leads and helping you to deliver a richer customer experience.

your mortgage requirements for 2014.

CRM SOFTWARE CASE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE BESPOKE SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT ORCUMA LTD

Offer Code: OrcumaM2M We are pleased to offer NECC members 12 months hosting, support and maintenance of our FIRsT software for the price of 9 months, plus 10 days FREE implementation consultancy or training.

your driver will be ready and waiting to take you home.

DESIGN AGENCY MOBILE ROCK.IT

Mobile Rockit will build your app free of charge with no commitment whatsoever. You can then decide if you wish to deploy the app on the Apple or Google Android platforms. There is a one-off fee for deployment of £250 for each store. After this you only pay a monthly fee with no long-term contracts.

NECC members receive an exclusive rate of £40 per month, 10% of which will be donated to charity.

SECURITY / GUARDING SERVICES

PRO-LINE SECURITIES (UK) LTD For your free hour-long Site Security Audit Survey at a time to suit you, simply phone and ask to speak with Ann Marie.

The report which follows is free also.

off any NEBOSH Course taken before December 31, 2014.

The course must be booked before August 31, 2014 to take advantage of the offer.

CASINO - BAR – RESTAURANT

G CASINO NEWCASTLE

Grosvenor Casino is proud to offer NECC members complimentary use of our function facilities.

One-to-one meetings in the media lounge include complementary hot and cold refreshments.

HOTEL - NEW IMAGE CONSULTANCY - BOUTIQUE STYLE PERSONAL STYLING & 175 BEDROOMS IN THE CENTRE OF PRESENTATION NEWCASTLE GILLIAN LEWIS SPECTRUM DEALERS OF OFFICE FURNITURE OFFICE SUPPLIES & ERGONOMIC PRODUCTS THE HUMAN OFFICE LTD

Offer Code: HUMAN001 We are offering buy one, get one free on a variety of items.

FULL SERVICE FINANCIAL ADVICE COMPANY NE MONEY

Offer Code: necc0714POC Join NE Money in celebrating its sixth birthday. Get in touch with one of our advisers to discuss

PROFESSIONAL CHAUFFUER SERVICES / CORPORATE EVENTS TRANSPORT PROFESSIONAL CHAUFFEUR SERVICES

Offer Code: ST14 10% off all airport transfers throughout July and August Enjoy a relaxing journey to the airport and arrive in style for less. Book a return journey and

COACHING AND CONSULTANCY

SANDMAN SIGNATURE HOTEL

TRAINING PROVIDER NEBOSH IOSH CIEH IEMAC & G HEALTH SAFETY & ENVIRONMENTAL

SPECIALIST EXPRESS CAR & LIGHT VAN MOT/ SERVICE & VALETING

Offer Code: NECC M2M 20%

£25 MOT or £50 service exclusive to NECC members.

Offer Code: FREE 30-minute Confidence Discovery Session to help you identify the biggest challenges you face, and what steps you can take next to tackle them. Sometimes the briefest conversation with somebody asking the right questions can give you a whole new perspective.

CORPORATE RISK SYSTEMS LIMITED

£99 bed and breakfast and a £15 Shark Club voucher, subject to availability.

IN’N’OUT CENTRES LTD

Entry into the Member2Member section is not an endorsement by NECC 64 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / AUG - SEP 2014

DOUBLE TAKE

The entrepreneurs

This month, we catch up with the last two winners of the North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year award

MANAGING DIRECTORI JO HAND RECRUITMENT

MANANGING DIRECTOR O PRI

Jo Hand Kari Owers How long have you been in the job?

I’ve been running Jo Hand Recruitment for nine years, having spent 18 years prior to that with an international recruitment firm.

What do you love about your job?

Dealing with people, helping people find good jobs, helping companies find good candidates, building lasting relationships in the business world, networking, selling, people management, marketing, brand development – everything in fact!

What are the most challenging aspects of your job?

Sometimes I have to wear many hats within the business and my workload can be exceptionally high. The work pressures/ demands on my time can be very unpredictable, making it challenging to plan sometimes.

Highlight of your career so far?

Winning a number of large contracts while being up against stiff competition. Being a finalist in the Best New Business Awards in 2007, winning a Green Achiever Award, and winning North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year last year.

Who do you admire most?

Richard Branson, Deborah Meaden, Alan Sugar and Donald Trump. Winston Churchill is my historical hero.

What would you be doing if you weren’t in your current job?

I would be a professional singer or a chef – I am very good at both but didn’t follow those paths professionally.

How will you spend your time when you retire?

We will spend half the year at our house in Spain and half in England, or at least that’s the plan at the moment!

I would also like to do some occasional business consultancy and training.

How long have you been in the job?

I’ve been a PR consultant about 20 years, but have owned my own agency for the last nine.

What do you love about your job?

I get to see behind the scenes of so many businesses and I get so passionate about them, I feel like I actually work for them! I never get bored; working with a whisky distillery one minute and a law firm the next keeps me on my toes. It’s the best job in the world.

What are the most challenging aspects of your job?

It’s really important to have trust from the get-go with a client, and we need them to get involved otherwise we can’t do the best job telling their story. Sometimes it’s a challenge if they feel just appointing a PR company is all it takes – they need to work with us, trust our ideas and be totally prepared to share everything with us so we can do our job well.

Highlight of your career so far?

Hard to choose! Setting up an interview for Sir Richard Branson in his bath, organising a charity football match at St James Park with the likes of Gazza, Alan Shearer and Les Ferdinand, or showcasing our fashion students to the world’s media at London Graduate Fashion Week 20 years after I showed there myself. I’m so lucky I get to have amazing experiences all the time.

Who do you admire most?

My kids – they make me laugh and have a great attitude to life.

What would you be doing if you weren’t in your current job?

I’d love to be the editor of a fashion magazine.

How will you spend your time when you retire?

I will be on a beach in Ireland where I grew up, walking my dog and maybe writing a best seller!

AUG - SEP 2014 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 65

GUEST COLUMNIST

Last Word Sean Bullick, chief executive of Newcastle’s Business Improvement District company, NE1 Ltd

T

he recession is now officially over, according to economic calculations by the Office for National Statistics. But in the North East it would still be premature to trumpet the recovery and get the bunting out because there is always a lag between economic change in the South and what happens in this region, and this time around, the lag is even more pronounced.

Our discussions with the Newcastle business community reveal a widely held belief that if the North East is to start to feel the benefits of the recovery, we need Newcastle to grab the bull by the horns and lead the region out of recession.

As the regional capital, Newcastle is ideally placed to lead the march, and if we want to keep up with the rest of the country it is imperative that we do it, and do it quickly.

As a collective, business will lead the charge and champion economic development. By concentrating on new industries and demonstrating the region’s importance and excellence in new fields and new economic sectors from marine and medical to new technologies and digital media, we can ensure that the region makes its economic mark nationally and globally.

We need to promote this expertise, shout about our successes, and ensure that Newcastle and the North East remain on the global economic map. It will only be then that we can enjoy the results of an economic recovery.

NE1 continues to promote Newcastle and the region as somewhere that is good to do business.

Traditionally, the focus was on the exceptional quality of life that can be enjoyed here, but now we have so much more to shout about. Quality of life is a given, and we can now add to this a focus on the new areas of global expertise, our highly skilled workforce, lower labour costs, and property prices that are unrivalled elsewhere. This is a unique combination which needs to be promoted to entice further business investment.

Business also needs the public sector to step up to the plate. It is really important that the new combined authority of seven local authorities in the region is equally committed to leadership, decisive action, delivery, and getting the job done. It is the only way we can drive the region out of recession.

There is a common myth that the North East is not heard unless its whingeing. It is high time we are heard for our many successes instead.

66 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / AUG - SEP 2014

Above: NE1’s Monument Movies at Grey’s Monument.

Below: NE1’s street table tennis

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

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