North East Times Magazine - July 2014 by North East Times Magazine

2014

£2.95

JULY

CONTENTS

July 2014 BUSINESS NEWS –

SAVE THE DATE –

Business events – mark them on your calendar.

NORTH EAST VIEW POINTS –

Thoughts from the region’s business community.

10 QUESTIONS FOR... –

Ross Grieve, Seaham Hall hotel.

ON THE MOVE –

New executive appointments.

THE LONG GAME –

Michael Leather, Leathers LLP.

STATE OF THE ART – COVER STORY –

Mike Lynch, Mike Lynch Advertising.

BUSINESS LUNCH –

104

Antico, Jesmond.

INTERVIEW –

110

Nadine Shah.

MOTORS –

114

CREDITS

Directors: Mike Grahamslaw, Mick O’Hare Commercial director: Martin Stout Editor: Alison Cowie Sales: Luccia Graham, Isa Dawson Editorial: Jessica Laing, Elise Rana Hopper, Beth Shailer Senior designer: John Haxon Feature photography: Chris Owens Photography: Kay Donnelly

Front cover: Mike Lynch, by Chris Owens. Office: Quayside - i4, Albion Row, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 1LL. | t: (0191) 265 7050 www.northeasttimes.co.uk | @NETimesmagazine Find us on issuu

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) 265 7050. 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. © 2014 Published by North East Times Ltd.

BUSINESS NEWS IN ASSOCIATION WITH

World Cup fallout What England’s early exit means for UK businesses.

ith England fans still reeling from the shock of the team being knocked out of the World Cup in the group stage for the first time since 1958, business rescue and recovery specialist Begbies Traynor has been analysing the economic impact of the country’s early exit. It is estimated that failure to reach the quarter final will cost the UK economy £1.2 billion with each England fan expected to have spent an additional £56 had the team been successful. Figures show that each England goal was worth almost £200 million to the economy. Among the worst World Cup losers are•:

Pubs and bars which account for 50 per cent of the loss; Brits were sinking 37m pints a day during England’s short-lived stay in Brazil and this is now expected to drop to 24m. Spending on all alcohol is forecast to drop from £114m per day to £38m Sports clothing firms face a potential shortfall of £300m due to over stocking of football-themed items such as shirts and flags. Fast food outlets: takeaway firm Domino’s estimate they would have delivered an extra 12 million pizzas. Bookmakers: the surge in betting activity when England qualify for the latter stages will now be quashed meaning bookies will

see around a 35 per cent drop in placed bets Supermarkets: economists predict they will miss out on a footballing feel-good windfall through reduced sales in food, alcohol and barbecue promotions Television and advertising: ITV and advertising agencies will miss out on a 5-10 per cent boost in advertising spend However, on the positive side, some businesses will benefit from England’s defeat. DIY stores, garden centres, travel agents and cinemas are all likely to see an upsurge as football fans abandon their TVs in favour of other leisure activities. *Sources: The Guardian; The Sunday Times; The FT.

BRIC markets uncovered

he region’s SMEs have attended a unique one-day event created to shed light on doing business in BRIC international markets, held by the ERDF funded NECC Access Programme. The free event, which took place recently at Gateshead’s Marriot Hotel, offered North East businesses the opportunity to consult experts on specific international trade issues regarding Brazil, Russia, India and China.

£14K For Alzheimer’s Society

taff from Newcastle Building Society has handed over almost £14,000 to the UK’s leading charity for people with dementia. Having chosen to support five different charities in the previous five years, employees at the building society’s head offices and branches voted to adopt Alzheimer’s Society as the dedicated charity for 2013/14.

Reaching the peak

Exclusive five-star corporate use

usiness guests looking for space and privacy are being offered the exclusive use of one of the North East’s most prestigious hotels. Seaham Hall hotel has recently extended its appeal to corporate clients by offering them sole and exclusive use of its function rooms, lounge, restaurant and suites for the duration of their visit.

Sunday for Sammy

From Sage to cake pops

enny Peng Gillender has created Peak Boutique, an online fashion store offering a range of carefully selected women’s clothing and accessories from a range of affordable brands. New products are added to the site daily.

he 2014 DVD of Sunday for Sammy has just been released and has been judged to be the best yet and features a stellar cast of North Eastern favourites, including Hebburn’s Jason Cook and Chris Ramsay.

former marketing manager of a FTSE 100 company has opened one of UK’s first cake pop shops.The newly opened Dream Pop Bakery in Monkseaton, North Tyneside, is the brainchild of Michelle Gibson, former marketing manager at Sage UK.

ElringKlinger boosts workforce

Cycle festival

Employers warned over holiday pay

eesside automotive parts manufacturer, ElringKlinger (GB), has welcomed a further 17 new recruits in the second wave of its recruitment drive this year. The appointments add to the company’s 190-strong workforce.

he Virgin Money Cyclone Festival of Cycling took place in the region last month. Set over four days, the festival attracted cyclists of all abilities, including a number of professional riders.

ewcastle-based accountants Robson Laidler LLP are warning employers to ensure they are calculating holiday pay correctly and that internal policies are in place following a number of recent legal challenges.

DIARY RESHORING: OPPORTUNITY FOR THE NORTH EAST

July

HSBC Team Valley HQ, Gateshead Tel: 0300 303 6322 Web: www.necc.co.uk/events-and-news Price: Free This seminar will look at the opportunity to bring work back to the North East that has previously been delivered overseas. As well as a Q&A panel, it will provide information for businesses considering reshoring and will include presentations from local companies who have successfully reshored their operations. Guests will also hear about Reshore UK – a new service to help bring business back to the UK.

LADIES LUNCH WITH ANGELA BEECROFT

LINKING BUSINESS WITH EDUCATION

Save the date Charity balls, business dinners and seminars.

MAZDA DRIVER EVENT July

19& 20 Jennings Mazda Middlesbrough Tel: 01642 256655 Web: www.jenningsmotorgroup.co.uk Price: Free

July

15 5

Framwellgate School, Durham Tel: 0300 303 6322 Web: www.necc.co.uk/events-and-news Price: Free This open event, open to all NECC members operating in the education sector and those operating in business, with an interest in influencing the education sector, aims to facilitate leaders from both sectors in the North East to network and make sustainable partnerships to, ultimately, deliver higher quality career guidance for students. Includes refreshments, a Q&A panel, workshops and guest speakers.

SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING FOR BUSINESS

July

175

Rockliffe Hall, County Durham Tel: 01325 729999 Web: www.rockliffehall.com/whats-on Email: enquiries@rockliffehall.com Price: £24.50 per person

St James’ Park, Newcastle Tel: (0191) 277 1625 Web: www.godigitalnewcastle.co.uk/businessusers/events Email: godigital@newcastle.gov.uk Price: Free

Guest speaker and clinical nutritionist, Angela Beecroft, will be hosting this helpful ladies lunch, where she will be sharing advice and tips on how to choose healthier food, make better diet choices and improve eating habits. Set in the hotel’s Orangery restaurant, the event includes a sparkling reception, a twocourse lunch and refreshments.

OPEN EVENT WITH JAMES AKRIGG

July

10 5

Northern Design Centre, Gateshead Tel: (0191) 500 7780 Web: www.entrepreneursforum.net Price: Free (members) £15+VAT (members’ guests) £50+VAT (nonmembers) This open event includes a talk from Microsoft’s head of technology for partners, James Akrigg, who will be helping guests get a better understanding of Microsoft’s technologies and how they will inspire the next generation of technology-enabled businesses. Includes demonstrations of some of Microsoft’s future innovations that will benefit small and medium sized businesses.

Aimed at driving enthusiasts and prospective customers, this two-day specialist driver event, organised by Jennings Mazda, part of the Motor Group, will give customers the opportunity to experience tailor-made, one-hour test drives with one of Mazda’s experienced drivers, in a Mazda model of their choice. Places for the event, which is scheduled to take place on July 19 between 9am5pm and July 20 between 10.30am4pm, are strictly limited. In attendance will be franchise manager of Jennings Mazda Middlesbrough, James Chorlton, pictured with the all-new Mazda3 model, which will be available to test drive at the event.

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

The aim of this full-day masterclass is to educate companies about using social media to gain more lead and win new business. Attendees will learn how to get the most out of social media platforms, such as Twitter and LinkedIn and understand media jargon and how and when to use it. Includes talks about time management, monitoring social media presence and how to create compelling content.

SPANISH NIGHT

July

20 5 Jesmond Dene House, Jesmond Tel: (0191) 212 3000 Web: www.jesmonddenehouse.co.uk Email: info@jesmonddenehouse.co.uk Price: £55 per person Jesmond Dene House’s head chef, Michael Penaluna, has teamed up with Granada winery, Nestares Rincon, and Enrique Avencio, the man behind Kaltur Olive Oil, to bring a taste of Spain to Newcastle. Guests will enjoy an evening of Spanish wine and authentic cuisine, including paella, manchego cheese and a selection of traditional desserts.

EVENT

Left to right: Paul McAteer (Sixty Six Estates), Nick McCormick (Santander) and Edward Spier (Landteam)

Nick Sladen (Sladen Estates) and David Charlton (Officers Club)

HTA Real Estate launch party The specialist property consultancy celebrates a successful start.

Russell Taylor (HTA Real Estate)

ew niche industrial property consultancy HTA Real Estate celebrated its official launch at the Bridge Tavern in Newcastle last month. The company has been formed by Russell Taylor, Nick Atkinson and Simon Hill â&#x20AC;&#x201C; who have extensive experience in the property industry. HTA Real Estate hosted the party, which was attended by 100 guests, to officially launch the business, and as a thank you to all their clients who have supported them over the first successful six months of trading.

Left to right: Tom Deevey (Bastion Security), Adam Serfontein (Hanro) and Caroline Deevey (Santander)

Left to right: Russell Taylor (HTA Real Estate), Simon Hill (HTA Real Estate) and Adrian Hill (Highbridge Properties)

Lisa Hunter (UK Land Estates) and Shirley Simpson (UK Land Estates)

Left to right: Andrew Creighton (Gladman), Adam Heather (DWF Solicitors) and Barry Nelson (Whittle Jones)

Left to right: Nick Atkinson (HTA Real Estate), Mark Thompson (Ryder Architects) and Paul Stiller (Stiller Transport)

OPINION

North East view points DOMINIC BOWSER

Local business men and women share their thoughts …

PERSONAL TRAINER SOUND MIND AND BODY

ACCESS PROGRAMME LEADER NECC

I’m not a massive fan of carrying round lots of books when I go away, so when I’m on holiday I love listening to TED Talks on the internet (www.ted.com). The short, powerful ’talks’ last around 18 minutes or less and can cover any topic like sports or science, so it’s a great way to take in new information without impacting too much on the holiday. There are playlists that run through popular talks and themes, making it easy to find my favourite topics or to try something different.

DAVID BROOKBANKS DIRECTOR LUDLOW STREET One book I’ll read this summer is #BrandVandals by Steve Earl and Stephen Waddington (the first book ever to have a hashtag in the title). The purpose is to get organisations to consider how they can protect their corporate reputations online, now anyone and everyone can have a voice through the rise of social media. Engagement is key and this is a bible on how to do it right so it will be good to have the space to read it in depth.

NYNZI MAUNG

I love books – buying, collecting, borrowing – but I’m a rotten reader, except on holiday, where I can spend hours immersed uninterrupted. I borrowed Lasting Damage by Sophie Hannah from a friend ages ago. The first ten pages immediately drew me in and scared me. I’m a wuss and even more so on cold winter nights. So I’ve saved it for my holidays; hot and sunny days on the beach surrounded by humanity – where I won’t be scared as I read on to find out who or what done it!

What will be your summer holiday read?

ROBYN WILSON OWNER WILSON BARBERSHOP CO I'll be revisiting a favourite set of books of mine this summer. Northern Lights, Subtle Knife and Amber Spyglass is a trilogy by Philip Pullman that I read years ago, and I love coming back to them. They're easy to read but it's also easy to get sucked into the story of Lyra and her dæmon Pantalaimon's journey, as they wander through a series of parallel universes – perfect for sitting by the pool. All I have to decide now is where my summer holiday will take place!

NICKY JOLLEY

SARAH HALL

FOUNDER HR2DAY

MANAGING DIRECTOR SARAH HALL CONSULTING LTD:

In running an HR consultancy we advise clients to try and create an environment where staff have a good work-life balance. We know holidays and down time are important for well being and productivity. That said, for me the first few days on holiday are really difficult – switching off doesn’t come naturally. It’s vital I have some vampire romances like Twilight, thrillers and James Herbert novels to read – they’re a real escape and give me the headspace where I can then formulate the best strategic decisions for the business.

I never really switch off so my summer read will be a book by social media thought leader Brian Solis called, The Complete Guide for Brands and Businesses to Build, Cultivate and Measure Success in the New Web. It’s kind of selfexplanatory but effectively, the book looks at how businesses need to engage customers in meaningful conversations and empower them to engage with marketing efforts. It has a foreword by Ashton Kutcher – what’s not to love?

BUSINESS

Lee Durham and Richard Lane.

Outsourcing sales: adding value to growth Contracting out the sales function – or outsourcing – is on the rise says Richard Lane, partner at Newcastle-based sales consultancy, training and coaching services firm durhamlane. ndustry reports suggest that more and more companies are looking to become even leaner and more focused on core areas of their business operations while outsourcing the sales function to external suppliers who can provide highly specialised expertise that delivers added value. This may seem an odd thing to do in a commercial world driven by sales, shareholder return and bottom line performances as the measure of success, but increasing numbers of those responsible for the sales function now see the real value of turning to outsourcing to better ‘sweat’ their assets. The rationale behind this is simple: today’s sales manager is far more savvy and better informed about business processes and increasingly receptive to new ways of doing business to drive growth and secure the customer base. For some, there’s also the fear that a large and expensive to maintain sales team doesn’t perform as hoped, failing to deliver the required return on investment. Also, the dynamics of recruiting and running sales teams are rapidly changing. Managing and motivating sales-minded people has increasingly become a full-time job in

itself for those trying to build a business, particularly for small to medium sized enterprises whose owners and managers have to deal with a myriad number of business issues and face huge constraints on their time. It will be particularly prevalent among those working for companies where the sales function is limited or completely non-existent – for instance, small nimble footed IT firms who might have plateaued and need to find new markets and outlets for their services in order to move to the next phase of growth but don’t want to invest in in-house sales. Owners and managers of these businesses value outsourcing as an accountable route to growth, producing a demonstrable and quantifiable return on investment through better quality sales lead generation. We are also seeing those at the top of the corporate ladder embracing the benefits of outsourcing as senior management throws off the shackles of the old traditional ways to engage in new business techniques – they see the value and are better prepared to sanction its use to galvanise people and resources for maximum effect and return. Outsourcing the sales process to experts who can add real value in the supply chain will

only continue to make huge strides in the next few years – a vital cog in the engine of economic development and creating new business growth for clients looking for high quality sales leads rather than relying on the endless rounds of scheduled appointments before trusting to luck when it comes to converting these into profit. durhamlane is a sales performance specialist which helps companies become more commercial by improving the performance of their people and by managing outsourced sales campaigns on their behalf – creating new business opportunities. It delivers a measurable difference through consultancy, training and coaching sales and non-sales people and embedding best practices through technology, delivering outsourced sales and business development services that increase the footprint and success of clients. Its proven Selling at a Higher Level methodology sits at the heart of everything its services, improving performance regardless of where a client is in the lifecycle of its business. For more information on durhamlane call (0191) 481 3800 or visit www.durhamlane.co.uk

INTERVIEW

10 questions for ...

Ross Grieve After working in some of the most prestigious hotels around the world, Ross Grieve joined Seaham Hall as general manger last year, tasked with revitalising the luxury hotel, restaurant and spa‘s fortunes.

What was your first break in business?

What attracted you to your current role?

What has been your career highlight?

And your career lowlight?

My working career started at the Ritz in London. This was during a huge period of investment which meant it was a fascinating time. I started as a trainee and turned my hand to the kitchen, restaurant, the famous Palm Court where the Afternoon Tea is served and cellar work – ultimately being promoted to assistant Palm Court manager.

Having enjoyed 10 years being responsible for the dayto-day running of The Chester Grosvenor, I was ready for a new challenge. I toyed with returning to London to work somewhere iconic, a brand new build project or a project to rebuild a reputation. I opted for Seaham which needed its reputation restored with investment and TLC from a customer service and standards point of view. It has been a labour of love restoring it to its former glories. We now have our five-star status restored and we won Small Hotel of the Year in 2013.

It’s difficult to choose as there have been a few! I really enjoyed my three years in Mustique in the Caribbean, which was a different way of life. I’m also enjoying driving Seaham Hall forward. I’ve been very fortunate to be part of hotels that have delivered and consistently achieved.

None, really. I took the wrong job on one occasion but the silver lining was that I met one of my industry mentors.

What do you enjoy most about your role? Every day is different. Obviously, I run core meetings and set the strategy of the business but after that, something will always come up that you didn’t foresee.

What's your biggest challenge?

Who are your heroes, in and out of business?

What is the best piece of business advice anyone has ever given you?

What does the future hold for Seaham Hall?

Undoubtedly, my current role. Seaham has struggled in recent years and we have had to take time to reposition the property and restore its reputation. More than ÂŁ2 million has been spent on refurbishment so far. This year we are looking to achieve 45 per cent growth in the business and I feel we have made a great start.

In business, Willy Bauer, the former MD of The Savoy in London. His drive for attention to detail and customer service was second to none, as was his desire to get the team to deliver the results. Out of business, Sir Alex Ferguson who was uncompromising in his desire to get the job done.

Have passion for what you do and strive for 100 per cent at all times.

The future is very bright. We are looking to build on the recent refurbishment programme which has included improvements in our ballroom, meeting rooms as well as the Byron Bar and Grill. We also have a new sports lounge, with a 9ft American pool table, table football and 80-inch plasma television. The Serenity Spa has also seen considerable investment, which ensures it remains at the top of its game. It was also recently voted in the top 100 spas worldwide.

What do you do to relax? Spend time with my very caring and supportive wife and two lovely children. Also an occasional game of golf, reading and following Dundee United.

www.seaham-hall.co.uk

APPOINTMENTS

On the Move Your monthly guide to appointments and promotions.

AVRIL LEACH HR2day, a Darlington-based company specialising in helping small and medium businesses understand where they are failing to comply with legislation, has appointed Avril Leach as business development manager. Avril joins the 18-month-old company with 28 years’ experience in liaising with and helping with the needs of clients in Manchester, Leeds and the North East.

CHARLOTTE TIMSON International development charity, Traidcraft, based in Gateshead, has appointed Charlotte Timson as director of international development and policy. Charlotte, who has worked in the global policy and programmes sector for the last 10 years, brings a wealth of experience to the role. Her previous roles include leading global programmes initiative on behalf of the Fairtrade Foundation and country director in Malawi for Christian Aid.

OLIVER HEBDON North East law firm, BHP Law, has appointed Oliver Hebdon as an employment law solicitor. Oliver, who studied law at Northumbria University and trained in St Albans and London, will travel to clients across the region from the firm’s offices in Newcastle, Stockton, Durham and Darlington. The 26-year-old will advise on a range of legal and practical issues for both individuals and businesses across a variety of industries.

PAUL WALKER

KIRSTEN MEANEY

ROB RUDD

Matfen Hall and Spa, Northumberland, has appointed Paul Walker as operations manager. Paul, who has previously held senior management positions at hotels across North Yorkshire, joins from Rockliffe Hall, Country Durham, where he spent three years as food and beverage manager. In his new role, he will be tasked with maintaining and raising standards across all areas of the operation.

Marketing company Horizonworks has appointed Kirsten Meaney as client marketing manager. Kirsten will be responsible for supporting the company’s regional and national clients in the delivery of their PR and marketing strategies. Prior to joining Horizonworks, Kirsten worked for construction specialist Carillion where she created and implemented marketing campaigns within the energy and education sectors.

Hartlepool-based building company, Gus Robinson, has appointed Rob Rudd as construction manager. Rob, who joins from house builder, Yuill Homes, brings more than 25 years’ experience to his new role, which will see him oversee the firm’s housing projects and major new build construction sites across the North East and monitor production efficiencies and health and safety across all construction sites.

BUSINESS

Growth and innovation The third event in the Entrepreneurs’ Forum’s series of Round Table discussions on topical business issues focuses on growth and innovation.

uests were invited to the latest Entrepreneurs’ Forum’s round table event to share their ideas and practices to show how innovation manifests in entrepreneurial organisations, to gain a better understanding of how entrepreneurs link growth with innovation and to help identify opportunities and challenges that innovation may bring. Chaired by the forum’s business development manager, Gillian Marshall, the event was held at AYO Digital’s headquarters at the Northern Design Centre in Gateshead. Expert opinion was offered by Professor Roy Sandbach, innovation strategy lead for the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, a former research fellow with Procter & Gamble and last year’s David Goldman Visiting Professor of Innovation and Enterprise at Newcastle University. Joining them around the table were Jane McCarthy, of Lansdowne Clinic; Graham Sleep, of Improvement Architecture; Steve Hale, of Shutter Media; Mark Ions, of Exclusive HR and Recruitment; Katherine Hay-Heddle, of Ward Hadaway; Mike Wilmot, of Parkdean Holidays; Nigel Begg, of Aspire Technology Solutions and Steve Purvis, of SGP Consulting.

Roy Sandbach: To me innovation is all about matching what's needed with what's possible. The idea of a general examination of opportunity is not something businesses can necessarily afford relative to their assets and business strategy. You only do innovation with a purpose. It can be anywhere: in products or services, in your business model, in marketing or sales. What's implicit is a dialogue and a definition of what you want; innovation requires a search for what you want.

Is innovation a key element of your overall company growth strategy and if not where does innovation sit within your organisation?

Graham Sleep: What's needed is step change. Through the tough economic times the companies that are coming to the fore now are the ones that kept investing and developing during downturn. I think it has to be continual.

Nigel Begg: As a business I think we are quite innovative. It's in our DNA but we don't have it as an agenda item. I feel our products and services are very different because we are always striving to do something better. It's part of how we operate.

Mark Ions: The size of the business makes a huge difference. As a small business you can be more nimble; you’re constantly looking to streamline your processes and at how you can use technology better. As a small business it allows us to stay ahead of some of the bigger corporates.

Gillian Marshall: Innovation isn't necessarily that lightbulb moment, it might be about general improvements or bringing costs down, because ultimately it has to hit the bottom line. If someone has an idea that's about doing things differently it can give you that cutting edge. Jane McCarthy: I'd like to raise the concept of disruptive innovation, that notion that as a business you are looking to please your customers but if you carry on that path you are likely to be taken over by smaller, more flexible businesses.

Mike Wilmot: We realised we could improve profitability by improving our product to our customers and by improving our people by investing in training. There's risk in that because if it doesn't work you've increased your cost base. We've always tried to be innovative – for instance, we were one of the first operators to include central heating and double-glazing in our caravan hire fleet. Last year we changed our operations so that all customers had their beds made in their accommodation for their arrival – previously we provided linen packs. This was a significant cost to us but it is paying back in increased repeat business. We asked ourselves how are we going to grow earnings and we put profit improvement plans in place. It was all about allocating who was responsible for doing what and when and this is now paying off with earnings growth. It's not serendipity.

stores and areas of high footfall such as where people come off escalators so we developed floor graphics for that which has led us into other areas. We had an existing client base and at the same time spent six months developing a new 3D product, which we took to the Watch and Jewellery Show to show people what they could do in their shops. Roy: And that's de-risking your business incredibly. That's innovation. What systems, regimes, criteria, incentives and rewards do you have to get innovation in your business? Graham: Part of it is unfreezing your organisation to be creative. The simple things like profit share work best because everyone has a stake then, but there has to be rules around it. Small businesses are good at disruptive innovation but not necessarily continuous improvement.

How do you get people to come up with ideas, to be entrepreneurial and innovative? Roy: You must try to bring into the culture a sense of taking things on but always ensure a relatively managed framework with boundary conditions. Focus on your core competency - what is it that you're really, really good at? Start-ups are driving their business through sales but in middle size companies it's a question of looking at what you are really good at and seeing where those assets can be used innovatively to drive broader revenues that can run parallel with the core business so overall the business is de-risked.

Steve P: When you’re growing you worry about keeping an eye on the core business so you put processes in place that stifle innovation. It’s only when you get bigger that you can encourage innovation again. Conclusions …

Steve Purvis: As you grow you benefit from economies of scale but you carry a higher cost base so you are at risk from innovation from below. As entrepreneurs and true innovators you mustn't care about money. Take Google - they took a long term view on the basis that the money would come if the product was genuinely good and new. We say go and do it; 90 per cent of it will be rubbish but the one per cent that gets through will be commercialised. It's a big hopper at the top to get the golden gem at the bottom.

Roy: First, sustaining innovation in the core of a mature business requires something different. Consider the simple, little delighters that will take that existing business and make people think “they really understand me!”. If you can identify what these delighters are, then you can do it again and again. Second, culture plays a big part. Without those at the top saying ‘we are going to innovate and make our product or service better’ the organisation will not respond. And you have to consider some kind of reward scheme. Third, you may have special “serial innovators”. There is some great work being done in universities in the context of identifying who those people are and how to stroke them. Finally, getting to the innovation boundaries gives you the best bang for your buck. The challenge is to get your organisation to the boundary and let them think “I can spend time there”. You don’t know what you don’t know until you get there ... and you might turn up something discontinuous for your business.

Katherine Hay-Heddle: Leighton Group has a culture that enables employees to take that risk. I'm sure they see a lot that wouldn’t be viable but then up comes SaleCycle, a great business that's growing really quickly. It came out of one guy coming up with an idea and asking 'can I do it as part of my job?'.

Gillian: As a region we punch above our weight in terms of innovation. In the Forum, we visit lots of businesses on industrial estates and business parks across the region and innovation is everywhere. We meet some fantastic entrepreneurial and innovative businesses every day, which should encourage us all.

Steve Hale: Our idea for roller shutters happened because we realised there was space people were walking past that could be utilised. That led us into

To find out more about the Entrepreneurs’ Forum and its future events, visit www.entrepreneursforum.net

Graham: For me it's about the board and senior managers being on board. As the business grows their role to sponsor any of this becomes critical. It's those people who need to buy-in first. It's definitely the greatest barrier and it's about influencing them.

BUSINESS

The benefits of workforce?

healthy

By Rod Findlay, consultant at Your Sport Consulting.

port England issued figures last month that showed that the number of people in England participating in sport once a week had significantly increased. The overall record breaking number was 15.6 million over-16s, which was an increase of 180,000 since October 2013. Sport England measures sport participation through an Active People Survey, which telephones over 160,000 people each year to calculate national and local figures. The figures help inform the investment of £300 million a year of lottery and government funding into grassroots sport. These figures are good news for the nation and are also positive for individuals and businesses. Your organisation can help promote them within your workforce to maximize those benefits.

Individual benefits There have been many studies, which have shown the benefits of regular exercise for an individual. It would be surprising if people were not aware of the most obvious. Whatever your age, there's strong scientific evidence that being physically active can help people lead a healthier and even happier life. It reduces weight and can reduce the risks of major illnesses and of early death. Exercise helps with emotional health and people also feel better about themselves when they exercise regularly, which can boost confidence and improve self-esteem. Regular physical activity can also improve muscle strength and boost endurance, giving people more energy at work and at home. Further, regular physical activity can help your staff fall asleep faster and deepen their sleep, which can help energy and mood levels. You

might not spend time thinking about your team’s sleep but the more they have, the better it is likely to be for you.

have football, netball, rounders or other sports teams, which help health but also boost team spirit. Events like the Sunshine Run in Newcastle generally have a good corporate uptake, which might be something your staff would like to do together. It is also important to recognise that an organisation has a responsibility to protect the health of its workforce while in employment. The common law and statutory requirements do not go as far as requiring exercise programmes but incorporating them into your workforce strategy demonstrates a concern for staff. If you have a staff canteen or vending machine you might also offer your employees healthy meal and snack options.

What could you do to help?

The benefits to business

There are many initiatives that your firm could adopt to help your staff to exercise and to be more healthy. One of the sports to increase participation the most is cycling and this will have been helped by the Bike to Work Scheme. If you don’t offer this already then it is a simple process and can make buying a bike much more affordable. Most businesses can’t afford to pay for everyone’s gym membership, but what you can do is call your local gym and ask them if you can get a corporate discount. You might also make it easier for staff to exercise around the work day. Often, when someone is asked why they don’t exercise the response is, “I don’t have enough time”. You could help by allowing flexible time with longer lunch breaks or by introducing a shower in the office to allow people to run or cycle to work. There are many other suggestions such as starting a company sports team. Many companies

The benefits for the individual above sound like the sort of thing most businesses would want their employees to enjoy. Not just for altruistic reasons but because healthy staff are likely to take less time off work and may be more productive in the office – employees may be more alert. Most employees would feel better about their job if you express an interest in their health. Employees are more likely to be attracted to, remain with, and value a company that obviously values them. It’s also important to consider the effect of healthy employees on your company’s image and influence in the community. By supporting the health of your employees, your organisation is demonstrating a certain degree of social responsibility, which will build your reputation as an organization that supports its workforce. Your company can help promote the health of its workforce and next time the Active People figures are published you can feel that you have played a small part in the overall numbers.

EXPERT VIEW Rod Findlay Consultant Your Sport Consulting Email: rodfindlay@yoursportconsulting.com Twitter on @rodfindlay

BUSINESS Left to right: Stephanie Ringland, Matt Hindhaugh (Oxford Innovation) and Julie Ringland.

Room to grow Family-run business Coquet Cottages seeks support from Oxford Innovation. he mother and daughter behind Northumberland-based luxury holiday letting agency, Coquet Cottages, are looking to add to their unique property portfolio after completing a business growth support programme. Julie and Stephanie Ringland already manage 55 holiday homes in the county but after receiving specialist coaching under the Business Northumberland High Growth Programme the pair are well set for expansion. Northumberland-born Julie, who established Coquet Cottages in 1998, said: “Demand for our properties has never been greater so it was important we prepare ourselves and the business for expansion, that’s why I turned to the Business Northumberland High Growth programme for support. “Thanks to the programme we’ve attended free courses to improve our understanding of social media and to develop our sales and marketing techniques and we’ve had the support of a dedicated business coach who has positively challenged our entire approach to how we run the business.” The programme forms part of Business Northumberland, which offers established and start-up businesses in the county fully-funded support to maximise their growth potential. Oxford Innovation, the UK’s leading coaching company, is delivering the high growth programme on behalf of Arch, The Northumberland Development Company and Northumberland County Council. The £1.35m programme is funded by the European

Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Oxford Innovation business coach Matt Hindhaugh worked alongside Julie and Stephanie and he is confident about the future of their business: “Coquet Cottages is set to take its place at the forefront of the Northumberland tourism sector with its portfolio of stunning holiday homes and by supporting the employment of so many people in the service, hospitality and retail sectors. “Julie and Stephanie really embraced the concept of coaching so my role wasn’t to tell them how to manage what was already a successful property portfolio, it was to support them in introducing innovative techniques to owning and running a high growth business.” As Coquet Cottages are available throughout the year, the company provides work to more than 60 local cleaners, housekeepers, builders and other support staff. Northumberland’s shops, restaurants and bars also benefit from the firm’s all-year-round traffic of high-spending guests, over half of whom are repeat visitors. All Coquet Cottages’ properties that have been assessed by the national tourism authority, VisitEngland, have been awarded four or five stars and the firm has the highest proportion of Gold Award-winning cottages of any holiday letting agency in the country. Julie is delighted with the support she has received from the Business Northumberland High Growth Programme, commenting: “We’re very much a family business that enjoys excellent relationships with our clients. It’s taken a lot of hard work to get to where we are

but Matt has shown us how we can grow the business while retaining our core values and niche offering.” Since the launch of the Northumberland programme in April 2013, 55 client companies have been supported by Oxford Innovation’s team of expert coaches, recording between them a £5.3 million increase in turnover and more than 60 jobs created or protected. Mike Jobson leads the programme on behalf of Oxford Innovation. He said: “Coquet Cottages is the latest in a line of Northumberland businesses to see the benefits of coaching. Our programme is provided to clients at no charge and I would urge any firm with growth potential in the county to contact us for an initial chat about their business and about how coaching could potentially support their growth strategy.” Oxford Innovation’s methods have also proved successful elsewhere in the UK, where the organisation has worked with over 2500 high growth businesses. And despite the challenging economic circumstances of recent years, Oxford Innovation has helped its clients across the UK access over £100 million of funding, creating or safeguarding more than 2000 jobs. Anyone wishing to find out more about the Business Northumberland High Growth Programme and how Oxford Innovation can potentially support their business should call (01670) 528403, email northumberland@oxin.co.uk or visit www.oxinnorthumberland.com.

BUSINESS

Seven deadly sins of

interviews

Bryony Gibson, managing director of Bryony Gibson Consulting, offers advice on the mistakes to avoid when attending a job interview.

When trying to find somebody the perfect job, I spend a lot of time offering support and advice on everything from salary expectation to CV style, market advice to interview technique. There are many variables that affect the success of a job search, but in terms of the job seeker, the most important ingredient is undoubtedly the interview. It’s the moment when you discover if the chemistry is right; you find out whether you fit with an organisation in terms of job demands, expectations, aspiration, attitude, personality and organisational culture. Your mood, nerves and the level of pressure you place upon yourself will play a huge role in how you perform on the day, but there are a number of simple ‘sins’ you can avoid to dramatically increase your chances of success:

EXPERT VIEW Bryony Gibson Managing director Bryony Gibson Consulting Tel: (0191) 375 9983 Web: www.bryonygibson.com Twitter: @bryonygibson

feel for the working environment. If it’s corporate, you require a suit. If it’s less formal, perhaps you don’t need a jacket or tie; what is certain is that if you don’t know, make sure you go overdressed rather than under!

Negativity Spontaneity Great in life, but in a job interview it’s the old adage ‘if you don't prepare, prepare to fail’ that rings true. I know it’s obvious, but even organising your travel in advance will help keep stress levels down and allow you to be yourself. If there's a presentation, rehearse it. If there’s a competency test, think about the likely questions and work out what you want to get across and how you will structure your answers. The more you plan, the more comfortable and relaxed you’ll feel on the day.

Slovenly First impressions are crucial and if you’re not dressed appropriately it will have a big bearing on the outcome. Do some research and get a

Prospective employers avoid those who drain energy and cause disharmony. Without wanting to sound patronising, your aim is to show that you’re exactly the opposite. Arrive with an optimistic outlook. Talking as if your glass is half-full combined with strong and positive body language will show you are someone who is both confident and sees opportunities.

Arrogance Your interview is the chance to sell yourself, but try not to come across as too confident; arrogance is not a trait many employers look for. You want to demonstrate that you not only have the ability to do the job, but will add value to their existing team. Although it’s sometimes a fine line, by simply being courteous and

polite, not interrupting or taking yourself too seriously, you can still show confidence but with humility.

Ignorance There’s a temptation to squeeze in everything you want to get across, regardless of the questions – resist it. To be successful you need to listen carefully to what it is you are being asked. Too often people regret the way they rushed in to a question or brief. If you don’t get the opportunity to share key points don’t panic. You can offer them at the end and, provided they’re relevant, they will show you are right for the role and understand its requirements.

Diffidence Job interviews are particularly difficult for those who suffer from shyness, but being timid portrays a lack of confidence and will restrict you from achieving your potential. Preparation is again key. Focus on your strengths and by preparing responses to typical interview questions and having some pre-prepared questions to ask of your own, you will be able to overcome it.

Apathy Interviews are a two-way process. You both need to decide whether or not you think you have a future together, so even if you’re not yet passionate about the business, show you’re passionate about what you do. Following any interview you should make sure you get feedback as, like everything in life, if you don't evaluate what happened, you will never improve.

EVENT

Managed Print event Concept Group share its solutions with clients â&#x20AC;Ś

hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no substitute for getting out and about, meeting people, and making connections as Concept Group found out at their Managed Print event on Tuesday June 17 at St. James Park. Clients experienced firsthand, the unique products that Concept can offer which support businesses in our ever-changing workplace. Managing print output, creating adaptable documents, electronic storage and retrieval systems and mobile print were a few of the solutions shared. Contact Concept Group on (0191) 273 8111 for further details, or visit www.concept-group.co.uk

MEDIA

Reputation matters Professional services firms face a number of key challenges when it comes to developing and implementing their marketing strategies. Horizonworks’ Samantha explains how these can be met head-on.

rofessional services firms, whether they work in law or finance, are often long established, and part of the fabric of their local business communities. In other cases, they are the new kids on the block, offering what they

perceive to be a fresh approach. However, they all face a similar challenge when it comes to marketing, in that they don’t offer a ‘product’ in the traditional sense. ‘Hot shot’ legal advice or guidance on tax affairs can’t be packaged in glitzy

wrapping paper. Nor can it be bought off a supermarket shelf. What they do offer is the expertise of their staff, the concept that whatever your issues or problems – be they financial or legal, domestic or commercial – you and your

business are in safe hands. So any marketing strategy for a professional services firm must focus on engendering a sense of trust in the firm among its clients and prospective clients – and both affirming and building its reputation in its target market sectors. This can be achieved through a range of methods, but evidence is an important component: testimonials and case studies, for instance can be used to illustrate how a firm’s services can benefit clients. Partners and key staff are often respected authorities in their fields – whether that’s tax law, succession planning, divorce or asset management. Promoting them as experts, via regional and national consumer press, and trade publications, builds both their profile and trust in their professional standing. At Horizonworks we have worked with a number of professional services firms, creating strategies tailored to them and using tactics appropriate to their markets. Take David Gray Solicitors LLP for instance. The North East-based full service law firm has, over its 30 years, built up a formidable reputation within the legal services market, with a top tier classification in the Chambers UK Directory and the Legal 500. The company wanted to promote itself as a leading law firm in its fields and target its key markets of Newcastle and South Shields. We developed a refreshed brand David Gray Solicitors, which was designed to capture the company’s values and relate to both private and business clients, and this activity was integrated with a long-term

promotional campaign, using advertorials and news articles, to raise its profile via specific regional media channels. Another example of our work in the professional services field is our on-going campaign for bespoke discretionary investment management practice Vertem Asset Management. The firm, which is headquartered in Newcastle, employed Horizonworks to

develop and implement its PR and marketing strategy and to raise its profile regionally and nationally – we’ve achieved this through a number of methods, including securing advice articles, authored by its investment managers in leading North East newspapers and business publications, creating and managing advertising campaigns, and producing e-marketing material for the firm.

For firms who have gone under a larger corporate umbrella, it can be a challenge to present themselves as a local company offering a personal service – even if they have retained their long-standing clients and have a loyal customer base. Obviously, being part of a larger, national group can have its advantages, but it can also dilute the brand and de-emphasise the values of well-established firms. Recently Horizonworks undertook a rebranding exercise for South Shields-based PGS Law (formerly Patterson Glenton and Stracey) to coincide with its move away from the Quality Solicitors franchise. Our work focused on positioning PGS Law as a leading independent North East law firm, with strong roots in the region (the company dates back more than 135 years) but with a contemporary outlook. The results of this rebrand – which include a new website (www.pgslaw.co.uk) capture a confident firm proud of its past and looking forward to a bright future. These are just some of the examples of how Horizonworks can take professional services firms from strategy to delivery, reinforcing their already hard-won reputations, and providing the architecture for future growth. We are experts in building trust – and the companies we’ve worked with have trusted us to do just that. Samantha Davidson is managing director of Horizonworks. For more information, tel: 08450 759955, email: hello@horizonworks.co.uk or visit www.horizonworks.co.uk

LEGAL & FINANCIAL NEWS

Epic mining deal Ward Hadaway advises on a £14.7m private equity deal.

aw firm Ward Hadaway has advised on a £14.7 million private equity investment in the mining sector. The UK Top 75 firm provided legal advice to West Cumbria Mining on the multi-milion investment in the company by Australianmanaged private equity fund EMR Capital Resources Fund 1, LP. West Cumbria Mining will use the funding to support the next stage of development at its Whitehaven Coking Coal Project (WCCP), which aims to create a large-scale mining operation in the

Whitehaven area. The WCCP is a 200 sq km area located adjacent to the south of, and contiguous with, the Haig Colliery in Whitehaven, from which millions of tonnes of high quality coking coals were extracted from 1914 until it closed in 1986. West Cumbria Mining wants to create a large scale underground coking coal operation at the site extending offshore, with access via onshore drifts. Gavin Maddison (pictured), corporate partner at Ward Hadaway, led the law firm's team advising West Cumbria Mining on the

investment, with support from corporate associate Catherine Hinchliffe. Gavin said: "We are delighted to have assisted West Cumbria Mining on this significant investment in the company from a leading player in this specialist sector. "Our experience and track record of advising on private equity transactions, including those with an international element, and our ability to call on the expertise of specialists from within Ward Hadaway ensured that we were able to help West Cumbria Mining complete the financing successfully.

Mincoffs appoints commercial property solicitor

Local law firm celebrates

Walker Morris wins tender

ewcastle Law Firm Mincoffs has appointed solicitor Chris Elliott to its Commercial Property team. Chris has more than 12 years of experience in commercial property law and has acted in a wide variety of property transactions from multi-million pound acquisitions and disposals to leases of high street units and acting for a wide range of different clients. Chris said: “I am delighted to join Mincoffs and am already enjoying working in such a respected commercial law firm which has a great client base. The firm is well placed to go from strength to strength in commercial property.”

ealth and social care solicitors, Hempsons, has been named Legal Advisor of The Year at the Health Investor Awards, in the Public Transaction category for our work for the NHS Trust Development. The law firm, which has offices in Forth Banks, Newcastle, took the lead advisory role on the dissolution of the trust under the first Trust Special Administration – the most significant transaction in the public healthcare sector in 2013. Hempsons’ partner Christian Dingwall said: “We are delighted to have won this award as recognition of our expertise and the results we achieve day in, day out, for our clients.”

eesside law firm, Walker Morris has been appointed to the Legal Service Panel for the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) following a successful tender. Established a decade ago, CPI is a not–orprofit organisation, funded by the EU and UK government. Its role is to help the UK manufacturing sector be competitive in the global environment by accelerating the process of innovation from the ideas stage to delivery to the commercial market. The appointment, which will last for two years, will see Walker Morris and the other legal panel members work with the in-house team to provide additional legal support and expertise as required.

LAW & FINANCE

Business Property Relief Ian Lowes, managing director of Lowes Financial Management looks at a possible way to reduce your inheritance tax bill.

ith many Alternative Investment Market (AIM) shares qualifying for Business Property Relief (BPR) and, since the ISA rules were changed, also able be held in an ISA, this means that ISAs with the right shares under the bonnet can now offer inheritance tax (IHT) exemption, as well as tax-free income and growth. With the nil rate band frozen at £325,000 and, according to figures from the Halifax and the Nationwide, house prices continuing to rise, more and more people are finding that BPR can give them a way to reduce or eliminate the inheritance tax bill their families are going to face on their estate. First introduced in 1976, BPR was designed to provide business owners with the opportunity to transfer a business or an interest in a business and receive up to 100 perfect IHT relief on that transfer. As such it was a means to ensure that family businesses could be passed down from generation to generation without being sold or broken up to pay tax. However, the relief is not restricted to business owners and over the past decade, by investing in BPR-qualifying investments run by professional fund managers, and using pooled investment such as Enterprise Investment Schemes (EIS), a wider range of investors have been able to take advantage of the options BPR offers when it comes to managing their IHT liabilities. The general principle of BPR has been that ‘relevant business property’ will receive full relief from inheritance tax (IHT). The types of business property that may attract the relief include:

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

• A trading business, or an interest in one – such as a partnership • Unquoted shares in a trading business, even a minority holding • Shares in some companies listed on AIM A prime advantage BPR offers is that assets qualify for IHT exemption once they have been held for just two years, rather than the seven years that is needed for most gifting and trust arrangements. In addition, BPR investment will allow holders to retain full access to their capital and control over it. This is a distinct advantage over traditional types of estate planning, where the settler has to give away their property, either directly or into trust, and then does not have the option of taking it back if their circumstances change. However, BPR-qualifying investments will only be exempt from IHT if they are still owned by them at the time of their death.

However, this does not mean the money is stuck in the one investment once made. HMRC’s replacement property rule allows for the sale of a BPR-qualifying asset and reinvestment of the proceeds of the sale in a new BPR investment within three years while qualifying immediately for the relief. Also, if the holder dies before they have had their BPR investment for two years, they can leave it to their husband or wife and the same time frame remains, i.e. the surviving spouse doesn’t have to start over again and wait another two years. Investors wanting to take advantage of BPR through their ISA need to bear in mind that the AIM-listed shares must be held directly in the ISA, rather than through a unit trust or mutual fund. Also they may not be able to sell their BPR investments as quickly as they would like to, since shares listed on AIM can take longer to sell than shares listed on the main stock exchange. It is important to point out that the relief is granted on a case-by-case basis and HMRC will only decide if it is going to grant the relief after the shareholder has died. For this reason, it is essential to consult an Independent Financial Adviser who is experienced in using BPR in relation to IHT mitigation and who can give advice on its use as part of an overall estate planning strategy that might also include trusts, gifts and life insurance. Used appropriately, for the right people, BPR is just one solution than can be an effective part of an overall strategy that serves to ensure more of your hard earned assets go to your loved ones rather than the government.

LAW & FINANCE

Navigating the philanthropy journey By Emma Turner, head of Client Philanthropy at Barclays Wealth and Investment Management.

The North East is one of the most charitable regions in the UK, according to recent research from Barclays, with 59 per cent of high net worth individuals in the area planning to give to charity during their lifetime. This is higher than any other region. While this indicates that the North East is a hub of charitable activity, for those who want to become involved in giving, the biggest challenge can often be getting started. With so much information out there, it’s often difficult for would-be donors to know where to begin. Having recently developed a comprehensive guide for our clients on the subject, entitled Philanthropy: Your Guide to Giving, Barclays knew there was a demand for practical, step-bystep advice on the complete philanthropic journey, from choosing a charitable cause, to creating a lasting legacy. The most common – and perhaps the most crucial – question we hear among our local clients, and the one I would like to answer in this article is: ‘I want to do something, but where do I begin?’ It is a perfectly legitimate question. Yet, to answer it we need to consider more questions. For instance, what would you like to achieve or change? How hands-on do you want to be? How much do you want to give, and what other resources and skills beyond money do you bring, or have access to, that could be of interest to charitable causes?

EXPERT VIEW Emma Turner Head of Client Philanthropy Barclays Wealth and Investment Management Web: www.barclays.com/wealth

Reflecting on questions like these will help to clarify your thinking and to set some broad parameters for the journey ahead. Once these parameters have been set, the natural next step would be to think about the kind of cause you want to support. For some this decision may be entirely obvious because of a long-held personal passion or concern. But for many it will involve a complex set of choices, and working out where to focus early on can seem a somewhat overwhelming or confusing task. In our view there are a few factors to consider around your potential choice, which may help you to narrow things down at the outset. Perhaps one of the most vital of these is that the cause you ultimately adopt is one that you care deeply about, and that inspires some passion in you. What have you always cared or worried about? What makes you angry or frustrated

when you learn about it or see it? What social, environmental, or health problem, for example, inspires you to want to find a solution or to contribute to its prevention? Similarly, are you interested in a particular group of people, community or demographic? Whatever it is, it needs to be able to retain your interest over time, and that means that it will probably be built upon some foundation stone of emotion or connection that is meaningful to you personally. Of course you may wish to support more than one cause. If this is the case, you may need to reflect on the amount of money and time you have to devote to your giving and consider what level of change can be achieved if your efforts and funding are stretched in this way. Will your impact be diluted for example? Many philanthropists say that this type of rigorous assessment done in the early phase of your journey will save you considerable time in the future. By addressing these questions squarely and practically, my hope is to bring down some of the barriers to giving that we face. Embarking on your own philanthropic journey can be a hugely rewarding, exciting and enjoyable experience and the aim is to open this up to a much wider audience through the new guide. If there are those who are a bit stuck on the edge of the pool, then I hope this introduction will take them to the shallow end so that they can enjoy the water.

Barclays offers wealth and investment management products and services to its clients through Barclays Bank PLC and its subsidiary companies. Barclays Bank PLC is registered in England and authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Registered No. 1026167. Registered Office: 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP.

LAW & FINANCE

Expanding horizons Peter Cromarty reveals how Bibby Financial Services is helping UK importers and exporters trade overseas with confidence.

he North East is continuing to build on past successes in international markets, with a broad and skilled workforce alongside strong infrastructure. North East businesses are equipped to have a global reach if they can take advantage of opportunities to distribute and promote their goods and services to the international marketplace. However, many businesses in the region – and further afield – face difficulty in realising their ambitions to trade overseas due to a lack of working capital, preventing them from generating and fulfilling orders. British products and services are in great demand, from paint and packing foam through to valves and chemicals, but some businesses struggle to obtain the necessary support to expand and transact internationally with confidence. There is support available for businesses considering international trade, either for the first time, or those wishing to expand their trading horizons. Bibby Financial Services offers two Trade Finance products, the detail of which can be tailored depending on the circumstances of the business.

Purchase Funding with Invoice Finance

Export Factoring For companies looking to export products and services, Export Factoring provides a straightforward finance solution.

It releases cash tied-up in outstanding invoices within 24 hours, be these from domestic or overseas customers. Crucially – unlike traditional forms of finance – funding grows as a business’s order book grows. We have an international network of offices allowing us to work in different time zones, in addition to a multi-lingual team based in the UK. Importantly, our team understand the cultural differences of diverse trading markets, regardless of where this is in the world. The team works with debtors in over 100 countries, including emerging markets such as BRIC and MINT nations, and we look for ways to provide funding earlier in the trading cycle releasing cash sooner to clients – all confidentially, if desired. Furthermore, we can provide bad debt protection to give our clients the confidence they need to work in overseas markets, protecting against customer insolvency and inability to pay.

In this case, we pay suppliers in full at the point goods are shipped. We can also fund transportation, VAT and duty, providing steady cashflow and enabling larger onward contracts to be fulfilled. At the point of their customers invoicing, we can provide our clients with a percentage of the value to help with cashflow. Alternatively, we can fund the initial payment of suppliers only, without the invoice finance component, which is referred to as Purchase Funding. Of paramount importance to our team is the service provided to our clients. For clients that have not exported or imported before, or those looking to increase their international trade capabilities, finding the right funding and the best local knowledge can be daunting. This is why we build our solutions around our clients by providing a dedicated client manager. Bibby Financial Services Trade Finance continues to go from strength-to-strength with new client turnover exceeding £150 million in 2013. To find out more about Trade Finance or other products and services, contact Peter Cromarty, head of Sales, Bibby Financial Services North East on 07590 355147 or by email: PCromarty@bibbyfinancialservices.com

LAW & FINANCE

David’s view David Waugh is a partner at Rowlands Accountants, providing specialist support to SMEs. Here, he looks at the economic climate and how the practice is well placed to help those looking to grow. Having grown and sold your own accountancy practice in the past, how has this experience enhanced your work at Rowlands? Before I joined Rowlands I had a small practice providing general accountancy, tax and bookkeeping services to a wide range of ownermanaged businesses. The nature of the business began to change with the introduction of self-assessment, the relaxation of the requirement for audited accounts and the introduction of fixed penalties for late filings. I foresaw that this was going to lead to a reduction in work as most companies would not want audited accounts if not mandatory, and that work would peak around filing deadlines. Coupled with the fact that the various accountancy bodies were introducing additional regulatory measures, I felt that the days of the small accountancy practice were numbered.

How has this experience enhanced the service we are able to offer? I have seen at first-hand the escalation of administrative tasks that small businesses have to manage and I have also experienced the growing pains that come with the territory. This has helped me realise that clients not only need someone to fill in the entries on their

tax return but they also need a trusted adviser who is there to help guide them at times and to stand by and support at others.

You advise on numerous company acquisitions and sales. How is this market faring and what do you expect the next six to 12 months to bring? In my client bank there are certainly more sellers than buyers right now. There has definitely been an increase in optimism and I have noticed a number of clients at the smaller end of the market looking to sell, although sales values still seem depressed. I think this will continue for a good 12 months and values will improve only when the client can demonstrate sustainable profits at a reasonable level. Additionally I don’t see many clients looking to buy at the moment and there certainly seems to be little appetite for taking on additional borrowings to finance acquisitions and a definite lack of finance available for any management buy-out opportunities.

What makes Rowlands Accountants different to other regional practices? We are one of a handful of medium-sized regional practices delivering a first-class, comprehensive service to SMEs in the North

East. Our big differentiator is that we have a network of offices from which we can offer support throughout the full business lifecycle. What’s more, we can match the specialist expertise of the international firms, without the accompanying price tag.

You are a Freeman of the City of Newcastle – how did that come about? Unfortunately I have been unable to find out! It is more likely that my ancestor was an apprentice to a middle-class tradesman and upon completion of his apprenticeship he was granted Freeman status enabling him to trade within the city boundaries. It’s an honour that today mostly passes through inheritance.

What does the future hold for North East SMEs? I think there may be uncertain times ahead for North East SMEs. The upturn in the economy seems to be more prevalent in the south and concerns have already been voiced about the possible adverse effect of Scotland devolving from the UK. My advice would be to embrace technology and look outside the North East for new market opportunities. For more information on Rowlands, visit www.rowlandsaccountants.co.uk

LAW & FINANCE Left to right: Paul Crawley, Gwen Jones, Gordon Brown, Joy Heron and Richard Brown

Team building Gordon Brown adds to its commercial property department.

ewcastle and Chester le Streetbased Gordon Brown Law Firm has seen its commercial property department expand once again with the second appointment in just two months. Gwen Jones took up her new role in May as commercial property solicitor. The 32-year old – who is originally from Swansea but now lives in County Durham – joins recent recruit Paul Crawley in the commercial property team, which is headed up by Gordon Brown himself. Gwen began her legal career with Ward Hadaway where she started out as a commercial property paralegal in 2007, and shortly after qualified as a commercial property solicitor in 2011 with Mincoffs Solicitors. Gwen said: “Since I first caught the commercial property bug, I’ve really enjoyed the variation that the role brings. I’ve been

fortunate that I have already gained a wide range of experience in the sector, having dealt with commercial property matters for everything from individuals and local businesses to high street retail chains and financial institutions, and even public sector bodies and charities. “I love getting to meet new people and working directly with individuals – something Gordon Brown will allow me to continue on a more personal level. The firm’s ambition is something that resonates with my own and I think I’ll be able to learn a lot from the others in what is a close-knit team. “I feel that my experience has given me a robust, commercially-focused grounding, which I’m looking forward to applying as we seek to grow the team further and look to firmly establish ourselves as one of the big hitters in the North East within the commercial property market.” Gwen will be specialising in landlord and

tenant matters, including lease renewals, assignments, the acquisition and disposal of leasehold and freehold property and all accompanying property finance matters, alongside the team of six that make up the commercial property department at Gordon Brown Law Firm. Gordon Brown, head of commercial property, said: “Having Gwen join us so soon after we welcomed Paul into the team is another great boost to our service – it’s a really positive sign that we’re attracting the industry’s talented professionals. “It’s an exciting time for the business in Newcastle where we’re dealing with more of the city’s bigger clients. We have also gained a strong holding from our offering in Chester le Street so we’re covering quite a significant area, which our new faces will be invaluable in supporting over the coming months.” For further information visit www.gblf.co.uk

LAW & FINANCE

A gift from the taxman? David Wilson, adviser and owner of NE Money celebrates six years in business, and looks at how business owners can get something more from insurance.

EXPERT VIEW David Wilson Managing director NE Money Tel: (0191) 236 1042 Web: www.nemoneyifa.co.uk

s business owners, we all want our money to work that little bit harder for us. That could mean getting the most out of employees or ensuring that financial decisions are to our advantage. Regardless of the reasons, we all recognise the importance of good money management. This month we’re celebrating our sixth year in business, which is a great milestone and one which many North East businesses have far surpassed. A businesses ability to survive and thrive is often a mix of hard work, determination and innovation. In an age of technology innovations we sometimes overlook the fact that many firms are still around because they’ve seen opportunity in different ways, not necessarily involving technology. In recent years one financial innovation which has been utilised by many business owners has been the introduction of relevant life plans (RLP). These are life insurance plans set up by a business but insuring a relevant life within the business. The benefits are self-explanatory and here are our six reasons why they might be good for your business.

• Life policies set up on a relevant life basis have the advantage of not being treated as a benefit in kind - this means that they're not included in any income tax assessments. For higher income earners (or those paying additional rate tax) currently paying out for life insurance from personal accounts this can provide a significant saving. • Larger employers often have Group Life schemes for employees and the benefits of this can form part of a person’s lifetime pension allowance. Relevant life plans do not form part of this and premiums don't form part of your annual pension allowance. • Payments to relevant life plans can be classed as an allowable expense for a company in calculating their tax liability (always ensure this meets the requirements of your local inspector of taxes; or speak to your tax adviser). • Relevant life plan payments are made by the business not the person who's covered this means national insurance contributions

and income tax isn’t paid but the benefits of corporation tax relief still remain. Based on a £100 per month premium the difference in net costs between ordinary life cover and a relevant life plan could be up to £76 per month. • Provide cost effective and valuable additions to an employee’s benefits package. And, if the employee leaves employment they can simply elect to take the cover with them without the need for new health questions, underwriting or loss of cover. • The plans can be set up in a trust which then brings the added benefit of any plan benefit being paid free of inheritance tax. Relevant life plans are a great option for high earning directors and employees who don't wish for their lifetime pension allowances to be affected by cover. In addition relevant life can be used by smaller employers who otherwise wouldn't qualify for a group life scheme but want to provide employees and directors with a tax efficient death in service benefit.

LAW & FINANCE

World Cup equity markets How football’s greatest competition effects the stock markets, by Brewin’s Gary Welford.

EXPERT VIEW Gary Welford Assistant investment manager Brewin Dolphin Email: gary.welford@brewin.co.uk Web: www.brewin.com

he football World Cup is special. Even if you don’t follow the game or care about the results, the competition captures huge attention and generates a massive amount of passion. Things haven’t quite worked out for England in Rio but with fond memories of Sir Bobby Robson dancing down the touch line in Italia ‘90 and sketchy videos of success in 1966, I live in eternal hope for my national team at future competitions. I recently read a report put together by US investment banking giant, Goldman Sachs, which questioned if this global interest has any impact on stock markets. They concluded that it does – at least for a brief period. History shows that there is a clear pattern of outperformance by the winning team’s stock market in the weeks after the World Cup Final. On average, the successful nation outperforms the global market by 3.5 per cent in the first month, only to see the outperformance fade significantly after three months. All of the winners since 1974 (for

which stock market data is available) have seen their stock markets outperform in the post-Final month, with only one exception – Brazil in 2002. In this instance a deep recession in the country and a currency crisis overshadowed the victory on the football field. This means that only one of the last 10 winning nations’ stock markets did not outperform in the month post victory. It might therefore be reasonable to expect that, in the absence of a severe economic crisis, the winning nation’s stock market enjoys the successes achieved on the football pitch, for a brief period at least. Let’s imagine England had climbed out of the group phase and glided through to the final (I know, stay with me). It’s a penalty shoot-out with Germany. Judging by the research, success from the penalty spot will lead to UK stock market outperformance, but what are the implications for hitting the woodwork or seeing the goalkeeper dive the right way? Supporters are naturally disappointed at losing in a final and interestingly stock markets

don’t tend to react well either. Aside from the Argentina stock market in 1990, seven out of the nine other runners-up saw their stock markets underperform over the first month post defeat, with an average underperformance of 1.4 per cent. The underperformance doesn’t stop there. The majority of World Cup runners-up have seen their stock markets continue to underperform, with an average relative fall of 5.6 per cent over the first three months. You would therefore be forgiven for thinking that the UK market surged after the 1966 World Cup win. As it happens, the year was one of relative underperformance for the economy, with sluggish growth and rising unemployment. Statistics are all very good and interesting but, as with investments, past performance is not a guide to future returns. One thing is for certain, the direction of the FTSE 100 would be the last thing on Roy’s boys’ minds as they placed the ball down on the penalty spot.

LAW & FINANCE

Continuity of business advice Andrew Cawkwell on the importance of using a trusted and consistent adviser. t's logical to think that receiving fragmented business advice over many years is less effective than benefitting from streamlined and more consistent advice. So why do so many business people follow for former approach? No businesses stand still, so having consistent advisers working alongside their leaders over many years helps to develop a corporate memory that better informs decision making. Strong, long-term relationships benefit businesses and I always suggest longevity brings considerable benefits. This is especially relevant if those advisers have taken the business through a period of change. This continuity of support and the resulting development of knowledge means trusted advisers can anticipate and plan for all business needs together. For example, a company that had been in business for 30 years called us in to help them undergo a change management project seven years ago. Due to the owner’s previous strategy, the

EXPERT VIEW Andrew Cawkwell Partner and Certified Turnaround Professional Banking and Restructuring Team Muckle LLP Email: Andrew.Cawkwell@muckle-llp.com Twitter: @CompanyRescue

business had stagnated for many years. Although sales were stable, they didn’t promote sustainable growth. We were able to introduce him to corporate finance investors to inject capital to help strengthen the firm’s management team. A new entrepreneur was recruited to focus on growth that helped to release the owner from day-to-day activities, enabling him to become more strategic. The business put a strategy in place to grow from £1.5m to £5m with energy and enthusiasm. They've secured a better future and then we worked together to prepare for the owner’s eventual exit from the business – understanding his aspirations has enabled us to anticipate and plan. We developed a successful and long-lasting relationship that survives to this day. Succession planning and introducing you to contacts are just a couple of the benefits that come from a relationship with us. So let’s start a conversation – the first step to making a connection and building a longlasting and trusted relationship.

LAW & FINANCE

Who’s listening? Neil Dwyer, partner and head of Employment at Hay & Kilner, advises on your rights if an employee covertly records your conversation.

EXPERT VIEW Neil Dwyer Partner Hay & Kilner Tel: (0191) 232 8345 Email: neil.dwyer@hay-kilner.co.uk Web: www.hay-kilner.co.uk

remier League chief executive Richard Scudamore’s recent problems with, ‘sexist and inappropriate language’ in emails to friends demonstrated that in the digital age there are no closed doors. Covert audio recordings are an increasingly common feature of workplace disputes. It is all too easy for employees to make discreet, high quality recordings of conversations with phones or devices with many employees considering it, ’fair’ to secretly record meetings with managers. However, context and nuance are often missing. In a recent case, an employee’s secret recordings of her grievance and disciplinary meetings were not blocked by an employment tribunal, even though they included private comments made by her managers when she was out of the room. The employer tried to block use of the secret recording, but it was allowed because the judge said the discriminatory comments

were not part of the decision makers’ legitimate deliberations in relation to the grievance and disciplinary hearings. This case reaffirms the position that employers should always be alert to the possibility that an employee may be covertly recording conversations and meetings. Although employment judges have said they find covert recordings ‘distasteful’ and ‘discreditable’, employers should not assume that the way in which the recordings have been obtained will prevent them from being used as evidence.

Top five tips for employee meetings: Focus on the facts: Avoid making statements that suggest a pre-determined decision has been made and think twice about making any comments you would not be prepared to make in front of an employment tribunal judge

Set ground rules: Make sure your disciplinary and grievance policies include an express ban on employees recording hearings. Ask employees to switch off their phones: At the start of any hearing and also ask them to declare that they are not making any recording (make sure this is noted). Any breach of this rule may be actionable separately. Keep comprehensive and accurate notes or make your own recording: of any meeting or hearing and ask the employee to sign them to confirm agreement with the record of what has been said. Consider taking minutes of private discussions: these would not be disclosed to the employee and could be helpful in refuting any future allegations of discrimination.

LAW & FINANCE

Pension or ISA? David Smith, wealth management director at Bestinvest, on which is better. But those I think are best prepared have broadly equal pots of pension and other assets such as ISAs, providing greater flexibility in retirement. The bottom line is: however you go about it, just make sure you are saving.

adical changes to pensions and ISAs have reopened the debate on the best place to save for retirement. With restrictions lifted on what can be taken from a private pension – just like an ISA – and the maximum savings into each moving closer, the two are now more comparable as long-term savings vehicles. But when it comes to saving for retirement, which is better?

Why choose Bestinvest? We were voted Wealth Manager of the Year by the FT in 2013 and what makes us stand out from others in the North East is that we offer combined planning, where our highly qualified Newcastle-based financial planners will formulate a plan to help you attain your lifetime goals, while our investment managers invest your monies using one of our soughtafter investment solutions. This local service is supported by an impressive national infrastructure – Bestinvest has 39 offices across the UK.

From April 2015: Pensions • Anyone has complete freedom to take as much (or as little) from their private pension savings as they choose from age 55. • 25 per cent will still be tax free with the balance taxed as income in the year it's taken.

Our view ISAs • The annual ISA allowance is now £15,000 – an increase of over 30 per cent on last year. • There is no cap on how much of this allowance can be invested in cash.

My preference is for pension saving as the primary source of retirement funding, especially for higher-rate taxpayers who might become basic-rate taxpayers in retirement.

For more information call Bestinvest on (0191) 269 9970 or email david.smith@bestinvest.co.uk

The value of investments, and the income derived from them, can go down as well as up and you can get back less than you originally invested. Prevailing tax rates and reliefs are dependent on your individual circumstances and are subject to change. Any projected returns shown are for illustrative purposes only, and cannot be guaranteed. Bestinvest Wealth Management (National) is a trading name of HW Financial Services Limited and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

EVENT

Newcastle United Golf Club Sponsors’ Day The club hosts a charity day of golf.

day of golf at Newcastle United Golf Club, in aid of The Percy Hedley Foundation Challenge 500, took place last month. Congratulations goes to the winning teams: Newcastle United Club team (first), LA Taxis (second) and ITPS (third). On the day the heavens opened, but it did not dampen morale. All players put their hands in their pockets and donated £500 to the #Challenge500 fund raising effort from ITPS and its customers’ support. Thanks to organisers Michael Jopling and Janice Harvey, from ITPS, and Liam McNulty.

LAW & FINANCE

Three Counties’ new recruit The County Durham-based Independent Financial Advisers has appointed Jonathan Bray as head of Corporate Services. With 19 years experience in the financial sector, Jonathan will be working with both private and commercial clients – with particular focus on guiding companies through the complex world of Automatic Enrolment and workplace pensions.

hree Counties was established in 1989 by Peter West, whose aim was to offer truly independent, high quality, whole-ofmarket financial advice. The Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) was one of the first to introduce a fee-based structure to help transparency for clients (and which many in the financial industry are rushing to adopt) and now offer a range of exclusive ‘lifestyle financial planning’ packages to suit clients’ individual requirements. Many highly experienced financial experts have been attracted to Three Counties (located at the Lambton Park Estate in County Durham) and Peter’s vision for quality and clarity. The IFA’s most recent recruit is Jonathan Bray as head of Corporate Services. Here, he reflects on his appointment …

What has been your career to date? I studied Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Sunderland Polytechnic and then held a temporary position with the local authority

before an opportunity came up to join the Prudential. My uncle was a branch manager for the company and guided me through what the job entailed. That guidance and a head for figures made me confident that a career in financial services was for me. I spent three years at the Prudential before moving to Friends Provident where I stayed a year. That role helped me decide that I wanted to be an independent financial advisor rather than working for one company.

Why the change of heart? I felt that the independent market was far better at providing advice and solutions for the client rather than being tied to the products of one firm. Since becoming an independent financial advisor, over 15 years ago, I have worked for a number of companies in the North East, gaining knowledge and experience. My previous appointment was a company based in Newcastle for over 10 years, which sees me with a total of 19 years in the industry.

What has attracted you to Three Counties? Three Counties is a very progressive company that aims to provide an advice-driven service for clients. It’s far more focused on establishing longterm relationships and providing an outstanding quality of service for clients rather than selling products that may or may not be suitable. We have a real focus on ensuring that the investment solution is right for the individual client and then providing the most tax efficient route for this investment. It’s about tailoring the solution to the individual and then monitoring this on a regular basis to ensure it always meets with the clients requirements.

What will be your main duties at Three Counties? As the head of Corporate Services, I am responsible for all aspects of corporate financial planning, concentrating on Auto Enrolment pensions. In addition to that role, I will continue

to provide advice to private clients, using my skills and knowledge in pensions and tax planning to the clients’ advantage.

availability of quality product providers and advisers. I would definitely encourage people to start the process as soon as possible.

Why Auto Enrolment?

So what can you offer at Three Counties in terms of Auto Enrolment?

Auto Enrolment was introduced by the Government, commencing in Autumn 2012. It is the requirement for every employer to offer workplace access to a company pension scheme and contribute to it. The requirement to offer a pension scheme and enrol employees started with companies with the highest number of employees and now applies to businesses with around 100 employees. It will apply to employers with 50 employees or less by April, 2015.

What would you say to business owners who haven’t looked into Auto Enrolment yet? They need to act fast. The market will soon reach capacity and there will be issues with the

We can do everything from providing advice on the options available to installing the pension scheme and ensuring that a company is adhering to all of the legislation. One of the bonuses with Three Counties is that it offers a monthly service to clients which means that we can continually help clients through the process; not just set the pensions up and leave them to get on with it. In addition, the team and I will also be presenting seminars about Auto Enrolment.

Tell me about the seminars … We will be holding seminars to help engage people and educate them about Auto Enrolment and what they have to do. I think there are a lot of company owners who

are putting their heads in the sand but it’s something that they are going to have to face at some point. There are also companies who have addressed Auto Enrolment but have ended up getting it wrong – which can lead to fines. Auto Enrolment is a complex area and you need guidance to get it right.

What are your aspirations at Three Counties? I will be looking to help the company grow their corporate client base and increase its exposure through the seminars. If employers trust Three Counties to provide the pension scheme then hopefully they will then look to us for other areas such as employee benefit packages and long-term financial planning for the key individuals within that organisation. For more information on Three Counties, visit www.three-counties.co.uk or call (0191) 230 3034.

LAW & FINANCE

It ain’t over till it’s over Joanne Major on making financial claims after divorce.

EXPERT VIEW Joanne Major Principal Major Family Law Tel: (01661) 824582 Web: www.majorfamilylaw.co.uk Twitter: @majorfamilylaw

here is a common misconception that once you are divorced, that draws a line under everything, legally speaking. Many people believe that once their divorce has been finalised, that also finalises any outstanding financial issues and prevents either party from making any future claims against the other. In reality, the decree absolute serves only to legally end the marriage; it does not, in itself, resolve or conclude any issues or claims in relation to the parties’ respective financial circumstances arising out of the marriage. A case of extreme circumstances has recently demonstrated this point: The parties to the case had married in 1981 and separated in 1984. They had one child, and had also treated the wife's child from an earlier relationship as a child of the family. During the relationship the parties, "chose the New Age or Traveller creed and lifestyle" and had no assets of significance. In the early 1990s there were divorce

proceedings. The wife entered into a new relationship in 1995 and had two further children by her new partner. In 1995 the husband began a wind power business which became very successful and grew into a company worth "many millions". The husband remarried in 2006 and had a son with his new wife. It was not until May 2011 that the wife made a claim for financial remedies from her former husband and also looked to the court to award her a costs allowance of £125,000 to finance her claim. The husband sought to strike out of the wife's application. Initially, his application failed, but he appealed to the Court of Appeal, who supported his application. Ultimately, the matter will go to the Supreme Court at the end of this year for a final determination as to whether the wife is entitled to make a claim on the husband’s assets at this stage. The Court of Appeal took the view that, although there was no limitation period in respect of applications for financial remedies

following divorce, the court should not allow either party to a former marriage to be harassed by claims for financial relief which are both issued many years after the divorce and have no real prospect of success. In the meantime, the case so far has been running for more than three years, with the associated costs of pursuing it through the appellate courts. Whatever the ultimate decision, those costs will not be recovered. Had the parties obtained a Consent Order as part of the divorce proceedings ending all financial claims against the other, this whole situation would have been avoided. Even where there are no real assets from the marriage to be shared, parties who are divorcing should have a formal order endorsed by the Court acknowledging that and severing all financial ties permanently. Failing to do so can leave those parties open to the risk of financial claims long after each has moved on with their lives. However unlikely, if you believe you could be in a similar position, you should seek early clarification from a family law specialist.

INTERVIEW

The long game North East Times asks successful 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 their sector going?

Michael Leather Managing partner, Leathers LLP.

PAST ike a scene from A Christmas Carol, accountancy and taxation have always been about understanding the numbers, but most importantly communicating them remains the key to success. In 1983, when I first started my chartered accountancy training programme, worldwide inter-company balances were confirmed by telex, computer printouts were checked and re-added by a comptometer operator and we had neither fax machines or mobile phones. As a consequence, one had to learn the art of conversation and communication, whereas nowadays conversation seems to mean sending an email. We also didn’t have income tax self assessment; we had an Inland Revenue that we could engage in meaningful dialogue with. We didn’t always agree; the ‘Big Eight’ accountancy firms believed they ruled the roost and that it was simply ‘crumbs’ for sole practitioners.

FUTURE

PRESENT hen I am old and decrepit, I will still be arguing that the key to successful accountancy is communication and personal interaction. Businesses are made up of people and run by individuals – even within corporate monoliths, it is about individuals. We have the most fantastic range of electronic computers, tablets, mobiles and smartphones; we have software programmes that will tell us everything but unless we understand the numbers and communicate them we may as well be a character in a Dickens novel. As to taxation, I have to say that the current HMRC approach of, ‘manipulating the press’ (my words) is ingenious, divisive and saddening. The proposals to gain access to individual bank accounts has no apparent checks and balances, and with a management system that allows money to be re-paid ‘willy-nilly’ to taxpayers, is frightening. But an approach that made front line news of avoidance while burying the tax collection point in small print, should have every accountant up in arms ... we won’t (or we will) as HMRC’s ability to create mischief is too wide spread. Finally, we still have the Big Four firms but smaller niche practices are gaining a great deal more recognition.

t’s simple:

1. Communicate. 2. Understand the numbers. 3. Re-establish some basics in taxation before the successful entrepreneurs move their home (and their personal affairs) elsewhere.

TIMELINE 1980s: Durham University, Price Waterhouse 1990: Established Leather & Co on Old Elvet, Durham 1996: Moved office to Newcastle 2013: Established Leather Matthews Restructuring LLP 2014: Opened second Leathers LLP office on Old Elvet, Durham

LAW & FINANCE

A tax break to die for? Paul McAtominey of Universal Tax Strategies on the advantages of a relevant life policy.

f you are a company director and you need to arrange some life cover to protect your family, did you realise you could get the tax man to help with the cost? You should look at relevant life plans.

What are relevant life plans? Relevant life policies suit higher paid directors, business owners and other employees who want high levels of life cover, with the tax and other benefits that normally only apply to large group schemes. They are life insurance policies, written under a trust for a nominated beneficiary, usually a spouse. Although your company makes the payments, they’re not treated as a benefit in kind, so they wouldn’t be included in your income tax assessments. This can be a significant saving, particularly for a higher rate taxpayer.

EXPERT VIEW Paul McAtominey Pension consultant Universal Tax Strategies Tel: (0191) 374 0333 Web: www.utsllp.co.uk

Background The majority of company directors have some personal life insurance. Nearly all of them are paying for their life insurance either personally, through pre-taxed income, or through their company and getting a P11D benefit-in-kind penalty for this. Up until recently, getting the limited company to pay for personal life insurance was only possible for companies that took group life insurance, generally for companies wishing to insure 10 or more employees. However, things changed following the launch of policies which took advantage of pension legislation from A Day in 2006. Think of them as group life insurance policies for one person. Because of the way the life insurance is set up under trust, and because the limited company pays for the policy, no benefit-in-kind issues should affect the employee or director. Most company directors and even accountants have never heard of the relevant

life plan. Therefore the uptake of the policy is very small compared with the number of people who could benefit and save money.

Levels of cover The amount of life insurance is linked to age and income. Most insurers will reduce the level of cover they offer as you get older. At younger ages they will typically look at cover of 20 times income, reducing to 10 times at older ages. Income can include salary, benefits-in-kind and regular dividend, with a maximum cover of £10 million.

Benefits Company directors paying 45 per cent

personal income tax could save up to 53 per cent on their life insurance premiums (up to a 36 per cent saving for those on a 20 per cent tax rate) when compared with having personal life cover in place. For example, if the premium is £1000 per year, which the company pays, the net cost, assuming 20 per cent corporation tax rate, is £800. The cost is allowable against profits. Using the same example, if you pay the same £1000 premium, but this time from taxed income, and assuming a personal tax rate of 45 per cent, the cost, net of all taxes and N.I., jumps to a whopping £1717.75. The insurance cover is exactly the same. The premium collected by the insurance company is still £1000. The cost, however, is £917.75 more expensive per year, or a huge £18355 if the cover lasts for 20 years. Premiums are not taxed on the employee as a P11D: 1. Premiums can be offset as a business expense as long as the local inspector of taxes accepts they are made ‘wholly and exclusively for the purpose of trade’. 2. Benefits paid through a discretionary trust are paid free of income tax. 3. Benefits are normally paid free of inheritance tax, (although periodic and exit charges can arise in exceptional circumstances). 4. Premiums do not count towards the annual pension allowance. 5. Benefits do not form part of the lifetime pension allowance. Relevant life plans are not available where there isn’t an employer-to-employee relationship. For example: sole traders, equity partners of a partnership or equity members of a Limited Liability Partnership. All company directors, however, should look to use relevant life plans if they can.

LAW & FINANCE

Lucky 13 UNW and Square One secure the sale of Filebase in less than two weeks. ealmakers at business advisers UNW and law firm Square One worked round the clock last month to sell a family-run information management business to its AIM-listed buyer in record time. It took the Newcastle teams just 13 working days to secure the sale of Filebase Ltd, which operates out of two sites in Washington, to London-based Restore PLC. The acquisition of Filebase also comes less than a month after Restore bought up Magnum Secure Ltd, with operations in Spennymoor, County Durham, for £4.6 million. Long-established Filebase specialises in document management, tape management, archiving, shredding and scanning. UNW corporate finance senior manager John Healey, who worked on the disposal alongside corporate finance executive Leon Cassidy and tax partner Steve Lant, said: “Filebase is a long standing client of UNW's, having handled its tax and accounting affairs for some time. “The fact that the deal was concluded so quickly demonstrates how aggressive strategic

John Healey

buyers are at the moment to conclude on the acquisition of high quality businesses before they are snapped up by competitors. “We are increasingly being approached by strategic trade acquirers and private equity houses looking to invest in the region. This

competition to deploy capital is driving strong pricing for high quality businesses. Now is a good time for those considering a full or partial change of ownership to take stock of their options. “This was a classic example of what can be achieved by running a tight sales process with a high quality business in today’s buoyant mergers and acquisitions market. “Everyone here and at Square One worked hard to bring this over the line and we wish Restore well as it becomes an even more significant player in this sector and increases its North-East foothold.” Filebase director David Sanderson added: “I am very pleased that Filebase has become part of Restore Plc, and welcome the opportunities this presents for the business and its staff. “The process was incredibly smooth and well managed, which minimised distraction and disruption to the business whilst also delivering a fantastic result for all concerned.” For more information on UNW visit www.unw.co.uk

LAW & FINANCE

Left to right: Matt Collen (Sintons), Nicola Hird (Tavistock Hospitality), Jonathan Graham (Tavistock Hospitality), Mark Hird (Tavistock Hospitality) and Alan Harkness (Sintons)

Tapping in Tavistock plans further expansion across the North East, with the help of Sintons. ne of the region’s leading leisure groups has revealed plans to quadruple its number of brew-tap venues across the North East, as well as investing a ‘significant’ sum in revamping one of its newly-acquired hotels. Tavistock Hospitality has recently added the Roker Hotel in Sunderland and Grand Hotel in Hartlepool to its portfolio, which both operate under the Best Western brand – along with two restaurants, in South Shields and Birtley – taking the total number of venues in its portfolio to ten. The business now plans to invest heavily in the Roker Hotel, refurbishing it completely to become a high-end boutique venue. As the first step in the revamp of the hotel, a cakery and tea room – Let There Be Crumbs has been opened for visitors to Sunderland’s sea front. And Tavistock Hospitality, which has gained national recognition for its Sonnet 43 brewery, is also planning to increase its number of hugely popular brew-tap venues from three to 12 over the next year. Mark Hird, managing director of Tavistock Hospitality, has revealed that he is already looking at several new potential sites for brew tap venues, in addition to the three it currently operates in Coxhoe (which adjoins the

brewery), Hebburn and Chester-le-Street. The hotels and restaurants, which are both Tavistock Italia venues, have been purchased from Durham Estates, a property business owned by Russell Foster, who is also Mark’s father-in-law. The deal was overseen by Newcastle law firm Sintons. Durham Estates has supported the expansion of Tavistock Hospitality through buying the freeholds of many of its sites for subsequent development, including several that have since been sold. Mark Hird, who runs the business with wife Nicola, said he plans to take Tavistock Hospitality, “back to basics” with its next few moves, with a focus on quality and investing in excellence. He said: “We have some really big plans for the next few months – I plan to put my own personal stamp on the Roker Hotel, by fully refurbishing it and taking it from what it is at the moment to become a much more highend boutique hotel. “I also want to roll out our brew-tap venues from three to 12. Since opening 18 months ago, Sonnet 43 has done brilliantly, and it’s something that has really been embraced. Our brew-tap venues have been very popular and we want to bring them to more locations

across the North East in the very near future. “When we established Tavistock Hospitality with our first venue, 11 Tavistock Place in Sunderland, we planned that every one of our venues would be of the highest standards. With the recession, we have had to scale back slightly and be more mindful of our pricing and costs, but now we are able to return to the traditional values we started with. These are exciting times for the business.” Sintons partner Matt Collen and consultant Alan Harkness, together with solicitors Sue Hennessey and Emma Pern, handled all of the legal work on the transaction. Alan Harkness, who has acted for Tavistock Hospitality for a number of years, said: “Tavistock Hospitality has built up a welldeserved reputation as one of the North-East’s leading leisure operators, and these latest acquisitions will strengthen that further. The Sonnet 43 brewery has become a success story in its own right, and the expansion of its brew tap venues will help to broaden its reach and reputation across the North East and beyond. “We wish Mark and Nicola the very best of luck with this latest exciting phase for Tavistock Hospitality.” For more information visit www.sintons.co.uk

LAW & FINANCE

Family law arbitration Katharine Lowthian, partner and head of Family Law at Sintons LLP, discusses an alternative to settling a family dispute in court. What is family law arbitration?

Yes – unlike the future for court proceedings.

Court proceedings should be a last resort and many people find the idea of going to court frightening. Arbitration is an alternative to court proceedings, and can be used in financial and property disputes arising from the breakdown of marriages, civil partnerships, cohabiting couples and those wanting to agree the arrangements for the children.

How does arbitration differ from mediation? Mediation is designed to assist the parties to reach their own agreement. An agreement reached at arbitration will be made into a court order, or an order will be imposed by the arbitrator if the parties cannot agree.

Do I need a lawyer?

What is the procedure? The parties decide on the boundaries of their dispute, and choose their arbitrator from an approved list. The list can consist of retired judges and senior barristers.

What are the advantages? There are many advantages. You can choose your arbitrator – you cannot choose a judge. You can choose your timescale and venue. You are not confined to court hours and can

deal with this in the evening. You retain your own lawyer throughout and retain control of the procedure. It is much quicker than waiting for a court hearing date.

Are arbitration proceedings confidential?

I would strongly suggest that each party takes legal advice before entering into the arbitration process to fully understand the implications and their legal position. While different court proceedings being represented by a lawyer may still be the most effective way to present a case to the arbitrator. For more information contact Katharine Lowthian on (0191) 226 7911 or email: katharine.lowthian@sintons.co.uk

Business is booming at Bonbar ne of the North East’s most talkedabout venues has hailed its first month in business as a big success, with its food offering proving particularly popular. Bonbar, the £1 million new destination venue within Newcastle’s historic Assembly Rooms, opened last month, and has already seen thousands of diners and revellers flocking to the Grade II listed building. The venue – which opens at lunchtime and serves food throughout the day, before becoming a cocktail lounge in the evening – has been totally redesigned in a dramatic contrast from its previous traditional look as part of the Assembly Rooms. The Assembly Rooms remains open, and continues to offer conferences and events. Further investment in the venue is planned for the coming months.

Alok Loomba, Antony Michaelides and Christopher Welch

The creation of Bonbar was overseen by the specialist leisure team at Newcastle-

based Sintons. Partners Christopher Welch, Sarah Smith and Alok Loomba worked with owner Antony Michaelides throughout the duration of the project to oversee all of the commercial, licensing and property work. Antony Michaelides said: “We are growing day by day. Our food in general, and particularly our Sunday lunches, have been very well received. This is the first time we have ever been open to the general public, as were previously only a function and event venue, and it’s a move we are pleased to have made. Commercial partner Christopher Welch, who has worked with the Michaelides family for over 20 years, added: “The transformation of part of the Assembly Rooms into Bonbar is a fantastic achievement for Antony and his team, and positions this historic location to stand the test of time for future generations.”

LAW & FINANCE

Scottish independence Andrew Elliot on why, economically, separation is favoured over divorce. cotland votes on independence on September 18, 2014. Our base case is that independence will be rejected but with the Yes side winning a share of over 40 per cent. This will support further, more radical devolution of powers to the Scottish Parliament over time. Social attitudes suggest some scepticism about the economic benefits of independence and concern about taxation. However, given its open economy, education levels, flexible markets and oil resources, Scotland could prove a viable, independent economic entity. The risks lie in the transition from a highly successful 300-yearold economic and financial union. Significant challenges would arise in terms of its fiscal sustainability as oil reserves decline and the population ages markedly. The large size of its banking sector is yet another element in this debate. The market is anticipating a rejection, so this outcome would see a modestly positive reaction in sterling, gilts and equities after September, with the focus moving to the campaign ahead of the May 2015 UK general election. We expect

EXPERT VIEW Andrew Elliot Executive director UBS Wealth Management. Tel: (0191) 211 1000. Email: andrew.elliot@ubs.com Web: www.ubs.com/uk

the pound sterling to continue gaining against the euro and Swiss franc as domestic recovery is sustained and a rate hike approaches in Q1 2015. In the event of victory for the independence campaign, we can expect significant volatility to ensue, given the enormous uncertainties around the outcome of subsequent political negotiations. Sterling would attract a higher risk premium due to erosion of business confidence as well as higher cross-border transaction costs. The post-independence relationship with sterling remains the key call. We assume that some manner of formal currency union would emerge in the event of independence. The market impact would hinge on the commitment to a strong set of checks and balances. Under a formal currency union, a Scottish government bond is estimated to yield 72 to 165 basis points over the equivalent UK gilt (source: National Institute of Economic and Social Research). Outside a formal union, the spread would be linked to its credit rating. Within equities, the financial, energy and utility sectors are those most exposed to Scotland and therefore most likely to be affected.

The price and value of investments and income derived from them can go down as well as up. You may not get back the amount you originally invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Authorised and regulated by Financial Market Supervisory Authority in Switzerland. In the United Kingdom, UBS AG is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and is subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and limited regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Details about the extent of our regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority are available from us on request.

LAW & FINANCE

Revolutionary changes Partner at Ward Hadaway, Teresa Davidson, reflects on imminent changes to pensions law with head of pensions Tristan Mander, ntil now, splitting pension arrangements in divorce proceedings has been a complicated task. This has made pension sharing orders and similar arrangements less common, with spouses often trading off other assets rather than going to the effort and expense of sharing a pension pot. This may all be about to change. The Government recently announced some truly revolutionary changes to pensions law, coming into force in April 2015. Discussing the implications with head of Pensions at Ward Hadaway, Tristan Mander, we believe the changes will mean that instead of having to use defined contribution pension pots (also known as money purchase pots) to buy annuities or complicated drawdown facilities, retirees will be able to do as they please with their pension pot from the age of 55. As is the case now, 25 per cent of the pot will be tax-free. The rest will be treated as income and taxed at the retiree's marginal rate. Effectively, retirees could choose to take

Teresa Davidson

hold of the whole lot in one go, without punitive tax penalties. This does not apply to defined benefit arrangements (also known as final salary, career average or cash balance arrangements), but any member of a defined benefit arrangement can transfer a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;cash equivalent transfer valueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to another arrangement, such as a money purchase pot, and access the cash. To prevent a stampede, the Government is

considering restrictions on transfers from public sector schemes and may restrict transfers from private sector defined benefit arrangements. The changes mean pension assets will be much more easily split in divorce proceedings if viewed as cash sums available from the age of 55. A pension is likely to be the second most valuable asset in any marriage after the family home. As divorces often happen in periods of financial stress, the pension asset may be all the more valuable. These changes will impact any financial settlements from now on, as both spouses are likely to have built up a pension pot and this will influence their assessment of their resources and requirements. Specialist legal advice will be required to conduct any negotiations to put in place arrangements to best suit the financial requirements of the parties. For more information visit www.wardhadaway.com

LAW & FINANCE

The right move Jessica Laing talks new offices and expansion plans with Gillian Bassett, partner at Newcastle commercial law firm, Clarke Mairs LLP.

You moved offices in April 2014, relocating from Newcastle’s Royal House to Hood Street. Why did you decide to move? We moved offices due to the firm’s continuing expansion. We had simply outgrown our previous office space in Market Street, part of the Theatre Royal building, and so a move was in order. The business has enjoyed steady growth over the last few years due to client loyalty, referrals from contacts and existing clients and seeing focused marketing of our skills paying dividend. Thus, we needed to find larger premises to accommodate our growing team.

Tell us about the new premises… We looked around at other offices in Newcastle, such as Grey Street and the Quayside, but the spacious open-plan Hood Street office really stood out from the crowd. It is 7,000 square foot – double the size of our old office – and set over two floors, with great views overlooking Hood Street, Grey Street

and Grey’s Monument. Despite its busy location, it is surprisingly peaceful and was fully refurbished before we moved in. We now have more meeting rooms available for clients visiting the offices.

In what ways does the new office better accommodate business? Being central is key for us – we are now the only commercial law firm in Newcastle City Centre. We are in the heart of the action! Everybody is impressed with the office’s new entrance and we are really noticing the benefit of having the extra meeting rooms. Given our new location, the rooms provide convenience and flexibility for clients who call in without an appointment.

How will the move help improve business in the future? It will be a key marketing feature and, as we expand our local offering, clients will be able to find us quickly and easily. We have had great feedback from them so far, despite a few

who have asked if we are increasing our fees to pay for the move – which we won’t be!

In what ways is the firm looking to expand? We will be continuing to expand our departments to meet our clients’ needs and will be recruiting more staff. We’re looking for new, experienced individuals, who will be excited to join a renowned business that is preparing to invest for the future. Organic growth is important to us: we want the firm to flourish and continue its success.

What are your hopes for the new office? We aim to continue to build on our reputation as a well-respected, capable and approachable practice. The premises provide a modern and efficient working environment, filled with facilities that meet the needs of our clients and our staff. We hope clients will think of us as ‘the’ City Centre law firm in Newcastle.

EVENT

South North Cricket Club Beer Festival RMT Accountants go into bat as sponsors of the local cricket clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beer festival.

osforth-based firm, RMT, has raised a glass to South Northumberland Cricket Club's 150th anniversary by signing up as the sponsor of its inaugural beer festival. RMT Accountants & Business Advisors backed the three-day event in June and more than 500 people turned up to join them in enjoying the festivities. A selection of over 45 beers, ciders and wines was available over the weekend, with a range of food and entertainment also on offer, as well as a full calendar of cricket for visitors to watch on Friday evening and during the day on Saturday and Sunday.

TECHNOLOGY NEWS IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Andy’s ‘tech-town’ ambition Local entrepreneur and Teesside ambassador is invited to Buckingham Palace.

ntrepreneur Andy Preston says he is determined to transform Middlesbrough into the UK’s ‘tech town’ after carrying out an ambassadorial role for Teesside at a Buckingham Palace reception. Andy who runs several businesses and charities in Middlesbrough’s Boho Zone for digital start-ups, took up an invitation to be Teesside’s only representative at a Palace reception for the UK technology industry. Joining other influential technology figures from across the UK, he attended a meeting and networking event at the Palace, where he was formally introduced to the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. Andy said: “I’m on a mission to make Middlesbrough into the UK’s tech town. We are building on our existing strengths of the university and emerging digital sector together with the passion of local people to do great things. We are uniquely positioned to do something really special here.”

SITS boosts numbers

leading North East cloud consultancy has increased its workforce by 25 per cent after winning several major contracts. Cramlington-based SITS Group specialises in all areas of cloud computing, from virtual desktop and server consolidation to cloud management and disaster recovery solutions for clients including port authorities, legal practices, car manufacturers and public sector organisations. Now, having won contracts with a number of firms including Cumbria-based James Fisher and Sons plc –which services the marine, Defence, Nuclear and oil and gas industries – the company has recruited five new employees across all sectors of its operation in a variety of roles.

Gateshead’s IT firm wins new schools contract

dvantex Network Solutions Ltd has won a £750,000 contract to provide new technology and managed services to schools across the North East. The contract covers work at Oxclose Community Academy, Red House Academy, Farringdon Academy, Sunderland PRU, New Penshaw Academy, Plains Farm Academy and Ryhope Infants School and Durham 6th Form College as well as existing sites including ongoing support and projects for Green Lane in Middlesbrough, Holy Trinity in South Shields and Parkhead Primary in Gateshead The contract is the latest success for Advantex and is expected to boost the current turnover of £4 million by 20 per cent.

IT company’s training awarded

SG has been recognised with a major award for developing people. More than 300 people who work for the IT solutions specialists attended 112 technical courses amassing a total of 650 days' training between them in the last financial year. The investment contributed to TSG being awarded the Excellence in Developing People accolade at The Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development’s North East Awards ceremony held at the NewcastleGateshead Hilton Hotel. TSG fought off stiff global competition in its category including the underwriting branch of Tesco and IHC Engineering Business Ltd.

TECHNOLOGY

Working together Garry Sheriff, managing director of IT solutions specialist ITPS, highlights partnerships as crucial to business success.

s a business with 14 years of year-onyear growth behind us, we at ITPS believe that rather than simply making sales, the real key to success lies in building strong partnerships. Nurturing client partnerships is one of our key strengths, but good relationships with high calibre partners are equally vital in supporting our business and strengthening our client supply chain. We choose to work only with the best, and one of our partners is independent business services and business intelligence (BI) experts BE Group, based in County Durham. They are working with us to look at how we can develop our systems and processes to support the business as we enter the next phase of our growth and development. One of BE Group’s tools is QlikView, a powerful platform that delivers self-service business intelligence to empower business users and drive innovative decision-making. BE Group used QlikView to great effect when double glazing and home improvement provider Everest Home Improvements wanted to modernise and improve its customer service systems. BE Group director Gary Slater explains: “The existing operational software was difficult for staff to access and operate and customer service reporting meant dealing with large amounts of information – a process that could take days. The resulting work would then join a queue for executive management review and decisionmaking, with the entire process lasting between six months and a year. The cumulative effect prompted the directors to recognise the need to modernise business intelligence. To modernise data access and reporting, Ralph Yarwood-Smith, head of Service Delivery at Everest, implemented the QlikView Business Discovery platform, appointing BE Group as implementation partner. Our experts helped to scope and implement QlikView applications against the project objectives, delivering a complete BI strategy across the business within nine months. The first QlikView application delivered insight into service engineer productivity and the

months. Crucial to the success though was not just the product but our chosen partner BE Group. They have a number of key strengths that stand them apart from the competition:

Flexibility: unlike many IT providers BE take an evolutionary stance with regards to what is needed. Having provided the specification for a number of pieces of work they have appreciated that sometimes other requirements become apparent. They have always worked with us to find the solution.

EXPERT VIEW Garry Sheriff Managing director ITPS Web: www.itps.co.uk

volume of incoming service calls, going on to analyse customer service processes with customer activity and call statistics. Impressing the management team with its click-driven, visually interactive interface, QlikView gave Everest instant access to top-level metrics and record-level details, revealing insights previously hidden in operational systems. With QlikView in place, Everest can now extract customer service information within half a day, slashing previous access times. Ralph Yarwood-Smith says: ‘This opened the company’s eyes to what was possible by way of business discovery. These projects built up to a point where the business found itself completely engaged with its customer base. The QlikView Business Discovery platform now allows Everest to measure, monitor, and track the performance of key customer processes. The time, cost, and resource savings with QlikView are nothing short of staggering. The company built a completely new BI strategy using QlikView and delivered it within nine

Timeliness: With BE there is no lengthy wait. On a number of key projects the initial output has been available for review within days. Other providers have taken months to deliver half the output. Part of the team: BE have embedded themselves as part of the operational team which again provides the link to acting fast to changing needs. Understanding the business: for the best IT results it is essential to understand the business being programmed for. BE have understood the business framework and infrastructure well, which has made it easier to develop the requirements and for them to add value. Friendly and open approach: they do what they say they’re going to do and tell you if what is needed is problematic or needing of further information. They are dogmatic in wanting to provide us, the client, with excellent customer service. I would have no hesitation in recommending BE to any organisation wanting to develop their management information capabilities.’ Gary Slater adds: “We were delighted with this outcome, which demonstrates the power of strong partnerships throughout the supply chain. “Not only does it deliver results, it turns clients into ambassadors and in a world where everyone is looking for more value, it impacts where every business wants to see it – on the bottom line.”

EVENT

ITPS Charity Golf Day The technology company hosts its annual sporting event.

TPS hosted its Charity Golf Day at Ramside Hall Golf Club, in aid of The Percy Hedley Foundation Challenge 500. Congratulations went to the overall winning team from SK Chilled Foods, Azlan and Grainger Plc. It was a beautiful sunny day filled with lots of good golf and team spirit. The event raised ÂŁ1100 which added to the #Challenge500 fund raising effort from ITPS and its customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; support.

TECHNOLOGY

State of the Art Beth Shailer looks at whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new in the world of technology and gadgets.

LG G3 PHONE he LG G3 is a new lightweight smartphone with a premium design of metallic skin and equipped with features such as a 5.5inch Quad HD display with a pixel density of 538ppi, a

13MP OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation) camera and a Laser Auto Focus, the first of its kind in the industry, enabling you to captivate clearer and sharper images. Another accessory is the LG G3â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s smart keyboard; it is

size adjustable and helps reduce input mistakes by 75 percent, making it easier and faster to type. www.lg.com/uk

OLYMPUS E-M10 lympus’ all-new EM10 Limited Edition compact camera offers an interchangeable 14-42mm pancake zoom lens, 3-axis image stabilisation and ultra fast auto focus system, making the most out of hand held photography. Its connectivity via WIFI and Olympus OI Share app also allows you to control certain settings, filters and functions needed for image capture from your smartphone. RRP £749

www.olympus.co.uk

TED BAKER FASTNET BLUETOOTH SPEAKER ith a unique folding design, this stunning aluminum speaker with leather cover by Ted Baker lets you stream and control your favourite tunes wirelessly (up to six hours), while an integrated microphone lets you make hands-free calls. Available exclusively from Ted Baker and John Lewis stores for £199.95, it is the ultimate portable accessory for fashionconscious music lovers this summer.

www.johnlewis.com

LENOVO THINKPAD 10 he Lenovo ThinkPad 10 is a multimode tablet perfect for on the go. Users have four versatile modes to choose from and combined with its premium aluminum lightweight design, is fantastic no matter the working environment. Features include Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit support and up to 4GB of memory and 128GB of storage. Its 10.1inch full HD graphics and wide-view display delivers a superior experience and the ThinkPad 10 also provides up to ten hours of battery life.

www.shop.lenovo.com

TECHNOLOGY

What is true

cloud? Andrew Robson, CEO of Perfect Image, dispels some of the myths about cloud computing.

EXPERT VIEW Andrew Robson CEO Perfect Image Web: www.perfect-image.co.uk

t Perfect Image, we really do take a consultative approach to working with our clients. We take the time to get to know them, their aims and objectives, so we can tailor an IT solution that perfectly meets their business needs. During these conversations – particularly with new clients – I’m often surprised by how many believe the myriad of myths around cloud computing. Many believe that because they can’t see their server, their IT solution must be in ‘the cloud’, but this rarely is the case. Think of true cloud computing as you would a utility in your own home. On a cold evening you can turn the heating up; when the warmer weather comes you can turn the heating down. Your energy use is scalable to meet your needs and you only pay for the amount of gas or electricity you use. The same can be said of true cloud solutions through Amazon Web Services. Using Amazon Web Services (AWS) makes sense if you are looking for a truly cost-effective IT solution for your business. With AWS it is pay-as-you-go, meaning you will only ever be billed for the service and capacity that you use. True cloud computing services like AWS means there are no contracts, no up-front payments and no hidden costs. At Perfect Image, we are always transparent

with our customers and firmly believe that honesty is the best policy, so there will never be any nasty surprises along the way. This means that AWS is one of the most costeffective solutions we offer our customers – whatever the size and scale of your requirement, you only ever pay for what you use. It’s as simple as that. With Amazon Web Services your requirements can be easily scaled up or down to meet your evolving business needs without having to amend any contracts and at extremely short notice. Our Managed AWS team can upscale your resources at a moment’s notice to cope with spikes in business demand as and when they happen. This flexibility means you can react to business cycles, seasonality and to new projects – both quickly and without risk – allowing you to maximise your flexibility without adding to your overheads. Keeping your operations safe from harm is easier with Perfect Image’s Managed Amazon Web Services. The AWS virtual infrastructure has been designed to provide optimum availability while ensuring complete customer privacy and segregation, making it a safe and reliable environment for your cloud platform. Our Managed AWS team is expert in devising and delivering the most secure AWS platforms for your

business, allowing you to have peace of mind knowing that your data is safely held in the cloud. Whether you need secure access, data encryption, private subnets or multi-factor authentication, our team can do it all. Durable, high availability platforms mean Amazon Web Services are available whenever you need them. Whether it’s 9-5 or 24/7, you’ll never be left without access when you need it. Our Managed AWS team will work with you to deliver the best solution for your business, whether you need extra network redundancy to ensure 100 per cent up-time or if you’re looking for a direct Amazon connection to reduce latency and increase data transfer speeds – leave it to us. Even if you aren’t sure what you need, our team will work with you to build the best solution for your business. With true cloud, anything is possible. In summary, with Amazon Web Services we can deliver you a highly secure cloud solution giving you total peace of mind. Being flexible, reliable and secure, our cost effective service is perfect for your business, keeping your operations safe from harm. If you’d like to find out more about true cloud with Perfect Image and how it can benefit your business, watch a short informational video at blog: http://bit.ly/truecloudPI

BUSINESS Paul Slaughter (i-Spy) and Rebecca Roberts (Northstar Ventures)

Reaching for the stars Venture Capitalist, Northstar Venutures, showcases its investments across a wide range of sectors. orthstar Ventures is a North East Venture Capital firm dedicated to helping regional SMEs. It invests in start-ups across a range of sectors, including Software as a Service (SaaS), healthcare, biotech and digital. Currently, Northstar Ventures manages five funds, with two actively investing Finance for Business North East (FBNE) Funds – The £25m Accelerator and £15m Proof of Concept Funds. It has a breadth of investments in its portfolio, a few of which are highlighted below.

i-Spy Digital – Accelerator Fund i-Spy Digital, based on Newcastle’s Quayside, first received investment from the Accelerator Fund in 2013, and has now received two rounds totalling £500,000. i-Spy Digital has developed a system, Care Messenger, which delivers personalised messages directly to individual users’ TV screens overlaying programmes until closed by the viewer using their TV remote control. Care Messenger is ideal for, but not restricted to, the elderly - who are not always confident with computers, smart phones and tablets, but generally spend more time than any other demographic in front of their television. i-Spy’s CEO, Paul Slaughter, says: “Now the older generation, the housebound and the disabled can be more connected to loved ones,

receiving messages and pictures on their familiar television. Their children and grandchildren can, for the first time, start simply messaging gran from their Smart phone, tablet or from a web browser from anywhere in the world. “Once the family has downloaded the app and bought the Care Messenger set top box, any number of relatives and supporters can send unlimited messages, all for a small fixed monthly charge.” Rebecca Roberts, investment manager at Northstar Ventures, adds: “The investment that i-Spy has received is really going to help it grow – it is going to create new jobs and will now really be able to focus on marketing and advertising.”

Affinity Systems (Affinity) – Proof of Concept (POC) Fund Sunderland-based Affinity received £100,000 POC investment in 2013. The company, which was set up in 2010 by Al Yong, is an IT installation specialist, which includes BT and Cisco as some of its partners. The funding received was used to create a new strand to the business – a remotely provided IT service to end users and other IT companies – ‘Rymote’. For a significant number of IT services, there is no longer a need for an IT engineer to be physically present at a customer’s site. The concept of remote working has developed over time and is now a mature characteristic of the IT

sector but it remains underutilised. Al Yong says: “We recognised that there is a demand in the global market for accessible Cisco engineering skills and this is where the idea for Rymote stemmed from. “After receiving a significant investment from Northstar and backing from local partners, I feel really positive about our ground breaking service. This service means that we can work with customers located anywhere from our Sunderland base. Affinity will be working closely with the University of Sunderland and creating skilled jobs in the local area. With a wealth of experience from the existing business we are position to introduce exciting new possibilities and make a huge difference to the IT industry.” These are just two of many companies Northstar Ventures has invested in. It also includes Eutechnyx – a video games developer; Applied Graphene Materials – a company that has developed a process for manufacturing graphene, which has recently floated on the Alternative Investment Market; and Palringo – a group messaging platform, in its portfolio. For more information about Northstar Ventures or to view its full portfolio, please visit www.northstarventures.co.uk The FBNE Funds are backed by the European Regional Development Fund and the European Investment Bank.

FEATURE

Sale of the century This month, Anderson & Garland is hosting a one-off auction of stunning contemporary and modern art. Here, Anderson & Garland’s art expert, John Anderson, looks at some of the highlights.

Why are you holding this one-off sale? We are selling two major collections that are both from local vendors. One is a lady who has built up a lovely selection of pieces and the other is from a very wealthy art collector who is thinning out his collection because he has decided he wants to be more specific in terms of what he owns. We also have some very interesting contributions from deceased estates, people who just walk in to the front office and from house clearances. There are 80 or 90 vendors in all. We are finding there is a lot of market demand for modern and contemporary art at the moment.

What is the difference between contemporary and modern art? The main feature of the sale is contemporary art – art that is being created today. We are now in the post-modern period, so we needed a new word for it. Modern art is a term art critics have been using for nearly 100 years, to describe virtually everything from the Impressionists onwards. Some of these pictures are 100 years old so they are technically antiques, but the term modern art was used so much in early part of the 20th century that you can’t take it away from them.

What are the highlights? What is quite special is the size of some of these

objects. Lot 86 is a gigantic relief of the city of Newcastle that is 15ft across. It was commissioned by Newcastle City Council in 1977 to mark the Queens Silver Jubilee and her visit to the city. We have four Ray Lonsdale sculptures, one of which is a life-sized figure of a man skewered on gigantic metal pointed stake that is quite spectacular. Lonsdale is extremely well known, most recently having hit the headlines with his sculpture of a nine foot five inches tall World War One soldier, which has been installed at Seaham for three months. Lot 95 is a signed poster for Visual Aid, which was linked to Band Aid. More than 100 contemporary artists including David Hockney, Bruce McLean, Richard Hamilton and Peter Bake each did a small design printed on one large sheet of paper that was produced as a limited edition print. Based on recent sales results, we would hope to achieve around £2000. Our vendor won the poster in a charity raffle for Band Aid. We also have a lot of decorative contemporary prints including several by Salvador Dali, and one by the jazz trumpeter Miles Davis.

Will there be much to interest collectors specifically interested in North East art? There are a number of items associated with the Stone Gallery in Newcastle, which was responsible for promoting many important artists including Lowry, and spotting valuable Victorian artists such as the pre-Raphaelites. It

was very much a pathfinder in the 1960s. We’ve got some very good examples of the great Northern painter Norman Cornish, whose agent in the 1960s was the Stone Gallery. There are some Cornishes straight from Spennymoor, commissioned or gifted by Norman, including a portrait of a little girl, Fiona Coia, who is now selling it. Cornish was her father’s friend.

What else will be going under the hammer aside from paintings and sculpture? There are a lot of 3D items, furniture and things to decorate a contemporary home. The first 80 lots are objects that straddle sculpture and art. There is also contemporary furniture and a very collectible set of four framed silk scarves by the Paris couturier Hermes.

Who do you think the sale will particularly appeal to? We have noticed an increasing number of younger buyers but it is surprising how many of our older regular clients are selling their Victorian paintings to finance their new taste for contemporary art. Nostalgia is an important element. Younger customers are discovering 20th Century décor as retro and vintage but those of us who can remember it from first time around are tickled it’s fashionable again. The auction takes place July 8. For more information visit www.andersonandgarland.com

EVENT

Family Fun Day Best Western Derwent Manor Hotel hosts an inaugural event.

undreds of people attended the first Family Fun Day at Best Western Derwent Manor Hotel on Monday, May 26, hosted by the new owners. Supported by the local YMCA, activities included a climbing wall, zorbes, archery and paint balling. There were also selfdefence demonstrations, face painting and childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rides. Live music from Quick Return, Mitch Laddie Band and Slow Moving Targets entertained the crowds across the afternoon and an indoor market featured local stall holders selling a variety of goods. Everyone enjoyed sitting at the outdoor bar and barbecue area soaking up the atmosphere and most surprisingly for a Bank Holiday - the sun. Visit Derwent Manor Hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Facebook page for details of the next date, to be announced shortly.

MEDIA NEWS

Generating help and support Newcastle-based business support organisation Generator has announced it will expand further into the North East's creative sector.

fter gaining a national reputation for music development, Generator, based in the Ouseburn Valley, has unveiled a new website and a responsive network of support giving the region's creative sector the tools, practical advice and experience it needs to flourish within this expanding market. Having identified a significant gap in the

business support framework, Generator is now offering organisations operating in the film, photography, digital media and design industries all the support they need and has pledged it will develop talent and drive significant business and growth in the region. Generator CEO, Jim Mawdsley, explained: “Through our latest ERDF

programme we have the resources and remit to put this expansion into practice and we have already been working with around 80 businesses in the wider sector,” As part of the new expansion, businesses will benefit from business coaching and bespoke one-to-one advice as well as a full programme of creative business events and training to drive new business and profits.

Offers for NET readers! A

ds Direct is offering NET readers two exclusive offers. Firstly, four weeks hire for the price of two at its Coast Road Billboard site, in Jesmond. The Billboard faces thousands of slow moving

commuters every day at the busiest east/west bound arterial route in and out of Newcastle City Centre. Secondly, half price window vinyl posters. Choose between the three busiest Metro/Bus

Interchanges in Tyne and Wear (Gateshead, Four Lane Ends and Park Lane). Campaigns can be booked or reserved in July for any dates throughout the remainder of 2014. Call 0203 3185193 for more.

Sarah Hall celebrates …

he Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) has recognised North East PR consultant Sarah Hall with one of the highest industry honours.

The managing director of Sarah Hall Consulting Ltd and board member of the CIPR, Sarah has been presented with the Stephen Tallents Medal, which is awarded

at the discretion of the president to recognise exceptional achievement in public relations practice by a CIPR member.

EVENT

Guests

Carl Nicholls, Longhirst club pro

Percy Hedley Cup Golf event raises thousands for charity.

Event organisers, Simon Bibby (minster cleaning) and Richard Atthey (RR Golf Ventures)

ollowing on from last year’s inaugural Percy Hedley Cup, 144 golfers from all over the UK converged on the fantastic Lakes Course at Longhirst Golf Club. The golfers were treated to a great day of golf, food, music, drink and entertainment from the fantastic Trick Shot Boys. Organisers Simon Bibby (Minster Cleaning) and Richard Atthey (RR Golf ventures) were once again overwhelmed by the generosity of the guests who helped raise well over £10,000 for the Percy Hedley College, for the second year in a row. The funds raised from last year’s event helped pay for a fantastic new sensory room which was opened this year.

Victoria Norris (Minster Cleaning), Val Gray (Percy Hedley College) and Lindsay Bibby

Guests

Graham Chambers (Longhirst Golf Club) and Steve Harmison

Longhorns BBQ

Trick shot boys, Kevin Carpenter and Geoff Swain

COVER STORY

AS MIKE LYNCH ADVERTISING REACHES A LANDMARK ANNIVERSARY, ITS OWNER TALKS TO ALISON COWIE ABOUT A NEW BUSINESS STRATEGY AND WHY THE AGENCY USES ‘JOINED-UP THINKING’ TO ACHIEVE THE ADVERTISING OBJECTIVES OF ITS CLIENTS.

the agency itself and latterly for the benefit of clients. Using online marketing tool Fanbooster (which the agency has an exclusive North East partnership with), Mike Lynch Advertising has created a number of successful Facebook campaigns for its new and existing clients in 2013-14. The move into digital services, however, has not been to the detriment of traditional media, such as television, press and radio. Instead, Mike Lynch Advertising is keen to promote a strategy combining both digital and traditional media – something the agency has termed, ‘joined-up thinking’. Media Manager, Julie Purvis, explains: “It’s important that clients don’t see digital in isolation to traditional media.” “Social media and search marketing should be part of the media plan strategy instead of a separate entity. Digital feeds into the traditional media and makes it more effective.” Julie continues: “What we want from a media strategy is that from the minute a target market wakes up to the minute they switch off at night, they see or hear the client’s message.” “This might mean hearing a radio advert when their alarm goes off in the morning, to accessing a social media campaign when they check their Facebook account at lunchtime, to seeing poster advertising on the Metro when they’re going home.” This ‘joined-up’ strategy has recently successfully been used for Falck, who were looking for a recruitment campaign aimed at men, aged 20-40. Adopting a combined strategy of radio, press and social media advertising, devised by Mike Lynch Advertising, the offshore training company has seen referral rates rise in the North East. Going forward, Mike and his team will continue with the business development strategy, while also keeping an eye on innovations in the media. “We’ll always continue to evolve what we do to keep ahead of the game,” says Mike. “We’re a reactive agency but also a proactive one, too. It’s important for us and for our clients who we want to see moving forward, alongside us.”

t has been 18 years since Mike Lynch started his eponymous advertising agency. Since then, he and his team (many of whom have been with Mike since the beginning) have grown the business into an established and well-known brand in the North East, offering a range of media planning and buying services to clients such as Newcastle NE1, Tecaz, Mill Volvo, Port of Tyne, Eastern Airways and Metro Radio Arena. Asked how he feels about his company reaching ‘adulthood’, Mike reflects: “The company definitely has a mature feel about it. We went through the growing pains in the early years but now we feel very much established, especially with the client base that we have.” While some business owners may see the landmark anniversary as an opportunity to sit back and relax, Mike has instead implemented a new business development strategy to attract new clients. Over the past 12 months, the agency has begun working with leisure companies Whitworth Hall Hotel and Bonbar (located in the iconic Assembly Rooms), local enterprise partnership Tees Valley Unlimited, new eco-efficient windows and doors manufacturer Green Kite and offshore training company Falck. The agency has also won two Newcastle City Council tenders, working alongside creative agency Cool Blue: Go Digital Newcastle, a campaign to get local businesses and homes connected to the Internet using superfast broadband and Go Smarter, which encourages people to make smarter travel choices around the region. Mike Lynch Advertising has always prided itself on being at the forefront of media innovation, and as such, for the past two years – driven largely by Head of Digital, James Lynch – the agency has begun offering clients digital services such as Search Engine Optimisation and Pay Per Click marketing. “SEO and PPC have become key for us,” explains James, “and we now have a number of clients on board.” He continues: “Everybody understands the importance of Google in today’s market. The world of search marketing is complex and continually evolving with Google making constant changes to its algorithm with updates virtually every other month. It is essential to stay ahead of these changes.” In addition, over the past 12 months, the agency has become heavily involved in social media, initially to promote

For more information on Mike Lynch Advertising visit www.mikelynchadvertising.co.uk

MEDIA

What Google Analytics can tell you ... for free Sarah Hall, managing director of Sarah Hall Consulting Ltd, the PR and marketing consultancy, looks at some of the powerful insights that marketers can derive from Google’s free analytics tool.

our website is one of your most powerful marketing tools, so with this in mind, it makes sense to ensure it is working as hard as it can

for you. One of the fastest ways to do this is through by using an analytics tool and Google offers one that is completely free to use. They call it ‘one of the most powerful digital analytics solutions available’ – I’m certainly not going to argue. Whether you want to find out which marketing initiatives are most effective, where customers are coming from, what they are doing on your site and for how long, Google Analytics can tell you all of this. The system accurately maps the patterns and trends of your visitors and helps you to pinpoint which customer segments are the most profitable to your business. By analysing the information, you can see what’s working and what’s not for your website. Google Analytics shows you which keywords, online adverts or marketing campaigns are attracting customers and you can use that data to improve your online presence to pull in more people. If you’ve started an SEO campaign, for instance, you can quickly find out whether it is paying dividends and identify the words that are generating the most traffic. Of course, it’s not just about getting more

visitors; converting them into clients is key. By using the Google tools available as part of the analytics package, you can pinpoint the common factors that transform someone from a browser into someone who interacts with your business and becomes a customer. This clever system might be free, but it’s definitely not a cheapskate option. For instance, if you have more than one site you can track and view them all from one account. That means you can easily compare and contrast your traffic figures in one place, gaining valuable insights into your customers’ behaviour, helping to generate ideas that will improve your marketing efforts. You may already have an analytics options installed as part of your website that you use to assess the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns. This doesn’t prevent you running Google Analytics alongside this without any problem, adding to your arsenal of tools. It doesn’t take an IT expert to install either. One of the beauties of the Google system is the DIY ethic that opens up the technology to people who don’t necessarily have a degree in computer coding – and that’s probably most of us! The analytics tool uses a snippet of code placed on your website to activate the

tracking and send the information to your Google Analytics account. The only fly in the ointment is that Google Analytics isn’t always compatible with social media pages. This means if you want to track the success of your Facebook marketing efforts, you’ll need to look for a third-party widget that lets you install the analytics package without it fighting with Facebook’s page template. Plus, you won’t be able to count how many of your pages are loaded via RSS or atom readers, because they don’t work with JavaScript, which is essential for Google Analytics’ tracking to work. That appears to be the main inconvenience with the system, but its pros definitely outweigh the cons. The fact it’s a free application is obviously a major point in its favour, but unlike many free offers, Google Analytics does what it says on the tin and doesn’t leave you wishing you’d forked out for the expensive option in the first place. For more PR and marketing related news and articles, please visit http://blog.sarahhallconsulting.co.uk. Contact Sarah on 07702 162 704, email sarah@sarahhallconsulting.co.uk, Twitter @hallmeister or visit www.sarahhallconsulting.co.uk

MEDIA

Ask Silver Bullet … Kerry Tudor of Silver Bullet Marketing answers your marketing queries. Q: A significant percentage of my marketing budget goes on leaflet printing and distribution, now that digital marketing is so prolific, is this now old fashioned and less effective? Should I still be spending this much or should I focus more on digital? Digital media provides a range of opportunities for marketing campaigns. Using PR as an example; news releases can be reduced to PDF format and emailed directly to your contacts, where they can feature in external online publications and reach new consumers by association, and if there is an option to share the story digitally say, for example, by email or via a social network, the material has the potential to become viral and reach an infinite number of consumers. Furthermore, with internet enabled mobile technology such as mobile phones, tablets and laptops becoming increasingly popular, the likelihood of your target demographic hearing your message is high and by engaging with customers via several platforms you can ensure the reach of your message is significantly higher than by using traditional methods alone. However, traditional marketing materials and methods such as leaflets - in particular direct

mail - remain popular and there are a number of reasons why, probably the most important of which is because they work. Direct marketing can be a very effective way of delivering a targeted message. If you invest time in maintaining a comprehensive client/customer database you’ll then be able to define the groups of people you’d like to communicate specific information to. So say, for example, you have information that’s relevant to your customer base in one specific geographic location, targeted direct-mail will communicate this information to the right people with minimal waste. On the flip side, if you take a mass marketing approach and send out huge volumes of direct mail without any knowledge of the recipients, you’ll find that you’re spending a lot of money with no real way of measuring the impact of the activity. It might work to some extent but it’s an expensive approach to a method that will work a lot more effectively if it’s tailored to meet the objectives of your business and to a demographic more likely to respond. Leaflets have a multitude of uses that can have a very positive impact on your marketing and business overall. They are an extremely adaptable medium that can be used to introduce new services, establish your businesses presence in a specific area, they can work as discount

vouchers, and they can provide important information about your business to existing and potential customers. As with all marketing collateral, design is a key factor to achieving success. Distributing leaflets is an ideal way to capture the attention of customer who prefers a more tactile approach to marketing – if you produce attractive marketing materials, these customers are likely to keep them for future reference, and chances are they’ll display them somewhere like the fridge door or a pin board, which means they’ll be constantly reminded of your brand too. So, to directly answer your question, old fashioned or traditional methods of marketing such as leafleting, are by no means less effective due to the introduction of newer technologies. Indeed, the advent of digital technology has expanded the horizons of communication but it hasn’t replaced or eclipsed the old ways. My advice would be to always research your clientele and create tailored marketing campaigns to meet their requirements and engage with them via the most appropriate platforms available, new and old. Email your questions anonymously to Silver Bullet at hello@silverbulletmarketing.co.uk or Tweet (not so anonymously) @SilverBulletPR #AskSB

MEDIA

Do your

research ... Tips for budding marketeers, by JAM’s Jackie Marston.

EXPERT VIEW Jackie Marston Managing director JAM Marketing Limited Tel: 0845 900 2127 Email info@jam-marketing.co.uk Web: www.jam-marketing.co.uk

i again, I’m back this month to talk to you about the ways in which our team at JAM go the extra mile for every one of our clients and how we feel that going the extra distance is not an excess but a bare minimum. Over the years, we have worked in association with numerous organisations and charities, alongside the opportunities we present to students and graduates looking to take the leap into the real world of marketing. But unfortunately we can’t offer placements to everyone; otherwise I’d invite every single budding marketeer to join us (I think the office would be a little cramped). So, here goes, from my personal book of tricks; get your pen at the ready. One of the first things we look for in any

client we begin working for is a defined brand personality, something that sets you apart from your competitors, a little quirk perhaps. It’s often overlooked how much your brand colours and aesthetics reflect your goals, but just think of it this way, consider a little blue bird, an apple with a bite out and the golden arches – what brands do you think of? Although we’re a full service creative agency, focusing on PR, marketing and events management, strategy and business development is something we always consider, whether the client is new or established. By doing our research into both the industry news and trend predictions we know that we are going to offer the most current and connected service, because at the end of

the day we’re all aware that a lot of business owners and the public alike are cautious of immoral marketing ploys. It’s not about pulling the wool over the consumer’s eye anymore; it’s about engaging their vision and matching it with yours. This being the exact reason JAM is promoted as a personal and transparent B2B company, because we want our current and prospective clients to join us in a partnership to better their business and not feel baffled by marketing techniques and collateral. Just leave that to us ... So there are a couple of tips from me to you and I just want to say good luck to all of you working towards a career in the marketing and PR sector. Just remember; we all start somewhere.

STYLE

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

Debenhams, £50

River Island, £40

Accessorize, £25

Next, £12.50

lack: it may not be typically associated with summer attire, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t stepping out of the shade during the warmer months. The classic, goes-with-everything hue is predicted to be one of this season’s biggest go-to colours – whether you’re creating your ‘holiday clothes’ collection or looking to update your summer work wardrobe. What we love most about black is its ability to complement other on-trend colours and make them stand out, such as crisp white and dusty pastels. Monochrome is always a safe bet for the workplace, so if that’s more your style, why not team a black pencil skirt (leather is proving popular a fabric this summer) with white outerwear, such as a figure-flattering blazer? For those longing for a more colourful look, pastel pink is another great shade to complement with black – opt for a watery pink coat or a baby pink satchel to add a touch of femininity to your workday look.

New Look, £27.99

MODEL ATTIRE Limited Edition Dungaree, £59 Limited Edition Waist Coat, £59 Autograph Shoes, £99 Bangle, £15 All from Marks & Spencer’s SS14 Collection

Office, £65

WORKSPACE & CONSTRUCTION NEWS

Work begins in Cleadon Construction starts on 16 luxury homes in South Tyneside.

he start of 16 luxury four and five bedroom homes was officially marked with a sodcutting by local Councillors, Margaret Meling and Joan Atkinson who showed their support for the development. Social business, Gentoo is developing the site in Cleaden, South Tyneside – to be known as Hawksley Rise – which sits on the land once occupied by Oakleigh Gardens School. The development has been eagerly awaited since Gentoo purchased the land from South Tyneside Council last October. Councillor Meling said: “This prestigious new development is a welcome addition to the range of quality homes in Cleadon Village. Even viewing the proposals from the plan the 16 homes look fantastic and are set in a lovely location. I look forward to the completion of the development and to welcoming the new residents.” Phase one, a selection of six homes, one of each house type which will be built on

the site, are now released for sale. Hawksley Rise is to be created with something that Gentoo call the ‘art of living’

in mind. They understand that a home is not just about the house that you live in, but the lifestyle it provides.

Welcome news T

he Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has welcomed the latest construction figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which show yearon-year growth in the sector of almost five per cent between April 2013 and April 2014, as good news for Newcastle. The figures also show that construction output

in April 2014 rose by 1.2 per cent (£113million) compared with March 2014. The figures come in light of data from CITB’s 2013 Construction Skills Network report which showed that, in the North East, it is estimated that around 2680 new construction recruits are required annually from 2014-18. To help achieve this, it is likely

that the industry will need to recruit in the region of 1900 apprentices every year for the next five years. Housing is set to dominate construction growth in the North East, boosted by Newcastle City Council’s plans to spend around £130m building 1200 new homes.

Survey investment for Owen Pugh N

orth East construction firm The Owen Pugh Group is improving efficiencies within its contracts team following an £80k investment in leadingedge surveying equipment. The full service civil engineering contractor, which employs more than

370 staff across five regional sites – including its head office in Dudley, Northumberland,– has purchased five new Trimble Universal Total Stations (UTS) from surveying suppliers Korec, which are used to take site measurements. The upgraded equipment will enable

the work of the division to be carried out more quickly and effectively and with reduced downtime due to lower battery usage. It will also provide additional capability to trim large threedimensional areas to millimetre accuracies.

PROPERTY

Renaissance of the local trader By Neil Hart, director at Bradley Hall. hile Newcastle city centre is a hive of activity, it’s easy to overlook the contribution of the city’s suburbs to the region’s commercial property market revival. Places such as Heaton and Gosforth are thriving hubs that have witnessed plenty of recent activity in the industrial and retail sectors. This activity has led to the return of the local independent trader to the city’s suburbs. When I walk around these places I see so many quirky cafes and boutique gift and craft shops that weren’t there a couple of years ago, when the shadow of recession loomed large over the region. Many large city centre-based retailers are still struggling to recover from the recession, therefore opportunities have arisen for smaller, more agile independent companies to open up in strategically well placed but less cluttered suburban areas. Earlier this year, Bradley Hall acquired a mixed-use parade of shops on Canterbury Way in Wideopen. Every single unit – including a small tea room, a butcher’s shop, bakery, hair salon and vets – has now been let

to a local operator. Other areas are benefiting, too. Chillingham Road, the main commercial road in Heaton, is buzzing with activity while there are high occupancy rates in business units in nearby Gosforth. The picture in city centre locations is somewhat different. Larger retailers are reducing space requirements in shopping arcades where many traditional high street

shopping units have vanished to be replaced by online portals. Supermarket giant Tesco saw like-for-like sales fall 3.7 per cent in the three months to May 25 – its worst performance for more than 20 years. I have no doubt that some of this is down to the rise of the neighbourhood butcher, baker and cake maker. Although many businesses in central Newcastle are doing well and increasing sales, a key trend is the emergence of smaller independent traders in the suburbs. It is easy to see why; Heaton, Gosforth and Wideopen are all situated near main transport routes including the A1, A19, the Tyne & Wear Metro network and Newcastle International Airport. They are also close to densely populated residential areas, which provide a good source of custom. Being based in Newcastle city centre has its advantages – but the revival of the local trader in suburban areas cannot be ignored. It has had a positive impact on the local economy and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. For more information visit www.bradleyhall.co.uk

PROPERTY

Making the right move overseas oving overseas – whether emigrating or for employment purposes – is an exciting time, but it can also be a time of enormous stress and worry, If you’re planning a move abroad you will already appreciate how much there is to think about and organise. Doree Bonner is a highly experience and respected removal company that has helped families move around the world including Canada, New Zealand and Australia. The company took part in a successful emigration expo, Down Under Live, held in Newcastle in May in which enquires soared for those looking to move internationally. Here, the company shares some simple rules to help take the stress and worry out of moving:

and discuss all the options available, giving you their opinion on the best way to transport your belongings having taken both your time scale and budget into account. They should also be happy to provide a number of different quotes based on different options such as the best method of transporting your worldly goods – sole or shared use container? And best mode of transport – by air or sea?

Choose your removal company carefully The company should be members of the BAR (British Association of Removers) and should also hold the FAIM. accreditation (FIDI Accredited International Mover). This will help you to guarantee the quality of the company coming to perform your removal.

Pick a local company By choosing a local removal company that meets the above criteria, not only will you receive the benefit of dealing with someone who understands the unique nature of moving in your area, but also you will not be charged additional costs for lots of unnecessary mileage. (The costs of getting a truck from the company’s yard to your property is all built into the) Using a local company like Doree Bonner also means that you will get professionally trained and qualified staff to pack and load the your container – nothing is subcontracted.

Check your quote details

Insist on a home visit Doree Bonner offers a comprehensive pricing tool on its website (www.doreebonner.co.uk) here you are able to calculate the space you require for shipment, calculate a price, pay for it and even book your removal date! However, we understand this may not be for everyone, invite your chosen companies to your property. Once you’ve drawn up your short list, a removal company should want to visit you at home. This is a really important part of the process as the removal cost is calculated based on the actual volume of goods you’d like to take with you. Don’t accept a telephone quote – it’s unlikely to be accurate and you could easily find yourself facing hefty additional charges.

Know what you want to take During the home visit, do take the opportunity to fully discuss your requirements, making sure they – and you – know exactly what you’d like to take with you. Once the survey has taken place, the representative should sit with you

Once surveyed, Doree Bonner will always quickly follow up the home survey with a detailed written quotation covering everything discussed with our representative. This will include a comprehensive list of the goods for shipment, how your goods will be packed and shipped, the services included at destination and the name and full details of our overseas partners - once again, you should ensure that your removal companies overseas partners are also FAIM accredited, as this will guarantee the services provided to you when you arrive. And remember; tempting though it is to go with the cheapest quote - and of course a competitive quote is important – don’t fall into the trap of making cost the only criteria. Following these simple guidelines will ensure a smooth and successful move to your exciting new life overseas. Doree Bonner believes it offer the best possible service at the most competitive price possible and would be more than happy to demonstrate that to you. Our highly trained, courteous and professional staff are available to assist you so give them a call. For further information on Doree Bonner call David Robson on (0191) 268 638, email: moving@dbonner.co.uk or visit www.doreebonner.co.uk

EVENT

Hotel du Vin Al Fresco menu launch An event welcomes the addition of new seasonal drinking and dining options at the hotel.

ust in time for the warmer, and longer days, Hotel du Vin Newcastle has launched a new Al Fresco menu that boasts the best tastes of summer. Fresh, seasonal ingredients – plus a signature wine list, new colourful cocktails and punch bowls and a great selection of local and craft beers – can be enjoyed on a sunny day in our beautiful revamped outdoor courtyard and terrace. General manager, Rob Tait, said: “Our staff are very excited about this menu. It’s vibrant, fresh and different. Chilled red wines, sharing cocktails and healthy outdoor dining – all out on our brand new terrace and courtyard.”

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

Double win for Newcastle Falcons The Kingston Park hospitality team celebrates.

ewcastle Falcons has won two prestigious awards at the 2014 Stadium Events & Hospitality Awards, fighting off competition from the likes of Wigan Warriors, Cardiff City FC and Newcastle United. Headed by director of

conferences and events, Jane Shepstone, the Kingston Park hospitality team claimed awards for the overall best match-day hospitality experience and the same award in the stadium of up to 30,000 seats category. Commenting on the win, Jane Shepstone said: “I’m

absolutely thrilled that our hospitality programme has taken these accolades. It’s our first year of entering, so to win not only our category, but also our overall award, is amazing. We believe that we offer a great experience and to have that confirmed is hugely rewarding.”

Spa victory

Highly recommended hotel

Four-star hospitality

eaham Hall’s award-winning Serenity Spa has become the only spa in the North East to be included in the Top Sante 100 Best Spas list – placing it alongside world famous venues such as Babington House in Somerset and the renowned The Ashram in California. The spa, which was listed in Top Sante’s Country Escape category, extends over three floors and boasts a range of luxury facilities, including garden view therapy rooms and a black granite steam room.

oxford Hall, Northumberland, has been awarded ‘Highly Recommended’ status by members of GunsOnPegs – the largest online shooting community in the UK – and readers of Fieldsports Magazine, in the Good Shoot Hotel Awards 2014. The hotel was praised for ‘its excellent service and exceptional ability to anticipate and surpass shooting guests’ requirements’ and its new, bespoke gun room.

orthumberland boutique country house, Eshott Hotel, has been awarded AA four stars. The 11-bedroom hotel, which has already earned two AA rosettes for its restaurant, was praised for its well-appointed public areas, its dining, which is open to both residents and nonresidents, the professionalism of its staff and their ability to respond to residents’ requests.

LEISURE & HOSPITALITY

Matchdays with style Enjoy premier hospitality at the Stadium of Light. underland’s Stadium of Light is one of the North East’s most iconic venues, renowned as much for its business capabilities as its standing in the Barclays Premier League. Sunderland AFC has a long tradition when it comes to their football heritage with the Stadium of Light drawing crowds of over 40,000 for home games. Since its launch in 1997, the Stadium of Light has evolved from a standing sporting stadium to an award-winning venue that affords the perfect combination of superb facilities, first class service and top flight football. In this modern day era of football, the stadium provides much more than just football. It is the focus of the community, bringing together entertainment, fine cuisine and sport. The state-of-the-art stadium has all the facilities you could ask for including restaurants, bars, enormous conference facilities and the ability to hold anything from a rock concert to a multi-faceted exhibition. With so much to offer, Sunderland’s Stadium of Light is in a league of its own, its strengths lie not only in its facilities but also in its desire to ensure that every single person that

comes through the doors has a truly memorable experience. Leading the kitchen brigade at the Stadium of Light is Patrick Lesca. The executive head chef from the Basque region in the south of France transferred to the stadium in 1998 and has seen football catering come a long way from the days of a meat pie and mushy peas, or a hotdog and warm beer. Patrick’s philosophy on food has always been and remains to be that good food should be tasty but not too overly complex. He says: “I keep things simply cooked and well cooked. I do a lot of beef with vegetables. We have slow cooked rump, lamb fillet and sea bass. We source as many of our ingredients as we can locally, from farms within 30 to 40 miles of Sunderland.” Patrick makes it his business to be the best – and the source of the food supplied at the Stadium of Light is at the heart of what he does, with menus created to deliver some of the finest and eclectic cuisine, you are sure to have a culinary experience like no other at the home of Sunderland AFC. Whether you want to relax in the luxurious James Herriot Suite or soak up the lively,

vibrant atmosphere of the Black Cats Bar and Quinn’s Sports Bar, the Stadium of Light has a matchday hospitality option to suit your needs. Gary Hutchinson, commercial director at Sunderland AFC, said: “The matchday hospitality packages have been designed to cater for a wide range of tastes and budgets and have helped boost our regular matchday attendance by attracting new audiences and enhancing the visitor experiences. “A number of elements have been added to the packages in recent years including prematch stadium tours, special guest appearances from former SAFC players and post-game Man of the Match awards.” Providing excellent value for money, business development and networking opportunities - matchday hospitality at the Stadium of Light guarantees some of the best seats in the house.

For more information about matchday hospitality at the Stadium of Light visit www.safc.com/hospitality or to book your seat in one of the stadium’s many suites, call 0871 911 1555 or email hospitality@safc.com.

LEISURE & HOSPITALITY

Talk of the town City Tavern has become a stylish and popular new addition to Newcastle’s social scene.

hroughout its former life from tea rooms to its current incarnation as a stylish bar, Newcastle’s City Tavern, located on Northumberland Road at the top of the city’s busy Northumberland Street, has always been a place to meet. Now, thanks to David King, the man behind City Tavern’s recent transformation and his multi-cultural, talented team of managers and bar and waiting staff, it’s possible not only to while away the hours over beautifully prepared, locally sourced food and great beers, it is also a great venue for partying, whatever the occasion. Since re-opening, such is the appeal of City Tavern, it has played host to a variety of private functions including informal drinks receptions for some of the region’s leading businesses, as well as Newcastle University’s Fine Art Degree students, who liked the venue’s chic urban interior so much they chose it for their end of course party. It is also becoming a wedding venue of choice for couples marrying at the nearby Civic Centre, who want an intimate venue where they

can kick-back and enjoy their wedding day. This month, acclaimed fashion designer and costumier Paul Shriek will use City Tavern as the back-drop for his Haute Couture Womenswear Autumn/Winter 14 collection. Paul is currently designing the new collection in collaboration with artistic associate Matt Fox – together they are Fox and Shriek.

Setting high standards Further to hosting exclusive events, which recently included the launch of local band, Life After Alice’s much anticipated EP, another feather in City Tavern’s cap is its five-star hygiene rating which it gained only a few weeks after opening. Speaking about the great response the bar has received since opening, David King said: “A lot of hard work went into transforming City Tavern at the outset because it was important that we got the look and feel of the place right. “I’m delighted to say I think we have succeeded and now attract an eclectic mix of

customers from businessmen and women, who want somewhere they can grab a coffee or lunch, to the creative crowd who are looking for somewhere to chill when their creative juices need diluting. “It is also popular with theatre-goers who want to grab a bite to eat before they head off for a performance and shoppers who want somewhere to recharge their batteries. And let’s not forget the guy or girl who just wants to have a great beer, craft ale or glass of wine, while reading the papers, or one of the many books we have in the Library.” “In fact, as we are proving so popular with couples wanting to hold their wedding receptions with us we have decided to apply for our own wedding licence so that we can provide a full wedding package.” “And now that the summer is here lighter style casks ales are available, along with the pub’s own locally brewed City Tavern Ale.” For more information visit www.citytavern.co.uk

LEISURE & HOSPITALITY

Food glorious food Rockliffe Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa has become synonymous with tasty food with three very different dining options available ... prawns, a special ‘spa salad’, roast salmon cous cous, a ‘posh parmo’ and a Mediterranean burger. In addition, sharing plates include a market fish platter, dips and flatbreads and cured meats with focaccia. The menu also features homemade desserts and ‘mini’ desserts. The Spa Brasserie is open all day from 8.30am to residents and non-residents, whether on a spa day or not.

The Orangery The Orangery has come a long way in the last 12 months. Executive chef Paul O’Hara has worked hard to build the right team and put together new menus. Gone are the tasting menus and instead a varied a la carte menu with a ‘Signature Menu’ is on offer along with a relaxed ambience. Indeed, The Orangery has undergone something of a transformation and, whilst retaining the 18th Century Old Hall charm, the menu and experience reflect the changing restaurant landscape where local produce and regional dishes simply served in lively surroundings are the order of the day. Paul O’Hara says: “The menu changes with the seasons, but highlights include the likes of lobster thermidor, dover sole, Chateaubriand and rack of lamb-carved theatrically at your table – as well as vegetarian delights, desserts with a twist and ‘Signature Menu’ if you want an exhilarating foodie experience of seven ‘tasting’ dishes.” And then there’s the famous Cocktail Bar (with cocktails designed by in-house mixologists), sunny terrace (weather permitting!) and walk-in wine servery (not to be missed, enjoy a guided tour!), which mean dining in The Orangery is always different, always memorable. Enjoy afternoon tea or a light lunch by daylight or take dinner and drinks by moonlight, all ensconced in the beauty of The Orangery, where fun and food are the dishes of the day!

The Spa Brasserie The Spa Brasserie is something different and is now open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner as well as drinks all day long, whether you’re looking for a post-workout health kick or a glass of

The Clubhouse

wine with friends after work on the balcony overlooking Rockliffe Hall’s 365-acre estate. This new restaurant concept is part of Rockliffe Hall’s on-going development plans, always evolving and responding to customers’ needs. The Spa Brasserie has replaced The Brasserie and offers informal grazing platters, sharing boards and small seasonal plates, as well as favourites such as wraps, sandwiches and homemade burgers and a daily ‘dish of the day’. There’s also a newly-created cocktail selection – exclusive to The Spa Brasserie – and speciallydesigned wine lists as well as smoothies and juices. In addition, the restaurant serves brunch from 8.30-11.30am daily, offering dishes such as homemade granola, a choice of muffins and omelettes, as well as pastries. Dishes on the all-day menu, designed by the newly-appointed head chef of the Spa Brasserie, Aaron Craig, is served from noon until late every day, include highlights such as grilled king

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Grills, salads and light bites are the order of the day in The Clubhouse. Think gastro-pub with a modern twist. Not forgetting the ever-popular Sunday lunches. And while you’re here, drink in the view across the sprawling golf course – you might even spot a famous face or two! Classic dishes are served from 7am everyday whether you fancy smoked salmon and scrambled eggs or a full English before tee-ing off, a lunchtime toasty, ploughman’s or Black Sheep Ale and steak pie or dinner delights such as steaks and chops from the grill, a burger (veggie or otherwise), a variety of fish dishes and, of course, a selection of traditional ‘afters’.

Whatever you fancy Wining and dining at Rockliffe Hall- there really is something for everyone, whether a gastronome or not. There’s also a host of private dining options- for special occasions, business events or intimate gatherings- and the ever-popular Afternoon Tea, not to be missed if you want a real flavour of five-star gastronomic glamour! For more information visit www.rockliffehall.com

ADVERTISER’S ANNOUCEMENT

Introducing the new-look Holiday Inn The Newcastle Gosforth Park hotel gets a revamp. or more than 60 years the Holiday Inn brand has grown, not only in awareness, but in international trust; with the Newcastle, Gosforth Park hotel catering for a mass of loyal clientele from across the UK. The hotel is situated in a rural setting surrounded by 16 acres of countryside providing a relaxing and comforting environment for all of its guests. Inviting families, couples and individuals to enjoy the facilities provided, whether indulging in a weekend away sounds appealing or simply a night of pure relaxation away from home; the Holiday Inn Newcastle Gosforth Park is a true escape from reality. The hotel is approximately ten miles from Newcastle city centre and six miles from the city borders and has a total of 154 rooms, 13 conference rooms; one of which can accommodate up to 300 guests and a gym with accompanying pool, sauna and steam room. Employing around 90 staff in total, you’re sure to always get a warm, friendly and professional welcome at every visit.

The objectives of the Holiday Inn, Newcastle Gosforth Park are to be known as the most family friendly, value for money and excellent quality Sunday lunch venue in the region. This being the exact reason the company have invested a huge sum in the refurbishment of the restaurant/lounge for guests to get the most out of their stay and the facilities available. Norrie Oswald, general manager, explains: “Long term, we hope to see the hotel become recognised for its food and restaurant. “Thanks to the new menu and the refurbishments which are set to be completed in July this year, we’re already well on our way to achieving this.” The company is also currently in the process of refurbishing the bedrooms, starting with an initial 40, which will be completed by August 2014. The aim of these renovations is to strip them back to the shell of rooms and from there use them as a blank canvas to create an entirely new space for guests to rest and unwind. All rooms are to be updated with work expected to

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be completed by the end of 2015. The hotel also offers guests and customers a multitude of reward opportunities, introduced by parent company IHG, the InterContinental Hotels Group, including a point scheme which can be redeemed in any of their 4600 hotels as well as exclusive member benefits when you join the IHG Rewards Club. So not only do guests experience a guaranteed, luxury stay but they can also start earning points towards their next. The hotel also fully endorses the Green Engage campaign, whereby the hotel strives to lower its C02 emissions for which it has won a silver award for green tourism. The Holiday Inn, Newcastle – Gosforth Park always puts customers’ needs first, as Norrie explains: “By being known for its comfort levels, added with the logo on the door and the recent refurbishments, customers will hopefully return and be reassured of the quality of the hotel.” The Holiday Inn, Newcastle Gosforth Park is located on Great North Road, Seaton Burn. Contact the hotel on (0191) 201 9988.

LEISURE & HOSPITALITY

Business lunch

Antico Restaurant Alison Cowie enjoys some authentic Italian cuisine in Jesmond. here’s pretty much an Italian restaurant on every high street in the UK, with the Mediterranean cuisine most people’s goto choice when eating out; there’s always something to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters on an Italian-influenced menu. However, it is often questionable just how authentic an Italian experience you are getting from a lot of these places. Authenticity, however, is something you get in abundance at Antico. Described as ‘passionate about food, service and quality’ on its website, the restaurant – located on Osborne Road in Jesmond – offers what it terms The Antico Experience. Translated, this means incredible food that doesn’t deserve to be rushed. My two colleagues and I ventured to Jesmond one day last month to try the

experience out. And a bonus was the glorious sunny weather meant we could take advantage of the restaurant’s substantial outdoor seating area. The menu at Antico is, like most Italian restaurants, a plethora of choice with a vast range of starters, pastas, pizzas and meat, fish and vegetable dishes. We, however, were more than happy to let our friendly and knowledgeable waiter choose our dishes for us. What my dining party and I experienced over the next two hours was a master class of how truly excellent Italian cooking should be cooked and served. Every dish was wonderfully presented and the quality of the ingredients shone throughout. Highlights were the beautifully-cooked kings prawns cooked in garlic and chilli, the

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delightful ravioli served simply in a tomato and basil sauce, and the heavenly tiramisu – without doubt the best version I had ever tasted. Maybe it was the sunny weather (who doesn’t love eating lunch with their sunglasses on) or the glass of Prosecco, but for one afternoon, Jesmond suddenly looked felt like a busy Roman thoroughfare. Ok, so this restaurant may not be somewhere to head if you’re limited to a 30-minute lunch break, but that’s exactly the point. Antico offers Italian dining, the Italian way: simple, top quality cooking to enjoy at a leisurely pace. There’s no need to rush at Antico, and, quite frankly, you wont want to. For more information at bookings call (0191) 281 2990 or visit www.anticorestaurant.com

Grilled aubergine, courgettes and peppers topped with pecorino cheese shavings.

Warm mozzarella wrapped in Parma ham.

King prawns cooked in garlic and chilli.

£6.95

£8.50

Pasta with a medley of shellfish in a tomato and garlic sauce.

Lamb ragout made with Antico’s own secret recipe.

Asparagus and ricotta-filled fresh ravioli in a tomato and basil sauce.

£8.95

£9.95

Tiramisu

Strawberry and ricotta cheesecake.

Lemon profiterole

£4.95

£6.75

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WINE & DINE

Recipe of the month:

Grilled cedar plank salmon with a California salad ry this summery dish from the Stables Restaurant & Brewery at Best Western Beamish Hall Country House Hotel.

INGREDIENTS Salmon 1 portion of salmon 1 cedar plank

10g pinenuts â&#x20AC;&#x201C; toasted 10g pumpkin seeds 10g dried cranberries 5g poppy seeds 70g diced goats cheese 6g large, quartered strawberries 3x cherry tomatoes, halved Â˝ small, red onion, thinly sliced into rings Candy pecan nuts (we home-roast ours but best to buy) Mixed green leaves (peashoot /frizzy lettuce)

Marinade 2 tbsp sesame oil 6 tbsp Light Soy sauce 1 fresh chilli, diced 1 garlic glove 1cm fresh ginger root, grated 3 tbsp maple syrup 1 lime, zest & juice 1 spring onion, sliced

METHOD

California salad 10g sunflower seeds

Mix all marinade ingredients well, cover salmon, place in air-tight container in fridge for

Salad dressing 4tbsp maple syrup 1 lime, zest & juice 1tbsp poppy seeds 100ml olive pomice oil

a minimum of 30 minutes. Soak the Cedar plank in lukewarm water for 10 minutes and pre-heat fan assisted oven to 180 degrees. Place soaked Cedar plank onto a hot griddle, lightly brush with small amount of veg oil. Once plank is smoking and fragrant (not on fire!), add marinated salmon onto plank and remove from griddle, place into oven and cook for 8 minutes. Meanwhile, mix all the salad dressing ingredients except the olive oil. Slowly mix in the oil. Combine all the salad ingredients and add the dressing. Plate everything up and enjoy.

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www.beamish-hall.co.uk

EVENT

PGA Pro-Am golf event Newcastleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Harrys Bar partners up with the national golf championship for the North East leg.

arrys Bar welcomed golfers at the North East/North West inaugural PGA Pro Am with its signature Rossini cocktails. It was a fabulous day at Close House with professional golfers from all around the north attending. Fifty teams took part in the largest event this year, sponsored by The A- Belco group the Ashington based engineering company. In attendance were local businesses and sports stars from the region, including Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer. Harrys Bar is open daily from 10am until 2am serving breakfast lunch and dinner www.harrysbarnewcastle.com

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INTERVIEW

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CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED FOR HER DEBUT ALBUM OF BROODINGLY BEAUTIFUL, DARKLY ATMOSPHERIC TALES OF LOVE AND LOSS, WHITBURN-BORN SINGER SONGWRITER NADINE SHAH TALKS TO ELISE RANA HOPPER ABOUT HER INSPIRATIONS, INFLUENCES AND HOPES FOR THE NORTH EAST MUSIC SCENE. WHAT WAS YOUR EARLY MUSICAL LIFE LIKE?

FAVOURITE THINGS ABOUT THE NORTH EAST:

It wasn't a particularly musical household. My mum can't hold a tune to save her life but my dad has a brilliant singing voice, he'd sing a lot round the house. I'm sure they'd have preferred I was more academic at school but they've been great and very encouraging with my music.

Blur’s Parklife … or Pinky and Perky!

The Tyneside Cinema was always my favourite haunt, it still is. It's a beautiful cinema and they show great films. Also it's just a really nice place to hang out. You can get some good people watching done in that alley. I'm a huge fan of documentary photography and The Side Gallery is probably the thing I miss most about Newcastle, I've met so many great people there and the shows have inspired a lot of my work. I love the fact that I can go out alone in town but always bump into a good friend – that doesn't happen so much in London.

WHEN DID YOU REALISE THAT MUSIC WAS WHAT YOU WANTED TO DO PROFESSIONALLY?

WHAT DOES THE NORTH EAST MUSIC SCENE DO WELL? WHAT COULD IT DO BETTER?

Since a very young age, but I think I imagined it all quite differently. There were a lot more dance routines, sparkles and Grammy awards in my original plan.

We've got an abundance of great bands like Retriever, Nateley's Whore's Kid Sister and Symphonic Pictures. There was a point a few years back where lots of great music venues starting shutting down. But I've noticed recently, when I've been back to visit, there's all these new venues springing up. They're not just the upstairs of pubs either – they’re much more creative and exciting places, big warehouse spaces, pop up shops, disused buildings. I really hope that that's going to influence the sound that comes out of the North East.

FIRST RECORD YOU BOUGHT?

WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF LIFE IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY? The main pro for me is that you are gifted the luxury of adolescence for a while longer. The biggest con … budget hotels.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE PROUDEST MOMENT OF YOUR CAREER SO FAR? WHO/WHAT INSPIRES YOU AS A WRITER AND PERFORMER? Just the completion of the first album. The reviews were wonderful but the most important and proudest moment was the final realisation of years of writing.

Nina Simone, Scott Walker, Newcastle, Sunderland, London, gin, whiskey, vodka, red wine and white wine.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST ADVICE YOU'VE RECEIVED - CAREER OR OTHERWISE?

WHO IS YOUR GREATEST ARTISTIC INFLUENCE?

Get a trade.

Probably Scott Walker. To this day he is still making brilliant innovative music and putting many younger bands and artists to shame.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO IN THE NEAR FUTURE? HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE TO COMPARED TO THE LIKES OF NICK CAVE AND PJ HARVEY?

Finishing album two and getting back on the road again.

Sometimes daunting but mainly flattering. Honestly though I'm certain it's just an aesthetic comparison - I have scraped back hair and a big nose so I look like the love child of the two.

Nadine Shah plays Whitley Bay Playhouse (0844 248 1588; www.playhousewhitleybay.co.uk) on July 9 as part of the Mouth of Tyne Festival. Her debut album Love Your Dum and Mad is out now.

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EVENT

Mill Volvo takes centre stage The motor dealership once again supports a local arts venue.

ill Volvo is a leading player in the North Eastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s motoring scene but more recently the company has been attracting attention for its extra-curricular activities within the community. The latest move sees the motor dealership teaming up with the iconic Theatre Royal as they sign up to sponsor summer seasons at the theatre for two consecutive years, commencing in 2014 from April through to August. Mill Volvo started off the summer season by parking a bright pink Dirty Dancing branded Volvo V40 on the theatre terrace for the duration of the show.

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MOTORS

Behind the wheel by Jessica Laing.

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LAMBORGHINI HURACÁN LP 610-4 eaturing all-new structure, suspension and steering, a revised engine and seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, the Lamborghini Hurácan LP 610-4 sets a new benchmark in the super sports segment – though remains surprisingly well suited to everyday use. Externally, through the fourwheel drive model’s all-new hybrid chassis, the Italian manufacturer’s innovative lightweight concept is brought to life. The sculpted body – made from aluminium and carbon fibre – weighs less than 200 kilograms and boasts a shapely form, due to its hexagonal side windows, arrow-shaped nose and Y-shaped contours. Its bulkhead

F.Y.I. Max power: 449kW Max torque: 560Nm Combined CO2 emissions: 290g/km Top speed: 202mph Acceleration: 0-62mph in 3.2 seconds

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also offers excellent crash safety in the event of a side impact, thanks to its stiff fibres, which are laid out in the exact direction of load travel. All external lights, meanwhile, beam in LED technology, providing excellent road illumination. Offering more space for long-distance driving and better visibility than its predecessor – the hugely successful Lamborghini Gallardo – the model’s interior highlights include low, contoured seats with integrated back rests, a 12.3-inch TFT screen with high resolution pixels and a virtual cockpit that presents all critical information in razor-sharp 3D graphics.

MOTORS

Mark Squires

New £7m Audi dealership There’s ‘smiling faces gawn alang the Scotwood Road’ as Benfield opens a new showroom. he new £7 million flagship Audi development officially opened its doors last month on Scotswood Road in Newcastle. The landmark 35,000 sq ft development, set in an 4.5 acre site, is one of the largest Audi dealership in the North of England and the first in the region demonstrating the latest Audi brand concept. Family-owned Benfield are proud to be

bringing such a prestigious development to the region. Mark Squires, Benfield’s chief executive, said, "I am enormously proud of our new Audi development. With its stunning modern design, beautiful showroom and unrivalled customer service and aftersales facilities, I believe it is the most impressive motor retailing site in the North of England.” The new development replaces the present

Audi dealership on Scotswood Road and the new state-of-the-art show room has space for 19 car display area and there is a used car display area with space for more than 80 vehicles. The overall development also includes a full aftersales facility, a 19-bay workshop with advanced diagnostic equipment, dedicated customer car parking, a private lounge area to configure you perfect Audi and a ‘Quattro Lounge’ with free Wifi and refreshments.

Benfield ‘clicks’ with award he motor group has won a national consumer award as the overall winners of the Best Desktop Website in the motor industry Autotrader Awards. Based on independent consumer research, Benfield won the top award in the National Motor Dealer Group category, and the award is seen as a strong vote of confidence by consumers in the group’s digital online

marketing strategy. Group digital sales and marketing manager, Mark King, said: “As leading regional brand we are delighted to win this prestigious national award. “We have worked very hard to keep pace with the digital world and online consumer demand and this award is testimony to the inhouse website team at Benfield.”

Mark King

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MOTORS

The best things come in Mini packages Bob Arora test-drives the new Mini Cooper S. he car I had the real pleasure in driving this month is the new Cooper S, courtesy of Cooper Mini Sunderland. I have never owned the original Mini but watching the original Italian Job I had a soft spot for this iconic car. When BMW bought the rights to the Mini brand and they started making the all-new MINI I just had to buy one! This car was just so cool with its funky, new, cute look and BMW engineering the car became a sales phenomenon. When fellow Mini drivers saw another new Mini they would flash their headlights. As you can imagine if Mini drivers did this now they would wear out there headlights in a day… I loved the car so much I went on to buy the Cooper S, Convertible and the diesel. The first Cooper S gave the car a much-needed boost in performance that the Cooper lacked. Apart from the performance boost it required, the car also got a sporty three spoke steering wheel which was never available on the Cooper. The unique wail of the supercharger put a smile on your face every time you started the engine or just whenever you put your foot down. When you park a new Mini next to the previous model you will notice the new car is 98mm longer, 44mm wider and 7mm taller than the previous model. The other thing to distinguish the new car from its predecessor is the funky looking LED running lights and the rear now looks much chunkier. The usual Cooper S traits are all still there from the front bonnet scoop to the chunky lower bumper which now includes brake cooling vents. The roof spoiler and double exhaust are also still there to help you

distinguish this car and lesser Minis. The Cooper S has been fitted with a 2.0lt BMW engine. This engine produces 192bhp and it has diesel like torque, the car gets to 62mph in 6.8 seconds. The car now emits 133g/km, which is very good considering its pocket rocket performance. In the right hands the car should return 49mpg but with my heavy right foot we managed to return a respectable 30mpg. The engine is not supercharged or turbocharged but believe me when I say it has to be the best engine that has ever been fitted to a Mini. When driven hard this engine sounds amazing with crackles and pop you would normally associate with either a Porsche or a Jaguar and definitely not an 18 grand Mini! The six-speed gearbox is ideally suited to the car and most drivers will feel like a rally pro as heel to toe changes can be done by amateur drivers. The car handles like a sports car; the

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chassis inspires confidence and the front end is really grippy even when pushed to the car’s limits. Once you get inside the car you will notice both the speedometer and the rev counter are now behind the steering wheel rather than being in the centre of the dash. The car now has a real premium feel from the buttons to the toggles- the car just exudes quality. The dashboard interior can now be matched with any five exterior colours; headlining colour can be changed so it’s very unlikely you will see two MINI’s looking the same. Pressing the sport button and the centre dial becomes a fully functioning LED rev counter with red line, which is really cool. An illuminated strip rings the big circle, I am sure someone who likes vintage jukeboxes designed this. The neon strip changes colour every time you change a feature. Turning up the radio and more of it lights up as the volume goes up. The front doors are bigger than before and the seats are a little lower, therefore its now easier to get inside. It is still cramped inside the rear for two adults but on the upside the boot is 30 per cent than before. The Clio and Fiesta are still more practical but the Mini will outsell them as its just such a great car. The Cooper S is also now fitted with Active Pedestrian Protection, this Auto-brakes when it spots someone stepping in the path of the car. I am sure with the extra safety features fitted to this car it will get a 5 star NCAP rating. Being a fan of the new Mini with all the recent changes this car has become a real force to be reckoned with and I honestly think the car has regained its best in class crown.

MOTORS

James Chorlton with the all-new Mazda3.

Next generation Customers take advantage of sixth generation models available at Jennings Mazda. ustomers visiting Jennings Mazda, part of the Jennings Motor Group, are taking advantage of the latest fuelsaving SKYACTIV technology sixth generation models currently available at the group’s dealership in Middlesbrough. The beginning of 2014 saw the official launch of the latest sixth generation all-new Mazda3 model which joined the other two previously launched sixth generation CX-5 and Mazda6 models in the range. On display and available to test drive at Jennings Mazda’s Cargo Fleet Lane dealership in Middlesbrough, the 36 model all-new Mazda3 line-up, available in hatchback and saloon form, is priced from £16,995 on-the-road. James Chorlton, franchise manager at Jennings Mazda in Middlesbrough, said: “To date, all of the sixth generation models, which incorporate Mazda’s innovative fuel-saving SKYACTIV technology, are proving exceptionally popular with both retail and business customers. “The all-new Mazda3, which is the latest model to be launched, has contributed towards an increase in sales at the dealership, thanks to its state-of-the-art SKYACTIV technology, driving demand for class-leading performance, fuel economy, low CO2 emissions, exciting driving experience, in addition to a stunning exterior design and generous equipment levels.” Each version of the latest model features the manufacturer’s innovative fuel-saving SKYACTIV technology, available in three SKYACTIV-G petrol engines, together with the award-winning

2.2-litre 150ps SKYACTIV-D turbo diesel. Customers who opt for the all-new Mazda3 can choose between five high specification models including SE, SE Nav, SE-L, SE-L Nav and the range topping Sport Nav. Class-leading levels of equipment are fitted as standard, including Smart City Brake Support on every model and internet connectivity through a smartphone, providing access to online radio services and social media such as Twitter and Facebook. Retail and business customers taking advantage of the sixth generation Mazda6 model have a choice between 36 saloon and tourer models with three equipment levels including SE, SE-L and Sport (with or without Satellite Navigation) and four high-efficiency SKYACTIV diesel and petrol powertrains with prices ranging from £19,595 to £28,295 on-the-road. James added; “The Mazda6 has always been a popular car for both private and business users and following improvements made to fuel economy and C02 emissions, which were introduced last year, in addition to its five-star safety rating, the model has become even more appealing to customers seeking economy, coupled with good performance and safety.” Meanwhile, the range of sixth generation Mazda CX-5 compact SUV models has also given a welcome sales boost at the dealership. The 20-strong line-up of CX-5 models comes in a 165ps petrol or 150/175ps diesel engines, sixspeed manual or automatic transmissions, three specification levels including SE-L, SE-L Lux and

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Sport, with or without Sat Nav, in addition to a choice of two-wheel drive or all-wheel drive – depending on the model. Customers wanting to test drive the sixth generation range and other models can do so at the Mazda Specialist Driver Event, which is scheduled to take place at the Cargo Fleet Lane dealership on July 19-20. Places for the test drive event are strictly limited, so if you are interested in booking a place contact the dealership on (01642) 256655. In addition to achieving outstanding performance in 2013, Jennings Mazda has also recently been presented with a Dealer Partner Award for achieving more than a decade of successful business in Teesside. The dealership is responsible for selling the entire new Mazda model line-up including the Mazda2, all-new Mazda3, Mazda5, Mazda6, CX5 and MX-5 soft top, MX-5 roadster coupe, Mazda2 Colour Limited Edition and the MX-5 Sport Venture range, which are on display and available to test drive at the Middlesbrough dealership. In addition to selling new and quality approved used cars, customers can also take advantage of an after sales service, with a service, MOT, accident repair centre and parts department on site. For more information about the range of products and services available at Jennings Mazda, customers can call into the Cargo Fleet Lane dealership, contact (01642) 256655, or visit www.jenningsmotorgroup.co.uk

MOTORS

Subaru WRX STI ffering dramatic new styling, including a down force-generating rear spoiler, thrilling driving performance and unbeatable safety features, the all-new Subaru WRX STI guarantees a focused and invigorating drive everytime – making it a fine choice for both motorsport fans and speed enthusiasts. Internally, the model is adorned with crisp electroluminescent gauges, including a 3.5inch LDC display that can be customised to project vital driving information in your direct field of view. You’ll also find a new D-shaped steering wheel, which offers linear response and convenient controls, and front seats that feature deep bolsters. Under the aluminium bonnet lies a 2.5-litre turbocharged Subaru Boxer engine – the culprit behind its

electrifying acceleration – while at its core lies a one-of-a-kind Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. To modify and harness performance, drivers can use SI-Drive, which allows you to select three different levels of response – Sport, Intelligent and Sport Sharp – at a press of a button and make use of the model’s quickshifting 6-speed transmission. Safety features include the ultimate name in highperformance breaking – Brembo brakes – and ring-shaped reinforcement frames, which strengthen the entire passenger cabin and help divert impact energy away from occupants should a collision occur.

The Subaru WRX STI is priced at £28,995 OTR. Visit www.subaru.co.uk for more information

F.Y.I. Fuel Economy Combined - 27.2mpg | Extra Urban - 33.6 mpg | Urban - 20.2 mpg | Fuel tank Capacity - 60 litres | Co2 (g/km) - 242

Torque & Top Speed Max speed - 159mph | Max torque - 407 @ 4,000 | Max power - 300 @ 6,000

Power 0.62 in 5.2 seconds

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FEATURE

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ON THE RIGHT TRACK ALISON COWIE VISITS KARTING NORTH EAST FOR AN ADRENALINE-FILLED CORPORATE DAY BEHIND THE WHEEL …

ost of us shudder at the thought of a team-building day with visions of endless trust exercises, falling back into each other’s arms, or navigating a blindfolded colleague around an obstacle course. But pick the right activity and it could have endless benefits: cementing colleagues’ relationships and motivating them when back in the office. Karting North East offers something new when it comes to corporate days, thanks to a hefty injection of cash from its owner, British Peugeot UK IRC rally driver Guy Wilks. Describing itself as having ‘adrenaline for hire’, it offers go karting, Rage rallying, 4X4 off-roading, paintballing, archery and tomahawk throwing. Invited to sample the ‘adrenaline’ for myself, I made my way to the centre, just off the A690 near Houghton le Spring, with some colleagues last month. The excitement along with raging competitive spirit grew among my all-male workmates, with much talk of racing lines and weight advantage. I, on the other hand, was feeling more nervous than excited as the day drew nearer (although, admittedly, I did harbour a desire to show the boys up on the track). When we arrived at the site, a large car park and welcoming, well-equipped reception area, with VIP area overlooking the go kart track, greeted us. After filling out the necessary safety forms (and more ultra-competitive discussion) we were ready for our first activity – 4x4 offroading. The four of us climbed into a battered looking Landrover Defender which, we were told by our instructor, was ex-military; so definitely no airconditioning, radio or electric windows! We were driven to the purpose-built 4x4 course where all the safety information was relayed to us. Our instructor then drove us around the dramatic terrain, talking us through all the steering and breaking techniques and demonstrating the vehicle’s capabilities. Then it was our turn. I really loved my 4x4 experience. I was surprised how confident I felt behind the wheel going up and down steep gradients and through deep water channels – thanks largely to the clear instruction coming from our expert in the passenger seat. I could have easily spent the whole afternoon at the 4x4 course, attempted more difficult routes but alas, it was on to the next activity – the Rage buggies. A new addition to the centre this year, the Rage Buggy Storm (R40T) is the fasted corporate buggy available in the UK. Driven on another purpose-built course, the buggies can either be driven individually against the clock or against another buggy. As there weren’t many of us, we were advised to go one at a time and have our times recorded.

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I volunteered to go first and gingerly climbed into the buggy – with Kohler V-Twin petrol engine, giving 998cc capacity – next to the instructor. We were allowed one ‘sighting lap’ before it was against the clock. I found the stop-and-go two-pedal system simple to master, and although fast, I felt in control racing around the course as my party looked on from a safe distance. There was plenty of fun to be had maneuvering the tight corners, bridge and muddy puddles – you will get wet but overalls, in addition to the safety equipment, are provided. I even managed not to come last! That accolade went to another – albeit because he managed to incur three 20-second penalties by ‘overcooking’ it. While we waited for the go karts, we were asked if we wanted to try the tomahawk throwing Not an activity I had much urge to try, I gamely joined the others and found throwing the primitive North American Indian weapon at a wooden target strangely addictive. Archery is also available at the centre, as is paintballing – another new addition this year – with its own hillside arena and World War II set-up ready to host the battle. But for us, our next activity was the one that the majority of us had been looking forward to the most – the go karts. Karting North East has one of the largest outdoor tracks in the UK and there are a number of corporate options to choose from including Grand Prix, endurance or sprint races. Before we got to try out the karts, we were shown a safety film and fitted out with our high quality racing garb: suit, helmet and gloves. Then it was onto the track. Those in our party who had driven go karts before zoomed confidently out of the pits and while it took me more time to gain my confidence, I was soon speeding around the track myself. Alas though, I was not to teach the boys a lesson (most of whom lapped me multiple times). A female Lewis Hamilton in the making, I am not. But my first experience on a race track had been exhilarating. Adrenaline was pumping through all our veins as our action-packed afternoon came to an end. The last-place Rage Buggy driver also redeemed himself my walking away with the much- coveted go karting trophy – now sitting proudly on the windowsill in the office. While some may dismiss go karting as an activity for stag and hen parties, Karting North East is so much more than that with activities to suit everyone. There are a number of corporate packages available. Staff are also more than happy to create a bespoke day that works for your company. So why not give Karting North East a try the next time your staff need some out-of-office entertainment. For more information visit www.kartingnortheast.com

EDUCATION

News from Dame Allan’s Schools Recent achievements at the independent school. On song Pamelina Oubinova from Dame Allan’s Junior School and Nursery has won an Avison Ensemble Young Musicians’ Award. This annual music award, which was set up in 2006, is open to young musicians across the North East, who have to perform two pieces of music, one of which must be by an 18th century composer of their choice. The judges included Gordon Dixon, executive director of the Avison ensemble and eminent musicians and educators. Everyone taking part receives some tuition and guidance and finalists are assessed for their talents for live performance. Pamelina won the grades four to six category for her singing and was presented with her award by the Mayor of Gateshead at the Avison Ensemble’s annual family concert. Pamelina is following in the footsteps of Laura Armstrong who won two Avison awards in 2012 and Anjali Joseph who won in 2009.

Young Enterprise win again Following their success at the Young Enterprise North East Trade Fair in February, the Dame Allan’s company Creative Solutions Publishing has gone on to win Best Overall Company at the Young Enterprise Area Finals. Over 35 companies from schools and universities in the region took part in the Trade Fair at the Intu Metrocentre. The Young Enterprise competition, which is open to students between 15 and 24, challenges

companies to set up and run their own business for one academic year. The Creative Solutions company has designed and produced a cookery book aimed at students heading off to university and people cooking on a budget. Creative Solutions’ publishing prowess impressed the judges once again at the Area finals held at Beamish Hall Hotel, to take them through to the regional finals. The company is led by managing director Adam Coombs with James Moffat, Joe McGurk, Anna Nieuwkoop, Hannah Elliot and Jason Dougenis completing the board.

New dimensions The school dance company Vizavis has been selected to perform in New Dimensions, part of U.dance 2014, Youth Dance England’s flagship event. This is a truly outstanding achievement. New Dimensions is a new strand, first introduced last year, which stipulates groups must produce 'work of an exceptional standard that pushes the boundaries of youth dance'. The performance is expected to be of a semiprofessional standard and only six to eight works from around the country are selected. Vizavis will now take part in the National Festival in Nottingham, performing Psycho, which was choreographed by dance teacher Mrs Waters. Meanwhile the junior dance group, Jeune, was selected to represent Newcastle in the regional final, which once again is a remarkable achievement and shows the consistently high standard of dance within the Schools.

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The taste of famine While fellow pupils were preparing a sumptuous meal for the fundraising Hell’s Kitchen event, teenagers in the Boys’ and Girls’ Schools had a very different experience. They lived through the experiences of families in the third world during a day dedicated to food, famine and feasting. Their teachers had divided the school day into three workshops, exploring trading, food shortages and finally feasts. The highlight - or perhaps nadir - was the vivid recreation of the life of a family living in an area of food shortages and poverty. The pupils foraged around the Schools' grounds for firewood, wondering how to cope with depleting supplies, and walked nearly a mile with leaky buckets to collect water which they could not be sure was clean. Back at their 'home', they lit a small fire and cooked a meal for their 'family' of five using yam and lentils. The harsh realities of life in the Darfour refugee camp or in Kibera, Africa's largest slum, quickly became apparent during the trading workshop, but some of their entrepreneurial skills came to the fore, too, when they realised the importance of trading every scrap they possessed. The feast of a vegetable curry was a welcome relief, although the ingredients were far from lavish by western standards. For more information visit www.dameallans.co.uk

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