North East Times Magazine - August 2013 by North East Times Magazine

CONTENTS

August 2013 8

BUSINESS NEWS –

SAVE THE DATE –

Business events – mark them on your calendar

NORTH EAST VIEW POINTS –

Thoughts from the region’s business community.

SPOTLIGHT –

British Science Festival arrives on Tyneside.

10 QUESTIONS FOR... –

Paul Tappenden of Metro Radio Arena.

ON THE MOVE –

New executive appointments

ONE TO WATCH –

James Dickinson of WDL Property Services.

STATE OF THE ART –

BUSINESS LUNCH –

The Bridge Brasserie.

ARTS –

107

INTERVIEW –

108

James Bustard, director of the National Glass Centre.

COVER STORY –

110

Mill Volvo’s community work.

MOTORS –

112

THE LONG GAME –

124

Shelagh Alderson of Spire Washington Hospital.

GET TO KNOW ME –

130

John McCabe of Round Table Solutions Ltd.

CREDITS

Directors: Mike Grahamslaw, Mick O’Hare Commercial director: Martin Stout Editor: Alison Cowie Senior account manager: Chris Turner Editorial: Jessica Laing, Elise Rana Hopper, Daneet Steffens, Chloe Donnelly Senior designer: John Haxon Designer: Aimée Beckett Feature photography: Chris Owens Additional photography: Teri Henaghan (www.terihphotography.com) Illustrations: Low Moon Over High Town (www.lowmoonoverhightown.com)

Office: 11 Causey Street, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 4DJ. | t: (0191) 284 9994 | f: (0191) 284 9995 www.northeasttimes.co.uk | @NETimesmagazine Front cover: Bill Ward (Mill Volvo), by Chris Owens.

All photos taken by North East Times staff are copyright North East Times Ltd, and are taken solely for use in North East Times magazine or products published by the Accent Magazines Group. If you wish to use or publish a photograph taken for North East Times, please contact the sales department on (0191) 284 9994. Photo charges: £50 for a single image, £295 for full buy out of a photo shoot. Advertising charges: There is a £25 charge for every set of amendments, following the first initial set of amendments, which is free of charge, for adverts designed by North East Times Ltd. Cancellations: If an advert is cancelled by the booker within a seven day period prior to our print deadline, the advert will be charged in full, plus VAT.

Editorial: Contributions should include a fully stamped addressed envelope. No responsibility is accepted for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission, or while in the Editor’s or Printer’s hands. Editorial must be received by the 12th of the month or no responsibilty is accepted for errors. Advertisements: Although every care is taken to ensure accuracy, the Publishers regret that they cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage caused by an error in the printing or damage to, or loss of artwork, transparencies or photos. Complaints: regarding advertisements will only be considered for up to a week after publication. Advertising must be received by the 15th of the month. No responsibilty is accepted for errors. © 2013 Published by North East Times Ltd.

BUSINESS NEWS

Getting Newcastle online Broadband connectivity in Newcastle is set for a massive boost after the city council secured up to £6m from the Government.

esidents and businesses are set to benefit from wider connectivity and faster broadband speeds after the council’s proposals won the backing of Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) at the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS). The money will be used to work up proposals for improved wireless and Wi-Fi connectivity on the Metro allowing much faster internet connections for passengers throughout their journey, and to develop a state-of-the art cloud computing centre in the city with Newcastle University. Small and medium-sized businesses will also be able to apply to the council for up to £3 million worth of vouchers to pay for the installation of Next Generation Access (NGA) Broadband, and £1 million will be invested in improving wireless access to the internet particularly in public buildings and in the city centre and on district high streets. Leader of Newcastle City Council Cllr Nick Forbes said: “This is great news for the city. It will transform the way that people go about their daily lives and bring massive benefits to residents, visitors and businesses. “Over 40,000 adults in Newcastle have never used the internet so I am delighted that we have secured this funding to get more people connected to the web. “Never before has it been more important for people have access to the internet especially now that the Government requires people to fill out welfare forms on line. “Ultrafast broadband today is essential, and it’s a key part of being a modern European city. Having wi fi on the Metro brings 21st century services to our transport infrastructure. “Getting everyone connected is a real challenge but it is something we are determined to do - not through coercion but - by demonstrating the benefits.” In the 2011 Autumn statement the Chancellor announced that 10 UK cities

would share £100m to develop superconnected status. But following legal complaints from BT and Virgin Media that state money could benefit rival companies, the Government has renegotiated the terms of the agreement with all of the cities. Newcastle has been told it can now work on projects up to £6m after its new proposals had met with the parameters of the new scheme. The Cloud Computing Centre with Newcastle University will be built on the former brewery site, Science Central, a mixed use development site for leading edge scientific businesses, research facilities plus public space and housing. This bespoke building on Science Central will provide co-location facilities for research, teaching, training, industry, SMEs and public sector organisations. This facility will attract businesses to co-locate with the University and on Science Central. Newcastle University’s Barry Hodgson, who is leading on the project, explained: "The Cloud Centre offers us a unique opportunity to gather and analyse huge

amounts of data much more quickly and present them in a way that is meaningful to the customer. “The centre will also act as a test-bed for us to develop new applications and services by extracting more value from massive data sets, it provides training opportunities to fill the skills gap we currently have in this highly-specialised but rapidly growing area and in turn builds on our world-leading reputation in cloud computing and big data.” Proposals to develop wireless connectivity on the Metro system are at an early stage but could bring benefits to 37 million passengers a year. Tobyn Hughes, deputy director general of Nexus, which owns, manages and is modernising Metro, said: “We were the first in the UK to give Metro passengers mobile phone reception throughout their journey. "This funding commitment will let us develop proposals for improved wireless and Wi-Fi connectivity allowing much faster internet connections for passengers throughout their journey.”

Aviation business set to take off

ycamore Aviation has secured a development capital investment package of over £750,000. The company, which dismantles planes and re-uses complex and expensive parts, secured the package from a syndicate of investors, led by regional venture capital company, FW Capital, which made a £700,000 equity investment from the North East Growth Plus Fund. The investment will fund the acquisition of aircraft for parts salvage as well as the company’s expansion into the lucrative engine ‘tear down’ market.

Urban lettings for George F. White

young Newcastle entrepreneur has launched a brand new urban lettings service, as part of the North East’s leading rural property specialist, the George F. White Group. Holly Armstrong, 28 will become director of GFW Letting, a new business for landlords and tenants is designed to cater for the ever-growing needs of the modern rental market, primarily covering Tyne and Wear and Northumberland.

Employment boost

Cancer patient care

ynemouth Community Trust is celebrating a jobs boost after receiving more than £50,000 to promote the entrepreneurial skills of local residents. Lynemouth Community Trust applied to Rio Tinto’s Legacy Fund to support three social enterprises, known collectively as JUICE (Joined Up Investment For Community Enterprise).

he Sir Bobby Robson Foundation has teamed up with local charity, Daft as a Brush, Cancer Patient Care, to jointly fund a new cancer patient ambulance. The ambulance will transport patients from across the North East and Cumbria, free of charge, to use services at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

On song for Sound Waves 2013

Flying the charity flag for Redcar

ne of the North East’s leading events companies, 1879 Event Management, has landed its first local authority contract for a major music event this month. The company has been appointed by South Tyneside Council to act as a ticketing agent and catering supplier for Sound Waves 2013, headlined by Little Mix and McFly at Bents Park, South Shields, on August 25.

abel manufacturing and printing business, First Choice Labels, has become the latest generous backer of Middlesborough and Teeside Philanthropic Foundation. A charitable movement committed to making Teeside a better place to live, work and do business, the Foundation has raised £450,000 for local causes since its formation in 2010.

Qualification for Lynsey

usiness membership organisation, NECC has awarded its first global graduate with her new qualification in overseas trade. Lynsey Smith, export coordinator for Mayborn Group, was the first person to receive the North East Chamber of Commerce’s Foundation Award in International Trade. She said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be the first person in the North East and one of only a handful across the UK to achieve this qualification.

Newcastle Clinic on track to achieve £1.8 million sales

ewcastle Clinic has experienced a 120 per cent increase in patient referrals in the last year, putting it on target to boost sales to £1.8 million by the end of the year. The latest figures show that, since April 2012, there has been a rise from 90 patient referrals a month up to 200 to April 2013.

Sage UK saves money with ‘green’ lighting

age UK is set to make significant savings to its distribution centre, based in Newcastle, thanks to the installation of LED lighting. Washington-based company, Glowled Ltd, designed and installed an Intelligent LED Lighting System for Sage, which now expects to save in excess of £9000 a year in energy costs.

DIARY

Save the date BUSINESS CONSULTATIONS

Charity balls, business dinners and seminars.

NETWORKING LUNCH

Aug

City Library, Newcastle Tel: (0191) 277 4100 Web: www.pne.org Price: Free

De Vere, Slaley Hall, Northumberland Tel: (0300) 303 6322 Web: www.necc.co.uk Price: Free

New business idea? Need help to get started? Get practical help on starting a business and getting your product or service to market. RTC North is providing one-to-one consultation sessions with a member of its team offering advice on market research, marketing, business planning and international growth.

APPRENTICE-THEMED DINNER

Aug

Sage Gateshead Tel: (0191) 443 4661 Web: www.eatnewcastlegateshead.com Price: £39.50

LADIES ONLY NETWORKING

This year Slaley Hall plays host to the 2013 joint Chamber’s business-networking event. The event brings together the Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, Dumfries and Galloway Chamber and the North East Chamber for a top business networking opportunity. The free lunch includes round table networking and will give guests a taste of the benefits of belonging to NECC combined with plenty of opportunities to network and build new contacts.

NETWORKING BREAKFAST

Aug

Venue: TBC Web: www.necc.co.uk Price: Free Coffee & Connections is a ladies only event for those who are in business or starting out. The event gives you the opportunity to get to know like-minded people over a coffee. The event aims to support the North East’s strong network of female entrepreneurs and help them to share advice and join in some good old-fashioned networking.

NETWORKING EVENT

Aug

Willow Farm Pub, Cramlington Tel: (0191) 250 3608 Web: www.necc.co.uk Price: £5 This event hosted by North East Biz, in partnership with the NECC, aims to provide a forum for local people to connect with fellow businesses in the South Northumberland area. Named Willow Wednesday, the event is constantly well attended and is sure to be a hit. Your £5 will give you access to free Wi-Fi and parking plus tea/coffees and homemade muffins and scones.

Muckle LLP; 32 Gallogate, Time Central, Newcastle Tel: (0191) 211 7930 Web: www.muckle-llp.com Price: Free The TV series may have drawn to a close but fans can still get their fix: Sage Gateshead has announced an Apprentice-themed evening on Friday, August 23 to kick off the ever popular EAT! NewcastleGateshead food festival. Swapping the couch for the Concourse, diners will watch via a live web link while two teams of Apprentices from Gateshead and Newcastle Colleges go head to head to prepare two different four-course menus. With one team led by Sage Gateshead’s head chef Stuart Bowman (right) and the other by the renowned Terry Laybourne (left), the competition will be heated and the battle fierce. The big twist is that diners will only discover which four-course menu they’ll be enjoying when served on the night.

Muckle LLP have set up a monthly energy supply chain networking meeting to help you meet like-minded people in an informal environment. There are no presentations: this is all about providing business people with opportunities to share ideas, increase other people’s understanding about their businesses and generate useful contacts. Drinks and pastries provided to keep energy levels high.

TEAM BUILDING WORKSHOP

Sept

5 Venue: TBC Tel: (0191) 500 7780 Web: www.entreprenuersforum.net Price: £65+ VAT (members only) The success of your organisation rests not only in your product (or service), but also in your people. People are often cited as an organisation’s biggest asset, and in this workshop, the Entrepreneurs’ Forum analyses a range of topics from motivation and recognition to development, organisational culture and maximising performance.

Email jessica.laing@accentmagazines.co.uk with your events

OPINION

North East view points ANDY WALTON MANAGING DIRECTOR NINE

Local business people share their thoughts ...

A high speed rail link would certainly benefit the regional economy and help to reduce the North South Divide. We have fantastic, innovative, companies who will benefit from being closer to clients. As a software business operating as part of the weightless economy, technology means we can connect with our clients regardless of location. However, client interaction and relationships are very important to us so a high speed rail link would allow us to meet clients face-to-face.

WILL FATHERLEY MANAGING DIRECTOR MARCH THIRTYONE Recent calls to scrap the HS2 high speed rail link highlight the ever widening gap between the North and South and show the potential benefits for the UK as a whole are not widely understood. But let’s face it, Leeds is not close enough for this to really benefit us in the way it should. At least in the meantime, a feasibility study has been announced into dualling the A1 in Northumberland, which takes us a step forward on that score.

ROB CHARLTON CEO _SPACE GROUP The commercial gap between the North and the South is bigger than it has ever been – in the North East we are increasingly exporting skills from the region to the capital, you only have to see how busy the platform is at 7.03am for the Flying Scotsman. I'm not convinced that a huge investment to save half an hour or so would provide a great deal of benefit, but I do believe an investment in the rolling stock and frequency would be of value. The trains themselves are very old and crowded and are desperate for investment. The West Coast has Pendolino making the journey far more enjoyable and presents the right image for the region.

Would the North East benefit from a high speed rail link?

KEVAN CARRICK PRINCIPAL JK PROPERTY CONSULTANTS We need to move to, from and within the region quickly and easily to attract inward investors, support indigenous businesses and make it attractive for customers to visit. The government has announced further infrastructure investment, however the political spin that HS2 will help the North East is nonsense when the service is to stop short at Birmingham then eventually Leeds. The region will in fact be marginalised. The full service must be brought here and soon.

IAN GOTT ALEX RAYNER

DIRECTOR GOTT TECHNICAL SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION SOLICITOR SINTONS

There are, of course, a mass of North East businesses that do plenty of business in the South, and I myself occasionally do also, but what has always deterred me from using the train are the times and frequencies available – if a train is delayed your entire working day can be ruined. My preference would be that more attention is made to improving the current service across the country instead of investing in a new high speed rail line.

High speed rail would bring the North East closer to other cities in the country and make it easier to do business nationally; this would only assist Newcastle to compete with other regional hubs that are already set to be connected by high speed rail. Additionally, the North East would undoubtedly benefit from the permanent jobs and additional tourism that a high speed rail link would create.

SPOTLIGHT

For the love of

science

North East Businesses are urged to make the most of the British Science Festival this September. he British Science Festival returns to Newcastle for the seventh time in its 174year history this autumn and its programme is packed with events of interest to North East businesses. The British Science Festival is organised by the British Science Association which takes it to a different UK city each year. Between September 7-12, it is being hosted by Newcastle University with Northumbria University and Newcastle City Council as associate partners. The Festival is Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s longest-running and most high profile science event which brings together hundreds of the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top scientists, journalists and tens of thousands of members of the public via events ranging from cutting-edge lectures and debates for adults, to hands-on activities for schools and families, as well as live

music and comedy performances, theatre and exhibitions. From the very beginning, in 1831, the British Science Festival has brought together scientists from different disciplines to explore the breakthroughs their colleagues have been making, and demonstrate how research can make a real impact on diverse areas of science, business, innovation and professional endeavour. The same can be said today. This year, businesses and professionals of the North East will also have a unique opportunity to showcase their scientific credentials to the rest of the country as our rich heritage and bright future prospects fall under the spotlight.

Highlights that combine science and business include:

From Innovation to Commercialisation: Taking Scientific Discoveries to Market September 10, 1-2pm Armstrong Building, Newcastle University Free How do you take a research concept through proof of concept, prototyping, and scale it up into a robust, commercially viable product or process? With an insight into NASA’s Technology Readiness Levels and how to navigate the notorious Valley of Death where many science and technology companies fail.

Be a Maths Millionaire September 11, 1.30-2.30pm Armstrong Building, Newcastle University Free Who hasn’t heard of Google? But did you know the secret behind its fortune lies in carefully crafted equations? In this event we discuss famous mathematical equations and the adventures of the mathematicians working on them.

InnovateNE

September 12, 8.30am-4.30pm Newcastle Civic Centre Free (booking required) Creating the business solutions of tomorrow is the focus of InnovateNE, which is being led by Newcastle Science City with support from the Technology Strategy Board. This one day event brings together businesses, researchers and investors to connect, innovate and grow new ideas using a mix of inspirational speakers, workshops and 1:1 business support.

Newcastle: the Smart Future City September 12, 3.30-5pm Newcastle University Business School Free Newcastle is a city of science with a clear vision to become a future city with state-ofthe-art infrastructure where smart systems, science and innovation lead to social and economic prosperity. This networking event will explore the role of science in the growth of a future city and the Science Central site, our flagship city centre location for science and technology, a thriving environment for business and a beacon of sustainable living and leisure.

Powering the Globe from Walker Riverside September 11, 9.30am-12pm and 1-3.30pm Meet at Newcastle University £6 Take a tour of GE Oil and Gas’s innovative engineering and manufacturing facility in Newcastle to get up close to the company’s subsea flexible pipelines and discover that there's more to these 'energy arteries' than meets the eye.

The x-change September 7-12, 12-1.15pm McKennas, Northern Stage Free Join the x-change – part chat-show, part science cabaret – for all the best bits from the Festival programme. Featuring inspiring speakers, biggest issues, fun science acts and perhaps some famous faces, the x-change is the Festival highlights show and a must for those with busy diaries who don’t want to miss out on all the day’s discoveries. For more information and full festival listings, please visit www.britishsciencefestival.org

INTERVIEW

10 questions for ...

Paul Tappenden An impressive marketing career lead Paul Tappenden to Newcastle Arena in 1996. He helped the 11,000+ seater concert and exhibition venue became a must-stop for the world’s biggest stars, and instigated two major naming rights partners. In April 2012, Paul took the helm at Metro Radio Arena as general manager.

What was your first break in business?

What attracted you to your current role?

What has been your career highlight?

And your career lowlight?

What do you enjoy most about your role?

My first job on leaving college was with Vaux Breweries in Sunderland. I remember all my mates at college were very jealous at me getting a job in a brewery in the first place; especially as half of them had also been interviewed for it. The job was initially very boring as marketing statistics officer, and being before the days of the desktop PC, involved a lot of gruelling time adding up numbers and producing graphs and charts. I was promoted after a year or so to product manager which was much more exciting.

I’ve always been interested in music and when the (then) Newcastle Arena was built in 1995 and the role of marketing director became available a year later, it was a match made in heaven for me. At the time, one of my main tasks was to find a naming sponsor, which I did and we were re-named the Telewest Arena, with the association lasting five years.

One of the biggest highlights was securing our current naming rights partner, Metro Radio. The partnership has been a perfect fit from both sides, combining the excitement and immediacy of live radio with live entertainment. The business relationship has been going strong now for over ten years, which is testimony to that. Another amusing time was driving Sir Cliff Richard around Newcastle in my car when he decided he wanted a game of tennis. I remember thinking, I hope my insurance covers this! Before the arena, I also enjoyed my spell working for Barratt the Housebuilder as deputy marketing manager. It involved lots of travelling around in helicopters, and regular promotional visits to the British Open Golf, Wimbledon Tennis Championships and Ideal Homes Exhibition at Earls Court.

This must be the time I was persuaded to leave a good job to work for a family business. Sadly for a number of reasons, it didn’t work out and resulted in a lot of acrimonious legal exchanges. Happily I won but still found myself needing a job at the end of it, with a big mortgage, a wife and three young kids to provide for.

The most enjoyable aspect of my role is that I get faced with new challenges every day. Every year is different because the type of live events touring are changing all the time. The current area of growth is comedy; we now have more events of this type on sale than ever before. We’ve just finished a six-show run of Mrs Brown’s Boys which was a sellout, and our next big event after the summer break is Micky Flanagan, which is nearly sold out.

What's your biggest challenge?

Who are your heroes, in and out of business?

Heading up a business is about hitting targets and constantly trying to improve the customer experience. Unlike many other companies, our product is dictated by who’s popular and therefore who’s touring the UK. We aim to attract as big a slice of that product as possible. At one time, if you lived in the North East you had to travel to another big city, at great expense, to see your favourite artists.

I have to mention Steve Jobs, a man who transformed the digital market by inventing magical products that do amazing things. It’s nice too that his senior vice president of design, Sir Jonathan Ive – who designed the iPod music player and most of the other Apple products – got his degree from Northumbria University (then Newcastle Polytechnic). Outside business I have tremendous admiration for Sir Paul McCartney; what a song writer. His voice isn’t what it was but he still puts on an amazing performance, and hopefully one day we might get him back to Newcastle to perform live again.

What is the best piece of business advice anyone has ever given you? Never burn your bridges! It’s amazing how much you end up dealing with the same people during your career, especially in Newcastle.

What does the future hold for Metro Radio Arena?

What do you do to relax?

The arena has gone from strength to strength since the early days. We now stage more than 60 different world class events each year, with many of those being multiple shows: Disney on Ice, Mamma Mia and Mrs Brown’s Boys, to name but a few. What was originally the vision of Chas Chandler back in the early 90s is now a key UK venue on the live entertainment circuit. No matter how many times you listen to your favourite artist on CD or download, it’s never the same as hearing them live and being there.

Unsurprisingly, listening to music! I’ve always been a bit of a Hi-Fi nut! I also love motor sport and frequently attend the F1 Grand Prix and Touring Cars Championships with my kids. I suppose I’ve always loved cars, and fondly remember my first ever car back in 1978 – a Ford Capri in white! www.metroradioarena.co.uk

FEATURE

BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS

WITH ALMOST ONE MILLION 16 TO 25-YEAR-OLDS UNEMPLOYED, JESSICA LAING TALKS TO SIX YOUNG NORTH EAST ENTREPRENEURS WHO ARE BUCKING THE TREND BY STARTING THEIR OWN BUSINESSES.

Inspired by his love of theatre and desire to be his own boss, 22-year-old Aaron Phillips, from Cullercoats, set up Xpress Urself Theatre Company on September 10 2011. Xpress Urself offers all different types of theatre to under 16-year-olds, including a stage school, ran in Whitley Bay, covering acting, singing and dance. Xpress Urself also runs after-school clubs, performances and shows, plus customised performing arts birthday parties and a ‘stage pups’ class, which is designed for children aged three to five and acts as a foundation stage to the main Xpress Urself school. Aaron began his entrepreneurial journey with the help, support and advice of The Business Factory (www.businessfactorynt.co.uk).

AARON PHILLIPS

MY BIGGEST INSPIRATION IS seeing proud parents at our shows watching their children, clapping their hands, laughing and crying. It inspires me to keep going. IN MY SPARE TIME I LIKE to keep fit and taking part in local theatre. IN TEN YEARS’ TIME I HOPE TO SEE Xpress Urself as a nationwide name within theatre, offering the same great services but throughout the UK. Xpress Urself’s workshops are located at Whitley Bay High School drama department. For more information, visit www.xpre--ss-urself.co.uk or tel: 0789 536 2603

THE BEST THING ABOUT RUNNING MY OWN BUSINESS IS working to my own hours and watching our students blossom and grow in confidence.

fter working in beauty salons and progressing on to a number of esteemed training courses, 21-year-old Ashley Lawlor, from Newcastle, decided to go it alone and provide her own mobile beauty service. It wasn’t long before the fully trained Elite Lash Artist built up a strong enough client base to set up her very own business, The Lash Lounge, in February 2013. Based within Sound Mind and Body – a personal training gym in Benton – The Lash Lounge specialises in semipermanent eyelash extensions and provides a range of beauty treatments, such as spray tans, manicures and pedicures, waxing and facials. Ashley gained advice, support and some financial help from Business Sparks (www.rhwe.org/community-projects/business-sparks).

THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS keeping motivated; I know if I don’t get the job done, nobody else will.

ASHLEY LAWLOR

THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS how fast my business is growing; there aren’t enough hours in the day to fit everyone in. MY BIGGEST INSPIRATION IS my goal to be a wellrecognised Elite Lash Artist and my dad, who has been self-employed for over 25 years. IN MY SPARE TIME I LIKE to have beauty treatments and catch up on sleep. IN TEN YEARS’ TIME I HOPE TO be the owner of a highly successful beauty salon and to be able to train and mentor my own employees.

THE BEST THING ABOUT RUNNING MY OWN BUSINESS IS being able to provide a high standard of service and seeing my clients happy with their treatments.

The Lash Lounge is located within Sound Mind and Body, Front Street, Benton. For more information, visit www.lash-lounge.co.uk or tel: 0795 7 44 9278.

fter working as managing director of her school’s Young Enterprise Company, Déjà Vu, 19-year-old Emma Gillespie transformed the business to into her own with the dream of becoming her own boss. Emma renamed the company The Orangery House, spent six months creating a website and the rest is history. The Orangery House is an online gift business that sells a range of fun products for men, women and children. Those stuck on what to buy a friend or family member can look to The Orangery House for unique gift ideas, which can be ordered from and delivered all over the world.

EMMA GILLESPIE

MY BIGGEST INSPIRATION IS my dad, who is chairman of Active Newcastle. IN MY SPARE TIME I LIKE helping the Young Enterprise girls at Westfield School; I am their business advisor. IN TEN YEARS’ TIME I HOPE to be as successful as Lord Sugar.

THE BEST THING ABOUT RUNNING MY OWN BUSINESS IS being my own boss.

ith the dream of making a living from his love of a unique sport, 20-year-old Craig Cheel set up his own teaching and performing business, Apeuro Freerunning. Established in Newcastle just over a year ago, Apeuro Freerunning offers classes and workshops for the North East’s sport and fitness fanatics, teaching them all about (and eventually allowing them to perform) Parkour (a holistic training discipline, using movement that developed out of military obstacle course training) and freerunning. Craig, who has practiced Parkour and freerunning since he was 14years-old, was helped by Business Sparks and Urban Games (www.ne-generation.org.uk).

For more information, visit www.theorangeryhouse.com or tel: (0191) 244 994 or 0779 988 2288

CRAIG CHEEL

fter being made redundant in January 2012, former marketing manager, Leoni Avison, began making cakes to pass the time, while searching for a new job. After making catering for family and friends’ events and participating in local events and food fares, the 23-yearold set up a Facebook page and website and The Great British Cupcakery Bakehouse & Parlour was born. Based on Newcastle Quayside, the premium cake company creates freshly baked cupcakes, layer cakes and coveted confections, as well as bespoke cakes for weddings, christenings, birthdays, parties and corporate events. As well as afternoon tea and sandwiches, its parlour offers tea parties, cake decorating classes and more.

IN MY SPARE TIME I LIKE to train and practice gymnastics and martial arts. IN TEN YEARS’ TIME I HOPE to have a successful company based around Parkour and freerunning, with a large indoor facility to teach more people. For more information, visit Apeuro Freerunning’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ApeuroFreerunning.

LEONI AVISON

IN MY SPARE TIME I LIKE to spend time with my husband and dog, cook and watch TV shows about baking. IN TEN YEARS’ TIME I HOPE THAT I am still as happy in my business and that it continues to grow. A book and TV deal wouldn’t hurt, either! The Great British Cupcakery Bakehouse & Parlour is located at 15 Queens Street, Quayside, Newcastle. For more information, visit www.thegreatbritishcupcakery.co.uk or tel: (0191) 230 2151

THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS juggling my role of baker,

ired of spending hours online ordering doggy essentials from overseas for her Jack Russell Terrier, Ziggy, 22year-old Laura Dawson decided to put matters into her own hands and open a luxury dog store - Ziggy Chews in her hometown of Whitley Bay. Ziggy Chews opened its doors on July 21, 2011 and sells a vast range of contemporary and high quality products for all types of dogs, from food and bedding to toys, clothing and accessories. Following the store’s success, on June 22, 2013, Laura opened Ziggy Chews Dog Salon & Spa. Filled with the finest grooming equipment and a team of professional stylists, the one-stop-shop offers everything from on-trend cuts to doggy pedicures and facial massages.

manager, financial administrator, secretary and waitress, all at the same time. MY BIGGEST INSPIRATIONS ARE my parents; they have taught me the value of hard work, persistence and strength.

THE BEST THING ABOUT RUNNING MY OWN BUSINESS IS knowing that all of my hard work, timne and effort will benefit me at the end of the day.

THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS understanding and accepting that if you don’t go out and work, the work won’t come to you! MY BIGGEST INSPIRATIONS ARE all of the people I have trained in freerunning over the years and everyone I met through Urban Games.

THE BEST THING ABOUT RUNNING MY OWN BUSINESS IS the freedom to choose when and where I work and who I want to work with.

THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS spreading the word and finding the right people to help you.

LAURA DAWSON

THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS allowing myself to switch off. MY BIGGEST INSPIRATION IS my mum. She is my idol; she’s taught me everything I know. IN MY SPARE TIME I LIKE long walks on the beach with Ziggy, a glass of wine with friends and travelling as much as I can. IN TEN YEARS’ TIME I HOPE TO BE manufacturing my own Ziggy Chews branded items and running a chain of stores across the country – perhaps worldwide.

THE BEST THING ABOUT RUNNING MY OWN BUSINESS IS the freedom to be creative, creating jobs for other passionate people and seeing the smiles on my customers’ faces.

Ziggy Chews is located at 174-176 Park View, Whitley Bay. For more information, visit www.ziggychews.com or tel: (0191) 252 7226

EVENT

Hotel Indigo’s ﬁrst anniversary The Newcastle city centre hotel marks its first birthday with a VIP party. otel Indigo and The Marco Pierre White Steakhouse celebrated its first birthday in style last month with a glamorous cocktail party, dancing and contemporary canapés prepared by head chef Paul Amer and his culinary brigade.

APPOINTMENTS

On the Move Your monthly guide to appointments and promotions.

EMMA PRINGLE

KEITH CROOKES

GREG WILSON

Newcastle-based law firm Clark Mairs LLP has appointed solicitor Emma Pringle to lead its private client services division. Emma will advise clients on all aspects of wills and estate planning. Prior to joining Clarke Mairs, Emma worked in both the Newcastle and Carlise branches of a leading North East legal 500 firm, after spending almost five years as an associate solicitor at the Cheshire-based firm, Gorvins.

DoubleTree by Hilton Newcastle International Airport hotel has appointed Keith Crookes as its new head chef. Keith who trained in London and Venice, has spent more than 17 years working at some of the UK’s top hotels. In his new role, Keith will oversee an 11-strong team responsible for managing the venue’s entire culinary operation. Prior to joining DoubleTree Keith worked as conference, banqueting and events manager at Newcastle Racecourse.

PwC Newcastle has appointed Greg Wilson as a new partner to its Newcastle office. Greg joined the team on July 1 and will head up the North East’s government and public sector team. Greg has been with PwC for 20 years and has spent the last six years working with our public services client in the North West and Midlands. In total, PwC has appointed six new partners across its Northern offices.

LINDA POTTS & GREGG WATSON

PAUL COLLINGWOOD

PETER MALLON

South Shields based car retailer Vic Young has recently strengthened its team with two key appointments. Linda Potts (right) joins the firm as telesales administrator, bringing more than 20 years of experience in sales and people management to the role. Gregg Watson (left) also joins the team as body shop manager in which he will be responsible for ensuring the department provides the best possible service to customers.

Regional legal practice BHP Law has appointed Paul Collingwood to join its team. Paul, a specialist in wills, trust and probate, will be based at the firm’s office at Preston Farm, Stockton. Since qualifying as a solicitor in 2008, Paul trained with Walker Smith Way in Chester and has joined BHP Law from SAS Daniels in Stockport.

Newcastle-based marketing company Horizonworks has strengthened its growing team with the appointment of a new creative manager. Pete Mallon, an experienced senior designer, brings a breadth of experience to the role and will be tasked with heading up the creative arm of the business. Commenting on his appointment, Pete said: “I’m delighted to be joining such an ambitious and forward thinking company that is really making its mark in the North East.”

PROFILE

One to watch

James Dickinson In a series of interviews with talented professionals set for major things in their career, Daneet Steffens talks to builder who is following in his dad’s and grandad’s footsteps.

or James Dickinson, age 27, joining WDL Property Services first as an apprentice joiner and then moving into management, was a destiny born out of a love of the business as well as of family. “It’s a family-run venture,” says the Gosforth-born-and-raised James, of the business that stemmed from a neighbourhood storefront. “It was my grandad’s company to start off with: he had a hardware shop in Gosforth, and then he passed it to my dad.” Entrepreneurship clearly runs deep in this family’s veins: James’ father, Brian, forged a brand-new direction, after gaining a degree in building management and various other qualifications, and progressing into the building industry by doing shop and bar fittings around the country. Now, as James starts to take on more of the management aspect of the company alongside his father, he is leading on multiple elements, including commercial maintenance and care home improvements, as well as bespoke specialities such as home extensions and orangeries. For James, his career has always been one of natural progressions. “I grew up learning about the business,” he affirms. “I used to go with my dad on jobs all over the country – literally all over the country. This was when he was doing the shop fittings side of the business.” Appreciating the familial aspect of the company – and with an early interest and commitment to the organisation – James would join his father on work visits during his school holidays. “I had a bit of a passion for it, really,” he

says. “I thought, ‘well, there’s a family business here, quite a successful business, and I enjoy working with my dad. We get along very well and have a good relationship.’” It was, he realised, just what he wanted. From the start, Brian ensured that James knew the building industry from the groundfloor up, insisting that James start off as an apprentice. “It was my dad’s idea,” James confirms. “He said it’s the way it should be: he didn’t want me to just jump in on the office side of thing; he wanted me to find out what it was like to start working at the entry level.” It was an early taste of a mentorship that James has appreciated ever since. “I did a joinery apprenticeship which I absolutely loved at Newcastle College, and then worked as a joiner for my dad for about six or seven years. Then he asked me to start doing more of the site management side of things – managing the materials for the sites, managing the rest of the guys, making sure everyone was doing what they should be doing.” For James, that early grounding was critical to his experience and comfort level as he grows into his role as a company manager today. “I don’t think I could have been as prepared if I hadn’t had the apprenticeship. It really enhanced my understanding of the construction industry and gave me a much wider knowledge base that I would have had if I’d just jumped in and gone into the office with my dad straight away.” Living up to his family heritage of business smarts and local compassion, James is determined to develop and grow WDL Property Services with his own new directions.

“We currently do a lot of commercial maintenance for a growing group of care homes,” he says. “That’s something I’m really interested in. I like the fact that we’re able to improve people’s lives, to make the quality of their home-life easier – it gives me a real sense of achievement. It’s something that we were already involved in, but something that I’d certainly like to continue to develop.” He’s also keen to continue to grow the home enhancements that WDL produce in form of orangeries, elegant extensions with glass ceilings that draw in plenty of natural light. “I’d really like to create a bespoke type of service to the local community in that area, enhance people’s enjoyment of their houses, their living spaces,” he explains. As well as providing quality craftsmanship and products, James always stays thoroughly committed to his North East-based family business: “I think it’s quite nice in this day and age to have such businesses around,” he says. “It shows that families can work well together in high pressure situations and still get along.” After all, he and his father Brian are now second and third-generation active role models for that business template. “We get on 99 per cent of the time,” laughs James, who spends the bulk of his after-work hours at the gym and in training for next year’s Great North Run. “There’s the odd per cent of the time that we’ve had cross words, but that’s very rare. Ninety-nine per cent of the time I really enjoy working with my dad.” Through James, that fledgling familial entrepreneurial flair, first generated from a neighbourhood hardware shop, is proving to have a long-life extension of its very own.

BUSINESS

Are you serving your customers? Asks Rod Findlay, consultant at Your Sport Consulting.

EXPERT VIEW Rod Findlay Consultant Your Sport Consulting Email: rodfindlay@yoursportconsulting.com Twitter: @RodFindlay @YourSportConsul or @YourBizConsult

es! is a book that I like to return to every now and again. It is subtitled 50 Secrets from the Science of Persuasion and is written by Professor Robert Cialdini – one of the leading writers in social psychology – and two of his colleagues. It is deliberately an easy read and sets out examples in each of the short chapters which together help form an understanding of Cialdini's six principles of influence. I was reminded of the book and two of its principles – scarcity and conformity – when I saw a tweet from a mountain bike race organiser. I was planning on riding in a mountain bike race in Aske but I hadn't yet got round to entering. I then saw the killer tweet which persuaded me not to enter. It was a plea for people to enter and so you might wonder why it had had the opposite effect of its intention? In encouraging people to pre-enter, it pointed out that entries for this race were the lowest for any race they had ever organised. The message breached two of the principles of persuasion: conformity and scarcity.

Conformity There is plenty of research that shows that humans are highly influenced by what other people do. It takes time to learn the Highway Code but a little sign on the Metro or

underground asking passengers to stand to the right on the escalator is enough to get most people to do just that. That is why famous people are used in adverts; people buy a product because someone they identify with is endorsing it. Sometimes the effects can be positive or innocuous but they are potentially damaging for individuals or businesses. Unemployed candidates are more likely to struggle to secure a position as recruiters will often wonder why other employers haven’t taken on the candidate. You might be losing out on talent as a result, though. One experiment carried out by Cialdini exemplifies the claim of the power of conformity. Researchers joined a door-to-door charity campaign and found that if a list of prior donators was longer, the next person solicited was more likely to donate as well. This trend was even more pronounced when the names on the donor list were people that the prospective donor knew, such as friends and neighbors. Buskers often put money into their hat to suggest that other people have already contributed. But what the mountain bike race organiser did – unwittingly – was tell me that other people weren't entering the race and that will have played a part in me deciding to follow suit.

Scarcity Apple is a master of launching new products. There is minimal information until a launch event. And when the product goes on sale there are usually queues around the block. There are many factors behind this but the principle of scarcity is certainly playing a part. People know there are limited numbers available and are disparate to be one of the lucky few. Even though more stock of a product they have never had in their life will be available soon after, some people feel that they can't wait until then. Scarcity creates an unstable situation in the brain that influences our ability to think logically and we spend or purchase products not because we need it but because advertising stimulates us to feel like we need it. As Cialdini says: “The scarcity principle trades on our weakness for shortcuts”. The bike race organiser didn't send out that message. They told potential entrants that entries were anything but scarce.

What messages are you sending out? Your business will be sending out messages all the time and it is worth reflecting on the tone and underlying message as well as the content. In seeking to influence customers you may find that you are inadvertently doing so negatively.

LEGAL & FINANCIAL NEWS IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Sailing to success Tait Walker has assisted the UK’s only Olympic sailing boat manufacturer in a secondary MBO.

orth Shields-based Ovington Boats has worked with the North East accountancy practice since its original MBO in 2006. Since then, the company has gone on to develop and grow, which has led to a secondary MBO making champion sailor, Chris Turner, the sole owner. Funding for a 50 per cent share of the business was raised through HSBC and Tait Walker’s corporate finance team also helped to structure the deal. The success of Ovington Boats has seen their boats competing in the Olympics year on year, as well as exporting its dinghies across the globe, maintaining their majority market share.The MBO stands the boat manufacturer in good stead to take on a further surge of growth. Tait Walker, corporate finance partner Michael Smith, said: “We’ve had a long term relationship with Ovington Boats so its great to be working with them again as a result of such positive growth and

North east-based fishing brand sold to international buyer

orthumberland fishing equipment maker, Hardy & Greys, has been sold to a global provider of fishing tackle, Pure Fishing, Inc. Corporate finance specialists at Grant Thornton in Newcastle and Birmingham and lawyers from Ward Hadaway in Newcastle advised Hardy & Greys’ owner, the Harris & Sheldon Group Ltd, on the sale of the business. Hardy & Grey’s, whose equipment has been used by anglers for centuries, has been based in Alnwick since 1872 and has been at the forefront of the fishing tackle market since being awarded its first patent in 1880.

ambition.” Chris Turner said: “We have ambitious plans as one of the world’s most successful manufacturers of high

performance dinghies. Our award winning 49er FX boat is a new class for the 2016 Olympics.”

Serving up friendly legal advice

Firm gets active in Yorkshire and Durham

emma Morland, from BHP Law, has started holding a fortnightly clinic at a charitable centre in Newcastle – The People’s Kitchen – to give vulnerable people legal advice. With expertise in housing, welfare benefits and debt recovery and, now as a Court of Protection solicitor representing clients who have lost capacity, Jemma is ideally qualified to work with vulnerable people. Since setting up the clinic, Jemma has advised all kinds of people; from those with property ownership problems to those struggling to pay their bills. Jemma said: “I only advise the friends in areas where I have professional knowledge, but on other issues I can refer them to statutory services or third party agencies who can help.”

orth East financial firm, Active Financial Services, which has doubled its turnover during the past five years, is spreading its wings into Yorkshire and County Durham, following the recruitment of two experienced advisors. Karl Nendick will cover the Yorkshire and Humber region, while Liza Pryke has joined the team to cover the A1 corridor. As director and independent financial advisor, Karl joins the Stocktonbased firm after 23 years with Yorkshire Bank as a financial advisor and, most recently, wealth manager for personal and corporate clients. Qualified financial advisor, Liza, joins the firm after 24 years spent Yorkshire Bank and Axa.

LAW & FINANCE

The luck of the

income drawdown Ian Lowes, managing director of Lowes Financial Management, looks at the roller coaster ride income drawdown investors have had in recent years.

f you are using ‘capped’ income drawdown to fund your retirement you may well be confused about recent rule changes, but for those who are comfortable with accepting some risks to part of their retirement income, it is now arguably more attractive than ever. Income drawdown allows you to remain invested while taking an income directly from a pension plan and it is now a well-established alternative to the ever-popular income guarantee of a lifetime annuity. It can pay your ‘tax free cash’ as a lump sum, or even as tax-efficient income, as well as providing income from your investment, which is regularly reviewed for sustainability. Income drawdown has become a thorny issue over the past few years due to the variable performance of stock markets and because of uturns and various rule changes by the Government about how much could be withdrawn from a drawdown pot on an annual basis, and when the income is calculated. Even though investment risk is part of drawdown, recent stock market performance may put investors more at ease about their retirement plans. The stock markets, of course, have suffered a turbulent period of performance where any rises were countered by an almost corresponding downward slide that meant indices such as the FTSE 100 effectively tracked sideways for a number of years, negatively affecting those who rely on their income drawdown investments to help provide their income. This situation was compounded when in April 2011 the Government lowered the

EXPERT VIEW Ian Lowes Managing director Lowes Financial Management Tel: (0191) 281 8811 Email: enquiry@lowes.co.uk Web: www.lowes.co.uk

maximum income that could be withdrawn each year. This reduction, coupled with plummeting gilt yields, dramatically reduced the income available to many drawdown investors. In some situations this ‘perfect storm’ resulted in income that was as much as 50 per cent lower than the year before. Fortunately, in the March 2013 Budget, the Government reversed the decision from 2011 and increased the maximum income back to its previous level. This is positive news for any long-term drawdown investor who has seen their income suffer, but unfortunately some will have to wait until the end of March 2014 to see this benefit. Of course, taking the maximum income isn’t always the right thing to do, especially if an investor intends to use drawdown for a long time, but the recent changes have highlighted the issue of what income they actually require. In this case investors are free to choose the income they take within their plan’s limits at

any time. Further potential good news for drawdown investors was that in the 2013 Budget the Chancellor also announced he had commissioned the Government Actuary’s Department (GAD) to undertake a fundamental review of drawdown rates. Currently, the maximum is based on 15-year gilt yields, but the Bank of England’s quantitative easing (QE) programme, which looks to continue at least for this year, has the effect of keeping gilt yields low, which in turn keeps income drawdown rates low. ‘Flexible’ drawdown was perhaps one of the most radical aspect of HMRC’s income drawdown changes that were introduced in April 2011. It removed any maximum income level and has left the drawdown investor able to take the whole of their fund as one lump sum payment if they wish, albeit with 75 per cent of the fund subject to income tax after the tax free lump sum. A common use for it though is for using its flexibility for income planning without drifting into a higher rate tax band. This uncapped income is available for those able to evidence that a Minimum Income Requirement (MIR) of £20,000 gross income is being received from other secure pension sources, including state pension, annuity and income from a final salary scheme. Anyone falling short of the threshold could use part of their pension pot to buy an annuity, or maybe simply wait for the next state pension increase. Flexible drawdown is becoming an increasingly popular choice within the relatively small number of investors who qualify.

EVENT

Left to right: James Bell (UNW), Abdul Chowdhury (PWC) and Paul Dixon (PWC).

Left to right: Alison Hall (Hay & Kilner), Nick James (Hay & Kilner) and David Simpson (Coutts).

Mark Parkinson (Tait Walker) and Geoff Cavanagh (Tait Walker).

Neil Harrold (Hay & Kilner) and Charlotte Rogerson (George F White).

Hay & Kilner’s seminar on Trusts ay & Kilner’s private capital team held an event for professional advisers named, Everything you wanted to know about trusts but were afraid to ask. Led by Kirstin Cook, the team used a panel question and answer format to cover the complex topic of Trusts. Following on from the presentation, the law firm held a drinks reception with canapés.

Left to right: Neil Minto (Rathbones), Jonathan Waters (Hay & Kilner) and James Kyle (Rathbones).

Chris Reah (Joseph Miller) and Malcolm Stalker (Foster Denovo).

Nicola Matthews (Hay & Kilner) and Claire Charlton (Ryecroft Glenton).

Alice Clewes (Hay & Kilner) with guests.

Alice Clewes (Hay & Kilner) and Richard Marshall (Hay & Kilner).

The seminar.

LAW & FINANCE

Sun, sea and

separation Major Family Lawâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Anna Hunter looks at complications of relocating overseas after a family breakdown.

EXPERT VIEW Anna Hunter Associate and Collaborative child lawyer specialist Major Family Law Tel: (01661) 824582 Web: www.majorfamilylaw.co.uk Twitter: @1ANNAHUNTER

ith the long school break upon us, the British holiday season reaches its frenzied peak, but for some families, it heralds a time where children travel to another country, not just for a holiday in the sun, but to spend time with a parent who lives abroad. The world is a small place these days, and relationships between people from different countries are far from unusual. But the impact on children when such relationships break down can be far reaching. People often assume that if they move to another country and things donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ultimately work out, they can simply return home. When children are added to the equation, this can lead to years of stress and heartache for all concerned, usually because only one parent wants to move overseas. The law is clear: where more than one person has parental responsibility for a child, the parent seeking to move to another country with their child must obtain the express formal agreement of all those with parental responsibility. If the child is removed without such agreement, that is child abduction. In the absence of agreement, the parent who wishes to relocate must make an application to the court. Until recently, English law placed itself in the somewhat peculiar position of taking a

different stance to many other legal jurisdictions in giving particular weight to the impact of a refusal of permission upon the emotional and psychological welfare of the childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s primary carer. There has been considerable controversy about the English approach, and both domestic and international criticism of English decisions permitting relocation even when the move is likely to result in very limited contact between the child and the parent left behind. As a result of recent judgements, English law has now been brought more in line with internationally recognised good practice and now, where an application to the court is necessary, the primary consideration of the court is the welfare of the child. While this is a significant step, the issue of international relocation remains fraught with difficulties and it clear that whatever decision or agreement is made relocating with children is often a painful and distressing time for all involved, and particularly for the parent remaining in the UK. Recent significant studies conducted into the effects of international relocation found that for children of many age groups, seeing a parent again after what seems like a prolonged absence can feel strange. Travelling from far away locations regularly

can impact on the child and sometimes the idea of a long, tiring journey, to an unfamiliar environment can cause a strain on relationships. Sustaining a relationship from a distance can be difficult for a child - although Skype/Facetime has made maintaining regular and informal communication less difficult. Much will depend on the state of the relationship between the parents. Anxiety in the parent remaining can be considerably reduced where the relocating parent is committed to the relationship between the child and the other parent. Where the relationship is less amicable a move to a country far away with children can be very difficult to come to terms with. The court can attach conditions to an order permitting relocation, but these can be difficult to enforce and not all countries have effective methods for supporting those conditions. Many left-behind parents find that it is too easy for the parent who has relocated to ignore or circumvent promises or agreements that have been reached, which in turn impacts significantly on the relationship between parent and child. In an increasingly multicultural society, it is more important than ever to give careful thought to what will happen to the children when a relationship breaks down.

LAW & FINANCE

Cable ties Newcastle-based law firm advises on £48 million international sub-sea power cable engineering contracts.

uckle LLP has advised on a series of international construction and engineering contracts for projects which will provide Jersey with a third submarine power cable from France. The cable will eventually form part of the Channel Islands Electricity Grid. Muckle's team has been working with Jersey Electricity Plc on its 100MW Normandie 3 project, to access reliable sources of low carbon electricity, through this new sub-sea cable connection with France. The firm advised Jersey Electricity on a contract for a submarine power and integral optical cable contract worth €40.6m with telecom cable systems giant Prysmian Powerlink. As part of the deal, Prysmian will supply and install 35km of High Voltage Alternate Current submarine cable. Muckle LLP also advised on a separate £5 million contract between Jersey Electricity and the English subsidiary called Prysmian Cables and Systems Limited, in relation to the installation of the land cable.

This will see 7km of 90,000 Volt land cable, along with related network components and specialist civil works undertaken in Jersey and France. The legal advice and negotiations were led by Robert Langley, partner and head of Muckle LLP’s Construction and Engineering Team, and assisted by Alan Ross, associate

solicitor. The work involved some intense negotiation with Prysmian’s Italian legal team and their French commercial managers. Muckle LLP has also advised on a further two ancillary contracts supporting the cable link to France. Associate solicitor, Alan Ross (pictured) explained: “We advised on and negotiated a reactor contract which was between Jersey Electricity and ABB Limited. We then negotiated a further control and protection contract with Schneider Electric Limited. We worked hard to secure favourable terms for Jersey Electricity, helping to negotiate the successful completion of these contracts for all parties. “We appreciate the importance and significance of this development for Jersey Electricity and the Channel Islands. We look forward to working with the team at Jersey Electricity in the future.” Find out more about Muckle LLP at www.muckle-llp.com/energy

UNW helps secure £22m investment deal The North East advisers has played a vital role in a multi-million pound investment deal in Nigel Frank International. usiness advisers UNW and law firm Ward Hadaway advised the management team at Nigel Frank International on the investment by ISIS Equity Partners and HSBC Bank plc, which sees ISIS take a 35 per cent stake in Nigel Frank International. The investment will enable the Newcastlebased business – that specialises in recruiting permanent and temporary contract candidates into vacancies relating primarily to Microsoft Dynamics software – to continue its global expansion and to diversify into new markets through potential acquisitions and new offices in the US and Europe, the Middle East and Asia. It will also enable the management team to realise some of the value of the business they have built up over the last seven years. Paul Kaiser, corporate finance partner at UNW, led the firm's team providing corporate finance advice to Nigel Frank International and was instrumental in putting the deal together. Paul said: "Sean (Wadsworth) and Nigel have built Nigel Frank into the global market leader in Microsoft Dynamics recruitment. "Specialist recruitment propositions are attractive to the Institutional community

UNW corporate ﬁnance partner Paul Kaiser.

because they offer exposure to International markets and high growth potential. As a consequence interest in the business was high. "ISIS tabled a proposal that was attractive on a number of levels and will allow Sean, Nigel and the management team to accelerate the growth of the business. UNW are delighted to have been able to work with the team in

developing a North East business into a global market leader, we wish them well." Ward Hadaway's head of Corporate Finance Martin Hulls led the firm's team providing legal advice to Nigel Frank International on the deal. Martin said: "We are delighted to have assisted the team at Nigel Frank International on such an important transaction. "In just seven years, the company has grown to become a true world leader in its field and this investment will help to expand its global footprint still further." Sean Wadsworth added: "UNW and Ward Hadaway provided excellent support and advice throughout the course of this deal. "We are very fortunate to have such high quality professional advisers right on our doorsteps who have the expertise and experience needed to help conclude what is a very significant deal for Nigel Frank International and the future of the business. "Paul and his team at UNW were superb in giving us the confidence and support which we needed in our dealings with ISIS.” For further information on UNW, visit www.unw.co.uk

LAW & FINANCE

The monthly report With Richard Clark of Barclays

China’s liquidity crunch After years of excessive credit growth, China’s economy is being repositioned for an era of less-generous liquidity support. The recent spike in interbank market rates is an indication of how serious policymakers are taking the country’s financial imbalances – not least in the shadow-financing system. Breaking the addiction to credit will not be easy, but it will be worth it.

Here comes the squeeze ‘The tough decision has been made. Gone is the liquidity largesse of yesteryears. The market has to face up to the reality that the creditfuelled euphoria is simply not sustainable. We now have to do what’s right. It’ll all be for the better, trust us’. Words like these could have come from the US Federal Reserve (Fed) as chairman Ben Bernanke prepared the market for the eventual QE3 exit. We think they are also the kind of words that could come out of China, where the squeeze on liquidity has already begun, and one such exercise by the government has proved particularly interesting. While global investors were squarely focused on the outcomes of the June 19 Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meting in the US, China’s interbank repurchase (repo) market was – relatively quietly – illustrating what can happen when policymakers decide that enough is enough. In the market, banks agree to sell and then repurchase of securities with other banks, after a specified time, at an agreed discount rate.

EXPERT VIEW Richard Clark Private banker Barclays Web: www.barclays.com/wealth

On June 20, as Asian markets were digesting the hawkish FOMC statement, China’s 7-dat repo rate jumped to 11.2 per cent from just 6.4 per cent a week earlier, in what was the highest daily fixing since 2003. High repo rates indicate that some banks are willing to pay more to get short-term liquidity from others, and so can be seen as a sign that China’s level of liquidity not only fell, but fell sharply (we should say immediately that we do not expect US rates, when they start to rise, to do so quite so sharply).

Not just post-holiday blues Apart from the holiday effect – China had a five-day weekend from June 8-12 – the liquidity squeeze appears to have been deliberate. Specifically, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) allowed the liquidity crunch to happen as a warning to some domestic banks against taking on too much balance sheet risk via excessive lending. Amid expectations that the PBOC would quickly relieve the sharp rise in the interbank repo rate by injecting liquidity into the system, the central bank kept the market waiting until

much later in the week. By delaying its liquidity injection, the PBOC was warning banks that it will not support resurgent credit expansion in some parts of the economy. Indeed, the PBOC’s delay in relieving that the liquidity crunch seemed to have a punitive tinge to it. In particular, the authorities appear to be targeting some of the banks that have overextended themselves. The smaller banks have had a tendency to borrow from the shortterm interbank market in order to finance their exposure to wealth management and other high-yielding products. Overall, they are seen as being conduits in the shadow-financing system, which has grown significantly against the wishes of the central bank.

Lurking in the shadows Total social financing (TSF) – which measures the overall liquidity in the system, including the non-bank sector – showed that the shadow financing has been building up more intensively over the past year. On a threemonth rolling average basis, the current level of TSF (more than CNY 1.8tn) is considerably higher than it has been over the past few years. The fact that credit outside of the formal financial system continued to grow sizably – despite little official monetary easing during the period – came as a particular concern for the policymakers. Hence, it is perhaps not too surprising that the PBOC reacted the way it did throughout the period – refusing to inject liquidity into the system despite a liquidity crunch that saw interbank market rates soar to 30 per cent intraday at one point.

Barclays Wealth Management is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and is a member of the London Stock Exchange. Share prices and the income from them can go down as well as up. Readers are advised to seek professional investment opinion before entering into dealings in securities mentioned in this article, which may be unsuitable in their personal financial circumstances.

LAW & FINANCE

Left to right: Owen Ingram (GMS), Matt Collen (Sintons), David Charlton (Baker Tilly) and Lesley Telford (Barclays).

Business set to double turnover, following MBO Engineering company GMS has recently undergone a management buy out with the help of Sintons, Barclays and Baker Tilly.

Northumberland business which imports Chinese engineering components is planning to double turnover to £20m following a management buy-out (MBO). Global Manufacturing Supplies (GMS), based in Prudhoe, is set to create a new sales and marketing division within the business, which will see the company expanding significantly as a result. New jobs will be added to its current 25strong workforce, with its turnover of £10 million expected to double as the company markets itself aggressively around the world. The move by GMS – which specialises in sourcing engineering components from manufacturers in China and offers access to a network of approved suppliers for customers

across Europe and the US – comes after its founder Owen Ingram took sole control of the business in an MBO, following his business partner’s relocation to the Far East. The MBO of GMS – which has audited more than 800 companies in China over the past five years, to enable it to guarantee the quality and supply of its products – was backed by Barclays, with law firm Sintons and Baker Tilly also advising on the deal. Managing director Owen Ingram said: “Through actively marketing the company for the first time, and taking on a dedicated sales team, we have big expansion plans, and expect the turnover of the business to double. “We have grown very successfully without a sales aspect to the business through referrals and our existing client base, but

through adding that extra dimension, we expect to significantly increase in size.” Matt Collen, partner in the Company and Commercial department at Sintons, said: “Owen has very ambitious plans for GMS and I have no doubt the business will progress from strength to strength under his leadership. “GMS has achieved a huge amount in a short time, and we wish the business every success as it looks to build on its international progress further.” Lesley Telford, relationship director at Barclays, said: "GMS is a business we have known for many years and we were delighted to be asked by Owen to assist in the MBO and provide support for the exciting growth plans he and his team have for the business."

LAW & FINANCE

Jamie Anderson

Donna Hunwick

New rules for employment tribunals Employment law specialists Donna Hunwick, a solicitor from Sintons, and Jamie Anderson, a barrister from Trinity Chambers, analyse the impact of new rules that have come into force on the practices and procedures in employment tribunals. What are the main changes? Donna Hunwick: From a lawyer’s perspective, the rules make a number of changes to the practice and procedure regime which we are used to working in. Most of the smaller changes will not directly affect the parties involved in a claim. There are, however, some major changes which will have a direct impact, the main one being the introduction of fees into the tribunal system for the first time. Jamie Anderson: The introduction of fees is a huge change. Unlike the procedure in the civil courts, claimants in an employment tribunal claim are not currently required to pay an issue fee. The existing regime enables employees to access the tribunal system to enforce their employment law rights or seek redress for any contravention, regardless of their means. For those employees who may have been dismissed and do not have a job, this is a measure which ensures they can access justice, regardless of their financial circumstances. The introduction of fees will clearly change that and despite the Government’s assurances that the fees will not be a barrier to justice, there is obviously concern that the fees will deter reasonable claimants from bringing tribunal claims which have genuine foundation. DH: From an employer’s perspective, the new fees may serve to deter the proportion of employees who lodge claims vexatiously. The threat of tribunal claims is a serious concern for employers, especially when the potential awards exceed the amount of money in the bank. Among my commercial clients, the fee reform is

a welcome deterrent to those who bring claims simply to cause disruption to the business, although in practice, the new fee remission system may still assist a vexatious claimant to bring such a claim. What does the fee regime mean in practice? JA: From July 29, claimants now need to either pay an issue fee or submit a fee remission application before the tribunal will accept their claim. Both individual claimants, and those bringing claims in a group, will need to pay a fee. The amount of fee is referable to the type of claim. There are two types; type A, for which there is a list of claims in the legislation (i.e for redundancy pay) and type B, being those claims which do not appear on list A (i.e. discrimination). The type A issue fee is £160 and type B is £250. Those who can’t afford to pay can apply for a full or partial fee remission (relief) in certain circumstances. Claimants may not know whether they qualify for remission and the tribunal is not under an obligation to consider remission on their behalf; they must request it. From a claimant’s perspective, the best thing to do is to take advice on remission in good time. DH: It is important to remember that costs do not follow the event in employment tribunals as they do in civil courts. If a party is successful in bringing or defending a claim before the tribunal, they will not necessarily benefit from an order that the unsuccessful party pays their costs. The new regime gives the employment tribunal discretion to award the repayment of fees where a decision is made ‘wholly or partly’ in favour of a party. It remains to be seen how

the discretion will be exercised consistently in practice. Also, in certain situations, an employer will need to pay a fee in respect of an application, for example, if it asks for a default judgment to be reconsidered or if it applies for the dismissal of a claim following withdrawal. If an employer appeals a decision made against it, it will need to pay a £400 issue fee and a £1200 hearing fee. Are there any other changes to be aware of? JA: Other than fees, the parties also need to be aware that an employment judge will sift a claim and decide whether it should be struck out on the basis that it has no jurisdiction to hear it. A judge will also consider whether to strike out a claim or response on the basis that it has no reasonable prospect of success. It has always been crucial to ensure that a claim or response is as robust as possible, but it is more important than ever that if they are in any doubt, the party seeks assistance with the preparation of its claim or response. DH: In addition to the reforms under the new rules, the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 will introduce mandatory early conciliation via ACAS, as of April 2014. At present, a party is not obliged to liaise with ACAS, albeit that some parties and their representatives find the services of ACAS particularly helpful in resolving a dispute. Contact Donna Hunwick on (0191) 2263709 or donna.hunwick@sintons.co.uk or Jamie Anderson on (0191) 2321927 or j.anderson@trinitychambers.co.uk

LAW & FINANCE

Is the bond bubble about to burst? Brewin Dolphin’s Lucinda Beaumont looks at whether bonds are the right investment at present.

f you are in any way tuned in to financial markets at the moment then you can’t fail to have noticed that the fashionable talk is of a bond ‘bubble’ about to burst. Conventional wisdom holds that investors should increase exposure to supposedly low-risk bonds and reduce riskier shares as we get older. However, many commentators argue that a fall in the bond markets is one of the greatest risks facing the global economy. If this is the case, then taking a decision to switch out of equities into bonds could prove unfortunate for retirement planning if experts are correct in predicting a contraction in this market. So how do bonds work and why is this so important for financial markets? Well, in very simplistic terms, bonds are IOUs issued to investors by cash-hungry governments and companies that are eager to expand. Investors purchase them on the understanding that they will be paid back the original capital value of the loan at a set future date, plus any interest due over its life. However, bonds can be bought and sold before ‘maturity’ at the set future date and as such, their prices are subject to market forces. What is important to remember is that the amount of interest paid by the bond generally remains the same each year despite the movement of the price of the bond so when the price goes up, the yield goes down and vice versa. Since equity markets collapsed in 2007, under the programme of quantitative easing, central banks around the world have pumped over $10 trillion of liquidity into the global

EXPERT VIEW Lucinda Beaumont Assistant director Brewin Dolphin Tel: (0191) 230 7258 Email: lucinda.beaumont@brewin.co.uk Web: www.brewin.co.uk/newcastle

financial system buying up government bonds and thereby maintaining interest rates at artificially low levels. As a result bond markets have been propelled up to record levels. Yields (the amount of interest paid per amount invested), have steadily fallen and in a few cases, bond yields have actually strayed into negative territory. Investors have, in effect, been paying the borrowers to hold their money! It is apparent that this so-called bubble in the bond market has been developing for quite some time. So long, in fact, that bonds have outperformed shares over the last 30 years. That’s a remarkable claim for an investment that is regarded as a less risky alternative to equities. But bond markets can turn rapidly. It happened in 1979 and 1994 with devastating effects for investors. As a result of concerns about debt markets, many experts claim that a “great rotation” from

bonds into equities has already begun, with equities rallying strongly as investors shelter away from bonds in large, well capitalised, dividend paying companies which look to be in rude financial health at the moment. And there is some logic to this. Why buy a bond offering a fixed income of say 3.5 per cent, with no prospect of capital growth or protection against inflation when you can invest in the equity of the same company yielding a slightly lower 3 per cent, but offering the potential for both the capital and the income to grow? On the bright side, there is evidence that the bond bubble may not prove as serious as it appears. Although bonds look unappealing at the moment, there is an argument that the valueagnostic investors (pension funds, insurance companies and banks) will still support the market since regulation demands that they match a good proportion of their long-term liabilities at all times. Also, rising bond yields would raise the cost of government financing, which would harm the recovery. But credit-fuelled booms (and the following busts) are eventually paid for by higher levels of inflation. Since inflation is likely to be a precursor to a fall in bond markets, this is something investors will be keeping a keen eye on. At the moment inflation appears to be under control but for it not to become a serious problem, central bankers need to be able to take away the punch bowl of easy money as deftly as they provided it.

LAW & FINANCE Mark Chandler

Steven Smith.

Breakfast at the Hilton Mark Chandler, wealth manager and head of business development at Ellis Bates Group, meets Steven Smith, managing partner at Newcastle based Quantum Law LLP.

Mark Chandler: What inspired you to become a lawyer? Steven Smith: It’s difficult to pinpoint one moment or person that inspired me to become a lawyer. I think we end up on our chosen paths as a result of many decisions made over a number of years. Most of my family would probably say that I’m pedantic and argumentative so I guess I was always suited to the profession in that respect! MC: What is your expertise? SS. My particular specialism is tax. This can be either private client or corporate and involves quite a lot of continuing learning as the rules change at a frightening pace. I am also the managing partner of the firm so I have a lot of managerial responsibilities. It’s very challenging to manage both roles but I enjoy the business challenges as much as the technical challenges that my client work throws up. MC: What exactly does a tax lawyer do?

SS: I work with clients to ensure that they achieve what they’re looking to achieve with the maximum tax efficiency. This could be a company re-organisation or purchase or an individual looking to retire abroad. I also work with a large number of other professional advisers to assist them with their clients’ tax affairs. MC: Tell me about the suite of services that Quantum Law delivers? SS: We are a multi-disciplined team, we have lawyers, chartered tax advisers and accountants. We even have a sports agent within the firm who looks after a lot of high profile individuals. However, our main strength is tax as that is what sets us apart from other small and medium sized firms in Newcastle. We have seven tax specialists within the firm which is a lot more than other law firms in the region and this puts us in a great position to work with those firms on the tax aspects of their clients’ transactions. MC: What do you enjoy most about being a lawyer?

SS: I love the creativity, both in terms of managing the business and my client work. I rarely have two days that are the same which can be a challenge but it’s worth it when a project completes or a deal happens and all of the hard work pays off. MC: What are your interests outside of law? SS: I am a keen golfer although I could do with finding more time to practice, based on my last round! Other than that I like music, good food and, more importantly, good beer. Mark’s closing view: It was interesting to meet with Steven; our association has proved good for his clients and for mine – whether they appreciate good legal advice and/or the value of professional wealth management. For more information on Ellis Bates, visit www.ellisbatesgroup.com

LAW & FINANCE

Left to right: Greg Bolton (RMT),Tim Bates (GB Fuel), Roger Peart (Oil NRG), Graham Brown (RMT) and Luke Phelan (Sintons).

RMT helps to ignite sale The accountants and business advisors assists with the sale of Tyneside-based fuel supply business GB Fuels to North Yorkshire’s NRG Ltd.

ateshead-based GB Fuels has been bought by North Yorkshire’s Oil NRG Ltd to form a new independent fuel supply business. GB Fuels has operated on Tyneside for over 50 years and Oil NRG works across County Durham, Teesside and North Yorkshire. The combined businesses now have the capacity to distribute domestic commercial and agricultural fuels across the whole region. The GB Lubricants division of the Goodall Bates & Todd group is unaffected by the deal, and after a period of strong growth of the business, further expansion is now planned. The lubricants operation was established over 100 years ago and is now the focus of further growth for the group. Tim Bates, managing director of Goodall Bates & Todd Limited, said that after trading for over 50 years, the sale of the fuels division is a hugely significant step for the business. He said: “We were established in 1877 as a lubricants blender and by selling the fuels division, it will enable us to focus on and reinvest the proceeds in what has always been our core business.

“The lubricants division has grown significantly and consistently over the last five years, delivering products on a nationwide basis and we plan to continue this growth.“ Oil NRG was established in 2006 by Nigel Jones, Mark Jones and Derek Noble to provide a locally-based service for local people, and said it is pleased to be able to expand its regional presence further by welcoming GB Fuels to its portfolio. Roger Peart, managing director of Oil NRG Ltd, said: “Our main focus is oil distribution; we are delighted we can now provide a higher level of service to the region’s customers, while the additional volume will mean we are more than able to match the buying power of our larger, national competitors in the area.“ The sale of GB Fuels to Oil NRG was handled by Newcastle-based law firm Sintons, and RMT Accountants and Business Advisors in Newcastle. Luke Phelan, solicitor in Sintons’ Company and Commercial department, who oversaw the deal, said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Tim Bates and the team involved in this matter and I am confident that the transaction will enable GB Lubricants to

focus its operation and continue to provide great services to its customers. Sintons were pleased to assist in this matter, which adds to a busy year for the firm in transactional matters.“ Graham Brown, corporate finance manager at RMT, who advised GB Fuels on the deal, said: “We are extremely pleased to have been able to help Tim and his team achieve the outcome they were looking for on this project, and look forward to continuing to work with GB Lubricants in the years ahead. “The availability of the GB Fuels business created a lot of interest from a range of potential purchasers, and we worked closely with the management team to identify the best available options, formulate the terms of the sale and achieve a positive outcome for everyone involved. “Oil NRG provides an extremely good strategic fit for the GB Fuels business, and this disposal will enable Tim and his team to concentrate on their strategic aims for developing the Lubricants side of GB’s operations.“ For more information on RMT, visit www.r-m-t.co.uk

LAW & FINANCE

The future’s bright RMT’s Graham Brown reveals why we should have a positive outlook at the halfway mark of 2103.

ime has done its usual flying trick, and while it might feel like we’ve only just escaped the clutches of the North East winter, we’ve already reached the halfway point of the year. The first half of 2013 has seen the regional business community battling away in the same vein as we’ve got used to over recent years and making the best of testing economic conditions. Good news has often been at a premium, but in the regional corporate finance market, a positive trend seems to have emerged over the last few months that we’re hopeful will carry on through the rest of the year and beyond. Amid all the uncertainty of the last couple of years, we’ve rather got used to companies regularly holding off making investment, acquisition or disposal decisions, as they’ve looked for greater clarity on the economic outlook. But over recent months, and in the continuing absence of this clarity making itself known to any of us, we’ve noticed that an increasing number of businesses are deciding

EXPERT VIEW Graham Brown Corporate Finance Manager RMT Tel: (0191) 256 9500 Web: www.r-m-t-co.uk

that there’s only so long they can wait to get things done, and are therefore deciding to crack on and put long-cherished plans into action. This seems to be happening across all market sectors, and especially within the owner/managed business arena within which I predominantly operate, where there’s perhaps been a steady realisation that we can’t do much to change the environment in which we’re working, but we can take steps to make the very best of it that we can.

Things like the availability of capital from the Regional Growth Fund and the Finance For Business North East Funds will doubtless be having an influence on this positive trend, and we’re hopeful that it is going to be sustained over the long term. The same principles of sensible deal-making apply just as much today as they did in the better times. Taking the time to plan out carefully well in advance what you want to achieve from both a business and a personal point of view, and examining all the available options thoroughly to find the one that fulfils these criteria remain crucial undertakings. It’s equally important not to panic and take up the first investment or disposal opportunity that presents itself, when there could be more worthwhile options to investigate not much further down the line. Even in the most difficult of times, positive opportunities will always come along for sound, well-prepared businesses, and putting your firm in that position should be your primary consideration.

LAW & FINANCE

The sky’s the limit for James Blu Sky Chartered Accountants adds to its team.

ames Heron has landed himself a position with Blu Sky Chartered Accountants that will help him launch his career in the right direction. The 24-year-old from Birtley has joined the team as a management information specialist, which sees him processing facts and figures, including monthly and quarterly management accountants. His portfolio includes a range of clients which he provides with the information, from boutique consultancies, through to bespoke engineering giants and game development experts. James brings with him five years of experience. He has worked in two accounts offices, firstly a small accountancy firm in Jesmond where he undertook his apprenticeship before joining a large multinational company where he specialised in international outsourcing. James however wanted to develop further, and when he spotted an opportunity at Blu Sky he was convinced it was the next step he needed to take: “From my first interview and meeting with the owners of Blu Sky, Jon and Dave, I knew

that the team here were my sort of people. It is a friendly working environment and the team think about the client and their needs.” James has a number of career aspirations, his first is that he aims to be fully qualified accountant. He continued: “The exams to be fully qualified can take between four and 10 years, and I am ready to commit as soon as possible. Blu Sky are a growing practice with an exciting client portfolio and I sure that

combined with my desire to progress and learn will most definitely benefit my accountancy career .” Out of work hours, James is busy most nights in his role as a Scout leader in Birtley and Gateshead. Having been a scout himself, he now looks after 20 cubs, scouts and explorers in a district explorer commissioner role. Dave Gibson, owner of Blu Sky, which is based in North Shields, said: “James is exactly what we were looking for to expand our young team. We are forward thinking and hungry and he has passion and aspiration. While he is talented at information management he is great with clients and sees beyond the numbers. “At Blu Sky we are not just your every day accountant. We offer specialist packages for different levels of business support and see our role as advising on business decisions of any financial type. James gets that and in time he should prove to become an invaluable member of the team.” More information on Blu Sky, visit www.bluskyaccountants.co.uk

EVENT

Fashion show success A fashion boutique and a law firm team up for lunchtime charity event. ne of the region’s newest boutiques gave fashionistas a chance to take a peek at this summer’s styles while raising vital funds for a children’s charity. Gordon Brown law firm joined forces with Durham-based Logonstyle.com to host a lunchtime fashion show and fundraising event at New York-style Italian brasserie Babucho on Dean Street, Newcastle. The event raised £2,840 for the the Sunshine Fund, which aims to improve the lives of children with disabilities in the North East. Amy Whyte, business development manager at the law firm said: “Thank you so much to everybody that joined us in raising money at our charity Fashion Show. “We are delighted we could raise funds for such a worthwhile charity, while working alongside local businesses. Logonstyle director Carroll Herd said: “We are committed to helping local charities and we could not think of a better charity than the Sunshine Fund.” The show featured Logonstyle’s summer collection modelled by Tyne Tees Models.

LAW & FINANCE

Surprising beneﬁts of

illiquid assets Investors may assume that illiquid assets are more ‘risky’ but they can add genuine diversification to portfolios and help them weather volatile times, says John Dance of Vertem Asset Management.

EXPERT VIEW John Dance CEO and chief investment officer Vertem Asset Management Tel: (0191) 341 0289 Email: info@vertem.co.uk Web: www.vertem.co.uk

ecent market volatility has shown that avoiding draw downs in a diversified portfolio can be hard to avoid. Perhaps surprisingly though, it has been our exposure to some illiquid asset classes that has actually helped us weather the storm. Investment markets went in to virtual freefall from mid May until late June following comments from the chairman of the Federal Reserve in the US that the quantitative easing which has been propping up markets in recent years could be ‘tapered’ off in the not too distant future. Despite highlighting that the Fed was ‘taking its foot of the accelerator and not hitting the brakes’, the markets once again reacted as if the vehicle had crashed! From its height of 6877 on the May 21, the FTSE 100 fell 12 per cent from peak to trough. Japan’s Nikkei 225 lost more than 20 per cent over the same period, entering bear market territory, which was perhaps not surprising given the market had risen around 80 per cent since November. The ten year UK Gilt yield, which had traded around 1.6 per cent early in the quarter, finished June at

2.44 per cent, translating into middle single digit losses in capital terms and losses of over 10 per cent were felt in longer dated UK gilts. Certainly not a very pleasant surprise for those investors who were under the impression government bonds were a riskfree home for their cash. The scary thing about the sell-off this time is that correlation between assets rose. No longer did your government bond exposure act as a buffer for your equity risk. We breathed a sigh of relief, as we are underweight government bonds given we could not mathematically see much upside to these bonds, as they have had such a good run. It felt that nowhere was safe to hide, but when we looked at the performance of the assets that we hold, those more illiquid ones were actually holding up quite well. With huge reluctance and some fear, we checked the performance of frontier market holdings. These are economies that are not yet even developed enough to be deemed as emerging markets. While other emerging markets was sold off, as investors rushed to the exits, we expected the same or perhaps worse of the

‘riskier’ frontier markets. The MSCI Emerging Market index fell around 16 per cent from peak to trough, while surprisingly, the MSCI Frontier Markets index only fell 6 per cent from peak to trough, half the fall of the FTSE 100. In less liquid markets, it is harder for investors to rush to the exit and find a good price and in a period such as that of late it appears that the stampede of risk-off sentiment targeted only the most liquid markets asset classes. Similarly, the asset-backed securities market is a small market and so not as liquid as other bond markets. The iBoxx £ corporate bond index fell around 6 per cent, but asset backed securities held up much better. The underlying net asset value of the TwentyFour Income fund, which invests in asset backed securities, fell by less than 0.5 per cent during the market sell-off. Again, the asset backed securities market tends to be relatively illiquid as deals are only available in large tranches. The lack of an ‘easy exit’ again appears to have helped the asset class during a quick fire ‘risk off’ selling environment.

LAW & FINANCE

Coming unstuck Alexandra Besnard of Langridge Employment Law uses a case study to illustrate what you can do when dealing with redundancies in your company. ince last we last heard from Tommy Treacle (my colleague’s Andrew Twineham’s article in June’s NE Times), Treacle’s Toffees’ financial affairs haven’t improved and the Bank has finally lost patience. Reducing staffing is now unavoidable. If Tommy doesn’t act, Treacle’s Toffees would soon be out of business. A friend recently told him about some new employment provisions making it easier to have confidential negotiations with employees and terminate their employment. Tommy would prefer this ‘short-cut’, as he sees it. He did some research and found out that from July 29 2013, he will be able to hold confidential discussions with staff and agree settlement packages, which would in turn lead to the termination of their employment. He now knows which people the business no longer needs and the employees who never fitted-in or weren’t good enough. He has read that the result of these confidential discussions should be recorded in a Settlement Agreement and the employee will have to be advised by a legal adviser to become binding. Should he pay the employee’s legal fees? How much should he offer the employee? Should he only pay the notice period and redundancy payment, as if he had followed a due redundancy process or should he add a little extra?

EXPERT VIEW Alexandra Besnard Solicitor Langridge Employment Law Tel: (0191) 222 1221 Email: ab@langridgeemploymentlaw.co.uk

Can he have a confidential discussion with Debbie who is on maternity leave? Or with Johnny who has been off on long-term sick with

depression? Can he settle potential claims for discrimination using these Settlement Agreements? Can he ask the employees he meets to make a decision at the meeting or does he have to wait until they have been advised by a solicitor? How long does he have to give them to make their mind up? Apparently he should allow employees to be accompanied. What happens if the accompanying colleague approaches him and asks for a Settlement Agreement? Can he refuse to enter into an agreement with him as he works on the successful Toff’s Toffee line, which is key to the future of the business? If other employees find out that he is giving uplifted settlement package to some employees, he is worried that he will have to pay the same to everyone. This could be very costly. Could he be penalised for refusing to allow companions to attend the meetings? Finally, what will he do, if the employees he has ‘selected’ do not want to enter into an agreement, can he impose it on them? Could they sue him for unfair dismissal and use what he said during these meetings if he later makes them redundant? The new regulations on the Confidentiality of Negotiations may resolve some straightforward employment issues, but may also raise many new questions, so if in doubt take advice!

Crunching numbers in the Cloud Is your business being held back by spreadsheets and accounting software? Cloud accountancy can help, says Stephen Paul of Valued Accountancy. he thought of working through paperwork to meet a deadline for your VAT return or your accounts is the stuff of nightmares, but it has to be done when the accounts software is located at the office. But there is an answer: cloud accounting, where there are easy accounts in a place, convenient to you. The benefits are as follows:

now, whether it be a mobile phone, IPad, laptop or desktop pc. With cloud accountancy you can access and update your bookkeeping anywhere with an internet connection.

Your accountant becomes part of your team With packages such as Xero, the accountant can log into your data at any time and check how things are going. By implementing a cloud based system you can both be looking at real time information without any delays or downtime.

Save time Cloud based accountancy software ensures you have everything in one easy to access place and with some systems such as Xero.com, it will even do half of the data entry for you with its direct bank feeds.

Save money Cloud accounting software helps you to reduce accounting, bookkeeping and especially costly installation and upgrade costs.

Easy to use Most people don’t go into business to become an accountant so why do we end up spending so much of our time doing the accounts? Xero does all of the sums for you and prepares meaningful management data within seconds.

Real time information Everyday we help clients obtain management information in a quick and easy way, effectively removing the barrier between the accountant and the client. It’s a trend that keeps

gaining momentum. Cloud computing makes sense, having access to things when we want it and where we want it – accounting is no exception to this. Your team can all log in at the same time with no costly support or training contracts, its all included in the standard price of the software

With over 500 clients on Xero.com ,Valued Accountancy are one of the leading providers of the software in the UK. We are passionate about affecting our clients results and cloud accountancy helps us to do that

Uses your technology

For more information or to arrange a free demonstration contact Valued Accountancy on (0191) 2612711 or visit www.valued-as.co.uk

We all use some form of technology everyday

EVENT

Sandcastle Ball Summer ball helps raise much-needed funds for Children North East.

he Children North East Sandcastle Ball was held on Friday, July 5, at The Newcastle Marriott Hotel, Gosforth Park. More than 200 guests from leading businesses around the region came along to show their support and enjoyed a fantastic party night all in aid of Children North East. The event celebrated the ever popular Sandcastle Challenge which was held at Sandhaven Beach, South Shields and was attended by almost 2000 local school children all recreating designs in the sand to the theme of The Lindisfarne Gospels. Tim Healy, ambassador for Children North East headed up the judging who made the final decisions on the school winning designs. Both events raised ÂŁ32,000 to support disadvantaged children in the North East.â&#x20AC;?

LAW & FINANCE

Hay & Kilner supports North East charity Law firm Hay & Kilner has pulled out all the stops to help one of the region’s largest disability charities.

Clare Thompson, partner at Hay & Kilner.

hen Percy Hedley Foundation launched its Challenge 500 project, law firm Hay & Kilner didn’t hesitate in signing up. The challenge urges participating businesses to use their skills to turn £500 investment by the charity into as much money as they could over a six-month period. The competition’s only rule was that money must be raised or generated in a legal, ethical and moral way. Everyone at Hay & Kilner worked extremely hard to come up with imaginative ideas for activities to increase the charity’s investment. The firm’s first fundraising event involved its trainee solicitors taking part in the Endurer Dash Challenge in the Peak District; they made this gruelling event even tougher by

competing dressed as trainee solicitors in suit jackets and ties. Other events included staff at Hay & Kilner making good use of their culinary skills by having an all-day bake fest in the office, bag packing at Marks & Spencer in Newcastle and hosting a quiz night at Gateshead Rugby Club. A member of staff also hosted a wine tasting evening with assistance from Majestic Wines. Hay & Kilner’s fundraising drive culminated with a Summer Fayre at Newcastle Preparatory School in Jesmond. The Summer Fayre was the highlight of the firm’s fundraising and attracted hundreds of people. With a coconut shy, bouncy castle and a large selection of stalls – selling everything

from plants and books to Pimms, sweets, toys and cakes – everyone had lots of fun in the sun, helping to raise over £3000 for the Percy Hedley Foundation. Special thanks go to Newcastle Preparatory School staff and parents who provided the venue, donated some raffle prizes and supported the activities. Clare Thompson, partner at Hay & Kilner, commented: "We’re delighted to support Challenge 500 and the work of the Percy Hedley Foundation. “This challenge has been a superb team building exercise and we’ve had a fantastic time. A huge thank you must go to the 17 local businesses who very kindly donated raffle prizes for our Summer Fayre. “

Hay & Kilner would like to thank the following companies for donating raffle prizes for the Summer Fayre: - Abstract Bottles - Antico Restaurant, Jesmond - Avanti Restaurant, Jesmond - Bob Smith Fly Fishing - Booker Wholesale - Evolution Hair and Beauty, Jesmond

- Gourmet Gifts, Jesmond - Moor Park Convenience, North Shields - Newcastle Jewellery Company - Nissan - Revolution Newcastle

- Ringtons - Seven Stories - Station Convenience, Ashington - The Alnwick Castle & Garden - The Stand Comedy Club - Whitehouse farm, Morpeth

For further information about Hay & Kilner, please contact Clare Thompson on (0191) 232 8345 or email: clare.thompson@hay-kilner.co.uk. Alternatively, visit www.hay-kilner.co.uk

CHARITY

charity that means business The head of Shared Interest Foundation tells North East Times how he aims to support entrepreneurs in the developing world with the help of the region’s businesses.

hris Pay is convinced that the power of business is instrumental in alleviating poverty in the developing world and so jumped at the chance to take the helm at Shared Interest Foundation, a Newcastle-based charity that specialises in supporting entrepreneurs in some of the world’s poorest communities. He says: “Supporting people to build thriving businesses that provide income and employment is far more sustainable than providing hand-outs.” With a background combining practical business knowledge and international development experience, Chris who was born and raised in the North East, refelects on his role: “I’m delighted to be involved with a real North East success story,” he says. Aside from its foundation, Shared Interest has been providing finance to fair trade businesses for over 20 years through parent company Shared Interest Society. With almost 9000 UK investors, the awardwinning social lender holds the Queen’s Award for Enterprise and most recently received recognition in the Guardian Sustainable Business Awards. Chris continues: “Shared Interest created its charitable arm in 2004, and when I joined last year, the foundation had just finished a project in Rwanda with support from the Big Lottery Fund. I was really impressed that the businesses involved doubled their income over three years. ”We’re now working on a project in Swaziland, which is an innovative way of linking up successful fair trade businesses with individual entrepreneurs who are keen to develop. We’ve

helped establish an in-country partner (SWIFT) and as a result, 25 new businesses have already been registered.” Chris kicked off his position as head of the foundation with a trip to see the progress made since the start of the Comic Relief funded project two years ago. He met some of the 135 businesses that have benefitted so far, and was impressed by the people involved. “The Board of SWIFT is made up of entrepreneurs who have built up fair trade businesses now selling high end, handmade products around the world.” These businesses include Gone Rural, a homeware and accessories producer, which exports to John Lewis and Conran and in so doing provides an income to 750 women in remote rural

areas, and Ngwenya Glass who recycle waste glass to manufacture beautiful products, providing 60 local jobs. “When we think about charity we tend to think in terms of giving hand-outs. I’m really keen to challenge that perception,” says Chris. “I want us to be known as a charity that means business.” Shared Interest Foundation is looking to create links with forward-thinking North East businesses who want to play a part in tackling poverty. “While our work is funded currently by some generous individuals and one or two larger funders such as Comic Relief, we believe that we’re uniquely placed to work with innovative businesses here who want to support emerging enterprises in the developing world. “I think this is a really positive way for businesses to invest in society with their charitable support.” Chris cites staff at the Newcastle office of engineering firm Arup who recently chose Shared Interest Foundation to benefit from their charitable giving: “I thought it was great that a firm involved in the construction of the Angel of the North also wanted to help build a lasting legacy on the other side of the world. For me, that’s the mark of a really socially aware business.” If you’d like more information about Shared Interest Foundation and how your business could get involved in supporting entrepreneurs in some of the world’s poorest communities, contact Chris on (0191) 233 9129 or chris.pay@sharedinterest.com. Alternatively, visit www.sharedinterestfoundation.com

LAW & FINANCE

Geordie law David Laud on the reality of running a successful North East law firm.

f you want to run a successful business in today’s brave new world you need to keep an eye firmly on the operational costs and the other on your customers; those who you have and want to keep and those you would like to have. Complacency or a refusal to accept the new realities of your particular market will result in a rather sudden demise. As most readers will acknowledge, it’s tough out there. One area that highlights the harsh realities of business ownership in today’s environment is the once, apparently ‘bullet proof’, legal profession. The sector has borne witness to a series of high profile collapses in the past few months with reports of hundreds facing financial difficulties and close monitoring of their regulator. The reason for such a dramatic downturn in fortune is due in no small part to firms failing to adapt; having remained steadfast in their determination to share out the diminishing profit and blind optimism that ‘things will get better’ without a need to change the business model. The introduction of alternative business structures allows non solicitors, for the first time, to own and run businesses offering legal services. High profile new entrants include BT and Co-op and most recently Direct Line insurance with many hundreds more now fighting for work in an increasingly competitive arena. Legislative changes to legal aid, personal injury claims and proposed criminal justice procurement, along with burdensome compliance requirements all impact on the revenue of law firms. Many partners in practice are deciding it is time to change their legal briefs for swimming trunks and take a dip into early retirement or an

alternative career. So how does a regional law firm, such as Samuel Phillips buck the trend and provide optimism in a sector that has been bombarded with bad news? Chief executive, David Laud has worked with the Newcastle based firm that can count businesses, NHS trusts, police authorities, schools, charities, local authorities and private individuals as clients for almost ten years. He has a clear view of what a regional legal practice should be focusing on in these uncertain times. “Law firms must be run as professional businesses, operationally savvy, focused on client care, structured and innovative in their marketing. The legal sector is highly competitive but still offers the chance to create a brand and space for a firm with confidence and character. Websites need to be interesting not stuffy, content should be fresh and written with a client in mind and technology used to improve the service not get in its way.” A couple of examples of Samuel Phillips’ innovation is its free iPhone app for businesses SamPLaw HR and the opportunity for clients to contact the firm 24/7 via their short code sms text by texting the word Law to 82010. But how does the firm manage to introduce innovative solutions into what is a traditionally conservative field? David continues: “Solicitors are not typically entrepreneurial. It’s their job to spot the risk and the problem and protect their client rather than spot or act upon a business opportunity. Fortunately at Samuel Phillips we’re blessed with strong innovative business owners and, when we present a ‘cunning plan’, they are more likely to consider the project than most partners and can originate

plenty of their own winning ideas. “One example is our work with schools, helping them in the process of converting to an academy. We didn’t leap onto a band wagon as many firms did when the Government started to drive the initiative forward. “The firm studied the outcomes of conversions and the response within the communities to an academy school. We undertook research, spoke to many involved in the support of academies and took an executive decision to become one of the very best firms offering services to schools wishing to convert. In less than two years we have enjoyed outstanding success and more importantly love working with schools during and after conversion.” David is also a firm believer in showing a human side to the legal service: “We can’t escape the fact that we’re often a distress purchase or a necessary part of a process. Buying legal services can be stressful and complicated. We aim to make it as comfortable and as straightforward for our clients as possible. “We achieve this by providing true value through the quality and frequency of communication and speed of our response. If I get an email from a client they should get a prompt reply. If they’re worried about an issue it’s our job to make sure they get peace of mind and for that we need to be accessible, something a call centre or super tanker sized law firm may struggle to match.” The future for many in the legal sector may remain uncertain but Samuel Phillips would appear to have it covered. For further information on Samuel Phillips, call (0191) 232 8451 or visit www.samuelphillips.co.uk

EVENT

Stokoe Rodger’s charity football The chartered accountants hosts a football competition in aid of The Percy Hedley Foundation. tokoe Rodger, one of the region’s leading independent firms of Chartered Accountants hosted their inaugural five-a-side competition at Complete Football, Gosforth Park. The event was hugely successful and raised a substantial amount of money for The Percy Hedley Challenge 500 initiative. Paul Killen of Stokoe Rodger commented: “It was great to get so many clients and friends of the firm along for an enjoyable afternoon in the sunshine while, at the same time, raising money for a great local cause; we very much appreciate the support of all who attended the event.”

TECHNOLOGY NEWS IN ASSOCIATION WITH

£1 million business win for ITPS The technology solutions company wins two new contracts.

ateshead-based ITPS is celebrating after attracting the work of two new clients, totalling more than £1 million per

annum. The three year contracts will see the technology solutions company provide upgrade, migration, integration and support services to a global aviation defence contractor, as well as handle 24/7 backup and disaster recovery services for a UK-wide housing specialist. Finance director Michael Jopling (pictured) said: “Managed services simply means the client opting to put some elements of its ICT into the hands of an external expert, while managing others inhouse. “A lot of our new opportunities are coming from organisations that already have an in-house IT team but need extra resource, whether that’s with strategic

direction, or day to day support services. “Every business wants to do more for less, and managed services is the sweet spot for those looking to squeeze more value out of

their budgets, without any risk to the business. We have some strong referenceability in this area, and new clients tell us they draw comfort from our track record in this field.”

Chris Stott joins Hadrian Technology

Activ launches an academy

Ultasound investment for Spire

CTV specialist Hadrian Technology has appointed Chris Stott to the position of business development manager. Chris has more than 20 years’ experience and has joined Hadrian Technology to increase the firm’s exposure in regional, national and international markets. The Sunderland-based company, which was founded in 1999, provides high-quality CCTV solutions across the UK and Ireland and its services include CCTV design, installation, maintenance and repair. It is the biggest installer of the market-leading Concept Pro CCTV range in the country. Chris commented: “I’m delighted to be joining such a forward thinking and ambitious company, which is truly at the cutting edge of CCTV technology, and helping Hadrian Technology to become even more successful.”

orth East telecoms and technology business Activ, has launched a new series of briefings, called the Activ Academy. The first took place at its head office in Balliol Business Park, Newcastle, last month and focused on companies using Microsoft Office 365 and discuss how it can help to reduce costs, improve customer service and protect businesses. Ian Gillespie, director at Activ, said: “We’ve launched our Activ Academy to bring the latest business technology solutions to local companies in a practical and enjoyable format. “Our aim is to offer an easy to understand and informal workshop with the goal of simply helping them to improve their business through the new software and hardware communication solutions that are available to them.”

pire Washington Hospital has invested £130,000 in ultrasound machinery as part of an overall refurbishment programme. Three cutting edge pieces of equipment have been purchased and installed, including a cardiac ultrasound machine, specialised MSK ultrasound and a state of the art tablet ultrasound system for theatres and intensive care units. Around £330,000 has recently been invested on an upgrade to two of the hospital’s theatres, which was completed in July 2012. A further £380,000 is being spent on an extension that will house new office space and see patient bedrooms and a number of autoclaves redeveloped by the end of this year.

TECHNOLOGY

State of the Art What’s new in the world of techology and gadgets.

APPLE IOS 7 pple has launched iOS7, which its senior vice president of Software Engineering, Craig Federighi, describes as, “the most significant iOS update since the original iPhone”. The new inferface has been redesigned with refined typography, the use of translucency and motion and a new colour palette. Additional

features include a new easy-access Control Center and Notification Center, and AirDrop which will enable you to transfer content with people nearby without any network or set-up required. There will be full-screen browsing on Safari, Siri will sound more human and include Twitter search integration, iTune Radio will offer free internet radio featuring over 200

stations, and a new photos app (Moments), will automatically organise your photos and videos based on time and location. The software will be available to download free this autumn to the hundreds of millions of iPhone, iPad and iPod users around the world. www.apple.com/uk

DAMSON TWIST he Damson Twist turns any surface into a speaker: simply twist, pair and play your top tunes. The nifty device uses innovative Incisor Diffusion Technology that uses a resonator to turn whatever surface it is on into a source for sound, making it the perfect complement to a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone, mp3 player or tablet. RRP £49.99

www.advancedmp3players.co.uk

KLIPSCH S3M lipsch’s new S3m headphones are specifically engineered for mobile devices with a universal single-button remote and microphone that allows smartphone users to play, pause and skip music tracks, alongside answering and ending calls. The headphones are available in five funky colours and with unique oval ear tips that put stress on the pressure points in the ear, they are comfortable as well as stylish.

www.klipsch.com

CANON EOS 70D he EOS 70D is the new digital SLR camera from Canon featuring instant and accurate focusing for photos and videos. New features include the Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus technology and 20.2 megapixel CMOS Sensor for improved pixel clarity on photos and video, DIGIC 5+ for shorter focusing times (up to seven frames-per-second), and built-in wireless capability. RRP £1079.

www.canon.com

EVENT

Sara Macleod Summer Sale Preview Guests celebrate the boutique’s first anniversary while perusing seasonal bargains. IP’ customers were invited to the Summer Sale Preview last month at Sara Macleod Boutique on Acorn Road, Jesmond. A glass was also raised on the evening to celebrate the first anniversary of the boutique’s relocation to Jesmond last summer. Sara and her staff were made to feel immediately welcome by residents and neighbouring businesses and would like to thank everyone who has supported them and made them feel so at home. Here’s to continued success in the future!

‘V

MEDIA NEWS IN ASSOCIATION WITH ITPS

New Tyneside home A marketing solutions company selects Newcastle’s Quorum as its centre of excellence.

global marketing solutions company has secured premises on Newcastle’s Quorum Business Park, after selecting it as a base for furthering the expansion of its international operation. CRM Solutions and Integrated marketing Company Swiftpage, which originated in Denver Colorado, has taken 10,500sqft of office space in Quorum’s Q15 – a move that will provide a home for the Newcastle team, plus additional meeting rooms and training areas, meeting the requirements of its English, German and French-speaking sales and support teams. Currently employing 300 staff in offices around the world, the new premises on Quorum will become Swiftpage’s International sales and support operation – a centre of excellence in the North East as it continues to grow its international team. Head of Swiftpage’s Newcastle

left to right: Chris Coulson, Marie Simpson, Lindsay Boullin (all Swiftpage), Fergus Trim (Quorum Business Park’s development director) and Darren Donohoe and Stuart Morrison (both Swiftpage).

Operations, Lindsay Boullin, said: “The new office in Newcastle is an important part of our exciting growth strategy. We’ve already

created more than 30 jobs in the North East in 2013 and we’re looking forward to further expansion throughout 2014.

Radio star in the making

budding young media star has secured a twelve-month internship at Metro Radio. Gateshead College student Dhillon Jatinder, 25, has been offered the full-time placement after workeing at the station as part of his Level 3 Commercial Radio course, which is run by the college in partnership with Metro. His internship will see him carry out a

wide range of activities including the management of the Metro Radio and TFM website and social media platforms, designing web adverts, organising PR photography and editing client videos. Dhillon said: “I’m thrilled to have been given the opportunity to work at Metro Radio, which has given me a real understanding of how a radio business works.”

Guerilla and council team up

ewcastle-based Guerilla Communications has created a new interactive website for Sunderland City Council. Deputy Leader of Sunderland City Council, Councillor Henry Trueman, said: "The newly redesigned website will provide

visitors with a much better experience while online. We needed a solution that would provide specific information in a personalised way to a number of different audiences, this website provides exactly that. The result is a vastly improved experience for both external and internal

users which include employees, residents, visitors and councillors.” Guerilla has also added mobile functionality to the website and is fully integrated with the Council’s social media channels which include Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

MEDIA

Geneva Digital launches affordable e-commerce solution Forget the depressing economic figures and create an online retail future for your business easily, with Geneva Digital. erformance marketing agency Geneva Digital has just launched an off-the-shelf e-commerce solution for every start up, established business and online retailer needing to keep their business at the forefront of technology. Why has the company done this? The following statistics explain:

Online shopping is a serious area of growth The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) suggested that during the coming five-year period, many retail stores in the UK alone will close. At present there are 281,930 but the sector is predicted to lose more than 60,000 outlets. This is happening across Europe and job losses will probably reach epidemic proportions. But online opportunities are growing. It is anticipated that by 2018 online retail purchases will represent almost 22 per cent of sales by 2018. In a CRR report entitled Retail Futures 2018, director Joshua Bamfield notes that customers are very savvy and do far more price comparisons and research as it is so easy. Therefore everyone needs a strong digital presence to direct that interest to an online shop. Bearing all of this in mind, Geneva Digital is

delighted to announce the successful launch of a new e-commerce solution. This will impact directly on the performance of online sales and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s available right now.

The Geneva solution A business can now introduce a UK and international online store which enables businesses to rapidly introduce a professional, cost-effective online store. Businesses can offer goods and services to customers across the UK and internationally.

Technology and digital innovation While politicians are finding solutions for the demise of the UK high street, online marketers are taking advantage of every new technological advance. Their aim is to make the online shopping experience successful, attractive, a 24/7 experience, to increase efficiency while driving down costs. Geneva knows the demands businesses make in response to customer need so it has implemented the very latest in digital technology to make the difference. Geneva has a tried-and-tested knowledge of search engine optimisation (SEO), conversion rates and shopping cart systems and a great deal of time

has been invested into creating something very special. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more, anyone who has previously considered developing their online shopping systems, but are put off by the high initial investment, will now have the answer at their fingertips without emptying their pockets.

Cost Geneva continues to offer their clients services and products which far exceed their expectations. Therefore this off-the-shelf ecommerce solution will enable fledgling or pop-up businesses to enter the market at a much lower cost than conventional systems. SEO and other considerations will be built in at the forefront to guarantee users begin to see immediate results the minute they enter the market. Statistics show that business is changing, the customer has far more power than ever before and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s up to online retailers to offer consumers experiences they cannot help but shout about. The journey continues long after a product is bought. Are you ready to start that process with Geneva? To request your live demo please call the Geneva Digital Group on (0191) 261 6039 or visit www.geneva.co.uk

EVENT

Cellular Solutions’ golf day The integrated communications company hosts a charity golf event for customers and clients. he Cellular Solutions annual golf day took place on Friday, July 5 at Gosforth Golf Club. The competition welcomed more than 100 Cellular Solutions’ customers, partners and suppliers on a scorching hot day and a great time was had by all. But the fun, games and play had a purpose: as well as a great networking opportunity and chance to catch up with friends and colleague, participants were asked to support Cellular Solution’s chosen charity, The Sunshine Fund, by taking part in a whole host of challenges. Mulligan balloons that gave the purchaser an extra shot for the bargain price of £5 proved an instant hit and helped raise over £1400 on the day.

MEDIA

Land of opportunity Foreign investment in the UK is on the rise and as Stefan Lepkowski, managing director of Karol Marketing Group explains, strategic public relations have a key role to play in establishing overseas brands in this country.

K businesses may feel like the storm clouds generated by the last recession have never lifted. Doom and gloom, for some, remains all-pervading. However, it seems that for many companies based overseas, the skies over Britain look much brighter. In more than two decades of running Karol Marketing Group, I’ve never seen so many foreign businesses showing as much interest in the UK market as they are today. Indeed, according to recent figures released by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad), foreign direct investment into the UK rose 22 per cent in 2012 to more than £41 billion – contrasting with a drop of 42 per cent for Europe. The reasons? According to Unctad, the UK is perceived as a ‘safe haven’, sitting pretty outside the eurozone; its prospects of recovery are better than many other European countries and the strong pound is another draw. Look closer and you’ll see that brands like H&M, Bergans Of Norway and IKEA, which have reached maturity in their home markets, now want to extend their life cycles by breaking into new territories. Currently, nearly 40 per cent of Karol Marketing Group’s turnover is generated by our work for export-related clients, who hail from the likes of Italy, New Zealand, Norway and Germany. In their home countries, each client has dominated its market sector. These companies could easily spend millions on advertising space and hope for the best. But while advertising may build brand profile, it does little to achieve credibility or convey what you are good at. A strategic public relations campaign can generate greater success in the long run, and Karol’s clients, including Scandinavian retail giant Airport Retail Group, Australasian travel specialist Kathmandu, Italian footwear brand Asolo and German mountain sports company Vaude, have all used our expertise to help them engage with the UK market.

EXPERT VIEW Stefan Lepkowski Managing director Karol Marketing Group Tel: (0191) 265 7765 Email: stefan@karolmarketing.com Web: www.karolmarketing.com

While we offer internal communications, crisis communications and social media support, it’s our ability to reach trade, specialist and national consumer media with key messages which is of particular importance to overseas companies who wish to invest in the UK. This strategy holds true for all but is particularly essential to the success of foreignbased brands. Coverage in the trade press, for instance, provides a firm foundation for future activity and a high level of credibility – as well as evidence that a foreign investor is committed to the UK. And by building firm relationships with trade journalists, a good agency will ensure that there’s a ‘buzz’ around a foreign brand when a trade show takes place. Meanwhile, coverage in specialist consumer publications, from Advanced Photographer to What Car?, will build credibility in the eyes of consumers. These magazines are perceived as ‘fonts of knowledge’, command a loyal following and as such, a journalist’s recommendation carries plenty of weight. However, successful overseas brands recognise that they must gain publicity outside their core sectors – which is where national consumer media comes in. The credibility and reach of national newspapers (and their associated websites) is colossal. The Daily Mail, for instance, boasts a circulation figure of more than 1.8

million, while the Mail Online attracts more than eight million daily browsers. For some, national lifestyle media may also be key. The benefit of celebrity endorsement of a brand, via a major publication such as Grazia, can be huge. And whether your product is a gadget, trendy accessory or car, its appearance on the glossy pages of GQ or Glamour will generate a surge in interest among consumers. The landscape has changed substantially in recent years though, with cutbacks meaning that more journalists are working as freelancers (rather than being based in a publication’s office). It’s therefore harder to reach them and their specialisms can be more difficult to identify. Karol Marketing Group has helped to counter this problem for our clients by subscribing to several leading interactive media database platforms (one of which costs more than £10,000 for its international version!), which provide detailed information on journalists, their work and interests. Journalists will also use special online enquiry services to engage remotely with PR agencies and through this, acquire information on brands and products relevant to their articles. Implementing strategic PR activity has been key to our success in launching overseas brands in the UK - and our track record has lead to referrals from law and accountancy firms involved with foreign investors. We’re even working with trade bodies, UKTI and the British Embassy in Sweden to build further links between the UK and Scandinavia. Working with overseas brands has never been more exciting, given the desire among foreign investors to gain a foothold in the UK market. And to see our hard work pay off, through well crafted, strategic PR campaigns, has been a truly rewarding experience. Karol Marketing Group is a multi-award winning communications agency specialising in public relations, graphic design and marketing services to both business and consumer audiences.

MEDIA

Claire Byers and Daniela Meyhoefer

Newcastle branding agency makes two strategic appointments Violet Bick, Newcastle’s dedicated brand consultancy, has strengthened its team with the appointment of Daniela Meyhoefer and Claire Byers. arketing and communications expert Daniela Meyhoefer, who has extensive experience in the information, software and technology services industry has joined the team at brand consultancy Violet Bick. In recent years, Daniela has provided brand consultancy and marketing solutions to a range of companies including North East-based Technology Services Group (TSG), Recite and Close House Hotel and Country Club. Daniela was also the interim brand director at the Sage Group in Newcastle, in addition to working for the company in her home-land of Germany. Marketing and brand specialist Claire Byers also joins Violet Bick from the region’s leading tourist attraction The Alnwick Garden, where she was creative director responsible for leading a programme of public engagement and brand development to strengthen its

presence regionally and nationally. No stranger to brand communications, Claire is also a former deputy director at Baltic, the region’s flagship contemporary art gallery and worked as head of external relations for culture tourism and creative industries at regional development agency One North East. While as deputy director of Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Claire was instrumental in its shift from being an art-centred brand to experience-led, creating one of the most popular venues to host the Turner Prize in 2011. Mike Owen, managing director at Violet Bick said: “Both Daniela and Claire bring a wealth of experience to the business and their appointments mark a milestone in our growth and strategic goals. “At Violet Bick we are working very hard to help our clients build solid, profitable brands.

We’ve developed a genuinely unique team here with lots of experience in different sectors. “We want to ensure that when clients come to us they get the best strategic advice and expertise available to meet their business objectives. At Violet Bick we want to add tangible value to their operations and having the right team in place is integral to that.” Claire and Daniela are working alongside Violet Bick’s brand director Mark Tinnion (formerly of Sony and Intel) and fellow brand consultant and former Saatchi & Saatchi head of planning and strategy Les Stern. Since its launch 18 months ago, the company has been working for a wide range of clients both locally and internationally, including Gateshead College, True Solicitors, Newcastle Business School, Pennine Home Improvements, Onyx Group, Sage Gateshead, BALTIC and First Class Supply.

In a class of its own First Class Supply benefits from Violet Bick’s expertise. assionate about education, First Class Supply’s co-founders Stephanie Boulton and Lesley Robinson launched their company in 2004 with the sole aim of providing an exceptional service specifically designed to find the perfect match between the recruitment needs of local schools with the best education professionals in the job market. The Whitley Bay-based company appointed brand consultancy Violet Bick earlier this year to mastermind its brand development strategy in order to grow the business, increase its profile and set it apart from the competition. Violet Bick brand consultant, Daniela Meyhoefer explains: “When I met the team at First Class Supply I found a passionate small business that was growing quickly with an amazingly dedicated and experienced workforce, but they were not differentiated. “From the inside I saw people who resolutely refused to place any old teacher with any old school; they knew all their schools - they knew their teachers and how to partner them up, they were efficient and responsive, but when it came to their marketing, they were blending in. “To put it simply, there was no story, they were saying the same as their competitors and didn’t know how to stand out from the crowd in terms of marketing and messaging. “They didn’t need mouse mats, pens,

letterhead, a new website or promo posters, they needed a brand that stood out and was so compelling it would be the first and obvious choice for their target audience. “First Class Supply isn’t unusual in the sense that many organisations can find themselves spending valuable budget year-on-year ‘communicating’ the same messages in much the same way as everyone else because they’re unsure how to differentiate or build a brand. “At best this is wasteful , at worst it can be harmful to the business because when an organisation says the same as everyone else it appears indistinct and ordinary which hides what makes it truly great.” For the past six months the Violet Bick team have been working very closely with Lesley and Stephanie to help them transform First Class Supply into a distinctive, motivating brand which is now one of the most well prepared teaching supply agencies in the region. “We’ve built the brand by tapping into what makes them different,” explains Daniela. “First Class Supply is now synonymous with a Split Second Response. They are faster because they are experienced and ready. They provide the right teacher to the right school every time because they are prepared. When they get the call from a partner school needing the right teacher with the right credentials they are

lightning fast. “All great brands are known for something distinguishing, motivating and compelling. And that was our aim for First Class Supply. Now they are known for something unique and amazing. Lesley Robinson, managing director at First Class Supply, said: “It’s been a revelation working with Violet Bick. They really encouraged us to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. “We’ve been operating successfully for almost a decade but the pace of growth had slowed a little and we were keen to extend our client base in areas such as Durham and North Yorkshire. “As a business, we’ve always prided ourselves on providing a first rate service and offering everything many agencies fail to including real expertise, honesty, reliability, efficiency and expediency. “With the help and guidance of Daniela, who has been a huge support to us, we are now fast becoming known as the only solution to the problem for the schools we look after. “We’re thrilled about the future; it’s an exciting time for us as we seek to build the business and increase profitability with a much stronger brand which truly captures our purpose and ethos 100 per cent.” To find out more visit www.violetbick.com or www.firstclasssupply.co.uk

MEDIA

Staking a claim on

stakeholders Horizonwork’s Samantha Davidson explains the importance of engaging with your stakeholders: the key influencers to your business!

hen developing your marketing plan, it’s easy to overlook the importance of communicating with stakeholders. But a properly thought-out marketing plan will have considered all of your target audiences. Your stakeholders are a critical group that you need to be thinking about from the outset since they can affect how your customers view your company and your brand. A stakeholder is anyone who influences your company’s operations and/or your target audience. Stakeholders might include: investors, funders, contractors, suppliers, partners, local residents, unions, business leaders, business groups, consumer groups, and they can be internal or external. A negative opinion voiced by an influential stakeholder can undermine all your hard work in building a brand and engaging with your customers. If you’ve not got key stakeholders on side, then everything else – marketing, PR, digital communications – can be viewed by others in the context of their negative opinion, meaning that all your other communications have to work harder as a result.

Identify and map In some respects, carrying out effective stakeholder communication is no different to communicating with any other target audience – it’s still important to go through the process of identifying and mapping the main groups in terms of importance to your organisation and influence over your customers and other stakeholders, set some objectives for what you want to achieve by engaging with them, and then plan and implement a targeted approach. For example, for some stakeholders you might want to develop a close, collaborative way of working, whereas with others it might just be a case of keeping them updated on your company’s developments.

EXPERT VIEW Samantha Davidson Managing director Horizonworks Tel: 08450 755955 Email: hello@horizonworks.co.uk Web: www.horizonworks.co.uk

It’s also important to include those that you may not currently have a relationship with, or those who might currently have a critical or even negative view of your company, especially if they are particularly influential over your customers – the objective will be to get them on side and build the relationship. There are a variety of methods for mapping your stakeholders – one being to develop a hierarchy by showing stakeholders in layers, depending on their closeness to a project, another being to develop a matrix which shows stakeholders by the degree of their influence over your customers and interest in your company’s operations. Whatever way you map your stakeholders, the important thing is that you do it.

Communication is key Once you’ve mapped your audiences then you need to think about different ways of communicating with them. Keep communication active, frequent and, above all, relevant in order to maintain their support.

Consider their orientation and what issues are important to them so you can make your communications more relevant. Vary your objectives according to where they are in your stakeholder map. For example, you might want to focus your efforts on the highest priority groups, while providing sufficient information to keep the less powerful groups happy.

Digital drives engagement Increasingly, social media is playing a critical role in stakeholder communications. Nowadays, a negative sentiment can be seen by millions of Twitter users in a matter of seconds, which is why tools such as Klout are commonly used to assess the influence of a Twitter user. If they have a positive view on your organisation, they can be a powerful advocate. If they have a critical view of you, it’s still important to keep any eye on what they’re posting as it could adversely influence your own followers.

Stakeholders matter How your stakeholders view your company matters. Their perceptions of you are built up from their assessment of you right across the board – not just in terms of financial performance but even also your environmental, social and ethical performance. Today companies need to be more transparent, which is why the development of stakeholder communications has happened alongside the growing importance of corporate social responsibility. Stakeholders are integral to the success of a brand and therefore long-term business value. It is essential that you identify them early, understand their motivations and develop an engagement strategy to ensure that their requirements are captured and their needs met.

MEDIA

Is your company

social media friendly? Sarah Hall, managing director of Sarah Hall Consulting Ltd, looks at what businesses should consider when developing a social media strategy.

n my last article I mentioned the importance of internal communications. Speak to any boss and one of the big headaches for organisations today is how to work with employees and trust them to use social media in an appropriate way. After all, Jo from accounts might keep her Twitter account personal, but if her Linked In profile makes it clear who her employer is, it can be hard not to be concerned by tales of her Friday night exploits if they reflect negatively. It’s important to recognise that control is not the aim of the game when it comes to being a social media-friendly organisation. Everyone has the right to be on the different platforms, so – just like with customers – the key is to listen to what is being said and to be part of the conversation. The way forward is set out basic rules of behaviour within general terms and conditions and to equip employees with guidelines so there is no ambiguity about what is and isn’t acceptable. I approached one of the UK’s leading experts in social media, Rachel Miller of www.allthingsic.com (@AllThingsIC on Twitter) to get her top tips on developing and sharing a social media strategy. Rachel said: “One of the first steps is to identify your approach through choice of language. For example, think about the difference between the word policy as opposed to guidelines. Policy could be perceived as a threat and guidelines opportunity. You have to decide what fits with the culture of your organisation. “Critically, it’s important to remember that social media is something that is done for, not to employees. The same is true when creating your social media policy. As such, the approach I champion is to create flexibility within boundaries.

EXPERT VIEW Sarah Hall Managing director Sarah Hall Consulting Tel: 07702 162704 Email: sarah@sarahhallconsulting.co.uk Web: www.sarahhallconsulting.co.uk Twitter: @hallmeister

Rachel offers the following pointers to illustrate what she means: • Involve employees at every stage; from setting guidelines, to communicating and refreshing them. • Trust and encourage your employees to do the right thing using social media - rather than assume they will do the wrong thing. • Clearly outline expected behaviours (including defining what your organisation means by the ‘right thing’). • Be explicit about the boundaries and accountability – for individuals and the company. • Detail the consequences of employee actions. Both good and bad. • Give them options when it comes to channel use. • Identify your ambassadors/super-users and work with them to self-regulate your social networks and develop guidance. • Have an open dialogue with employees, seek their views and commit to continually update your policy.

Rachel adds: “That last point is particularly important. Social media moves at a particularly fast pace so regularly review your policy with employees to ensure relevancy, accuracy and to reflect current trends. “To my mind, you cannot over-communicate social media guidance internally. You should be evolving documents that equip employees for success. Ensure your workforce know from day one what they can expect when it comes to social media use by including it in your induction process so it’s clear from day one. “Ultimately success will come to those who understand that this is not a one-way conversation. All companies and their employees have their own views and expectations when it comes to using social media. By having an open and transparent conversation upfront and continuously, it is possible to avoid misunderstandings, which avoids stressful, time consuming and potentially costly issues in the long run.” Rachel provides sound advice and her words are well worth considering for organisations trying to become social and engage with customers and stakeholders in a more direct fashion. If you’d like to see what type of guidelines other organisations have in place, Rachel has collated over 300 and these can be found here: www.allthingsic.com/smpolicy/. Social media is here to stay and the organisations that will thrive going forward are those embracing the channels available to them. Do it right from the start and the benefits will be there for the taking. For more PR and marketing related news and articles, please visit http://blog.sarahhallconsulting.co.uk.

STYLE

Get the look Fashion and accessories for men. By Jessica Laing.

Shoulder panel long sleeved Marl polo shirt, £24, River Island

Black Tie pocket square, £10, Debenhams

Jeff Banks blazer, £85, Marks & Spencer

Sunglasses, £13, River Island

eekend-wear should be comfortable and affordable, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be stylish. Whatever you get up to during your days off with friends or a summer BBQ with family – make ‘smart/casual’ work for you by mixing and matching different fabrics and colours. A classic blazer will sophisticate any look, but simple tweaks such as choosing a shorter style, rolling up the sleeves (a great way to expose colourful lining) or adding a fun and quirky pocket square, will ensure you don’t look overdressed. A buttoned-up polo shirt teamed with turned-up chinos is a smarter alternative to the t-shirtand-jeans combo, so be brave with colour and bare those ankles! A pair of on-trend boat shoes and round John Lennon-style sunnies complete this easy-going and summer-friendly look.

W Turn-up chinos, £28, Next

MODEL ATTIRE Blazer: £25 Top: £14 Trousers: £14 All from F&F at Tesco

Moon grey boat shoes, £40, Burton

WORKSPACE & CONSTRUCTION NEWS

First glimpse of new student experience Northumbria University has opened the virtual ‘doors’ of its anticipated student accommodation in the heart of Gateshead.

new computer-generated video released by Northumbria University gives prospective students a preview of the state-of-the-art 993bed accommodation that forms part of the £150m Trinity Square development in Gateshead. Due to open to students in September 2014, Trinity Square offers views across the Tyne, en suite bedrooms, fully equipped communal areas and flexible social spaces. Students will also have access to their own outdoor landscaped areas, a running route, fitness facilities and a multi-use games area. Trinity Square – a mixed-use development by Spenhill, the regeneration subsidiary of Tesco, built by contractors Bowmer & Kirkland – is the North East’s biggest regeneration project, in which Northumbria University is a key player. Professor Andrew Wathey, vicechancellor and chief executive of

Northumbria University, said: “This virtual preview offers prospective students, and their parents, a glimpse of the student lifestyle they can expect at Northumbria University. “When students move in to their accommodation next year they will bring a

Green shoots

Support for property developers

he number of construction projects is beginning to rise once again across the region, reports the latest RICS construction market survey. Since the start of the downturn in 2007, the amount of construction going ahead across the North East has dropped considerably and the sector has suffered substantially as a result. However, during the second quarter of the year a net balance of 20 percent more surveyors in the region reported rises in workloads, the most positive reading in over seven years. Among the sectors in the region to see increased construction activity (during the second quarter of the year) are housing, commercial and infrastructure. Across the country, activity saw the biggest rise in London, the South East and the Midlands. Northern Ireland registered the lowest reading (net balance -4 percent) yet this still represents a considerable improvement on recent years.

orth East-based High Street Boutique Finance is offering a new financial product designed to property developers. The Development Finance product was launched in recognition that many private property developers were being left frustrated by banks when looking to secure funding for new schemes, or for the completion of stalled projects. High Street Boutique Finance is able to fund 100 per cent of build costs and can support schemes that have been partdeveloped. It will consider finance of up to £1 million and can fund both residential and commercial developments, including new builds, refurbishments and student lets, throughout the UK. The Development Finance product allows developers to draw down funds when they need them and High Street Boutique Finance will lend against the 90 day valuation figure.

new energy, fizz and sense of community that will further contribute to the region.” The CGI preview is the result of a collaboration between the University’s engineering academics and Gatesheadbased animation company Something Moving.

Winning ways for North Tyneside

orth Tyneside has equalled its best ever haul of awards at a ceremony that recognises the region’s best building projects. The Tim Lamb Children’s Centre, Cobalt Business Park Data Centres and 121 Building Services were all winners at the LABC (Local Authority Building Control) Northern Region Building Excellence Awards. They were among 13 nominations submitted by North Tyneside’s Building Control service – now delivered on behalf of North Tyneside Council by Capita Symonds as part of a technical services partnership. Cllr John Harrison, cabinet member for Housing and the Environment, said: “I’m delighted that so many of our building projects have been judged as being among the very best examples of construction.”

PROPERTY

A word from Hannah Hannah Lamb of Charles Lamb Residential Lettings Ltd warns of the risks of not maintaining your rental property.

roperties can be very dangerous places when not correctly maintained and your duty of care still exists even when someone else is managing your property. As we know there are thousands of registered and unregistered property management agents, consultants and companies throughout the UK. Some offer low management fees, free letting services, free admin, free video tours, free professional photography – the list is endless, but ask yourself this: what is the actual value of ‘free’? Currently, anyone can open a letting agent stating that they’re a professional residential management company; no previous experience necessary and no qualifications required. Although we are given the opportunity to learn housing law, processes, implantation of policies and practices, this is very much looked at as a lucrative arena with a fragile framework. Offers paraded around by lettings companies are all well and good, but what happens if the offers aren’t backed up by a professional qualified agent? And how does the general public know what to look for to protect valuable investments or their parents’ precious home entrusted into their care? I was recently given the opportunity to take over the management of a large portfolio of properties for a client who hadn’t the time to complete a background check on any of the agencies involved. He admits he was caught up by what seemed to be genuine low fees that had been offered. The portfolio holder now has to pay-out a significant amount of money for damage caused to the properties due to neglect and void periods not being followed through the correct process.

He is having to pay to replace items, such as curtains and carpets, to maintain the general standards that people expect in a rental property. The cost could be thousands to bring the properties back into a lettable standard. If the issues had been taken through the void and maintenance processes professionally from day one, the majority could have been general routine low costs. My advice to avoid falling for these moneysaving offers is to do your homework. There are many genuine agents who are fully qualified and accredited and offer brilliant programmes and packages. However, there are also a lot that aren’t! Here are my top tips for picking a quality Property Management Agent: • Are they qualified? Are they members of ARLA, NALS, NAEA, RICS, NFOPP? Don’t be frightened to ask your agent to see their qualifications and check with the awarding bodies that they are up to date and still licence members. Don’t just rely on the logos on websites and business cards! • You could run a background check yourself through company’s house. How many times have they closed down a business and reopened another letting business? • Complete a credit reference check or criminal check. There are many companies who can help you delve into the past of any agent. • Speak to Trading Standards or the office of Fair Trading, the agent may well have received warnings that you won’t be aware of. • Ask for references. If they run a professional and legitimate business, they should have plenty of happy clients who are can tell you of the results of the services they received.

• Do they offer Client Money Protection? Is your money safe in their hands? What would happen to your money if their business closed down tonight? • Visit their office and meet the team. Familiarise yourself with who it is that you will be dealing with on a day to day basis. Company directors may be the face of the business but it’s the staff in the office that deal with your tenants and the maintenance of your property. • Are their contractors qualified and fully insured? Can they prove this? Is saving yourself 5 per cent really worth the risk if the agent isn’t experienced or qualified? The savings may be great in the short term, but what could the long term costs be? In April 2013, all agents were forced to join a redress scheme yet there are still thousands of agents out there who are not. Don’t be mistaken that redress scheme means that the agent is qualified: it doesn’t! It simply means that if a complaint was to be made against the agent, landlords and tenants now have an avenue to pursue that further. We need to help cancel out the rouge element of the industry that gives the good agents and landlords a bad name, and work together with landlords to ensure our industry is not headline news for the wrong reasons any longer. If you would like more information on the many services we as a professionally qualified lettings and management agency provides, please give one of my team a call to arrange a meeting with us personally. Don’t forget, we’ve been here a long time and love to help armchair investors and landlords who want to manage their property portfolio themselves. Contact Charles Lamb Residential Lettings on (0191) 281 6200.

PROPERTY The Buttress

A princely service How project management by Building Surveyors Limited can ensure quality and save you time and money. roject management comprises the management of all that is involved in achieving a project’s objectives safely and within agreed time, cost, technical, quality and other performance criteria. With projects becoming more complex financially, technically and logistically, the role of the project manager has emerged as being pivotal to a project’s success. Building Surveyors Limited has established a reputation for providing high quality project management services. It ensures that each client’s objectives are clearly defined, with full knowledge of the implications of all the different options. Advice can cover location, type of facility, construction needs, potential risk factors and resource planning. Programme and cost targets, activities and interfaces are all closely monitored so that potential problems are identified early and prompt corrective action is taken. Building Surveyors Limited places great emphasis on controlling and managing change, and each project is managed proactively to prevent it developing its own inertia. As a result it has successfully project managed a wide variety of projects all with unique objectives. Building Surveyors Limited take a PRINCE2 approach which stands for projects in controlled environments. It is a process-based method for effective project management and is used extensively in the public and the private sectors, both in the UK and internationally. The PRINCE2 method is in the public domain, and

2011 Building Surveyors Limited were presented with the award for winning the Conservation Category of the prestigious RICS Renaissance Awards.

Dipton Care Home

Dipton care home

offers non-proprietorially best practice guidance on project management.

The Buttress In 2009, Building Surveyors Limited was appointed as project managers to oversee the development of a unique historical five-storey Buttress house on The Close on Newcastle’s Quayside. The company was instructed to provide a client representation role, working closely with the design team to ensure the project advances on time, on budget and to the standard fitting of an important Listed Building. Building Surveyors Limited project managed the refurbishment and remedial works at the Buttress alongside specialist Conservation Architects and Local Building Contractors. In

In 2009, Building Surveyors Limited was appointed as Employers Agents to deliver a care home with day care centre in Dipton, County Durham. The three-storey development offers 70 beds for those suffering from dementia in addition to ordinary nursing care, with a cinema room, hairdressers, and first-rate catering facilities. The project is now successfully completed with a number of residents enjoying their new home and facilities. Building Surveyors Ltd was established in 2003 by local chartered building surveyors. In addition to project management the company provides a comprehensive range of building surveying services for both residential and commercial clients. These include: party wall matters, dilapidations, building condition and defect diagnostic surveys, new-build and refurbishment design and CDM-C, access audits and DDA, insurance claim advice and fire risk assessments. For free property related advice or a no obligation quotation, call Building Surveyors Ltd on (0191) 267 9108 or visit www.buildingsurveyorsltd.co.uk. Twitter @BuildingsLtd

EVENT

Have a Heart Lee Westwood charity golf day A host of stars descend on the North East for the Have a Heart CHUF charity golf event. tars including Clare Balding, Jonny Wilkes, Ant and Dec, Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton du Beke, Ben Shephard and Alan Shearer joined Lee Westwood to play in the third Have a Heart CHUF golf day at Close House in Northumberland. An incredible £211,450.50 was raised for CHUF, with guests treated to an impromptu performance by lead singer of Keane’s Tom Chaplin and Jonny Wilkes. The event was in aid of the Children's Heart Unit at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. To register to play golf in the 2014 Have a Heart event, sponsor, or to take a table at the glittering celebrity evening event please contact julie.stone@carraway@carrawayfinance.co.uk

ADVERTISER’S ANNOUNCEMENT

What’s cooking? Walter Dix & Co is celebrating its 125th birthday this year by renovating and expanding its Gateshead showroom. eady to celebrate its monumental 125th birthday, Walter Dix & Co is firmly established as one of the region’s best known, most reliable Aga and range cooker specialists. Since originally opening its doors in 1888, Walter Dix & Co has provided thousands of home owners with their dream cookers. Appointed as one of the first Aga dealers in 1931, Walter Dix & Co has been offering a complete and unrivalled service to all of its customers ever since. Building up over 80 years of knowledge and experience, it has become one of the most respected Aga and range cooker dealers in the UK. Currently undergoing massive expansion and renovations, the new Gateshead showroom will continue to display top quality Aga and range cookers including stoves and refrigeration equipment, from top brands Falcon, Britannia, Lacanche, Viking, Steel Cuisine, Rangemaster and many more, as well as the popular Aga Cookshop range of kitchenware and accessories.

Co will also become a Rangemaster Design Centre. As only the second dealership in the North East to be awarded this accreditation, customers can be assured that they will receive the best possible service and finest quality products; completely tailored and personalised to perfectly suit the space available within their homes. Walter Dix & Co will have a brand new shop front and has extended its opening hours, too. The number of in-store demonstrations will also increase, showing customers how to use and get the most from their Aga or range cooker.

The new showroom will be doubling in size, with the introduction of a purpose-built cookery demonstration area and an expanded product range with exciting new additions of top quality range and cast iron cookers. With its five figure investment, Walter Dix &

Walter Dix & Co is at 1 Stirling Court, Eleventh Avenue North, Team Valley, Gateshead and is open: Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 5.00pm and Saturday from 9.30am to 1pm. More more information call (0191) 482 00 33, email sales@wdix.co.uk or visit www.wdix.co.uk. You can also ‘like’ Walter Dix & Co on Facebook or ‘follow’ @WalterDixCo on Twitter.

It’s H-all business The versatile Jarrow Civic Hall is ideal for any social or business occasion. ince opening in December 2011, Jarrow Civic Hall has become one of South Tyneside’s biggest and best function suites, housing countless functions, from christenings and birthday parties to weddings and corporate events. The fully refurbished grand ballroom, carefully restored to its former glory, has been transformed into a wide, open space filled with natural light. Already a vibrant hub accommodating regular dance and fitness classes, the hall provides the perfect backdrop for any event including business networking events, expositions and training seminars. Close to public transport links, with free onsite parking, Jarrow Civic Hall is in the perfect location for corporate events and conferences. With phone and fax and free WiFi access, visual aids and stationary available on request, each event will be perfectly tailored to suit your individual requirements. Jarrow Civic Hall is capable of accommodating 150 delegates and can be used as the venue for a stakeholder annual

experienced team of events co-ordinators are always on hand to ensure your occasion runs seamlessly. Aside from privately hosted events and corporate conferencing, Jarrow Civic Hall also regularly presents band nights, tribute acts, and comedy shows, as well as belly dancing and hoop dancing master classes. Originally opened in 1863 as the hub and centre of Jarrow’s community, it is the intention of the owner to mark the forthcoming150th anniversary of Jarrow Civic Hall with an evening of entertainment and nostalgia. To be among the first to hear of the event, send your details to johnknowles@jarrowcivic.co.uk to sign up to the newsletter.

general meeting, as the setting for an elegant awards ceremony or even the company’s Christmas party. Boasting a fully stocked, private bar and exclusive catering options from the in-house team of chefs, the fully qualified and highly

Jarrow Civic Hall is at 59-61 Ellison Street, Jarrow. For more information call (0191) 406 97 11 or visit www.jarrowcivic.co.uk For regular posts and updates please find and like The Civic Hall Limited on Facebook or follow @JarrowCivicHall on Twitter.

BUSINESS

Executive luxury from LA Everyone can experience the pleasure of being driven in a luxury car as LA Taxis launches its new fleet of executive vehicles.

veryone is a VIP when they use our executive service, “says LA Taxi’s manager, Duane Davidson. “We spend a lot of our time ferrying important people to and from the airport or railway stations, to hotels and conference venues, but now we’ve made this class of car accessible to a wider range of people. “Everyone deserves the LA VIP executive experience and we are delighted to have the vehicles to provide it. All the customer has to do is ask for an executive car and they will get an executive car.” With a well-earned reputation for reliability, safety and affordability, LA Taxis has dominated the taxi business in Newcastle. Now, the forward thinking firm is leaving its rivals behind as they launch Newcastle’s largest fleet of executive cars. LA Executive has a gleaming fleet of Mercedes E class cars together with high specification vehicles from BMW, Jaguar, and Audi. To offer the client the most discrete journey possible, each car is purposely left unmarked with no company branding. With online booking, satellite navigation and 3D security chip and pin technology, (accepting most major credit and debit cards including American Express, Visa and

“E

MasterCard) as standard, there has never been a better time to upgrade to executive level. When you then add little touches such as a power outlet for a laptop and a fresh, crisp copy of today’s newspaper, then customers know that they are in for a special experience. Every LA Executive driver is enhanced CRB checked, wears a uniform and has been selected for their professionalism, customer service skills and knowledge of the North East. It all adds up to a superior service for the customer who will arrive at their destination feeling as calm, refreshed and relaxed as the moment they started their journey. At LA, there are no complicated taxi tariffs. The firm operates a policy of having one tariff only, so at certain times of the day, for example after 11pm, the executive service becomes more cost effective than traditional black cabs. Particularly popular is the airport meet and greet service, which never fails to impress busy, visiting business people arriving in the region. “For someone who has travelled a long time, arriving at Newcastle Airport and then being greeted by a smart, uniformed driver holding up their name is always a welcome sign and creates a positive first impression,” says Duane. “The effect is even better when they see a highly polished Mercedes waiting to take them to their important business meeting. In some

cases, it could be a deal clincher.” Although LA Executive vehicles are predominantly booked for business travel, the fleet is available for a host of purposes from business to pleasure and all points in-between. LA Executive has the perfect vehicle to use for weddings and special occasions. Wedding vehicle preparations are planned with military precision to ensure that the bride arrives at the right place at the right time in comfort and style. Increasingly, LA Executive cars are also being used to transport students to and from their Prom nights. With everyone trying to out-do each other, no one will arrive in better style and, after a fantastic night, be taken home safe and sound. Reassuring peace of mind for parents and bragging rights for the children. Visitors to the region may wish to take advantage of the fleet’s drivers who offer guided tours of castles, towns and museums. What better way is there to view the amazing beauty of the region than from the back of a luxury car with your very own chauffeur guide? Whatever reasons you chose LA Executive for; you can be sure of a luxury experience at an affordable price.

When you need a reliable, safe and luxury service in Newcastle, contact LA for: • Weddings • Corporate travel • Conveyance of VIPs • Special occasions • Air, rail and ferry connections and collections

For more information on LA Executive, call (0191) 287 7777 or visit www.lataxis.co.uk

L E I S U R E & H O S P I TA L I T Y N E W S

New cookery school

ynyard Hall Country House Hotel, Tees Valley, has announced plans to create a purpose-built cookery school within its historic walled garden. Boasting a state-of-the-art teaching kitchen and on-site accommodation, the school will be a major part of the walled garden redevelopment, which will also include a grand marquee, a visitor centre and

historic walks. The school will offer a range of day and residential courses to groups of up to 12 people, with the help of a number of highly trained and experienced chefs. The chefs will be on hand to share their advice and skills in areas as diverse as artisan baking and rustic Italian cuisine. Chefs from Wynyard Hall’s Wellington Restaurant, which was recently awarded a third AA Rosette under head chef, Alan O’Kane, will also

demonstrate some of the techniques they use to create award-winning British cuisine. “We’re passionate about the food we serve and we want to share that enthusiasm with those who are as keen as we are,” said managing director, Allison Antonpoulous. “We aim to encourage beginners to expand their repertoire and their skills, while giving more experienced cooks the chance to learn from some of the best chefs in the business.”

Summer offer

Master Innholder

Unique partnership

he new Brasserie, which opened its doors at National Glass Centre, Sunderland, earlier this month, is marking the launch of its new evening concept by offering diners a special seasonal offer: a complimentary glass of Prosecco with strawberries. The summer offer – put in place by Brasserie’s operator, 1879 Events Management, is open to anyone who books a table on a Friday and Saturday evening up until August 31. National Glass Centre Brasserie, which launched as part of the building’s £2 million makeover, is currently open daily for breakfast and lunch, for dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings and for a traditional roast on Sundays.

ockliffe Hall’s managing director, Nick Holmes, has been inducted into one of the hospitality industry’s most exclusive national bodies – The Master Innholders. The Master Innholders is limited to only the country’s top hoteliers and includes general managers of London’s most prestigious properties and many of the hotel industry’s leading figures. Entry is strictly by invitation only and all entrants must be nominated by a prominent industry figure. Nick, who has been managing director of Rockliffe Hall since it launched in 2009, becomes one of the only few Master Innholders in the North, having undergone a rigorous interview procedure.

epscott Park Garden Café, near Morpeth, is keeping fresh and seasonal produce top of the menu, thanks to a unique business partnership with one very local supplier: adults with learning disabilities at Hepscott Park Horticultural Skills Unit (HSU). Managed by Northumberland County Council, Hepscott Park HSU provides work experience in horticulture for up to 50 adults, who help supply the café with a variety of seasonal herbs and vegetables throughout the year. Sharing the same address means that delivering ingredients from the HSU to the café is only a short walk away. This guarantees that the home grown produce is full of flavour, having been freshly harvested on the same day.

LEISURE & HOSPITALITY

Korean summer … Enjoy some sizzling authentic cooking at Mannaza.

idden just off the beaten track of China Town, a pearl in the oyster-like shell of Blackfriars, Mannaza Korean Grill House proudly stands as Newcastle’s only Korean restaurant. With its innovative menu, unique dining concept and friendly atmosphere, this summer Mannaza should be top of your eatery list. Bringing its exclusive fare to the region, each table in the restaurant is fitted with an inbuilt grill. Diners are able to order from the grill section of the menu which is filled with raw meat, fish and vegetables; perfect for barbecuing and ideal to share. Combining locally sourced ingredients and imported herbs and spices, Mannaza is proud to offer authentic Korean dining experience in the North East. Dishes are gently boiled, steamed, grilled or pan-fried to highlight the natural flavours and showcase the meticulous skill of Mannaza’s chefs. Helping customers to save this summer, Mannaza boast a wide range of discounts and offers that are just too appetising to miss out on. For parties of two or more, Mannaza’s specially selected set menus start from just

£10.50 per diner, including the popular mixed BBQ dinner set: any three side dishes, the choice of either seafood or kimchee pancakes, any two items from the BBQ section which offers raw meat, fish and vegetables, served alongside two portions of steamed rice. Lunchtimes from 12pm to 2pm sees Mannaza transformed into a dining hotspot for students and members of the Korean community alike, taking advantage of the popular lunch deal. Starting at just £6.50 per person, grilled fish and BBQ lunch sets are served alongside bowls of rice, traditional kimchee or any other traditional Korean accompaniment. As well as offering its great range of regular deals, Mannaza offer discount to students and OAPs on production of valid photographic identification. Mannaza on Taylors and Tanners Court, Newcastle, is open seven days a week, from noon until 9.30pm. For further information or to book a table call (0191) 232 79 50 or visit www.mannaza.co.uk. For regular updates, promotions and competitions you can ‘like’ the restaurant on Facebook by searching Mannaza or follow @Mannaza_ on Twitter.

LEISURE & HOSPITALITY

In the boss’s chair

Samantha Doyle, Area sales manager for Sodexo Prestige Briefly, what has been your career to date? I’ve always been interested in hospitality as a career and I started off working at Newcastle’s Thistle Hotel as a chamber maid during my summer holidays. I moved on to working on the reception and then through various departments until I ended up working in the sales office, in reservations. I’d watch people working in conference and banqueting and saw them planning weddings and various parties. It always seemed much more exciting than booking rooms so quickly realised this was the way I wanted my career to go. I went to the Holiday Inn in Newcastle city centre as conference co-ordinator before a brief stint back at the Thistle. I then moved on to the Centre of Life as sales executive for five years before moving to my current role which looks after all the conferences and banqueting at NUFC and Tyne & Wear Archives and Museums.

What attracted you to the role at Sodexo/NUFC? As a huge fan of Newcastle United so working at the club as sales manager on the conference and banqueting side was a dream role. The versatility of the different venues and the city centre location all meant that I didn’t have to uproot my family, which was also a big plus.

What skills and attributes do you need to do your job? Multi-tasking! You need to be flexible and able

to manage more than one job at a time. Clients – quite rightly – now expect very high standards and we always strive to meet and exceed their expectations. Patience is also vital, and no matter how bad your day may be going, it’s always vital that you show a calm exterior and remain approachable and friendly. Managing such a vast and diverse array of conference spaces is a skill and you need to know where an event will work best. Good team work, communication and time management are all vital, too. And you must have the imagination to add the wow factor to every event or campaign.

What's been your highlight in this role? The sense of satisfaction you get when everything comes together and the client is delighted with the result. It’s particularly gratifying if it’s a charity event and we see people giving generously because they’ve had such a great time.

What has been your biggest challenge? My main challenge has been keeping up with the erratic conference trends; mainly due to the financial restraints many companies are facing. A lot of events are now being packed into one day rather than a conference lasting for a few days. There has also been a push towards budget packages (for example, providing a basic sandwich lunch and doing without the biscuits/fruit/pastries at refreshment breaks). Times are still tough in the UK economy and

throughout the world. Event budgets are tight or, in some cases, virtually non-existent. The good news for people or companies still staging events however, is that there are some fantastic deals available at venues. Good event organisers are rising to this challenge to become even more creative in making every penny go further.

How has corporate hospitality changed since you began in the industry? How have you adapted? Being flexible is very important now. Thinking up ways to theme an event or adding extra elements at a budget can make all the difference – and is greatly appreciated by clients.

If Newcastle United aren't playing well. What effect, if any, does this have on your role? St James’ Park if a fantastic conference and banqueting facility and we have a great team, not only on the pitch but off, too. Obviously, we always want the team to do well but the facilities speak for themselves so the fortunes of the team on the pitch doesn’t really effect the keen interest there always is in using the venue.

What are the short term/long term future plans in your role? Just to keep raising our profile and ensuring that everyone knows about the great venues – and great services – we offer. For information on conferencing and banqueting at NUFC, visit www.nufc.co.uk/events

LEISURE & HOSPITALITY

Making your event a success By Victoria Rought of Creative Event Partnership. high quality event is the perfect platform to communicate your brand and build your profile, yet the decision to host an event is often a spontaneous one. Developing a highly memorable and effective event takes time, passion and energy. It’s not something that can be created in a rush where corners can be cut and things are left to chance. Get it right and the investment will pay off, but strike the wrong balance and it could have a detrimental effect on you and your business.

Here are my top tips for getting the most from your event: • Define your objectives: what do you want to achieve? Looking at the purpose and the outcome, will this event meet your expectations? • Budget: keep it cost effective and ensure every aspect adds value and agree the investment in advance. • Be creative: think about what will make your event memorable; if your business is not exciting your event still can be. • Roles and responsibilities: identify the right people with the right skills and delegate where

appropriate, encourage regular follow up meetings and ensure everyone fully understands their roles; • Awareness: consider dates that may be relevant to your sector, industry and region and avoid clashes/event overload. • Participants: understand your audience; who do you want to attend and ensure you have the correct means to contact them. • Visual impact: you have a blank canvas to work from, from the layout of the invitation to the look of the venue.

• Practice and preparation: plan in plenty of time for set up, rehearsals, sound checks and run-throughs of audiovisual presentations. • Communicate: detailed confirmation with guests/delegates ensures fewer queries and keeping them updated during the lead-up keeps them engaged and builds excitement. • The devil is in the detail: parking, food, room temperature, empty water jugs, lack of stationery, coat check, the list is endless - it’s the little things that people remember. • Sponsorship: make sure the fit is right for your event and keep to your promises to deliver value on investment; • Walk in your guests’ shoes: test everything, from their perspective. • Last minute changes can cause unnecessary stress so make sure procedures are in place for every eventuality; leave nothing to chance. • Evaluate: learn from your event using effective post-event response tools, then evaluate against the event objective. • And finally, remember to thank everyone involved: a little appreciation goes a long way. Victoria Rought is co-founder of The Creative Event Partnership and can be contacted on (0191) 264 4000 or via victoria@creativeeventpartnership.co.uk

LEISURE & HOSPITALITY

Business lunch

The Bridge Brasserie Alison Cowie samples the refurbished restaurant at the Vermont Hotel. nce a pearl of Newcastle’s hospitality scene, the Vermont Hotel has been steadily falling out of favour with the city’s socialites, and other more contemporary Quayside hotels have been happy to fill the void. But with an ambitious new owner – with deep pockets – the Vermont is set to be returned to its former glory. The first phase of this considerable task has now been completed and includes a revamp of the sixth floor restaurant. Renamed the Bridge Brasserie, it offers topquality, informal fare, created by new head chef Neil Butterworth, who has joined the Vermont from Slaley Hall. Two colleagues and I visited the new eatery one lunchtime last month. Maybe, it’s the

fact that you have to make your way though some pretty tired-looking corridors (all set to be transformed this year) to reach it, but the sophisicated brasserie makes quite an impact when entering, with its muted colourscheme and striking dark furnishings. The menu offers a good choice of starters and mains, as well as a hefty selection of steaks from the grill. All our starters were nicely presented and, while they couldn’t be described as innovate dishes, the classic flavour combinations were well executed. On to the mains and my baked chicken breast with dauphionoise potatoes and wild mushroom sauce was flavoursome, as was the well-cooked pan-fried lamb rump. My colleague’s enormous 16oz T bone

steak, served with thick-cut chips tomato was the highlight of the meal. Perhaps, unsurprisingly, he struggled to finish the dish; leaving my other colleague to help out. For dessert, I settled for a coffee while my colleagues worked their way through the tangy lemon tart and rich chocolate mousse. With its good food, reasonable prices, exemplary service and ideal city centre location, the Bridge Brasserie is perfect for a business lunch. And once the rest of the hotel is revamped to the same quality of its restaurant, I’m sure the Vermont will again become the place to be and be seen. The Vermont Hotel is at Castle Garth, Newcastle. Tel: (0191) 233 1010, web: www.vermont-hotel.com

Fig and goats cheese, Parma ham, rocket salad and balsamic dressing.

Classic smoked salmon, buttered brown bread, capers, parsley, lemon and shallot dressing and hard-boiled egg.

Classic combination, well executed.

Chicken liver paté with tomato relish and toasted brioche. Good flavour, but a bit too rich.

Good quality, abundant salmon.

£5.50

Baked chicken breast, dauphinoise potatoes, fine beans and wild mushroom sauce.

£6.95

£7.50

Pan-fried lamb rump, spring onion mash, baby carrots and red wine jus

16oz T Bone steak with chips and peppercorn sauce.

Mouth-watering lamb, cooked to perfection.

So big, it took two of us to finish it!

£16.95

£24.45

Lemon tart with raspberries and Chantilly cream.

Chocolate mousse, mint créme fraiche and berry compote.

Cappuccino.

Lovely combination of sharp and sweet.

Velvety mousse and sweet compote; it didn’t really need the créme fraiche.

Moist chicken and a tasty sauce.

£12.95

The perfect end to a good meal.

£6

£3.50

WINE & DINE

Cocktail of the month ... Pink Lady Appletini

Ingredients:

Method:

A few ice cubes 1 large Pink Lady apple juice or 100ml of pressed Pink Lady juice 30ml vodka 1 tbsp of lemon juice One tsp caster sugar A few wafer-thin slices of Pink Lady to garnish

• Add the ice to a cocktail shaker and pour over the Pink Lady juice and vodka. • Add the lemon juice and caster sugar and shake to mix • Pour into a martini glass and garnish the rim with slices of Pink Lady apple.

THREE OF THE BEST: SALAD BOWLS

£35, John Lewis.

£49, www.cloudberryliving.co.uk

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£24.50, www.boutiqueprovencale.co.uk

EDUCATION

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A momentous year Hilary French, headmistress of Central Newcastle High School and future head of Newcastle High School for Girls reflects on the year since the announcement in January that Church High and Central High are merging to create a new super school for girls.

his time last year I was contemplating how best to combine my work as headmistress at Central Newcastle High School with my presidency of the Girls’ School Association which was due to commence in January 2013. Add in a later decision to merge two leading girls’ schools and the result has been, dare I say, a punishing but exciting schedule which has seen me travelling the length and breadth of the country each week. My long suffering PA has performed an amazing feat in juggling my diary and has miraculously found ways to squeeze in yet another appointment, even when she has declared it to be, ‘simply impossible’. Never-the-less, this year has been the most rewarding of my careers so far in many ways. It continues to be a privilege and delight to see the Central High girls thrive and excel. The range of their talents always leaves me speechless and I am so proud of all their achievements. I have also been in the lucky position of meeting and getting to know all the girls, parents and staff at Church High as we begin to extend our school community. This year, I have also the honour of representing many of the girls’ schools in the country as the president of the Girls’ School Association. This has given me a national voice to speak out for girls and their education as well as giving me a broader understanding of the issues surrounding the education of girls nationally. The outcome is that I have never been more excited about the future of girls’ education. We are in a fortunate position, with the support of the Girls’ Day School Trust, to be establishing an innovative school in the region – a beacon of national excellence. Newcastle High School for Girls will encompass all I feel passionate about. Despite the fact that girls outperform boys at all levels and more women than men go to university, the pay gap in the UK is still 14.9 per cent, there are only three female CEOs in FTSE 100 companies and twice as many men than women are self-employed. I believe we will only start to make inroads into gender stereotyping when we are brave enough nationally to take a truly radical approach to schooling. In Newcastle, we are going to do just that.

Each year, Central High and Church High send 18 year olds out into the world ready to take on the challenges of university and work – girls who are confident, have had the opportunity to learn and develop leadership skills, have a strong sense of who they are and what they stand for. These are the very characteristics that allow them to stand out from the crowd and are representative of girls who have had the time to grow and develop in an environment free of gender stereotypes and the pressures linked to having to conform to those views. Newcastle High School for Girls will push

"It has been a busy year but it is one that has been driven by the excitement of providing an outstanding educational experience for the girls of this region." the boundaries further, helping the girls to develop resilience, determination and strength of character; attributes that will support them throughout their adult lives. The girls will learn to be flexible so that they can apply the range of skills across the curriculum not just in discrete subject areas and by creating an environment where limits to learning do not exist, the girls will be able to challenge themselves and demonstrate their full potential and capability. With a strong ethos and innovative curriculum comes the requirement for outstanding resources and in March we opened new facilities at Chapman House which will

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become the Junior School for Newcastle High School for Girls. The school has been designed around the creative curriculum and the results are incredibly impressive. We are just about to start work on the development of the five acres of grounds surrounding the Junior School to create a world of outdoor learning. I cannot think of a better or more inspiring place for a girl to begin her educational journey. Next on the agenda is to build a Senior School that matches the requirements of the Newcastle High School for Girls Senior School curriculum. Meetings with architects and the Estates Team from the Girls’ Day School Trust have proved very successful, and although the details are still under wraps, the plans being drawn up are exceptional. As a historian, I have many times pondered on how the past shapes the future and it is cause for much discussion as we finalise the planning for Newcastle High School for Girls. The School will, of course, have the Central High and Church High heritage at its very heart and will draw from its combined history spanning 250 years. What a powerful resource: among our alumnae are some of the most inspiring and impressive women I have ever met. We have yet to establish traditions for Newcastle High School for Girls but they will, without any doubt, echo all that is excellent from our founding schools. Although we will not become Newcastle High School for Girls until September 2014, the next step in our transition is the eagerly anticipated launch of our new brand and colour scheme which will take place in September: so look out for something new! Our Open Days will take place on October 5 (Juniors) and November 9 (Seniors) and will give parents a full vision of our future and what it can mean for their daughters. Yes, it has been a busy year but it is one that has been driven by the excitement of providing an outstanding educational experience for the girls of this region, both now and in the future. It will certainly be seen as a momentous year as future generations look back on 2013. For more information on Newcastle High School for Girls, call (0191) 201 6511 or visit www.newcastlehigh.gdst.net

EDUCATION

News from

Dame Allan’s Schools It’s been a busy end to the summer term at Dame Allan’s Schools. Principal Dr John Hind reviews a brief selection of the highlights ... BIKES AND BEES BRING SECOND GREEN FLAG TO DAME ALLAN’S llr Nigel Todd, chair of Greening Wingrove, raised the Green Flag at Dame Allan’s Schools and praised its pioneering biodiversity initiative. The ceremony marked the schools’ achievement in being re-awarded the highest level of achievement in the Eco-Schools international award programme. Eco-Schools regard the Green Flag award as a symbol of excellence in environmental activity and it is only awarded after a rigorous assessment process. Dame Allan’s already have a dedicated Eco-Panel who make sure environmental responsibility is integrated throughout the schools. For its re-award the schools embarked on three new projects: introducing a cycle path on Fenham Hall Drive for pupils cycling to school, initiating an ambitious cardboard recycling scheme on the senior school’s site and creating a wildlife area to encourage birds, butterflies and insects. Cllr Todd thanked the pupils for their efforts: “Greening Wingrove is keen to encourage biodiversity and your pioneering work is leading the way on this,” he said.

COMPOSITION FOR AWARDWINNING POET

BOTSWANA BOUND tudents used a giant human chess board as part of their final checks before leaving for their World Challenge expedition to Botswana this summer. They were joined by Revd Canon Nicholas Darby in their preparations. Canon Darby – former Dean of the Holy Cross Cathedral in Gabarone – is chaplain to Dame Allan’s Schools. He was planning to be reunited with the students in Botswana when he returns to the capital, Gabarone, with Bishop Martin for the consecration of Botswana’s new Bishop. The students are spending time in Livingstone before travelling to Botswana, where they will experience village life, staying in traditional huts. They will then move on to Namibia, where they will trek over the Waterberg Plateau, explore the Okavanga Delta in dugout canoes and carry out relief work in a local kindergarten.

isters Rosie and Katie Cochrane have set to music poetry written by award-winning writer Gordon Phillips. The premiere of their composition was performed by members of the Dame Allan’s Schools’ Ceilidh Band, The Thingmajigs, at A Very Northern evening in the Schools’ Lumsden Music Centre at the end of the term, with Gordon Phillips himself as guest of honour. Rosie Cochrane, 17, a member of the sixth form, is currently studying for A levels in music, french and chemistry. Her elder sister Katie, 22, left Dame Allan’s in 2008 and gained a first class degree in music at Oxford University. Gordon Phillips is the current holder of the Northern Voices Award, from New Writing North. His poems and fiction have been published nationally and internationally, in school textbooks and anthologies like New Angles by Oxford University Press and Enjoying English by Macmillan. His other work has been as a librettist and lyricist, writing King Taor, a cantata for Gateshead Schools, Five Songs in Wansbeck Settings for a 2000 Voices project in Northumberland and writing some of the text as part of Five Operas, a multi-media project for schoolchildren in Essex.

For more information on Dame Allan’s Schools, visit www.dameallans.co.uk

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FEATURE

A fashion show at Kids 1st.

The Kids 1st Family Fun Day with The Children's Foundation.

Family matters At Kids 1st Nurseries, the parents are just as important as the children ... n March 2014, it will be ten years since Kids 1st opened its first nursery on Rake Lane. In that time Kids 1st has established itself as one of the leading day care providers in the North East and, with a reputation for providing the highest quality of childcare, it is no surprise that they are the first choice for parents. As a family-run business, Kids 1st understand the pressures that modern living has on family life. Here are just some of the ways that the nurseries go above and beyond to give that little bit extra:

Coffee to Go Breakfast Service Getting your child to nursery on a morning and then getting yourself to work on time can

often feel like a military operation. Sometimes, it isn’t possible to make time for yourself or even grab a cup of coffee! Kids 1st recognise this and that’s why each nursery has a Coffee to Go Breakfast Service. Once your child has been dropped off with the staff, you can help yourself to a freshly prepared hot drink and a delicious home-cooked snack.

Social Evenings Kids 1st love to involve their parents through regular parents’ social evenings at the nurseries. At these events you will meet with your child’s key person who will talk to you about your child’s development and discuss plans for the future. The nursery chef also prepares a selection of meals so that

parents can sample some of the tasty treats that are featured on their menus. Throughout the year, the nurseries also hold parent play days and charity events such as fashion shows and art auctions.

Annual Family Fun Day The Kids 1st Annual Family Fun Day is a free day out for all of the family. The event includes fun fair rides, side shows, stalls and a full programme of entertainment. It gives you the chance to relax and enjoy some family fun! These are just some of the reasons why you will LOVE Kids 1st. To find out more reasons visit www.kids1st.net, follow us on Twitter: Kids_1st or call (0191) 461 8877

Why parents love Kids 1st ... “I love Kids 1st for their excellent menu, giving me lots of new meal ideas for my little one.” – JONI EDWARDS. “I love Kids 1st because they always send my daughter home smiling.” – JIMI NIGHTINGALE “I love Kids 1st as every child is made to feel special.” – CHRISTOPHER TAIT “I love Kids 1st because they care as much as I do.” – REBECCA FORD “I love Kids 1st simply because my kids do. Fact.” – CLARE WILLIAMS

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ARTS

Arts previews Elise Rana Hopper looks forward to some of the region’s biggest cultural events.

THE KING BEES

BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB

SOUL SISTER

Electrifying the resurgent local music scene with their take on the rocking, rolling rhythm ‘n’ blues of the 40s and 50s, The King Bees combination of finely-honed musicianship and raw live energy belies the fact that they are not grizzled old bluesmen but fresh-faced twenty-somethings. Inspired by the blues legends from Leadbelly to Lightnin’ Hopkins, Little Walter, Lonnie Johnson, Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker, guitarist Michael Littlefield and harmonica-player Scott Taylor share vocal duties with a howling, growling passion for authenticity that blazes bright.

Still around, still wearing black leather jackets and sunglasses indoors and still turning everything up to eleven, San Franciscan fuzzrock trio Black Rebel Motorcycle Club offer a reassuringly familiar version of rock ‘n’ roll as they take to the road to promote their seventh studio album in twelve years. What is new however is a distinct melancholia invoked by the loss of Michael Been, their producer, sometime guitarist, father to bassist Robert. The death of their ‘fourth member’ has brought a deeper, lusher element to their sound.

The life and times of Ike and Tina Turner may not make for the happiest fairytale but it’s hard to deny that it’s made for a damn fine soundtrack. A brand new musical that follows their turbulent story of rocketing careers and a crumbling marriage, Soul Sister promises electrifying choreography and, of course, great songs from classic Ike and Tina ‘rock ‘n’ soul’ numbers River Deep Mountain High and Proud Mary to the numerous pop hits that propelled Tina to solo stardom, such as What’s Love Got to Do with It, Private Dancer and Simply the Best.

August 28 • O2 Academy, Newcastle • £19 • www.o2academynewcastle.co.uk

September 2-7 • Sunderland Empire • from £12.90 • www.sunderlandempire.org.uk

September 7 • World Headquarters, Newcastle • £8 • www.facebook.com/thekingbeesnewcastle

EXILE: VIVIEN WOOD

THOMAS SCHEIBITZ: ONE-TIME PAD

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

Exile sees Gateshead-born dancer and choreographer Vivien Wood collaborating with internationally renowned vocalists, physical theatre artists, musicians and dancers to create an emotional piece of dance theatre that evokes the experience of exile and the themes of belonging, rejection and isolation. The accompanying music will feature classical repertoires from Bach and Beethoven.

Bringing together more than 200 works including painting, sculpture, drawing and works on paper, this large-scale presentation traces the conceptual development of the painter and sculptor considered to be one of the leading German artists of his generation, focusing particularly on the human figure and the existence of form between figuration and abstraction. The exhibition will also include an archive of the artist’s source material and models, as well as a new sculpture commissioned especially for Baltic.

Outdoor theatre productions, like outdoor music festivals, can be such a marvellous experience that even the wildly unpredictable reality of the British summer can’t dampen our enthusiasm for them. The aptly named Rain or Shine company returns to the romantic neo-classical grounds of Belsay with a brand-new adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s best-loved comedies. Bring chairs, picnics, wine and friends - and maybe a brolly, just in case.

Until November 3 • Baltic • free • www.balticmill.com

August 17 • Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens • from £13 • 0870 333 1183

August 6-10, 13-16 • St Mary’s Heritage Centre, Gateshead • August 17 • Durham Cathedral • from £7 • www.gateshead.gov.uk • www.galadurham.co.uk

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INTERVIEW

House of Glass The National Glass Centre reopened last month following a multimillion pound refurbishment. Daneet Steffens talks to its director, James Bustard, about the Sunderland venue’s fragile history, and how it is now well placed to become a beacon for culture, education and business. For James Bustard, director of the National Glass Centre, the recent rebranding of the centre as an expanded and expansive exhibition space as well as its recently-established niche within the University of Sunderland, makes the centre’s new direction and ambitions clear as, well, glass. “It is quite an interesting animal, quite a hybrid,” James says of the 16-year-old institution. “It doesn’t have a collection of its own, even though it’s described as a national centre – and in the world of museums and galleries you normally associate that moniker with something that holds a collection.” What the centre offers now is a range of versatile gallery spaces that can welcome everything from high-profile museum exhibitions to personal collections; it’s got an arts school at its heart with a thriving and research-active glass and ceramics undergraduate and postgraduate programme; and it offers a growing series of residencies to artists of all mediums. “The fact that there’s a community of practitioners here is really important,” says James. “Much of our research is practise-led rather than theoretical.” What sets the National Glass Centre apart, he points out, is the way that it mixes a classic museum exhibition function with being a hive of artistic activity and visitor interactivity. James, whose career history encompasses nearly two decades at Arts Council England, North East – including 13 years as its head of visual arts – took on the director’s role convinced by the university’s commitment to ensuring that the centre delivered on its promises and, as he puts it, “started to punch its weight” in terms of its directive as an exhibition space, commercial venture and higher education centre. “One of the problems in the past,” explains James, “was that the exhibitions didn’t change very frequently, and they really paid lip service to glass. “I think the centre was run more as a contemporary arts venue that it was as a glass centre. We are now trying to place glass at the centre of everything that we do.” The centre’s exhibition space and display capacity has more than doubled, and will house a museum-quality exhibition every three to four months. The new Long Gallery, as well as being used to augment the main exhibit, will also showcase more frequent experimental and innovative displays. “Our opening show, a retrospective, is dedicated to the German studio artist Erwin Eisch,” says James. “Then, in January, we’re showing the spectacle frames collection of a very preeminent designer, Oliver Goldsmith, who left his collection of eyewear to the Victoria and Albert Museum. It charts eyewear as

fashion, eyewear as jewellery.” Alongside the main Goldsmith exhibit, there will be displays about optometry and, hopefully, an artist-in-residence programme in conjunction with the Sunderland Eye Infirmary. “All of those activities will hinge around that single show which will be on for about three months. So the main gallery has something of substance three or four times a year, and Long Gallery displays are on a much faster cycle.” A third gallery space will hold more extended exhibits of personal collections. Their nine-to-twelve month runs will provide a valuable resource to the arts students and a rare opportunity for the public to view private collections as well as offering a platform for glass-focused private collectors to share their wares. The first one is a collection created by Dan Klein and Alan Poole. “Dan was a fascinating character,” says James. “He started life as an opera singer and then became a hugely successful auctioneer with Christie’s specialising in the applied arts. He started to collect art with his partner Alan, and they basically set out to become champions of British and Irish studio glass of the latter part of the 20th century. In future we might be showing a collection from Scandinavia or from North America or we might be working with another museum – you might, for example, find a collection of 19th century drinking glasses from the Victoria and Albert on display. We’re researching quite a wide range of possibilities.” Beyond its development into a popular national and international visual arts destination for visitors, the national glass centre offers a range of glass-making courses for professionals and amateurs alike, and includes a production-house element that James hopes to grow. “We work to commission so we want to strengthen our position as a place where people will automatically come to if they’d like something created in glass. We’ve also work with artists whose language or whose vocabulary is not necessarily associated with glass but who feel that they might be able to do something using the material. Through a series of residencies, we help translate their ideas into glass and ceramics.” While James notes that the centre has had, “a very chequered history,” the new relationship with Sunderland University is a gamechanger. “With the stability that the university offers, I think we can ensure that the National Glass Centre becomes a recognised cultural destination within two years. After an overlong adolescence, perhaps we’ve eventually now found our stride.” www.nationalglasscentre.com

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COVER STORY

PUTTING STUDENTS ON THE ROAD TO SUCCESS

behind them – are just amazing.” While the challenge helps teach school children about business, the initiative also benefits Volvo as a brand, bringing it to the attention of a younger audience. Bill Ward explains: “The kids get something out of it because they get to see if their ideas can work in a corporate world but we get something out of it, too. “Volvo has worked hard over the last few years to change existing perceptions and appeal more to a younger audience. Volvos are totally different to what they were. We bring the latest models with us to the school and it’s always interesting to see what the kids think of the cars.” The annual challenge at The King’s School is a highlight for Mill Volvo. But this represents only part of its work in the community. The dealership is the current sponsor of the Tyne Theatre in Newcastle city centre. The two-year commitment, signed in January 2012, saw the theatre renamed the Mill Volvo Tyne Theatre and helped safeguard the future for the 1100-seater Victorian venue. Mill Volvo also has an ongoing commitment to South Northumberland Cricket Club and is involved with numerous charity appeals. Most recently, on July 5, the dealership sponsored a profile charity lunch for Cash for Kids, featuring affable Geordie duo Ant & Dec and a special performance by Blue. Mill Volvo sees its community work as an essential part of the business: “We are a local company and we like to put stuff back into the community, and we will continue to do so,” says Bill. With King’s set to convert to an Academy next year, Bill is keen that Mill Volvo continues its partnership with the school. Who knows what inventive ideas 2014’s pupils will come up with.

ast month saw North East dealership Mill Volvo return to The King’s School in Tynemouth to host its latest intensive one-day challenge. Year 10 pupils were asked to complete a number of tasks to promote Volvo at an imagined music festival, known as Rebelution. In just four hours, teams of ten school children were asked to: create a vinyl graphic wrap design for a Volvo R40, design and create a scaled card model of one of the themed performance stages; and design and print a promotional T-shirt and festival rucksack. The teams then produced a short PowerPoint presentation to a judging panel (that included Mill Volvo’s managing director Bill Ward and Chris Wailes, senior market manager at Volvo Car Corporation), who had the difficult task of picking a winner. This year’s winning team will now have the privilege of seeing their vinyl graphic wrap added to a real life Volvo R40. This was the fifth year that Mill Volvo has visited the coastal private school. The aim of the Apprentice-style initiative is to get the pupils to think about branding and sponsorship, applying these to a real-life company. Before they embarked on the tasks, the pupils were given a brief introduction from the motoring professionals about Volvo and Mill – which has dealerships in Newcastle, Sunderland, Stockton and North Yorkshire. Chris Wailes says: “What I try and do is give the pupils a history of Volvo as a company. I want to give them an idea of why we do, what we do.You can see it engages their thought process.” Over the years, Bill, Chris and the team at Mill Volvo have been hugely impressed with the talent and inventive ideas that the school children have come up with, time and time again. Chris reflects: “For me, the creativity is astounding. I’m blown away with it every single year. The ideas from these 14 and 15-year-olds – and the thought processes

For further information on Mill Volvo, call 0800 612 4715 or visit www.millnortheast.co.uk

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Bill Ward with pupils from The Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School.

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MOTORS

Behind the wheel by Jessica Laing

F.Y.I. Power: 258 RPM Torque: 620 RPM Acceleration 0-62mph: 6.8 SEC Top speed: 155MPH Combined fuel consumption: 51.4MPG Boot capacity: 510L

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MERCEDES BENZ S-CLASS The most advanced and luxurious Mercedes-Benz yet created – the new SClass – has gone on sale in the UK, priced from £62,650 OTR. Promising to continue to raise the benchmark in efficiency, comfort, refinement and personalisation, inside, the model is equipped as standard with a pair of high-resolution 307mm TFT screens that relay key vehicle information and allow access to 3D surround sound (with 24 specially designed speakers) and 24 amplifier channels. Drivers can also choose between three rear seat packages, ranging from three seats, finished in high quality leather, to two individual seats that can recline to an angle of almost 45 degrees. What’s more, for extra comfort, armrests can be heated and seats can also stimulate a hot stone massage. Additional new equipment includes a reversing camera, Keyless Start, Night View Assist technology and Magic Vision Control: an innovative wash/wipe system that applies washer fluid directly in front of wiper blades to minimize waste and obstruction to the driver.

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MOTORS

Martin Thornton, approved technician, works on a customer’s car at Jennings Ford’s Cargo Fleet Lane dealership in Middlesbrough.

Jennings offers Ford’s BlueService Customers at the dealership can now take advantage of Ford’s new service for when things go wrong. reaking down at the roadside or being involved in a road traffic accident can be a constant fear for any motorist, but at Jennings Ford – part of the Jennings Motor Group – customers can relax in the knowledge that should any unforeseen circumstance occur, they have full protection with Ford’s comprehensive new BlueService programme. The BlueService programme is a recent investment implemented by Ford Motor Company, which has been launched at 650 Ford dealerships nationwide. The programme offers a number of unique services and benefits to customers whether they need prompt advice and assistance regarding accident repair, or if they simply want to book their vehicle in for a service or MOT. Jennings Ford’s Cargo Fleet Lane dealership in Middlesbrough, the Yarm Road branch in Stockton, the Eslington Park branch in Gateshead and the group’s Newcastle Road site in South Shields are all part of the comprehensive new BlueService programme. Customers visiting Jennings Ford’s dealerships can relax in the knowledge that only fully trained and approved Ford technicians are available to carry out work using the latest diagnostic equipment and tools within the group’s service and accident repair centres. Brian Johnston, group service and bodyshop manager for Jennings Motor Group, says: “The BlueService package offers customers complete peace of mind motoring, which caters for all aspects including roadside assistance, accident repair and servicing.”

One of the many benefits of the BlueService programme is that any service booked by a customer automatically entitles them to free UK and European roadside assistance which covers the period between scheduled services. Should the customer be unfortunate to break down on the road or even on their doorstep, a qualified and skilled technician will soon be on his way. In addition to roadside assistance, the cover also extends to misfuelling a vehicle and even misplacing car keys. For those customers whose vehicles cannot be fixed at the roadside, alternative transport, a replacement vehicle or overnight accommodation will also be arranged. A new initiative available in the BlueService package is the Ford eCheck, a co-ordinated electronic vehicle health check which is carried out free of charge. The check involves a 30-point visual inspection by Ford trained technicians including checks on wheels and tyres, bodywork, wiper blades, oil and filter, brakes and hubs, steering and suspension. On completion of the checks, a colour coded traffic light report is issued to the customer highlighting any recommended repairs or replacements. Brian adds: “The detailed electronic report and simple red, amber and green traffic light system highlights to customers if we recommend any repairs or replacements to their vehicle. “If work needs to be carried out, the customer will then receive a competitive

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estimate upfront, which will also include the use of quality Ford parts where necessary.” Customers who are unfortunate to be involved in a road traffic accident can take advantage of Ford’s Accident Management system, which involves Ford handling the entire insurance claim process on behalf of the customer. The service, which is free to Ford owners entails one phone call to the team who will then arrange to recover the customer’s vehicle, complete a claim form and liaise with the insurance company, ensure the vehicle is repaired at a Ford Accident Repair Centre where Ford trained and approved technicians will repair the vehicle to pre-accident condition, in addition to providing a free courtesy car for the duration of the repair. As an added incentive, Ford’s BlueService package also gives customers the chance to earn Nectar points on routine servicing and repair bills. A total of two points can be collected per every £1 spent on routine servicing, MOTs, non-warranty repairs, tyres and accessories. The customer simply presents their Nectar card upon payment to collect their points. For more information about the range of products and services available at Jennings Ford’s Middlesbrough dealership, call (01642) 240055, Stockton on (01642) 632200, South Shields on (0191) 427 6666 or Gateshead on (0191) 4607464. Alternatively, visit www.jenningsford.co.uk. For information about Ford’s BlueService package, visit www.ford.co.uk/BlueService

MOTORS

A ford that means business Ford’s Mondeo Titanium X Business Edition combines luxurious features with fuel efficiency. It is available now at Jennings Ford dealerships. ollowing the success of the Mondeo Zetec Business Edition, Ford’s Titanium X Business Edition offers even higher standards of technology and interior luxury. The car offers a range of top-quality features including 17-inch 5x2 spoke alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, front fog lights and LED rear tail lights. Other features include body coloured bumpers, door handles and door mirrors and a chrome upper grille surround, as well as electrically operated and heated door mirrors and integral indictors. The 1.6 TDCi and 2.0 TDCi models come with sports suspension and the 1.6 TDCi fivedoor model benefits from a rear spoiler. The abundant features continue inside, too, with an CD/MP3 audio system, Bluetooth hands-free and voice control, air conditioning, ‘Quickclear’ heated front windscreen, electrically-operated front and rear windows, power rear door and window child locks and a leather-trimmed steering wheel. There are also sophisticated features in the form of Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Alert, Blind Spot Information System, Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Front Lighting System, Hill Launch Assist and Auto High Beam technology. But it’s not just high-end features that makes the Ford Titanium X Business Edition so special. The models equipped with the reputed 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine – available across all series (except Titanium X Sport) – offer CO2 emissions from just 119g/km across both 140PS and 163PS power outputs – a reduction of up to 10g/km – with the 163PS version offering more power than Mondeo’s comparable rivals. Fuel consumption is improved from 57.6mpg to 61.4mpg. The result is a car that is luxurious and efficient and perfect for business and pleasure.

For more information about the Ford Mondeo Titanium X Business Edition call Jennings Ford’s Middlesbrough dealership on (01642) 240055, Stockton on (01642) 632200 or Gateshead on (0191) 4607464. Alternatively, visit www.jenningsford.co.uk.

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MOTORS

Terry O’Neil, Benﬁeld Ford, general manager and customer Michelle Wardale.

Benﬁeld celebrates the four millionth Fiesta sale North East motor group Benfield is celebrating a massive milestone in Ford’s history after selling the four millionth Ford Fiesta ever sold in the UK!! orth East motor group Benfield is celebrating a massive milestone in Ford’s history after selling the four millionth Ford Fiesta ever sold in the

UK. The keys to the landmark car – a Fiesta Zetec in Candy Blue with the award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine – were presented to a proud customer at Benfield Ford’s dealership in Sunderland. Customer Michelle Wardale, who has owned three Fords previously, collected her special new

Fiesta from Benfield Ford Sunderland. “When I was told I’d chosen the four millionth Fiesta I was totally shocked,” she said. “I just love the style of the Fiesta, it’s very economical to run and does everything I need.” Terry O’Neil, general manager at Benfield Ford Sunderland, added: “This is fantastic news for Benfield Ford Sunderland. To be part of this milestone in Ford’s history is truly amazing for a family business like Benfield. He continued: “Mrs Wardale is a loyal customer of Ford having bought many vehicles

over the years so it is even more pleasing for us that the four millionth Fiesta sold in the UK is customer from our dealership. We are all delighted for her and sure she’ll love driving the car.” Fiesta has led the small car segment in the UK for 27 of its 37 years and has been Britain’s overall best seller since 2009 when it overtook the Ford Focus. More than 17 million Ford Fiesta models have been sold in 80 markets worldwide. Parked bumper to bumper, they would stretch 1.7 times around the world.

Capturing the Captur trio of American themed compact crossover Renault cars have made a special arrival into Benfield Renaults flagship dealership on Benfield Road, Newcastle. Launched on American Independence Day at Benfield Renault, by New York-born Fabulous Flournoy, coach of the Newcastle Eagles Basketball team, the Renault Captur has arrived in three different colour styles: Arizona, Miami and Manhattan Rikki Ledger, general manager at Benfield Renault, said: “The arrival of the Captur is great news for us and has created a real feel good factor around the Renault brand. The innovation behind the vehicle is quiet amazing and there was a huge turnout of people who came to see the launch of the cars at the

American themed night. “Demand is already very high and we are already seeing cars flying off our showroom forecourt as fast as they are arriving.” he added. Renault Captur is designed to encourage new adventures and new discoveries leaving behind the urban jungle in order to experience love, family sport and passion. The expressive styling and driving position of an SUV, the cabin space and modular interior of the MPV offer the driving pleasure of a hatchback.

Rikki Ledger, Benﬁeld Renault, general manager and Fabulous Flournoy.

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For further information on the new Captur range contact Benfield Renault on (0191) 228 4300. Alternatively visit www.drivebenfield.com

MOTORS

Summer drive Get your hands on the limited edition Mazda MX-5 this summer at Hodgson Mazda. elivering top-of-the-range specification, unique styling and sporty performance, the limited edition Mazda MX-5 Sport Graphite Roadster Coupe is on sale now at Hodgson Mazda in Newcastle and Gateshead. Inspired by urban design, the new model’s exterior features eye-catching paint finishes that are unique to this model – Aquatic Blue Mica, Zeal Red Mica or Aluminium Silver Metallic – with a contrasting Meteor Grey retractable hard top roof to create a highly distinctive appearance. The Sport Graphite model is available until the end of September 2013 with two engine options: the spirited 126ps, 1.8-litre or the sporty 160ps, 2.0-litre. Both versions feature the generous equipment levels of the standard model enhanced with an array of extra items. Every Sport Graphite gains 17-inch dark gunmetal alloy wheels, black leather heated seats with unique grey stitching, 5.8-inch TomTom navigation system with integrated Bluetooth hands-free kit, glossy dark grey

fashion bars, colour-coordinated retractable hard-top roof and door mirrors all in striking Meteor Grey, and limited edition badges on the exterior and interior. The design cues flow through to the interior of the Sport Graphite, with the unique grey stitching extended to the leather steering wheel and handbrake; glossy dark grey steering wheel spokes and dashboard panel; an alloy pedal set; and MX-5 floor mats with unique grey piping (additional cost). The generous standard specification of the limited edition MX-5 models also include: stainless steel scuff plates, body-coloured door handles, side, driver and passenger airbags, CD radio with Auxiliary jack and six speakers, electric windows, electric adjustable mirrors with heating function and climate control air-conditioning. For optimum handling stability, all MX-5 models also feature Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Traction Control System (TCS). While the 2-litre Roadster Coupe model is also equipped with a Limited Slip

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Differential (LSD), cruise control, autodimming rear view mirror and Bilstein suspension. The new Sport Graphite models represent excellent value. In the case of the 2.0-litre model there is an £800 saving against the equivalent Mazda MX-5 Sport Tech Nav. Peter Allibon, sales director at Mazda UK says: “The introduction of the Mazda MX-5 Sport Graphite this summer embraces everything our immensely popular sportscar stands for, fun-to-drive with spirited performance and premium levels of specification, with the added benefit of distinct styling for those who dare to be different. “With just 500 models available in the UK, the Sport Graphite is sure to be highly sought-after, offering exclusivity to owners of Mazda’s latest enhancement to the range of MX-5 sportscars and an excuse to escape the city.” For further information visit www.hodgsons-newcastle.co.uk

EVENT

Longbenton Juniors Golf Day lorious weather complimented the recent Longbenton Juniors Golf Day at the City of Newcastle Golf Club. In a tightly fought contest 100 points won the stableford competition. Afterwards, guests enjoyed a sumptuous two-course meal and drinks in the well appointed clubhouse.

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INTERVIEW

Under

the domes On the Seaton Carew seafront, Brian Morton’s latest venture brings quality – and active – family time to the North East. Daneet Steffens reports. rink; that same space will double as a 1400-seat auditorium for exhibition, dance and theatre. “What captures people’s imagination,” he says,“is when they walk into the dome and they see how vast an area it is under cover. If you can imagination a full-size football pitch like Newcastle United with a dome over the top of it, that’s the size of the football dome.” Quality facilities aside, it’s the family-inclusive element of The Sports Domes venture that Brian takes pride in. “The North East is lacking in a number of areas for family entertainment,” he says. “There’s plenty of fitness gyms around for people who want to keep fit, but there’s not a lot of facilities around for families to stay the whole day. “Here they can play football and golf. The golf dome is set up for pitch and putt, and driving. We have an extensive range of kids’ activities involving golf. There’s a miniature golf course and an excellent children’s play area.” For watchful parents, there’s even a well-appointed restaurant overlooking the play area. With Brian’s ambitions, this pilot business project holds development promise for multiple communities and their families. “The recipe works from a local authority perspective,” he points out. “Local authorities have been hit very, very hard by the government and they don’t have a lot of money to spend, but what they do have is land.” He has already seen a growing interest in his Sports Domes project spreading across the region – and beyond. “I’ve had people coming from Bristol, Dumfries and Edinburgh to look at these domes to see how the process works. We’ve had at least 12 various local authorities visit to see the types of facilities that we’ve got here.” The entrepreneur who turned a dinner conversation across the Atlantic into a vibrant business venture is clear on The Sports Domes’ viability as well as its family-friendly focus: “When the dome goes up, it only depends on what product you want to put into the dome – it could be an ice rink, it could be a swimming pool, it could be a velodrome. You can put anything underneath these domes.”

It was a serendipitous meeting over dinner in Miami that jump-started Brian Morton’s latest business venture. “I was in Miami on holiday,” explains the entrepreneur with 25 years’ experience in the leisure industry, ranging from the betting sector to eateries and bars. “I met some people in a restaurant and they mentioned that they manufactured these domes.” It was a conversation that continued long after dinnertime, and one that fired Brian’s entrepreneurial imagination. “They were building these domes all over the world,” he says, the exciting impression that conversation made on him coming through in his voice. “They were building them in China, Dubai and Russia. What surprised me was the range of temperatures in these countries – from Russia being 30 degrees below, Dubai being 40 degrees above – and that these domes could withstand all these different seasons.” It was, he realised, a potential product and business venture that crossed all borders, whatever the location, whatever the weather. He did his research, visited the manufacturing facility in North America and came back to find a UK site where he could build his initial domes. In doing so, he has established a versatile, useful and enjoyable leisure facility and commercial business that embraces everyone from sports professionals to entire families. In partnership with Hartlepool Borough Council, the first fruit of Brian’s enterprising labour is currently based on the sea front at Seaton Carew. The Sports Domes leisure complex features a football dome with the capacity for an informal, indoor five-a-side match as well as the option of providing alternative training facilities for established football clubs such as Hartlepool United; a golf dome that includes a driving range, chipping green and 9-hole golf trail; an outdoor children’s play area; a main building which houses a state-of-the-art fitness gym, including a spinning room, a children’s interactive area as well as the latest in quality fitness equipment; and a relaxing space which holds a steamroom, sauna, Jacuzzi and rest area. According to Brian, this is just the beginning: he is currently putting together a planning application in order to erect a new dome which will incorporate an indoor ice

The Sports Domes is on Tees Road in Seaton Carew, Hartlepool, TS25 1DE. For further information call 08081 788800 or visit www.thesportsdomes.co.uk

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H E A LT H

Facing up to

ageing Lisa Ali-Khan, aesthetic practitioner within the LASE Medical team at Spire Washington Hospital, talks through some of the non-surgical facial cosmetic services on offer.

Lisa Ali-Khan

What’s the difference between surgical and non-surgical facial cosmetic services? Facial cosmetic services fall into two groups – quick, safe and effective softer treatments that usually only take minutes to perform and last months, and the more serious surgical options such as face, brow and neck lifts, which are more specialised and offer more definitive, longer term results. The non-surgical treatments that we provide include muscle relaxing injections, dermal fillers, micro-needling treatments, facial peels and skin conditioning, to name but a few.

What are anti-wrinkle injections and fillers used for? Anti-wrinkle injections can be very useful for those with fine lines around the eyes, frown and forehead, as well as what are known as ‘bunny lines’ from wrinkling the nose and a downturned mouth. The muscle is directly treated to relax it and stop it contracting. Effectively it treats the overuse of muscles by preventing the usual crease of the skin that causes lines. A considerable improvement can generally be seen although the line may not be fully corrected. In some cases, a combination treatment including fillers may be offered. These anti-wrinkle injection treatments last for approximately three to four months.

Dermal fillers work slightly differently and are ideal for those who wish to improve and rejuvenate areas of the face, hands and the décolletage by filling out wrinkles and creases. We use a water-based gel and inject this just under the skin in a strength suited to the individual need. The results last around nine to 12 months. Any patient having a treatment that requires a prescription will be seen by a consultant plastic surgeon prior to the first treatment and that particular appointment is free of charge.

What is a micro-needling treatment? Micro-needling is a very popular treatment that creates a refreshed and more youthful appearance and it is used to treat pigmentation, wrinkles, large pores and skin laxity. The treatment is far more cost effective that laser skin resurfacing and is much more comfortable. We use a dermaroller system that sees tiny pins pressed against the skin after a numbing cream has been applied. The tiny injections allow the skin to create new collagen and elastin and increase cell renewal. When coupled with the serums and creams we offer, the effect can be very positive, especially on crêpey and dehydrated skin. A course of three treatments is required and the results can last for over a year (longer in some cases). This treatment is ideal for those planning for special occasions, for example a big birthday celebration or the

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mother of the bride. It only takes 48 hours for the redness to go down and a smaller dermastamp can even been used around the very fragile eye area.

Who are all these types of treatment best suited to? These are really most suitable from anyone aged 25 upwards who wishes to remain youthful in looks. Ultimately we help people make the most of their appearance and it is ladies from their thirties to their seventies that we see most frequently in the treatment room.

What type of things should people consider before seeking a nonsurgical facial treatment? People can really protect their skin and our recommendation is to always use a sun screen with SPF 30 over the face, neck and ears, as well as on the back of the hands. When choosing where to go, only an appropriately trained doctor or registered nurse in a clinical environment should carry out these treatments so pick a hospital offering these services if you can. It’s worth it for the peace of mind and the knowledge you’ll get very high quality care. For more information about Spire’s cosmetic surgery services, visit www.spirewashington.com or call (0191) 418 8627.

EVENT

Left to right: Margaret McKenna, Trish Graham, Kath Brown and Margaret Taylor.

Gold Star for AbbeyďŹ eld Newcastle he Abbeyfield Newcastle upon Tyne Society had double reason to celebrate, scooping a national award for the quality of its work and its long-serving body of volunteers and staff awarded for their dedication, too. The not-for-profit organisation, which operates four homes across Newcastle to provide quality care for the elderly, was awarded the Abbeyfield Gold Star in recognition of the consistently high quality services that are delivered by the staff and volunteers across its two residential care homes and two supported sheltered housing properties. Two long-serving volunteers, Peter Fryer and Sheila Wallis, who have clocked up more than 70 years of service between them, together with seven members of staff, who have each worked for the charitable organisation for more than 20 years, also received awards as part of a summer garden party that brought together residents and their families from all four homes in to the gardens of The Grove residential care home in Gosforth.

Sybil Stothard, Valerie Taylor and Kath Brown (care home manager).

Maud Forster with her family.

Paul Allen (CEO) and John Kilner.

Staff at AbbeyďŹ eld.

Peter Fryer (Trustee) and Paul Allen (CEO).

Vee Wilkinson (Trustee) talks to residents.

Catherine Spoor, Winifred Spoor and Pat Brantingham.

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INTERVIEW

The long game North East Times asks successful business men and women, with more than 25 years’ experience in their field, what their industry was like when they started, how it has changed, and where they see the sector going?

Shelagh Alderson Hospital director at Spire Washington Hospital

PAST

PRESENT

qualified as a physiotherapist in Teesside in 1982 and took a job at the Bradford Royal Infirmary as a junior physiotherapist. In 1984, I headed to Benenden Hospital in Kent in a more senior role. My next move was to set up a private practice treating musculoskeletal and sports injuries, until having my first child in 1989.I then took a career break until 1993 when I relocated to the North and began some bank work at Spire Washington Hospital. Two years in I decided to formalise the arrangement and took a contract as a senior physiotherapist. In 1997, I became physiotherapy manager, working my way up to para medical services manager, overseeing the physiotherapy, X-Ray and BUPA health and well-being departments. I was still part-time which was challenging but very fulfilling too. Times have changed significantly – looking back, healthcare was very different to now. Relationships with the doctors were more formal and the care was a lot more prescriptive. The focus was on the patient fitting around the service rather than the service fitting around the person. Wards were larger and mixed and there was no choice about this, despite recovery times being significantly longer then.

fter my time as para medical services manager at Spire Washington Hospital, I took a full time post as theatre manager in 2008 and in 2009 was promoted to head of clinical services. In May 2013 I achieved the role of hospital director. What is clear is that over the years the strict organisational hierarchies that were in place when I first qualified have changed – as have hospital infrastructures in terms of ward space and facilities. Patients are rightly given more privacy and dignity. As technology has improved, the skills of surgeons and anaesthetists have become more complex, enhancing surgical abilities and resulting in shorter recovery times. Customer service has become critical and it is widely recognised that pleasant and friendly surroundings can really aid recovery. Today there is greater choice and clinical governance is much stricter. Rather than accepting the care they are given, patients can investigate a hospital’s overall performance as well as an individual consultant’s success rates because we are obliged to publish outcomes. I see this transparency as good for the industry.

FUTURE t’s hard to predict what the future will bring but I fully expect technology will continue to improve and revolutionise the care we give. Cleanliness and infection rates will remain front of mind, like they are now. As experienced in recent times, surgery will become even more complex and recovery times will shorten further. People will live longer and members of the public will continue to influence how health care is delivered – more so than ever before. We are already seeing a move towards patient-led audits of hospital environments and consultant comparisons and I can’t see this trend abating. I’m also very confident there will be more emphasis on self and community-led care. Across the healthcare sector there will be an increased focus on preventative medicine, which is about intervention and education to stop people becoming ill. I expect things to look very different indeed, even five to ten years from now.

TIMELINE 1984: Senior physiotherapist, Benenden Hospital, Kent 1998: Para medical services manager at Spire Washington Hospital 2009: Head of clinical services at Spire Washington Hospital 2013: Hospital director, Spire Washington Hospital

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WELL-BEING

Water, water everywhere Be Fit’s Antonia Pellegrino on the importance of H2O.

ehydration can affect the body in many ways, from fatigue to headaches, muscle pain and memory loss, constipation and even weight gain. I have seen so many people hydrating with cans of fizzy drinks and juices in this fabulous sunny weather we’ve been having. The best way to hydrate, though, is water. Your body will not detoxify fat, if the available H2O is being used up by every cell trying to keep you alive. Did you know that your brain is 74.5 per cent water, your skin is 70 per cent water, your connective tissue such as ligaments etc are 60 per cent water and your kidneys and liver are 86 per cent water? I have read many studies and thoughts about hydration. Some say we can get the water we need from foods and juices, but your body has to break them down before the water can by utilised. Factors such as climate, exercise and individual differences can affect how much water you need or can take on. If you are not used to drinking water, this may seem like a big task. However, in my opinion, most people do not drink

enough water. There is a fabulous book entitled Water by Dr. Batmangheldi if you want learn more about the science. In short, he states that water can help many ailments such as blood pressure problems, weight gain and memory loss, etc. I am of the opinion that prevention is better than cure. So before reaching for a headache pill, try a glass of water. Here is a nice little equation that may help you to reach adequate hydration. Take your bodyweight in KG and multiply by 0.044 (Therefore a 60kg person would have 60 x 0.044 = 2.64 litres per day) Divide this 2.64 litres by how many hours you’re a awake. (2.64 divided by 15 for example would be 0.176 or 176ml.) 176 ml is the same as half a can of cola. Not actually that much liquid per hour. So if this is your 'ideal' water goal for the day, just break it down into how much you need per hour. Many people that come to my kinesiology practice and for pain reduction stretches are very dehydrated. I even met one gentleman that had not had

a glass of water in five years, surviving only on coffee and cola! He was riddled with pain, inflammation, chronic digestive issues and was taking many medications. Dehydration can also really affect your flexibility. Tight muscles can equal pain and imbalance. If we have plants, pets or cars we make sure they have water. Water is so readily available and according to Dr. Batmangheldi, is the first point of call for any 'treatment' of pain or common conditions. Many people say to me, ‘I can't drink water or I will be on the toilet all day". My response is, 'Good! This is your body detoxifying!' Some people may say they do not like the taste of water. Try adding freshly squeezed lime, lemon or cucumber. Apart from all of the internal benefits, noticeable differences can be seen on the outside. For example: clearer skin, brighter eyes and fresher breath. For more information or to discuss your individual nutritional health goals, contact Be-fit on (0191) 213 5300.

As with any new dietary changes, please consult a doctor if you are concerned or unsure. The information in this article is not intended to 'treat' or 'cure' any conditions. As with all dietary advice, every individual is different, therefore adopt any changes gradually.

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SPORT

What’s happened to English Football? Box to Box Media’s Roger Tames asks why up-and-coming English footballers don’t feature in the nation’s current sporting success stories?

othing will quite equal 2012 and the London Olympic Games, but 12 months on, the country seems to be revelling in yet another dramatic summer of sport. By the second week of July we were already feeling drained by the tension of Justin Rose winning the US Open, The Lions powering their way to glory down under, a nerve-shredding opening Ashes victory by England, Chris Froome rocketing up mountains to win the Tour de France and the undoubted highlight of Andy Murray making sporting history. We now have a gallery of sporting heroes to admire and applaud as we wait eagerly for Jessica Ennis and Mo Farah to emulate their Olympic golden triumphs in the World Athletics Championships. There’s just one major blot on our impressive national sporting copybook. Our lengthening list of superstars does not include a single player from our national game. English football may be starting to suffer from the financial success of its own domestic competition, even though the last Premier

League campaign was more of a canter to the title for Manchester United than any kind of race. Our club sides lost their foothold in the Champions League and England’s football team is struggling at every level – Roy Hodgson’s first team still have plenty to do to guarantee qualification for the World Cup.

Equally disturbing is the abysmal showing in major competitions by both our Under 21 and Under 20 teams as our league structure is increasingly overwhelmed by overseas players who usually do represent better value in transfer fees and salaries. The Football Association must be concerned about these trends but the game is in the control of our clubs who too often have non-English owners or managers whose first concern is not England’s international prestige. Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard are two loyal, committed and highly skilled footballers worthy of any young fan’s adulation, but if Jack Wilshere’s career fails to live up to its massive potential, there are precious few forming a queue to become the next alleged golden generation. No wonder David Beckham is still idolised. The FA have an impressive, ballsy new chairman in Greg Dyke who is a genuine football fan never phased by tackling the biggest jobs. He’s certainly got an opportunity to make his mark on the future of English football. Meanwhile, make the best of the sports stars this summer.

My favourite golf hole ... In a new series for North East Times, Stephen Charlton of Stokoe Rodger reveals his top golfing locations. am one of six partners in the accountancy practice, Stokoe Rodger. We have two offices: Hexham and The Watermark, Gateshead close to the Metro Centre. Away from work and family my passion is golf. Over the years I have played at most courses in the North East, a number of seaside courses in Scotland and some of the Open Championship venues. But I alway love playing the 11th at my home course. Tyneside Golf Club is a parkland course located at Ryton Village. It has long been considered one of the premier courses in the North East and I have been a member there since the 1970s. The 11th hole is an elevated westerly facing tee and commands stunning views. Facing north, there is the River Tyne and the well cared for farmland of the Cheesbroughs’ (a long-standing client of my firm). Easterly, there is the sprawling outskirts of Newcastle; and down the hole is

Close House and its new course as well as the vista of the Tyne Valley – superb! At 355 yards, the hole isn’t long but invariably it’s played into the prevailing wind. The placement of the tee shot in the fairway is paramount; miss it to the left and a huge oak tree stands between you and the green, stray to the right and you’ll be contending with trees. The green is well protected: on the left by a bunker, beyond a bankside of thick foliage and to the right edge a deep ravine that is out of bounds. If you hit the fairway from the tee, the second shot can be anything from a seven iron to a sand wedge, dependent upon the wind. Even with the shortest of shots, with the flag tucked away near the ravine, there is no margin for error. The green itself is relatively flat so you might fancy your chances of holing a putt once you are there. Like many of Tyneside’s holes, the 11th, if played well, can be a birdie chance but hit a poor shot and it is a card-wrecker!

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SPORT

Golf Course Guide:

Bedlingtonshire Golf Club Bedlingtonshire Golf Club, nestling in SE Northumberland, celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2012. The Club was formed by the vision of the local council at the time when open-cast coal mining was coming to an end in the area and reclaimed land was available for development. The members purchased the facility from the council in 2008. The course covers 127 acres, 100 of which is reclaimed land which was restored and landscaped by Frank Penninck. All but three of the holes are part of the former open-cast coal site.

Location Situated 12 miles north of Newcastle on the A1068 and half a mile south of Bedlington town centre. The nearest mainline train stations are Cramlington and Morpeth, both less than 15 minutes taxi ride from the golf club.

in play on the left with a stand mature oak and horse chestnut at driving distance on the right.

Course type Parkland

Course record Facilities 64 The practice facilities are superb with a driving area where there are mats for wet weather practice, a practice bunker and pitching area, and a wonderful landscaped practice putting green. The Clubhouse, with a panoramic view over much of the course, offers a relaxing ‘19th hole’ atmosphere in which to have a drink, snack or meal under the watchful eye of the club's resident steward and catering team of James and Marion Logan who will be happy to serve you from their extensive menu. Visitors are always made welcome at the Bedlingtonshire!

Setting

Length of course Yellow tees: 6630 yards White tees: 6813 yards Red tees: 5664 yards

The course frequently hosts county events.

A word from the secretary John Laverick: "Bedlingtonshire is a tremendous course, beautifully manicured and picturesque especially during summer when rhododendrons are in full bloom: appreciated by members and visitors alike."

Contact

Longest drive The course lies in rural Northumberland with views west towards the Cheviot Hills in the distance and the acclaimed earth sculpture, Northumberlandia, a short distance away to the south.

Competitions

The 18th hole at 521 yards from the white tee. A great finishing hole.

Toughest hole Par 3 9th at 230 yards from the white tee. Depending on the wind direction, demands a driver!

Signature hole Par 4 13th at 403 yards from white tee. Woods

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Bedlingtonshire Golf Club, Acorn Bank, Hartford Road, Bedlington, Northumberland NE22 6AA Tel: (01670) 822457 Email: secretary@bedlingtongolfclub.com Web: www.bedlingtongolfclub.com

Prices/rates Green fees from £18 per round. Societies welcome - contact the Secretary for prices. Check website/tee booking for special deals.

INTERVIEW

Get to know me ...

John McCabe Managing director of strategy communications company, Round Table Solutions Ltd

When I was growing up, I wanted to be James Bond. I still do so if Barbara Broccoli is reading this and she thinks Daniel’s time is up, I’m ready and waiting for her call! Every time I go to a black tie function I do the gun-barrel walk in front of the mirror so there’s no doubt I’m up to the role.

My first job was a Saturday job stacking shelves when I was 16 years old. My first proper job was as a clerical trainee with Northumbrian Water. I spent the first six months in the revenue department where I discovered numbers weren’t really my thing, then I joined the PR department which, until then, had been something of a mystery to me. It was at the end of a corridor and it was usually covered in a thick fog of smoke emanating from George House’s pipe. George was the PR manager and he was quite a character. I think it was while watching a Test Match on the television in his office that I first thought, ‘I can do this’. From then on I’ve worked for and with some incredibly talented people and I hope I’ve picked up a few bits and pieces that will continue to stand me in good stead.

I’d tell my 18 year old self not to obsess about what I’d be doing at 40 but instead learn from the people I meet along the way; never stop learning; and take something

from every experience life throws at you, good and bad. Also to enjoy the league title that Liverpool had just won because they wouldn’t win another for a long, long time.

I’m inspired by ordinary people doing extraordinary things. The campaigners who never give up on what they believe in. I’m a Liverpool fan and the families of the 96 victims of the Hillsborough tragedy never allowed the establishment to get away with its lies and coverup. These people didn’t ask for the next 20-odd years of their lives to be taken over by legal battles. They just wanted their loved ones to go to a football match and return home safely. What they have done in campaigning for justice is exceptional and truly inspirational.

My great achievement, professionally, is hopefully still ahead of me. I’ve been very lucky in my career, usually managing to be in the right place at the right time without ever really having a proper plan other than, ‘one day, I’d quite like to run my own business’. That’s what I’m doing now and I’m thoroughly enjoying the challenge. It’s hard work of course but so it should be … nobody is going to pay me for just turning up! On a personal level, my greatest achievements are my three kids who are just what I would have aspired to be at the ages of seven, 14 and 16.

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When I need a helping hand, I talk to my ‘go to’ people. My wife, Kate, is at the top of that list. She has the most incredible sense of perspective and can bring great stability to even the most precarious of situations. I’ve also got some very special friends. They know who they are and I hope they know what they mean to me.

My favourite television show is The West Wing. American politics fascinates me and this was the fantastically idealistic story of Democratic President Bartlet and his staff. Bartlet was played by my favourite actor, Martin Sheen, and all seven series were beautifully written and directed. Apart from the President, my favourite character was Toby, the occasionally prickly, always combative, pie-loving communications director – I can’t think why his character would particularly appeal to me.

In my spare time, I love to play golf, cook or bake, enjoy date nights with Kate, practice my gun-barrel walk. And I tweet…a lot.

In five years’ time, I’ll be Bond, James Bond. For further information on Round Table Solutions, visit www.roundts.co.uk or follow @SolutionsRT on Twitter.