April - May 2017

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April - May 2017

April - May 2017

INSIDE THE MIND OF THE NEW MAN IN POWER AT UTILITYWISE

Flattery will get you everywhere Plus FEEL THE HEAT WHEN FIREFIGHTING IS JUST THE BUSINESS ALL AROUND THE WORLD THE SECRETS TO CRACKING OVERSEAS MARKETS SPECIAL FOCUS THE FUTURE LOOKS GREEN www.neechamber.co.uk

Welcome...

Chamber president Mike Matthews MBE on further upheaval and the resilience of Chamber members who, despite the pressures of an uncertain world, keep producing inspiring stories of business success

What can I say? The last two months have been only slightly less of a whirlwind than the previous two.

We had a welcome turnaround on the NI rise for the self-employed just seven days after it was announced, then hard on its heels came the possibility of a second Scottish referendum.

Amongst all this change, at least in the Chamber, we have great examples of success from people who are forging ahead with excellent work in their fields, much of it reported within these pages.

One of the most inspiring figures I have heard recently, with certainly the most ambitious plans, was Chris Fraser, founder and CEO of Sirius Minerals, who spoke at our Tees Valley AGM. If you haven’t read about his mining development in Whitby and Redcar, I urge you to do so. The project will create a £2bn mine to harvest the naturally occurring multi-nutrient fertiliser polyhalite under areas of the North Sea and North Yorkshire. This will create 1,000 jobs when it’s completed and continuous employment for 100 years.

Our Tyne and Wear AGM also heard about an ambitious project set to make us all proud to come from the region. The Great Exhibition of the North takes place in 2018 and our meeting heard about the plans to put a spotlight on our world-class art, design and innovation. We also welcomed new committee chair George Sanger and thanked our outgoing chair, Bill McGawley.

Our County Durham AGM in the magnificent Chapter House of Durham Cathedral featured a fascinating update on Durham University, including plans to increase student numbers to 21,000 from 17,500 - continuing the huge contribution this institution makes to our regional economy.

Finally, I urge our members to enter the North East Exporter Awards. My business won a North East Business Award last year and it was a great honour for all the team. It really does engender great pride for everyone.

Mike Matthews, Chamber president EDITOR Jane Pikett jane@offstonepublishing.co.uk EDITORIAL TEAM Dean Bailey Liz Hands Owen McAteer Paul Robertson Rosie Waller

Offstone Publishing Unit 1, Bearl Farm, Stocksfield Northumberland, NE43 7AJ

Contact is the magazine for North East England Chamber members. News and press releases should be sent to submissions@neechamber.co.uk

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We’d love to help Your health is our priority

“We believe we can add another 100,000 customers to our business in four years” Brendan Flattery

Meet our s consultant

tments ute appoin Free 10 min shows ad and May Ro at our April am Hotel, Durh disson Blu Ra il, pr A 24 Gateshead riott Hotel, 20 May, Mar 8 9513 for Call 0191 44 ation or more inform intment po ap to book an

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We’re here to look after you.

Nothing is more important to us than your wellbeing.

Last word: Athena Risk's Jason Hicks

Spire Washington Hospital, for those who might not have heard of us before, is a part of Spire Healthcare, the country’s second largest private hospital group. Our hospital is based in Rickleton, just off the A1(M) with free parking.

At Spire Washington Hospital, every member of staff is committed to providing the highest quality healthcare. Whatever your reason for coming to Spire, we promise you will always be treated with respect and professionalism.

Your wellbeing is our overriding priority. Our services are available to everyone – whether or not you are insured with private health insurance, paying for your treatment or attending

the hospital via the NHS. If you are paying for your own treatment, we offer one-off private treatment at Spire Washington Hospital, with a fixed price agreed in advance.

We offer high levels of medical treatment and personal care with a wide range of procedures and treatments available from diagnostic imaging including X-Ray, MRI, CT and Ultrasound, to surgery including bariatric, orthopaedic, gynaecology procedures.

Situated in a quiet residential area, the hospital has extensive grounds which create a relaxing atmosphere for both patients and visitors alike. We are within easy reach of the A1(M), close to Durham, Newcastle and Sunderland.

Here at Spire Washington Hospital we have 35 in-patient beds. There is a highly trained team of nurses and a resident medical doctor on site 24 hours a day so you know you are in safe hands. You will see your chosen consultant at every stage of the process, pre and post-surgery. We frequently offer free open evenings for patients thinking about cosmetic and weight loss surgery, at venues around the North East and also at the hospital. To find out more visit our website.

For more information or to make an appointment please contact us on

All the world's a stage: Theatre director Suba Das

0191 448 9513 info@spirewashington.com www.spirewashington.com

Smart future: Utilitywise's Brendan Flattery

Contents

06 60 Seconds

36 Success

With theatre director Suba Das

DNV GL's story of high-pressure business

10 In my view

38 Profile

Global expansion with James Ramsbotham

Utilitywise's Brendan Flattery

13 Inbox

42 Profile

News and views from the world of business

Fighting fires with Andy Trafford

14-22 News

46 Special focus

Forward thinking with the Chamber AGM, a cash boost for Atom Bank, awards success and a Brexit briefing for Chamber members

Green futures

33 Fab 5 Memories from those first steps on the career ladder

/SpireWashington Picktree Lane, Rickleton, Tyne and Wear, NE38 9JZ 4 contact

www.neechamber.co.uk

www.neechamber.co.uk

52 People Movers and shakers across the region

56 Motoring Getting to grips with the Volvo XC60

26 Policy

64 Last word

Budget reactions

With Athena Risk's Jason Hicks contact 5

60 Seconds

"As a kid from a Seaton Delaval council house, I just had to temp, teach and save. I think it was worth the year or two of beans on toast..."

Liz Hands meets theatre director Suba Das as he brings East is East home to Newcastle

Seaton Delaval-born Suba Das is directing the hit play East is East at Northern Stage in Newcastle. The son of Indian parents who left the North East of their country for North East England in search of a better life, he won a scholarship to Newcastle's prestigious Royal Grammar School and went on to Cambridge University, along with his twin brother, to study law.

Here's more...

Q I'm heading out to meet you for the first time.

How do I recognise you?

I'm rushing through the door 5 minutes late, because I always overbook my diary!

Q Ah well, we don't mind. What about the young you? Who inspired little Suba?

Buffy The Vampire Slayer, obviously! As a kid it represented teen escapist bliss.

Q Who inspires you now?

Buffy The Vampire Slayer! As a grown up 20 years on, I can see just how rare it remains for something so popular and accessible to so confidently place gender, sexuality, feminism, and race into the mainstream.

Q And how do you compare to your 21-year-old self?

I have better hair!

Q You do! So how was it when you and your hair joined the theatre?

Ah, the bravery of youth! I'm proud now to have a pretty decent CV at a comparatively young age, though it felt like a battle as I was driving through it - having to work out where and how to train as the pathways aren't made very clear; temping and teaching around gigs; never being able to plan my life more than a few months ahead because you never know what will pop up.

Looking back though, I've been amazingly lucky to be in salaried employment for pretty much all my career, first as the youngest-ever resident director at The National Theatre Studio, and then associate director of a major producing theatre. It's been tough, but I've had a charmed journey so far touch wood!

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Q Charmed perhaps, but you've also had to work at it. What's been the hardest part?

Unpaid work. There's definitely an unspoken rule across the industry that while you might get training and development opportunities with big theatres, there's the moment where you need to "prove yourself" - usually by making a few shows on the fringe, where there's traditionally no funding and limited box office potential. That's manageable if you have a free place to live or other financial resources, but as a kid from a Seaton Delaval council house, I just had to temp, teach and save. It was worth that year or two of beans on toast, though...

Q It certainly sounds like it, but what would you be doing if you weren't in your current job?

I jacked in a Cambridge law degree to pursue this life, so I'd be a lawyer! It's not so different really - just using words to change reality.

Q What's the hardest part of being a director?

At this stage in my career, I'm proud to be a leader, and a lot of my work as associate director at Curve [the £60m theatre 'super-complex' in culturally diverse Leicester] is supporting other artists from all backgrounds to create ambitious new work. Curve is very much leading the way, but there's still a huge amount of work to do to make theatre spaces across the country truly welcoming to people of all backgrounds, both artists and audiences.

Overcoming the misconceptions, hidden prejudices, and lip service on all sides of the equation is a challenge. It's a good fight, though.

Q And the best job you've ever had?

This one! Directing East Is East, a play that so hilariously and heartbreakingly sums up British Asian/mixed race experience in my hometown feels like a real homecoming. The team at Northern Stage is exceptional - I just hope it's as joyful for audiences as it has been for us!

Q And the best thing about your job?

Telling stories that haven't been told yet. My next big show is about a working class army of 400,000 vigilante women in North India, fighting for women's rights in a uniform of neon pink saris!

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60 Seconds Q So how do you spend your hard earned?

Flights all over the world. Travel is the most important thing anyone can do and it means a lot to me.

Q Ah, so which possession do you cherish most? ...my passport!

Q What do you collect, apart from Air Miles?

Happy memories.

Q Is there a guilty pleasure in your life?

Absolutely not - I'm not ashamed of any of my pleasures.

Q And what's your most embarrassing moment?

Too many to mention... the most recent being at the launch of the UK-India Year of Culture at Buckingham Palace, where I met the Queen.

I was so totally overwhelmed that I did something between fainting, bowing and curtseying all at the same time. It was just a very odd little jig and she looked somewhat amused!

Q Ouch! When you're not chucking yourself at the Queen, how do you spend a day off?

Brunch, gym, galleries, cocktails, dancing.

Preferably in Paris!

Q Does anything scare you?

Donald Trump.

Q Fair point. So who would play you in a film of your life?

Well, it would be a play, not a film... so probably one of the amazing boys in the East is East cast.

Q And the best decision you've made?

Jacking in my law degree! I might not have as fancy a flat, and there's piles more admin and politics than I might have anticipated, but at its best, I get paid to dream. How many people get to say that?

Q And your best career moment to date? When my very fringe, very low-fi production of Othello, made with mates on my overdraft, was a hit. It was a Time Out Critic's Choice ahead of some massive West End shows on at the time, but was also seen by loads of young black kids from nearby schools. Three boys stayed back one night and told us it was better than The Lion King - the only other show they'd ever seen. That was pretty special.

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Q And who would be at your dream dinner party?

Toni Morrison, Samuel Beckett and Madonna.

Q Which word do you use too much?

"Actually" Q And what's next on your bucket list?

Seeing Britney in Vegas, of course!

Q What does the future hold?

Immediately after East is East, I will direct the world premiere of the late Ravi Shankar's only opera, Sukanya, for The Royal Opera. Who needs sleep?!

East is East is at Northern Stage, Newcastle April 18-May 13 www.neechamber.co.uk

In my view

Chamber chief executive James Ramsbotham urges businesses to explore the world

Chamber chief executive James Ramsbotham

Our Chamber was founded on the premise that businesses could achieve more together than separately, and the recent Budget is a useful barometer of how effective our campaigning and partnership working has been over the last 12 months.

The Chancellor’s decision to keep his business rate revaluation will benefit many businesses, but we will continue to work to get this antiquated system addressed. It is not fit for purpose as a method of fairly collecting tax, given the disparity between property prices and turnover.

Businesses in the region were also disappointed by the lack of support for exporters. Support in this area would have been particularly beneficial for our members and as a chamber we regularly play our part in supporting businesses wishing to trade overseas. I have recently returned from a Northern Powerhouse trade mission to South Korea, for example, where we found plenty of opportunities in this, the prime vantage point for trading with the huge markets of China and Japan.

We also have a handy ally in place over there in the shape of the chief executive of the British Chambers of Commerce in Korea, Sean Blakeley, who hails from Chester-le-Street. I urge members to explore exporting as a route for expansion and I encourage our members who do trade overseas to enter the North East Export Awards.

“We campaign to create a working North East where everyone can play his or her part”

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With the triggering of Article 50, I understand the pressure businesses feel amid massive uncertainty about trading conditions. We were delighted to be able to unravel at least some of these complexities with a members’ visit to meet Lord Bridges, the minister in charge of the Department for Exiting the EU (DExEU).

Representatives from Port of Tyne, Bond Dickinson, AES Digital Solutions, Sevcon, Hart Doors, Neue Schule and Sage Plc met him to set out what they see as the challenges and opportunities inherent in exiting the EU. The minister told us that he considers such conversations to be vital to the process, and he looks forward to continued engagement with business throughout the Brexit negotiations.

Meanwhile, growth could well have been our watchword at our recent AGMs around the region. This was particularly true in Tees Valley, where members heard first hand about a £2bn project to mine polyhalite from under the North Yorkshire moors. Chris Fraser, founder and CEO of Sirius Minerals, told our guests about ambitious plans to mine polyhalite, a unique multi-nutrient fertiliser, and revealed there will be opportunities for businesses to tender for contracts.

Here at the Chamber we campaign to create a working North East where everyone can play his or her part in economic growth. Our Tees Valley AGM was sponsored by Tees & Wear Reform Prisons - an organisation dedicated to ensuring ex-offenders get the opportunity www.neechamber.co.uk

Export is a major window of opportunity for North East businesses

to become an asset to the community when they leave prison. I will add my voice to their call to our business community to give people who have served their sentence the chance to work and lead meaningful lives.

As a final note, it would be remiss of me not to mention one of the most important issues for our region - devolution. This continues to be both a blessing and a curse, and has the potential to create change for the better by giving us more control over key issues. Tees Valley has been developing its plans effectively and the next step is the election of its Mayor on Thursday, May 4.

We devised a manifesto setting out our priorities for each mayoral candidate with issues our members identified, including www.neechamber.co.uk

“Devolution, which continues to be a blessing and a curse, has the potential to create change for the better” skills, infrastructure, regional image and inward investment. Each candidate spoke in detail about their proposed approach at a hustings in March, which we helped to arrange. It was an extremely useful event in helping us to understand how each candidate would deliver what Tees Valley needs and we look forward to seeing those promises achieved in reality. contact 11

Inbox Have you got something to say about Contact magazine or about business in general? Then this page is the place.

Email your news, views, comment and gossip to submissions@neechamber.co.uk

Matchday Hospitality from £50 per person

Animator Rachel Rubinstein

Uni's Oscars glory

Upcoming Premier League Fixtures

Man United April 9

West Ham April 15

Bournemouth April 29

West Ham May 13

Teesside University is basking in Oscars glory following the award of the Best Animated Film Oscar to Zootopia, which included Rachel Rubinstein, who holds an MA in Digital Character Animation from Teesside, on its animation team.

Rachel also worked on Oscar-nominated film Moana, while other Teesside graduates who worked on films nominated for Oscars and BAFTAs included five of the team on Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them; three Teesside alumni who worked on The Jungle Book; three who contributed to Doctor Strange; one on Star Wars Rogue One and one on Deepwater Horizon.

2016-17 Matchday Hospitality From as little as £50 per person, you can be at the heart of the action, taking advantage of some of the finest hospitality in football. Panoramic pitch views with access to private executive boxes, stunning suites and contemporary bars are all complemented by our award-winning service and sumptuous dining choices - at prices to suit any budget.

Limited seasonal hospitality packages available.

New for the 2016-2017 season experience the brand new Hilton Garden Inn with our Karbon Grill matchday package.

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To book a hospitality package: 0371 911 1555, hospitality@safc.com To book accommodation at the Hilton Garden Inn, Sunderland: 0191 500 9494, enquiries@hgisunderland.com Special rates available for seasonal hospitality customers.

Everybody jump High-flying staff from Charles Clinkard’s Middlesbrough HQ took part in a 10,000ft tandem sky dive for Butterwick Hospice in thanks for the care given to ten-year-old Manisha Hawkes, stepdaughter of web dispatch operator Paul Hopper.

Manisha, who was born with cerebral palsy, is blind, has epilepsy, uses a wheelchair and is fed through a tube. She attends Butterwick for respite care, enjoying sensory activities, swimming, soft play, music and interacts with other children.

Clinkard staff Megan Ripley (pictured), Roger West, John Butterfield, Jonathan Ross, Jonathan Midgely, Joel Barnett, Chris Garbutt, Rhys Garbutt and Garry Todd made the leap. www.neechamber.co.uk

TWEET TWEET

Here’s our pick of recent events across the region on Twitter Richard Swart (@richswart): Gateshead Millennium Bridge to be lit up in South African colours marking arrival of large SA trade mission #NESA2017 BCC (@britishchambers): Biz community and govt both desperately want to increase #exports - we must make sure we work as one, says @NEEChamberJames Victoria Cook (@ToriaCook): Fantastic result, winners of 'Heart of the Community' award!! @ElddisTransport @nigelcook68 #nebizawards Simon Hanson (@FSBnortheast): Great to hear the ambition that @MayorDaveBudd and Steve Gibson have outlined for Middlesbrough.

Putting the Boro at heart of devo deal.

James Ramsbotham (@NEECham berJames): Huge thanks to @PhilWilsonMP for arranging meeting with @gregclarkmp on post-Brexit issues TORRO Cases (@torrocases): Great Night #NEBizAwards Thanks to all the sponsors & organisers who made this event happen #Newcomer OfTheYear

l-r Liam Atkin, Newcastle United Foundation; Kelly Foster, Newcastle United Foundation; Atul Malhotra, operations director, Malhotra Group plc

United front Newcastle-based leisure and hospitality specialist Malhotra Group has teamed up with Newcastle United Foundation for a year-long fundraising campaign.

The group aims to raise £10,000 for the charity, which encourages learning and promotes healthy lifestyles.

On the ball Sunderland College has won FA backing for a scheme designed to get women into football.

It will run a national pilot which will see 12 female football apprentices appointed by specially selected colleges across the country.

Never too old Peter Robson, 80-year-old site manager of Parsons Containers Group’s U Hold The Key in Newcastle, has retired and handed over the role to his young successor, Arthur Jennings, who is a mere 64-years-old.

Which just goes to prove, you're never too old... contact 13

News PARTNERS UPDATE With Jennifer Rycroft, Chamber partnerships manager An update on the activities of Chamber Partner members, an exclusive group from a range of sectors, who work closely with the Chamber to maximise impact on the region.

Stiller Warehousing and Distribution MD Matthew Stiller

Call for recruits Newton Aycliffe-based Stiller Warehousing and Distribution has launched a recruitment drive following its latest expansion.

The business has completed a new 40,000sqft warehouse costing £750,000 at its 20-acre site on Aycliffe Business Park.

The new 10 metre-high development extends an existing 40,000sqft unit which opened in September 2015 and provides space for another 5,500 pallets.

The firm, which currently employs 138 people, is now planning to create 10 new jobs.

Setting up camp Chamber members looking to raise finance can meet dozens of investors and lenders at Finance Camp North East.

The event, designed with help from the Chamber, is on Wednesday May 24 at Ramside Hall, Durham and is designed to make it easier and speedier for businesses to access finance at all levels.

A programme of workshops in advance of the event will prepare delegates, focusing on strengthening their proposition, considering what kind of finance would work best and polishing pitching skills.

Go to www.financecamp.co.uk to apply.

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l-r Atom Bank co-founders Anthony Thomson and Mark Mullen

Atom banks on £83m boost Atom Bank, the UK’s first bank designed exclusively for mobile, has agreed terms for a further £83m in equity to bring its total capital raised to £219m.

The Co Durham-based operation, which secured its banking licence in June 2015 and launched operations in April 2016, has secured further capital from current investors including BBVA, Woodford Investment Management, and Toscafund Asset Management. Atom Bank offers two market-leading Fixed Saver accounts and secured business lending for SMEs and recently launched its first mobile mortgage product, allowing borrowers to manage everything via an App. Chairman Anthony Thomson says: “This is a great vote of confidence in our growth prospects and plans for the future. We are just beginning to see how transformational our new approach to banking can be.”

Staff costs policy call

In February, our Partners visited HMP Holme House, where we were joined by Ian Blakeman, executive governor for Tees & Wear Reform Prisons, to experience some of the work/training areas there and links with business.

Some of our Partners also met Lord Bridges at the Department for Exiting the European Union to discuss the North East’s needs from the Brexit negotiations, and also met Greg Hands MP, minister for trade and investment.

Partners contributed to a discussion with Jesse Norman MP, parliamentary under secretary of state at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he visited the region, and we welcomed Coun Nick Forbes, leader of Newcastle City Council, to our March lunch hosted by Durham Country Cricket Club, where we discussed devolution north of the Tyne.

We have delivered a series of advice events about forthcoming apprenticeship reforms for SMEs, and we’ve been working with Pulsant to establish activity as part of our ongoing commitment to a connected North East with better access to markets and customers.

And as we continue to champion a more competitive region and create local business environments that encourage growth and enterprise, we are working with Bond Dickinson to look at how procurement could be reformed when Britain comes out of the EU. Jennifer.Rycroft@neechamber.co.uk @NEEChamberJen #NEEChamberPartners

OUR PARTNERS

The Chamber has called on the Government to review policy changes following a positive set of employment figures for the region.

Employment in the region is now 1,209,000, or 70.7% an increase of 1,000 over the quarter and 5,000 over the year. This compares to 74.6% nationally.

Unemployment is 88,000 or 6.8% - an increase of 4,000 over the quarter, but a fall of 14,000 over the year. This compares to a rate of 4.7% nationally.

Chamber policy adviser Paul Carbert says: “With increases in labour costs for employers due in April, including the apprenticeship levy, the immigration skills charge, and an increase in national minimum wage, the Government must consider measures to reduce the impact of rising business costs on employment.” www.neechamber.co.uk

NEWS IN BRIEF GAMES PARTNER Gateshead-based print management company Smart Office Systems Ltd (SOS Group) has been named a Special Olympics GB National Games Supporter at the Special Olympics GB National Summer Games in Sheffield in August. The company will provide managed print services across all the competition venues.

IN THE INK Hexham-based ink supplier Multichem has landed the largest contract in its history following a partnership with Northumbria University which led to the creation of a new ink. Multichem is now producing 20% more ink on the back of orders for the new permanent ink.

FLOORED Online specialist Connection Flooring has launched its first trade store following a £200,000 investment.

The 7,000sqft trade counter on Portobello Trade Park, Birtley, is for its Direct Wood Flooring and Grass Direct brands.

SECURE JOBS Co Durham-based security company Vinovium Associates is expanding its workforce after landing its biggest contracts in its 19-year history. The contracts are with Auckland Castle Trust and its sister charity, Eleven Arches, leading to the creation of jobs for 10 local people who were previously unemployed.

www.neechamber.co.uk

Duncan Reid

Deal adds up A London-based investment management and advisory company has completed three investments worth a total of $11.2m with the support of Newcastle-based law firm Watson Burton.

Watson Burton advised on the investments into tech companies for Arie Capital Ltd, providing allround legal support and advising on the terms of the investments and the investment agreements.

The firm’s head of corporate, Duncan Reid, says: “We were able to draw on our investment experience, understanding of the technology sector and commercial acumen to ensure that the investment process ran as smoothly as possible.”

Space to grow Durham University has opened the new £11.5m Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics, home to an international team of researchers investigating the mysteries of the cosmos from the birth of the Universe to the origin of galaxies, and the nature of dark matter and dark energy.

The building is designed by the internationally renowned Studio Libeskind, the architectural practice behind the master plan for the World Trade Center redevelopment in New York, and its opening was marked with talks from leading figures including architect Daniel Libeskind, astronomer royal Lord Martin Rees, the Astronomer Royal, and prominent astrophysicians. contact 15

News

NEWCASTLE

NEWS IN BRIEF

Pollite approach Darlington-based Pollite, a world leader in airport frangible approach masts, is celebrating taking the Micro Exporter of the Year award at the PD Ports Northern Powerhouse Export Awards 2017, which celebrate excellence in international trade across the north of England.

Pollite has been strategic in the territories it targets, concentrating on historically highly protected markets. The business has now completed jobs in each of the BRIC countries and its 2016 projects include work in Jan Mayen (a remote island in the Norwegian Sea), St Helena, Mauritania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Azores.

Kromek cracks it Kromek - the radiation detection technology company - has been awarded a five-year contract valued at a minimum $3.1m by a US-based customer in the homeland security marketplace.

Kromek has developed key components for the customer’s new-generation security screening system for the detection of explosives.

Kromek CEO Dr Arnab Basu says: “We are delighted to announce our first long-term contract in the security screening market. This contract win adds to the visibility of revenues underpinning our belief in the continuing growth of the business and commercial traction resulting from the increasing adoption of our technology.”

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ON BOARD Tees Valley LEP has appointed five new members to its board. They are mima director Alistair Hudson, head of consumer at EE Angela Howey, PD Ports chief operating officer Jerry Hopkinson, NIFCO MD Mike Matthews, and Siobhan McArdle, chief exec South Tees NHS Trust.

GROWTH FUND Tees Valley Combined Authority has published further details of investment available to grow the Tees Valley economy. A minimum investment fund of £464m will be available for investment in 20172021. The authority has also secured £1.5m as part of the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England Great Place scheme to fund activities which put arts, culture and heritage at the heart of the community.

CYBER SECURITY Watson Burton has become the only North East-based legal practice to hold Cyber Essentials Plus certification. It is one of 16 law firms in the country to hold the Governmentapproved accreditation, which identifies IT security controls which address cyber security effectively.

FESTIVAL Delegates from the British Arab Chamber of Commerce with representatives of Newcastle NE1 Ltd at Shepherd Offshore

Arabian highlights Canon David Kennedy, the Chamber's Ross Smith, and Mike Wade of Hodgson Sayers at the Chamber's County Durham AGM

Chamber AGMs look to the future North East England Chamber of Commerce local area AGMs have heard of ambitious regional growth plans and developments.

More than 100 businesses attended the Chamber’s Tees Valley AGM at Crathorne Hall, Yarm, where Chris Fraser, CEO of Sirius Minerals, outlined his company’s project to mine the naturally occuring fertiliser polyhalite. The mine will employ more than 1,000 people at full production, with up to 2,500 jobs created in the construction phase.

The AGM, sponsored by Tees & Wear Reform Prisons, also heard from committee chair Michael McConnell, who said that in the wake of the closure of the SSI steelworks on Teesside the region had demonstrated a resilience and a “let’s get on with it” mentality.

At the County Durham AGM at Durham Cathedral's Chapter House, vice chair Mike Wade, FD at Hodgson Sayers, said the value of the Chamber as a network was greater than ever in times of uncertainty.

Guest speaker Prof Stuart Corbridge, vice chancellor of Durham University, set out the context for the institution’s growth. He said: “We have a world class research record and are a proud member of the Russell Group of Universities. Our ambition going forward is to ensure we stay at the forefront of scientific research in particular.

“The Brexit situation is a concern for us with our international students. We currently have 21% of our students from overseas with the ambition to grow this to 29% so we will be watching closely what the Government plans are in relation to this.” www.neechamber.co.uk

Newcastle NE1, the city’s Business Improvement District, is helping businesses to forge worldwide trading links as the country prepares for Brexit.

The BID hosted visitors from the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) to leading Newcastle companies and institutions where they focused on complementary interests in the Middle East including subsea engineering, renewable energy, science, healthcare, and education.

Highlights included visits to Pearson Engineering at the Armstrong Works, Shepherd Offshore in Wallsend, the Institute for Genetic Medicine at the International Centre for Life, and Newcastle University.

NE1 chief exec Sean Bullick says: “The EU referendum brought an element of risk to the North East’s position as an exporter. We are proactively building links to sustain and grow Newcastle’s economy, regardless of the result of the Brexit negotiations.”

Safety first A programme which helps businesses tap into the billion pound space sector has been extended.

The North East Satellite Applications Centre of Excellence l-r Prof Nick Veck, Dr Simon Goon, MD Business Durham, and Catherine Mealing-Jones at NETPark, Sedgefield, Co Durham, has won funding for a further three years. It will focus on opportunities to use satellite data and space technology to develop products and services in areas including food chain, infrastructure and travel security. The extension, co-funded by the Satellite Applications Catapult and the UK Space Agency, will build collaborations to win funding and contracts to support 300 businesses and 100 jobs, and attract more than £5m funding into the North East. www.neechamber.co.uk

7TH – 9TH APRIL 2017

GRAB YOUR TICKET WHILE YOU CAN

Use exclusive code GIN342 at www.planetjuniper.co.uk/newcastle 3 tickets for the price on 2 - Only £10 each

This ticket covers entry, your FREE glass, guide and FREE sampling of products from selected gin brands, entertainment, live music and our street food o�ering.

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News AkzoNobel’s €12.6m for innovation hub l-r Anthony Coultas and John Devine of Muckle (pic credit: Mike Smith)

Lawyers jump to it Expert legal advice from North East sports lawyers has helped parkour become Britain's newest recognised sport.

Parkour UK recently had its application for parkour/freerunning to be recognised as a sport and Parkour UK as the National Governing Body approved by the Home Country Sports Councils – making the UK the first country in the world to officially acknowledge it as a sport.

Muckle LLP sports lawyers John Devine and Anthony Coultas played a key role in helping to shape the governance of Parkour UK in advance of its application.

More than 100 of the coatings industry’s leading scientists are being brought together by AkzoNobel in a new €12.6m research and innovation hub in Gateshead.

Scientists and technical experts at the facility in Felling will develop protective coatings for the energy, mining, infrastructure and oil and gas industries. The hub will also feature a world-class testing and simulation facility, enabling tests in conditions experienced in the world’s most extreme environments.

The facility is expected to be operational at the end of 2018. “Our work at the state-of-the-art lab will have an important impact on our most critical industries,” says Conrad Keijzer, AkzoNobel’s executive committee member responsible for performance coatings. “More than 100 top scientists and technical experts will be working on future solutions here.”

AkzoNobel employs 950 people at its Felling site, which has produced coatings for landmarks including Sage Gateshead and Gateshead Millennium Bridge.

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I N A S S O C I AT I O N W I T H

Founder Robert Little with comedian Rory O'Hanlon and Gemma Harle, MD of award sponsor Tenetlime

£210m energy boost

Finance firm takes top award

Banks Renewables, the renewable energy division of North East property and energy business the Banks Group, has secured a transformational £210m investment to support the construction of its next three onshore wind farms.

The Durham-headquartered firm has worked with lenders Macquarie Infrastructure Debt Investment Solutions (MIDIS), Santander, ING, National Australia Bank, and Rabobank to secure funding for its planned Moor House wind farm near Darlington and the Middle Muir and Kype Muir schemes in South Lanarkshire.

The three wind farms were all successful in the Government's first competitive Contracts for Difference (CfD) programme for onshore and offshore projects in 2015, and since then Banks Renewables has been working on commercial structures to take the mines forward.

Manufacturer Senvion has been contracted to supply and install turbines for all three projects and a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) has been signed with Dong Energy for the output of all three farms. Balance of Plant contracts have been agreed with Scottish civil engineering contractor R J McLeod for the Kype Muir and Middle Muir construction works, and with Co Durham-based Hall Construction for Moor House.

Banks MD Richard Dunkley says: "This investment package is an expression of confidence in Banks Renewables and the wider UK onshore wind sector.”

Teesside financial planning firm Bob Little & Co has been named North East Adviser Firm of the Year at the Professional Adviser Awards in London.

More than 200 firms entered the awards, which reward excellence in financial advice.

The firm, which employs four advisers and seven support staff, is based at Kirkleatham Business Park in Redcar. It offers advice on a wide range of areas including savings and investments, retirement planning, mortgages and tax planning.

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l-r operations director Phil Walker and MD Gareth Thomas with Sarah Thorpe and Peter Taylor of UK Steel Enterprise

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Precision injection moulding company Icon Plastics has started work on a warehouse extension to help meet growing demand.

Icon Plastics is building the 7,500sqft warehouse extension on its two-acre site at Eaglescliffe following a £500,000 investment in new machinery and equipment.

The company purchased its own premises three years ago with the help of a £200,000 investment from UK Steel Enterprise, the Tata Steel business support subsidiary, and has since gone from strength to strength.

It was great to see a record turnout of Chamber President’s Club members at our Spring President’s Club Lunch hosted by Sodexo at Newcastle United’s St James' Park We welcomed keynote speaker Anthony Thompson, founder and chairman of Atom Bank the new challenger bank headquartered in Durham.

He gave us a fascinating insight into how the bank came into fruition.

Tony Lewin, the CEO and principal of lunch sponsor Newcastle College spoke about the incoming Apprenticeship Levy and how the college can support businesses in recruiting apprentices and upskilling existing employees.

Congratulations to President’s Club member Egger UK on winning The Apprenticeship Award and Muckle LLP on winning The Heart of the Community Award at the Tyneside and Northumberland heat of the North East Business Awards.

Please note also that Brewin Dolphin offers Chamber President’s Club members a free, noobligation financial planning review. For info, please email gary.fawcett@brewin.co.uk

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News Passage to India

IT WORKS FOR THEM, IT CAN WORK FOR YOU! Leaflet inserts in Contact magazine work for these businesses, and they can work for you too.

Business brief for mayor Tees Valley businesses have made clear what they expect from their mayor when the successful candidate is elected on May 4.

The Chamber Manifesto sets out the business community's priorities for the new Mayor's role, and Chamber members support the measures set out in the Tees Valley Strategic Economic Plan (SEP). Rachel Anderson, Chamber head of policy and representation says: “Devolution is gathering pace in the Tees Valley, and it is vital that the business community is able to analyse each mayoral candidate’s stance on key concerns." Chamber Tees Valley members have said they want to see the new mayor focus on skills and inward investment, regional image, visitor economy, land and development and the Brexit negotiations.

“We have seen a continual upswing in revenue coming from the local area, which I’m sure is the result of the cumulative effort we have all put in over the last few months.”

Mark Harrison – Managing Director, RefurbThat

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Teesside University is building on its international reputation with the opening of a new office in India dedicated to establishing high-quality partnerships and student recruitment opportunities in the region.

The university's Gurgaon office has also welcomed a new director, Padmini Parameswaran, to drive forward recruitment from the area.

An official launch was attended by representatives from The British Council, UK Trade & Investment, local education partners and international student recruitment agencies.

Some of the winners of the 2016 North East Exporters Awards

Export Awards open for business Entries are now being invited for the prestigious North East Exporters' Awards, which celebrate the strength and diversity of North East exporting.

The entry deadline is April 14 and the winners of each of the eight award categories will be revealed at an awards dinner on June 15.

The overall Exporter of the Year Award will go to a business chosen from award category winners on the night, and the winners of export awards which have taken place in the region over the previous 12 months.

If the Exporter of the Year Award winner is a Chamber member, it will then progress to compete at the National Chamber of Commerce Awards in London in November.

Last year’s awards at Ramside Hall Hotel, Co Durham, named Palintest as the Exporter of the Year and Export Team of the Year. The New Exporter Award was won by Craft Yourself Silly, while SME Exporter honours were won

by Ward Brothers (Steel) Ltd. The Medium and Large Exporter of the year award went to Huntsman Pigments & Additives, the Support Export Award went to AV Dawson, and the Conquering New Markets award was won by Videre Global. www.neechamber.co.uk

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News North East expert joins UAE fund panel

Jones takes off

NEW

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This programme is for experienced marketers, business owners and consultants who want to advance their leadership abilities and improve their strategic decision making.

It is an advanced course equivalent to a Master’s degree providing the opportunity to build knowledge and skills within a flexible learning environment. nesma is 1 of only 7 study centres across the UK to have been selected to deliver this course.

A North East investment expert has been appointed to a panel of worldwide advisers to work with the United Arab Emirates' Government on the investment of a new £500m innovation fund.

Dr Yvonne Gale, chief executive at NEL Fund Managers, is one of 11 members of the Advisory and Decision Committee for the Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund, a UAE Ministry of Finance-backed initiative designed to support local innovators in accessing affordable finance.

The committee comprises business leaders and academics from all over the world recruited by consultants PwC, which was tasked by the UAE Government with finding expert individuals who could offer a diverse range of ideas and knowledge.

A major project to upgrade SABIC’s Olefins 6 plant at Wilton near Redcar is up and running following the largest single investment in the Teesside chemical industry for a generation.

The multi-million pound project safeguards thousands of local jobs and secures the chemical company’s future on Teesside.

The 37-year-old plant – commonly

known as the Cracker - will undergo complex modifications during the project and the upgrade secures a sustainable, competitive Teesside future for SABIC, one of the world’s leading petrochemicals firms.

SABIC Teesside site director John Bruijnooge said: “This is a lifeline for Teesside. It means SABIC is here for another generation.”

Newcastle International Airport has confirmed the appointment of Nick Jones as chief executive, 10 months after he took on the role of interim chief exec.

Jones, who joined the airport as chief financial officer in 2015, takes up the role as the airport experiences its strongest growth in almost a decade. During 2016 passenger numbers grew by 6% and a number of new routes started or were announced.

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BT has announced the creation of some 165 new apprenticeship and graduate jobs in the North East in roles ranging from customer service, vehicle maintenance, HR, and ICT. BT North East regional board chair Farooq Hakim says: “We are offering high quality careers in a fast moving industry in order to ensure the households and businesses of this region are able to benefit from the latest first class communications.”

According to a recent report by Regeneris Consulting, BT supports around 12,600 jobs in the North East through direct employment, spending with contractors and suppliers and the spending of employees, and gives an annual boost to the region’s economy worth £1.16 bn.

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News Back to school

‘Press’tigious Print

C M Y K

NEWS IN BRIEF

Chartered accountant and business adviser Clive Owen LLP is now working with more than 80 secondary and primary academies across the North East and Yorkshire under pressure to save millions.

Clive Owen LLP partners Kevin Shotton and Chris Clive Owen LLP academies experts Chris Beaumont, left Beaumont, both specialists and Kevin Shotton in the education sector, have warned that schools are facing a future of lower income and increased costs. They also say that the pace of academy conversions is increasing in the North.

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Tel: 0191 482 42 71 Earlsway, Team Valley Trading Estate Gateshead, Tyne & Wear NE11 0RQ Fax: 0191 482 4214 E-mail: info@riverdalepaper.plc.uk 24 contact

Essentials Portfolio - Julie Digman tel 07912 478 964 julie.digman@neechamber.co.uk Twitter @NEEChamberJules Teesside - Tom Warnock tel 07714 845 617 tom.warnock@neechamber.co.uk Twitter @NEEChamberTom Darlington and West Durham Susan Anderson tel 07736 799 727 susan.anderson@neechamber.co.uk Northumberland - Claire McCabe tel 0191 3746487 clare.mccabe@neechamber.co.uk Twitter @NEEChamberClare Medium Business - Andrew Heavisides tel 07912 478 961 andrew.heavisides@neechamber.co.uk Twitter @NEEChamberAndy Newcastle/Gateshead - Lynsey Fairless tel 07834 444 627 lynsey.fairless@neechamber.co.uk Twitter @NEEChamberLyns Sunderland/South Tyneside/Durham - Arthur Hodgson tel 07980 259 991 arthur.hodgson@neechamber.co.uk Twitter @NEEChamberArt International - Les Dixon tel 07850 740 645 les.dixon@neechamber.co.uk Twitter @NEEChamberLes

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Chamber members with Lord Bridges

Brexit brief Chamber members have met Department for Exiting the EU minister Lord Bridges and Greg Hands, chief secretary to the Treasury, to explore the challenges and opportunities which arise from exiting the EU. Representatives from Port of Tyne, Bond Dickinson, AES Digital Solutions, Sevcon, Hart Doors, Neue Schule and Sage plc were at the meeting, where discussions included the role of regional ports in supporting the UK economy, data and digital information sharing, and supporting small businesses in growing export knowledge and capacity.

Chamber international trade director Julie Underwood says: “It is vital businesses have questions answered so that they can prepare for new relationships outside the EU. We look forward to continuing this dialogue with the minister and his department.”

Partner and head of Bond Dickinson’s Newcastle office Kevin Robertson said: “This meeting was a great opportunity to hear directly from those at the sharp end of delivering Brexit and learn from fellow chamber members about the challenges and opportunities their businesses now face.”

AES Digital Solutions MD Lesley Moody said: “I now have a far better understanding of how the Government is approaching the Brexit talks.”

Water on the agenda NWG Business (the associated retailer of Northumbrian Water) is advising businesses to put water on the agenda as the water retail market for non-household businesses opens up to 1.2m eligible micro, SME and corporate businesses, charities and public sector customers who can now choose who provides their water and waste water services.

Whilst there will be no difference to the way water is delivered, these organisations now have the option to choose who provides bills, meter readings and customer service. To date, only those businesses using more than 5 megalitres on a single site in England have been able to switch their water provider. In Scotland, however, the market has been open since 2008. www.neechamber.co.uk

GROWTH SPURT Swinburne Maddison LLP has doubled the size of its Durham headquarters at Aykley Heads, having ended 2016 with eight new staff appointments and two awards at the Northern Law Awards.

FRAUD FIGHT Security specialist Intelligencia Training, which specialises in data analysis and online security, has been chosen to develop intelligence personnel working with Financial Fraud Action UK (FFA UK), which is responsible for leading the collective fight against financial fraud on behalf of the UK payments industry.

DRIVE FOR SKILLS North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA), is to deliver a series of masterclasses, including an Automation event in April and a Workplace Substance & Alcohol Misuse event in May. CHARITY BOOST North East charity of the year Children North East (CNE) is set to roll out new services including early learning development and support for children with low self-esteem and those affected by separation and divorce. The new programmes will increase the number of children the Newcastleheadquartered charity reaches annually.

Going for gold Bishop Auckland and Hartlepoolbased skills training specialist Learning Curve Group has been awarded Investors in People Gold standard, joining the top 13% of accredited organisations across the UK. Founded in 2004, LCG works directly with more than 50,000 learners and 4,000 businesses per year and has grown to more than 270 employees and 400 associates across nine centres.

CEO Brenda McLeish says: “We are committed to developing our people and are continuing to add new recruits to our fantastic team. Reading the IIP report and seeing the impact our development programmes have had on individuals is so rewarding.”

Clear winner North Shields-based security solutions specialist 2020 Vision has been named Outstanding Security Installer at the Outstanding Security Professional Awards (OSPAs).

Held at the London Marriot Hotel Grosvenor Square, the OSPAs are recognised worldwide and more than 300 attendees from the industry saw 14 awards presented.

2020 Vision MD Peter Houlis says: “We have a robust track record in delivering integrated technology solutions. We understand the issues our clients are facing, and provide clever insight and situational analysis data which can help to improve operations; protecting assets, monitoring health and safety and helping to save money.” contact 25

Commercial property

Left: l-r Steve Watchman, MD Newcastle Systems Management; Andrew Haigh, chief exec Newcastle Building Society; Garry Ward, director Highbridge Properties; Aidan Baker, director BNP Paribas Real Estate. Right: The premises on Cobalt Park

Building society invests in premises

Newcastle Building Society has purchased the premises it currently leases at Cobalt Park in North Tyneside from Highbridge Properties.

The purchase, for an undisclosed price, comprises 99,294sqft of grade-A office accommodation and will provide additional space for the society, which created 118 new jobs last year. Chief executive Andrew Haigh says: “The purchase reflects our commitment to North Tyneside and the region, and with the potential to create more jobs, is great news for local employment.”

Newcastle Building Society now becomes landlord to Hewlett Packard, with which it currently shares the premises on Cobalt Park, the UK’s largest business park comprising 2m sqft of commercial space, housing more than 14,000 staff across its commercial tenants.

Office market hits heights GVA research confirms that office take-up across the Big Nine city markets reached its highest level during Q4 2016 at 1.67m sqft - some 30% up on the five year quarterly average and the highest city centre quarterly take-up for a year.

Q4 out-of-town take up amounted to 0.86m sqft - up by 4% compared to the fiveyear quarterly average. Professional services sectors made up 27% of all deals over 5,000sqft in 2016, while financial services made up 19%.

Python Properties' partners Peter Broome and Martin Johnson

New look

l-r Sian Scaife of Dunedin Property welcomes Derek Keen of North East Community Health to Bellway Industrial Estate, Longbenton

New lets GVA, acting on behalf of Dunedin Property Ltd, has reported a strong spate of industrial unit lettings at Bellway Industrial Estate, Long Benton, North Tyneside.

The estate comprises 17 modern industrial/ warehouse units and North East Community Health Service, Edmundson Electrical, and Euro Car Parts have all taken units on the site.

Other tenants on the estate include Plumbcentre, ABS Precision, and Greencroft Milk Supplies.

Naylors secures the top spot Naylors has been named the region’s Most Active Agent of 2016 in the industrial market in a recent deals competition.

The competition is run by online property magazine EGi and the results are based on transaction volumes across all commercial property sectors.

This is the fifth time the Naylors team (pictured) has won.

In 2016 Naylors disposed of more than 1.1m sqft of industrial space, including the sale of the 101,000sqft former Dewhirst premises in Blyth to Tharsus Group.

Commercial property specialist Python Properties has begun a £100,000 refurbishment of four of its buildings in Middlesbrough.

Cargo Fleet Offices, The Co-operative Building, Victoria House and Royal Middlehaven House will benefit from new facilities including break-out spaces, additional conference and meeting rooms, and fitness rooms. The properties, which already include art galleries, bistros and manned receptions, will also offer new virtual office facilities.

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Skills

Brands boost for marketing careers The marketing brains behind some of the region’s leading brands are backing a new campaign from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) to encourage more young people into the industry and retain talent in the region.

CIM’s North East Marketing Greats is an online directory which tells the career stories of 50 senior marketers behind some of the region’s biggest brands.

It is designed to promote the importance of marketing to business and inspire existing professionals and young people considering their career options.

Charlie Nettle, chair of CIM North East, says: “Strong brands enable businesses to differentiate themselves from the competition, which means the growth of our businesses and the success of our region’s economy is very much in marketing professionals’ hands.

“Our Marketing Greats include senior marketeers representing public, private and charity sectors, from consumer brands such as Berghaus and Greggs to businessto-business brands like Cleveland Bridge and PD Ports. Because of the volume of small businesses in the region, we’ve included consultants and agencies too and we’re showcasing industry sectors which are driving the Northern Powerhouse; with Marketing Greats from manufacturing, digital, energy and health, and the enabler sectors of logistics, professional services and education.”

The campaign builds on North East England Chamber of Commerce’s Great Reasons project, which highlights great reasons to do business and build a career in the North East.

The 50 North East Marketing Greats profiles are at www.cim.co.uk/NEmarketinggreats 28 contact

NEWS IN BRIEF

Ammar Mirza with Middlesbrough College students Lynsey Fanning, Cleveland Bridge

Chris Tattersall, Berghaus

Graeme Nash, Greggs

Power of Three Entrepreneur Ammar Mirza CBE visited Middlesbrough College to teach students his powerful new approach to life and business.

The businessman has studied the behaviours of some of the world’s most famous people to develop his Power of Three strategy - Communicate, Collaborate and Celebrate which he presented to students during Enterprise Week at the college.

Starting as a call centre manager, Mirza has built a business and property portfolio and is the owner of business development, leadership and management consultancy AmmarM. He is also patron of the Charlie Bear for Cancer charity fund and founder and chairman of Asian Business Connexions.

l-r Nissan apprentice Aiden Merry, Gateshead College principal and chief executive Judith Doyle, Education Select Committee visitors Lilian Greenwood MP, Ian Mearns MP, Neil Carmichael MP, Catherine McKinnell MP, William Wragg MP and Marion Fellows MP

Gateshead college joins national skills debate Gateshead College was chosen as a key destination for a fact-finding mission that could shape future policy on post-16 education in Britain.

Education Select Committee MPs met with college staff and representatives from the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, CBI, North East England Chamber of Commerce and local businesses to discuss the skills challenges facing the region and how they fit into the Government’s new modern industrial strategy.

The visit was part of a fact-finding mission by the committee, which is conducting an inquiry into post-16 education in Britain and, once completed, will recommend changes to current skills policy.

Skills drive

Kirsten Donkin, PD Ports

Charlie Nettle (Photo credit: Teesside Gazette)

Northumbrian Water and Northern Powergrid have joined energy and utilities businesses from across the country to launch a strategy aimed at filling the sector’s future skills gap.

The energy and utilities sector requires 221,000 new recruits by 2027 in order to provide the essential services its customers seek and the infrastructure the UK needs for its economic growth.

Industry leaders have come together as the Energy & Utilities Skills Partnership to build and launch the first ever joint Workforce Renewal and Skills Strategy for the sector. www.neechamber.co.uk

Reece Group chairman John Reece launches his Innovation Challenge

Talent drive Reece Group has launched its first Early Careers Programme to invest in the long-term future of the business and of North East engineering as a whole.

Six new graduate recruits are joining five existing employees who are still in the early stages of their careers across the group’s companies. During the two-year programme, they will gain a range of experience in sectors ranging from defence to aerospace and take part in workshops to support their professional development.

They will also undertake an Innovation Challenge set by group chairman John Reece MBE, and must find solutions to specific engineering problems, balancing technical and business considerations in the process. www.neechamber.co.uk

SUPER SILVER Redcar and Cleveland College is celebrating after its apprenticeship team reached the finals of the 2017 Apprenticeships4 England awards for the second successive year, coming away with the silver award in the Best College category.

APPRENTICE BOOST New figures from Tees Valley Combined Authority have revealed the uptake of apprenticeships in every area of the Tees Valley is above the national average.

Overall, 9,920 people across Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stocktonon-Tees started apprenticeships in 2015/16, 84% of whom are employed within the Tees Valley.

This reflects a 12% rise in the number of people in the Tees Valley starting apprenticeships, compared to a national growth of 2%.

IT ALL ADDS UP Newcastle-based Brewin Dolphin has teamed up with Gateshead College to hire three business administration apprentices on a two-year training programme. The trio will undergo on-thejob training at Brewin Dolphin Newcastle and benefit from a mentoring scheme.

l-r Alexandra Moylan-Jones, Scarlett Reeves, Natalie Woods and Jack Mason

Drive for digital women Teesside University students are developing a strategy to encourage women into digital industries.

The four students, members of the newly formed DigitalCity Student Board, will also help staff at DigitalCity to formulate an overarching digital strategy for the region.

DigitalCity director Rob Earnshaw says: “The tech industry is traditionally male-dominated and it needs to be more diverse.

“We’ll be looking at everything from speaking to young people right through to trying to change the behaviour of large businesses.”

Top of the class

Durham University has achieved its highest ever number of subjects in the QS World University Subject Rankings 2017, with eight in the Top 50 and three in the Top 10.

Theology & Religion at Durham has been ranked third in the world in this, the first year QS has included rankings in this subject area.

Archaeology has increased its global ranking to fourth in the world, up one place on the previous year, and Geography at Durham maintains a position in the top 10, placed seventh in the world this year.

Anthropology, English, History, Law and Earth Sciences are all placed in the top 50, whilst a further six subjects are ranked in the Top 100. contact 29

Export ON A MISSION North East England Chamber of Commerce and the Department of International Trade are working together overseas and bringing global visitors to the region to maximise export opportunities for North East firms.

Recent work included hosting a delegation from South Africa, including tourism and government officials who visited Utilitywise and South Shields Marine School.

There have also been trade missions to South Korea, Boston, Copenhagen, Dusseldorf and India.

THE NORTH POLE AND THE WORLD Big Little Toys – maker of the mischievous Christmas Elf which is now a tradition in the run-up to Christmas all over the world - is growing its export success with Department for International Trade North East ERDF support.

Sarah Greenwell, who started her business in the kitchen of her Durham home, is already exploiting markets worldwide as elf sales develop in UK high street stores including Selfridges, John Lewis, Argos, and Waterstone’s.

AT THEIR FINGERTIPS Biometrics firm ievo Ltd already exports across the world and is now focusing on opportunities in UAE. Founded by MD Shaun Oakes in 2009, the firm, based on the Tyne Tunnel Trading Estate, the firm designs, manufactures and distributes biometric fingerprint recognition products.

Currently, the core focus is in the Benelux region, UAE and South Africa. ievo also attended Security Essen, the world’s leading fair for security and fire prevention products and services.

STICKING OUT UK Industrial Tapes was set up on April Fool’s day 1994 by MD Brian Welch, and is now exporting worldwide through its POS Tapes division, set up for the Point of Sale market.

Currently, export makes up somewhere between 8% and 15% of the Newcastle-based firm’s business, but there are plans to open offices in the USA and Germany, with expectations this figure will grow to 20% to 29%. The team is just back from exhibitions in Germany and the USA.

CLIMBING HIGH Freddie Matthews launched Hanging by a Fred a year ago after losing her father Fred, a keen climber.

After his death, Matthews found herself with lots of climbing rope which she decided to upcycle. The result was a mat and a range of bowls, which led to Matthews' business, Hanging by a Fred, which now produces everything from jewellery to dog collars, coasters to photo frames, all from climbing rope, which she now sells worldwide following support from UKTI.

SHIPSHAPE A staggering 90% of the specialist instruments and products made by 200-year-old firm Lilley and Gillie, headquartered in North Shields, are exported.

The firm makes marine instruments, including traditional magnetic compass systems and the Far East is its strongest market, with equipment heading to the likes of Vietnam and China. The business is now looking at strengthening its presence in South Korea, Japan and South America.

ACCESSIBLE Ross Linnett launched Gatesheadbased Recite Me Ltd when he was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of 22. Struggling to access information, he bought software which read websites aloud and changed background and text colours.

That prompted him to develop a web-based cloud system and Recite Me is now supplying to major clients across the UK and has just opened a new office in Naples, Florida, to crack the American market.

All around the world As the leading global markets for North East exporters are revealed, we take a look at some of the businesses making their mark worldwide North East England Chamber of Commerce has revealed the leading global markets for the region’s new and existing exporters.

Working with hundreds of international businesses which export all manner of goods and services, the Chamber’s international arm is able to assist all North East exporters, regardless of size or sector. According to latest research from the Chamber, the top five markets for new 30 contact

exporters in the region are the USA, Australia, France, China and Germany.

Meanwhile, the top five markets for firms in the North East who are already exporting and moving into new markets are the USA, Germany, Australia and Italy, with China and the UAE taking the fifth position jointly.

Here we look at some of the region’s export success stories… www.neechamber.co.uk

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contact 31

Fab Gary Fildes Director Kielder Observatory

As a bricklaying apprentice I always felt like I was getting ready to go to war. I was one of 20 lads who would march into Wearside Technical College, pull on our boots, adjust our hard hats , grab our weaponry and head into battle. There were no desks, nowhere to sit and no pens or pencils - we just had pile after pile of bricks. I'll always remember picking up the pace once I realised you got paid by the number of bricks you laid!

Jonathan Lupton

5 THE QUESTION

What is the standout moment from your early career?

Deb Dovinson Theatre secretary Theatre Royal, Newcastle

During my first panto season at the theatre, one of the audience participants became ill and I was volunteered to stand in. I was whisked off to wardrobe, put in the audience and told I would be chased by a rat. I ended up being caught by my skirt, which was then ripped off as I ran out of the auditorium in my knickers - much to the amusement of my colleagues who had gathered to watch this all unfold.

Managing director Close House

Career Connect Coordinator Newcastle High School for Girls

Kirsty Ridley

Brian Manning

I was invited to play in the 2002 British Masters at Woburn as an amateur and my caddie spent Wednesday's practice round complaining about the weight of my bag. In protest, he decided to empty it out onto the putting green on Thursday morning. The problem was it wasn't mine - he emptied the bag of Zimbabwean legend Tony Johnstone. We packed it up, I went out and led after nine holes - still worried about Tony catching us.

Spending 11 months at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst was 'character building', to say the least. Being so tired that I once ironed my hand instead of my shirt (I still have that war wound), losing my shoe while marching, being charged under the Army Act 1955 for moving on parade, shouting "Kill, kill, kill!" while bayonet training with my high-pitched squeal; terrifying? Debatable...but certainly a memorable experience!

Working on an ICI site in Billingham as a teenager, I fancied myself as a bit of a chess player and would play at lunchtimes.

More and more people got involved, and we ended up with four or five boards going. Games would last a week or two and we'd be playing over the 10am, lunch and 3pm breaks. It was a great way to meet different trades and kept us busy without a mobile phone!

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Chief executive Esh Group

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Policy

So what did the Budget mean to you? Here, North East England Chamber of Commerce offers some views and insight

Overview

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Employment and skills

Regional issues

Chamber director of policy Ross Smith

Chamber policy adviser, Paul Carbert

Chamber head of policy and campaigns Jonathan Walker

The Chancellor offered relatively good news on business rates, with no rowing back on revaluation. It was good to hear a commitment to longer-term reform, though this didn’t go far enough. There was positive news on skills, with the introduction of T-Levels and retraining for older workers and some positive signals on infrastructure, but we will be seeking more detail. The biggest disappointment was the lack of measures to support exporters.

We were pleased to see the emphasis on technical education and it being no longer considered inferior to more academic qualifications.

The funding to improve teaching quality and provide work placements will be helpful.

The Industrial Strategy pledged to test different approaches to retraining and upskilling experienced workers, and the £40m to fund pilot schemes for this is great news as long as funding comes to the region.

Under the previous Chancellor, we got used to Budget speeches repeatedly referencing the Northern Powerhouse project and giving updates on devolution progress. There was very little along those lines in this speech, and what there was focused on other regions.

There were hints that the concept of devolution remains on the Government’s agenda, but it would seem there is significant work to be done to ensure the North East is at the forefront. www.neechamber.co.uk

Infrastructure

Export

Overview

Chamber policy adviser Arlen Pettitt

Chamber policy adviser Ben Powick

KPMG senior partner David Elliott

There were some positive announcements on the digital economy, including vouchers to support businesses to access broadband and investment in 5G technology. A £90m funding pot to address traffic pinch-points in the North and a separate £690m for tackling urban congestion may benefit us, but we need more details. We don't understand why the Government has failed again to address Air Passenger Duty – a vital issue for our regional airports.

Given the importance of our post-Brexit relationships overseas, this was a missed opportunity for the Chancellor to reassure exporters. We need optimistic, supportive policies to help existing and potential exporters access new markets, with a further commitment to overseas trade visits. We need to attract talent, so £50m for the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF) and over £50m from existing international funds is a boost.

The Chancellor delivered messages of long-term economic stability and a reduction in the administrative burden on claiming R&D credits and tax incentives, which should please our regional manufacturing and tech bases. His subsequent reversal of the proposed rise in NICs on self-employed workers will be welcomed by entrepreneurs, but it does not alter the need to review the tax system in the context of modern working practices.

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Success

Life’s a gas Kay Wilson visits DNV GL to explore the work of a gobal leader in a high-pressure world

Dave Shepherd

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The global expertise and diversity of business in the region never fails to surprise, and a Bishop Auckland industrial estate turns out to be the base for a world-renowned high-pressure gas meter testing facility.

Developed by British Gas in 1981, what is now DNV GL Flow Centre on Chilton Industrial Estate has been at the heart of pioneering research into gas meter technology ever since.

This 10-acre site is home to a baffling array of test facilities, including some of the longest test pipelines in the world. It also has the benefit of being connected directly to the National Gas Transmission System, which has a base adjacent to the site, feeding gas from Aberdeen southwards.

Gas is, in effect, ‘borrowed’ to flow around the test lines and then fed back into the system, and can be used at pressures up to 50 bar (to illustrate, a car tyre is usually two bar).

Flow Centre manager Dave Shepherd runs the business with Alistair Milne, the operations manager. The facility can deliver full-scale gas industry equipment trials as well as its core business of meter gas flow and calibration testing.

Shepherd says: “I like to think of this site as a hidden gem, packed full of assets and bringing blue chip companies’ work to the region. Our type of test site won’t ever be built again due to the tremendous expense it involves. This site

requirements.” One of the largest scale jobs was on a pair of meters for a power station in China, while at the other end of the scale, meters are tested and calibrated for small-scale apparatus such as rotameters used in hospital breathing systems.

The complexity of ensuring the gas flow given to patients is accurate at very low flow rates can be just as challenging as extremely high flow rates in industry. Equipment is tested for clients worldwide, though one major customer is Solartron ISA - a leading supplier of wellhead flow meters for the oil and gas industry based down the road in Shildon.

Shepherd has also identified potential for more

cost in the region of £10m to build 35 years ago, as you need such a substantial range of test lines to cater for each customers’ requirements.”

To deliver a wide range of contracts, the Flow Centre site has 10 different test rigs with diverse capabilities. It is loyal to the region and sources equipment where it can locally, including pipework from North Shields.

Getting gas out of the ground is not always straightforward, of course. Take, for example, the occasions when sand is drawn up from rock formations in the gas, causing damage to subsea components. The Flow Centre undertakes what Shepherd calls ‘real world’ testing, using sand to blast components to simulate lifetime exposure to these conditions to ensure suitable performance of the part.

For all gas industry businesses, it is imperative meters are accurate and calibrated correctly to meet regulatory requirements. The Flow Centre has the only vertical test rig for subsea safety valves in the world, which means a test can be carried out on valves which simulate operational conditions hundreds of metres below the sea bed. The vertical rig has prime position on the Flow Centre site, standing 15 metres high and looming above the network of horizontal test lines which fill the base.

Shepherd explains: “This vertical test facility is used to check slam shut subsea safety valves – ensuring the valve is able to do its work in an emergency, should it need to close whilst working several hundred metres below the sea bed. It got its name for the massive thump it makes as the valve slams shut - just like a door caught by the wind.”

Meters are delivered to the Flow Centre from clients all over the world who trust their equipment will be in safe hands. “We once had a filter sent from the USA and tested it for six hours before it was sent all the way back and we have received meters from as far away as Australia,” says Shepherd. “We pride ourselves on being flexible to meet customer www.neechamber.co.uk

“We pride ourselves on being flexible to meet customers' requirements” variable flow testing in the future. Historically, the centre had British Gas sister test sites near Newcastle, where large-scale low and medium pressure gas flow testing could be carried out.

Regrettably, these facilities stopped operating several years ago, but Shepherd believes there is now a growing a market for meter testing at lower pressures, for example for testing biogas and shale gas produced by fracking.

The centre also offers precise training for gas engineers to identify leaks and metering training simulating practical on the job scenarios.

DNV GL HQ is in Norway and the business employs a global workforce in excess of 14,000 1,500 of them in the UK. There is another testing and research centre at Spadeadam, Cumbria, performing full-scale hazardous tests and explosions, plus offices on Silverlink business park, Newcastle and 15 other locations around the UK. For its part, this site on a Bishop Auckland industrial estate is an inspiring illustration of the ground-breaking innovations for which the region is known worldwide. A hidden gem indeed. www.neechamber.co.uk

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Here's a maths problem for you: Utilitywise, which is still only a decade old, has 40,000 customers and a turnover of £85m. By 2021, it will have around 150,000 customers. What then will it be turning over?

Liz Hands meets the firm’s new CEO, Brendan Flattery, to talk numbers Given that Utilitywise is a Plc, its new CEO Brendan Flattery, who took over from founder Geoff Thompson, can’t tell us what his projections are. But it’s obvious we’re talking some serious numbers for the North Tynesideheadquartered firm’s future.

Growth, in terms of turnover, profits, staff and customer numbers and the quantity of services existing clients take, is exactly what Flattery, previously European president at Sage, has been brought in to achieve.

Flattery stayed with Sage until its financial year end last September, leaving as turnover reached £825m for the European arm, with recurring revenue growth of around 10.5%. He then moved to Utilitywise after talks with Thompson, who wanted a CEO to take forward the business while he became executive chairman.

When we sit down to talk in the boardroom at Cobalt Business Park, Flattery has been in position for 100 days - a very busy 100 days. “My approach has been to meet every colleague on multiple occasions at every location,” he says. “I was here in Newcastle on Monday, Tuesday I was in Chesterfield, Wednesday I was in Bury St Edmunds, Thursday I was in Prague, Friday I was in Redditch, and I came back a little bit tired on Friday night. I can see all 1,600 colleagues in a week.” It sounds like a Craig David song, without the romance.

Flattery adds: “I’ve run sessions with around 400 business leaders, I’ve met 70 customers, 40 of our institutional investors, all of our key suppliers and partners. That was the learning process. We said to our investor community, and internally, that we were going to 38 contact

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refresh the strategy within 100 days. It was clear this wasn’t a re-write, we were building on what already existed. It’s been lively. I’ve only had Christmas Day off so far.”

Utilitywise is currently the UK’s largest business energy consultancy. Its half year results are imminent and due to show double digit growth in revenue and a gross order book up from £40.4m to £50.2m on the same period last year.

Flattery has now laid out Utilitywise’s Strategy 2021 to its workforce and at its first ever Capital Markets Day in London with its institutional investors.

After customers told Utilitywise they wanted not just a competitive price, but also insight and control into their energy use, the firm developed WiseLife, allowing businesses and organisations to control their energy from their smart devices.

“As a practical example, I met a lady who runs a community centre,” says Flattery. “She said she gets £20,000 income to run the centre, but her energy spend is £10,000 because of people leaving windows open and lights and heating on. She can now turn everything off from her home. Another customer, a hairdresser, used to get in for 6am to turn the heating on. Now she can stay in bed for longer. A large retailer can reduce lighting with footfall, or turn off banks of tills.”

Customers also told Utilitywise they wanted to ensure they were compliant with regulations and they wanted more utilities from the firm, so they would take water, broadband, telco and insurance if they were on offer. With the water industry deregulated from April 1, Utilitywise is already offering customers water services. Finally, they wanted really good service and they wanted to choose the way they engaged with the firm, whether digitally, through field staff or partnerships.

At the core of Utilitywise’s four-year plan are five

Brendan Flattery 40 contact

❝We need everyone aligned under a single brand, set of goals and values❞ pillars. “One,” says Flattery, “is winning in the market.

We’re currently creating the growth we have in the business by only working in 16% of the market customers who switch using a broker. The question is ‘how do we unlock that 84%?’

“We’re going to win big volumes of customers.

We believe we can add another 100,000 customers to our business within four years. We’re giving them competitive pricing, insight, control and compliance. Second are customers for life. When we have a customer, we want to look after them. In four years, they could have gas, electricity, water, broadband, telco and insurance.

“Thirdly is disrupting markets through the use of technology and service proposition. Fourth is colleagues. If we add 100,000 customers, we’ll have circa 150,000 in four years, so the business is clearly going to be much larger. That creates opportunities.

“The fifth element is ‘one Utilitywise’. As we grow we need everyone aligned under a single brand, set of goals and values.”

To do all of that, Utilitywise needs to cut through complacency and inertia which can exist in businesses about where they get their utilities from.

Flattery is not only embarking on changes, but also on a drive to educate firms about using a broker.

Social media plays a huge part in his strategy.

When he first took up post, Utilitywise was getting 25,000 social media impressions a month.

Within five days surrounding the Capital Markets Day, that figure was 5m, largely because of colleague involvement.

“We said if you join in with this, promote what we’re doing and share our strategy we’ll give you something back, so when we hit the target, you can all have the rest of the day off. They all had the afternoon off when I was travelling back from Redditch. I really should have thought that one through and done it on a Friday I was in Newcastle!”

Flattery and his team of analysts have worked www.neechamber.co.uk

out that if Utilitywise were able to save the 84% of UK businesses who have never used a broker 10% on their energy bills, then it would save UK Plc around £2.5bn. That’s a conservative estimate given Utilitywise saves those who use MoneyWise between 20% and 30%.

“Clearly there are commercial reasons why we want to help this 84%,” says Flattery. “But genuinely, if we can help save £2.5bn at times of uncertainty when things remain very tight within business, I’d rather have that money in the hands of small, medium and large businesses who can reinvest.”

Originally from Chester and now living in the North East, father-of-three Flattery has held roles at Park Group Plc, Intercare Plc, Yates Group Plc, Pancredit and Sage Group Plc. Before Sage, he set up tech business, IBase, offering solutions to heritage, health and commercial organisations which relied on digital imagery. “I’d always wanted to have a go at creating something as well as www.neechamber.co.uk

running a business and that taught me a lot about things you wouldn’t otherwise be exposed to.

How do you raise funding for business? How do you create compelling propositions for customers when you haven’t got any customers to begin with?

How important it is to get the right people with the right skills and the right attitude around you.”

Flattery took IBase to a point where it was sold off in three parts to three sectors, creating returns for its investors.

He's found that he and Utilitywise entrepreneur Thompson shared the same vision. “We both said you can only have one CEO. Geoff was very clear that’s what he wanted. He’s been very supportive, but he’s given me the freedom to realise our strategy.”

Flattery, as they say, will get you everywhere. And, for Utilitywise, it’s clear he has the drive needed to achieve those huge growth figures. As for what they are - that question at the top of this interview - he says: “You do the maths.” contact 41

Profile

Feel the heat Liz Hands gets into the business of fire fighting with Andy Trafford There aren’t many men who wouldn’t bat an eyelid while you sprayed a fire extinguisher at them, unintentionally sending cold carbon dioxide up their trouser leg. But then again, Andy Trafford is used to the unexpected happening at work.

Having spent an hour chatting about everything from cows to company expansion at his firm MacDonald Martin Fire and Security, I’m now sitting on the floor aiming a fire extinguisher at his feet to create a smoke effect for our photographer. And, despite the chaos going on around him, the stories just keep on coming.

Trafford is a former RAF corporal and station manager with Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service. “There are plenty of days that stand out,” he says. “Some of the oddest call-outs we had in the fire brigade

“There have been one or two moments when I've feared for my life” involved animals. There was the heavily pregnant cow that had fallen in a swimming pool, for instance. She was let out every day for exercise, but snow had covered the tarpaulin over the pool; it must have just looked like the ground and in she went.

“She’d been in there 45 minutes by the time we got there to find the farmer trying to get her out. We came up with a plan that involved putting hoses underneath her and hoisting her out. But that meant someone getting in the pool with her. Thankfully, the farmer got in, because just as he did, the cow lost control of her bowels...”

Other calls have involved a porn star, a 12ft python and a rather rotund girl stuck 42 contact

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in a window (not all at the same time) and while the funny side of such situations are obvious, rescues were clearly carried out with the utmost professionalism.

Then, of course, there are the inevitable calls which do not have a happy ending. “I’ll never forget my first fatality,” Trafford says.

“I can still see her face, but you know what you're getting into when you join the service.

There have been one or two moments when I’ve feared for my life, but even if you know the floor is getting weaker, if there’s someone still in the building, you have to keep searching."

Trafford joined the fire brigade, working at pretty much every fire station in the North East during his time at Northumberland and Tyne and Wear services, after an 11-year stint in the RAF, where he worked his way up the ranks to corporal after joining as a 17-yearold straight out of school.

“The RAF is a family tradition,” he says.

“My dad flew Lancasters in the war and my mum used to pack the parachutes. My eldest brother served 35 years and one of my sons served nine years. It’s a great start in life.”

Trafford served in the Falklands and in Germany. Unsurprisingly, he has plenty of stories to share from his time in the armed forces too, including of the time he was deployed to help a pilot who suffered total brake failure while trying to land on an aircraft carrier.

“There’s a cable to stretch across the runway and ‘catch’ the plane, but he didn’t manage to snag it with the hook on the aircraft," he remembers. "There is a failsafe, a huge net, which he shot into at 250mph.

Thankfully, he was fine, although his face drained of all colour.”

Following his career in the RAF, Trafford started MacDonald Martin 13 years ago while he was still a fireman, carrying out

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Profile fire safety inspections outside of the patch covered by his brigade. At that point, the firm was a lifestyle business, with his wife Jacqueline also coming on board to give her more flexibility in her work while she cared for her elderly mum.

However, the company, based on Sunderland’s Leechmere Industrial Estate, soon grew and since Trafford retired from the fire service completely three years ago and turned to devoting his time entirely to the company, that growth has escalated.

In the last financial year, MacDonald Martin reported a £1.5m turnover. That’s up 18% year on year and is double what it was four years ago.

Trafford is now confident of a further 20% growth in turnover in the next financial year.

MacDonald Martin specialises in all aspects of fire safety and security and has passed a tough accreditation for its security services on the day we arrive. Demand for Trafford’s services increased following a change in legislation which gave businesses more responsibility for ensuring they were compliant with fire safety regulations. When Trafford did identify issues, firms were keen for him to offer them not just advice, but solutions. He started to subcontract, but it soon made sense to employ in-house engineers. Hence, MacDonald Martin has gone from a one-man firm to employing 29 staff, including his daughter Emma who is office manager, and son Steven, an apprentice engineer.

Growth has come not just because of Trafford’s expertise, but also as a result of hefty prosecutions in recent years. Businesses and local authorities do not want to fall foul of the regulations which caught Southwark Council, for example, recently ordered to pay £570,000 over safety failings at a block of flats where six people - three women and three children died in a fire.

“It’s awful,” says Trafford, “but it sometimes takes something to happen to make people sit up and take notice. While there used to be a limit on the fine for

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each breach, it is now unlimited.” That is one reason why MacDonald Martin now has 1,100 clients from Scotland to Sussex. “Nobles amusements was our first big contract,” says Trafford. “They said if we were going to do one site, we had to do all of them. So we said yes and we’ve been growing ever since.”

Clients also include Sunderland and York councils, Esh Group, Egger, Northumbria and West Yorkshire police forces, and more large tenders in the pipeline.

However, like many firms requiring specialist engineering skills, Trafford says the struggle to find quality employees could hinder growth. “We look after our staff. They get higher pay, more holidays and 20% of our workforce are apprentices. We don’t want them to spend three years here and then move on, so we look after them.” Trafford employs many ex-forces personnel because, he says, "nothing is a problem for them; they work on their own initiative and as a team.”

In addition to new clients, Trafford says growth will also come from new services for existing clients.

Services offered by the firm’s new security arm include CCTV and door access and intruder alarms, which could help combat arson, one of the leading causes of commercial fires.

“Each of our clients takes three or four services, but there are 30 things we can offer,” says Trafford.

“We’re continuing to grow and don’t expect Brexit to have an impact. We don’t import, we don’t export and the services we offer aren’t optional. If you don’t comply with fire safety regulations, you could be hit with huge fines, or the responsible person could go to jail.” And, while Trafford may no longer be fighting fires on the frontline, he’s still focused on saving life, which is good news for all his clients. www.neechamber.co.uk

Focus

-1.9%

Greener future In this month’s special focus we explore the work of some of the North East’s leading businesses as they look to cut energy consumption and develop technologies to change the way we consume energy, creating a brighter, greener, future for the North East and beyond

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The fall in the UK’s consumption of electricity between Q3 of 2015 and Q3 of 2016

25%

Renewables’ share of electricity generation in the UK in Q3, 2016

50%

Low carbon electricity’s share of generation in Q3 of 2016 (a record, up from 45.3% due to increase in renewables and nuclear)

3.6%

Coal’s share of electricity generation in the UK in Q3 of 2016 (down from 16.7%)

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Focus

Green marine plan Cramlington-based AVID Technology is leading on a £3.6m project to improve environmental standards in the marine industry.

Launched by the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI), the project is developing and demonstrating a waste heat recovery system which could deliver reduced emissions and fuel efficiency savings of at least 8% .

AVID will lead the 26-month project with support from Hexham’s RED Engineering Ltd, Newcastle-based Royston Power and French firm Enogia SAS. Ryan Maughan, MD of AVID (pictured), which specialises in the design and manufacture of electrically powered systems for low emission vehicles, says: “The marine industry has yet to establish a credible alternative to fossil fuels, so the immediate priority is to achieve substantial carbon dioxide reductions by reducing fuel consumption.

We’re focusing on improving fuel efficiency by recovering heat energy from the exhaust stream, thus reducing the electrical load provided by the ship’s generators, and by lowering the temperature of the exhaust gas by converting heat to electricity.”

Building block for green future Constructing Excellence in the North East is teaming up with Esh Group on an event to launch its Carbon Coach course.

The event - Driving Carbon out of the Built Environment - takes place on May 18 at Esh Academy in Co Durham and will introduce the course which aims to educate apprentices and young people entering the construction sector in energy efficiency in response to the Government objective ‘Driving Carbon out of the Built Environment 2025’.

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Focus

Commercial Profile

Making power from poo Poo can be a bit of a sticky subject to talk about.

However, it’s something that is taken very seriously at Northumbrian Water and the company is more than happy to shout from the rooftops about it.

As an organisation that challenges itself to be an industry leader, Northumbrian Water is proud to be the first, and only, water company in the country to use 100% of sewage sludge - the material left over at the end of the sewage treatment process - to produce gas and electricity.

The procedure is known as ‘power from poo’ or Advanced Anaerobic Digestion (AAD) to give its full and proper name.

Simply put, the waste customers f lush down the toilet is used as a fuel and turned into energy at the awardwinning £70 million AAD plants at Howdon on Tyneside and at Bran Sands on Teesside.

Treating and dealing with the waste is an expensive and time-consuming business, yet instead of seeing human excrement as something to get rid of, Northumbrian Water is able to turn it into something useful.

The company has transformed sewage sludge, from being a waste product that needed a lot of energy to clean it up before it could return to the natural environment, into a fuel that can be used to produce green energy.

Additionally, gas produced at Howdon is then cleaned and enhanced and fed back into the National Grid. The waste heat and steam generated from the process are also captured and recycled for use elsewhere at the works.

Power of efficiency

Northumbrian Water is so confident in the AAD process that it has invested millions of pounds into the systems and technology needed and the results speak for themselves.

In 2013 the company exceeded its renewable energy target two years early and reduced carbon emissions by 30% towards its target of 35% by 2020.

Northumbrian Water has even changed and improved the way it deals with, and transports, the sludge product, making the process as environmentally friendly as possible.

This, and other innovations, mean customers have some of the best value bills in the industry as it helps save the company millions of pounds in energy costs each year.

Web: www.nwl.co.uk, Tel: 0845 6047468 50 contact

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A three-year project aimed at Co Durham SMEs is aiming to increase the uptake of energy efficient technologies and processes.

The Business Energy Efficiency Project (BEEP) has been developed to help SMEs save money through energy savings or energy generation. Backed by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) support within the 2014-2020 Programme, the project has been endorsed by the North East Chamber of Commerce, the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, the Federation of Small Business, Business Durham, Northern Powergrid and the Energy Institute of Durham University.

A source of free, simple advice and guidance, BEEP aims to promote the long term financial and marketing advantages of energy efficiency; provide free SME energy audits; and can provide grant support to encourage the installation of highly efficient technology. For more information contact the BEEP team at beep@durham.gov.uk

Future proofing Northern Gas Networks and the EPSRC National Centre for Energy System Integration have launched IntEGReL - a groundbreaking electrical and gas utility scale research facility.

The £30m InteGReL facility (Integrated Electricity and Gas Research Laboratory) in Gateshead is a partnership between Northern Gas Networks (NGN) and the Newcastle Universityled EPSRC National Centre for Energy Systems Integration (CESI). It will allow energy researchers to carry out grid-scale trials and experiments of coupled gas, electricity and heat systems for the first time. It is in response to the growing consensus that a whole systems approach is necessary to transform the UK energy system and drive forward the Government’s industrial strategy. www.neechamber.co.uk

Bright sparks North East England Chamber of Commerce, as part of the British Chambers of Commerce, is working to ensure members access the best energy prices for their business through Chamber Energy Solutions.

Designed for Chamber members in partnership with Utilitywise, Chamber Energy Solutions offers an exclusive range of products and services to reduce energy consumption and associated cost. Every member has the opportunity to join the Chamber Energy Alliance, joining with local and national members to leverage an energy deal that delivers a competitive rate.

As the UK’s leading independent energy consultant, more than 30,000 businesses of every size and sector use Utilitywise for energy management and cost reduction.

Utilitywise has access to prices from major gas and electricity suppliers and an extensive purchasing capacity - helping members gain understanding and insight into the energy choices available to them. contact 51

People

l-r Martin Blight and David Blyth

HTL hires Controlled bolting OEM HTL has appointed Wendy Bendel its new business development manager and David Rainford its OEM business development director. Wendy will focus on customer-tailored OEM solutions across Scotland and David will concentrate on global business development in key countries.

Surgo builds board Aimee Husband

Core growth

Teesside-based Core Legal has appointed solicitor Aimee Husband and conveyancing executive Victoria Kelsey to its Residential Conveyancing team. Core Legal has an established residential conveyancing team led by MD Sally Hare at its offices at Preston Farm Business Park.

Surgo Construction has announced two new additions to its board. David Blyth and Martin Blight take their places alongside chairman Ian Walker, MD James Walker, Jeff Alexander, Jeff Charlton and Steven Coombes.

David assumes the role of commercial director and Martin is appointed estimating director.

Back home Gateshead College business development team

Forging links

Elaine Murray and Melanie ThompsonGlen have joined Gateshead College as business development managers within a seven-strong team led by business development director Ivan Jepson.

The appointments boost the college’s strategy of forging links with the business community.

Crowne’s new jewel Ellen Deboeck has taken over as general manager at the 251-bedroom Crowne Plaza Hotel in Newcastle. Belgian-born Ellen has moved from Brussels to take up her post and has 25 years experience working worldwide in the hotel industry.

She leads a team of more than 200.

Watson Burton has bolstered its growing Professional Indemnity Insurance Department with the appointment of solicitor Adam Dymock. The firm has also taken on employment and commercial litigation specialist Shona Morton.

New CEO sought

50 not out Ryecroft Glenton’s senior partner Tony Glenton CBE TD FCA DL is celebrating 50 years in practice as a chartered accountant.

He is the third generation of Glentons in the city and follows his grandfather Arthur Glenton, who established Ryecroft Glenton with his cousin Wilton Ryecroft in 1901.

Tony joined the firm as a partner in February 1967, two years after qualifying, and has also been an active Territorial for more than 30 years. He was awarded the Military MBE in 1985 and commanded 101st (Northumbrian) Regiment, Royal Artillery (Volunteers). He has also chaired the North of England Reserve Forces and Cadets Association and served as Honorary Colonel of his regiment.

He was a director and chairman of Newcastle Building Society and the Port of Tyne Authority for several years, and in 2000 was appointed CBE. He has also served as Vice Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland and has been a Deputy Lieutenant of the county for 26 years, during which time he has also chaired the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen Families Association (SSAFA) in Northumberland. He chairs four other local charities and Newcastle Cathedral Council, and at Ryecroft Glenton, Tony acts for clients and leads the team which includes his son Peter, who is a partner.

New rights guidance

Workplace expert Acas has launched new guidance on employment arrangements following recent legal cases surrounding self-employment and umbrella companies. As a result of high-profile legal cases involving companies including Pimlico Plumbers and taxi giant Uber, Acas’ revised guidance includes a greater focus on the self-employed and umbrella companies.

Girl power New chair In the driving seat Go North East has promoted marketing strategist Stephen King to lead its Commercial and Retail division.

The company has also appointed divisional manager Shirley Connell and risk manager Stephanie Young to its senior team.

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Cementing growth Kristian Cliff has joined facilities management specialist Esh Facilities as a project manager. The former Kier Group manager, who also has experience working offshore, will be based out of Esh Facilities’ North East headquarters and will also work throughout the UK.

Furniture manufacturer Godfrey Syrett has appointed Mark Dixon executive chairman. Mark, who has raised the company’s turnover growth target from £40m to £50m by 2020, previously established facilities management company Promanex Group, which he sold to Costain in 2011. He is also chair of a number of other SMEs. www.neechamber.co.uk

Female sales executives are taking the driving seat at Vauxhall dealer Sherwoods, which has dealerships in Darlington, Stockton and Northallerton and has increased its sales team to 12 with a 50:50 split of male and female sales executives.

The new sales executives were employed during a series of recruitment days when more than 60 candidates were tested via a series of work-based tasks. www.neechamber.co.uk

Chemical industry body NEPIC (North-East Process Industry Cluster) is seeking a new leader following the announcement that CEO Dr Stan Higgins will retire this summer.

Higgins (pictured) has led NEPIC since its inception in 2003, following the merger of the Wilton-based Teesside Chemical Initiative and the then recently formed Pharmaceutical & Speciality Cluster.

Mind the gap Teesside-based law firm Endeavour Partnership is warning employers to be aware of The Equality Act 2010 (Gender Pay Gap Information) Regulations 2017, which become law on April 6.

The new legislation forces companies with more than 250 employees to openly report any gender pay gap, gender bonus gap, the proportion of men and women receiving bonuses, and the proportion of men and women in each quartile of the organisation’s pay structure.

Laura Kirkpatrick (pictured) from Endeavour Partnerships’ employment team says: “There are no sanctions for noncompliance at the moment, but fines could be invoked in future."

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Hi-Tech Must-have office gadgets

Say hola to your International Trade Adviser

Dean Bailey on escaping the self-imposed social media bubble with a bit of spring cleaning

I don’t know about you, but I’ve found myself becoming increasingly lazy when it comes to exploring social media.

Despite the fact that the global social media network continues to grow rapidly (active social media users grew 21% globally in the year January 2016-17 to 2.789bn according to We are Social) the list of those I was following on Twitter and liked on Facebook had stood still for months.

Much like reading one newspaper, watching one breakfast TV show, or using one news channel app – this gives you a particular slant on what’s going on in the world. This was brought into focus around the US election, when the lack of opinion which filtered into my network from outside my chosen groups showcased how onesided my social network had become. This doesn’t only apply to politics and news; I found my feeds increasingly filled with accounts, stories and ideas I was no longer interested in. A purge of those including student bars in Sunderland - was first.

Next was seeking out news outlets, commentators and thinkers of different political alignments and tone. My personal go-to remains The Guardian, but I now also see posts and stories from The Telegraph, the New Statesman and Private Eye (a must follow) among many, many others. Add in a handful of parody Twitter accounts (@Queen_UK is a personal favourite, as is @ Darth_Monty for golf fans), and the ubiquitous animal mishap videos, and my social media island has expanded into more of a Commonwealth, filled with stories, ideas and, naturally - cat videos.

Whether you’re a new or experienced exporter, Department for International Trade can provide you with the knowledge and expertise of highly experienced international trade specialists who will support your entry into new markets with confidence.

"I found my feeds full of things I was no longer interested in"

Call the Department for International Trade North East on 0345 136 0169 or email northeast@mobile.trade.gov.uk

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Breaking out of the bubble

Twin Design / Shutterstock.com

www.neechamber.co.uk

www.neechamber.co.uk

SOUP! I’m quite envious of our editor’s soup maker, particularly as my lunch tends to be tinned.

This Morphy Richards Saute and Soup 501014 is a steal at £55 with enough room for four servings and loads of functions.

That's my office lunches sorted forever... www.morphyrichards.co.uk PEACE AND QUIET A must for openplan office spaces with the added value of no more struggling with tangled earbuds, these Philips Fidelio NC1 block out all noise for a tranquil day at work. www.philips.com MORNING BREW We’re all fans of a morning brew at Contact HQ, so there can be quite a queue for the kettle. This Smarter Coffee Machine is controlled through WiFi and compatible with iOS and Android to give you control over brew times and coffee strength via the app. smarter.am/ coffee contact 55

Motoring

Scandi love affair Jane Pikett considers a new life with Volvo’s revamped XC60 As a lifelong lover of Volvo, the fact that every press release put out by the Swedish car giant’s uber-controlled media operation opens with the catchy phrase “Volvo Cars, the premium car maker” is loaded with irony built upon the fact that way back, when my love affair began, Volvos were, as Forrest Gump opined so accurately, “boxy, but good”.

By illustration, I urge you to Google the phrase “boxiest Volvo ever”. This is the search that keeps on giving, offering up multiple pages of 1970s/80s Volvo porn (yes, that is a thing...) which got me into such a lather that I had to go and lie down in a darkened room.

Clearly, the glory days of the box on wheels that was the 240 (1975-1993) are gone, replaced by an altogether sleeker and highly stylised image. This cool factor is underpinned rather fortuitously by the fact that the UK is in the midst of a Scandi love affair with crime drama, sofa throws and scented candles. Much of this stuff is Danish or Norwegian admittedly, but those places are close to Sweden, so what the heck?

To me, Volvo is the epitome of Scandi high style. I’ve never understood those who claim its boxiness is somehow wrong - for isn’t this the best-looking workhorse on the road? Back in the day, I like to think Mercedes dreamed of producing something as sleekly lovely as the Volvo 262 (in my head, anyway) while what self-respecting dad with 2.4 children would drive anything but a 240?

My father drove them for years - all of them white - while I am on my fourth Volvo estate in a row. It's a black XC70 which is dearer to me than my children and the latest in a long line which run for so long, I regularly meet its predecessors in Tesco's car park. My brother drove me to my

“It's a fine successor to the original XC60, which became the best-selling SUV in Europe”

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IN THE MARKET

(second) wedding in my best friend’s golden V70, my dad drove me to my (first) wedding in his white 960. I’m not planning another marriage, but I am planning to spend the rest of my life with a Volvo, and the new XC60, revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March, would definitely fit the bill.

I’d like to describe in the sort of detail which prompts in Volvo lovers a fit of the vapours the moment this handsome new model emerged at the show from a sea of dry ice. Sadly, I can’t however, because I wasn’t there (have you seen the price of flights to Geneva?) but I can tell you this is a fine successor to the original XC60, which became the best-selling premium (that word again) mid-sized SUV in Europe.

The fact that the XC60 represents some 30% of Volvo’s total global sales says enough, and one can only imagine the terror at Volvo HQ in releasing a new version of such a phenomenally successful www.neechamber.co.uk

favourite among the loyal middle classes for whom Volvo is as much a part of life as Waitrose and Hunter wellies. No surprise, then, that the new version is, well, rather like the old one, and is described by Volvo’s senior vice president for design Thomas Ingenlath as “not such a revolution”.

Volvo is making much of its new safety tech, which includes something called Oncoming Lane Mitigation, designed to stop you steering into oncoming traffic.

The fact that no-one who has actually passed their driving test should need this suggests something of the challenge in reinventing such a successful set of four wheels. Mind you, safety is Volvo's middle name, so the extra gizmos designed to keep bad drivers alive will be winners, www.neechamber.co.uk

and more importantly, the new XC60 also succeeds in what I consider the harder job of retaining the Scandi style which has made it a success. It is powerfully athletic in looks and performance, yet friendly and trustworthy with it. If you fancy a workhorse blessed with thoroughbred good looks, as comfortable in the country as it is in the city and sitting low enough not to irritate city drivers appalled by Chelsea tractors, go for it. It will run forever, always be classy, and be hot on both performance and reliability.

If you know your handbags, you will understand when I tell you this is the Mulberry Bayswater of cars – tough, classically beautiful, high performance and a pleasure to have in your life.

The Scandi love affair continues...

So what else might you drive in the £30k-£40k compact SUV market?

Well, Volvo would like you to see the XC60 as a winning combo of coupe, 4x4 and estate, which is why its designers have majored on elegant flowing lines and a pleasingly low stance. The XC60 is not designed to beat the Land Rover Defender in the country, but it is more than capable of being a loyal servant to your average country village resident.

It operates in a crowded market which includes the BMW X3, Audi’s Q5, Land Rover’s Discovery Sport, Jag’s F-Pace, and a raft of cheaper models from the likes of Nissan, Peugeot, Skoda, and Renault.

Competition is so hot in this sector, and quality among the best models so high, that a fag paper is too clumsy to slot between them, which means your choice will most likely come down to brand loyalty above performance, aesthetics or gizmos. Time will tell if the new XC60 will continue to lead the pack, but its positive reception at Geneva certainly gives it a head start.

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Motoring

Dealership unveils rebrand

l-r Deerness Fencing and Landscaping yard supervisor Dean Hall and Esh energy and environmental manager Simon Park

Dashboard tech tested

A study of driving behaviours at construction firm Esh Group has prompted investment in technology to cut carbon consumption.

The group tested staff members’ driving habits using sophisticated telematics technology to measure acceleration, braking, idling and cornering.

During a three-month study, 14 Esh vans were fitted with telemetry devices from Masternaut. The devices produced data including how driving style impacted on fuel consumption and real-time feedback was delivered to drivers via a dashboardmounted box which beeped to indicate excessive acceleration, harsh braking and cornering, or running the engine while stationary.

Over the three-month study period Esh Group made an average fuel saving of £18.68 per vehicle per month – a sum which in the long run would save thousands on the firm’s fuel bill.

Now the group’s landscaping and grounds maintenance division Deerness Fencing & Landscaping has equipped its vans with the technology.

Sunderland-based Town Centre Automobiles has unveiled a new name and logo following a comprehensive brand review.

Formerly Town Centre Citroen, the new brand identity reflects the company’s modern identity.

Dealer principal Chris Sopp says: “It is important that Town Centre Automobiles retains its established values and develops a new modern identity. We are investing in our marketing strategy to create an even stronger brand presence.”

A new website is due to launch in the next few months.

Count the daffodils

Ranson Og with one of the new Sprinters supplied by Bell Truck and Van

Bell sprints in

Mercedes-Benz dealer Bell Truck and Van stepped in to help Co Durham-based firm St Astier after it was hit with a huge price hike by its previous van supplier.

St Astier, a consulting contractor to the construction industry, is now running five new medium-length Sprinter 314 CDIs powered by fuel-efficient 143hp engines.

Like all Mercedes-Benz vans, they are backed by three-year unlimited mileage warranties and have MobiloVan cover for free roadside assistance for up to 30 years.

St Astier founder Ranson Og says: “They offer competitive running costs and excellent reliability. Our work takes us over rough terrain and we have found other makes of van can have major issues with that. Our operatives like the Sprinter.”

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Lloyd Newcastle MINI did its bit to support Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal by providing a striking orange MNI for a fundraising drive.

The MINI was stationed on Northumberland Street in Newcastle and passers-by were invited estimate how many daffodils were on the car for the chance to win a MINI for a weekend. Lloyd Newcastle MINI brand manger Chris Longster says: “We were thrilled to support The Great Daffodil Appeal and the bright orange MINI was decorated specially to help to create as much interest in the appeal as possible.” www.neechamber.co.uk

Events Chamber Exchange

Tees Review & AGM

President's Club Lunch

February 28, sponsored by Tees and Wear Prison Reform

February 7, St James' Park, sponsored by Newcastle College

April 13, Village Hotel Club, 11:00-14:00, FREE The Chamber’s flagship networking event encouraging an exchange of experiences, ideas and offers between members.

Tom Warnock (Chamber) and Aman Chahal (Tapered Plus Ltd)

Venue sponsor Anthony Thomson (Atom Bank)

Chamber Exchange May 11, Ramside Hall Hotel, 11:00-14:00 FREE Venue sponsor

Chris Fraser (Sirius Minerals plc), Ian Blakeman (Tees and Wear Prison Reform), Mike Matthews (Chamber president) and Michael McConnell (PD Ports)

Mike Matthews (Chamber president)

Durham Review & AGM

Eamonn Leavey (Chamber), Tony Lewin (Newcastle College), Anthony Thomson (Atom Bank) and James Ramsbotham (Chamber)

Tony Lewin (Newcastle College)

Sarah Thorpe (UK Steel Enterprise) and Julie Gilhespie (Evolution Baldwin Accountants)

Chamber Exchange

March 7, Durham Cathedral

February 9, hosted and sponsored by Little Haven Hotel, South Shields

Chamber AGM May 21, St James' Park, 11:00-14:00, FREE An opportunity to network and look back at 2016 with presentations from James Ramsbotham, Mike Matthews MBE and an introduction and voting in of a new Chamber President, as well as a speech from Gary Dawson, MD of AV Dawson.

Mike Wade (Hodgson Sayers) Chamber members networking

Milly Bond (NWG Business Ltd) and Nigel Merryman (Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums)

Siobhan Stubbs and Kelly Jowsey (Little Haven Hotel)

Lindsay Kirk (Vodafone), Gary Fawcett (Brewin Dolphin)

Rachel Thompson (Eurochange) and Andrew Elliott (UBS Wealth Management)

Chamber Exchange

Coffee & Connections

March 9, sponsored and hosted by Jurys Inn Middlesbrough

February 16, St Oswalds Hospice with the Great North Snowdogs

Event sponsor Susan Jones (St Oswald's Hospice) and Michelle Hardie (Theatre Royal) 60 contact

Ashleigh Warne and Laura Dobson (Emersons Solicitors) www.neechamber.co.uk

Chamber members

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Lesley Weightman (Utilitywise)

Members networking

Lauren Bray (HSF Training)

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Events Diary FEATURED EVENT

FEATURED EVENT

FEATURED EVENT

APR 13

MAY 11

JUN 21

Chamber Exchange, 11:00-14:00 Village Hotel Club North Tyneside, FREE

Chamber Exchange, 11:00-14:00 Ramside Hall, Durham FREE

Chamber AGM, 10:30-14:30 St James' Park, Newcastle FREE

TO BOOK

www.neechamber.co.uk/events

0300 303 6322

Networking

Area Meetings

MAY 11 - CHAMBER EXCHANGE

APR 26 - REDCAR & CLEVELAND AREA MEETING

11:00-14:00 RAMSIDE HALL, DURHAM

FREE

MAY 2 - CHAMBER LOCAL (TEAM VALLEY MONTHLY)

08:30-10:30 • AREA NORTH, TEAM VALLEY

FREE

MAY 17 - CHAMBER LOCAL

09:00-11:00 • WEARSIDE FARM, SUNDERLAND

FREE

MAY 24 - CHAMBER LOCAL

10:00-12:00 THE HASTINGS, SEATON DELAVAL

FREE

Flagship APR 27 - NORTH EAST BUSINESS AWARDS GRAND FINAL

08:15-10:00 FREEBROUGH ACADEMY, BROTTON

FREE

APR 28 - NORTH TYNESIDE AREA MEETING

08:00-09:30 • TBC

FREE

MAY 9 - SUNDERLAND AREA MEETING

16:00-17:30 • TBC

FREE

MAY 10 - HARTLEPOOL AREA MEETING

16:00-17:30 • TBC

FREE

MAY 11 - SOUTH TYNESIDE AREA MEETING

08:00-09:30 • TBC

18:00-00:00 HARDWICK HALL HOTEL, SEDGEFIELD

FREE

JUN 21 - CHAMBER AGM

16:00-18:00 • TBC

£**

10:30-14:30 • ST JAMES' PARK, NEWCASTLE

FREE

JUL 19 - CHAMBER GOLF DAY 2017

11:30-19:30 • MATFEN HALL

TBC

SEPT 28 - TEES VALLEY ANNUAL DINNER

MAY 15 - NEWCASTLEGATESHEAD AREA MEETING FREE

Skills, Knowledge and Information Network APR 11 - HR LEGISLATION UPDATE

18:00-00:00 • JURYS INN, MIDDLESBROUGH

09:15-11:30 • NATIONAL WAREHOUSE SAFETY CENTRE, CRAMLINGTON

NOV 02 - NORTHUMBRIA & DURHAM ANNUAL DINNER

APR 21 - QUARTERLY ECONOMIC SURVEY BREAKFAST BRIEFING

£80

18:00-00:00 • CIVIC CENTRE, NEWCASTLE

£100*

FREE

08:00-10:00 • BOND DICKINSON, NEWCASTLE

FREE

events@neechamber.co.uk APR 26 - HOW TO PROTECT YOUR ORGANISATION FROM CYBERCRIME (IN ASSOCIATION WITH PULSANT) 08:00-10:00 • RAMSIDE HALL, DURHAM

FREE

APR 26 - WOMEN ENTREPRENUER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

11:00-13:00 • HILTON NEWCASTLE GATSHEAD

FREE

MAY 4 - MAXIMISING YOUR MEMBERSHIP

08:00-10:00 • WYNYARD ROOMS, BILLINGHAM

FREE

JUN 2 - MAXIMISING YOUR MEMBERSHIP

08:00-10:00 • NEWCASTLE GATESHEAD MARRIOTT METRO CENTRE

FREE

International MAY 4 - EXPORT PROCESSES, COMPLIANCE AND DOCUMENTS

09:00-16:00 • DURHAM COUNTY CRICKET CLUB

£300**

MAY 16 - CUSTOMS COMPLIANCE, PROCESSES AND DOCUMENTS

09:00-16:00 • DURHAM COUNTY CRICKET CLUB

£300**

JUN 6 - INTERNATIONAL PAYMENT METHODS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT

09:00-16:00 • TBC

£300**

** Global member price £240+VAT *½ day event Free to Global members.

Foundation Award in International Trade: Global Member Cost: £640+VAT (3 courses) £800+VAT (4 courses). Standard Cost: £800+VAT (3 courses) £960+VAT (4 courses)

*Chamber Member price+VAT **Prices vary

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Last word

MPS RESPOND ALAN CAMPBELL MP TYNEMOUTH Carrying on as usual is an act of quiet defiance, while it is inevitable that security will be reviewed within many businesses and organisations. If more armed police or investigatory powers are needed, so be it, and we must continue to work on policing with our EU allies.

How much can we risk?

Jason Hicks, a director at Newcastle-based security and risk management specialist Athena Risk, responds to the Westminster terror attack

Jason Hicks, director at risk management and security specialist Athena Risk

Within seven minutes of the terror attack in London, an alert flashed on my smartphone telling me where, and what, was taking place. I watched the news footage with horror, and with admiration for those who ran towards the injured, rather than away.

As a former member of the forces, I know the courage it takes to stop and provide assistance when mayhem is all around, and it was typical that we saw ex-forces personnel going in the direction of fire that day.

So where do we go from here, and move on from this murderous attack by so-called 'Isis soldier' Kalid Masood? The answer is to keep living our lives, with vigilance, not paranoia. Go about your daily business, and if you see something which makes you feel uncomfortable, call the police.

Some sections of the media, politics and public life will be quick to question our intelligence services, to ask why didn’t we know about this guy, and why wasn’t he stopped. But these services are monitoring tens of thousands of people every day. They have to prioritise, and they have prevented a dozen terror attacks in a year.

Espionage, surveillance and counter-surveillance have all evolved. Back in the days of the IRA, when the terrorists were foiled, they made their devices smaller and scaled down their attacks - a strategy which made it more difficult to stop them.

Smaller attacks can slip through the net they’re easier to carry out and harder to foil because when fewer people know about a planned attack, it’s very difficult to gather

"We need intelligence to be fed between the highest levels and local police and our information sharing with Europe must be strengthened"

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intelligence. In the wake of the Westminister attack, questions were inevitably asked about armed police and barriers at the entrance to Parliament. My view is that this is a balance. Our police need to be the forward face of public interaction. Are you going to approach a police officer with a gun and a German Shepherd dog to ask for directions?

We don’t live in a gun culture, but many wonder now if places of particular importance or populace should have armed police. The police did respond quickly in this incident and the attacker was brought down swiftly. As for barriers, he walked through the gate, and if there were a barrier, he could simply have ducked under.

The understandably hasty response in the wake of the attack included more armed police and an increased police presence overall at key sites. But these measures are short-term; you can't keep up that level of security forever.

The issue is not about throwing more funding at this; it’s about having a strategic plan with a joint task force and more collaboration within Europe. We need intelligence to be fed between the highest levels and local police; as we go forward into Brexit our information sharing within Europe must be strengthened. We have to know who is travelling from the likes of France, Belgium, Germany and Turkey, and vice versa.

With the best will in the world, it is impossible to thwart every attack, particularly lone wolf assaults like the one on Westminster. To mitigate personal risk, we all need to take responsibility for ourselves, and as business leaders, we need to take responsibility for those who work for us. www.neechamber.co.uk

CHI ONWURAH MP NEWCASTLE CENTRAL I don’t want Parliament to become less accessible as a result of this attack.

We need our constituents to visit Westminster and participate in the democracy that puts our values into action.

Newspapers the day after the Westminster terror attack

We believe strongly in the power of technology to empower people. Our Athena Gateway app is a global travel risk management application providing the latest risk overview, security updates and travel assistance for business and corporate travellers. It tracks personnel and delivers 24/7 assistance from risk and crisis management specialists.

I have the app on my phone and it was giving me information about the attack on Westminster within seven minutes. With information like this, you can see where an incident is, turn around and go the other way, and that could save your life.

We tend to see a spike in enquiries about our workshops and seminars in the wake of an incident. In the US, there are courses on offer where you can learn about dealing with a situation - for instance, if you visit a shopping mall and someone starts shooting.

We don’t have that sort of gun culture here, but we should have training on how to deal with a terrorist situation. www.neechamber.co.uk

As a business, do you consider what is your duty of care? Consider the mass shooting at the tourist resort of Port El Kantaoui, near Sousse,Tunisia in 2015, when 38 people, 30 of them British, were killed.

We work with a number of clients in the travel management sector and they have to understand who is liable in incidents like this.

Is it the travel operator? Is it the Government in the country the attack takes place? What about the foreign consulate?

Where is your the duty of care if you have sent a person to work in that place that day and they are caught up in the attack?

Have you provided them with training? Do they know the risks? Do you have a travel policy? These are important questions for all employers, wherever they are based.

So let’s move forward from the Westminster attacks, but let’s do so in a way which empowers us as we pay tribute to those who lost their lives by living our own.

As for those who ran towards danger that day, bravery medals all around.

PHIL WILSON MP SEDGEFIELD Our response should to be measured but firm. The Government must continue to invest in de-radicalisation programmes such as Prevent, which aims to prepare communities for terrorist activity and protect them from it. Prevent can only be properly implemented through continued investment in neighbourhood policing; preserving our way of life starts in our communities.

JAMES WHARTON STOCKTON SOUTH This is a reminder of how vulnerable we can all be and that we are lucky our society is relatively peaceful, these events are mercifully infrequent and our security services do such a good job. I am sure lessons will be learnt and things will change, but our core freedoms will remain.

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