Contact Magazine October - November 2017

contact Together We Grow Stronger

October - November 2017

ROB WILLIAMSON: COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

The business of philanthropy Plus PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES THE CASE FOR CONNECTIVITY IN THE RUNNING THE BIG FIVE GUNNING FOR NATIONAL AWARDS SUCCESS NEXT GENERATION THINKING APPRENTICESHIPS AND TRAINING IN FOCUS

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DAME ALLAN’S SCHOOLS building the future

Welcome...

Chamber president John McCabe Twitter: @John_fusionPR

We have been demanding more clarity on Brexit for our regional businesses since the referendum and, as Ross Smith, Chamber director of policy, succinctly put it, the situation has been an on-going shambles.

The recent meetings with EU leaders are trying to move the situation forward, but companies are still not being given certainty on fundamental elements of future trading with our largest market.

Rest assured we will continue to put pressure on the Government to get our position clarified as soon as possible.

We have also been voicing concern about the huge transport funding gap between North East England and the South East.

The timing of the Transport Secretary’s cancellation of rail electrification in the North days before announcing a massive investment in London’s Crossrail project is crass and shocking.

How can we be expected to narrow the economic disparity between our capital city and this region when our fundamental transport connectivity is always being knocked back?

It is widely acknowledged that London is over-heated with expensive accommodation and general living costs. We offer massive potential for growth and have proved time and time again that we recover from setbacks, exploit opportunities and regularly punch above our weight.

We have some outstanding businesses in our region, and many reading this probably work for them. I am delighted that five Chamber members have done so well we are taking them to London for the national British Chambers of Commerce business awards. Prima Cheese, Mediaworks, Omega Plastics, Egger and O’Brien WRS will be competing for the top honours in November. A profile on these businesses is included in this issue. We wish them all every success. They are great ambassadors of our innovative and dynamic business community.

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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“We have the Barbour Foundation, the Northern Rock Foundation, the Catherine Cookson Foundation - it is known nationally that the North East has this tradition” Rob Williamson

34 60 Seconds: BALTIC's Sarah Munro

Heart of the community: Community Foundation chief Rob Williamson

Contents

06 60 Seconds

34 Profile

With BALTIC's Sarah Munro

The business of philanthropy with the Community Foundation's Rob Williamson

10 In my view

Last Word: Lucy Armstrong

With James Ramsbotham

38 Success

13 Inbox

The North East businesses bidding for national awards success

News and views from the world of business

14-23 News The latest from Chamber members including Akzo Nobel's new plant and Malhotra Group's 35m hotel plan

28 Policy Arlen Pettitt makes the Chamber's case for transport in the North of England

www.neechamber.co.uk

40 Focus We put the spotlight on apprenticeships and training

54 People Movers and shakers across the region

56 Motoring Alfa Romeo's dolce vita

30 Special focus

64 Last word

The region's talent for events and hospitality

The value of SMEs, by Lucy Armstrong contact 5

60 Seconds Sarah Munro, director of the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, on culture-led regeneration, inspiring a new generation through creativity and innovation, and her love of birds A Scot who is now equally at home in the North East, Sarah Munro arrived in the region two years ago to take over from Godfrey Worsdale as director of one of the world’s most exciting and ambitious contemporary art spaces.

In the shadow of the iconic Tyne and ‘blinking eye’ Millennium bridges, it is 15 years since BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art opened its doors.

Since then, it has been instrumental in the cultural renaissance of the North East, everything about this towering converted flour mill vying to grab public attention, from its diverse programme of exhibitions and events to the name writ large high above the river.

BALTIC’s reputation stretches way beyond its home on the south bank of the Tyne, and it plays a major part in the area’s continuing cultural renaissance, which in summer 2017 saw the unveiling of multi-million pound plans for a new events venue behind BALTIC’s near neighbour, Sage Gateshead, predicted to bring 300,000 extra visitors a year to Tyneside and inject a heady £29.5m into the local economy.

Munro is a high-profile cultural ambassador and part of the creative team delivering the 10-week Great Exhibition of the North 2018, celebrating innovation and creativity across the region.

Prior to BALTIC, she progressed over 20 years of cultural leadership, having graduated with an MA in Philosophy from Dundee University and working in community arts and as a gallery director in Edinburgh before heading west to Glasgow to become director of the renowned Tramway international art space, where attendances increased by two-thirds as she invigorated the programme. Then, as Glasgow’s head of arts, she had responsibility for the city-wide arts team, Tramway, the Gallery of Modern Art, and Glasgow International Festival.

She led the successful bid to bring the Turner Prize to Glasgow in 2015, and her team was responsible for delivering the cultural element of the 2014 6

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Commonwealth Games in the city. Her interests include collaborating with artists to stimulate progressive ideas and innovation, and to this end she has worked with emerging talent and some of the best-known names in the creative world.

Q I’m about to meet you for the first time – what sort of person can I expect to encounter?

Enthusiastic. Passionate.

Q Is your public persona wildly different from the private you? Marginal, but it depends on who you ask.

Q Tell me something about yourself that’s not on your CV. I love birds. It came from my grandfather when we used to go walking together near his croft in Orkney and he'd tell me all their names. I can sit for hours on a cliff edge and watch gannets diving at sea; I buzz at seeing a sea eagle soar overhead on Scotland’s western isles; and smile when the first kittiwakes arrive to nest on BALTIC’s north walls in spring.

Q What or who inspired you to enter the arts? A group of art students I met at Dundee were pivotal in sharpening my interest. And as a young child my mum took me into a gallery near a park we went to a lot. I later learned it was the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. I remember being utterly transported.

Each painting or sculpture was like an episode of the children's TV programme Mr Benn (if you’re old enough to remember that!). They made you stop still, look, slow down, go somewhere else in your head. Just like Mr Benn’s various dressing-up costumes enabled him to go on adventures.

Q How does the way the arts and culture sector is viewed now compare to your early days? Art and culture wasn't as visible back then, now it feels like 24/7. www.neechamber.co.uk

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60 Seconds Q Do you think BALTIC’s contribution to the North East’s economy and cultural standing is undervalued?

My experience has been that people hugely value BALTIC. I’ve found the region very supportive and responsive.

Q You are part of the team spearheading the 2018 Great Exhibition of the North. How will it benefit the region? It creates opportunities and brings new millions into the local economy, but what really excites is the capacity it holds to inspire a new generation of children and young people across the North.

GetNorth 2018 will tell the story of the North through the lens of creativity and innovation. We have incredible talent and this is an opportunity to show what we do and debate what we can be.

Work by artist Eric N Mack on show at BALTIC summer 2017

Q BALTIC is a physical and symbolic catalyst for the regeneration of the east part of Gateshead. How important is culture-led regeneration? It's only part of the story, but for everyone involved it means everything.

Q How big a part has BALTIC played in the cultural renaissance of the region in the past 15 years, with the opening of commercial galleries, commissioning agencies and artist-led spaces? Those people who are with commercial galleries, commissioning agencies and artist-led spaces have developed through their own hard work, but maybe BALTIC helped create space in the slipstream. Each adds value to the other. BALTIC’S an incredibly powerful symbol of the international spirit of creativity and culture for the region, but so too are the smaller artist-led organisations. Artists come from all over the world to make and show work here. In the last couple of weeks we've had delegate visits from Uzbekistan, America, Mexico, Chile, Sweden, and South Korea, all of whom had never visited the region before.

Q What is the best thing about your job? I can’t pick just one thing; I love it all.

Q And your career highpoint to date? The day-today pulse, the heartbeat, the possibility of what happens when people and artists come together.

That's the best thing.

Q What is downtime for you? More culture or a breath of country? A bit of variety, so I would have to go for the country.

Q A Dickens classic or pulp fiction? I thought Dickens was pulp fiction.

Q Who would you want to play you in a film of your life? Maxine Peake.

Q And your dream dinner party guests? Maxine Peake, Muhammad Ali, Andre Gide and wn.

Q Which word do you use too much? Yes. Q And finally…what does the future hold for Sarah Munro? The future is unwritten. Let’s wait and see!

Q With cuts in arts funding, how hard is it to maintain BALTIC’s innovative programme? It is hard, but being creative is what we do and there are always artists making interesting work. In times of difficulty and challenge, we need civic creative spaces more than ever for people to come together and meet, learn, think, eat, laugh and share.

Q Economically, what do you think BALTIC brings to the region? Hard to quantify. Maybe economics is the question but creativity is the answer.

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Work by artist Jose Davila on show at BALTIC summer 2017

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In my view

Chamber chief executive James Ramsbotham explores the thorny question of transport infrastructure for the North East

Chamber chief executive James Ramsbotham Twitter: @NEEChamberJames

To quote a film title, this issue’s column is predominantly about planes, trains and automobiles.

And first the good news...

We have a great anniversary to celebrate this year with a decade of the exceptional success of Emirates. The importance of this airline’s service to the North East business community cannot be overestimated.

It has given, and continues to give, a significant boost to our regional economy by improving trade opportunities with new markets overseas.

Exports from the airport totalled £350m last year, a clear illustration of our regional companies thriving and winning business in Asia, Australasia, the Far East, as well as Dubai and the Middle East as a whole, due to the benefits of this connection. Congratulations to the Emirates team and everyone at Newcastle International Airport who have helped us to deliver this fantastic figure. Here’s to the next 10 years.

Now the thorny transport problems...

You may have read in the press about the huge funding imbalance between the North East and London. We believe this is fundamentally wrong and a massive setback for our ambitions to grow our economy. As a result, we have invited Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to see the impact of his policies at first hand.

Our letter to the minister clearly showed how the lack of transport investment solidifies rather than eradicates regional

“The lack of transport investment solidifies rather than eradicates regional divides”

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divides. We want the minister to see the conditions businesses experience every day on our regional network and witness the difference targeted, consistent investment could make to our regional economy.

The cancelled rail electrification programme would have provided the missing pieces on a stretch of fully electrified railway from Newcastle to Liverpool through Durham, Darlington, York, Leeds and Manchester. Upgraded trains alone will not do it.

It was heartening, however, to have the Prime Minister in the region to launch the South Tees Mayoral Development Company. We wholeheartedly welcome the formal establishing of this organisation. The SSI site is of fundamental importance to the regeneration of the Tees Valley and success there will have a positive impact on the region and beyond.

I realise there is still a huge amount of work to do to bring such a massive site forward to be attractive to investors, but it is good news the company is now ready for action. The only thing missing from this launch was the reference to funding. We now need to know the extent of support coming to deliver this once in a lifetime regeneration opportunity.

It was also very positive to have the Northern Powerhouse Minister, Jake Berry, in our region last month. He was here to see the new Wear river crossing and some of the exciting developments in Durham city. He also visited one of our members, Atom Bank, and saw its innovative www.neechamber.co.uk

technology work. As a region we are proud of our inventions, which include Atom’s products and services, many of which are part of our exporting prowess.

Hence, I'm delighted to report that our export team has supported £1bn of exports from the region’s businesses in the first six months of the year - the highest figure ever achieved.

The products exported are from a range of businesses of all sizes and from every part of the region, from Nissan (hence my earlier reference to automobiles) to Fentiman's, from Prima Cheese to Guardian Marine Testing, and are destined for locations around the globe.

It is particularly good for our regional economy that we are seeing new exporters exploring overseas opportunities and finding routes to different marketplaces.

Exploiting the Emirates route I mentioned earlier has also helped to open www.neechamber.co.uk

up Middle Eastern markets which are very buoyant for North East companies at present. The Qatar World Cup and the Dubai Expo in particular are excellent opportunities.

Our regional entrepreneurs had a further chance to pitch their companies to a delegation of leading Boston business figures when they visited recently. We were delighted to welcome so many Bostonians we have come to know well after three years of trade missions to their city and this was an extremely beneficial visit for both sides.

There are a number of Chamber members who are looking beyond Europe because of the uncertainties of Brexit and experiencing very positive results. We really are a region which tackles whatever comes along and makes the very best of it. At the Chamber we are very proud to be able to play our part. contact 11

Commercial Profile

More than just a water company Louise Hunter MBE, Northumbrian Water Group's Director of Corporate Affairs, takes a look at how the Northumbrian Water Group is taking an innovative approach to measuring its impact on local communities and how they are making people smile this October!

Northumbrian Water Group (NWG) provides water and sewerage services to 2.7 million people in the north east of England as Northumbrian Water, and water services to 1.8 million people in the south east as Essex & Suffolk Water. What we do matters - our services are essential to people's lives.

Louise Hunter To deliver our services, our business has significant resources - we employ thousands of skilled people, own assets worth billions of pounds, manage a multi-million pound annual investment programme, and work in partnership with thousands of suppliers.

In the north east alone it is estimated that for every £100 million of investment and expenditure, approximately £80 million could be generated as a result of the “ripple” effect upon the regional economy.

The impact we have on the communities we serve and the environment around us is significant, and we take that very seriously.

That’s why, rather than just simply monitoring the performance of our business based on its financial return, we manage our business by using a wider understanding of our impact on society, the natural world, the economy and our employees. Everything needs to be in balance.

To demonstrate our commitment to this holistic approach, we recently released our first ‘Our Contribution’ report. The report is a new approach to annual reporting using the five capitals that the business relies on for its goods and services – financial capital, manufactured capital, natural capital, human & intellectual capital and social capital.

Our work in this area is ambitious and ground-breaking, and we are excited to be leading the field, not just our sector, in capital systems reporting.

One of our key learnings from this exercise is a greater appreciation of the positive impact that we have on our communities; We are proud that every year at least one percent of our pre-tax profits are directly invested to help our local communities.

Our employee volunteering scheme, ‘Just an Hour’ saw 53% of our people support their local communities, charities and the environment this year.

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The Js Hospice received a £500 cheque

And making a positive difference to our communities doesn’t stop there. We're very excited that in the next few weeks we will be delivering random acts of kindness to our customers when our ‘Make My Day’ kindness campaign runs during National Customer Service week. Watch out for us taking to the streets and delighting our customers with gifts, donations and surprises!

Business needs to play a leading role in building a sustainable and resilient future. By measuring the whole impact we have, we can be more informed about the decisions we take and find purpose for the innovation we need to deliver.

The ‘Our Contribution’ report can be viewed here https://www.nwl.co.uk/_assets/documents/NW_Our_ Contribution_report_final.pdf For more information on our Make My Day campaign visit campaign www.makemyday.live www.neechamber.co.uk

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

The Port of Tyne has introduced a welfare fund to support merchant shipping

Support for seafarers A new welfare fund has been launched to help the 100,000-plus seafarers who visit the Port of Tyne each year and who may be in need of support.

Shipping lines can pay a voluntary levy into the fund each time one of their vessels comes into the port. The Port of Tyne then matches the levy, contributing 50p for every £1 collected through the welfare fund.

The optional tariff is based on a ship’s gross tonnage and ranges from £20 to £30 per vessel, payable on the first 10 visits to the port each calendar year. In 2016, around £10,000 was raised by the Port of Tyne welfare fund and will be distributed to projects that support seafarers, via the Merchant Navy Welfare Board.

TWEET TWEET

Our pick of recent events across the region on Twitter Badger the Cat (@DCathCat): My new neighbour @DCOrganist will be installed as Master of the Choristers and Organist @durhamcathedral today purr...fect NBS (@theNBS): Tim Bailey from @xsite_arch explains the concept of @joinplanbee to today's delegates #GrowYourReach Lost & Escape (@lostandescape): Thanks so much to @NEEChamberJames and everyone working at @NEEChamber for helping our business to grow. Really proud to be a member!

Charity goal

Chamber members are urged to take part in Action for Children’s Byte Night sleep out at Kingston Park Stadium, Newcastle, to raise money for young people at risk of homelessness.

The first Byte Night in the North East in 2016 was a huge success and this year event’s organisers aim to raise £100,000 to help vulnerable young people in the region.

There is still time to register for the event on October 6, give up your bed for the night and raise vital funds to help Action for Children in the North East.

To register, go to bytenight.org.uk www.neechamber.co.uk

Table tennis legend Alan Ransome OBE, MD of Ransome Sporting Goods, is fundraising for Ormesby Table Tennis Club, which hopes to double the size of its hall via a proposed £1.3m investment.

The club, of which Ransome is chair, has produced a procession of international stars over 50 years.

Ransome, a former member of the European Championship winning team, says: "We need the local business community to help us raise money to create the largest table tennis club in the UK.”

Nifco UK (@NifcoUK): Delighted to be at the @NEEChamber Global Members' Lunch @CrownePlaza The Chamber (@NEEChamber): Half of #NEEChamber members recruit through word of mouth, 45% use UKbased agencies

l-r Falcons players Dom Walkdouck, Sontane Takulua and Beli Agulla join Byte Night North East Board members Pete Watson of Atlas Cloud, James Holmes of Greggs, Kerry Sinclair of Sage, Sandra Erickson of Harvey Nash, and Alistair Russell of CIO Connect at this year’s venue - Kingston Park Stadium

On the table

James Ramsbotham (@NEEChamberJames): So impressed by @NFF_biscuits - such a great success story producing #glutenfree & other delicious biscuits.

Julie Underwood (@NEEChamberJulie): Matt Pullen opens proceedings for the official launch of #AkzoNobel Ashington , the new home of Dulux

Washington Athletic FC Under-14 team

Team scores A youth football squad is fielding new kit this season thanks to the generosity of the Association of International Accountants (AIA).

The AIA has stepped in as the new kit sponsor for the Under-14’s team at Washington Athletic Football Club, with all players now proudly sporting the association’s logo on their shirts.

The football club was only set-up in 2010, but already boasts more than 30 teams at differing age groups. contact 13

News

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

We had a fantastic turnout for our most recent President’s Club lunch in July, when we welcomed the USA’s acting ambassador to the UK, Lewis Lukens.

Speaking in the fitting surroundings of Washington Old Hall, he gave a very positive assessment of the trade and investment links between our region and the US. It has been a busy period for many of our members, and in particular we are pleased to have supported the opening of AkzoNobel’s new production facility in Ashington, and Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies’ Saturn process development facility at Wilton. Both will be huge assets to the region, underlining our modern manufacturing expertise.

Our associate sponsor Brewin Dolphin offers Chamber President’s Club members a free, no obligation financial planning review. Contact gary.fawcett@brewin.co.uk 14 contact

With Jennifer Rycroft, 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 our region…

It’s been the height of the holiday season, but it’s been a busy couple of months.

In August, some of our Partner members attended the Transport Summit 2017 in Leeds, which gave businesses across the North a voice on transport investment.

In September, a group of Partner members attended a round table meeting with Stephen Earl, head of policy at the Migration Advisory Committee, as part of its inquiry into EEA workers in the UK labour market hosted by Sevcon.

We also welcomed Jake Berry MP, minister for the Northern Powerhouse and local growth, to our September Partner Member Lunch hosted by Brewin Dolphin.

He updated us on the current state of the Northern Powerhouse and the North East’s role in it.

We have started a project with Square One Law looking at supply chain resilience and growth in the North East, and we are continuing to work with Pulsant and now Port of Tyne to enhance our membership offer, providing members with access to knowledge and information to support regional, national and international growth. Planning and development consultancy Lichfields has joined us as a Partner member. With offices across the UK, its planning services include economics, heritage, sustainability, and urban design.

We also welcome Tom Warnock to the role of interim partnerships manager. He will be heading the Chamber’s Partner Programme while I take maternity leave.

For information about Chamber Partners contact Tom Warnock: Tom.Warnock@neechamber.co.uk, tel 0191 374 6461, Twitter: @NEEChamberTom

OUR PARTNERS

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Royal appointment The Princess Royal will visit Labman’s North Yorkshire HQ to officially open its new 20,000sqft extension. Tripling the size of the existing HQ, the new building expands the unique capabilities offered by the automation and robotics company and reflects its ambitious recruitment goals.

One of the most unique and creative working environments in the region, the new extension includes a squash court to complement an existing full-size climbing wall, as well as greater capacity for the large in-house machine shop.

l-r Andrew Skelton, SOS Group, with the British Swimming ofice team at the British Swimming Summer Championships

Gold medal service Gateshead-based SOS Group has led the field in a summer of world-class sport in Britain.

The company provided digital office services at events including the IAAF World Athletics Championships in London, the British Swimming Summer Championships in Sheffield, the IAAF World Championships in London, the Special Olympics GB National Games in Sheffield, and the World Para Athletics Championships in London.

British Swimming’s Sophie Turner says: “The British Summer Championships is the biggest competition of the year and SOS provided a great service.” www.neechamber.co.uk

DEAL OF THE YEAR Law firm Bond Dickinson's corporate team has picked up the Deal of the Year accolade at the North East Insider Dealmaker Awards. The award is for its work on the Science Central Joint Venture, which helped secure private sector investment from Legal & General to establish Newcastle's £350m flagship regeneration project to create a global centre for urban innovation.

INAUGURAL VISIT A 294 metre-long cruise ship named Norwegian Jade has made its first visit to the Port of Tyne, bringing with her more than 1,000 crew and 2,400 passengers from 45 nations.

They took time out to explore iconic attractions including Hadrian’s Wall, Durham Cathedral and Alnwick Castle.

ELITE AWARD Gateshead-based ITPS has become one of only five businesses across the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand to have been awarded Circle of Excellence status from global telecoms group ShoreTel. This is for its work helping organisations cut costs by using internetenabled technology to integrate IT, telephony, and messaging communications over a single voice, data and video network.

World-leading plant paints town green AkzoNobel has opened the world’s most advanced and sustainable paint factory in Ashington, Northumberland.

The 100sqm plant, which cost more than £100m to build, is the largest-ever global investment by the decorative paints business and will become the new centre of production for Dulux, the UK’s most popular paint brand.

The factory will be capable of doubling UK production levels to 200m litres per year, the equivalent of 80m 2.5 litre cans of Dulux in up to 33,000 different colours - enough to redecorate every living room, bathroom and kitchen in the UK. The Ashington plant uses renewable energy sources including photovoltaic cells and a biomass boiler, alongside an automated manufacturing process which saves water, waste and energy. The carbon footprint per litre of paint produced at Ashington will be reduced by 50% and the plant secures 150 skilled jobs and more than 100 additional roles in the local supply chain.

Stone's crowning glory Restoration specialist Stone Technical Services (STS) The restored Southwark Cathedral crown has completed a prestigious restoration project on the famous golden crown of London’s historic Southwark Cathedral.

The Darlington-based firm has refurbished and re-gilded the iconic crown that sits on top of the cathedral’s 150ft flagpole. After its restoration, the 70-year-old crown was put on display in the sanctuary of the cathedral prior to its reinstallation atop the flagpole. STS MD Dave Stone says: “We’re very proud that our work took pride of place in the cathedral’s sanctuary; we did not expect such an honour." contact 15

News ‘Press’tigious Print

C M Y K Last year’s North East Businesswoman of the Year Awards winners

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The finalists who will compete for the prestigious North East Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2017 have been announced.

Among those short-listed are Heather l-r Nickie Gott with 2016 winners Watkins of Durham’s Jacqueline Gallazzi-Ritchie, Amy Jackson Great & Small Clothing, and Laura Leigh Weighman Estelle Blanks of Innovate NE, Jackie Robshaw of Stanleybased Marmax Recycling Products, and Stephanie Young of Go North East.

Nickie Gott, chair of the Chamber’s Women’s Advisory Board, says: “The standard of entries this year has been exceptional, with a great range of experience and business sectors represented. Every one of our finalists is already a winner.”

The winners will be announced on October 27 at the Hilton NewcastleGateshead and the 2017 shortlist is available at www.winawards.co.uk/shortlisted-nominees-2017

Top of the class OFSTED has awarded Education Development Trust its top Outstanding grade for its delivery of the National Careers Service in the North East.

OFSTED Inspectors said: “Very experienced and wellqualified advisers use their interpersonal skills and expertise to create a good rapport with customers; supporting them to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding of what they need to do next to gain employment or progress in their current or chosen career.”

Education Development Trust is one of nine providers across the UK delivering the National Careers Service funded by the Skills Funding Agency. www.neechamber.co.uk

NEWS IN BRIEF

l-r Simon Ayre of BEDC and Joan Cook of UK Steel Enterprise at the Innovation Centre in Hartlepool

£500,000 first birthday present

A young Hartlepool company which operates in the specialised area of façade design for buildings has signed a £500,000 contract weeks after marking its one-year anniversary.

BEDC, founded by Simon Ayre at UK Steel Enterprise’s Innovation Centre at Hartlepool, has more than doubled its office space to cater for an 11-strong team of designers and technical experts.

The new contract is part of a £10m project in the education sector and represents a significant step for BEDC. The company has already secured numerous contracts worth between £50,000 and £100,000 for new build and refurbishment projects at hospitals, a university, and offices in London.

Simon Ayre attributes much of BEDC’s success to his decision to invest heavily in 3D Building Information Modelling (BIM) software from the outset and provide specialised training for the company’s design engineers.

He says: “Façade design is a highly specialised area and the vital importance of getting this part of the building design right has, tragically, been brought into sharp focus recently."

Skye’s the limit A year after it was founded, recruitment company Skye Solutions is expanding into new offices in the Ouseburn Gateway, Newcastle, from its current Quayside base.

Three new members are also joining the team headed by founder Sadie Seller, who relocated from London to base the business in Newcastle. “I realised the fantastic opportunities Newcastle could offer in terms of its growing business sector and decided to take advantage of them,” she says. www.neechamber.co.uk

PROPERTY BOOM Latimer Hinks Solicitors handled more than £72m in property deals during the first half of 2017 – an increase of almost 50% from the same period last year. This puts the Darlington-based law firm on track to surpass 2016’s trading, which saw it handle more than £150m worth of such business in 12 months.

TRAINING COLLABORATION Global training provider HTL Group of Cramlington and Welsh firm Safety Technology have teamed up to provide industry with a greater portfolio of technical and safety courses at centres across the UK, including Northumberland and South Shields, as well as onsite at clients' premises.

CONTRACT HAT-TRICK Barrier Fire Protection of Wallsend, North Tyneside, has secured a trio of chemical and oil and gas sector contracts to export its specialist industrial fire proofing services to Germany, working with Hertel GmbH at Linde’s fabrication facility in Bremen, Deutsche Infineum in Cologne, and BASF in Ludwigshafen.

The sitre of the £35m hotel scheme

Luxury hotel plan Plans for a £35m hotel complex with a rooftop swimming pool, nightclub, restaurants and retail outlets have been unveiled for Newcastle city centre.

Leisure operator Malhotra Group PLC is behind the scheme which will stretch from Grey Street to its junction with Mosley Street and across the lower part of Cloth Market. It will include the famous Balmbras music hall with the aim of restoring it to its original identity, as well as Drury Lane, the site of the original Theatre Royal. Work will start in spring 2018 subject to permission being granted.

DMA Law director Julie Mathieson

Team Massive Results' Ian Kinnery

Generating results A Teesside–based scale-up expert has helped law firm DMA Law to build foundations for the future.

Business coach Ian Kinnery of Team Massive Results has been helping DMA Law restructure its goals. Initially working with director Julie Mathieson one-toone, he is now helping to prepare the 40-year-old business for sustainable growth. contact 17

Commercial Profile

News

Improve IT security, enable flexible working Business communications and systems specialist Cellular Solutions has partnered with O2 and IBM to offer MaaS360, a simple, secure way to manage smartphones, tablets and laptops.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen met chancellor Philip Hammond to discuss the Northern Powerhouse

Powerhouse pledge Through MaaS360’s cloud-based mobile device management platform, businesses can handle the management and security of their mobile devices from a single screen, as well as having the opportunity to join up their communities, people, IT and customers. The software supports devices such as iPhone, iPad, Android and Windows Phone, and is renowned for bringing flexible working to life: through MaaS360 staff can use whatever mobile device they are most comfortable with, wherever they are.

MaaS360 allows businesses to reduce hardware costs and protect their IT budgets. As it is a cloud-based solution, no upfront hardware/software investment is needed and more people can work from more locations on their terms, helping to increase productivity and job satisfaction.

MaaS360 incorporates a Mobile Threat Management system which allows companies to detect, analyse and remediate enterprise malware on mobile devices and provide protection against fraud and data breaches. The secure and monitored access it provides to servers and networks also makes it easy for IT administrators to manage. In addition, its Secure Productivity Suite delivers a data loss prevention solution.

Sunderland-based Cellular Solutions provides communications and business systems to organisations ranging from start-ups and SMEs to large, multi-site organisations, supporting them at every stage of their business journeys.

For more information on MaaS360 call 08700 118 000, email info@cellular-solutions.co.uk or visit www.cellularsolutions.co.uk 18 contact

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen has revealed he pushed for cash to improve transport links at a Northern Powerhouse meeting with chancellor Philip Hammond.

He said the ‘very productive’ meeting also showed the Government is still committed to electrifying a rail route across the Pennines. The mayor said: “The Chancellor made it absolutely clear to me that he remains committed to the electrification of the TransPennine Express line. This is in addition to a much wider £1bn fund that will be spent improving rail infrastructure across the North over the next few years.

“I also pushed for cash to fund my road investment strategy, which includes a new Tees Crossing, A66 improvements, and a bypass for Darlington."

l-r Barrier technical director Martyn Chapple and design engineer Steve Baron with the new Quazr floodlight

Seeing the light

An innovative new hazardous area floodlight has been developed by North Tyneside-based Barrier Group.

The Quazr is designed for use in high-risk areas such as petrochemical, water and waste treatment works, ports and terminals, military installations, and environments such as distilleries and pharmaceutical plants. www.neechamber.co.uk

Commercial Profile

New Headteacher unveiled for Newcastle’s Royal Grammar School HIS FATHER mined coal for a living. John Fern spent his early career mining the past.

Having won a scholarship to Oxford University’s Exeter College to read history, he went on to teach the subject at some of Britain’s top independent schools.

Now the 42-year-old has taken over the reins at Newcastle’s 474-year-old Royal Grammar School.

John succeeds Dr Bernard Trafford, who has retired after nine years at the helm of one of the country’s oldest and most venerated educational establishments.

It is to the future rather than the past of the coeducational junior and senior school in Jesmond, Newcastle, and its 1,300 pupils, however, that John is looking.

As The RGS once again recorded top results in both A Level and GCSE passes in the face of a radical exam overhaul, with 87.7% of Upper Sixth students achieving grades at A*-B and 83.4% of Year 11 students either A* or A, stability, opportunity, and nurturing academic potential are top of John’s curriculum.

While the RGS rightly prides itself on its academic results and its position as one of the best schools in Britain, John says “developing capable, resilient and independent thinkers,” is equally important.

He is looking to build on the solid foundations laid

by Dr Trafford as he uses his drive, ambition and vision to ensure The RGS effectively responds to educational and employer demands in our rapidly changing society.

Having himself won a place to Loughborough Grammar School as an 11-year-old, before studying at Oxford and moving into teaching first at Oakham School in Rutland, then at Fettes College, Edinburgh, and most recently as Deputy Head (Academic) at King Edward’s School, Birmingham, John is a passionate believer in not just the power of education to transform lives for all, but in treating students as individuals, and arming them with the skills to grasp the opportunities that come their way.

He said: “I believe in exploiting different talents and providing students with different pathways to success.

There is no ‘one size fits all.’ We need to continue being ambitious both for the school and our students, while ensuring we carry on fostering inclusiveness so we can deliver the range of success our students need.

“At the start of a new school year, I have great optimism for the future. I am fortunate to have www.neechamber.co.uk

John Fern

inherited a fantastic staff team and I am very much looking forward to picking up where Dr Trafford left off in maintaining the position of RGS as the leading independent school in the North East and amongst the very best in the country, working with the wider community, and in delivering an experience that will prepare all our students for the future.”

The Royal Grammar School, Eskdale Terrace, Newcastle, NE2 4DX, 0191 281 5711, www.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk contact 19

News Give your career the edge Tech innovator MSP is acitive in global sectors including Formula 1

Innovator expands with overseas orders

Heather has just achieved a Merit in her CIM Diploma in Professional Marketing – Level 6 – Digital Strategy module with nesma.

This course is for marketers working at an operational, supervisory or managerial level who wish to develop their knowledge and skills across a range of areas to succeed and progress their career in marketing.

Marketing is exciting, challenging, and rewarding and learning new skills will help provide strategic insights and practical thinking to the way you work. No matter what position you hold or where you are headed we have a course for every marketer at every level.

Heather is the perfect person to speak to if you are thinking about studying with us this year! She knows all about working and learning at the same time. nesma delivers courses in the North East, Cumbria, Scotland, and in-house UK wide.

Software company Metrology Software Products (MSP) has doubled its Northumberland operation on the back of new contract wins.

It has expanded its Alnwick development facility by 50% and is recruiting new staff after securing new business in Australia, India, Mexico and North America.

The additional space, which was officially opened by Chamber chief executive James Ramsbotham, will house a new product team, research and development equipment, and capacity for new staff.

Launched in 2002, MSP develops software which identifies errors in machine tools before machining starts.

The company’s patented solution is unique within the manufacturing industry. As a result, MSP has enjoyed success within sectors including aerospace, Formula 1, and most recently 3D printed parts.

Altogether now...

Creative agency Altogether has smashed its two-year target in its first 12 months. The Newcastle-based company founded by Sarah Tempest and Michael Sutton has picked up new projects with clients including Newcastle Utd, Your Homes Newcastle, Northern Powergrid, Newcastle University, Naylor’s Surveyors, and the Royal Grammar School. Its national clients include National Museums Scotland, the National Trust and the National Railway Museum.

Talk to us about what you want to achieve.

T: 07900 223721 E: hello@nesma.co.uk

WWW.NESMA.CO.UK The Altogether team 20 contact

www.neechamber.co.uk

Commercial Profile

When a relationship breaks down...

A relationship breakdown is one of the most stressful life events you can go through. The emotional impact can be significant and often there are financial issues or issues concerning children to resolve.

l-r Coun Mel Speding, Sunderland City Council, and Mark Bell, operations director at Clearly Drinks

Lotta bottles

Jobs have been created on the back of record production at Sunderland-based Clearly Drinks.

Full-time employees have risen from 60 to 72, and the number of bottles produced has grown from 52m to 69m in the space of a year, after securing new production and storage facilities next to its factory on Riverside Road.

The company produces the UK’s top selling zero sugar naturally flavoured drink Perfectly Clear, as well as 1870 mixers, Perfectly Clear Kids, and Northumbria Spring, which is sourced from the on-site Hadrian Well for which a new borehole has just been drilled.

Clearly Drinks, which was previously known as Villa Drinks and Contract Bottling, now plans to invest £1.5m in equipment and launch new brands.

Match-winning deal Middlesbrough Football Club has agreed a new shorts sponsorship deal with Teesside IT specialist Cornerstone Business Solutions.

The move will see the Stockton-based IT firm’s name appearing on all home and away shorts worn by Boro’s first team squad during the 2016-17 Championship season.

Whilst taking legal advice may not seem the most Lucy Mead, Head of Family urgent thing to do, it can be hugely beneficial to make contact with a specialist family lawyer at an early stage. In order to make the most of a first appointment, we suggest the following:1. Consider the different options available to you. Court is not the only option; indeed we take the view that whilst sometimes necessary, litigation in Court is the last resort. We suggest that you look at the Resolution website www.resolution.org.uk and consider your options.

2. Think about the issues that need resolved. Are there issues surrounding financial matters and arrangements for children or are you and your partner/spouse able to agree some of the issues between yourselves.

3. Pull together some basic financial information. If financial issues need resolving, bring basic details about you and your spouse/partner’s income, assets, liabilities and outgoings. This will mean more progress can be made at the first meeting.

4. Bring a friend or family member to support you through the meeting and make a list of questions you want to ask.

5. Remember that you are giving your solicitor instructions.

Any course of action agreed on needs to be what you feel comfortable with.

At David Gray Solicitors we have an award winning team of 14 specialist accredited family solicitors including 2 higher rights advocates and cover all aspects of family law with our clear pricing policy. l-r Middlesbrough FC manager Garry Monk and Cornerstone MD Chris Petty seal the new shorts sponsorship deal www.neechamber.co.uk

Contact our dedicated Customer Relationship Manager, Louise Law on 0191 232 9547 for an appointment. contact 21

Northumbria and Durham Annual Dinner 2017 The Chamber has a proud 200-year history of delivering the most engaging, well attended and prestigious business dinners, our dinners are an excellent opportunity to entertain colleagues and clients while networking with a broad mix of businesses from across the region.

Thursday 2 November 2017; 18:00-00:00 Civic Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne Special Guest Speaker: The Rt Hon Sir Vince Cable £1000+VAT per table of ten; £100+VAT per individual ticket

Headline Sponsors

We’re delighted to announce our guest speaker is former Secretary of State and key figure in the coalition government, the Right Hon Sir Vince Cable.

With a vast career spanning many years in business and politics, we’re looking forward to hearing not just anecdotes from his time in government, but Sir Vince’s story from working for the Kenyan Government to his time as Chief Economist for Shell, To book your place email events@neechamber.co.uk or visit www.neechamber.co.uk/events

News NEWS IN BRIEF

NE1 chief exec Sean Bullick launches the Geordie Jackpot with Newcastle Falcons players Michael Young and Davey Wilson

Lottery win A Newcastle city lottery has been launched, giving players the chance to win up to £25,000 and help boost the city's fortunes at the same time.

Launched by Newcastle BID company NE1, the lottery will help to fund major projects in the city and raise money for Metro Radio charity Cash for Kids.

A guaranteed jackpot of £1,000 is available each week with the potential to win £25,000 if players match all six numbers in the right order. In addition to cash pay outs, the Geordie Jackpot will include ‘money-can’tbuy’ bonus experiences and themed rewards to coincide with NE1 events and activities. Tickets are £1 each and are sold online.

First class Teesside University has been named the top North East higher education institution for graduates securing professional and managerial level jobs.

57% of students secured graduate level jobs in professional and managerial roles within six months of leaving compared to the national average of 55%, says the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey for 2015/16. Pro-vice chancellor Jane Turner says: “It's fantastic that our Student Futures Strategy is paying dividends for graduates and our partners in business." www.neechamber.co.uk

TEACHING FELLOWSHIP University of Sunderland academic Dr Catherine Hayes has been named one of 55 new National Teaching Fellows by the Higher Education Academy. A reader in Pedagogic Practice, Dr Hayes is involved in innovative work transcending disciplinarity between art and science.

IN THE PICTURE IT solutions provider Perfect Image is celebrating a 29% rise in turnover to £9.75m thanks to repeat business and the addition of new customers. The company, based at Cobalt Business Park, North Tyneside, delivers IT and cloud services for national brands, SMEs and start-ups.

RUBBISH NEWS Co Durham-based recycling company J Denham Metals has invested in a 1250 Amazone Shear machine at its facility in Bishop Auckland.

The machinery is the largest of its type in the county and increases the familyrun firm’s production capacity. The firm has grown rapidly in recent years, opening a second site in Wingate in East Durham to enable continued expansion.

Building momentum Esh Construction is to deliver homes across the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber as part of a multi-billion pound framework.

Part of Co Durham-based Esh Group, the company is now included on the Homes and Communities Agency’s new £8bn national housing delivery panel.

Andy Radcliffe, chief executive of Esh Group

CONTACT YOUR RELATIONSHIP MANAGER TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP Essentials Portfolio - Julie Digman tel 07912 478 964 julie.digman@neechamber.co.uk Twitter @NEEChamberJules Teesside - Jo Shepherd tel 07833 480 474 jo.shepherd@neechamber.co.uk Twitter @NEEChamberTom Darlington and West Durham Susan Anderson tel 07736 799 727 susan.anderson@neechamber.co.uk Northumberland - Claire McCabe tel 0191 3746487 clare.mccabe@neechamber.co.uk Twitter @NEEChamberClare Medium Business - Andrew Heavisides tel 07912 478 961 andrew.heavisides@neechamber.co.uk Twitter @NEEChamberAndy Newcastle/Gateshead - Lynsey Fairless tel 07834 444 627 lynsey.fairless@neechamber.co.uk Twitter @NEEChamberLyns International - Les Dixon tel 07850 740 645 les.dixon@neechamber.co.uk Twitter @NEEChamberLes Medium Business: Tyne & Wear and Northumberland - Anthony Stringer tel 07739 162408 anthony.stringer@neechamber.co.uk Twitter @NEEChamberAnthS Sunderland and Durham - Julie Charlton tel 0798 025991 julie.charloton@neechamber.co.uk Twitter @NEEChamberjac1

contact 23

24 contact

www.neechamber.co.uk

Commercial property

Thirst for real estate remains strong despite Brexit Brexit and heightened political uncertainty have failed to dampen investors' thirst for real estate.

GVA’s latest Economic Property Market Review shows that defensive stocks remain highly sought after. A notable example from the region is the sale of the Royal Mail distribution unit on Gateshead’s Team Valley, which hit a new benchmark yield of 5.22% in July for 13 years of secure income.

Demand for higher-risk sectors, such as secondary industrial and in older town offices, is likewise strong. Retail funds, which have built up considerable cash reserves, are particularly active.

Buoyed by a weaker pound, overseas buyers have increased their UK property

l-r Muckle partners Charlotte McMurchie, Giles McCourt and Will McKay

Muckle boosts property team

Luke Symonds of GVA Newcastle

exposure by £5bn so far this year. Luke Symonds, Associate Investment, GVA, said Britain remains a relatively stable ‘safe haven’ market, and that in the UK’s current low interest rate environment, commercial property will continue to provide an attractive income return.

Muckle LLP has boosted its growing real estate team with the appointment of associate solicitor Giles McCourt.

The firm's real estate team has grown by more than 20% with five new lawyers over the past six months. Muckle partner Will McKay says: “Giles' background as a commercial property specialist and his knowledge of working with businesses across the region and the UK stood out for us."

l-r Chris Jude and Graham Booth

Forum's new regional director

Members of the DTA team at their new base

Engineering a new move DTA Consulting Engineers is celebrating 30 years in business with a move to new premises from Washington to the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) in Sunderland.

The company provides multidisciplinary consultancy services including structural, civil, mechanical and electrical engineering and plans to expand its workforce at the BIC over the coming months. www.neechamber.co.uk

Now occupying more than 1,300sqft office space, DTA will continue to build on its reputation across the region and the rest of the UK from its new base, and grow its team, which includes several new graduate roles.

DTA partner Kevin Hands says: ““We chose the BIC for its location and its fresh, modern working space which was completely customised and reconfigured to suit our requirements."

The Forum for the Built Environment (FBE) has appointed Chris Jude its new regional director for the North East and Cumbria, replacing Graham Booth who has stepped down from after four years.

Chris is the founder of chartered surveying and project management consultancy Building Surveyors Ltd and chair of the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors. He said: “Despite challenges, North East’s property development and construction industry is continuing to thrive." contact 25

Why just read it, when you can be part of it?

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Leaflets Exclusive Chamber member offer Only ÂŁ100 per 1,000

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Coming soon in our December/January issue A special in-depth focus on Access to Funding & Finance.

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Contact us to find out more about our multimedia offering: Colin Rutherford t: 01661 844 115 m: 07780 450 473 e: colin@offstonepublishing.co.uk

@NE_Contact

Export NEWS IN BRIEF

l-r Nic Neal, Business & Export Credit Solutions, Julie Underwood, Chamber, Graham Nicholson, Crossbarfx

Money talks Cumbria-based foreign exchange specialist Crossbarfx has set up business in the North East to provide expertise to exporters in exchange rates and international payments.

Crossbarfx’s Graham Nicholson says: “With Brexit, it is more important than ever that regional companies plan their foreign exchange so that our positive balance of trade is supported and continues.”

Julie Underwood, the Chamber's international trade director, said: “Foreign exchange rates can make a substantial difference to the profitability of contracts so getting expert help can make a real difference.”

Masami Saito, Zytronic Japan's business development manager

Japanese expansion Zytronic – whose award-winning touch sensors are used globally in ATMs, digital signage, selfservice kiosks and gaming machines, and by industrial and medical OEMs – has announced expansion in Japan.

The Newcastle firm, a leader in durable, customised Projected Capacitive Technology touch sensors, has appointed Masami Saito as business development manager, Zytronic Japan. Two new distributors have also been appointed in Japan. www.neechamber.co.uk

WISE WORDS Teesside University journalism lecturer Hannah McMahon and BA (Hons) student, Jake Graham have spent two weeks in Kazakhstan, sharing their knowledge and expertise with some young international news reporters of the future and helping to produce multimedia online content.

MINING EXPERTISE Banks Mining has announced it has been working with the Chinese to pass on its expertise in health and safety at surface mine sites.

A delegation of 18 senior directors from nine different Chinese cities has worked with the Durham-based company, with a second deputation due to visit imminently to continue the skills transfer.

US DELEGATION North East businesses took the opportunity to meet a delegation of leading Boston business figures who visited the region on a trip organised by the Chamber. Members of the delegation learned about the region’s key sectors and met with North East businesses looking to secure contracts with Boston firms.

North East businesses were also offered a detailed briefing on doing business in Boston and current opportunities there.

Roman staff celebrate receiving the Queen's Award for International Trade with the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, Sue Snowdon

Roman celebrates Queen’s Award

Shower designer and manufacturer Roman is celebrating receiving the Queen’s Award for International Trade.

The Newton Aycliffe-based company has been honoured after showing a substantial and sustained increase in export earnings over the last three years.

The Lord Lieutenant for Co Durham, Sue Snowdon, officially presented Roman MD David Osborne with the Queen’s Award glass chalice at the firm’s headquarters.

Roman was set-up in 1985 by Gerry Osborne and the company, which has subsidiary businesses in Ireland and Malaysia and employs 170 people, is still family owned.

It is active in 28 overseas markets and has its own dedicated international department to cater for demand from France, Poland, Canada, the UAE, Netherlands, Malta, Bulgaria, and Spain.

MD David Osborne said: “Our sustained investment, patience and belief over the last 10 years in developing our international markets has proved a great success.

“We have developed unique capabilities which have in turn created so many opportunities with major international hotel groups.”

Eating into new markets

Catherine Wood and Andy Skowronski of A&C

Food consultancy A&C Associates is establishing new markets in South East Asia, the Middle East, Europe, the US and Canada with support from Department for International Trade North East (DIT) via the Passport to Export programme and ERDF grant funding A&C offers consultancy to food service industries and consumer goods businesses in franchising, new markets and acquisition, plus training in procurement and sales.

The support has helped it to win contracts in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and ERDF funding via DIT is helping it to exhibit at a major trade show in Dubai in October. contact 27

Policy

It’s time for the Government to hand over the keys to our transport future Chamber policy adviser Arlen Pettitt makes the Chamber’s case for connectivity for the North of England

28 contact

www.neechamber.co.uk

According to transport secretary Chris Grayling, the success of northern transport depends on the North itself.

Writing in The Yorkshire Post, Mr Grayling said central government’s role was to provide funding and a delivery structure, but it was for the North to take control of designing and managing transport improvements.

This was met by a resounding “Yes please” from political and business leaders across the North when they met in Leeds at the end of August to discuss a united position in campaigning for increased investment in transport across the region.

That desire to move decision making out of Westminster and have it better reflect local priorities is a fundamental one when it comes to northern transport.

But the secretary of state’s statement made clear the need to come forward with detailed plans which the Government would be able to support.

This is partly about deciding on a vision and priorities, and partly about process.

The current approach to assessment of transport projects makes schemes in less populous or less prosperous areas far less likely to be approved.

If the Government is serious about rebalancing the UK’s economy, developing the enabling infrastructure will be vital. In addition, the assessment criteria used to test schemes in the darkened rooms of Whitehall will need to change to emphasise transformational economic potential.

To find that potential, the Government will need to listen to business and be prepared to hand over control.

In the North East, a major priority for funding is a new fleet for Tyne and Wear Metro, and support is clear from the ongoing campaign being waged by members of the Chamber, the Confederation of British Industry and the Federation of Small Business.

We also have the skills and expertise which can deliver the improvements we need in the region.

Heathrow Airport, for example, recently held a meet-the-supplier event in the North East as it seeks to add more regional SMEs to its supply chain ahead of its expansion.

With the emerging vision and specialist expertise needed to take ownership of our transport future, the Government must honour its promise and hand over the keys. www.neechamber.co.uk

contact 29

8 November, 09:00 - 16:00 Newcastle Falcons ns Kingston Kingston Kingsto nP Park ark 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 November 2017.

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

Chamber members can exhibit on level 2 from ÂŁ150 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 30 contact

www.neechamber.co.uk

Events

l-r Golfers Rebecca Ferguson and Stewart Fell with Helen Roseberry of Ramside Hall and Anth Wills of Lookers

Champion partnership Newcastle and Gateshead quaysides (pic: NewcastleGatesheadInitiative)

Tourism boost

NewcastleGateshead Initiative has announced tourism figures for the city area for 2016 which show that a total of 17.38m people visited the area - an increase of 3% on 2015.

The latest set of figures also show visitor expenditure in NewcastleGateshead was up 3% to £1.46bn.

NGI chief executive Sarah Stewart says: “It is great news that the number of visitors has continued to increase, as the breadth and variety of what NewcastleGateshead has to offer also grows. This increase played an important part in the opening of more than 40 new venues in NewcastleGateshead in 2016. These included Live Works, Grey’s Quarter and the new Premier Inn in the beautiful Art Deco former Co-op building, alongside the hosting of major events such as Magic Weekend.

“These events and experiences alongside our ever-evolving food, drink and nightlife offering, which continues to deliver attractive new venues, combine to provide a desirable year-round offer for visitors to NewcastleGateshead.

"We can see evidence of this with more than 5m people coming through Newcastle International Airport and The Port of Tyne in 2016, along with the number of hotel rooms sold increasing 5% alongside the growth in a new accommodation offer from Airbnb.”

The number of overnight stays in 2016 also rose to 4.72m nights, contributing £475m to the local economy. The fourth largest sector in the North East, tourism employed 14,622 people in NewcastleGateshead directly employed in 2016.

Early figures for 2017 show growth continues and NewcastleGateshead will host the Great Exhibition of the North in 2018 with an estimated audience of 3m people. www.neechamber.co.uk

Chamber members Offstone Publishing, Lookers and Ramside Hall teamed up to support elite golf across the north of England with the Northern Golfer magazine Champion of Champions events.

Tynemouth-based couple Rebecca Ferguson and Stewart Fell, who met in a junior competition at Tynemouth Golf Club as teenagers, won the Ladies and the Men’s events, beating strong fields of club champions from across the North of England. Hexham youngster Joseph Robson lifted the junior title.

Lookers Renault’s Anth Wills said: “Lookers supports sports and activities across our dealer network, from grassroots to elite level. We’re proud to support the Champion of Champions with our dealerships in the North. Seeing Rebecca and Stewart lift their trophies was fantastic. We wish them all the best for their future on and off the golf course.”

The popular event is organised by Northn Golfer magazine, published by Offstone Publishing, which also produces Contact magazine for the Chamber.

Ramside Hall director of golf Helen Roseberry said: “Seeing three young golfers win these tournaments with fantastic scores was brilliant, and for a couple to win the Ladies and the Men’s titles was the icing on the cake.

“The feedback from the players over the two days was very positive and our course manager Roger Shaw and the team prepared the course to find true champions. We’re delighted to have been part of the event and look forward to working with Offstone and Lookers in the future.” contact 31

Events Motor on show

The new Ford GT ’66 Heritage Edition increased showroom traffic for Jennings Ford when it made a special appearance at the group’s Stockton dealership.

Guests were given an exclusive glimpse of the high-performance model when it was on display for two days at the Yarm Road dealership.

The 2017 Ford GT limited edition Heritage theme honours the GT40 Mark II driven to victory by Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon at Le Mans in 1966 – part of the historic 1-2-3 Ford GT sweep.

Ray Riaz, general manager at Jennings Ford in Stockton, said: “The event was a huge success. The model certainly generated interest.”

32 contact

Amazing spaces A new multi million pound state-of-the-art entertainment arena, conference and exhibition centre is set for the North East as plans by Gateshead Council push forward.

Gateshead Council, in partnership with property developer Ask Real Estate and investment and development manager PATRIZIA UK, is working with venue manager SMG Europe to bring a 12,500 seat arena with conference and exhibition facilities to Gateshead Quays - relocating the existing Metro Radio Arena.

The 10-acre site , which sits opposite the Gateshead Millennium Bridge and between Sage Gateshead and BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, is planned to include an entertainment arena, conference and exhibition centre, hotel, bars and restaurants - creating a new destination on the waterfront with easy access to the Quays, Gateshead Town Centre and the wider region.

The new facilities on Gateshead Quays which will be capable of holding major music and cultural events, as well as conferences and exhibitions, is anticipated to support over 1,140 jobs with well over half being newly created. Attracting an extra 296,000 visitors to the region, it is estimated to boost the regional economy by more than £29.5m annually.

www.neechamber.co.uk

HG Xmas Advert NECC:Layout 1

7/9/17

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Page 1

Gift Vouchers available Ideal as a gift for someone special

Christmas & New Year Events 2017

Horton Grange Country House Hotel provides the perfect venue For your festive celebrations.

Jason Isaacs Party Nights Enjoy a wonderful 3 course meal with Prosecco and Canapés on arrival with the fabulous Jason Isaacs on Sunday 3rd and Thursday 14th December. £43.50 per person.

Christmas Party Nights Join in the festive spirit at Horton Grange with delicious food and fabulous entertainment from our resident disco letting you dance the night away with friends, family or colleagues!

Available Friday and Saturday nights throughout December. £34.50 per person.

Festive Lunch Enjoy the festive decorations and warm atmosphere of Horton Grange this Christmas with some delicious food too! Available between 1st December and 23rd December, Excluding Sundays 2 Courses - £17.50 | 3 Courses - £22.50 Horton Grange Country House Hotel

@HortonGrange

@hortongrangehotel

Please see web site for full details. full Christmas Brochure is Also available upon request.

Horton Grange Country House Hotel, Berwick Hill Road, Ponteland, Newcastle upon Tyne NE13 6BU T: (01661) 860686 E: info@hortongrange.co.uk W: www.hortongrange.co.uk

Profile

Care in the community As the Tyneside-based Community Foundation prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary, Jane Hall talks to chief executive Rob Williamson about the business of philanthropy in the 21st Century North Easterners have long put the rest of the nation to shame with their generosity. Time and again those from the region are cited as the most bighearted donors to good causes.

So entrenched has this belief become that it’s hard to separate fact from fiction. Are those living between the Rivers Tweed and Tees really that munificent? To find the answer you need to speak to someone working at the charity coalface.

Rob Williamson is chief executive of the Newcastlebased Community Foundation, one of a network of 48 across the UK, and by far the largest, not just in terms of the area it covers Northumberland and Tyne and Wear - but its sustainable endowment pot, which currently sits at a healthy £79m.

It’s a phenomenal sum to be in charge of, and one that has grown substantially since Williamson, 46, took over in 2009 after previously directing policy and communications at the Northern Rock Foundation.

Eight years ago, the fund sat at £33m, but thanks to work on the part of Williamson and the foundation's 22 staff, plus the legendary benevolence of North East supporters, that has now swelled by an impressive £46m.

This is no mean feat, considering Williamson 34 contact

joined the foundation the year after the financial crash. The endowment, he says, “took a huge hit and had lost about 25% of its value, but we quickly recovered. The markets have played their part, but on average we are adding about £2m-£3m in donations to the endowment every year.”

The Community Foundation’s status as the largest in the land has seen it singled out as the first outside London to be involved in an undertaking promoting philanthropy. City Philanthropy – A Wealth of Opportunity, is a project funded by the City of London Corporation’s charity, City Bridge Trust, to advance the capital as a global centre of altruism and encourage a new generation of benefactors.

Given the North East’s reputation for generosity, it was thought this region – and most especially The Community Foundation, which marks its 30th birthday next year – was the place to begin building on the project. Work is about to get underway on Philanthropy: The North East Story Past, Present and Future.

This is likely to include an exhibition and commemorate the foundation’s three decades in existence. It won’t just be about the Community Foundation, but will also look at the history of philanthropy in the North East, back www.neechamber.co.uk

❝It's a phenomenal sum to be in charge of ❞

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Profile ❝We don't stand on the streets or deliver letters, we are introduced by intermediaries❞ to the likes of Victorian industrialist William Armstrong, how such patronage has developed and the role it will play in the future.

Apart from the Community Foundation, the region is known for many other charitable institutions. “We have the Barbour Foundation, the Northern Rock Foundation, the Catherine Cookson Foundation,” says Williamson. “It is known nationally that the North East has this tradition.”

It’s not just the wealthy who give philanthropists come from all walks of life.

“Telling the story of philanthropy here gives us the chance to dispel the notion that it is only about wealthy people dispensing largesse,” says Williamson. “Philanthropy is about giving back to a community and thinking about the welfare of others in an organised way, whether for £10 a month or £10m, or donating talent and time.”

But what is the difference between philanthropy and making a charitable donation? And how does the Community Foundation encourage donors to come on board? “Anybody can pick a charity to support,” Williamson explains. “It is when people get to the stage of thinking they want to do something a bit more thought through, something closer to home, more grassroots, that goes beyond writing a cheque to a particular charity, that you step over into philanthropy.

“They might have a conversation with a business contact or friend, their lawyer or wealth manager, and that is when we kick in.

We don’t stand on the street or send out letters - we are introduced by intermediaries. We chat through what someone is passionate about, how they want to give, and the range of ways they can make a difference.

“What you get from giving via the Community Foundation is the chance to plug into a wider enterprise. We have 30 years’ experience working with hundreds of organisations that donors wouldn’t usually come across. We are a match maker between donors and the community.

“And we believe in having a relationship with 36 contact

our donors. We never say, ‘give us your money and go away.’ As an organisation working in philanthropy, fundraising is our biggest issue.

But no money or support comes without trust and reputation. Investing in those is core to everything we do.”

Philanthropy may not make the world go round, but without ‘big-givers’, it would undoubtedly be a poorer place. The Community Foundation’s headquarters in a converted church in Gosforth, Newcastle, is named Philanthropy House and Williamson’s dream is to grow the endowment to £100m by 2025.

The Community Foundation awards a total £6m-£7m a year in grants covering everything from projects that tackle inequality to supporting people with housing and homelessness, investing in education, arts, culture and heritage, caring for the environment, encouraging healthy living, and enabling young people to take up opportunities.

The foundation also manages around 250 named funds . The chair of the board of trustees is the entrepreneur and angel investor Fiona Cruickshank OBE, who has personal and corporate funds at the foundation. She is the perfect example of someone who is giving her wealth back to the region that made her, and ensuring the Community Foundation maintains its premier league status now and for another 30 years. www.neechamber.co.uk

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Success

Famous five Some of the North East’s most innovative and successful businesses will compete against the best of Britain at the prestigious British Chambers of Commerce awards in London in November. Kay Wilson profiles the companies flying the flag for the region MEDIAWORKS Shortlisted: Best Use of Social Media Gateshead-based digital marketing business Mediaworks has much to celebrate as it marks its first decade in business.

In addition to being nominated in the Best Use of Social Media category in the BCC Awards, it is on target to double its turnover and create 20 new jobs in the next 12 months.

Its clients include GlaxoSmithKline, House of Fraser, Tommee Tippee, Ralph Lauren, Omega Plastics and Esh Group.

It developed the successful Snow Dogs Trail app fundraising campaign for St Oswald’s Hospice in Newcastle last year and its range of digital services include Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Paid Search (PPC), Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO), web and app development, creative content and online reputation management.

The agency is currently developing a data reporting tool to allow clients to monitor the success of their campaigns closely, and it is committed to nurturing local talent.

OMEGA PLASTICS GROUP Shortlisted: High Growth Business of the Year North East Company of the Year Omega Plastics Group (OPG) provides advanced prototype and production tooling services, specialising in highquality plastic injection moulding components for sectors including automotive, design and packaging, manufacturing and electronics, medical and pharmaceuticals.

Following its merger with Signal Plastics in 2015, the company tripled its holdings across the North East, operating three state-of-the-art factories in Hartlepool, Washington and Blyth.

It has successfully secured contracts with 38 contact

a number of blue chip organisations from the automotive sector in recent months and was named North East Company of the Year at North East Business Awards 2017. With a range of low to highvolume production services available, OPG prides itself on its flexibility and capacity to deliver the highest quality goods consistently and on time.

EGGER Shortlisted: Commitment to People Development Northumberland-based EGGER (UK), the woodbased materials manufacturer and part of the EUR 2.38bn turnover Austrian-owned EGGER Group, has an award-winning approach to apprenticeships and employee training, hence its nomination in this category.

Of its 600-strong Hexham workforce, 10% are apprentices or have been apprentices in the past. This year it has taken on a further eight new apprentices, in addition to the 12 apprentices currently being trained in departments from IT to engineering.

The Hexham plant has a £4m engineering facility including a state-of-the-art training academy and the company recently introduced EGGER Kompakt, an award-winning internal training programme providing cross-departmental knowledge transfer and personal development opportunities.

O’BRIEN WASTE RECYCLING SOLUTIONS (WRS) Shortlisted: Excellence in Customer Service Waste recycling specialist O’Brien WRS is a familiar name in the North East, serving major clients including Newcastle International Airport, intu MetroCentre, and Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Co Durham and North Tyneside councils.

The company, which is based in Newcastle and www.neechamber.co.uk

Representatives from the region's five contenders in the BCC Awards with Chamber president John McCabe and chief executive James Ramsbotham

has recycling centres in Hartlepool and Washington, is due to open a new £5m waste recycling centre in Middlesbrough in October. It is also growing its onsite facilities waste management services and developing new technology to enable customers to get instant, first-hand information on their recycling rates via an app. It also undertakes training to ensure the companies it works for know how to support their own recycling.

PRIMA CHEESE Shortlisted: Export Business of the Year A world-leading exporter of grated and shredded cheese products, Seaham-based Prima Cheese is a business success story, www.neechamber.co.uk

growing consistently since it was founded in 1997 to supply the Beni family’s own foodservice company.

Today, it is a nationwide catering brand run by the children of the founders - brother and sister Nagma and Nima Beni - supplying wholesalers and foodservice companies all over the UK and operating worldwide since 2011.

An experienced worldwide operator and named the North East Exporter of the Year 2017, Prima Cheese exports to 37 countries and has aspirations to enter China. It has invested in £3m site expansion, which will see its current 600 tonne per week output treble by the end of 2018.

NORTH EAST BUSINESS AWARDS 2018 If you have ambitions for next years BCC Awards, your first step is to enter the North East Business Awards 2018, for which nominations close on December 29.

Chamber chief executive James Ramsbotham says: “I urge businesses to enter these awards and take advantage of this unique platform to showcase your products and services, your team and your ambitions.

In our region, we have strengths in many sectors from manufacturing to exporting food and drink. These awards are recognition of these strengths.”

Companies and organisations can enter up to three separate categories. For further information, visit the website: www. nebusinessawards. co.uk

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Commercial Profile

Northern Skills Group marks first anniversary with top success rates Since its launch, the organisation has recruited an impressive 1,362 apprentices, with 133 of those apprenticeships at management level.

Overall, Northern Skills Group apprenticeship success rate stands at 82.5% – well above the 67% national average.

With a team of sector experts in-house Northern Skills Group provides tailored apprenticeship programmes, advice on the Apprenticeship Levy and a free recruitment service.

Director Peter Wilson said: “Apprenticeships are a proven, cost effective way to increase business growth.

By investing in skills businesses can bank future productivity gains.”

Northern Skills Group is the product of Middlesbrough College’s acquisition of NECC Training – already a significant apprenticeship provider.

The North East Ambulance Service – an Apprenticeship Levy-payer – is just one organisation to benefit from its expertise.

Nine apprentices have embarked on a year-long programme as ambulance care assistants – delivering inter-hospital transfers, hospital discharges and palliative care transport.

For more information on how Northern Skills Group can help your business, contact our business advisors on 03453 40 40 40 or info@northernskills.co.uk

GIVE YOUR BUSINESS THE COMPETITIVE EDGE WITH APPRENTICESHIP SOLUTIONS FROM NORTHERN SKILLS GROUP Over 2000 employers are already working with us, join them and see how Northern Skills Group can grow your business through effective workforce development.

With an apprenticeship you can: Employ new staff Improve skills of your existing team Ensure senior staff have recognised management qualifications

NEW TO APPRENTICESHIPS? Increase productivity Remain competitive in the market place

From accountancy to engineering, we specialise in over 100 types of apprenticeships.

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APPRENTICESHIPS AND TRAINING 40 contact

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Focus

Bridging the skills gap In this special focus, we explore the work being done across our region to inspire the future workforce though education, training and apprenticeships

509,400 23,000 apprenticeship starts in the 2015/16 academic year

apprenticeship opportunities listed every month on average

90%+

apprentices currently go into work or further training

*Statistics from the Education & Skills Funding Agency

www.neechamber.co.uk

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Focus

Glimpse into the future

Sarah Thorpe of UK Steel Enterprise with, l-r Dan Wilcox, Jim Glew and Matt Switzer of Cleveland LGV Training

Keep on trucking

Cleveland LGV Training has won a new contract to take 90 people through HGV training having been approved as a DVSA Test Centre.

The Teesside company, started in 2015 by former SSI worker Dan Wilcox after the Redcar steelworks closed, has grown to a turnover approaching £3m with a workforce of 33 and three parallel businesses covering HGV training, haulage and repairs.

The company’s fleet of around 30 trucks started out with just two HGVs after UK Steel Enterprise, the Tata Steel business-support subsidiary, helped with a start-up loan from its Regeneration Fund.

The company’s recent move to larger premises gave it room for expansion including a permanent training room.

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen with students

Engineering undergraduates from Teesside University were given a glimpse into their potential futures with one of the world’s leading petrochemical businesses during a three-day workshop at SABIC. Students from the university’s School of Science, Engineering and Design took part in SABIC’s Engineering Summer School 2017 completing a range of practical and theoretical exercises aimed at boosting their confidence and employability skills.

SABIC, whose UK headquarters are

at Wilton, near Redcar, also hosted 18 students from schools, colleges and apprentice training centres at a similar summer school for 16-18-year-olds interested in taking up engineering roles.

Named UK Company of the Year by the Chemical Industries Association, SABIC employs 600 staff and an additional 400 contractors at its Wilton and North Tees sites, while thousands more are employed in its wider supply chain.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen joined the students on a tour of Wilton.

Learning the ropes

Newcastle City Learning has continued its training success with the appointment of Holly Phillips at Monkseaton Medical Centre.

Holly has joined the medical centre having worked with the business as a business administration apprentice and won Apprentice of the Year at Newcastle City Learning’s annual awards.

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Engineering the future Apprenticeships have been offered to a number of students who studied full-time engineering at East Durham College’s Technical Academy.

Companies including Sotech, Nissan and Dale Fabrications have all recruited.

Calvin Price (pictured), who completed a Level 2 Performing Engineering Operations course, has joined Philadelphia Structures having impressed the company so much on the first day of a work placement he was offered an apprenticeship. www.neechamber.co.uk

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Focus National finalist Brenda McLeish, Learning Curve Group CEO and Jon Horan, Bellway plc construction director meet apprentices

Teaming up

Housebuilder Bellway has appointed training and recruitment services provider Learning Curve Group as its Apprenticeship Levy partner.

The partnership will see Co Durham-based Learning Curve Group work with Bellway to deliver its new apprenticeship schemes with vacancies created in the North East and nationwide across a range of construction trades, surveying, a new trainee assistant site manager programme and office-based roles.

LCG will also be supporting Bellway with the recruitment.

Gateshead College has been recognised for its role in a pioneering initiative designed to boost the construction industry skills base.

The college, which launched PlanBEE (Built Environment Education) in 2016 with Ryder Architecture, has been selected as a finalist in the Students from the PlanBEE programme Apprenticeship Scheme of the Gateshead College and Ryder teamed Year category of the 2017 Construction up with a network of companies to Investing in Talent Awards. develop and deliver a flexible degreeRun by trade publication Construction level apprenticeship, in which students News, the awards recognise individuals work with multiple companies, in order and teams which work hard to attract to attract and retain the brightest new and retain the best talent in the industry. talent in the region, plug skills gaps, and Competition judges were impressed create a more flexible workforce capable by the college’s role in PlanBEE - an of working across various construction alliance of architects, designers, disciplines. The final is in November. contractors and engineering specialists.

Creating Outstanding Futures Apprenticeships with East Durham College

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Expert staff with up to date knowledge, skills and experience Professional recruitment service structured around your business needs Outstanding practical training facilities Flexible delivery to suit your business Our priority is to provide capable and committed apprentices who can help to drive your business forward.

To find out more or to arrange a tour of our outstanding facilities, please call 0191 518 5587 or email emma.norbury@eastdurham.ac.uk

Apprenticeships available in: Agriculture Beauty Bricklaying Business Administration Construction Customer Service Electrotechnical Technology Engineering Floristry Hairdressing and Barbering Health and Social Care Horse Care

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Focus

New routes into the law for young stars

Leah Greenwell and Nathan Johnson

A new initiative by a consortium of North East law firms to offer a more accessible route into the legal profession has seen the creation of 13 solicitor apprenticeships.

Bond Dickinson, Muckle LLP, McDaniel & Co, Sintons Law, QualitySolicitors Smith Roddam, and North Tyneside Council have joined forces with CILEx Law School and City University of London to create a six-year apprenticeship programme.

The initiative is the first of its kind

outside London and has won praise for its unique approach to opening up the legal profession to young people.

The firms targeted school leavers with the apprenticeship opportunities, which offer the chance to work with a firm for six years without the need to go to university. In addition to ongoing training and development within the firms, City University of London will support apprentices throughout the programme.

Sintons has taken on two apprentices, Leah Greenwell and Nathan Johnson.

The first DurhamWorks cohort

In the works The DurhamWorks programme is looking for businesses looking to grow their teams with young people from Co Durham.

The programme works with unemployed 16-24-year-olds who are looking for work and training opportunities. It provides free support for SMEs to create job, apprenticeship and other work-related opportunities, from helping firms find candidates to sourcing up to £3,000 in funding to supporting training.

Foot in the door

l-r Julie Elliott MP, Nigel Harrett and Ellen Thinnesen of Sunderland College, and Sharon Hodgson MP

College calls for fairer deal Sunderland College has backed increasing calls for more funding for further education.

Colleges currently receive £4,000 per year for 16-18-year-old students, which covers around 15 hours teaching time each week. An extra £200 per student www.neechamber.co.uk

would cost £244m a year. There was also an underspend in 16-19 education of £135m in 2014/15 and £312m in 2015/16. Ellen Thinnesen, principal and chief executive at Sunderland College, says: “This debate is important for the future of 16-19 education."

Kieran Little, a 20-year-old visually impaired student, has joined Northumberland Council’s Learning and Skills Service.

Kieran has been blind from birth and gained his GCSEs at Gosforth Academy before studying at the Royal National College for the Blind where he built an impressive CV of IT qualifications.

Kieran impressed as part of a three-week work placement and is now continuing his training with the team. contact 47

Commercial Profile

Degree Apprenticeship Programmes: Develop your people, shape the future Leading motor retailer Vertu Motors has embraced degree apprenticeships by offering talented future managers from across the country the chance to gain a BA in Business Leadership and Management Practice with Northumbria University, Newcastle.

Degree and higher apprenticeships are a key strand in the Government’s skills strategy, and are open to new recruits and existing staff.

All businesses have access to degree apprenticeships, but larger organisations are required to pay an annual 0.5% levy on their payroll where this exceeds £3million.

For employers, degree apprenticeships can help develop a motivated, productive and competitive workforce, while employees can see benefits l-r Vertu degree apprenticeship student Dan Breen with Sandie Dixon, Head of Recruitment and Talent at Vertu and Professor John Wilson, Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Business and Law at Northumbria through career progress.

Faculty of Business and Law at Northumbria, said: “We were Vertu Motors is the sixth largest motor retailer in the UK, one of the first universities to offer degree apprenticeships, and the first in its sector to offer a degree apprenticeships investing up to £240,000 to develop our programme. The degree programme. Robert Forrester, Chief Executive approach involves collaboration with partners to offer the of Vertu Motors plc, has described the decision as “an best possible learning experience for employees and strong amazing opportunity for those enthusiastic about outcomes for businesses. forging a career in the motor industry.”

“Vertu Motors is clearly leading the way in its sector and Sandie Dixon, Head of Recruitment and Talent we are excited to be working in partnership with them.” at Vertu Motors plc, looks forward to welcoming new colleagues to the Vertu Motors team: “We are delighted to be partnering Northumbria University and its respected Newcastle Business School. This landmark apprenticeship programme offers a fantastic opportunity for enthusiastic future managers to gain a respected degree debt-free and to forge a career with one For more information on degree apprenticeships with of the most successful businesses in the UK. Northumbria University and future events please contact: “We are proud to be offering this innovative Sue Graham at sue.graham@northumbria.ac.uk programme and are looking forward to working with or call 0191 227 3188. the talented colleagues joining us, who demonstrate the Discover More: commitment, drive and ambition we look for in managers www.northumbria.ac.uk/degreeapprenticeships of the future.”

Professor John Wilson, Pro Vice-Chancellor for the 48 contact

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Focus

Firm foundations On track

The latest Esh Connexts cohort with Esh Group's Darush Dodds (centre) and Esh Group's Sarah Lamb (far left)

Esh Group has launched a programme to open construction careers to young people not in education, employment or training in Co Durham.

Esh Connexts, a seven-week employability skills project, will help 11 learners with an interest in construction who are hindered by a lack of knowledge and employability skills.

The programme is being run as a partnership between construction firm Esh Group and Durham County Council’s DurhamWorks youth employment initiative, which receives backing from the European Social Fund.

The cohort will experience workshops on people skills, money skills, job applications and construction training with volunteers from Esh Group’s 1,100-strong workforce delivering the workshops at the firm’s Bowburn headquarters.

Darush Dodds, head of responsible business and added value at Esh Group, said: “Esh Connexts is designed to help those who’ve shown an interest in construction work but might not have the knowledge, motivation or personal skills to be able to make the first steps into a career.

“Instead of putting them in front of www.neechamber.co.uk

professional trainers we think it’s valuable for Esh staff to be able to impart their experiences and knowledge in a more relaxed format.”

Learners will also get the opportunity to complete CSCS cards – the certificates needed to work on any construction site.

As part of the programme the cohort also had the chance to meet Dale Morris, a former Esh Connexts student who is now head of architectural design at Homes

by Esh. Dale, who is currently in the final year of a degree while working at Esh, began the programme in 2009 after starting an electrical engineering apprenticeship but not enjoying it.

He said: “After school I didn’t know whether to go down the A Levels route or try and get a job straight away, and when the apprenticeship wasn’t working for me a careers adviser pointed me to Esh Connexts.

“My experience is proof that if you put in hard work you can achieve.”

The programme is supported by the Foundation of Light SAFC, Barclays, O’Brien’s Waste and Groundwork North East & Cumbria.

Train building apprentices and graduates have joined Hitachi Rail in Newton Aycliffe as part of a national training programme.

The firm’s new apprentice and graduate programmes will see the company double its number of trainees to more than 100 across the UK. The Newton Aycliffe site will employ four apprentices and two graduates every year to work on train manufacturing projects following the success of the current scheme at the site, which includes technical and manufacturing apprentices.

The new apprentices will attend Middlesbrough College to study for their mechanical or electrical BTEC qualifications.

The new national apprenticeship programme follows the success of 54 train manufacturing apprentices currently at Newton Aycliffe.

Apprentices at the manufacturing facility in the North East will join a 1,000-strong workforce building intercity and commuter trains and working in train maintenance depots across the UK. The trainee programmes are part of Hitachi’s wider plans to create a new generation of rail workers with plans for at least 5% of its workforce to be employed in an entry level training scheme.

Ross Nagle, chief operating officer for manufacturing at Hitachi Rail said: “The apprentices we took on last year are busy building trains which will run the length and breadth of the country.” contact 49

Focus

Skills priorities Setting the standard l-r Chamber chief exec James Ramsbotham, Tim Bailey, Giselle Stewart and Richard Waterhouse

Richard Waterhouse, chief executive at NBS, has outlined his priorities for boosting the region’s skills base for the North East’s leading exporters.

Speaking to Chamber members at Crowne Plaza Newcastle, he said: “There is no such thing as an ‘oven ready’ graduate. We need to attract skilled employees with a passion to learn and be innovative. The challenge is how can businesses help influence

the workforce of the future and anticipate what that might look like.”

Tim Bailey, partner at Xsite Architecture in Newcastle, also spoke on the need to instil the region's legacy for innovation in the next generation, while Giselle Stewart OBE, UK corporate affairs director at Ubisoft, also introduced the new University Technical College (UTC) being built in Newcastle.

Global training provider HTL Group has begun industryleading training at its centre in Northumberland.

The GWO Basic Technical Training Standard has been developed in response to the demand for basic technical training in the wind industry.

HTL Group, which serves the industry through a range of Wind Energy tailored courses, has added it to the range of courses delivered at the Northumberland Training Centre of Excellence.

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People

Price of success Billingham-based pump manufacturer and distributor Tomlinson Hall has appointed a new area sales manager to help it to expand its national presence.

Ian Price will be responsible for building new sales and drive business growth in the south of England, promoting a range of pumps distributed by Tomlinson Hall, which works in the UK and overseas.

Hay & Kilner's corporate and commercial team, l-r Jonathan Water, Mark Adams, Ben Jackson Neil Harrold and Sarah Hall

Picked for the team Newcastle law firm Hay & Kilner has expanded its corporate and commercial team with the appointment of solicitor Ben Jackson, who successfully completed his training at the firm having gained experience in its corporate and commercial team.

l-r Peter Glenton, partner, Adam Cassidy, corporate finance executive and Carl Swansbury, partner

New job adds up

Ryecroft Glenton Corporate Finance (RGCF) has appointed Adam Cassidy corporate finance executive. He has five years’ experience working as an international accountant for eight of Proctor & Gamble’s overseas entities, with a combined profit of $40m.

Northumbrian Water apprentice Carl Eddon with TTE non-exec director Keith Leslie (left) and MD Steve Grant (right) at TTE's Apprentice of the Year ceremony

In the market Chelsea Clark has been appointed assistant marketing manager at intu Eldon Square shopping centre in Newcastle. She joins the team following experience in marketing at an aerospace software development company and at intu Metrocentre.

Ruth returns

Top nine

Ruth Goodman has been appointed weddings and social events executive at The Marriott Gosforth Park in Newcastle.

The events management graduate from Sunderland University has previously worked at The Marriott Gateshead Metrocentre and Events Durham.

Nine mechanical and electrical apprentices are now at Northumbrian Water Group, having completed two years of technical training at TTE, Middlesbrough. Eight of the group hail from the North East and will work across the region, while the ninth is with Essex with Essex & Suffolk Water, part of the Northumbrian Water Group.

l-r Mark Nicol and Ean Parsons of Parsons Containers Jessica Maine and Sean Jackson

Duo make the grade

Endeavour Partnership has rewarded the commitment of its two current trainees by offering them full-time employment. Jessica Maine and Sean Jackson joined the commercial law firm in September 2015 for a 24-month training contract. Both have now been appointed solicitors at the firm.

54 contact

Going for growth Co Durham-based Parsons Containers Group has appointed Mark Nicol as business development manager. He joins Parsons with a group-wide remit, having spent more than 20 years in commercial roles with brands including Kellogg’s, GlaxoSmithKline and most recently Kerry Foods. He is now set to apply his expertise across the group.

New team member Commercial law firm Watson Burton has strengthened its commercial litigation team with the appointment of solicitor Jessica Brain, who undertook a graduate traineeship with Watson Burton and qualified as a solicitor earlier this year. www.neechamber.co.uk

In the chair

The Chamber has appointed new chairs to its Durham and Sunderland area committees.

Hodgson Sayers’ finance manager Mike Wade takes on the role in Durham following the untimely passing of Esh Group’s Brian Manning earlier this year. Mike is a member of the advisory board of Business Durham, and is a champion for ethics in business, the Real Living Wage, and improving working lives.

John Craggs, chief executive officer of Sunderland-based Housing Association Gentoo Group, is appointed chair of the Chamber’s Sunderland Area Committee.

He said: “This is an exciting time for the city with at least £1.3bn of public and private investment to be made over the next nine years, the Tall Ships and the next round of the Capital of Culture bid. The Chamber is a keen supporter of this cultural development work and Wearside’s ambitions for the future."

Do you have time to clock watch?

New chancellor

John Craggs

Mike Wade

Sage has published an economic report highlighting figures from a new survey which reveals that the world’s business builders spend an average 120 working days per year on administrative tasks, accounting for around 5% of the total manpower for the average SME. The international survey by Plum Consulting shows that an increase in productivity of 5.6% in the UK leading to an increase in GDP of at least £33.9bn per year could be partially achieved through the reduction of time spent on business administration.

Sweating the Small Stuff: The Impact of the Bureaucracy Burden survey researched more than 3,000 business builders globally.

The big society Newcastle Building Society has appointed two non-executive directors to the board as it continues its growth and investment programme.

Anne Shiels is an HR professional with extensive executive and board level experience. Most recently she held executive director roles at Hallmark Cards and Lloyds Banking Group/HBOS. Anne Shiels Bryce Glover Bryce Glover is a former MD of Commercial Banking at A & L / Santander, before joining Nationwide Building Society in 2009 as director heading its Commercial Division. He was Nationwide’s Corporate Affairs Director from 2014 to December 2016. www.neechamber.co.uk

Teesside University has named Paul Drechsler CBE its new chancellor, succeeding Lord Sawyer of Darlington.

Drechsler, the president of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), began his career on Teesside with ICI and rose to become chief exec of one of ICI’s principal international businesses and a main board director. He is is chairman of Bibby Line Group, chairman of the board of the charity Teach First and a board member of Business in the Community and the UK International Chamber of Commerce.

New CEO for Syrett Furniture manufacturer Godfrey Syrett has appointed Mark Dixon its new CEO and chairman.

Dixon, who took up the role of executive chairman last year, has raised the firm’s growth target from £40m to £50m by 2020.

From its two manufacturing sites in Killingworth and Durham, Godfrey Syrett designs, manufactures and delivers furniture throughout the UK for the education, healthcare, commercial and hospitality sectors. He said: “Our growth strategy has started strongly. There is more to do to improve efficiency through investment in infrastructure and targeting new sectors.” contact 55

Motoring

La dolce vita Jane Pikett salutes iconic Italian brand Alfa Romeo as its new Giulia and Stelvio make their bids for the next generation of thoroughbred models I give you the paddock at Aintree on Grand National day, three dozen thoroughbreds in the prime of their lives - head-throwing, snorting, sweating no-hopers, 100-1 chancers which might just provide a fairy tale, carbon copy Newmarket production liners who will run a textbook race.

Then comes The One; dazzling, magnificent, superb - as aware of its allure as surely as a 90s supermodel on the Dior runway.

I am utterly, irresistibly smitten, despite the fact - or perhaps because of it - that the long list of attributes possessed by the object of my attention does not include reliability. After all, where’s the excitement if you can predict the outcome?

One day this beauty will run the race of its life and secure its place in history. The next, its elegant legs will crumple under it and it’ll be in veterinary hospital for six months being coaxed and cossetted back to extravagant - and short-lived - form.

This is the thoroughbred equivalent of the Alfa Romeo; the loveliest creature on the track, as likely to break its elegant leg as it is to race to glory.

For those who covet the marque, its legendary unreliability is simply part of Alfa’s charm. It is Italian after all, and Italians personify style and beauty.

You can’t, however, call a nation which changes its Government as often as the rest of us change our underwear reliable.

The Italians also love to be noticed, and what could be more attention-seeking than the exquisite

56 contact

GTV - both in looks and in its constant call for medical attention?

I am reminded of this daily by the presence of my husband’s GTV V6, which has occupied a dignified repose in our garage for the last 18 months, since she performed an Italian flounce only Sophia Loren could better.

Since she was inelegantly towed home by the AA, Xena Warrior Princess (she suits her name) has relished the undivided attention of my husband, prostrate below her elegant torso, teasing, caressing, and gently persuading her nether regions into life. Lucky girl.

Meanwhile, Alfa Romeo is enjoying a range-wide makeover and attracting attention for all the right reasons, first with the new Giulia, its long-awaited return to the saloon sector, and latterly with the new Stelvio – Alfa’s first SUV. First to the Giulia, grandchild of the iconic 1960s model of the same name which, with the Giulietta,

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heralded the birth of the Alfisti movement. Today’s Giulia – Alfa’s first compact saloon in 50 years - is an extravagant and exciting addition to a largely homogenous sector. It is also leading the marque’s reinvention and was deservedly named a Game Changer at the 2017 Autocar Awards.

Autocar editor Mark Tisshaw has said this is the most competitive and likeable Alfa Romeo in half a century, Clarkson gave the top-of-the-range Giulia Quadrifoglio a spectacularly enthusiastic four out of five stars, and What Car says this is a potent beginning to Alfa’s ambitious bid to put every one of its models in class-leading position for performance and handling.

It is a striking and idiosyncratic addition to a class of executive cars dominated by German prowess, and is deservedly praised for its performance and

its exhilarating handling. Its success has also laid the ground for the brand new Stelvio – Alfa’s first SUV (I know, I thought it was an oxymoron when I first heard it too). The Stelvio is attracting widespread attention for its performance, handling and looks, though to my mind it is a less pleasing to the eye than most Alfas, apart, argubly, from the appalling 1980s Arna (basically an Alfa-badged Datsun Cherry).

The question for both of these game changers, and the new generation of Alfa Romeos to come, is will they suffer from the Munchausen’s Syndrome which blighted their forefathers? Well, I haven’t yet seen either resting elegantly on the hard shoulder with their hazards on, so perhaps (whisper it) this is the new chapter the Italians crave for their favourite marque. That has to be worth betting on.

The new Alfa Romeo Guilia

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contact 57

Motoring

Lookers ahead

Guy Capstaff of Unipres and Jessica Williams of Animmersion

Digital drive Automotive parts and tools giant Unipres has welcomed the completion of a major digital project delivered on its behalf by Middlesbrough-based animation specialist Animmersion.

The project included the production of holograms, interactive touch screens, an app and an animation for use at Unipres’ Sunderland HQ, events and conferences, schools and colleges. Unipres, which employs more than 1,000 people and counts Nissan, Honda and Renault among its clients, will use the digital tools to highlight the workings of its plant, its production capability, its heritage and community work.

Lookers chief executive Andy Bruce

Motor retailer Lookers has announced strong business growth and an increased adjusted profit before tax of 18% for the six months ending June 30, 2017.

The group predicts further growth with a focus on investment in technology and plans to strengthen its portfolio of sites.

Lookers operates 153 franchised dealerships across the UK and Ireland, including the North East, representing

32 manufacturer brands. Revenue has increased 5% to £2.46bn and operating profit from continuing operations increased 13% to £58.1m. Adjusted profit before tax from continuing operations increased 18% to £50.2m.

Chief exec Andy Bruce says: “We have made good progress and we believe the company is well positioned to continue its strong performance.”

Driving seat The annual North East Automotive Expo in late September was set to feature a dinner addressed by Professor Jon King focusing on growth and sustainability in the automotive sector.

Prof King, former chair of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Automotive Components Section, said: “There is great potential, but we need to have a connected national and regional discussion in order to be successful."

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Michelle Caveney, head of business at Lloyd Newcastle

Green deal adds up Lloyd Newcastle BMW and MINI is joining the drive to cut air pollution with the launch of a £2,000 incentive scheme aimed at encouraging owners of older diesels to go green.

The offer is open to owners of dieselpowered cars of Euro-4 emissions standard or older and is part of a wider BMW Group UK Lower Emissions Allowance scheme. Covering any make of diesel vehicle, customers can receive up

to £2,000 off cleaner vehicles including the BMW i3, i8, all BMW i Performance models, and MINI Countryman PHEV until December 31.

Michelle Caveney, head of business at Lloyd Newcastle, says: “With the new 67 number plate, this is the perfect time to trade up to a new car with exceptional performance, outstanding fuel economy, and class-leading CO₂ emissions." www.neechamber.co.uk

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Events Chamber Exchange October 12, Marriott Sunderland, 11:0014:00, FREE The Chamber’s flagship round-table networking event, held the second Thursday of each month across the region, encouraging an exchange of experiences, ideas and offers between members.

Chamber staff including senior management and partners will lead each table.

Presidents Club Lunch July 19, Washington Old Hall, in partnership with Make it Sunderland, sponsored by Northern

James Ramsbotham (Chamber), Mike Paterson (Northern), Charge D'affaires (US Embassy London), Coun Paul Watson, Irene Lucas (Sunderland City Council) and John McCabe (Chamber)

James Ramsbotham (Chamber), Coun Doris MacKnight, Charge D'affaires (US Embassy London), and John McCabe (Chamber)

Venue sponsor

Sponsor

John Craggs (Gentoo), Matthew Tye (Bureau) and Ged Parker (National Trust)

Caroline Marsh (Virgin Money) and Charge Daffaires (US Embassy London)

Haani ul Hasnain (British American Project) and Lucy Winskell (Northumbria University)

Mike Paterson (Northern), Irene Lucas (Sunderland City Council) and Pete Myers (Northern)

Chamber Exchange

November 9, Acklam Hall, 11:00-14:00, FREE Venue sponsor

Presidents Club members networking

Chamber Golf Day Chamber Christmas Exchange

July 19, Maften Hall, sponsored by Pulsant supported by European Golf Challenge and Matfen Hall

December 1, Copthorne, 11:00-14:00, FREE Venue sponsor The Pulsant team

The Upex team

The Slaley Hall team

The NE Youth team

The Toomey Legal team

The Waymark IT team

Sponsor

Supporting

60 contact

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Chamber Exchange with Cumbria Chamber July 13, sponsored and hosted by Slaley Hall

Derek Armstrong (Cumbria Chamber), Sarah Solly (Chamber) and Andrew Fox (Slaley Hall)

Christopher Elliot-Newman (First Standard), Tony Roxburgh (Synovis) and Mark Dowell (Hadrian Capital Finance)

Members networking

Lucy Kendall (COCO) and Coralee Beretez (European Golf Challenge)

Joe Routledge (HBP Monpellier) and Les Hare (CA Accountancy)

Chamber Local

August 31, sponsored and hosted by Lord Crewe Arms

Stan Abbott (Lockpoint), Tommy Mark (Lord Crewe Arms) and Lucy Kendall (COCO)

John Turnbull (Lime Design), Ian Martin (First Aid Training Solutions) and Joy Dowell (Hadrian Capital Finance)

Debbie Foster (Instore Radio), John Turnbull (Lime Design), Emily Fitzgerald (Lord Crewe Arms) and Jonathan Smith (LaneSystems)

Members networking

Summer Social July 6, sponsored and hosted by Motel One

Louise Notman and Danielle Tams (Motel One)

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Andy Smith (Intimation Creative Ltd) and Darren Davidson (Brand Links North)

Claire Burn (The Customs House), Ashley Earnshaw and Michelle Hardie (Theatre Royal) and Hannah Blair (The Customs House)

contact 61

Events Diary FEATURED EVENT

FEATURED EVENT

FEATURED EVENT

OCTOBER 12

NOVEMBER 2

NOVEMBER 8

Chamber Exchange 11:00-14:00 Sunderland Marriott, Seaburn FREE

Northumbria & Durham Annual Dinner, 18:00-00:00, Civic Centre, Newcastle £100*

Chamber Showcase @ North East Expo, 09:00-16:00, Newcastle Falcons, Kingston Park, £150* stand FREE to attend

TO BOOK

www.neechamber.co.uk/events

0300 303 6322

Networking

Skills, Knowledge and Information Network

OCT 18 - STAND UP AND BE COUNTED

OCT 11 & 18 - DIGITAL MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA MASTERCLASSES

events@neechamber.co.uk OCT 19 - SOUTH TYNESIDE AREA MEETING 08:00-10:00 • SOUTH SHIELDS FOOTBALL CLUB

FREE

NOV 3 - NORTH TYNESIDE AREA MEETING 08:00-10:00 • TYNE MET FREE

14:00-16:00 • WALLSEND TOWN HALL CHAMBERS

09:30-16:30 • 3P, TEAM VALLEY

NOV 7 - CHAMBER LOCAL (TEAM VALLEY MONTHLY)

08:00-10:00 • SAGE GATESHEAD

16:00-17:30 • TBC

FREE

FREE

OCT 13 - QUARTERLY ECONOMIC SURVEY

NOV 28 - STOCKTON BUSINESS FORUM

08:30-10:30 • AREA NORTH, TEAM VALLEY

FREE

FREE

NOV 9 - CHAMBER EXCHANGE

09:30-11:00 • RAMSIDE HALL, DURHAM

OCT 24 - HR KNOWLEDGE

International

11:00-14:00 • ACKLAM HALL, MIDDLESBROUGH

FREE

NOV 15 - STAND UP AND BE COUNTED

NOV 8 - HOW TO POWER UP YOUR BUSINESS SEMINAR WITH JAMES RAMSBOTHAM @ CHAMBER SHOWCASE @ NORTH EAST EXPO

OCT 19 - IMPORT PROCESSES, COMPLIANCE AND DOCUMENTS

FREE FREE

14:00-16:00 • THE CUSTOMS HOUSE, SOUTH SHIELDS

FREE

NOV 29 - CHAMBER LOCAL

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

FREE

DEC 1 - CHAMBER CHRISTMAS EXCHANGE

11:00-14:00 • COPTHORNE, NEWCASTLE

FREE

12:30-13:15 • NEWCASTLE FALCONS, KINGSTON PARK

FREE

NOV 10 - MAXIMISING YOUR MEMBERSHIP

08:00-10:00 • NEWCASTLE GATESHEAD MARRIOTT METROCENTRE

FREE

NOV 22 & 29 - DIGITAL MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA MASTERCLASSES

09:30-16:30 • BEAMISH HALL, STANLEY

Flagship OCT 27 - NORTH EAST BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS 18:30-01:00 • HILTON NEWCASTLE GATESHEAD

£85*

* Chamber Member Price+VAT ** Global member price £240+VAT Foundation Award in International Trade Global Member Cost: £640.00+VAT (3 courses) £800+VAT (4 courses) Standard Cost: £800.00+VAT (3 courses) £960+VAT (4 courses)

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FREE

NOV 24 - INSPIRING FEMALES SEMINAR – WOMEN IN FINANCE 14:00-16:00 • MERCURE DARLINGTON KINGS HOTEL • FREE

NOV 18 - NE GDPR SUMMIT

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

£300**

NOV 7 - EXPORT PROCESSES, COMPLIANCE AND DOCUMENTS

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

£300**

NOV 21 - CUSTOMS COMPLIANCE, PROCESSES AND DOCUMENTS

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

£300**

Department for International Trade Events OCT 10 - GO DIGITAL – BOOST YOUR INTERNATIONAL SALES ONLINE

08:30-12:30 • THE DURHAM CENTRE

FREE

OCT 11 - INTRODUCTION TO EXPORTING

08:00-11:00 • RAMSIDE HALL, DURHAM

11:00-17:00 • ST JAMES PARK, NEWCASTLE

FREE

FREE

Area Meetings

OCT 12 - SELLING OVERSEAS: BOOST YOUR BUSINESS WITH GOOGLE ANALYTICS

OCT 13 - DARLINGTON AREA MEETING

08:15-10:00 • BUSINESS CENTRAL

FREE

08:30-11:30 • EVOLVE BUSINESS CENTRE, HOUGHTON LE SPRING

FREE

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Last word

Why small and medium-sized businesses matter It is large businesses that traditionally grab the headlines and are the focus of public attention, but it is small and medium-sized firms that are central to the UK economy and will play an increasingly strategic role, says chief executive of The Alchemists, Lucy Armstrong

Lucy Armstrong is chief executive of The Alchemists, which works with high growth mid-corporate businesses to accelerate their development and success

Business growth is more episodic than linear. Businesses do not grow at a predictable, regular rate, so it’s no good yearning for certainty. Stability is a vain thought.

Business and the economy face uncertainties around the world, from Donald Trump in the White House, President Putin in Moscow, and Kim Jong Un in North Korea.

Closer to home, we face Brexit's uncertain negotiations and timescales.

The life of the current government is five years, but who will be the Prime Minister then? And who knows if the UK will even exist in 10 years’ time.

Yet businesses must negotiate these uncertainties. They must identify or create opportunities for their products and services. They may make disruptive changes or they may take the less dramatic route of innovating the way they work. But they do need to make decisions.

Early in September I chaired the

"Businesses do not grow at a predictable, regular rate, so it's no good yearning for certainty"

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Enterprise Research Centre’s fourth Annual ERC State of Small Business Britain conference. Small and medium sized businesses are often seen as the Cinderella sector, overshadowed by their larger national and global cousins.

However, a study by Stephen Roper, Professor of Enterprise at Warwick Business School, shows that the biggest impact of innovation funding is on smaller, less productive firms, even though over 50% of funding goes to the biggest companies.

We get significantly larger growth effects in manufacturing than in services and among smaller firms than larger firms.

So, rather than backing national champions, we should be looking to the next generation of front runners - small, promising, up-and-coming businesses that have the potential to scale up. It is those we should be supporting.

In many ways, a family business has the advantage here. They are used to taking a longer term perspective. Perhaps they are more skilled at scanning the environment or perhaps they have the next generation sitting beside them in www.neechamber.co.uk

the boardroom. They face the future every day.

The current board is nurturing the business for the next one – and two – generations on. They are conscious of the need to provide for their grandchildren; they lack the freedom or opportunism to walk away.

It is often hard for the current generation to follow Mo Farah’s and Usain Bolt’s example and know when to retire.

The Alchemists work with family businesses, advising on board structures, family councils, and succession. We advise boards and chief executives here in the region and across the UK. The recurring themes have been urging www.neechamber.co.uk

them to take a longer term view when they are evaluating strategic opportunities: where do they want the business to be in five or 10 years’ time?

Succession and growth is another fundamental issue we have guided businesses through. The entrepreneurial director is unlikely to have all the necessary skills to take the growing business forward when it needs a more formal management and reporting structure.

So let’s look forward with confidence.

We should celebrate and support our ambitious small and medium sized companies. They are the next generation of national champions. contact 65

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