Contact Magazine

contact Together We Grow Stronger

March-April 2018

NAGMA EBANKS-BENI:

Food for thought Plus

DRIVE FOR SUCCESS NAS KHAN OBE BREXIT PREPARATIONS STUART COTTEE STRONG ROOTS STEM EDUCATION

The transatlantic law firm close to home Recognised as ‘a standout firm’ with ‘an approach that is unmatched in the region’ by Legal 500, we offer legal expertise on the ground in the North East with a national and international reach. As a trusted advisor to many local businesses, we are proud to have played our part in the continued growth and success of the region.

To find out how we can assist and grow with you, please contact Kevin Robertson on 0345 415 0000 or email kevin.robertson@wbd-uk.com.

Alternatively visit womblebonddickinson.com © Copyright 2018 Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP. All rights reserved. Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Welcome...

Chamber president John McCabe Twitter: @John_fusionPR

Welcome to this edition of Contact. These are testing times, but as we’ve shown repeatedly, ours is a region that always rises to the task.

The Beast from the East was certainly a chilly challenge for business continuity plans, but thanks to those familiar North East traits of resilience, endeavour and ingenuity, many of our members carried on delivering goods and services to grateful customers.

The on-going exigency of Brexit continues to test the patience and fortitude of our members. Advice on how to prepare for leaving the EU, and how to manage a supply chain outside it, was set out at our Brexit Summit at the end of March and we'll continue to work with members on this throughout the coming months.

One of the benefits of all the media attention on the UK’s post-Brexit trading arrangements is that it has highlighted exporting. We have an outstanding reputation going back centuries for selling our products and expertise. Our international trade team, led by Chamber director Julie Underwood, has a wealth of experience and events to help anyone interesting in exporting or developing their existing business overseas.

The Chamber’s mission is to ensure that Together We Grow Stronger, and as part of this we have launched an easy way for companies to assess if they could win more business from female entrepreneurs. The toolkit is in the policy section of our website. Please fill it in and let us know how you fare and if you need to do what you do differently, so that we can share best practice.

We have also relaunched the Great Reasons to Build Your Career in the North East campaign, produced in partnership with Nifco. We want to encourage our finest young talents, whether their strengths are academic or vocational, to put down their own roots on leaving school, college or university. I wish you a relaxing Easter break and hope you enjoy reading more member success stories in this issue.

John McCabe, Chamber president EDITOR Jane Pikett EDITORIAL TEAM Dean Bailey Jane Hall Paul Robertson Contact is the magazine for North East England Chamber members. News and press releases should be sent to submissions@ neechamber.co.uk ADVERTISING Colin Rutherford 01661 844 115 colin@offstonepublishing.co.uk PHOTOGRAPHY Kevin Gibson Nicky Gibson Dave Charnley Gilbert Johnston Peter Skelton

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Commercial Profile

Appointment marks a real coup for Brewin Dolphin Brewin Dolphin, one of the UK’s leading wealth managers has strengthened its team in Newcastle with the appointment of an Investment Management Consultant, in a move that represents a significant coup for the firm.

Douglas Montgomerie is working with one of the office’s four dedicated Investment Management teams, and liaising closely with the Financial Planning team to offer a complete package of services for every life-stage. Drawing on his enviable track record in the sector, and his commitment to reinforcing the importance of strong personal relationships and service delivery to clients, Douglas is tasked with raising awareness of Brewin Dolphin’s full range of services to individuals and the business community in the region.

At 57, and with over 30 years’ experience in the banking and financial services sector, Douglas brings with him a wealth of skills and expertise to assist in growing the firm’s business across the North East.

“I suppose I could have considered taking more time to spend on the golf course, or walking the dog, but I’m a firm believer that if you are in a position to make a difference to people’s lives then you should pursue that, and that’s exactly what Brewin Dolphin offer to their clients”, he said.

“I came down from Edinburgh where I’d been working with Barclays in 1995 to manage the portfolios of high net worth clients in the North East. Twelve years ago I moved over to Yorkshire Bank, and it was then I first met with some of the team from Brewin Dolphin. I’d known of them before, when the company was Wise Speke, and was aware of their reputation as a highly respected firm with a long history in the region.”

“I’d got to know Gary (Fawcett) quite well, and knowing that I was due to leave my role soon, he was keen to find a role for me to help support business development activity at a time when the scope of the services offered by the company were expanding.”

Gary Fawcett is a Divisional Director in Brewin Dolphin’s Newcastle office, and appreciated the need to bring experience and knowledge to the team. He said, “People’s financial lives have become much more complex, and this has increased the need for trusted and expert advisers to take the strain from those who need help with their finances. “ I’m delighted to have Douglas on board. We already have a professional and well-established team who are well placed to help our clients deal with these current issues amongst the political and economic uncertainty, but having Douglas on board can help us access markets we’d not necessarily have 4

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been able to pursue, and increases our capacity to tell people about how we can help them. His knowledge and enthusiasm are really valuable”.

Brewin Dolphin was founded on the belief that the successful management of wealth takes an understanding of money but is rooted in an even deeper understanding of people. Individual and personal service is central to everything that they do.

Whether looking to invest money, manage pensions and retirement, passing on wealth to the next generation, or protecting money from any number of life events, Brewin Dolphin offers help to anyone to make the most of their money.

Douglas said: “I’m just thrilled to join Brewin Dolphin.

We really value our level of service, and that’s the crux of a successful investment manager / client relationship.”

Email douglas.Montgomerie@brewin.co.uk or call 0191 2797456 www.neechamber.co.uk

“In life, you only have two options; you can either sink or swim. My view has always been that even if I keep my nose below the water, I’m not sinking!”

Nagma Ebanks-Beni

30 Profile: Nas Khan OBE

60 Seconds: Lucy Winskell

www.neechamber.co.uk

Big cheese: Nagma Ebanks-Beni

Contents

06 60 seconds

34 Profile

Northumbria University's Lucy Winskell

Jennings Motor Group's Nas Khan OBE

08 In my view

38 Success

With James Ramsbotham

Innovation at Bignall Group

11 Inbox

40 Special focus

News and views from the world of business

STEM education

12-22 News

47 Special focus

News from the Chamber and its members, including Partners and President's Club updates, Caribbean cricket, award wins, commercial property, and more

Are you ready for GDPR?

54 Motoring Citroën's French fancies

28 Policy

58 People

2018 so far at the Chamber

Movers and shakers across the region

30 Profile

64 Last word

Prima Cheese's Nagma Ebanks-Beni

Deloitte senior partner Stuart Cottee contact 5

60 seconds

Raising the bar for the North East's students and the relationships between educators and business Lucy Winskell OBE DL, pro vice-chancellor (Employability & Partnerships) at Northumbria University and chair of the board of the North East England Chamber of Commerce...

Lucy Winskell is a Northumbria University pro-vice chancellor, leading the development of relationships with local government and public bodies, and shaping the university's contribution to regional economic, cultural and social development and graduate employment.

Previously a litigation lawyer for 28 years, she is chair of the board of the Chamber and her many non-executive directorships include Government Office North East, Darlington Building Society, the Newcastle Gateshead City Development Company and the BE Group. She was awarded an OBE in 2014 in recognition for her services to higher education and the North East economy.

Q Your CV details many varied roles; how did they come about? I thoroughly enjoyed my career in the law, but I realised that, as a litigation lawyer, you are a 'distress purchase' and I wanted to be involved in strategic planning and decision making at the early stages.

Q I’m about to meet you for the first time, what should I expect? A warm smile and a genuine interest in finding out about you and how we might work together.

Q What is the most important thing you have learned in your career to date? Surround yourself with people who are better than you and never be afraid to ask for help.

Q Was there a turning point in your working life? In 2004 I was awarded The Journal & Durham Business School Scholarship to do and MBA. It was an amazing opportunity, helping me to think outside the world of law and later to shape a second career in higher education.

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Q Who has influenced you most? At work, there are too many to mention, ranging from a fabulous mentor in my first law firm, to inspiring colleagues here at the university, to great people I have worked on boards with. I also worked for some very challenging clients as a lawyer, and their challenges and the way they pushed me made me a better lawyer. Personally, and way up there, are my parents; Dane, who was a lawyer, and Joan, who instilled in me the value of education.

Q Was your current role in your career plan?

No, the approach by Northumbria came out of the blue, and I quickly recognised the strength of the university sector and its role in driving economic development. Joining Northumbria, having never worked in a university, meant I had to learn a new language and culture, and I’m still learning something new every day.

Q What have been the most satisfying elements of your various roles? As a lawyer, getting a great outcome for a client and being appointed the first female president of Newcastle University Law Society, as my father had been president also. I chaired the National Law Society’s International Human Rights Committee, working with lawyers who were persecuted for representing clients who challenged governments. A Kenyan lawyer told me that he was alive because of our work. At Northumbria University, it’s about being part of a fantastic team, which is positioning the university to take on new challenges.

Q Describe a typical week. There is no such thing! The role is very varied and constantly changing as we embark on new partnerships. www.neechamber.co.uk

Q If you were having guests for dinner tonight, who would you invite? My parents, both of them long dead. I would like to tell them everything that’s been going on.

Q Back to your career – what would you be doing if you had not chosen to go into the law?

I’d be doing what I am now. Right now I’m really enjoying my second career.

Q How does the university engage with business? Very many of my colleagues have strong links with business. We need to have on-going conversations and provide for businesses’ needs through research, staff development and providing the best graduates.

Q How do you see the region’s business landscape? There is uncertainty around Brexit, but I take a positive view and think the region will simply get on with it. We will continue to be resilient, exports will remain strong and devolution will bring benefits to the region.

Q How would you describe the challenges facing higher education? It is very much in the public gaze and the review of higher education funding presents a challenge for some. The Government mustn’t lose sight of the fact that our higher education system is the best in the world.

Q How does the North East remain resilient? By continuing to be forward-thinking, realising that our businesses make the region strong.

Q How good are graduate employment prospects? Our five North East universities can all tell a positive story and at Northumbria, 94.7% of students are in employment or further study six months after graduating. In addition, there is an entrepreneurial spirit at Northumbria and we have a great record in supporting our students creating their own businesses. www.neechamber.co.uk

Q Where do you see the region in five years?

We will have weathered the storms and we will be delivering economic development and growth. We will be reaping the benefits of devolution, be more internationally focused, and be benefiting from the legacy of the Great Exhibition of the North. It is a very positive picture.

Q What about you? What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail? I’d become a chat show host! contact 7

In my view

Chamber chief executive James Ramsbotham on the need for business to be heard on Brexit

Chamber chief executive James Ramsbotham Twitter: @NEEChamberJames

There is a year to go until Brexit happens and I make no apology for starting this column on the subject.

We had hoped Theresa May’s March Brexit speech, relocated from Newcastle to London due to the weather, would give us the clarity we have been demanding.

Sadly, that was not the case.

There were some positives, such as the pragmatic approach to EU agencies and recognition of regulations. However, the position regarding the Customs Union concerns many Chamber members. The proposed customs arrangements will be potentially very complex to establish and burdensome for businesses to administer.

I find it perplexing that the Prime Minister is still prepared to say there are circumstances where she would countenance no deal, yet seemingly be willing to rule out a customs union completely.

This speech clearly wasn’t aimed at business, but it is high time one was.

If our members are to have confidence making investments over the next few years, they need far greater clarity regarding the changes they will encounter and the support that will be in place to

“Frictionless borders are essential for growing trade”

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help them to adapt. At our Brexit Summit on March 29, members heard from key business figures and representatives from commercial law firm Square One Law and we will continue to work with members in the coming months.

The importance of our trading relationship with the EU was set out in stark terms in the recent export figures.

They demonstrated the ability of North East firms to grow their international markets in uncertain times. However, the data also painted a clear picture of our firms’ reliance on access to EU markets, which account for almost 60% of our total exports. Anything which hinders the ability of business to trade with the EU will have negative consequences for our economy.

Frictionless borders and the ease with which we can move goods into the EU are essential for growing trade further. The Government should therefore think again about the wisdom of leaving the European Union Customs Union.

For our future prosperity, it is common sense that we should encourage more firms to move into exporting, making it as easy as possible to do business overseas.

Brexit could potentially have an impact on employment figures although, at present, we are still making good progress. The latest figures show a slight www.neechamber.co.uk

fall in the number of people employed, but our labour market is much healthier than 12 months ago, with the largest increase in employment and the largest fall in unemployment of any region since Q4, 2016. We must continue to focus on creating the conditions for economic growth, ensuring the education and skills system is aligned with the needs of business.

Growth is also at the forefront of our work to support female entrepreneurs. We launched a business support toolkit aimed at businesswomen earlier this month. It has the specific aim of getting companies to see they could be missing out on opportunities by not tapping into the growth potential of female-run firms.

There is a simple survey in the policy section of our website which enables you to quickly assess if there are ways in which www.neechamber.co.uk

you can address any potential gender bias that might put off businesswomen dealing with your organisation. We have done it in the Chamber and will be implementing several changes as a result, for example in the timing of some of our events.

We have seen some fantastic examples of companies which could inspire others at the North East Business Awards. I look forward to the Final, where the overall winners will be announced and we'll support a number of them at the national British Chambers of Commerce awards in London in the autumn.

Finally, I pay heartfelt tribute to many members, including MAC Security, which was tremendously helpful to its local communities during the March snowstorms. The sense of teamwork in challenging conditions all over the region was fantastic. contact   9

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

Going for gold on the Gold Coast Two of the stars of Teesside University’s elite athlete scheme are heading to the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Jade Jones, a finalyear law student, will be competing in the triathlon and marathon while Harry Tanfield, who is studying towards a master’s in civil and structural engineering, will compete in the cycling road race and time trial.

Jade is a two-time Paralympian and Jade Jones won bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014, while Harry rides for professional cycling team Canyon Eisberg and has competed in the Tour de Yorkshire and British National Circuit Race Series. The University’s elite athlete scheme provides access to state-of-the-art equipment and expertise to athletes at international level or with exceptional international potential.

Team effort

Stagecoach North East and Lookers have teamed up with Newcastle-based charity Daft as a Brush for an epic fundraising journey around Great Britain Brian Burnie and Gary Chisholm and Ireland.

(Stagecoach North East) Charity founder Brian Burnie and his team set off on a 7,000-mile trek around the coasts of Britain and Ireland to promote the charity in March with retired Stagecoach double decker Bluebell serving as a kitchen, office and sleeping accommodation, while a Nissan Navara provided

by Lookers Corporate and Rosedale Leasing in conjunction with Nissan, will act as a support vehicle and transport one of the team’s main generators.

The tour will take an estimated two years to complete and will include visits to cancer hospitals and schools along the route to help raise £4m. www.neechamber.co.uk

TWEET TWEET

Our pick of recent events across the region on Twitter James Ramsbotham (@NEEChamberJames): So much potential for @NEEChamber members in Hong Kong and warm welcome assured from Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce. Thank you to Stephen Weaterseed @MazarsChinaDesk for hosting such a positive meeting.

Darlington Building Society (@DarlingtonBS): We were delighted to be named as Best Savings Provider at the recent British Bank Awards and would like to take this opportunity to thank all our loyal members who voted for us!

Judith Doyle CBE (@Judith_Doyle9): It's fabulous to see the great work between Ford Engineering @FordTraineeship and @gatesheadcoll helping to deliver a pipeline of young talent for this very successful North East #manufacturing company. #NAW2018 The Chamber (@NEEChamber): It's great to see #NEEChambermembers @Freshstartevent @NEH2018 working together to make a positive difference to the local community in #Newcastle Richard Swart (@richswart): Strengthening bridges between N East & South Africa. Really constructive 1st meeting between @NEEChamberJames & @SAChamberLondon chair Sharon Constancon

Beki Stevenson with Theo Paphitis

Into the dragon’s den

Richmond-based Berber Leather, which imports and sells handmade leather bags and accessories from Morocco, has received further support from Dragon’s Den star Theo Paphitis after becoming one of his small businesses of the week last July.

Berber co-owner Beki Stevenson met Paphitis as part of the Small Business Sunday Scheme. Paphitis said: “We are thrilled to highlight just how important it is to support our small businesses.”

l-r Stacey Weatherson (healthcare science associate), Alan Shearer (Foundation patron) and Andrew Haigh (Newcastle Building Society chief executive)

Foundation support Newcastle Building Society’s support for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation has passed the £2.5m mark.

The organisation introduced its SBRF savings accounts in 2012, with a commitment to donate 0.1% of the total value held in the accounts to the charity each year. It is now the foundation's largest corporate donor, in turn boosting support for projects which benefit cancer patients. contact 11

News NEWS IN BRIEF

FW Capital fund managers Gary Guest and Joanne Whitfield

£10m and counting The total value of investments made from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund has passed £10m in less than a year.

Managed by FW Capital, the fund offers loans of £100,000-£750,000 to businesses in the Tees Valley and North West England. To date, 45 SMEs have received investments.

Launched in February 2017 by the British Business Bank, the programme has access to funds totalling £102m.

Fund Manager Joanne Whitfield, who looks after funds across the Tees Valley, said: “Our teams have been meeting businesses across the region, finding out what they need and how this fund can support them to grow.

Our investments are being used for many different purposes, which shows the variety and innovation of companies across our region.”

The fund has so far helped dozens of businesses across the Tees Valley, such as Darlington food manufacturer Myco Foods and Stockton engineering firm ENEX Group.

Coming home

George Clarke

North East-born architect and TV presenter George Clarke will deliver the keynote speech at the Chamber’s Annual Dinner at Durham Cathedral on September 6.

Already sold out, the event is the first time the cathedral nave will have been transformed to host the event. More than 500 business leaders will join together to celebrate the achievements of the North East. Profits from the event will help to raise funds for Durham Cathedral’s Foundation 2020, which aims to raise £10m for restoration work. Chamber partners Gateshead College and Newcastle International Airport are sponsoring the dinner with Heathrow Airport supporting the drinks reception.

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NEW APPOINTMENT Furniture designer and manufacturer Godfrey Syrett has appointed Muckle LLP to support its future growth.

Godfrey Syrett recently announced ambitious plans to take its turnover to £50m by 2020.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS Newcastle Building Society has opened a new branch on Saddler Street in Durham city centre as part of a continuing branch investment programme. The new 1,400sqft branch provides services for customers as well featuring a community wall to connect local people, groups and good causes with information about events and activities in the area.

PROUD SPONSOR Basketball stars of the future have scored a slam dunk by securing the support of intu as sponsor of the Rookie League, run by the Newcastle Eagles Community Foundation. The league was launched in October 2017 and has proved incredibly popular, running weekly competitions at Gateshead Leisure Centre every Sunday for young players, before they graduate to represent their clubs at Central Venue League.

Cargo record Port of Sunderland celebrated 300 years in operation with a 13% increase in tonnage passing through its docks compared to 2016.

More than 800,000 tonnes of cargo were handled at the municipally owned port, which has seen cargo handled more than double since 2010.

Port director Matthew Hunt said: “It’s been another fantastic year at Port of Sunderland. It’s great news for our customers too.

We handle import and export volume on behalf of a wide range of North East industrial concerns and they have recognised that Sunderland is ideal for them to support their needs.”

Space, the final frontier

Five entrepreneurs have won coveted spots with a space incubation programme delivered

by Business Durham and the UK Space Agency.

Viper RF, aXenic, Lexicon, Scoutek Ltd and Northern Space and Security will each receive support from experts in marketing, law, finance, business growth and IP protection thanks to a £30,000 investment from the UK Space Agency. www.neechamber.co.uk

On your marks East Durham College has launched Biz-Startup Central, a new programme designed to support young entrepreneurs in starting their own business.

The programme is open to unemployed young people aged 16-24 from Co Durham who have previously gained a Level 2 qualification in an occupational area – such as construction or hairdressing - which may enable them to become self-employed.

For more information go to www.eastdurham.ac.uk/bizstartup-central

Search is on for big tech ideas BT has launched a competition to find the latest innovations to boost digital public services, defence and retail.

Aimed at SMEs and run in partnership with the Cabinet Office and TechHub, the BT Infinity Lab programme is looking for expertise in machine learning, robotics and artificial intelligence, and ideas which harness the data processing powers of technology and the expertise of human manpower.

To find out more and to enter go to www.btplc.com/btinfinitylab/ augmentedintelligence www.neechamber.co.uk

Banking on further success

Durham-based Atom bank has raised £149m in its latest fundraising round led by cornerstone investors BBVA and Toscafund.

As part of this fundraising round, BBVA will invest a further £85.4m in the five-star Trustpilot-rated bank, increasing its ownership to around 39% subject to regulatory and shareholder approval.

Toscafund will invest £54.4m and is also increasing its stake in the bank. A number of Atom’s other existing shareholders are also supporting the injection.

The capital is set to secure Atom’s continued growth as a lender and fund further investment in technology and business capabilities. To date, Atom has taken £1.3bn of deposits and loaned more than £1.2bn to SMEs and homeowners in the UK. Bridget Rosewell, Atom bank’s chair, said: “Atom is a rapidly growing, ambitious and vibrant business founded on the unique fit of our shareholders, team and partners. I am delighted that our investors have decided to back the bank with such a significant injection of capital to fuel our mission to change banking permanently for the better”.

Since its creation in April 2014, Atom has raised almost £400m of equity capital through the support of private and institutional investors. It employs around 300 staff.

Coming up on the rails A new Intercity Express train built

by Hitachi has arrived in Inverness ahead of entering service later this year.

The train will carry out test runs in Scotland and give staff a chance to familiarise themselves with the new setup. Hitachi Rail has made a £5m investment at the Inverness depot through the government-led Intercity Express Programme, to allow the trains to be serviced and maintained using modern technology, delivering more reliable, delay-free journeys.

The new electric-diesel trains, which draw from world-leading Japanese bullet train technology, is the first of a fleet of 65 trains that will run from Inverness and Aberdeen to London via Edinburgh, and will offer customers more seats, space and improved on-board technology. The new trains and depot infrastructure are being built as part of the Government-led £5.7bn Intercity Express Programme, supported by Hitachi’s investment in its £82m factory at Newton Aycliffe, Co Durham. contact 13

News

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

It’s been a busy start to the year for President’s Club.

Lord Adonis will be the keynote speaker at our spring lunch and I’m sure he will be one of the highlights of the events calendar this year following his recent departure from the Government's National Infrastructure Commission.

It was great to see the progress of the Proton Partners International therapy centre being built in Bomarsund, Northumberland - which will be named The Rutherford Cancer Centre when it opens later this year.

Meanwhile, a number of President’s Club members have won awards at the regional heats for the North East Business Awards. Congratulations to Fairstone, Beamish Museum, AkzoNobel Ashington and Sterling Pharma Solutions on progressing to the final. Well done to all those nominated across the region.

Finally, Brewin Dolphin is offering President’s Club members a free, financial planning review. Contact Gary Fawcett, email gary.fawcett@brewin.co.uk 14 contact

With Tom Warnock, Chamber partnerships manager Chamber Partners form an exclusive group from a range of sectors across the region, working closely with us to maximise their impact on the North East Since my last update, we’ve been busy working with our Partner members on a range of activities.

At our February Partners Lunch we welcomed Middlesbrough-born BBC presenter Steph McGovern, who gave a passionate and enthusiastic talk on skills and education, and how we can empower our young people to achieve great things. In March, director of Schools North East Mike Parker joined us to talk about the UK’s first regional schools network, encompassing 1,250 schools.

Elsewhere, we’re progressing with our project looking at the region’s town centres with Lichfields, hosting a series of roundtables across the region.

Our Partners have also been fantastic in supporting our Skills, Knowledge and Information events, including our second GDPR seminar supported by Pulsant, KPMG and Womble Bond Dickinson, which attracted more than 250 delegates.

We continue to work with Square One Law to help businesses understand the potential implications of Brexit on manufacturing supply chains. A report on this work will be released shortly.

I also had the privilege of attending the opening of the Brian Manning Training Academy, named after Esh Group’s late chief executive. Brian was hugely respected in the North East business community and a credit to the region and his company.

Lastly, I’d just like to wish Kevin Carr, of Go North East, a very happy retirement after 43 years with the business.

OUR PARTNERS

www.neechamber.co.uk

© SreeM / Shutterstock.com

Durham stars in world rankings

The CIM Marketing Leadership Programme is the hottest addition to the CIM’s suite of courses.

Durham University has been recognised nine times in the top 50 of the latest QS World University Subject Rankings, while work has begun on a £35 investment in its sports facilities, for both student and community use.

Three subjects maintain their places in the world top 10 - theology & religion (third); archaeology (fifth) and geography (sixth) .

At the university’s athletics track at Maiden Castle, near Durham city, a new rubber crumb pitch is in place, a hockey pitch has been upgraded while work to improve parking facilities and access to the site is nearing completion.

CONTACT YOUR RELATIONSHIP MANAGER TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP Northumberland & North Tyne Claire McCabe - tel 0191 3746487 clare.mccabe@neechamber.co.uk Twitter @NEEChamberClare Newcastle Lynsey Fairless - tel 07834 444 627 lynsey.fairless@neechamber.co.uk Twitter @NEEChamberLyns Gateshead & Durham West Victoria Barrett - tel 07912478961 victoria.barrett@neechamber.co.uk Twitter @NEEChamberVic Sunderland & South Tyne East Coast Julie Charlton - tel 0798 025991 julie.charlton@neechamber.co.uk Twitter @NEEChamberjac1 Darlington and North Yorkshire Susan Anderson - tel 07736 799 727 susan.anderson@neechamber.co.uk Presidents Club - Senior Relationship Manager Michelle Ord - tel 07392 317 728 michelle.ord@neechamber.co.uk Twitter @NEEChamberMiche International Les Dixon - tel 07850 740 645 les.dixon@neechamber.co.uk Twitter @NEEChamberLes www.neechamber.co.uk

Your Invitation to find out more!

Thursday 3 May | 6.00 - 8.00pm We are holding this open evening to allow you to understand the course, our approach to teaching it, meet the tutors and chat with students who have already completed their first modules.

If you are an experienced marketer, senior manager or consultant the new CIM Marketing Leadership Programme could be the right choice for you.

Please register your attendance by emailing Lucy on hello@nesma.co.uk

nesma delivers courses in the North East, Cumbria, Scotland, and in-house.

Talk to us about what you want to achieve.

T: 07734 222 254 E: hello@nesma.co.uk

WWW.NESMA.CO.UK contact 15

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Put our service to the test Newcastle International Airport has been recognised as the best small airport in Europe for customer service at the Airports Council International 2017 Airport Service Quality Awards.

Newcastle was the only UK airport recognised at the awards, which recognise the world’s best airports for the quality of their customer service experience. Some 74% of the world’s 100 busiest airports, and 16 UK airports, are part of the ASQ network, which delivers 600,000 surveys per year.

Nick Jones, chief executive at Newcastle International, said: “Everyone here at Newcastle goes above and beyond to offer an excellent experience for our passengers and it’s great to see that has been recognised.”

‘Press’tigious Print

C M Y K

#SPECIALISTA4&A5PrInTErS www.acornweb.co.uk 01924 220633 16 contact

l-r Angus Allan (Clive Owen), Lee Smith (Richmond Fire Engineers), David Wilson (Clive Owen), Chris Ryde (Richmond Fire Engineers) and James Butler (Endeavour Partnership)

Fired up

Fire safety business Richmond Fire Engineers has undergone a management buyout with the help of legal advisers at Endeavour Partnership and chartered accountants Clive Owen and Co LLP. Established in1992, the firm is one of the UK’s leading experts in delivering fire safety systems such as sprinklers, hydrants and special risk systems. Stockton-based Endeavour guided the management team through the purchase while Clive Owen and Co provided finance advice and support.

RFE director Chris Ryde said: "Richmond Fire Engineers is a thriving business with an enviable market reputation and strong potential for growth. We believe in the company and saw this as a compelling opportunity not to be missed." www.neechamber.co.uk

Commercial Profile The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

GDPR – busting the myths By now most people have heard of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), which comes into force on 25 May 2018.

However, despite all of the publicity there is still confusion and, in some cases, misunderstanding about elements of the GDPR. In this article we hope to dispel some of these common misconceptions.

Royal seal of approval Sunderland’s Northern Spire bridge is nearing completion ahead of its opening this spring – and has received the royal seal of approval.

The new road bridge across the River Wear, the biggest civil engineering project in the North East, is on track to open later this spring after three years of construction.

On completion, around 2,000 people will have worked on the project.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge gave their royal seal of approval when they visited, helping to put one of the finishing touches to the railings on the bridge. They also met workers involved in Northern Spire’s design and construction before crossing the 346m bridge deck in an electric Nissan LEAF.

1. YOU ALWAYS NEED CONSENT - Much has been made of the more stringent consent standard under GDPR and this has led to some organisations thinking they have to have consent from an individual to use their personal data. Under the new regulations there are multiple lawful grounds for processing personal data - consent is just one of them.

2. THE ICO WILL ISSUE HIGH FINES STRAIGHT AWAY FOR BREACHES - A point that has been widely reported is that the ICO, the UK's regulatory body, will have the power to impose fines of up to €20M or 4% of annual world-wide turnover, depending on the breach. The ICO has confirmed that it is committed to providing advice and guidance on compliance, and the Information Commissioner, Elizabeth Denham, has said she 'prefers the carrot to the stick'.

3. INFORMATION ABOUT PEOPLE IN THEIR BUSINESS CAPACITY IS NOT PERSONAL DATA - Personal data is 'any information relating to an identifiable person who can be directly or indirectly identified from that information'. The GDPR makes no distinction between whether the data is in a business or private context. Therefore, contact details of individuals at businesses must still comply with the new regulation.

4. SMALL BUSINESSES DON'T NEED TO COMPLY - The GDPR applies to all organisations processing personal data, irrespective of size. There is no exclusion for small businesses.

The ICO has created guidance and a self-assessment tool to help small businesses comply with the new requirements.

Anthony Coultas and Tony McPhillips (Muckle LLP)

Howzat?

Muckle LLP has celebrated another successful year advising CPL Limited on running its high-profile Caribbean Premier League T20 cricket tournament.

The only law firm in the North of England to be recognised for sport in the legal 500 ratings, Muckle has supported CPL Limited in renewing and establishing a range of existing and new tournament-specific agreements including players' contracts, media rights agreements and third party sponsorship and partnership agreements. www.neechamber.co.uk

5. BREXIT MEANS IT DOESN'T MATTER - Although the GDPR is an EU legislation, it will become part of UK law before Brexit occurs via the Data Protection Act 2018. Therefore, even post-Brexit you will need to comply with GDPR obligations.

Time is running out to get your house in order and organisations need to act now. If you require advice on any aspects of GDPR and the impact it will have on your business, contact Caroline Churchill.

Caroline Churchill - Partner, Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP caroline.churchill@wbd-uk.com contact 17

News NEWS IN BRIEF

Future planning The Chamber, in association with planning and development consultancy Lichfields, has started work on a new project looking at the evolving landscape of the region’s town centres.

The project will explore the changes before advising how retailers, leisure operators, planners and policy makers should react. It will look at infrastructure and buildings as well as some common issues and best practice in using planning powers and regeneration tools to tackle them.

The project will also look at the effectiveness of initiatives such as business improvement districts (BIDs) and major regeneration initiatives and the impact they have had on the retail environment while taking into account the shift in shopping patterns and the influence of online shopping.

The first phase of the work will see roundtable discussions in Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Berwick, Stanley and Hexham.

Lichfields is a leading planning and development consultancy. Its 40-strong Newcastle Office works across development sectors for a range of clients including intu, M&S, Newcastle Falcons, and Northumbrian Water.

If you would like to get involved in the project, contact Rachel Anderson, rachel.anderson@neechamber.co.uk

Recordbreaking year

Lesley Tait and Daniel Hoey

Peterlee-based Innerglass Ltd has toasted a recordbreaking year after announcing turnover in excess of £30m.

Part of the IG Group, the family-run business employs 165 people and has been in operation for more than 40 years, selling catering supplies to some of the biggest names in the hospitality and leisure industry, including a recent contract win with Greene King, the pub retailer and brewer which has around 3,000 outlets across the UK. 18 contact

EXPANSION PLANS The North East's largest independent fork lift truck supplier, North Tynesidebased Permatt, is planning a head office relocation and investment in a new fleet of commercial vehicles as part of its expansion plans having shifted from the supply of Toyota to Cat Lift Trucks. £7M FIBRE BOOST The North East is expected to get a £7m boost from Openreach’s Community Fibre Partnerships programme, which sees local communities form partnerships with Openreach to bring high-speed fibre broadband to rural homes and businesses.

Openreach has also announced a recruitment drive which will see around 40 trainee engineers hired across Northumberland, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Sunderland and Durham.

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY Tait Walker has acquired clients from Haltwhistlebased Hadrian Financial Services.

It will see more than 200 clients transfer to Tait Walker’s 30-strong private client investment arm – Tait Walker Wealth Management.

Historic investment More than 200 new jobs and apprenticeships will be created with a £3.7m investment in the historic walled garden at Kirkleatham Estate in Redcar.

Tees Valley Combined Authority’s cabinet approved the investment to bring the grade II-listed garden back into use after 30 years, creating a mix of formal and produce gardens, events spaces, and food and retail opportunities.

The three-year £8.18m Walled Garden Project will see a 3.5acre site transformed thanks to funding from the Combined Authority, the Government’s Coastal Communities Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Matthew Holloway (Q-Bot) and Tina Drury (Your Homes Newcastle)

Partnering up Your Homes Newcastle has become the first partner of London-based robotics company Q-Bot. Your Homes, which is responsible for managing Newcastle City Council’s housing stock, is diversifying to include an under-floor insulation service which will be installed via Q-Bot’s unique process.

The partnership is a first for Q-Bot, which develops smart tools using robotics and artificial intelligence to inspect, monitor and maintain buildings. www.neechamber.co.uk

Commercial Profile

Placing female talent at the top / celebrating women in the boardroom

On the housing ladder

Fastflow Group, the utilities and property services specialist, has acquired affordable housing developer Partner Group for an undisclosed sum.

Based in the North East and with an office in Derby, Partner has completed more than 2,000 new houses on 82 sites across the UK in the last seven years. The current order book is in excess of £100m and in 2016-17 it reported a 190% rise in profits to £1.7m.

The Fastflow Group turnover in the same year was £79m, with a reported pre-tax profit of £9.3m and an order book in excess of £300m. The enhanced group will provide work for almost 800 people and is forecast to push turnover well beyond the £120m mark.

Fastflow has acquired 100% of the share capital of the Partner Group and will put in place an investment and development strategy.

Off to a flying start NE1, the business improvement district company for Newcastle, has announced record figures for its latest Restaurant Week, while opening its pop-up city centre beach earlier than ever before.

The NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week, which took place January 15-21 2018, delivered a £500,000 boost to business in the city - an 11% year-on-year increase in trade during the week.

Meanwhile, the popular Quayside Seaside pop-up beach between the Tyne and Millennium bridges returned in time for the Easter holidays, sponsored by Thomas Cook Airlines. www.neechamber.co.uk

BMC Recruitment Group’s Senior Consultant, Sophie Goymer talks about the increase of women in senior leadership positions and her passion in placing female talent at the top.

What we are seeing at BMC, is a real shift and change in attitude towards women applying for senior positions in what have been seen as traditionally maledominated sector. Particularly there has been a noticeable increase in the appointment of executive and board level roles. This upward trend isn’t just in the finance sector, but across the wide range of sectors BMC operates reflecting a genuine change and momentum for female leadership.

With pressure mounting for employers to equalise pay and address the gender salary imbalance, this should eventually allow more women to successfully access and command the salaries they deserve.

The North East talent pool is strong, and includes highly influential women working in the commercial marketplace, champions of business; who excel and make very strong candidates for board directorship.

More and more employees are waking up to the startling fact that women need more support, and accessibility to smash through the glass ceiling, one that has been shatter-proof, and frosted for far too long.

I’m very passionate about supporting women in their quest to secure corporate board opportunities, it’s readily acknowledged that there is still a shortage of female talent at the top - not just in the UK, but worldwide.

Women are reshaping the leadership landscape, and I am proud bear witness to this every day by working with the female future leaders of tomorrow.

Suite D8a, Milburn House, Dean Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1LE T 0191 3039298 contact 19

News

Going underground Gateshead-headquartered Turbo Power Systems has won a new contract with Bombardier Transportation to supply an innovative power conversion system for the London Underground.

The Auxiliary Power Supply equipment, which significantly improves energy efficiency of trains, will be used on 680 cars of the London Underground’s Central Line.

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£59m Tees transport commitment Transport secretary Chris Grayling has announced a £59m transport fund will be devolved to the Tees Valley.

The details of the money, ring fenced for Tees Valley, were delivered as part of the Chancellor’s Spring Statement.

England’s six metro mayors, including Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen, have been awarded half of a £1.2bn national pot to deliver transport schemes. Tees Valley’s allocation, to be delivered over

the next four years, is based on an equal division per head of population.

The other half is open to the rest of the country through a competitive process.

Houchen said: "The situation for Tees Valley commuters is in no way ideal and this funding will help us drive real change.

"I want everyone travelling in and around the area to see considerable improvements.”

www.neechamber.co.uk

Property

Commercial Profile in association with

Darlington firm plotting digital scaleup after office move An estate agency has broken with tradition by relocating from Darlington’s high street into a business centre in a bid to scale-up digitally.

Darlington boost Tees Valley Combined Authority has agreed to invest £3.23m to deliver quality office accommodation in the region.

Matching the funding provided by Darlington Borough Council for the £8.5m complex at Feethams in Darlington town centre, alongside £2.04m from the European Regional Development Fund, the combined authority will help to fund a new five-storey building to provide accommodation for SMEs across key sectors.

The 3,900sqm site will be located within walking distance of Darlington station and its East Coast Mainline rail services.

It will also contribute to the Tees Valley Strategic Economic Plan, which has a target to create 7,000 additional jobs in professional and office services.

Flexible space Flexspace, one of the UK’s largest providers of flexible workspace, has acquired The Incubation Centre - its fourth centre in Newton Aycliffe.

The centre is on Aycliffe Business Park off Durham Way South and less than a mile from the A1(M) and Newton Aycliffe town centre.

Lee Maytum, MD of Flexspace, said: “We are delighted to make our 60th acquisition in Newton Aycliffe. The Incubation Centre is an attractive, modern building and complements our existing holdings on Aycliffe Business Park." www.neechamber.co.uk

Westpark Estate Agents team with Carol Chandler (centre)

Westpark Estate Agents, now based in Darlington’s Business Central, moved to the centre due to a change in the market in which their customers began largely operating online, according to the firm’s owner, Carol Chandler.

The firm now advertise property online on behalf of landlords as well as offer a tenant acquisition service, and Ms Chandler says that their office move was necessary to focus on boosting their sales and presence online. The firm previously relied largely on the footfall from the high street.

She said: “Looking at how things have changed over the years, it’s a case of moving with the times and Business Central is a great place to operate digitally.

Commenting on what her clients thought of the move, Ms Chandler added: “Our clients haven’t really noticed that we’ve changed address, until they go online or call us to book an appointment.

“When our clients do arrive here they’re greeted at reception and they’re impressed by the facilities in the building – which is great as customer care is also very important to us.”

Find out more about our Business Community www.ne-bic.co.uk T 0191 516 6066 contact 21

Property

in association with

NEWS IN BRIEF

Market optimism A new report - Knight Frank’s UK Regional Cities Office Market Review 2018 – has been released, revealing that while office take-up in Newcastle fell by 19% in 2017 the market tone is positive with an increase enquiries and viewings at the end of the year.

A total of 177,900sqft was transacted in Newcastle during 2017, with the number of deals broadly similar to 2016. The prime headline rent for the region increased by 2% in 2017 to £23.50 per sqft, and Knight Frank is predicting a further 2% growth in 2018 to £24 per sqft.

Supply is expected to come under increased pressure in the coming 12 months, with the development of 107,000sqft at Science Central not due until 2019.

Peter Bowden, head of Knight Frank Newcastle, said: “Occupational demand steadily increased towards the end of 2017, which bodes well for the prospect of rental growth and balances against increasingly low investment yields. In particular, the technology industry grows in presence and we anticipate that this sector will become even more important. A challenge to growth will be the availability of tech firm-friendly space in 2018.”

Activity boost A busy end to the year for Knight Frank Newcastle has seen the agent take the top spot for the most property investment deals transacted in the North East in 2017.

Knight Frank handled 22 investment property deals, worth in excess of £110m. That was the most deals of any agent in the region and represented 1.2m sqft of space including the £20m acquisition of No 2 St James Gate by Palace Capital Plc. 22 contact

SOCIETY’S NEW BUILDING Carver Commercial has brokered a deal to help Darlington Building Society expand its headquarters into new larger offices.

The two new office buildings in Yarm Road Business Park, totalling 10,500sqft with 70 car parking spaces, have been let on a 10-year lease.

GROWTH INVESTMENT Newcastle agency O Communications has invested £650,000 in new space and personnel as it gears for growth in creative and digital services.

The communications agency, whose client list includes Flymo, Goldsmiths and the European Tour, was previously located in Ouseburn and has bought a circa 4,000sqft office space at Richmond House in Old Brewery Court, Newcastle.

OFFICE INVESTMENT ACQUISITION Naylors has completed a £2.25m investment acquisition at Team Valley, Gateshead.

Marquis Court on Kingsway South, which comprises 21 individual offices totalling 31,000sqft, has been purchased by Bronze Investments, which plans to undertake a programme of refurbishment work.

For sale

A multi-let industrial estate at Aycliffe Business Park in Co Durham has been brought to the market by Naylors with an asking price of £7m.

The commercial property specialist has been appointed to sell Whinbank Park Industrial Estate on behalf of Manchesterbased MCR Property Group.

The 18-acre estate comprises more than 90 industrial units and office suites, and is tenanted by 47 businesses including Techwax, Fabtech and Trinity Kitchens NE Ltd. With a total area of 285,000sqft, Whinbank Park carries a contracted rental income of more than £780,500 per annum.

On track

Plans to develop Centre Square in Middlesbrough as part of a regeneration programme have taken a major step forward.

Under proposals to be considered by Middlesbrough Council’s Executive, work on the first of a series of Grade A office buildings could start this summer.

Middlesbrough Council would move from Civic Centre to the first of the new buildings, with the second being let to generate a commercial return. www.neechamber.co.uk

Skills NEWS IN BRIEF

l-r Andy Radcliffe (Esh Group chief executive), Steve Wilkie (Esh Group regional managing director), Megan Lambert (apprentice) and Billy Storey (apprentice)

Lasting legacy

Esh Group has launched a new skills training academy named in honour of late chief executive Brian Manning.

The £1.2m facility at Esh’s Co Durham base is home to a suite of training rooms where trainees, existing staff and teams from outside organisations will learn the skills needed for next-generation construction.

On hand to open the facility were Esh Group’s group accounts manager Louise Lamb and regional managing director North East Steve Wilkie, both of whom have worked for Esh since leaving school. They were joined by 19-year-old Megan Lambert, a trainee quantity surveyor who joined Esh in 2016 as its 150th apprentice.

Andy Radcliffe, chief executive of Esh Group, said: “It’s fitting the Academy will bear Brian’s name. As a champion of people realising their ambitions, his ethos will inform all the activity that takes place here.”

Medical school gets go ahead The University of Sunderland has been successful in its bid to open a new medical school, with the first cohort of students joining the university in September next year.

Sunderland is one of only five new medical schools, established to address the regional imbalance of medical education places across England and to widen access to ensure the profession reflects the communities it serves.

With a track record of excellence in medical education spanning almost 100 years, the university is well-placed to address the chronic shortage of doctors in the North East. Focusing on GP and Psychiatric training, the new programme will complement existing medical provision in the region.

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RAISING THE BAR Four new law undergraduates have been selected to take part in this year's mentoring scheme run by Ward Hadaway and the University of York's Law School.

The Top 100 law firm, which has offices in Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester, has been involved in the joint initiative since 2014, during which it has mentored more than 20 students.

TV STARS Teesside University collected four of the five student prizes at The Royal Television Society North East and Border 2018 awards - in animation, comedy and entertainment, factual and drama.

Students from the University of Sunderland won the Student News category for their coverage of anti-Trump demonstrations.

SAFETY FIRST Industrial training specialist AIS Training and safety and security giant Restrata are joining forces to develop and deliver incident management training for the energy sector. The new partnership will see a number of specialised training courses developed and delivered for the oil and gas, wind and nuclear industries.

l-r Jackson Bell, Joe Dunn, James Nicholson and Cain Dobson

Preparing to grow Northern Engineering has hired four new apprentices to help fuel its expansion plans.

Founded in 2008 by former Atmel workers Mark Hodges and Mark Davey after the North Tyneside plant closed, Northern Engineering specialises in process engineering, working on projects including the manufacture of mobile water treatment units in Kenya and the installation and commissioning of pipework to a large manufacturer in Durham, to working in the expanding microelectronic industry in Sedgefield.

Recruitment hotspot Hundreds of wind technicians from all over the UK visited North Tyneside for the chance to bag a job in the global wind industry.

More than 700 people travelled to AIS Training’s industrial training village to attend a recruitment event for wind industry service-provider Global Wind Service UK (GWS UK).

The event was hosted by AIS in order to showcase careers in wind and to help GWS UK identify potential future talent.

The company has several highprofile projects in the pipeline. www.neechamber.co.uk

Behind the scenes In a once in a century opportunity, construction students from across Co Durham have travelled back in time to learn about their future trade at Auckland Castle.

The series of educational tours offered a detailed insight into the multi-million-pound conservation project at the 900-year-old castle.

More than 70 school and college students were led around the Bishop Auckland castle by experts from Meldrum Construction Services. The Gateshead-based company is currently returning the former home of the Prince Bishops to its Georgian gothic glory on behalf of The Auckland Project.

Opening in December, the castle will be the centrepiece of a world-class visitor destination, which will also feature a Spanish Gallery, Faith Museum, Walled Garden and welcome centre.

Raise your profile with Member to Member offers

Kevin Carr (Go North East) and Ivan Jepson (Gateshead College)

Top 100

Go North East, the region’s biggest bus company, has been named in the Centrica Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer list for its bus and coach engineering apprenticeship developed in partnership with Gateshead College.

Around 90% of Go North East’s engineering workforce started their careers as apprentices. The 256-strong team currently has 31 apprentices on the four-year programme, which includes time at Gateshead College’s £5.5m Skills Academy for Automotive, Engineering, Manufacturing and Logistics. The scheme attracts more than 500 applicants for up to 10 new apprenticeships each year.

Share your offers and get your business noticed. The Chamber website has over 16,000 hits each month.

Upload your offers in the member area, and view a full list of Chamber member offers at neechamber.co.uk/our-members/offers

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www.neechamber.co.uk Untitled-10 1

19/03/2018 10:57:12

Export

Record breaker Port of Blyth has welcomed the largest ship in its history.

The Norwegian-owned Albatross is a 34,700 tonne, 204-metre heavy transport vessel typically used to move huge pieces of equipment and even other vessels. It was at the port as part of a project led by offshore support company Gulf Marine Services and was carrying GMS Evolution - a 6,366 tonne light displacement jack up barge which will be supporting the installation of offshore wind turbines.

Gold standard Port of Tyne has retained its Gold Investors in People standard, maintaining its place in the top 2% of IIP-accredited organisations.

Port of Tyne HR director Louise Tinkler said: “This is the first time we have been assessed by Investors in People against its new set of standards, so we are thrilled to have received Gold and to be recognised for our commitment to continuously improving our people. We are dedicated to making the Port a great place to work and to building on our IIP success.”

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Life sciences sector open for business International trade experts from around the world have experienced the investment opportunities in life sciences and pharmaceuticals our region offers.

Representatives from the international postings of The Department of International Trade from countries including Canada, Israel and New Zealand spent the day with the region’s inward investment and life sciences networks to learn more about the strength of the North East’s health and life sciences sector.

The visit, which was hosted by Invest North East England and the North East LEP, saw 15 overseas DIT

members of staff visit the region from cities across the world, including Auckland, Melbourne, Tokyo, Bangalore, Tel Aviv and Washington DC. The delegates visited Thermo Fisher Scientific, based in Cramlington, Northumberland and heard about the key skills and export opportunities to Europe which have underpinned the company’s success. They then met representatives from NETPark, Science Central and the Centre for Ageing and Vitality and heard from the AHSN, First for Pharma, the NIHR Clinical Research Network North East and North Cumbria, CPI, Durham and Newcastle universities.

Export growth The UK’s leading centre for steel research, the Materials Processing Institute, is targeting further export growth after seeing turnover rise by 10% following a number of global contract wins.

The deals have contributed to the institute’s growth, including a multimillion-pound research partnership with steel giant Liberty House Group, to develop advanced manufacturing processes and a new generation of products across its plants in the UK and Australia. Partnerships have also been

Chris McDonald (Materials Processing Institute CEO)

secured in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America in the energy, mining and minerals, petrochemical, chemical and automotive sectors. The Institute is working with British Steel, which has sites across Europe, to develop its highvalue rail and construction projects. www.neechamber.co.uk

Region's export confidence rising Exporters in the North East are buoyant about their 2018 trade prospects with 20% of firms expecting overseas sales to increase over the next six months, according to the latest Business in Britain report from Lloyds Bank.

This confidence follows a strong end to 2017, with 27% of firms saying their international trade had increased in the second half of the year.

Exports from the region were £3.44bn in Q4 2017, an increase of 8% on Q3.

Nationally, exports increased by 6% in the same period.

The North East returned to a positive balance of trade in Q4 2017 of £140m. However, across the year the region’s balance of trade was -£265m, an improvement on 2016’s balance of -£460m.

Around 41% of the region’s businesses now export their goods or

Overseas success Opportunities to export around the world will be set out at a series of events and visits over the next two months, with a Durham marketing business already reaping rewards from a German trade mission.

Organised by the Chamber and the Department for International Trade, a recent Berlin trade visit was particularly beneficial for Glow Creative - which joined the mission to offer international marketing strategy, copywriting and www.neechamber.co.uk

services – up nine points from 32% six months ago - edging above the national average of 40%.

While some are facing new challenges - 43% of North East exporters have decided to focus more on UK sales in light of Brexit - most are optimistic about what lies ahead.

Simon Quin, Scotland, North East and Yorkshire area director for Global Transaction Banking SME at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “A growing number of North East firms now do business overseas, with the majority seeing international trade playing an important role in their plans.

“Judging from North East firms’ export performances, this confidence is not misplaced and by using international trade as a growth strategy for their business British firms can also manage risk during periods of uncertainty.”

The Glow Creative team

translation services to German firms.

The Chamber organises opportunities for businesses new to exporting as well as those who are experienced. Further information on trade missions and exporting workshops is available on the Chamber website.

Hola from Latin America Businesses from across the North East got the chance to learn about the potential of the Latin American marketplace at an export workshop run by the Chamber and the Department for International Trade.

Led by Gaby Castro-Fontoura, guests heard the benefits as well as the possible pitfalls of the region.

Castro-Fontoura highlighted the differences between various countries, from Pacific Alliance countries such as Chile, Colombia and Peru where competition on price is high, to countries like Uruguay, which is often an expedient route to market with its fast and unbureaucratic port.

Frans Calje (PD Ports CEO) and Michael Povey (Containerships vessel operations manager)

Top terminal prize Teesport has been awarded Terminal Operator of the Year

by Finnish shipping and logistics group Containerships.

Only the third terminal to be recognised, PD Ports’ Teesport follows ports in St. Petersburg and Klaipeda in 2016 and 2017 respectively. Containerships and PD Ports have been working together for more than 40 years and this latest award recognises the commitment to service levels and productivity at Teesport.

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Policy

On the road to a Stronger North East Chamber head of policy and campaigns Jonathan Walker reflects on a fastpaced start to the year and looks ahead to the Chamber’s priorities for 2018 Politically, 2018 always promised to be a busy year, and, judging by the diaries of the Chamber policy team, it is living up to that prediction.

In January we set out the Chamber’s campaign for business growth entitled Stronger North East.

Our work to build an Influential North East has so far focused on two main areas. First, we’ve continued to push for more meaningful devolution to our region with ongoing discussions about where Tees Valley goes next and a drive to get businesses engaged in the North of Tyne devolution process. Second, we’ve used our annual budget meetings with local authorities to encourage them to work collaboratively and build a clear and consistent set of investment priorities to be presented to Government.

As Brexit looms, it is no surprise that our Global North East campaign has garnered attention.

We’ve responded to a series of major speeches by cabinet ministers; reminding Government that business investment suffers from a lack of certainty, and highlighting the particular exposure of North East exporters to Europe. Chamber members met with Government officials to discuss the implications of the Trade Bill, and we met with the Aviation Minister to highlight the need for improved global access for business and travellers.

As we regularly tell Government, our businesses need better access to people and markets. So far in 2018 much of our work on building a Connected North East has focused on the need for improvements to the rail network. With various 28 contact

organisations responsible for rail policy, we’ve engaged with all the key players, including meeting with Transport for the North to discuss the long-term ambition for trans-Pennine rail and the opportunity to put pressure on the CEO of Network Rail for immediate improvements to our infrastructure.

To achieve a truly Competitive North East we need to create more opportunities for SMEs to grow. The demise of Carillion showed why the tendency to award public sector contracts to organisations based on their size is flawed. A major piece of work we are set to publish with partner member Womble Bond Dickinson will propose reforms to public procurement and look at how leaving the EU can potentially free up public bodies to take a more innovative approach.

Finally, we remain steadfast in our desire to see a Working North East. We’ve seen some good news in recent employment figures, and there is much more to do. We have kept up pressure on Government to increase flexibility in the apprenticeship system to reverse the dramatic decline in the number of new apprenticeship starts since the introduction of the Levy. Our work to showcase career opportunities to young people continues with the publication of Great Reasons to Build a Career in the North East materials for the construction and life sciences sectors.

This is a brief summary of our activity and it could not be done without the continued support and engagement of our members; it is your voice that really matters. If you want to get involved or find out more about our campaigning work, please speak up and help us build a Stronger North East. www.neechamber.co.uk

❝The Chamber team couldn’t do this without the continued support and engagement of our members; it is your voice that really matters❞ www.neechamber.co.uk

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Profile

Cheesy does it

Prima Cheese is putting the North East on the global business map as it expands production and looks to grab a bigger slice of the export market.

Jane Hall meets commercial director Nagma Ebanks-Beni to learn more about the family-run firm’s recipe for success “In life, you only have two options; you can either sink or swim. My view has always been that even if I keep my nose below the water, I’m not sinking!”

She may use a drowning analogy, but it’s hard to imagine Nagma Ebanks-Beni has ever found herself floundering in deep water. To continue the aquatic theme, she is to business what Swede Sarah Sjöström is currently to swimming - a world beater whose commercial wisdom, foresight and courage is bringing huge rewards not just for the family company she joined 15 years ago, but the North East in terms of investment, jobs and prestige.

Yet, by Ebanks-Beni’s own admission, when it comes to reeling off North East business success stories, neither her own name nor that of the company her father founded 22 years ago – Prima Cheese – ranks in most people’s top ‘anything’ lists.

The general public is by and large ignorant of Prima Cheese’s presence, and even many of commercial director Ebanks-Beni’s business contemporaries are hazy about the true nature of the firm’s output, other than the clue offered in its name.

But as the forthright, engaging, unpretentious and unfailingly gracious EbanksBeni points out, “while you might not have heard of us, you will definitely have eaten our cheese.”

In fact, millions of diners in 37 countries worldwide, from the UK to France, Lebanon, Dubai, China and even Peru, sit down every day 30 contact

to eat food topped with the ready-prepared grated cheese products that roll out of the dairy processing company’s Seaham plant.

Most of the cheese will end up as pizza topping, but a push into Asia orchestrated by Ebanks-Beni that has seen the lucrative Chinese market opened up alongside Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore, has brought new uses for one of the world’s most versatile ingredients.

Cheese is not a traditional component of Asian diets, but the introduction of Western culinary influences has seen popularity grow.

“In Hong Kong, our product goes into a wellknown and established restaurant chain that is a bit like McDonald’s, where they have some very strange and wonderful uses for it,” Ebanks-Beni explains. “They do a baked rice dish topped with cheese that’s really popular, and an Asian noodle soup with melted cheese. They are very inventive.”

Prima Cheese’s turnover has now hit £64m – 30% of which is down to the export market alone. Staff numbers have swelled to 120, and the company is continuing to grow with work now underway on a £3m expansion at its headquarters on the Seaham Grange Industrial Estate, which will see the unveiling of a fourth production line, quadrupling output at what is already a 24-hour operation processing a staggering 500 tonnes of cheese every week.

It could all have been so different, though.

Prima Cheese was founded in 1996 by husband and wife team Behroz and Essmat Beni.

Behroz Beni had arrived in the North East www.neechamber.co.uk

www.neechamber.co.uk

contact 31

Profile from Iran in 1977 as a 30-year-old with his wife and four-year-old Nagma, to study mechanical engineering at what was Sunderland Polytechnic. But two years later the Iranian Revolution toppled the pro-Western regime, and he ended up staying in the UK. Despite being armed with an impressive degree and CV – he had managed a big company back in Iran – he failed to find employment. With a wife and family to provide for, Beni bought a burger van, and after four years he had earned enough to buy a kebab shop, which he and Essmat then followed by building up a chain of 14 pizza outlets across the North East.

The cheese topping is generally the most expensive component in a pizza. Dealing with often rude suppliers selling poor quality cheese at exorbitant prices, the Benis were convinced they could do better.

“My dad didn’t want to be held to ransom,” Ebanks-Beni explains. So it was that Prima Cheese came into being, making its own mozzarella using local milk for just one customer – the Benis’ own food service company.

Other pizza shop owners started taking an interest in the cheese which, Ebanks-Beni says, “is when the penny dropped for my parents.

They decided to concentrate on just that.”

The Benis began importing the mozzarella from Belgium, where milk was cheaper, and shredding it. Later, cheddar was added to the range. Prima Cheese’s reputation grew organically and orders began coming in from across the UK. And so it might have remained, but for two things – Ebanks-Beni and her younger brother, NIma, joined the family business in 2005 and 2008 respectively.

Ebanks-Beni had already forged another life for herself in London where for seven years she had run her own fusion restaurant called the Angel of the North. “It was in Angel, in Islington, North London,” she says by way of explanation.

She had married husband Alan Ebanks, a property investor, was expecting her first child and came ‘home’ for what was intended to be no more than 18 months to be near her mother.

“Fifteen years later, and we’re still here!” EbanksBeni exclaims.

It was her dad who persuaded her to join Prima Cheese. “It was never in my mind to join the business. I had a successful restaurant and was doing my own thing. But I did a few days 32 contact

❝Wherever there is tourism you will get pizza❞ at the factory, and I could see there was a lot of potential not being utilised. I wanted to attract really big companies.”

Revenue started to grow on the back of increased UK business. Then around Christmas 2009 Ebanks-Beni had her lightbulb moment.

“We were together for Christmas and discussing what next. Right from the beginning I had questioned why we were just selling in the UK. Why not across the water? ” With the support of the North East England Chamber of Commerce export team, Ebanks-Beni commissioned an Overseas Marketing Introduction Service report from the Department for International Trade, which showed there was huge potential for Prima Cheese on the international stage. It confirmed her own gut feeling.

“I have a product that is pizza cheese. What does it get used for? Well, we know; wherever people are eating pizza. And pizzas are on every menu, even at the very top hotels. www.neechamber.co.uk

“It may be a different product across the world, but the cheese is the same. Wherever there is tourism you will get pizza..”

By the end of 2010 Prima Cheese had won its first contracts in Dubai, France, Malta, Peru and Lebanon, which is still one of the company’s biggest markets.

By 2016, Ebanks-Beni had decided she was ready to tackle China. As soon as the import firm Prima Cheese was working with received its China Foreign Trade Registration Certificate, Ebanks-Beni flew to Shanghai and negotiated a string of deals.

Such is China’s standing, that Ebanks-Beni’s teenage son is learning Mandarin.

Ebanks-Beni doesn’t harbour any ambitions for her son or daughter to join the family business, but she does say, with a laugh: “My dad keeps saying, ‘tell him I’m going to get him an office in Shanghai!’”

Expansion into overseas markets has seen the product range evolve to cover everything from www.neechamber.co.uk

low-cost mozzarella alternatives to products aimed at the luxury end of the market, as well as local tastes. In Pakistan, for example, people like cheeses blended with cheddar, while in South East Asia there is a preference for lowsalt varieties.

Prima Foods is a family success story; one of chances taken, opportunities seized and lessons learnt. Behroz Beni is still the managing director, and Nima the operations director.

Ebanks-Beni is happy in her role as commercial director, grabbing chances to expand where they open up. The only cloud on the horizon is Brexit and how that may affect business, given the mozzarella is still sourced from Belgium, and Prima Cheese trades with other European countries.

“I’m really angry. Not about Brexit, but the fact that there is still no clear picture. Will we need somewhere in Europe? Life goes on. We will just have to deal with the repercussions of Brexit – good or bad.” contact 33

Profile

Driving to build a better future Unable to speak English when he arrived on Teesside as a 14-yearold, Nas Khan has gone on to become a leading businessman and philanthropist, raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for community projects here in the region and to fund a village he has built for flood survivors in his native Pakistan. Jane Hall meets him Thirty-six years after putting his accountancy career on hold for 12 months to try something different, Nas Khan’s mother still asks when he is going to return to number crunching.

But these days, Nahid Khan’s words are said more in jest than earnest.

Business stories of adversity helping to fuel a drive for success rarely come any more inspirational than Khan’s. He’s the boy who left behind a life of grinding poverty in Pakistan to come to the UK as a 14-year-old and who, despite being unable to speak a word of English, through sheer grit, determination, tenacity, an unerring ability to spot a chance and some lucky breaks, now heads up one of the North East’s longest-established and privately owned vehicle retailers: the Jennings Motor Group.

The firm - which boasts an annual turnover of £220m and employs 523 staff over 12 car dealerships representing Kia, SEAT and Mazda, two Harley Davidson outlets, a contract and corporate fleet arm, and a Ford Direct and used car centres - has been a trusted regional name for over a century.

Founded in Morpeth, Northumberland, in 1911 as a bicycle and motor business before in 1917 becoming one of the first dealers in the country appointed by Ford to sell its vehicles, Jennings has survived and thrived through two 34 contact

world wars, the Great Depression of the 1930s and countless other recessions.

Where other car retailers are feeling the chill of falling sales, Jennings is continuing to expand and take on more staff – and the man responsible for this triumph is Khan.

The entrepreneur could be forgiven for allowing such success to go to his head. But in person he displays compelling modesty. He is ambitious, to be sure, but first and foremost for the Jennings Motor Group, not for himself.

While he may be the one with the title of managing director, an OBE to his name for his charity work and contribution to the economy, and an honorary Doctor of Arts thanks to Teesside University, he knows he would be nothing without the loyalty of both his staff and customers.

Sitting in his unpretentious office with its glass wall looking down on the Mazda showroom at Jennings’ headquarters in Cargo Fleet Lane, Middlesbrough, Khan says it is the people and the motor group’s continued commitment to the North East community it serves that have made it what it is.

“You ask why we are a success. It is our dedication to the region, the dedication of our customers and the dedication and professionalism of our staff. So many times we hear people say ‘my great-grandfather bought

❝Generations of customers have stayed loyal to us❞

contact 35

Profile

his first car from Jennings, my grandfather and father bought from you, and now I am too’.

“Generations of customers have stayed loyal to us. It is a cliché, but we are a household name in the North East.

“Being around for so long, being a familyrun business, being part of the region, being a household name, continuing to invest, providing competitively priced products, our outstanding levels of customer service, staff training and development; these are all contributing factors.

“That is not to say it has always been easy.

There have been tough times. But touch wood, thanks to hard work and the loyalty of our staff who have a genuine commitment to customer satisfaction, we have ridden all these things out.

Customer and staff retention is in the DNA of our company.”

Astonishingly for a firm employing 523 people, staff turnover is only between 5-6% 36 contact

“which is almost natural through people retiring,” Khan states. “The average across my managers is 29 years with Jennings. Most of my managers were with me when I started as a sales executive 36 years ago.

“We have generations of one family who have worked with us; the grandfather, the father and now the children.”

Khan’s own children have come into the business - his son Sohail, who has degrees in biology, translational medicine and physiotherapy, and daughters Sarah and Natasha, who studied psychology and medicine respectively. Khan’s third daughter, Sam, is currently at Lancaster University reading English. The hope is that the Jennings Motor Group will remain an independent, family-run business, as Khan sets his sights on retirement and devoting more of his time to charity work, not least the family’s Emaan Foundation.

Jennings Motor Group has long been www.neechamber.co.uk

❝I still can't believe I have arrived at this point❞

www.neechamber.co.uk

committed to supporting local charities and the community which it serves. For the past 20 years staff have championed The Salvation Army’s annual Christmas Present Appeal by utilising the company’s branch network as drop-off and collection points.

And for the past six years, the company has adopted a local charity on an annual basis.

These have included Teesside Hospice, which benefited from a donation in excess of £13,000.

Breaking with tradition, the Great North Air Ambulance Service was the chosen charity in both 2016 and 2017. More than £130,000 was raised in the first year.

Khan’s goal had been £150,000, however, “so we decided to take it on for another year,” he says. The result has seen a total of £257,329.33 handed over to the service.

This year’s chosen charity is the Teenage Cancer Trust, with Khan setting a target of £50,000. “Most of the time, if I set myself a goal, we will do it,” he says unequivocally. “I have always been motivated,” he adds.

Originally from Jhang in Pakistan’s Punjab province, Khan was the second eldest of five children (his elder brother sadly died 26 years ago). The family lived in poverty in just one room. Determined to do the best he could for his wife and children, Khan’s father came to Middlesbrough where he already had friends, and got a job as a labourer with British Steel.

He eventually saved enough to bring the family over to join him on Teesside. A sixth child was born here in the UK. The teenage Khan spent his first two years learning English before passing a clutch of O and A levels and going on to study accountancy.

He saw that Jennings was advertising for staff, and at the age of 22 joined the firm as a sales executive going on to become the sole owner in 2012.

With a twinkle in his eye he says: “This year will be my 36th with Jennings. My mum keeps asking when I am going to get a proper job. She still expects I will go back and do accountancy.

“I still can’t believe I have arrived at this point.

When I think back to how scared I was when I first arrived in the North East. I was frightened to even get on a bus in case I missed my stop and wouldn’t know how to ask for help.”

But ask him now if there is anywhere else he would rather live, any other business he would rather be involved in and he says: “I am a proud North Eastener. It is my home. I swear, I would choose nowhere but where I am.”

EMAAN FOUNDATION Nas Khan has spent his career trying to dispel the myth that all car dealers are ‘Arthur Daley’ characters, by devoting himself to philanthropic work.

He has been involved in numerous charitable and community initiatives but in 2009 his efforts moved up a gear when he founded the Emaan Foundation in response to a devastating earthquake in Pakistan.

His father was in the country when the earthquake struck, and told his son he needed to see the destruction for himself. Khan went three days after the quake.

“The things I saw broke my heart. Pakistan is a Third World country. There were people with nothing and children walking the streets whose parents had died.

I saw a seven or eight-year-old girl who was still covered in dust.

I asked around as to where her parents were, and nobody knew.

“It was horrifying. So my father and I decided to build an orphanage, and that was how the Emaan Foundation started.”

The orphanage has now accommodated and educated well over 2,000 children.

With the help of Khan’s family and his PA, Bev Stephenson, the foundation distributed thousands of Life Straws – special devices that filter contaminated water to make it drinkable – in the wake of the 2010 floods.

And in 2014, the Emaan Foundation, working in conjunction with Human Appeal International, completed the construction of an 80-home village to house flood-hit families in the Rahim Yar Khan region.

A second appeal has now been launched to build a health centre so people will no longer have to travel hundreds of miles for treatment. contact 37

Success

Spirit of innovation Kay Wilson meets Steve Pugh, MD of Co Durham-based Bignall Group, to discover a perfect synergy of tradition and innovation Innovation is the lifeblood of Shildon-based Bignall Group.

Building on more than 40 years of proud family tradition, the entrepreneurial business is looking for the next phase of its evolution with MD Steve Pugh leading the company to new heights.

A chartered mechanical engineer by trade, his record is marked for his entrepreneurial nous. His passion for innovation and growth, combined with values based on empowering people and creating positive and creative cultures, will take the North East firm to the next level.

The group comprises three complementary businesses. Shildon Manufacturing Company provides CNC machining in the oil and gas, automotive and rail industries; Cobtec Cubicle Hardware supplies cubicle ironmongery into construction projects across Europe; and Masterlube Systems designs, builds and distributes grease and oil lubrication systems worldwide from its 30,000sqft facility in Co Durham.

Design and innovation is at the heart of everything Bignall Group does, combining traditional values and quality with cuttingedge technology.

A combination of traditional skills and modern technologies is used to great effect. Each of the businesses is a leader in its field and there is ingrained IP which the company is working to grow and develop.

Steve Pugh says: “We have great R&D expertise in our team here, and our innovative approach is not just kept within our four walls.

We love to work with other companies and the North East is full of innovative companies which 38 contact

are each leaders in their field.

“As an example, we have a close working relationship with a number of local businesses including Thomas Swan & Co Ltd, based in Consett.

A well-established independent company, Thomas Swan produces world-class fine chemicals. Our lubrication business is working with them to explore areas where we can collaborate to add value to our core businesses, but also importantly allow us to enter new high value markets such as aerospace.”

In 2017, the company gained its patent on a ground-breaking grease block, Blockmaster2, which distributes lubricant for machinery in the agricultural market in particular.

“The innovation comes from the way we can www.neechamber.co.uk

regulate the amount of grease from each piston, which doesn’t sound sexy, but could genuinely revolutionise an industry,” says Pugh. “Clients have tested the units and they are about to go into mass production.”

Designed and made in Co Durham, the new Blocmaster2 could be a major force in sectors as diverse as agriculture to offshore wind.

Throughout Pugh’s career, a passion for problem solving has been applied across the public and private sectors. He says his career highlight was the lightbulb moment which resulted in the creation of the Tees Valley Catalyst fund. The first of its kind in the world, the £10m fund helps North East companies bid on bigger projects by removing limitations from performance and warranty bonds. Using money secured from the Regional Growth Fund, it aims to unlock £700m new work over 10 years, supporting many North East businesses and creating hundreds of jobs. The fund runs until 2023 and is now managed by FW Capital.

In keeping with his desire for innovation and employee engagement, Pugh has introduced new employee relations initiatives to ensure everyone in the business is encouraged to see new opportunities. www.neechamber.co.uk

“As a business we are trying to create something special, creating a trusted and creative space for career progression and growth.

"Through this approach we are trying to create a culture which goes far beyond our reach to benefit society as a whole.”

The group currently has two apprentices, one of its new team leaders is a former apprentice, and it is building a culture where anyone can join the business at any level and progress all to the top. It also hopes to increase its workforce by up to 10% by mid-2019.

Turnover and net profit up are up significantly, largely through applying lessons learned from the oil price crash, running a more sustainable lean business structure and dramatically improved sales processes.

Being an international business, the company has also benefited from currency changes in 2018.

“We need to build on our heritage of innovation and working together to put our best foot forward in the world," says Pugh.

"Although it is never easy, working with partners such as the Chamber, we are looking forward to a bright future.” contact 39

Commercial Profile

More than 200 water workers expand their skills through apprenticeship learning More than 200 employees at Northumbrian Water are undertaking apprenticeship programmes to help further their careers.

Once considered an option solely for people under 25, apprenticeships are increasingly used for people of all ages looking to expand their skills or re-train.

Northumbrian Water is giving people, including some who already have decades of workplace experience, a chance to continue their professional development by using apprenticeship programmes that allow them to continue working alongside their studies.

Currently, more than 90 employees are undertaking Level 3 Apprenticeships relating to Water Engineering, while more than 30 are working towards qualifications in Customer Service. Others are taking Apprenticeship programmes in subjects as wide ranging as Business Accounting, Human Resources, Laboratory Technician and Construction.

Paul Walker, an Area Manager in Customer Field Services, has been working for more than 20 years, but is now studying towards a Chartered Management Degree Apprenticeship with Teesside University while continuing in his role at Northumbrian Water.

He said: “I’m passionate about professional development, I think it’s crucial in your personal and business life, and the next natural progression for me was a degree, so the opportunity to achieve that through the Apprenticeship route, where I work and study at the same time is fantastic.

“Expanding my understanding of the theory of what I do and want to do in the future, while actually working, and also learning from the other students, who are applying the knowledge in different businesses, is a really great way to bring all that knowledge together and develop my skills.”

Production Operator Aron Potter is working towards a Level 3 Diploma in Water Engineering – Water Supply as a route into a career change within Northumbrian Water. After nine years working in litigation, he obtained a permanent role in the Water Supply team and has embarked on his Apprenticeship programme within that position.

He said: “Taking on an Apprenticeship programme has been a fantastic way to get into what is effectively my second career with Northumbrian Water. The tutors come into our sites to see us and I’ve been moving around different parts of the business, learning about the different types of water 40 contact

extraction, from reservoirs to rivers and boreholes, and how we then treat and deliver that water to our customers at the highest possible standards, all while expanding my theoretical knowledge.”

Training Contracts Manager Tracey Greener said: “Apprenticeships are Industry recognised learning programmes. They are for people of all ages, and not just those starting out on a career.

They are a fantastic opportunity to expand or update knowledge relating to an existing career, or for someone looking to retrain.

To find out more about careers at Northumbrian Water, which was voted the UK’s top utility company in 2017, visit www.nwl.co.uk/careers.

For further media information, call 0191 3015678. www.neechamber.co.uk

STEM

Spreading roots to grow STEM careers This month we profile some of the region’s educators and businesses promoting careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics

39,100

13,800

15,200

94,400

42,200

35,340

people employed in science, research, engineering and technology

further associate professional roles

health professionals

health and social care associate professionals

skilled trades (relying heavily on STEM)

enrolled on STEM courses (under and postgraduate)

*Statistics from the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, referring only to the North East LEP area which includes Newcastle, Northumbria, Sunderland and Durham universities www.neechamber.co.uk

contact 41

STEM

Female scientists of the future Technology giant Siemens has showcased its SeeWomen project at Newcastle High School for Girls.

The SeeWomen (Girls in STEM) project aims to inspire and motivate young girls to pursue careers in STEM subjects and is delivered in association with the Girls' Schools Association.

BBC presenter and scientist Fran Scott showcased modern women’s ground-breaking contributions to STEM as part of the event.

Maria Ferraro, chief financial officer at Siemens plc, said: “Siemens’ support for SeeWomen is a positive drive to show young girls that women make great engineers and scientists."

Profile: Northumberland College STEM Centre Northumberland College’s new £2.5m STEM Centre, which welcomed its first cohort of students in September 2017, and the college’s Career College for 14-19-year-olds, actively engages with leading North East employers of all sizes to ensure it delivers the next generation of the region’s STEM workforce.

By maintaining close working relationships with the LEP, which provided funding for the college, and the business community, the college has taken an industry-focused approach to its training and apprenticeship provision – creating courses designed in conjunction with individual employers and those which are tailored to specific industry needs in order to address skills shortages. Students and employers have access to an advanced and dedicated learning and training facility, especially in the areas of engineering, robotics and digital technologies.

Profile: Northumbria University

Going green Pupils at a Tyneside school harnessed the power of green energy as part of a learning programme to ignite their interest in science and technology.

Rowlands Gill Primary School has been working with Gateshead College on various activities designed to raise awareness of STEM related challenges – including designing and building their own racing car powered by clean energy.

Beverley McCallion, acting head teacher at Rowlands Gill, said: “It’s vital to get children thinking about real-world challenges from an early age. ” 42 contact

Northumbria University is one of the leading providers of STEM education, research and consultancy in the North East – working across disciplines including maths, physics, architecture, engineering, applied sciences, energy systems, built environment and computer and information sciences.

Inspiring future generations of scientists and engineers is always at the forefront for Northumbria and through its NUSTEM project it encourages school children – primarily females and those from under-represented groups – to develop an interest in STEM subjects and study them at university.

Thanks to a £6.7m investment in world-class facilities for teaching and research in STEM subjects, funded with support from the

Higher Education Funding Council for England, Northumbria now boasts an engine test cell facility, rapid prototyping equipment, a scanning electron microscope, a 50-tonne structures test frame and a wind tunnel.

The university works with organisations on collaborative and contract research to develop new products, processes and services.

Specialist consultancy can be commissioned while the university also provides a host of continuing professional development and bespoke training courses. www.neechamber.co.uk

Be Ready.

Tomorrow is coming.

Access world-leading research and professional technical support staff. Boasting state of the art STEM facilities for teaching, research and enterprise including: • • • • •

Engine test cell facility; Rapid prototyping equipment; Scanning electron microscope; A 50-tonne structures test frame; Wind tunnel.

To discuss your STEM needs contact: alan.riseborough@northumbria.ac.uk northumbria.ac.uk/business

#TakeOnTomorrow

Improving gender balance WSP, the global professional service and engineering consultant, with regional offices in Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Northallerton, recognises the benefits of gender diversity in the industry and is committed to redressing the balance. We focus on two consultants based in Middlesbrough, both of whom are flourishing at the company, to gauge their opinions on their roles at WSP. For further information, please contact the Middlesbrough office WSP, Stephenson House, High Force Road, Tel: 01642 356688 Riverside Park, Middlesbrough TS2 1RH wsp.com

Alex Bowey is a planner with a difference, coming from a non-technical background with a degree in English. So how has she ended up working in this field for one of the leading engineering consultancies?

It was after her English degree that Alex decided she wanted to change direction. Following a post graduate training scheme in project management she gained valuable project and cost control experience at a well-known engineering consultancy. “Those placements were great,” she explains, “as I like applying myself to new problems

Bianca Gribnitz is a senior quantity surveyor who comes with a wealth of international experience having worked in demanding environments in South Africa, Germany, the DR Congo and Australia.

This has given her diverse exposure to construction generally.

Originally from Lephalale, South Africa, Bianca came to the UK three months ago. She says: “I had worked for WSP back home and was given the opportunity to work for the company in either London or Middlesbrough but chose Middlesbrough because I think it provides a better environment to raise my three sons.”

Bianca’s father is an engineer. Having studied part-time for a quantity surveying degree at the University of the Free State, she entered her father’s construction company where she relished

and soon discovered that common sense is more important than technicalities.”

Alex subsequently received a referral for a role at WSP which was looking to expand its planning team…and the rest as they say is history. She has been providing valuable programme support to projects across the business, including Transport for the North (TfN) and HS2 enabling works and stations.

“I like WSP as there is a lot of variety as well as high profile projects that wouldn’t be on offer at other consultancies. I also think the emphasis on continued professional development is great for improving my knowledge and I’m currently really enjoying undertaking the MSc in Construction Project Management through distance learning at Robert Gordon University.”

being on site and working with drawings.

Having worked on power plant projects in Port Elizabeth and Durban she was head-hunted by WSP to work on mechanical packages at Medupi power station, SA, which involved structural steel, electrical and mechanical elements.

Bianca’s first UK assignment is as part of a commercial assurance team on the £80m upgrade of A19/A1058 Coast Road on behalf of Highways England. Bianca has seamlessly integrated into the team and undertakes a pivotal role in ensuring the project achieves value for money by managing the financial assessment of variations.

So how does she find life at WSP? “WSP has been very accommodating and has shown me great flexibility as a woman and as a professional. Often women can be over-thinkers and analysers which in my mind is a good trait, especially in this industry, which requires a keen eye for detail.”

Bianca also likes WSP’s ‘family feel’ which, she says, is unusual for a company of its size.

Commercial Profile

It's time to embrace the new General Data Protection Regulations The new General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) are going to benefit us all. Just imagine an inbox full of emails that you actually want to receive…

This is just the beginning of us all feeling that we can have more control over who we want to communicate to and, more importantly, who we want to communicate with us. In the future, customers will feel safer knowing that the businesses who are gathering their data are properly protecting it.

For businesses, this will eventually produce a much more efficient and effective culture for engaging with clients and customers, as you will know they want to engage with you and be part of your world.

Cyber Shelter client services director Karen Carr explains: “I have seen the positive results of effective electronic communications, but we are all aware of how quickly negative messages spread and how this can impact on business. This will no doubt be the case if you do not show that you are acting responsibly with the data you hold. Remember, you are just a custodian of that data, it isn’t yours; therefore you must ensure that you take the right action to protect that data and secure your IT networks. I am sure that once GDPR becomes active that the media will be looking for the first fall guy.”

Working with Cyber Shelter makes the process easy for your business. The Cyber Shelter team will do all the hard work for you and tick that important ‘compliance’ word off the ‘to do’ list, while also lending a vast amount of cyber security experience to the whole process.

Remember the new regulations are being introduced to help ensure we all have a better and safer future. Do not shy away from protecting your data and security network now, the future benefits will far outweigh the work you need to do today.

DO YOU NEED CYBER SHELTER’S SUPPORT? If the answer to any of questions below is YES then email or call us for free advice.

• Does the data you hold include basic identity information (name, address, ID numbers, social media details, medical information, biometric or financial data)?

• Do you use personal data for communications and/ or marketing?

• Are you a B2C provider?

Still unsure about GDPR? Give us a call on 0330 223 4090 or email info@cybershelter.co.uk to arrange a free consultation.

Chamber members receive a 15% discount.

46 contact

Martin Hart and Karen Carr

Cybershelter, 156 Brinkburn Street, Hoults Yard, Newcastle, NE6 2AR, tel 0330 223 4090, email info@cybershelter.co.uk, www.cybershelter.co.uk www.neechamber.co.uk

GDPR

Grow your knowledge: Get ready for GDPR with Chamber knowledge development manager Arlen Pettitt The new rules are fiendishly complicated – the EU legislation itself is 88 pages long, and small font at that. In the last few months, we’ve worked with experts including Womble Bond Dickinson, KPMG, Pulsant and Arthur J Gallagher to come up with five key steps to take, to get you started on your journey to General Data Production Regulation or GDPR compliance.

Create a data asset register and map your data flows The first step has to be establishing what data you hold, where it is and how it’s shared. It’s also valuable to start asking yourself why you’re holding this data.

Create an Article 30 record The legislation requires you to hold a written document describing your data processing activity, which the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) can ask to see. It needs to include information like the name of the individual responsible for data in your organisation, the purpose of holding the data you do, and a description of any transfers. The ICO have a

template Article 30 Record on its website to help you get started.

Review third party risks and sharing arrangements Where data flows out of your organisation to third parties – for example cloud hosted services for things like payroll – it is important to review and update your contracts to understand how your data will be kept secure.

Consider cyber security With the spotlight on protecting data, the cost of breaches will be more severe – not just from fines, but from business disruption and reputational damage too. Know where your organisation is vulnerable and act to tighten your cyber security.

Establish your governance and structure GDPR is everyone’s responsibility within an organisation. From the chief exec to the frontline staff, everyone needs to know their role and what to do in case of a breach – you need to get your policies in place and provide the right training to make sure you’re compliant.

Find more information - including the next steps and to keep up to date with the latest information on GDPR, and a range of key business areas for members of all sizes - with Arlen’s regular knowledge blog posts at www.neechamber.co.uk/knowledge www.neechamber.co.uk

contact 47

Commercial Profile

Marketing after GDPR A silent war of wills is raging in our office, and it’s akin to many happening in businesses everywhere.

The question is this: can we continue direct marketing to our existing customer database after the 25 May? The camps are divided - ‘yes, we have a legitimate interest’, and ‘no, we don’t have compliant consent’.

As in any good debate, there is no right or wrong answer. At the recent Direct Marketing Association (DMA) conference, Elizabeth Denham, the UK’s information commissioner, explained the sticking point is because we’re waiting for an update to the Privacy and Electronic Communication Regulation (PECR), which sits alongside GDPR. At the minute PECR allows for a soft opt-in, where businesses can assume that certain existing or former customers are happy to receive direct marketing, subject to certain conditions. However, this looks set to change and all consumers will be required to actively opt-in to receive direct marketing.

LEGITIMATE INTERESTS The DMA and others successfully lobbied for legitimate interests to be a lawful basis for direct marketing under GDPR. However, because of the way GDPR corresponds with PECR, it is only really an option for B2B marketing, postal marketing and for emails to soft opt-in customers.

And there are conditions to using legitimate interests as a legal basis for direct marketing. You need to declare what that legitimate interest is, and you need to be sure it isn’t overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the person you are contacting.

CONSENT Consent is the only other basis you can rely on to send direct marketing, but it’s not as simple as clicking yes.

Consent is stricter now. Even if at one point you had consent, it may not fulfil all the criteria of consent under GDPR.

Gillian Scribbins, data protection paralegal, Muckle LLP.

you have a soft opt-in legitimate interest to continue email marketing to these customers.

If you’re not confident of the above, then you need new, GDPR compliant consent. This means an active optin, specific and granular, clear and separate from any other service, affirmative action which confirms that the individual wants to receive electronic marketing from your organisation, and via which medium.

Learn more at www.ico.org.uk. In the meantime, I’ll leave you with another quote from Denham’s address to the DMA: “It seems to me that a lot of energy and effort is being spent on trying to find a way to avoid consent.

“You say you will lose customers. I say you will have better engagement with them and be better able to direct more targeted marketing to them.”

SO WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE IN PRACTICE? If you’re completely satisfied that everyone on your marketing database is an existing or former customer, has recently engaged with you and has not requested to unsubscribe; your communications provide a clear option to unsubscribe; and your marketing is only for similar products or services purchased from you previously, then 48 contact

For more help and specialist advice, email data@muckle-llp.com or call 0191 211 7777. www.neechamber.co.uk

Get Data Protection Right

with expert legal advice for your business Uncertain about the new General Data Protection Regulation?

Save time and prepare with straightforward, friendly legal advice for you and your business.

Call 0191 211 7777 or email data@muckle-llp.com to find out more

muckle-llp.com contact   49

Reach the heart of the North East business community with our multimedia offering

GDPR

Contact magazine leads the way with business news and insight, but you can reinforce your message and generate new business with:

Leaflet insertions Leaflets are a great way of reaching potential clients and we have exclusive offers for Chamber Members

Contact E Bulletin Reach over 6,000 subscribers to the fortnightly Bulletin - Banners from only £200 for Chamber Members.

Get your message directly to key decision makers in the region.

Coming in our June/July issue...

An in-depth Focus on Engineering and Manufacturing

Please contact Colin Rutherford for more information. t: 01661 844 115 e: colin@offstonepublishing.co.uk @NE_Contact

50 contact

Keeping it simple Beverley Robinson, senior information security consultant at business and IT consultancy Waterstons, looks ahead to the arrival of the new GDPR legislation Are you fed up of the constant emails regarding GDPR seminars and meetings to the point of feeling a little anxious, lost or confused? I’m here to tell you it doesn’t need to be scary. Many elements of the new data protection regulation are the same as before and the new bits improve our rights and add extra controls to ensure organisations handle our data in the way we would expect them to; without annoying us or putting our privacy at risk.

It’s important to remember data protection affects us all. Just think about all the places you’ve had to share your personal details. Now think about how you’d want those organisations to use your data. Putting yourself in the position of the ‘data subject’ will help you understand what your customers or clients may expect from you and helps you to understand their concerns.

It doesn’t need to be complicated - at its heart GDPR is about ensuring organisations are transparent about their use of data, that data is used appropriately and that security controls are in place to protect personal data.

If you have a breach the ICO will always ask you: What policies and procedures do you have in place; how have you trained your people; how have you assessed privacy risks; and how have you ensured you comply with the regulations?

The cyber team at Waterstons has helpfully created a GDPR flowchart (right) to help you work through a GDPR compliance project methodically. With this approach you’ll be able to build firm foundations for compliance and demonstrate to customers and the ICO that you understand the importance of the data you hold and how you’ll keep it safe. Being prepared is your best defence.

If you need assistance, review the ICO.org website or head over to www.waterstons.com. You can also contact the Waterstons cyber team at security@waterstons.com www.neechamber.co.uk

Get GDPR on Board Agenda

Do GDPR Readiness Assessment

GDPR Readiness Report

Phase 1 Data Mapping & Readiness Assessment

Map Data Identify where personal data is and how it flows

Data Asset Register Data Maps

Identify and confirm asset owners and associated responsibilities

Complete risk assessment/gap analysis with GDPR

Phase 2 Risk/Gap Analysis

Design improvement plan Data protection impact assessments

Improvement Plan

Supplier due diligence

Review policies and procedures eg, subject rights, breach management etc

Evidence Log

Staff training

Other gaps or risks

Review privacy notices Review contracts, NDA/DPA agreements

Implement required improvements

Phase 3

Risk Log

Develop review process

Implementation & Review

Compliant Carry out regular monitoring and reviews

0345 094 0945 waterstons.com Durham | London | Glasgow

Awareness Training

Commercial Profile

Don't underestimate the importance of GDPR to your business The importance of the implementation of GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) on 25th May 18, should not be underestimated.

Riverdale Paper PLC is an independent confidential shredding and paper recycling company.

Riverdale Paper is one of the founding members of the United Kingdom Security Shredding Association (UKSSA), which was established to maintain the highest possible standards of service and performance throughout the security shredding industry.

UKSSA members are subject to an external, independent audit of their premises and procedures on a bi-annual basis.

We provide confidential shredding services to Government departments, Local Authorities, major financial institutions , manufacturers, legal firms, schools and universities, all of which have benefited from the high levels of integrity and discretion that we offer to large and small clients alike.

Riverdale Paper is an approved supplier of confidential waste shredding services to the NHS and NHS Trusts in respect of both local and National contracts, GP Practices and Dental Surgeries.

We ensure that our customers confidential waste is subject to secure destruction and is processed and recycled in a secure , efficient and environmentally responsible manner. Riverdale paper is also accredited to OHSAS ISO 18001, ISO 14001, ISO 9001.

Q&A Is your organisation ready for the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation?

Riverdale can help you to prepare, by offering a free consultation and audit of your premises to assess compliance with GDPR requirements.

Is your confidential data adequately and securely stored?

Riverdale offers a range of secure, lockable containers, which will comply with GDPR. Do you need help with an archive clearance Riverdale Paper will apply the same GDPR and UKSSA – compliant standards to both regular collections and archive clearances from your premises.

If you undertake your own office shredding, will your shredding unit comply with GDPR? Riverdale Paper operates 16mm cross-cut shredders, both for on-site mobile shredding and off-site processing at its Team Valley and Durham facilities, in full compliance with UKKSA Standards.

52 contact

Is your confidential waste paper held on different floors of your office building?

Riverdale Paper offer a walk-round service, providing secure internal collection of waste paper by security checked, uniformed staff, using secure containers.

Do you have evidence that you have shredded your confidential data?

Riverdale paper provides all customers with a certificate of destruction within one week of the shred taking place.

Are you concerned that your confidential waste paper is being stored, transported and shredded in compliance with appropriate standards and accreditations.

Riverdale Paper is a member of UKSSA (United Kingdom Security Shredding Association) and operate in full compliance with the Data Protection Act,BS EN 15713 ‘Secure Destruction of Confidential Material’, and BS 7858 2012: ‘Security Screening of Individuals Employed in a Secure Environment. Riverdale Paper offers clients complete peace of mind with regard to the secure destruction of their confidential waste.

Riverdale Paper vehicles are secure and equipped with GPS Vehicle Tracking System All operatives carry Photographic Identification and wear our company uniform.

We would urge any business which believes it may be subject to the Regulation to seek advice from a properly accredited organisation to ensure full GDPR compliance.

Please contact Jane Armstrong on securityshredding@riverdalepaper.plc.uk Telephone number 07548 805839 or 0191 482 4271 www.neechamber.co.uk

Introducing our brand new Knowledge Hub. The latest information and insights from the Chamber and its members on the topics which matter most to your business.

For more information on how to get involved contact: Arlen Pettitt Knowledge Development Manager arlen.pettitt@neechamber.co.uk @NEEChamberArlen neechamber.co.uk/knowledge

contact   53

Motoring

French fancies Jane Pikett assesses Citroën’s bid for world domination Not so long ago, I would have told you that Citroën was the brand style forgot with the Dyane, ugly sister of the peerless DS, its appearance in 1967 creating a jolt not unlike waking up in the morning to find the irresistible companion you picked up while wearing your beer goggles the previous night has morphed into someone else entirely.

The Dyane shattered the dreams of Francophiles the world over, who, seduced by the inexpressible beauty of Chanel, St Laurent and the exquisite DS, were shattered by the realisation that in the harsh light of day not everything French is beautiful.

When the shock wore off, however, we realised that Citroën had achieved a strange beauty within the beast, and the Dyane gradually became not ugly, but quirky, gaining a following for its bug eyes, its awkward shape, even its bizarre colour range, which reached its zenith in a thrilling shade of Elastoplast.

Today, the Dyane is as loved for its gawkiness as the DS is lauded for its sophistication, and it is the Dyane's ugly-yet-lovely looks which Citroën has built upon in the years since with cars which, while never beautiful, carry a certain appeal for their refusal to join the smart set.

Which brings us to the Geneva International Motor Show 2018 where, among the Lambos, the Bugattis, the Bentleys and the beemers, we were drawn to the Citroën stand - where the new Berlingo (whose name surely translates as 'box with windows and wheels'), the C3 Aircross, the C4 Cactus and the C4 SpaceTourer Rip Curl (Citroën really needs to have a look at who is naming its cars) - for its charm and its unabashed lack of cool which, paradoxically, lends it a certain, well… cool.

Like the geeky kid at school who spends all his time doing Rubik’s Cube, Citroën doesn’t want to be ‘in’, it just wants to be useful, and so

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the Berlingo, which was once only acceptable to be seen in if you were a native of rural France, has gained international credibility among those who love a chunky box with wheels fit for transporting the endless kit required of families, outdoor types, and people with proper jobs requiring tools, boots, shovels and the like.

The top-selling Citroën model in 17 countries in 2017, Berlingo remains the brand's best seller behind C3 (more of which later) and Citroën is unashamed to market it at families and (their word) ‘seniors’ who love its practicality and reliability. Take, among them, my neighbours - an octogenarian couple who have a his and a hers for pootles to the garden centre, pub, WI meetings etc, both of them invariably loaded with, well, the stuff rural octogenarians deem crucial to daily life.

At Geneva, Citroën confirmed its global product offensive with an exhibition of six models launched in Europe in less than two years, including the new Berlingo and the C3 Aircross - a compact SUV which has garnered much praise and was a finalist in the European Car of the Year Awards 2018.

Citroën calls this a ‘people minded’ SUV and since its launch in October 2017, it has notched up more than 50,000 sales in Europe. Pleasingly quirky in looks (as the photo on this page attests), it is a competitive addition to the small SUV market, its cute quirk factor combined with brownie points for its elevated driver position, art deco-style interior air vents (truly), its dedication to storage and cubby holes, and market-leading flexible seating and boot space.

The product offensive outlined at Geneva promises unheralded worldwide ambition for a marque which is riding the wave of its own growing popularity. So un-cool, it’s now cool, Citroën is suddenly among the most popular kids in the class. I think I want to be its friend.

www.neechamber.co.uk

www.neechamber.co.uk

contact 55

Motoring

Car of the year The Volvo XC40 has been named European Car of the Year, adding to its What Car? Car of the Year prize from January.

"Winning the award with our new XC40 is perfect timing," said Hakan Samuelsson, president and CEO of Volvo Cars. "Volvo now has three globally available SUVs in its range for the first time."

The XC40 win means that the complete line-up of new global Volvo SUVs have each been named Car of the Year in either Europe or North America.

Apprentice drive National motor retailer Lookers has announced the creation of more than 160 new apprenticeship positions.

The new roles further increase the number of apprentices Lookers welcomed onto its programme in 2017.

As well as enhancing its already awardwinning programme, Lookers hopes to double its number of female apprentices in this year’s intake.

To support this, Lookers will launch The Female Apprentice Network to provide

an online and social media forum, which will enable participants to learn from each other and share experiences.

The new positions follow a number of high profile award wins for the group, including being recognised as one of the Top 100 Apprentice Employers in the country, winning The Open Universitysponsored Macro Employer category of the National Apprenticeship Awards in January, and being named as a finalist in the AAC Apprenticeship Awards.

NEW CITROËN C4 CACTUS HATCH Suspension with Progressive Hydraulic Cushions™ (PHC)

BE ONE OF THE FIRST TO TEST DRIVE AT TOWN CENTRE AUTOMOBILES

Mirror Screen with Apple CarPlay™, Android Auto™and MirrorLink®

Model shown: New Citroën C4 Cactus Hatch PureTech 110 S&S Manual Flair with optional Emerald Blue Metallic paint.

New thinner Airbump® Citroën Connect Nav 12 driving aids Advanced Comfort Seats

Official Government fuel consumption figures (Range): Urban cycle, Extra urban, Combined (litres per 100km/mpg) & CO2 emissions (g/km); New Citroën C4 Cactus Hatch PureTech 130 S&S 6-speed manual 6.1/46.3, 4.1/68.9, 4.8/58.9, 110. Lowest: New Citroën C4 Cactus Hatch BlueHDi 100 S&S manual Feel/Feel Edition 4.0/70.6, 3.1/91.1, 3.4/83.1, 90. MPG figures are achieved under official EU test conditions, intended as a guide for comparative purposes only, and may not reflect actual on-the-road driving conditions.

Town Centre Automobiles Sunderland, Ferryboat Lane, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, SR5 3JN

56 contact

Tel: 0191 5168822

www.towncentreautomobiles.com

www.neechamber.co.uk

T H E A L L- N E W V O LV O X C 4 0

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E m a i l: k a rena lla n@millnor thea st .c o.uk

w w w. m i l l n o r t h e a s t . c o . u k Official fuel consumption for the New Volvo XC40 range in MPG (l/100km): Urban 31.0 (9.1) – 49.6 (5.7), Extra Urban 47.1 (6.0) – 61.4 (4.6), Combined 39.8 (7.1) – 56.5 (5.0). CO2 emissions 166 – 127g/km.

MPG figures are obtained from laboratory testing intended for comparisons between vehicles and may not reflect real driving results. Preliminary data. Please contact us for the latest information.

www.neechamber.co.uk

contact 57

People

Comms expert

Money matters

Building for the future

Angela Howey, EE’s head of consumer, has been appointed deputy chair of BT’s regional board in the North East, where the company employs more than 8,500 people. Howey, who has lived in the Tees Valley for most of her life, will help lead the board of 10 senior BT executives and direct BT’s activities.

KPMG has appointed Richard Stark, a director in the firm’s corporate finance practice, as its head of private equity in the North.

Stark will coordinate KPMG’s dealflow to private equity investors, in addition to advising on any transactions involving private equity.

GVA has appointed Gordon Hewling, senior director and head of its North East building team, as its new Newcastle head of office.

Hewling is involved with a range of major projects in the region including the redevelopment of Newton Aycliffe and Ashington town centres.

Innovator

Climbing the ladder

Taking the reins

The North East Business and Innovation Centre has expanded by recruiting Michelle Hambleton to support the region’s SMEs. Hambleton, formerly of BE Group and the Education and Skills Funding Agency, will be based at the business centre in Sunderland.

The region’s largest bus operator, Go North East, has appointed Stephen King (left) as commercial director and Gary Edmundson as operations director.

King has been with the firm since joining on a youth training programme, while Edmundson began his career with Go North East as a minibus driver in 1988.

Chester-le-Street accountancy practice Straughans, part of the Robson Laidler Group, has announced the promotion of John Holbrook to a director role. He will succeed the retiring Mike Fleming and Mike Tait, who spearheaded the firm's takeover by Jesmond accountancy practice Robson Laidler last year.

Fab takes the lead

Expert advice

Part of the family

One Awards has appointed Fabienne Bailey as managing director. She will lead the access validating agency and quality assurance organisation having gained 18 years’ experience in the education and training sector along with 10 years’ senior management experience.

58 contact

Nigel Williams has joined Stocktonbased Endeavour Partnership as a partner in the corporate department and will be responsible for handling a variety of transactional work, business development and mentoring other members of the team.

Karen Carr has joined GDPR and security audit provider Cybershelter as client services director.

Carr, formerly regional marketing manager for intu, will be working alongside her brother-in-law Martin Hart to grow the business. www.neechamber.co.uk

Alison Hall with her predecessor Lewis Pearson of Pearson Caulfield

Legal honour

Equal Wrights Nigel Wright Recruitment’s North East employment trends survey has highlighted significant differences between male and female views.

More than 76% of men believe there isn’t a gender pay gap where they work. Nearly half of women disagree (45%).

Despite this, most employees think their employer treats men and women equally. Although gender differences were apparent here too, with 84% of men agreeing, compared to 72% of women.

Stronger differences emerged over men

and women believing they are being paid equally by their employer. Most males (81%) consider genders are paid equally, whereas significantly less females (69%) agree.

Just over half of women (54%) believed having young children can damage their career. 39% of men think women’s careers can be damaged this way. Nigel Wright Group surveyed more than 1,000 respondents in different disciplines and levels of seniority, as well as gathering industry data.

Alison Hall has become president of the Newcastle upon Tyne Law Society.

Hall, who is head of the private client department at Hay & Kilner, will represent the region's legal community at regional and a national level.

Commercial property and regulatory specialist Chris Hugill of Ward Hadaway has taken on the vice president's role, while Nick Kincaid, a partner at North Shields firm Hadaway & Hadaway, becomes deputy vice president.

End of an era

Kevin Carr

Go North East MD Kevin Carr will retire in June after more than 40 years with the region’s largest bus operator.

Under his leadership, Go North East has invested £44m in new vehicles, and its new super depot in Gateshead as well as spearheading innovations in engineering, including the first low-floor step-free bus outside London. Carr said: "I am privileged to have seen the business grow into a well-established and much-loved company. I leave with some fantastic memories.”

Industry leader Mike Matthews MBE, managing director of car parts business Nifco UK, was acknowledged for his role in raising the profile of the automotive sector with the Outstanding Contribution to the North East Automotive Industry prize at the North East Automotive Alliance Awards 2018.

The awards celebrate the achievements of businesses and people in the growing sector. Matthews said: “It’s a real honour to be recognised by my peers.

The North East is home to a world-class automotive sector, one which can compete - and does so - with any other region in the world, which makes this award all the more special for me.” www.neechamber.co.uk

Mike Matthews MBE

Alison Scattergood

Teacher of the year

Alison Scattergood, a lecturer in barbering and hairdressing skills at East Durham College, has received the TES Further Education Teacher of the Year award.

Scattergood was presented with the award at the TES FE Awards, beating outstanding teachers from across the UK. She said: “I’m utterly thrilled and shocked. I couldn’t have done it without my amazing team and support from my managers, I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me over the years." contact 59

Events Chamber Exchange

Chamber Exchange February 8, sponsored by Sage Gateshead and Esh Group

April 12, Village Hotel, 11:00-14:00, free This is the Chamber’s flagship networking event encouraging an exchange of experiences, ideas and offers between members.

A round-table networking event with two table changes held on the second Thursday of each month across the region.

The first table 'Sharing a Success' – delegates are encouraged to share a recent business success. The second table 'Discussing a Challenge' – delegates are encouraged to discuss current or recent challenges, how you may have overcome this challenge or if someone is facing a current challenge, those around the table are encouraged to offer advice and guidance. Chamber staff including senior management and partners will lead each table.

Rebecca Stobbs (Sage Gateshead) and Ivor Coulter (TSB)

Members round table networking

Darush Dodds (Esh Group)

Taslima Jahan (Newcastle Vaults), Vince Robson (Northumbria University) and Rachel Thompson (Eurochange)

Sophia Stovall (Durham Cathedral)

Cristina Falzon (Watson Burton LLP)

Venue sponsor

Chamber Exchange May 10, Middlesbrough Football Club, 11:0014:00, free

Angela MacOscar (Innovation North East) and Tony Roxburgh (Calibre Secured Networks)

Joe Mulcahy (Pedibal)

Michelle Hardie (Theatre Royal), Sean Wainwright and Rachael Wainwright (Marshalls Commercial Cleaning)

Chamber Local January 17, sponsored by St Cuthbert’s Hospice

Venue sponsor

Sponsor Kay Carrick (St Cuthbert's Hospice) and Eilish Ferry Kennington (EMG Solicitors) 60 contact

Joanna Wake (RAW Digital), Tina Hope (Barclays) and Annaliese Barber (Tilly Bailey Irvine)

Joel Popoola (AACLE) and Sue Han (Westfield Health)

Anuruddha Senanayke (AACLE) and Jess Evans Lowe (Evolve North)

www.neechamber.co.uk

Coffee and Connections January 25, sponsored by Seven Stories

Helen Lee (North East Growth Hub) and Charlotte Pearson (Seven Stories)

Karen Kevilighan and Linda Hitman (Exclusive North East) and Jennifer McDonald (Silver Bullet Marketing)

Michelle Hardie (Theatre Royal) and Polly DeGiorgi (Newcastle High School for Girls)

Chamber Durham Review and AGM March 6, sponsored by North East Growth Hub, hosted by Beamish Hall

James Ramsbotham (Chamber), Dinah Jackson (NE Growth Hub), John McCabe (Chamber), Mike Wade (Hodgson Sayers) and Jon Chadwick (Durham Distillery)

Jo Custance and Kelly Swan (KES Solutions)

Dinah Jackson (North East Growth Hub)

Andy Smith (Intimation Creative), Michael Dickinson (Dickinson Media) and Tony Roxburgh (Calibre)

John McCabe (Chamber president)

Lauren Hedley (O Communications) and Joanne Turnbull (Co Durham Community Foundation)

Chamber Exchange March 8, sponsored by Darlington Rugby Football Club

Andy Fenner (Beanies) and Michael Wilkinson (Darlington Rugby FC)

www.neechamber.co.uk

Jane North (Astley Signs) and Dawn Huggett (Cornerstone Business Solutions)

Jo Shepherd (Hardwick Hall) and Jemma Gedney (Mediaworks)

Rebecca Allcock and Colin Lishman (Monitor Coatings)

contact 61

Events FEATURED EVENT

FEATURED EVENT

FEATURED EVENT

Chamber Exchange

Chamber Exchange

April 12 Village Hotel, North Tyneside 11:00-14:00 FREE

May 10 Middlesbrough Football Club 11:00-14:00 FREE

Chamber Showcase @ North East Expo

TO BOOK

www.neechamber.co.uk/events

0300 303 6322

Networking

Area Meetings

APR 19 - LAUNCH OF THE NORTH EAST WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARDS

APR 18 - NORTHUMBERLAND AREA MEETING 16:00-18:00 • KIRKLEY HALL

11:00-13:00 • HILTON NEWCASTLE GATESHEAD

FREE

APR 25 - CHAMBER LOCAL

APR 26 - SOUTH TYNESIDE AREA MEETING

FREE

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

FREE

MAY 01 - CHAMBER LOCAL (TEAM VALLEY MONTHLY) 08:30-10:30 AREA NORTH, TEAM VALLEY

FREE

08:00-09:30 • LITTLE HAVEN HOTEL

FREE

MAY 04 - NORTH TYNESIDE AREA MEETING

10:00-12:00 • BLACK BULL, MOULTON

FREE

MAY 16 - CHAMBER LOCAL FREE

Flagship APR 26 - NORTH EAST BUSINESS AWARDS REGIONAL FINAL 18:00-00:00 HARDWICK HALL, SEDGEFIELD

FREE

APR 27 - MAXIMISING YOUR MEMBERSHIP 08:00-10:00 • NEWCASTLE GATESHEAD MARRIOTT METROCENTRE

FREE

10:00-15:00 • JURYS INN, MIDDLESBROUGH

FREE

MAY 15 - SUNDERLAND AREA MEETING FREE

MAY 21 - NEWCASTLEGATESHEAD AREA MEETING 16:00-18:00 • TBC • FREE

International APR 19 - IMPORT PROCESSES, COMPLIANCE AND DOCUMENTS 09:00-16:00 • DURHAM CCC

£350**

JUN 20 - CHAMBER GOLF DAY

MAY 03 - EXPORT PROCESSES, COMPLIANCE AND DOCUMENTS 09:00-16:00 • DURHAM CCC

TBC

£350**

SEPT 06 - CHAMBER ANNUAL DINNER 2018

MAY 15 - CUSTOMS COMPLIANCE, PROCESSES AND DOCUMENTS

18:00-00:00 • DURHAM CATHEDRAL

09:00-16:00 • DURHAM CCC

SOLD OUT

APR 18 - BEHIND THE SCENES 08:30-10:00 DARLINGTON LOCOMOTIVE WORKS

MAY 11 - DURHAM AREA MEETING

£110*

11:30-19:00 LINDEN HALL, NORTHUMBERLAND

Skills, Knowledge and Information Network

MAY 10 - HEATHROW BUSINESS SUMMIT

FREE

16:00-18:00 • TBC

10:30-12:30 • DURHAM CATHEDRAL

events@neechamber.co.uk

08:00-10:00 • TYNE MET COLLEGE

08:15-10:00 • RADISSON BLU DURHAM

MAY 03 - STAND UP AND BE COUNTED

May 02, Newcastle Falcons Kingston Park, 09:00-16:00 Stands from £180* Free to attend

£350**

FREE

JUN 01 - MAXIMISING YOUR MEMBERSHIP (TEES VALLEY) 08:00-10:00 • TBC

FREE

JUN 21 - HR KNOWLEDGE: SUPPORTING GOOD MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE 09:30-11:00 • LUMLEY CASTLE

FREE

Department for International Trade Events APR 18 - YOU CAN EXPORT: INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL TRADE 11:00-17:00 • TEESSIDE LAUNCHPAD, VICTORIA BUILDING, MIDDLESBROUGH

FREE

MAY 01 - SOUTH EAST ASIA ROADSHOW TO THE UK 09:00-15:00 DURHAM CCC

FREE

** Global member price £240+VAT. Foundation Award in International Trade: Global Member Cost: £640+VAT (3 courses) £800+VAT (4 courses). Standard Cost: £900+VAT (3 courses) £1,000+VAT (4 courses)

62 contact

www.neechamber.co.uk

2 May 2018, 09:00 - 16:00 Newcastle Falcons Kingston Park Following the success of the Chamber Showcase @ North East Expo, the Chamber have once again joined forces with member Fresh Start Events, and together we are promoting The North East Expo which is taking place in May 2018.

There will be more than 200 companies exhibiting and around 1,500 delegates in attendance.

Chamber members can exhibit on level 2 from ÂŁ180 or attend the event as a delegate completely free.

The event will feature a variety of seminars, masterclasses and workshops throughout the venue, incuding a presentation from James Ramsbotham.

For more information about the event and to book your stand or free place visit www.northeastexpo.co.uk/chamber-showcase

Think Bigger, Go Further, Get there Faster.

Power up your business.

If you’re ready to grow, get in touch. We’d love to help.

Call 0300 303 6322 Visit neechamber.co.uk Connect @neechamber

Last word

Preparing for a post-Brexit UK-EU business relationship With less than a year to go until Brexit, businesses are still facing the double whammy of uncertainty over what exactly the future holds outside the EU, and a daunting to-do list of potential logistical difficulties to overcome

Stuart Cottee, practice senior partner at Deloitte in Yorkshire and the North East

An historic day is fast approaching: March 29, 2019.

On this date the UK will most likely leave the European Union (EU) after being a member state for 46 years.

As I write this, there are a myriad of unanswered questions on exactly how it will work, leaving many companies in an awkward position in preparing for a postBrexit environment.

Very many companies will be affected in one way or another; the implications will vary based on their individual situation.

An analysis of economic indicators since the Brexit vote suggests that while consumer-facing businesses have struggled, most others have yet to feel any material impacts and, of course, many manufacturing companies and exporters are performing very strongly.

Just four months on from a notably gloomy autumn statement, the Chancellor unveiled higher growth forecasts in his spring statement, and declared victory on key measures of deficit reduction. A global recovery,

"Very many companies will be affected in one way or another"

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resilience in UK activity and a surprise pickup in productivity have all helped.

I feel these forecasts put the UK in a better position to face the moment of truth on Brexit.

The decision phase of the Brexit talks will shortly be upon us. Stronger public finances give Mr Hammond more firepower to support the economy if the Brexit talks don’t go according to plan.

The finer details of the Brexit negotiations are dependent upon the actual model agreed upon between the EU and the UK. Over time, the EU market has played an important role in the growth and development of the UK’s export market. It accounts for approximately half of all our exports of goods and 40% of total exported UK services.

While part of the EU, the UK enjoys the free movement of goods without paying any duties or tariffs; access for service providers is considerably smoothed by the removal of many (but not all) non-tariff barriers. In addition, there are simplified procedures for trade with EU member nations. We need to get to grips with the fact that this will change once Brexit is implemented, but no-one can say in contact 65

Last word

exactly what ways, or how much.

I think that for many companies, the impact on supply chains is the most significant cause of concern. For those with operations limited to the UK, the scale of the impact will likely be low. For companies who rely on a multi-country supply chain, it will be more complex. For example, new tariffs may add costs to the process of moving goods across borders, impacting profitability.

IT systems will need to be upgraded to document import/export declarations.

It may well take longer for goods to move across the border. Perishable goods face particular issues, but others will need to consider stockpiling items with the corresponding impact on storage capacity and working capital.

Turning to employees, there will likely be implications regarding access to talent across borders, regardless of the skill level involved.

We need to bear in mind that this has the potential to result in labour shortages, particularly among semi-skilled and unskilled workers, with corresponding 66 contact

pressure on wage inflation. With March 2019 in sight and much to be decided, companies could benefit from scenario planning to better understand their Brexit position.

It’s recommended that businesses consider the “scenario of maximum change”, and identify ways to mitigate any negative impacts while maximising positive outcomes.

Now is the time for companies to be proactive in planning. Brexit is just another business issue. So in the same way that business owners should not ignore the potential for a Labour government or the changes occurring in the US when planning their strategies for growth and wealth protection, the continued uncertainty companies face while waiting for specific policy decisions from Brexit should not be an impediment to preparation.

Through scenario planning, companies can be steps ahead, can avoid costly mistakes but can also be on the front foot to take advantages of the inevitable opportunities that will arise. www.neechamber.co.uk

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