North East Times Magazine - November 2014

NOVEMBER

2014

£2.95

THE FORUM’S NEW HELMSWOMAN

CONTENTS

November 2014 BUSINESS NEWS –

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SAVE THE DATE –

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Business events – mark them on your calendar.

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ON THE MOVE –

New executive appointments.

10 QUESTIONS FOR... –

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Helen Butler, Macdonald Hotels

ONE TO WATCH –

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Deborah Percy, Gordon Brown Law Firm

COVER STORY –

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Gillian Marshall becomes chief exec at the Entrepreneurs’ Forum

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THE LONG GAME – Kirstie McKeown, Rathbones

STATE OF THE ART – BALANCING ACT –

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Kari Owers, OPR

BUSINESS LUNCH – Sohe, Jesmond

MOTORS –

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CREDITS

Directors: Mike Grahamslaw, Mick O’Hare Commercial director: Martin Stout Editor: Alison Cowie Editorial: Jessica Laing, Elise Rana Hopper, Linsey Lyons Senior designer: John Haxon Feature photography: Chris Owens Additional photography: Penny Edwards

Front cover: Gillian Marshall, chief executive at the Entrepreneurs’ Forum.

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

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BUSINESS NEWS IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Unlocking female potential in developing world New multi-million pound programme set to help girls in poorest countries through work and education.

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he UK is to work with entrepreneurs in developing countries to fast track early stage business ventures to help hundreds of thousands of girls in the world's poorest countries maximise their potential through work and education, International Development Secretary Justine Greening has announced.

An innovative £18m programme, run in partnership with the Nike Foundation and USAID, will enable businesses to reach 200,000 girls living in poverty with products and services that help them to

learn, earn and save.

Successful grantees will receive financial support, access to world-class mentors and leading experts in business creation, design, marketing, legal support and finance to help build and grow their businesses.

Examples of the type of products that could help girls under the new SPRING programme include income-generating products (solar powered mobile charging power blocks, solar powered cooler bags for beverage sales & distribution), time and labour-saving products, giving

girls time to earn/stay in school/return to school for future employment (low-cost solar lamps, foot-powered washing machines, low-cost bicycles, sanitary products) and financial products (innovative savings/remittance products micro-leasing and micro-insurance).

Justine Greening said: “By unleashing the economic power of girls, we can stop their children falling into poverty. Businesses have a key role to play by using their skills and expertise to provide vital products and services which are key to building prosperous societies.”

Newcastle to become ‘hyper-city’

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Dana Tobak, managing director of Hyperoptic (pictured), commented: “Our mission is to provide a true fibre infrastructure, which empowers residents to future-proof their online lives. In today’s age, broadband should be an enabler, not a hindrance. A fast, consistent, dependable fibre connection is now essential for entertainment, socialising and work.”

;eading provider of Fibre-to-the-Home broadband, Hyperoptic, has revealed that Newcastle will join the next round of ‘hyper-cities’, which are set to receive its award-winning gigabit broadband. The announcement comes as Hyperoptic reveals it will soon reach nearly 75,000 homes, across 480 sites, in the UK, with a target of half a million homes by 2018.

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Going the extra mile

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New chief exec at Rockliffe

taff at three North East organisations have won the Go The Extra Mile competition, organised by Go Smarter, the Tyne & Wear sustainable travel initiative. Teams of staff from Newcastle University, from HMRC in Sunderland, and from Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult in Blyth all won prizes for walking and cycling to and from work throughout August instead of taking the car.

Together, the three teams clocked up an average of 170 miles per person.

ockliffe Hall has appointed new chief executive Eamonn Elliott. A well-known, award-winning hotel executive Eamonn has worked at a number of prestigious venues all over the UK and Ireland, including eight years as general manager of the multiaward winning Devonshire Arms at Bolton Abbey in North Yorkshire.

Eamonn will join the five-star resort in December.

More help for young people

Kingston Park nominated

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survey by the NECC of businesses has revealed that more than threequarters (82 per cent) of the 3000 North East firms questioned report a lack of work experience as a key reasons young people are unprepared for work.

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ollowing the release of the finalists for this year’s 2014 Rugby Expo Awards, Newcastle Falcons are proud to confirm that the club’s Kingston Park stadium is one of three venues shortlisted for the Rugby Venue of the Year Award.

Legal duo celebrate

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iall Head-Rapson, who heads up the Jesmond-based ‘City-styled but without City prices’ niche law firm, McDaniel & Co, together with senior solicitor, Kelly Hudson have been admitted as Freemen of the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers, one of the 110 livery companies based in the City of London.

Skin beauty expert plans for future

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orpeth skin care expert Gemma Ash is marking her first year in business with plans for expansion and recruitment to meet growing demand.

Gemma, who owns Ultimate Skin Clinic in Blagdon, has seen her business flourish since she started in 2013, doubling in size as she’s developed her services for specialist treatments with medical properties – the only one of its kind in the area.

Winning ways

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he Port of Tyne is celebrating after receiving a Gold Award in the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Occupational Health and Safety Awards 2014. Last year the Port was awarded silver in the same awards.

£6m for North East businesses ...

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North East venture capitalist, Northstar Ventures is planning to maintain this momentum by investing £6 million in over 20 North East companies in the next 18 months.

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Paul joins tech firm

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echnology solutions company ITPS has announced the appointment of Paul Varley gas non-executive director. He said: "I am delighted to be working alongside ITPS at this pivotal point in its growth.”

DIARY WORKSHOP: HOW DOES IP AFFECT YOU?

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Bewick Hall, Newcastle City Library Tel: (0191) 277 4100 Web: www.bipcnewcastle.co.uk Email: bipcnewcastle@newcastle.gov.uk Price: Free Ideal for business advisors and businesses in the digital creative industry, this masterclass will help attendees gain an understanding of how Intellectual Property (IP) can create value from business ideas and turn inspiration into a sustainable business. The session will cover everything from trademarks and copyright to designs and confidentiality.

AUTUMN BUSINESS CONFERENCE 2014

Save the date Charity balls, business dinners and seminars.

NORTH EAST WOMAN ENTRPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Nov

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Wynyard Hall, Billingham Tel: (0191) 500 7780 Web: www.entrepreneursforun.net Price: £99+VAT (members); £125+VAT (non-members) Following the success of the Forum’s May conference, this season’s business conference, Fortune Favours the Brave, promises a day of inspiring success stories and unique opportunities to make new connections. Part of Global Entrepreneurship Week.

Nov

15 FOCUS DINNER WITH JUSTIN URQUHART-STEWART

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Hilton NewcastleGateshead, Newcastle Email: info@winawards.co.uk Tel: 0845 269 9862 Price: £75 +VAT per person, £825 +VAT per table

Jesmond Dene House, Jesmond Tel: (0191) 500 7780 Web: www.entrepreneursforun.net Price: £75+VAT (members)

Nov

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Northumbria University, Newcastle Tel: 0300 303 6322 Web: www.necc.co.uk Price: Free Back for its second year, this inspiring conference showcases the best of the region’s female entrepreneurs. The networking event includes a number of talks, covering topics such as overcoming barriers associated with woman in the international trade, effective time management and specialist support for female business owners.

Nov

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Rockliffe Hall, County Durham Tel: 01325 729999 Web: www.rockliffehall.com/whats-on Email: enquiries@rockliffehall.com Price: £80 per person Marking five years of Rockliffe Hall, this celebratory, black tie ball will begin with a Perrier Jouet reception, during which guests will be treated to canapés, refreshments and music from a live saxophonist. Also includes a four-course dinner, a disco and entertainment from North East wedding band, The Paul James band.

Hosted by Justin Urquhart-Stewart, head of corporate development at London-based investment management business, Seven Investment Management, this focus dinner will provide like-minded entrepreneurs with an opportunity to discuss a host of economic issues, including the British economy and the investment market.

INSPIRING FEMALES CONFERENCE 2014

ANNIVERSARY MASQUERADE BALL

Women operating a female-owned or led business – of any size in any sector – in the North East, are urged to attend this annual ceremony, which recognises, rewards and celebrates the achievements of the region’s businesswomen. This is the 15th year that the prestigious award has been contested. Held at Hilton NewcastleGateshead, the highly anticipated event provides local entrepreneurs and women in local business with a chance to come together and celebrate and learn from each other’s success during the last year.

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

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WORKSHOP WITH PETE WILKINSON

Nov

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Brewin Dolphin, Newcastle Tel: (0191) 500 7780 Web: www.entrepreneursforum.net Price: Free (members and exchange members); £25+VAT (non-members) In this masterclass, which is aimed at professional individuals, chief executives and managing directors, motivational speaker and professional business coach, Pete Wilkinson, will present attendees with his simple steps needed to build a more fulfilling business life.

APPOINTMENTS

On the Move Your monthly guide to appointments and promotions.

KRYSTAL STARKEY

SUSAN HALL

NOLA COLLINSON

De Vere Slaley Hall, Hexham, has appointed Susan Hall as spa and leisure manager. Susan, who has managed Malmaison Newcastle’s spa for the last 10 years, brings a wealth of spa knowledge and experience to her new role. She will be tasked with building on the spa’s customer service and helping drive business forward.

Lumley Castle, County Durham, has appointed Nola Collinson as director of sales.

The 37-year-old, from North Shields, joins from Bromley Court Hotel, Kent, and will be tasked with raising the historic venue’s profile within the business community, both regionally and nationally, as well as introducing it to a wider leisure audience.

CATHERINE LOWTHER

TERRY LAYBOURNE

KEITH NICHOLSON

Durham-based solicitors, Swinburne Maddison LLP, has appointed Catherine Lowther as a trainee solicitor. Catherine, who studied law at both Newcastle and Northumbria Universities, will join the firm’s family law team and will be tasked with working with fee earners on individual cases, meeting with clients and attending family court cases and child protection conferences.

Nationally renowned Tyneside chef and restaurateur, Terry Laybourne, has been announced as the consultant of the planned Bistro at The Lakes Distillery, Cumbria, which is set to become England’s largest whiskey distillery. Terry will act in an advisory role and, with the help of his team, develop an innovative and seasonal menu.

Newcastle United Foundation has appointed Keith Nicholson as programme manager. Keith, who has worked in the charity sector for over 10 years, will join the Foundation’s senior management team and be tasked with contributing towards the leadership of the organisation, assisting with new business development and ensuring the performance and sustainability of its externally funded projects.

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Krystal Starkey, from Huby, near Thirsk, has become Darlington College’s first student to secure a journalism apprenticeship. The 20year-old, who manages her partner’s band in her free time, has been appointed as a feature writer on a community newsletter, which she will contribute to while studying for her Training of Journalists diploma.

INTERVIEW

Helen Butler Helen has been with Macdonald Hotels & Resorts for the last 12 years, taking on a number of different roles across the group. In March, this year, she became director of Sales for the North East, looking after four hotels and driving sales across all market segments including business, corporate, leisure, spa, golf and weddings.

What was your first break in business?

What attracted you to your current role?

What has been your career highlight?

And your career lowlight?

What do you enjoy most about your role?

After graduating from Edinburgh University, I started working in sales for The Scotsman publications.

The sales training there was invaluable and gave me the platform to leap into hospitality at The Town House Company in Edinburgh, which gave me my first taste of account management and the world of hotel sales. I was hooked straight away.

I’ve always loved the fast-paced nature of Macdonald Hotels & Resorts. How we challenge ourselves to strive to offer our customers the best hospitality in the UK – that’s what has kept me here for 12 years.

Having worked as a local sales manager for most of my time, when the opportunity to lead the sales for the North East region arose, I jumped at the opportunity and I’m thoroughly enjoying the diversity and challenges it presents.

I’ve had a really rewarding career and some significant sales wins along the way. My career highlight would have to be my move back to the North East to work at Macdonald Linden Hall, and, more recently, the move to the regional director of sales role.

In sales, you have good weeks and not so good weeks but you learn to pick yourself up from these.

People buy people in sales, that’s why I thoroughly enjoy meeting new people and networking with old. Across the course of my career I’ve met some amazing people and built solid relationships with them. But there’s nothing better than waking up in the morning with the prospect of meeting a new sales contact and the sales win that might bring.

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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 Macdonald Hotels' northern region?

What do you do to relax?

We prefer to refer to challenges as opportunities at Macdonald Hotels & Resorts.

The hospitality industry is incredibly competitive and cluttered, so your messages have to scream out above the rest of the noise. We think the quality of our food and our product set us above the rest.

Getting people to listen to this is the more difficult part.

It may seem cliché, my heroes in business are my colleagues past and present. I’ve been fortunate enough to be mentored by some of the hospitality industry’s leading figures and have learned so much from them and their experience. Outside of business, I would have to say my parents – both of whom have always shown absolute dedication, commitment and positivity in whatever they have done, which is a great example to follow.

It sounds simple, but remember to take time to take a step back, evaluate and listen..

It continues to be a really exciting time for Macdonald Hotels across the UK and equally in my region. At Macdonald Cardrona Hotel, Golf & Spa, work is underway to refurbish 23 bedrooms and at Macdonald Rusacks Hotel, a further 12 bedroom refurbishment has started following 39 bedrooms completed last year. My role is also new to the region, so just six months in and I’m harnessing all the sales benefits to drive sales across all market segments.

I spend my time outside of work with my husband, Mark, and our seen year old daughter, Eva – who certainly keeps me entertained! Time spent with good friends and family is the ideal way for me to switch off and relax.

www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk

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PROFILE

One to watch

Deborah Percy In a series of interviews with talented professionals, Jessica Laing talks to sports-loving solicitor, Deborah Percy, who specialises in family and matrimonial law at Gordon Brown Law Firm.

ooking back, I guess my interest in law began when I was a teenager,” recalls Deborah. “I studied the subject at ALevel and really enjoyed it, so, once it was time to move on, I decided to look at law degrees. It all made sense, really.”

Impressed by one course in particular – and its ability to fit in with her love of and commitment to netball - Deborah went on to study at Northumbria University.

“I thought about moving away, but Northumbria’s Solicitors Exempting degree caught my eye,” says Preston-born Deborah, who grew up in North Tyneside. “Not only did it have a great reputation, it allowed me to pursue my netball career. At the time, I was involved in a great deal of netball – I was on an elite athlete scholarship and playing for England – and the university was able to support me through it all.”

The course, which spanned over four years and incorporated a Legal Practice Course (LPC), also involved practical work – a crucial element that not only provided Deborah with hands-on experience as a solicitor, but introduced her to an area that would later become her specialism.

“In my final year, I worked in the university’s student law office, which contained a number of small firms, all within different sectors,” recalls Deborah. “I worked in family law and, while supervised by a lecturer, who was a family solicitor, interviewed and advised the public. It operated like a genuine law firm and I really enjoyed helping people.”

After graduating, Deborah enjoyed an 18month stint at Dickinson Dees (now Bond Dickinson), working in volume conveyancing,

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before joining Gordon Brown in 2007 and beginning her training contract in 2010.

“I joined the firm with Kathryn Taylor, now managing partner, who was setting up a team – which we built up together. I then completed my training contract and, because my last seat was family law, which I loved, I expressed a wish to qualify in that area.”

Deborah qualified as a solicitor in May 2012, specialising in family and matrimonial law, and now works within the firm’s respected Family Team, covering a range of areas, from divorce proceedings to domestic abuse and arrangements concerning children.

“It’s an interesting job; you’re faced with something new every day,” she enthuses. “I deal with a lot of domestic violence cases, which can be tough. Some stuff is quite hard to hear. But having said that, it’s also incredibly rewarding. I work with vulnerable people, most of whom are in abusive relationships, and, essentially, help them get back on their feet. It’s a great feeling to be a part of their journey.”

Deborah’s role also sees her working closely with family clinics, women’s refuges, support workers and charities; crucial relationships that, she believes, mean her clients receive the best possible support.

“In some cases, we’re quite limited in what we can do for someone,” she explains. “So, it’s great to be able to refer a client to an organisation that can help them further, if need be. Without that external support, we wouldn’t be as far-reaching as we are.”

“For example, we quite often work with Citizens Advice Bureau, offering 30 minute advice sessions, and it’s amazing to see how

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many people don’t realise they’re in abusive relationships. We work together to empower, educate and build self-esteem. It’s about changing people’s lives for the better.”

Thinking back to what drew her to Gordon Brown Law Firm, Deborah is proud to be a part of a supportive team, whose work remains dedicated to client welfare.

“Stepping into a solicitor’s office can be a daunting experience, but we do our absolute best to put our clients at ease,” says Deborah.

“We want them to know that we’re not scary people in suits, who will talk down to them. We may be delivering expert advice, but we’re just ordinary people.

“One of our biggest assets is our 24-hour connect line, Family Law Connect,” she adds.

“It’s an emergency helpline that operates from 7am on a Monday until 7pm on a Friday for people who are in emergency situations and in need of immediate expert advice. It’s a great service that gives our clients peace of mind.”

In the future, Deborah hopes to continue broadening her knowledge of and experience in her chosen sector. “Although I feel like I’ve been doing this for such a long time, I’ve only been qualified for two years,” says Deborah, who spends her free time coaching netball and who is a trustee for Tyne and Wear Sport and committee member for Tyne and Wear County Netball Association. “I want to carry on building the relationships that Gordon Brown Law Firmhas already created in the community – it’s all about helping people in our society.”

For more information about Gordon Brown Law Firm, visit www.gblf.co.uk

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DEVELOPMENT Lee Durham and Richard Lane

Win-win sales How investing in your sales team can help your prospects,

by Lee Durham of durhamlane. ales success is far more than having a good product or service and selling it at the right price says Lee Durham, managing partner at Newcastle-based sales consultancy durhamlane. It starts with some thoughtful prospecting before tough negotiations for win-win success.

Some people simply believe that having a good product or service is enough to win them sales.

Maybe so, but for real long-term success, the whole sales process starts by thinking hard about the type of customers you want to work with and developing prospecting techniques that will deliver a rapid impact on your business development activity.

While the pursuit for new sales – and customers – is something that should always be front of mind, the best leads, and business, will more than likely come from your existing customers.

Never waste an opportunity to ask your current customers who else might benefit from your products or services.

A simple, perhaps even obvious thing to do, but it’s the smart, top-performing sales people who will be doing this. After the customer has provided a name, ask them if they will make an introduction for you: referral selling.

Look for, and strike up a meaningful dialogue with those companies that are currently doing business with your closest competitors – they’ll already be in the market for what you are selling and receptive to your help when their existing supplier fails to deliver.

However, bear in mind that if you’re doing it

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to your competitors, then if they’re smart, they’ll be doing it to you – so make sure you’re taking care of business by looking after your existing customers.

Network with your current customers to make sure as many people as possible within the company know who you are and importantly, what you do for them. Prospects can also come via industry trade associations people who serve on industry boards or are visible in their industry are open to new ideas or the editors of trade magazines who are often asked to recommend a good supplier. These people can all create potential prospects for you so don’t pass up the opportunity to develop beneficial relationships with them.

Once that important sales lead has been secured, it’s vital to continue the hard work as you look to convert it into a tangible and profitable piece of business.

Here, you will need to understand that effective sales negotiation is an on-going activity that starts with you thinking win-win right from the very first meeting.

If you approach every prospect or client interaction from this perspective you are more likely to create solutions that solve real problems and add real value while also creating a smoother ride for all concerned in terms of constructing the deal and sign-off because you and your customer will be on the same wavelength.

Think; then think differently. The more preparation and planning that goes into how a deal is constructed the more chance you have of creating value and win-win success - the net effect of this is a customer who is purchasing

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something they believe in and they will be less attuned to ‘bartering’. Think outside the box in terms of what else can form part of the deal and build lists of items that can be traded or mixed into the solution to differentiate yourself from your competition. What can you give away easily that’s high value to your customer and vice-versa?

And finally, a couple of things to bear in mind as you look to close the deal: it is stated that 80 per cent of concessions are made in the last 20 per cent of the time spent negotiating so make sure you plan ahead, keep thinking winwin and remember to breathe!

Procurement teams tend to get trained more than sales teams. Be different, invest in your sales team so that your business can be the best it can be. 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. Our service is to improve performance regardless of where a client is in the lifecycle of its business.

For more information call (0191) 481 3800 or visit www.durhamlane.co.uk

EVENT

Benfield golf day raises 50K for The Prince’s Trust Alan Shearer and star guests come out in force to help young people into jobs.

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lose House Golf Club saw football legend Alan Shearer and some of the country’s most celebrated sports personalities tee off at the Benfield Golf Day and Gala Dinner in aid of The Prince’s Trust.

Jonathan Edwards, Steve Harmison, John Beresford, Rob Lee, Ralf Little, Phil Mustard Kelly Tidy all attended the star-studded event, that was generously sponsored by the Benfield Motor Group.

X Factor’s Shayne Ward and impressionist and Prince’s Trust Ambassador, Jon Culshaw, were then among the line up with performances at the prestigious Gateshead Hilton for the evening part of this special occasion which saw more than 300 guests enjoy a champagne reception, trophy presentation and money can’t buy auction and raffle prizes.

The money raised will go towards running The Prince’s Trust’s programmes in the North East, giving disadvantaged young people the qualifications and experience to help them get a job.

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COVER STORY

Gillian Marshall has been appointed as chief executive at the Entrepreneurs’ Forum. She talks to Alison Cowie about her career and her goals and aspirations in her prestigious new role.

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he Entrepreneurs’ Forum has recently welcomed a new chief executive. Gillian Marshall, who joined the Forum 18 months ago, is following in the footsteps of three formidable female leaders – Caroline Theobald, Carole Beverly and Nicola Short – as she takes the helm at the North East business membership organisation.

Gillian boasts an impressive career in business banking, funding and SME support, which she will drawn on to fulfil the Forum’s mission statement to, ‘provide a dynamic entrepreneurial environment that helps entrepreneurs and business leaders to be inspired, to create connections and to share knowledge that leads to business growth and success.’

Reflecting on her recent appointment, Gillian says: “The chief executive role was a great opportunity and really fitted my profile – that of business networking and my passion to harness the ambition of the North East.”

Gillian began her career with Barclays Bank where she initially worked with personal customers before her talent and ambition was recognised and she was moved to business banking; soon heading a team of 40.

She was also one of the first Premier banking managers in the North East and prior to leaving Barclays she worked across the UK leading specialist projects.

After 22 years at Barclays, Gillian moved into business support, firstly as an account manager for the Business & Enterprise Group before joining UKTI where she built key connections with the professional advisors across the UK’s city regions and London to help attract foreign direct investment.

Gillian joined the Entrepreneurs’ Forum in May 2013 as business development manager, where her role was to attract new members – particularly those who have growth ambition and are looking for peer-to-peer support.

“We concentrate on business owners who have moved on from being a start-up,” explains Gillian. “So over two years in, with an annual turnover of at least £250K. “At this point, businesses have a clear vision and are often looking to drive longer term strategies, strengthening their teams and growing market opportunities. The Forum can help with this transition.”

As chief executive, Gillian will continue to support the needs of entrepreneurs by managing the Forum’s small but dedicated team and overseeing operations of its diverse activities.

Throughout the year, the Entrepreneurs’ Forum runs an extensive programme of events for members, featuring high profile speakers (many with strong business interests in the region) who share their considerable business knowledge and experience.

The events range from large-scale conferences with multiple speakers to more intimate dinners, on-site visits and seminars hosted by business experts.

“The events provide aspirational platforms for our members to hear from people who have ‘been there and done it’,” says Gillian. “They also give a great

opportunity to ask questions and learn from these knowledgeable business leaders, most of whom have faced the same challenges as our members.”

The Forum’s autumn conference takes place at Wynyard Hall on November 20. The Fortune Favours The Brave: Global Entrepreneurship Week conference will feature architect, property entrepreneur and television presenter George Clarke, chief executive of PolyPhotonix Richard Kirk, and Dr Arnab Basu, chief executive of Kromek, among others.

Other events running up to Christmas include an evening with Justin Urquhart Stewart, co-founder of Seven Investment Management, at Jesmond Dene House on November 11, and Unstoppable, a talk with professional business coach and motivational speaker Pete Wilkinson, at Brewin Dolphin’s Newcastle office on November 27.

Mentoring is another significant area for the Forum, which pairs members together so that they can help each other achieve their business goals.

Gillian is keen to stress that the Forum does not dictate how the relationship manifests itself, but simply provides the “match-making” service to bring two like-minded entrepreneurs together.

“We don’t have a written agenda for the mentors,” she explains. “We allow the opportunity for a relationship to develop in a confidential environment, where the mentee receives advice and support and the mentor benefits from being able to offer a helping hand to another member of the Forum.

“A mentor can also provide introductions and connections that are invaluable,” adds Gillian. “A lot of our members are North East-based but they have networks right across the country and worldwide. It’s those connections that can really benefit people.”

Another initiative that the Forum has implemented over the past two years is its entrepreneurial business tracker survey, which collates and distributes data from its members, highlighting opinions, confidence, challenges and trends within North East business.

The Forum circulates the data to members and a number of key national and regional business-support agencies, and it is Gillian’s aim as chief executive to work more collaboratively with these partners.

“It’s important that the Forum works with the North East Chamber of Commerce, the Local Enterprise Partnerships, CBI, IOD, the regions fund managers, to help promote and boost business in the North East,” she explains.

“If we want to make a difference then this will only happen with everyone supporting our businesses growth ambition. We should be very proud of our area and some of the fantastic businesses who often go unnoticed.”

“Ultimately,” Gillian concludes, “our aim is to provide an environment which stimulates business growth and enhances the success of the region.”

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For more information on the Entrepreneurs’ Forum visit www.entrepreneursforum.net

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DEVELOPMENT

Surround yourself with a diverse group Says Rod Findlay, consultant at Your Sport Consulting.

im Rohn was an American entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker with a rags-to-riches story. He stated that: “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

I thought that was hugely relevant to this month’s women’s edition of North East Times.

If you look at it critically then you could argue that the quote ignores your own personality and drive. Or you might claim that less or more people than five influence you.

However, I agree with the central point that those you spend most time with will have the biggest influence on your life. And if you don’t have a diverse core group – whether that be social background or gender and racial diversity – then you might be receiving the same influences and not developing fully.

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Successful sports teams?

I think you can see this with sport. It is most marked with team events but can also equally apply to individual activities. How often do you see a top footballer move squads and either perform at a standard better than you previously thought they were capable or suddenly go downhill? Now there are many variables and so it is not a perfect experiment.

However, I think the environment someone is in will influence their behavior. If the five players in the new team that the footballer spends time with are hard-workers, always turning up to training early, then it stands to reason that she will act accordingly. And the same might be true if the new team has a poor work ethic.

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

Does it apply to your personal life?

You do not need to be a top athlete to see this working in your own personal life. If you were determined to give up drinking for January, say, then you might have avoided going to the pub or spending time with people who would encourage you to have a glass of wine.

People often talk about the benefits of a training partner if you are looking to get fit and I think there are benefits in joining a group, as I say, even for individual sports.

Your training will become the average of the five people you spend most time with and you want to ensure that is a high ‘average’.

Applying this to business Being the average of the five people you spend most time with definitely applies in

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business. Your effectiveness and that of your business will be shaped by those with whom you spend time and make decisions. And that should mean ensuring a diverse group of decision makers and female representation reflective of society.

Dove showed that embracing diversity was good for business. Its Real Beauty campaign both reflected society and resulted in a 13 per cent increase in sales.

A related concept to Jim Rohn’s argument is Group Think. This occurs when there is a desire for harmony or conformity in a group, which results in an incorrect decision-making outcome. The group tries to minimize conflict and make a decision by consensus.

Group loyalty requires individuals to avoid raising controversial issues or alternative solutions.

I worked for a company that sought to balance its senior managers with a mix, including those trained internally and external hires with a variety of backgrounds.

Whether knowingly or not, that will have helped tackle Group Think and a constant ‘average’ of the same thinking. Average in this context not intending to be critical.

If your company is riding a wave then you might be happy to continue with your current course. But if you are struggling to face a new challenge or change, an unsuccessful strategy then you might want to change the dynamic and add a new person to the group to change the ‘average’. And if your top team does not have proportional female representation then you might be missing out on important contributions.

DEVELOPMENT

Let’s shatter the glass ceiling Says Lynsey Sawyer, service coordinator at Oxford Innovation. our years ago, 21 of the companies that make up the FTSE 100 had all-male senior management teams. Today, there is only one.

A sign of the great progress that has been made is that the achievement of gender balance in the boardroom is no longer regarded as a ‘feminist’ issue.

It makes good business sense to have diversity running through every level of a business.

When the Financial Services Authority reported on the failings at Royal Bank of Scotland it highlighted the homogeneity of the board.

So while progress has been made, we still have a way to go, especially in enabling women with families to achieve their full career potential.

How can we maintain that all important work-life balance? Of course it’s different for all of us but there are some things we could all consider in order to achieve our personal and professional goals.

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Be true to yourself Know who you are and what you want to achieve. No one said you couldn’t run a business and raise a family. What a great example for working mums and dads to set for their children – hard work pays off.

We all want the very best for our children and for many of us it is important that as well as

caring for and raising our family we set the example that education and ambition are important.

Manage your time Effective time management is key to achieving the balance. Of course there will be times when it’s necessary to finish work early to watch a school play or make that hospital appointment; these are the things we wouldn’t miss for the world.

Equally it’s perfectly acceptable to use facilities such as before and after school care so we can attend our morning meetings and really get the best out of a working day. If the provision is there to help parents then why not use it?

Adaptable ambition Many of us start out with an early ambition to ‘go somewhere’ and to ‘be somebody’.

However it is important to understand the concept of adaptable ambition. Things change as we go through our working life; children grow, businesses adapt. Flexing with these changes without losing focus on your ambition is vitally important.

At Oxford Innovation we have worked with some truly inspirational and successful business owners who also raise their family in love and security.

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We have provided coaching support in a number of areas including running diagnostic workshops to enable business owners and their colleagues to identify ways to utilise time more effectively, and if this enables you to close the factory or office doors at 5pm prompt then we’ve done our job!

So my message is strive every day to be the success you planned for and see this as you being the role model you want to be for your children.

Know your goals and know you can achieve them. Take every opportunity to learn and grow professionally from peers and other likeminded, ambitious, passionate people. Know your stuff, be confident and success follows.

For many working mums out there, going to work simply gives us a sense of identity away from home life, there is no denying it is the most important job in the world but it should never prevent you from reaching your career goals!

Being at the top isn’t easy, but applying some structure to your working day and a few simple rules and there really is no reason why you can’t shatter that glass ceiling and raise a family.

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.businessnorthumberland.co.uk

INTERVIEW

In the boss’s chair

Bryony Gibson Managing director of Bryony Gibson Consulting.

Briefly, what has been your career to date?

After graduating in law I joined Marks & Spencer's management programme. It took me a little while, but I soon realised weekends were far too precious for retail to be my calling, and that's when I moved to the North East and into recruitment. After 15 years specialising in tax and accountancy, I decided to set up my own practice.

Why did you decide to start Bryony Gibson Consulting?

I'd been at the same company for a long time so felt I needed a new challenge. Being part of a PLC gave me a fantastic understanding of global recruitment, but I saw a gap in the market for a sector expert offering a flexible and personal service; one where developing long-term relationships was crucial to the success of the partnership.

It could be something as simple as a thank you card, or a client who recommends me. I recently had someone tell me they had, ‘been blown away with your service and for once feel that we've had true value from our recruitment agent’. For me, that’s a highlight. It means I'm achieving what I’ve set out to do.

What's been your biggest challenge?

Time is my biggest challenge; I simply don't have enough of it! Finding the best candidates in the current market is often a challenge too. It can be tough, as these are often the people who don't have to look too hard for their next opportunity, but that’s one of the things I love about it.

How has the recruitment industry changed since you began in the industry?

Life’s too short to do something you don't enjoy, so no matter what job you have, you have to love it and have a passion for it.

In recruitment, it also helps if you have some tenacity, resilience and the ability to communicate, but more importantly to listen, so you can understand people's needs. You also need to be confident and, if running your own business, have the ability to multi-task.

While the aims and purpose will always remain the same, the ability to resource and communicate with clients and candidates has changed immeasurably. Back in 1999, most of today’s essential technologies didn’t even exist.

There were no social networks or LinkedIn, and intuitive recruitment databases were simply filing cabinets full of CVs. It was hardly the most efficient way to work.

That said, you still need to know your candidates. The danger with modern technology is that people become reliant upon computer programs rather than getting to know the individuals behind the CVs.

What's been your biggest highlight?

What makes Bryony Gibson

What skills and attributes do you need to do your job?

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Consulting different?

Me! I’ve not only got a lot of experience in recruiting tax and accountancy specialists, but people who I’ve helped often comment that they’ve been surprised by my level of service and that I’m ‘not like a normal recruitment consultant’. To me it’s not just a job; it’s my career and passion. The truth is that I’m prepared to go the extra mile because I genuinely care – and that’s how I’m different.

What are your short and long-term plans for the business?

I don’t tend to plan too far into the future, but the business is going well and perhaps most importantly, I’m enjoying myself. For the moment, I simply want to continue working hard and growing my business by helping others to do the same. Recruitment agencies are often viewed as a necessary evil, and I’d like to change this. If you can partner with a good consultant who listens, understands and wants to work with you in the long-term, then they can really help you find the right people or role.

What do you do to relax?

I love spending time – ideally on holiday – with my family, my husband and two children (five and two).

They keep me pretty busy, but I also try to make time for some exercise, whether that’s running, Pilates or taking long walks around the shops!

For more information visit (0191) 375 9983, visit www.bryonygibson.com, connect on LinkedIn or follow @bryonygibson

DEVELOPMENT

Turning 30 Independent North East agency, Solutions Recruitment, celebrates a landmark birthday. olutions Recruitment was established in 1984, predominantly recruiting for IT personnel and then progressed over the following years to recruit across multiple sectors.

Solutions has since continued to maintain a stable market share and retained many loyal clients throughout its years under the leadership of the previous company owner.

In 2009, Solutions was purchased by current directors Michael Grayson and Ian O’Brien.

Joining forces with long serving employee Lee Andrews, the business adopted an innovative growth strategy expanding into new sectors, offering permanent, temporary and contract recruitment services to all sizes of organisation.

After the purchase and the new focus in direction, several new positions were created internally and the leased office on Hood Street was no longer suitable for the business.

In 2013, Solutions secured £1.8 million of investment and purchased its current head office, Yorkshire Chambers on Pilgrim Street.

Set over five floors, the Grade II listed 15,000 sq foot office houses the three directors and 50 direct staff, with room to further expand. In-house facilities include seven stateof-the-art meeting rooms which are available to hire, free-of-charge to all clients accommodating anywhere between two and 50 guests at a time.

In 2014, Solutions successfully opened their fourth office, in Middlesbrough. Managed by

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an experienced consultant, the office has thrived and has recently recruited its latest consultant to develop the commercial sector.

This supports the existing business within the industrial, manufacturing and sales industries.

The other Solutions offices in Northumberland and South Tyneside have also continued to thrive, as the business looks to produce record results in 2014/15.

This year has, overall, been an exciting year for Solutions with many happenings ranging from a successful charity partnership with Macmillan (which will continue in 2015), to the third annual Great Solutions Bake Off, which culminated in a themed final to coincide with the celebrations for the 30th birthday.

Solutions have an extremely unique culture that encourages consultants to manage their own division as if it were their own business.

There is also a strong emphasis placed on a healthy work, life balance which studies have shown to be important to employees in the current climate.

To this effect, Solutions has broken the mould within the recruitment industry and many of the consultants have been with the company for over a decade.

At present, Solutions recruit for IT, executive, finance and accountancy, industrial, hospitality and catering, sales and marketing, health and social, construction, engineering and technical, logistics, administration, HR and commercial.

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It provides temporary, contract and permanent services across all of these sectors but can also tailor all services to accommodate any bespoke recruitment needs.

Director Ian O’Brien commented: “We have continued growth plans, and are always looking to identify new opportunities within alternative sectors.

“We ensure that all of our consultants are truly specialists in their fields and that makes a massive difference to the service we are able to offer to our clients. We don’t try to put square pegs in round holes and will never close the door to anyone who has an idea.

“Our offering as a business is set apart from our competitors as we aren’t just recruiters, we are specialists too. We understand that all organisations are different and we take the time to understand and deliver against expectations, every time.

“We also offer meeting space in the city centre, free of charge, a variety of relevant and informative seminars, a host of events throughout the year which clients are welcome to attend. It’s a far more personal service than the ‘typical’ recruiter offers.”

With 30 years behind them, Solutions continue to have ambitious growth plans, and with many suggesting that life begins at 30, this business model certainly appears to have embraced this philosophy.

For more information on Solutions Recruitment call (0191) 221 0402 or visit www.solrecruit.co.uk

BUSINESS

Your brand is your business Samantha Davidson, managing director of full service strategic marketing company Horizonworks, on why your brand should represent the true essence of your organisation. or nearly 40 years, South Tyneside-based car dealership Vic Young (South Shields) Ltd has been serving customers from both the North East and across the UK. A family-run firm with deep roots in the local community, it has built up a fiercely loyal client base, with two or even three generations of the same families returning to Vic Young time and time again for new vehicles, and a customer retention rate that many companies can only dream of.

In the two years Horizonworks has worked with the firm – which have seen us implement public relations activity to support its news and used car sales, fleet management, rental, motability and conversions arms – Vic Young has been recognised with numerous awards.

These include the 2013 Service Company of The Year Award and 2013 Special Award in the South Tyneside Business Awards and the Extra Mile Dealership Award at the prestigious national Disabled Motoring UK Awards 2013.

Vic Young was also a finalist in the Dealer Principal of the Year and Used Car Retailer of the Year categories at the national Motor Trader Awards 2013 – widely regarded as the motor trade’s ‘Oscars’.

However, the company has never rested on its laurels and this year, appointed Horizonworks to implement a re-brand of the dealership.

The purpose? To give the company an updated, modern feel and to create a cohesive identity for its various divisions, including Vic

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Young Mobility (its motability arm), Northern Truck Bodies (its specialist conversions arm) and Vic Young Fleet Management.

The re-brand also coincided with a period of transition for Vic Young, which became a main dealer for Mitsubishi in September 2014, following several decades as a Nissan dealership.

This further increased the importance of giving Vic Young its own, strong identity in both the local and national marketplaces.

The new core brand was developed by Horizonworks to encapsulate Vic Young’s unique place in the market sector: namely, a company dedicated to customer service and quality which develops a close, personal bond with its customers over many years (shown in the strapline, ‘your lifelong motoring partner’).

A contemporary brand? In a visual sense, certainly, but a brand that still draws on Vic Young’s decades at the heart of South Tyneside, and the loyalty it has engendered in both customers and staff.

The core brand was then used as a launchpad to create new brands for each of Vic Young’s different divisions, giving each of them separate identities for use in their own marketing material, but identities which nevertheless marked them as part of the ‘Vic Young’ family.

Since developing the new brand, it has been used in advertising campaigns (created and implemented by Horizonworks), plus signage, vehicle liveries, merchandise, stationery and

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even staff uniforms; it has permeated and supported all aspects of Vic Young’s business.

PR activity has reinforced the key messages conveyed in the new brand, focusing on customer loyalty, testimonials and service excellence, and we have also worked closely with Mitsubishi to ensure that this exciting new era for Vic Young continues to be marketed effectively locally and nationally.

Horizonworks’ brand development work for Vic Young illustrates just how important it is to get to the heart of a business – its true personality and character – in defining its brand, and how a brand then cascades through all marketing activities, and of course throughout the business.

Indeed, we’ve worked with a diverse range of other clients in developing their brands, including independent shipping and freight forwarding specialists Johnson Partners, North East law firm PGS Law, biomass solutions provider Gaia Heat and electronics company Hyperdrive Innovation.

What they have all had in common, though, is an understanding of the importance of their brand and its role in creating positive perceptions and building a strong profile.

Maintaining an ongoing brand development programme that is embedded into the wider, bespoke marketing strategy is vital in developing a powerful brand – and we can help your company achieve this, whatever sector you work in.

Top tips for building your brand ...

Horizonworks’ Samantha Davidson Define your brand First and foremost, what is your brand? Ask yourself these questions about your business: What is your core purpose? What is your brand promise? What is the personality of your business? What are your company values, vision and mission?

The answers should help you define your brand. However, it is important to review internal and external factors that have an influence on your brand, specifically your customers, contacts, employees and competitors.

Determine perceptions of your business A useful way of understanding what your customers, employees, suppliers and contacts think about your business is by conducting a brand audit. This gathers information from a sample of your external contacts and provides feedback on their perceptions of your business.

An audit can reveal what they believe your business stands for and how your company is positioned within its sector.

Understand your competitors What sets you apart from your competition? In order to position your brand successfully, you need to understand what other companies are doing in your sector. Every market has competitors. Whether they are direct or non-direct, you need to understand who they are, what they do, how they communicate and how they are viewed in your sector as this will have a direct impact on your brand.

What makes your business unique?

The factors which make your organisation unique will help you win new business and should be communicated in your brand. Some companies incorporate a strapline (or slogan) into their logo which is a simple way of communicating their point of difference. Consider your unique selling proposition (USP) when reviewing your brand, as this is how you will stand out from the crowd. Sometimes, people remember the slogan, more than the logo.

Consistency, consistency, consistency Whatever tactics you use in getting your brand noticed, whether that’s through your logo, PR activities of advertising campaigns, it is important to convey your brand message. Because we are all bombarded by commercial messages every day, make sure that your brand is conveyed on a platform that communicates effectively to your audience. Be clear about your campaign objectives and make sure that marketing activity achieves brand consistency.

For more information on Horizonworks, visit www.horizonworks.co.uk, tel: 08450 755955 or email: hello@horizonworks.co.uk

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LEGAL & FINANCIAL NEWS IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Silk Family Law achieves top tier status The firm has been rated as a ‘top tier’ law firm in the North for the fourth year running.

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ilk Family Law, Newcastle, has been rated as a ‘top tier’ law firm for the fourth year running by the national Legal 500 guide, which ranks firms based on client feedback and others who refer work to them.The 2014 guide, published

last month, rates the firm as ‘excellent’ and refers to the firm’s consistent growth, which is attracting clients from across London and the North West, as well as the North East. The guide also highlights the firm’s team’s expertise in shared residence orders, as well

as corporate, farming and pension issues within matrimonial and family law. In-house barrister, Ian Kennerley, said: “Knowing our clients rate us so highly reflects our commitments to providing high quality advice.”

Evolution LLP hires new staff

Swinburne Maddison is first choice

Clarke Mairs sponsors cancer charity

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orth East accountancy firm, Evolution LLP, has hired four new employees, as it makes its transition through a major brand refresh, set to reaffirm its reputation in the region as an entrepreneurial and forward-looking practice. Linda Pach joins as senior manager, Emily Brian and Danielle Smith join accounts and audit, and Kayleigh Castle joins the payroll team.

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eading UK legal education provider, The University of Law, has appointed North East law firm, Swinburne Maddison, to act on its behalf to facilitate further expansion at its Manchester centre.The firm will prepare both a deed of surrender for an existing lease and draw up a new lease on additional accommodation.

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ewcastle law firm, Clarke Mairs, is set to sponsor this year’s ‘Christmas at the Cathedral’ concert in aid of the North East Teenage Cancer Trust. Produced by Ray Laidlaw, the event, which is the charity’s third concert, will take place on December 17 at St Nicholas Cathedral, Newcastle, and will include a range of celebrity performances, alongside readings and Christmas carols.

INTERVIEW

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

Kirstie McKeown Financial planning director, Rathbone Investment Management.

PAST hroughout my school years I had no idea what career path I wanted to follow. Having done reasonably well at O levels, I followed the A level path choosing maths, physics and chemistry with the aim of being a pilot in the RAF! With no head for heights, I soon learned that I was not Top Gun material and left Sixth Form after four terms. My father’s words still ring in my ears: “If you want to leave school you have to get a job”.

After a brief stint doing data entry I managed to secure a position in banking and in July 1987 I started work as a junior at Lloyds Financial Services and Trust Division entering the world of stocks and shares. I still remember the smell of the dividend voucher drawers and the painfully dull task of ledger filing.

Fortunately, however, my drive and determination were quickly recognised and I was guided towards the management trainee program, moving fairly rapidly through various roles in what became Lloyds Private Bank.

It was clear that I had an aptitude with clients and a skill for supporting them with their finances so qualifying as a chartered financial planner in 2007 allowed me to finally find the right career path for me as an Independent Financial Adviser.

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FUTURE

PRESENT hat I find fascinating about my role is the diversity of clients I advise; and while it is a cliché, no two are the same. Whether it is discussing the size of a person’s waistline, for life insurance purposes, or helping a wealthy client structure their assets as tax efficiently as possible, each situation has its own unique challenges. Adaptability and good communication are critical!

I began as a financial planning director for Rathbones in 2013 after discovering they were opening a new office in Newcastle.

Although it is a FTSE250 company, the culture is one of a family business and indeed, when I joined, I was very much welcomed into the Rathbones ‘family’.

The company ethos is also clear in that Rathbones seeks to provide a traditional personal service and that fits very well with my own belief of putting the customer first.

Working alongside the investment directors allows me to play to my strength of focusing on the overall structure while they can concentrate on the individual investment selection.

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learly, the changes in pensions that we will see over the coming months are some of the most exciting, perhaps, in living memory.

They will have long reaching consequences and provide clients with additional flexibility and choice.

The financial marketplace is such a fast changing arena that it is difficult to know what the future may hold. It is clear, however, that forging good ongoing relationships with clients is important to be able to guide them through the changes that affect them.

Undoubtedly, advances in technology may mean that communications can be done remotely through mediums such as Facetime.

Financial planning is, however, so personal and built upon trust that it is difficult to imagine not helping a client plan their financial future other than through a face-to-face meeting over a cup of tea.

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TIMELINE 1987-1993: Various administrative/supervisory roles, Lloyds FSTD 1993-1997: Investment manager, Lloyds Private Banking Ltd 1997-2003: Relationship manager, Lloyds Private Banking Ltd 2003-2006: Development manager, Lloyds TSB Private Banking Ltd 2006-2012: Independent financial adviser, Lloyds TSB IFA Ltd 2013-date: Financial planning director, Rathbone Pension & Advisory Services Ltd

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LAW & FINANCE

Financial advice and divorce Why it’s so important to plan for the unexpected, says Ian Lowes of Lowes Financial Management.

inancial planning involves planning for things to go right as well as being prepared to deal with the unexpected.

Unfortunately, there may come a time in life where separation happens and the looming untangling of financial affairs adds stress to a situation that most will find difficult to bear already.

The cost of divorce adds to the burden. A recent survey from life and pensions company Aviva investors said that the average cost of divorce has risen 60 per cent over eight years from around £28,000 to £44,0000.

While legal costs have actually fallen over the period, additional costs such as moving house and child maintenance payments have added to the financial burden.

Two thirds of couples that are married or co-habiting have some shared finances, so these arrangements can take some time to unravel if a relationship breaks down.

The main financial assets need to be considered, which are usually the family home and pension benefits.

Key areas that should be addressed soon after a marriage breaks down are the influence of pre and post nuptial agreements, provision of home and maintenance for children of marriage, pension sharing, investment portfolio splitting and financial planning of new portfolios.

Couples wanting to divorce must now initially do so through mediation rather than battle it out in court. So having a full and upto-date financial picture that takes into account the needs of both individuals, particularly where children are involved, can make this process easier.

Once the difficult handling of the divorce process is over, it is easy to assume all the planning is done, especially when most people want to get the situation over with and move on with their lives.

However, financial planning following a divorce is crucial to ensure your current and

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

future partner and family are cared for.

If you receive an income from an expartner and rely on this, then you may be able to take out an insurance policy on your ex-partner’s life.

All life assurance policies require there to be an ‘insurable interest‘, such as where one party will suffer financially following the death of the person whose life is insured. A good example would be maintenance payments received for shared children.

Considering your investments following a split is important to ensure that these are still appropriate for you. For example, are the investment strategies of a married couple with two incomes still appropriate postdivorce?

A divorced investor might want to tone down an aggressive portfolio to a less risky,

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more cautious approach.

Inheritance issues also need to be carefully considered. If you remarry following divorce, then unless you have written a will, your new spouse is likely to inherit the bulk of your wealth and assets and in turn their children, and/or your children from the new relationship.

Children from a previous relationship could be excluded. This can be corrected by writing a will or arranging a life insurance policy to cover any inheritance disparity.

There have been some changes to ‘intestacy’, or dying without a will, rules to bring them up-to-date, which have been in effect since October 1.

They have been criticised for not addressing all of the perceived injustices that can arise under intestacy. In particular, the unmarried continue to have no claim to their late partner’s estate. So if you choose to not marry again following a divorce, but have a partner, the importance of writing a will is clear to make sure your estate is distributed according to your wishes.

Changes to pension rules have also just been announced at the Conservative party conference by the Prime minister. The 55 per cent tax applied on residual pension funds left on death will be removed.

Furthermore, transferring pension funds between family members on death will be permitted.

This in itself could present a very attractive family planning opportunity but equally will present further factors to consider on both divorce and any subsequent marriage.

The importance of financial planning following, as well as during, divorce is clear.

You may find that knowing all the rules, and keeping up-to-date with them, is hard to do and so seeking financial advice from an Independent Financial Adviser can make this process easier and less stressful and help ensure parties get and retain what they are entitled to.

LAW & FINANCE

Is maintenance a meal ticket?

Asks Rebecca Tarn, solicitor at Major Family Law.

EXPERT VIEW Rebecca Tarn Solicitor Major Family Law Tel: (01661) 824582 Email: rebeccatarn@majorfamilylaw.co.uk

hen a marriage ends, there will always need to be some level of financial consideration given, for which there is, of course, legislation to ensure parties are treated as fairly as individual circumstances allow.

It has become popular for people to talk in terms of a clean break, whereby the marital assets are divided between the parties in full and final settlement and neither party has any ongoing financial responsibility towards the other.

Historically, when the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 came into force, there was no requirement to try to achieve a clean break, but this led to concerns about fairness and the act was amended so that a formal duty was imposed on the court to at least consider a financial clean break in every case.

But what if one of the parties to the marriage has no independent income? Maintenance for a spouse (or periodical payments as they are known) depends principally on the potential recipient's needs, actual level of income and ability to earn income.

There are no set formulas and the amount payable depends on the payer’s net income, among other factors.

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It’s a tricky area of the law with little in the way of judicial guidance. Each case is decided on its own facts and the opinion of the judge hearing the application.

Since the latest recession, many families have been unable to reach financial settlement as there is insufficient capital to agree a clean break, which has led to a noticeable increase in applications for spousal maintenance.

A typical scenario involves a wife whose income prospects, unlike her husband’s, have been damaged following years of full-time childcare.

If her income claims cannot be settled by way of a lump sum payment from matrimonial assets, should she be required to find employment and go out to work while the children are still young?

Fast forward a few years: the marriage breaks down after the children have grown up and left home and the parties are in their fifties. Having left work to have children, the wife never returned to work and the family relied solely on the husband’s income.

Most likely the wife supported the husband while he built his career and/or business. Is it fair to expect this lady to find employment and return to work?

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In both cases, the court is under a duty not only to consider if maintenance should be payable, but for how long it should be paid.

A ‘joint lives’ order means maintenance has to be paid until either party dies (or if the receiving spouse remarries).

A ‘term order’ is one where the maintenance is paid for a fixed term. This can be extendable or non-extendable depending on what is ordered.

There is no cut and dry formula, but a clean break is unlikely to be ordered where children are involved, and maintenance for a fixed term only is unlikely to be ordered where the payee is over 55 unless substantive capital is available.

Maintenance is a vital component of any matrimonial settlement and an entitlement that should always be carefully considered.

Nevertheless, statistics show that less than 50 per cent of orders make provision for maintenance.

Calls have been made from within the legal profession for an overhaul of the law relating to maintenance, to make it clearer, more straightforward and decisions more uniform.

For the time being, though, expert advice, as always is vital to ensure you know where you stand.

LAW & FINANCE

Pension freedom What does it mean for you? Asks Anthony Ward, chartered financial planner at Barclays Wealth & Investment Management.

his summer, the Government set about making the most radical changes to pensions in over one hundred years. From April 2015, savers will be given complete freedom over the way they withdraw their pension funds.

Under current proposals, individuals approaching pension age will be able to access the whole of their defined contribution (sometimes called ‘money purchase’) pension pot at any time after age 55 (rising over the next few years to age 57) but subject to income tax at marginal rates on three quarters of the money.

Here, we summarise five of the retirement income options available from April 6, 2015.

Individuals looking for flexibility will have four new options:

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Full flexi-access drawdown Take all tax-free cash (25 per cent of the entire pot) and designate the remaining (‘crystallised’) funds as a drawdown ‘income' pot for unlimited access (as much as you want, when you want, subject to your marginal income tax rate).

Partial flexi-access drawdown Rather than take all of your pension at once, you can take just a portion, leaving the balance for a later date. The amount taken is treated in the same way as is described for Full flexi-access drawdown above.

Full withdrawal – no drawdown Take the entire pot in one go as a lump sum –

EXPERT VIEW Anthony Ward Chartered financial planner Barclays Wealth & Investment Management www.barclays.com

with 25 per cent tax-free and the remainder taxable. This will be referred to as an Uncrystallised Funds Pension Lump Sum (UFPLS).

Partial withdrawal – no drawdown Rather than take all of your pension at once, you can take just a portion, leaving the balance for a later date. The amount taken is treated in the same way as is described for Full withdrawal – no drawdown above. Alternatively, if an individual is looking for the security of a guaranteed income, they will still be able to buy an annuity:

Annuity You can take up to 25 per cent of the crystallised pot as a tax free lump sum and use the remainder to secure a guaranteed and regular income for life.

The Government is also changing the annuity rules and it is expected that providers will develop products that will offer other options,

including an income for a set term (rather than for life), or will allow individuals to take a lump sum in the future - this would be stipulated in the contract at outset.

The best option(s) will depend on an individual’s objectives and circumstances.

Consideration should be given to many factors, including your retirement plans, any other assets, any other income, whether future contributions will be made, your attitude to risk and the death benefits available.

The Government has announced that it will be reducing the rate of taxation on death benefits and in some circumstances death benefits will be paid tax free. Full details will be made available in the Autumn Statement.

As part of the reform, the Government will be introducing The Guidance Guarantee service that will provide individuals with defined contribution pension schemes the right to free and impartial guidance.

Further details about this service will be announced later in the year but it is already known that this service will not be able to advise individuals but simply provide some guidance.

With a range of new options available to those approaching retirement, now is a good time to take stock and decide what retirement might look like and then seek advice on how you can take advantage of the new flexibility and choices on offer.

Pensions and tax rules can change again in the future and this has to be taken account of in any pensions planning exercise.

The value of any tax treatment to you will depend on your individual circumstances. The investments that you hold in a pension arrangement can fall in value, like any others.

Barclays does not provide tax or legal advice. We therefore recommend that you obtain independent tax and legal advice tailored to your needs.

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LAW & FINANCE Left to right: Anthony Bailes (Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust), Ant McPartlin (patron of CHUF), Sarah Parish (Sintons) and Alex Rayner (Sintons)

Sintons supports Scott House A facility for the families of children receiving life-saving treatment has opened at the Freeman Hospital – with the help of Newcastle-based Sintons Law Firm.

pecialist lawyers from the healthcare team at law firm Sintons have enabled the new £1.9 million Home from Home at the Freeman Hospital to become a reality through completing the legal work on the development.

The new unit – named Scott House - has been built to accommodate families whose children are receiving life-saving treatment at the Newcastle hospital’s internationallyrenowned Children’s Heart Unit, providing them with free accommodation and emotional and practical support, during what can often be a lengthy period away from home.

The 18-bedroom development, a joint project between the Sick Children’s Trust (SCT) and the Children’s Heart Unit Fund (CHUF), will support up to 600 families a year, who travel to the Freeman from across the UK and sometimes beyond.

CHUF has donated £1m towards the project, with North East businessman Graham Wylie – a passionate supporter of the unit’s work – spearheading the drive to raise the

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additional funds.

Scott House was officially opened last week, with guests including CHUF patrons Alan Shearer and Ant and Dec. Sintons’ healthcare team advised its client and landlord of the site, the Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust, throughout the project, and prepared the lease and construction documentation which allowed the development to proceed.

Sintons also has a close and long-standing relationship with CHUF, and has been the organisation’s legal advisor for several years.

The team for this transaction, led by Hilary Parker – head of Healthcare at Sintons – involved associate Sarah Parish overseeing the property aspects and construction specialist solicitor Alex Rayner advising the Trust on the building and construction side.

The healthcare team at Sintons has a national reputation for its work, and has recently completed numerous sizeable property transactions in the sector. These range from overseeing new developments – for

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example, the Chapel Park Medical Centre in Newcastle – and selling property portfolios, such as the £62.5m sale of Trinity Medical Properties to Assura.

Hilary Parker, partner at Sintons, said: “The lifesaving work of the Children’s Heart Unit at the Freeman Hospital is renowned around the world, and with this latest addition to the site, it will continue to lead the way, with outstanding medical care coupled with support and a welcoming place to stay for children’s families.

“The healthcare team at Sintons has been involved in many nationally-significant property transactions, and we are very pleased to have played a role in this Home from Home. As advisors to the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, as well as also being lawyers to CHUF, this has been a project close to the hearts of everyone at Sintons. It is a true delight to see it become a reality.”

For more information visit www.sintons.co.uk

LAW & FINANCE

It’s not just me ...

What is your perception of a financial adviser?

Asks Nicola Wrightson of Three Counties. s it the grey hair and stuffy suit? The Co-op man or the direct seller from the bank? Or at the other end of the spectrum, the sharp suit, flash car, a new-fangled iPad and a business card as shiny as their shoes? Or is it someone with a whole list of qualifications after their name, which they can’t wait to tell you about?

The financial services industry has changed immeasurably over the past 10 years as you can see from the descriptions above. So what is really important when choosing to work closely with a financial adviser?

I think it’s very simple: trust.

I can wax lyrical all day about my edge, how great we are at Three Counties and our strengths as advisers. But does it really matter to you if you don’t feel you can trust me, or even like me?

I personally believe it is incredibly important that an adviser’s personality fits well with a new client.

I have to earn your trust and show my worth.

I can’t buy your trust and is doesn’t come overnight. The relationship I have with my clients has taken time and sheer hard work to develop. I like to educate my clients and this doesn’t have to be in a technical manner; sometimes it can be as easy as drawing a picture or a couple of diagrams.

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However, at other times, when I need to be, I can be incredibly technical for those who need it with as much research and data as you can cope with. But ultimately I need to know how your brain processes new information and indeed how you deal with new concepts or ideas.

Again, this doesn’t just happen overnight and it is built on trust.

In order to do my job well I may ask probing, often difficult questions which may cause great debate or sleepless nights in a relationship. I may, for the purpose of your financial plan, recommend you get married, legally divorced or even stop funding your child’s expensive lifestyle. But if I do, I’ll give you substance, honest reasons and the financial advantages and disadvantages of it too.

On a brighter note, I take great pleasure in encouraging my clients to spend their wealth also.

My role is all encompassing as the financial services industry is no longer about selling you a pension or an investment. It’s about long term planning. What is my strength?

My ability to recognise that I can’t do this diversified job myself. But I have the ability to draft in as many people as possible to ensure the service I deliver to my clients is unbeatable.

I work closely with accountants and solicitors as

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well as my research team and technical analyst and this can only benefit my client. The collective experience of my team is over 130 years and we are all dedicated to the cause.

I’ll give you a reason to want to engage with Three Counties, and enjoy your review meetings. I’ll hold your hand if and when necessary during the bad times and encourage you to enjoy your wealth when the time is right. It is often very difficult to make financial planning decisions and I want to make this process as easy as possible. I want you to feel valued and to give you peace of mind. The relationships I build with my clients are very much a joint effort and I get as much satisfaction as they do from it.

I’m lucky, I have a high percentage of female advisers at Three Counties and this works really well with our client base who enjoy the ‘soft’ skills, which is again, just as important as the technical aspect of our role.

But as I have both covered, I am free to build and maintain trust in my relationships with my clients.

If any of the above resonates with you and you don’t want to be ‘sold’ a product, then come and talk us.

For more information visit www.three-counties.co.uk

LAW & FINANCE

Bank of Mum and Dad How pressure is mounting on parents, and grandparents to provide financial assistance to their families.

EXPERT VIEW Jo Jackson Head of Financial Planning Brewin Dolphin Email: Joanne.jackson@brewin.co.uk Web: www.brewin.co.uk/newcastle

n exclusive survey, carried out by YouGov on behalf of wealth manager, Brewin Dolphin, shows that the parents of today’s under 18s in the North are planning to delay retirement, compromise their life-style and dip into their hard earned pension pots and home equity to give their children and grandchildren a step up on the ladder.

The survey shows that 36 per cent of all parents in the North of England believe that in their lifetime they will have to contribute between £25,000 and £100,000 per child in order to cover home deposits, university fees and other living expenses.

At Brewin Dolphin, our financial planners are finding increasing numbers of anxious clients facing demands from their children who cannot get onto the property ladder, or need financial help with other areas of their lives.

The pressure is such that we’re also seeing the emergence of second generation funding from the ‘Bank of Nan and Granddad.’

The figures show that the pressure on families is far higher than it was even a few years ago, with 40 per cent of parents of todays

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under 18s believing that they will have to compromise their lifestyles because of the demands of their children, compared with just 26 per cent of parents with children who have already reached adulthood.

Parents who have already given money to their adult children have mainly focussed on housing, and education, as well as buying their child’s first car. The statistics show that 38 per cent of parents have needed to assist their children with housing costs, mainly due to rocketing house prices, stringent new mortgage rules and rent increases. The expectation of the support parents of younger children – currently under 18 – will need to give is far higher, as is the expected effect on their lifestyles. Of those surveyed, 25 per cent with at least one child under 18 expect to retire later due to financial demands from their children, with some considering downsizing their home to release equity as a result.

While many parents are willing to give, it is important that this is not done at the expense of their own retirement planning, particularly given the current uncertainty around annuities and income generation.

People in their 30s and 40s now will

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generally not enjoy the pension pots their parents did, and this survey shows a worrying trend towards parents needing to choose between helping their children and sacrificing their retirement savings.

It is therefore important to take expert financial planning advice and consider the future before signing cheques to your kids, however well intentioned.

Food for thought, perhaps, is to get children interested in finances from a much younger age – such as how to prioritise spending between needs and wants, setting them savings challenges and trying to teach them about managing their own finances and setting themselves a budget.

This can be a good first step towards financial independence. If they can master how to live within their means and not rack up debt, they’re more likely to grow up to be financially responsible adults, able to save, even invest, and, ultimately, to rely less on the ‘Bank of Mum and Dad.’ As such, professional advice should always be obtained to help you consider the bigger picture and at Brewin Dolphin our Wealth Management service does exactly that.

LAW & FINANCE

Cash flow challenge How Muckle can help with business funding, by Andrew Cawkwell.

nly a few years ago, the majority of businesses were concerned with surviving. Now businesses are in growth mode, but, all too frequently, cash flow holds them back.

A recent report by UK venture capitalists, Albion Ventures Investors, revealed that one in five (21 per cent) of UK SMEs cites cash flow as a challenge going forward.

As a certified turnaround professional, I can help bridge the gap for firms by finding finance through my network of contacts.

I have recently been involved with two businesses with the same problem, but very different outcomes.

The first business had the capability of generating £100 million in turnover due to a strong pipeline of orders in a buoyant sector.

The stumbling block was it didn’t have the cash flow to fulfil its order book and had been approaching their bank and conventional private

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

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financiers without success for help. The company was unable to gain the finance it needed to deliver.

The second business to mention also has a gap in its cash flow. With invoices raised and payments expected following credit terms, it’s a tricky situation for the owners of an otherwise healthy business.

They’re accepting orders, with more in the pipeline, but are stretching their suppliers' credit terms beyond what is acceptable. Using suppliers as a banking facility is a high risk strategy.

Working with the business and a team of accountants, I sought the help of a venture capitalist. Now there is someone providing the business with finance to fulfil their orders and grow.

As a trusted business adviser, I can provide companies with a greater range of options by providing high-level support when times are tough.

LAW & FINANCE

As Major Family Law celebrates five years in business and its most successful year to date, North East Times talks to practice founder and experienced solicitor, Joanne Major, on the ups and downs of being a woman in business.

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remain positive in the face of adversity. I have had the pleasure of being introduced to many other lawyers and non-law business owners, both men and women, who have encouraged me and offered not just guidance but their friendship.

I’ve become involved in charitable and educational projects and am always honoured to be asked for assistance.

I have made mistakes certainly but when I look at the dedicated and loyal team working so hard at Major Family Law, I know I did the right thing branching out on my own.

And of course, aside from being a businesswoman, my profession is as a lawyer, which in itself is a hugely demanding and competitive role.

The law is ever-changing, and recent years have brought unexpected challenges with the widespread changes to availability of public funding to family law cases. Whilst my practice has never dealt with legal aid cases, the ramifications of the changes have been felt across the profession, and we have all had to adapt to a politically driven approach to family law proceedings in recent times, as well as a reduced marketplace.

With the right approach though, change and challenges bring growth and new opportunities, and Major Family Law prides itself on seeking out forward-thinking, innovative approaches to delivering our services.

So often when we’re young, we seek nothing more than to fit in and be accepted. One of the benefits of experience and a few more years is to be able to see how having the conviction and courage to stand out and be different is a positive advantage.

Professionalism does not have to mean conservatism, and I have enjoyed the creative freedom to develop my marketing skills, using everything from milk bottles to beer mats to explore brand development.

While I have driven and grown the business, I have to say that I very much believe that the success of Major Family Law is a team effort, and I am extremely proud of my team, who are all loyal, committed and hard working.

Together we have built a professional reputation on both a local and national level, which has resulted in top level recognition in professional directories such as the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners as well as a Family Law Award for Innovation.

In so many ways, my life is richer for starting my own business and I am hugely grateful to all those who have helped me in the past five years, whether directly or indirectly. What comes next is still unknown.

What I do know is that I have many ideas and dreams still unfulfilled. I will continue to grow Major Family Law, which I hope will ultimately give me the scope to pursue my other dreams and interests. Come back and ask me again in another five years what I’m doing then!

tatistics show there are now almost 1.5 million women selfemployed which represents an increase of around 300,000 since before the economic downturn. While women account for under a third of those in self-employment, they represent over half the increase in self-employment since the recession started in 2008.

It seems that female entrepreneurs really are doing it for themselves.

I am now in my fifth year of self-employment and having started from scratch, working alone from my kitchen table, I’m immensely proud of Major Family Law and all we have achieved to date.

Like many women setting up on their own, I wanted some flexibility to work in a way that would enable me to also spend time with my family.

I had forged a successful career as a family lawyer, I had found my vocation and was passionate about it but wanted to work on my terms. I admit it has been much harder than I ever imagined and want to share some of my thoughts with anyone planning to ‘go it alone’.

Recent surveys show that women make up around 47 per cent of the legal profession, but only 16 per cent are at partner level compared to 38 per cent of male solicitors in private practice.

Whatever the underlying message is of the statistics, my experience is that the decision to become your own boss, in whatever form of enterprise you decide to follow, passion and determination are never enough.

Armed with only a practising certificate, insurance and a handbag, I set up Major Family Law. Who thought it would be that easy?

But, my biggest obstacles have come not from practising as a lawyer – that was the easy part – but from the challenges of running a business itself.

I was lucky that Major Family Law grew more quickly than I had anticipated. However, that meant I needed more practicing certificates, more insurance, more IT support and a greater awareness of cash flow.

I learned how to do budget forecasts and forward projections, having never had to consider them previously, and I developed a network of excellent contacts, more by default than by way of organized good practice. I’ve discovered that I need a licence to play music in the office and having tweeted and written about the benefits of Social Media, found I need a licence for Twitter if referring or linking to other material. Who knew?

Each year as the Practice has grown, I have learnt how to push myself and test my resilience. Unlike some of my competitors, I have been a sole practitioner and have been the only the decision-maker, marketer and driver. I have encountered obstacles from other family lawyers and I’ve had to remain very focused.

I’ve discovered that to succeed in business you must have an indomitable spirit, a great belief in yourself and your abilities and the ability to overcome a setback.

I’ve also learnt to be humble, to ask for advice and to try to

For more information on Major Family Law call (01661) 824582 or visit www.majorfamilylaw.co.uk

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LAW & FINANCE

Emma’s view Partner at Rowlands Accountants Emma Glover, a chartered accountant and member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, provides advice for budding women entrepreneurs and talks about what it’s like to be a woman in a male dominated industry.

What attracted you to the accountancy industry?

I wanted to have a role that was technically challenging but also involved spending time advising individuals in business. Accountancy satisfies both of these very well.

When did you start at Rowlands and why did you decide to join the firm?

I joined Rowlands in 2005 because I felt that the practice and I were a good match. Rowlands was, and still is, very keen to invest in its tax services as we see these as very important to our success and growth. We have a wide-ranging client base and I have always been keen to support the firm by developing the tax department, expanding our tax planning services, and supporting the partners as a specialist in my field.

about becoming an accountant?

Financial services remain male dominated but that shouldn’t put anyone off. Being an accountant has huge advantages if you are interested in business. There is a wide range of roles and opportunities whether you want to be office based or travel, have a technical job or a ‘people facing’ job, or whether you want to be an employee or run your own business. Usually opportunities for part-time work are also relatively easy to find.

Are there any tax regulations that are more preferential to women than men?

Even maternity/paternity rules are becoming more equal; the business and tax world is moving in a more equal direction.

How does Rowlands support working women?

considerations they need to address as a start up?

There are so many it is difficult to know where to start. My advice is to be organised and keep your paperwork and business records in good order.

Ask your accountant for advice early on in the business process. You will need to know whether to trade as a sole trader, partnership or limited company, how to register with HMRC, when and how to pay your tax and National Insurance, whether (and when) to register for VAT. It’s also important to think up front about the procedures and obligations if you employ someone, who should own your business assets, and whether you can benefit from any tax advantaged schemes such as the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme or the Enterprise Investment Scheme.

What about when the business becomes more established?

I oversee the tax advice services provided by the firm, with the very supportive assistance of the tax team, including three other key senior tax advisers: Dawn Walton (our most recent addition to the partnership), and managers Claire Smailes and Emma Young – it’s a team run by females!

Rowlands is incredibly supportive of women.

Mainly by offering flexible working patterns and a wide variety of opportunities for part time work. We know that women are essential to our business and we do everything we can to support them to enable them to make their valuable contribution. The men are of course entitled to this flexibility too and do also make use of it.

You should talk to your accountant regularly regarding all these matters – a minimum of once per year, and more often if your business is developing quickly or you are planning a specific acquisition or project. My best advice is always to ask your accountant BEFORE you make any key decision. He or she may be able to save you money by the way in which you structure your activities, might have knowledge of grants available, or could help you with employing an apprentice, for example.

Traditionally, the financial sector has been male dominated. What advice would you give a woman thinking

A growing number of females are becoming so-called ‘kitchen table entrepreneurs’ Are there tax

For more information on Rowlands Accountants visit www.rowlandsaccountants.co.uk

What does your role at Rowlands entail?

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LAW & FINANCE

Where there's a will, there's a way Vinay Bedi of UBS Wealth Management heads to Teesside to meet some determined business people.

ot another address about wills, you may be pleased to hear (although if you haven’t got one, you should sermon over) My wanderings this month have underlined to me just how important determination and conviction is in creating success, whether it is in establishing and growing a business or in developing a region. Part of my networking included the pleasure of meeting a wonderful group of Teesside business people over dinner at Wynyard Hall. Some of these entrepreneurs were representing relatively new businesses and, incidentally, for once, men weren’t in the vast majority.

Many of our dinner guests demonstrated how hard it had been to start their businesses, how determined they had had to be to persevere in the face of some quite considerable adversity and how convinced they had been in their own minds that they were going to not only make the business work but to actually succeed.

With all due modesty, a number of them considered this to be more reflective of positive work ethics, a willingness to burn the midnight oil and a stubbornness not to say no.

I felt that one thing that these people had in common was a conviction that their business idea would work and they were not going to accept anything other than ultimate success.

If this determination and conviction is the basis of the majority of businesses in Teesside, then the region can look forward to a very positive future.

Intriguingly, I was also invited to watch a

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EXPERT VIEW Vinay Bedi Executive director UBS Wealth Management Tel: (0191) 211 1015.

Email: vinay.bedi@ubs.com Web: www.ubs.com/uk

Boro match at Middlehaven (well ok, we all know that it's actually ‘The Riverside Stadium’ but the Middlehaven area is finally worthy of recognition now that there are some properties on it). The fact that The Riverside is celebrating its 20th year in 2015 is a surprise to most people. The fact that the Middlehaven area has only just begun to deliver on the regeneration that was expected, and even possibly promised, at the time of the building of the football ground is, unfortunately, staggering.

What has taken so long? Why has this area been left abandoned, derelict and apparently unwanted when the region has been crying out for developments and opportunities. The contrast between what Steve Gibson has achieved at Middlesbrough FC and what has not been achieved on the wastelands of Middlehaven is astonishing and really does illustrate some of the issues that we have in this region.

One obvious difference is Steve Gibson

makes things happen. He does not talk the game, he plays it, with all his ability and determination and with a conviction that he will eventually win.

He delivers results and if you want to cynically point out that the Boro haven't been in the top division for several years, I would guide you to the stunning success that is Mr Gibson's business, Bulkhaul.

While Middlehaven has been left desolate and unloved for so long, the Teesdale Business Park near Stockton has been developed, occupied and expanded. It has stolen a lead in Teesside and is now providing the office and commercial accommodation that Middlesbrough had the opportunity to do and did not grasp. Teesside Development Corporation? Sir Ron Norman? Duncan Hall?

Take a bow. Disbanded in 1998 and criticised by some MPs and councillors, the evidence of their success is now clear to see. At the end of the day it is about delivering, it is about backing up words and ideas with actions. It's about having the will to succeed.

We at UBS think that Teesside has got a fantastic future, that it is the still to be ‘unearthed gem’ in the North East's emerging crown.

However, to become the sought after finished, shiny, article will take a lot more determination and conviction from many of those charged with regenerating growth in the region. Take a lead from some of the areas emerging entrepreneurs – it's not about the talking, it is about the doing.

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.

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LAW & FINANCE

Be prepared Family law expert Teresa Davidson of Ward Hadaway looks at why prenuptial agreements are growing in popularity.

EXPERT VIEW Teresa Davidson Partner Ward Hadaway Tel: (0191) 204 4350 Email: teresa.davison@wardhadaway.com

he use of pre-nuptial agreements looks set to continue for a rising number of couples for a variety of reasons, including the arrival of same sex marriage. At Ward Hadaway, we are seeing a rise in demand from clients for pre-nuptial agreements following on from recent developments which have strengthened their standing in English law.

Pre-nuptial agreements are entered into by parties before they marry. Those who choose to live together without marrying can enter into cohabitation agreements. The agreements primarily set out what will happen to the parties' income and assets if they separate.

More and more couples are now choosing to take this step, which was previously considered to be something only for the very

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wealthy in this country, although very common in some countries in Europe and the USA. So why the rise in popularity?

There seem to be a number of factors at work. Many who have started their own businesses want to ensure they do what they can to protect their business assets; farming families want to plan ahead for the next generation and an increasing number of older couples are living together and marrying, often for the second time. Where each has their own assets and children, they often want to plan for how matters will be dealt with if the relationship does not work out.

Pre-nuptial agreements now have a great deal of force with the courts and can be used to

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assist with an amicable financial separation without the uncertainty inherent in allowing the court to decide matters. Increasingly couples are recognising this.

However, at present, the law is not final in relation to pre-nuptial agreements having the last word. The court can still step in if any agreement reached before marriage is unfair.

The Law Commission has recommended that the law should be changed to strengthen pre-nups. The Government's final response on this report is due in February 2015 but at the moment the law seems only to be moving in one direction, towards giving increasing weight to pre-nuptial agreements. We expect the trend for more cohabitation agreements and prenuptial agreements to continue.

LAW & FINANCE

Staying true to conveyancing Despite a difficult period for the property industry, True Solicitors’ conveyancing department has remained competitive due to its dedicated process-driven service. Here solicitor and head of Convayancing, Patricia Hall, explains more ...

When and why was True Solicitors’ conveyancing department established?

The department was formed at the beginning of 2008 with a team of two. We were and still are a sizeable litigation practice, looking to offer additional services to both existing and new clients.

Like litigation, conveyancing is largely process-driven and lends itself well to achieving efficiencies through the development of computer software.

We had already invested heavily in a market leading case management system and were confident that, with the right team and further investment in time and effort developing the system, we could provide an excellent, competition beating service at an attractive price.

How has the firm developed since that time?

General market conditions were pretty dire for the first few years, but we were still able to generate a good level of instructions from day one via a combination of our existing client base, local contacts and advertising.

We have grown the department year on year since 2008 despite, until relatively recently, a depressed property market, and we now employ a team of ten. The number of instructions generated from our existing client base has increased through effective cross selling as the market has improved and we have developed good working relationships with a number of local estate agents, largely as a result of positive feedback from our/ their clients.

We have also run a successful local advertising campaign for several years now.

In 2013 we secured membership of the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme – the mark of excellence for the home buying process – and we successfully renewed our membership last year.

How has 2014 been for the firm?

This year has been our busiest to date. AnneMarie Thompson and Emma Thornton have joined the team respectively as a property solictior and conveyancing assistant, respectively, to meet increasing demand and strengthen our offering to clients.

What conveyancing services do True Solicitors offer?

We offer a full range of residential conveyancing services, including buying, selling (including new build and buy to let) remortgages and transfers of equity.

We are happy to offer tailor made quotations with no commitment. All our quotations are confirmed in writing at the time of request and are fully transparent. The quotation we give is the fee our clients will pay. There are no hidden charges and no additional fees will be levied for completing standard forms or acting for mortgage lenders in the same transaction.

We pride ourselves in offering an all inclusive, transparent and competitive rate.

Why should a customer choose True?

For us it’s all about the customer journey.

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Clients regularly tell us about poor experiences they’ve encountered buying and selling property in the past.

The complaints aren’t about outcome – their previous advisors normally get that right – they’re about a failure to effectively communicate how the transaction is progressing, why delays occur and how they will be resolved.

This shouldn’t be that surprising given that the margins in conveyancing are extremely thin.

The key for us has been our investment in IT, (in a way that doesn’t de-personalise our service), and the fact we have an excellent team of people within the department. The increased efficiencies driven by investment in IT have allowed us to concentrate on quality of service. We strive to provide the service we would want if we were the client, and lawyers aren’t easy clients!

We regularly receive very positive comments from clients which suggest we are doing something right. We won’t rest on our laurels though, as we believe there is always room for improvement.

What are the short term and long term plans for the firm?

Our long-term aim is to establish True as the leading North East residential conveyancing team. We plan to continue our expansion now that market conditions have improved, but at a pace which won’t adversely impact on the service we provide to our clients.

For more information on conveyancing at True Solicitors visit www.true.co.uk/conveyancing

MEET THE TEAM: Patricia Hall Head of Conveyancing and a solicitor. Patricia joined the firm in 2010 having been a residential conveyancer for 16 years.

Anne-Marie Thompson Solicitor Anne-Marie has been a residential conveyancer for 13 years having worked previously with some of the largest conveyancing firms in the North East

Debbie Taylor Conveyancer who has worked in residential conveyancing in the North East for more than 20 years. Debbie has been an integral member of the conveyancing team since its creation in 2008.

Dawn Henderson A conveyancer in the North East for more than 25 years. She joined True Solicitors in 2012.

Margaret MacGregor Conveyancing assistant who joined True Solicitors in 2010 after returning to the North East following 10 years working in a residential conveyancing department in a large firm in the south of England.

Emma Thornton Conveyancing assistant who joined True this year as part of the firm’s continued expansion. Emma has been involved with residential conveyancing in the North East for eight years.

Stephanie Bartley and Jen Auld are administrative assistants and have been part of True’s team since 2010 and 2011, respectively.

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LAW & FINANCE

Supporting women in business Langridge Employment Law, offering a full range of employment law and HR services, was established by Sharon Langridge in 2005. Here, she talks about her career and her involvement in the Women's Advisory board for the NECC and a Women into the Network.

When and why did you establish Langridge Employment Law? I started out in law in London working for a large international law firm, then moved to progressively smaller firms in the North East. In December 2005 felt right to start my own niche law firm from scratch.

How has the firm developed in this time?

In the past nine year, like any business, the firm has seen a number of changes. Some of these were internal, such as staff changes, and others have been external with a different emphasis in the work we do. For example, there has been a gradual reduction in the number of cases we handle in the Employment Tribunal, as we’ve found that many clients are not willing to take the risk of defending a claim and paying the costs of that, if there are other ways to avoid the dispute.

This has shifted our focus more onto advisory work, where we work closely with employer clients to manage their HR problems.

What makes Langridge Employment Law unique?

Our unique quality, I think, is that we really do put the clients first. For example, we will recommend a cheaper course of action if we can see no need for a more expensive approach to be taken. We don’t see any need to flaunt our legal knowledge by lecturing to a client; we use that knowledge to help deliver what the client needs

You're also a member of the Women's Advisory board for the NECC and a board member for Women into the Network …

I’ve always been actively involved in initiatives to support women, and used to chair the Association of Women Solicitors in the North East. Branching out with my own law firm made me more aware of being part of a wider business community, so joining Women into the Network seemed a natural step for me, offering support and networking events to women in business, as well as delivering the annual Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. With the support and encouragement of the NECC, we set up a new Women’s Advisory Board that sits within the Chamber of Commerce. Its remit is to provide strategic guidance on gender issues to the NECC and its members, and to continue to reach out to women in business in the region by offering support and female-led networking opportunities.

What is the main challenge(s) to working women at present?

I would say that employment laws have evolved in such a way as to create a more even-handed approach between men and women. This is for the simple reason that when discrimination laws were first introduced, they were there to redress certain imbalances that put women at a disadvantage. When the Equal Pay Act was first brought in, it was a necessity to ensure there was a fair wage for the work, whether done by a woman or a man. Likewise, the Government had to bring about social change by introducing a right to paid maternity leave, and sex discrimination laws have been used to recognise the way that women could indirectly be disadvantaged. For example, it wasn’t that long ago that full-time hours were seen as the only way to do a good job, whereas now we have an abundance of flexible working initiatives. In that sense, I would like to think that these legal protections have broadened out as society has changed, and they are no longer seen as ‘women’s issues’.

While I’ve seen a lot of changes in the world of work over the last 20 years, there is a common theme that seems to endure, and that is maternity. Most working people – men and women – would like to have a successful career and also a good quality of family life. Only women need time out to bear children, and traditionally only women have sought part-time working to raise their children. There’s no doubt that these are difficult challenges for businesses to manage, but we still have some way to go before things level out between the genders. Now that we have new laws on shared parental leave, it will be interesting to see whether fathers take the opportunity to share family responsibilities.

What are the plans for Langridge Employment Law going into 2015?

Do you think employment law reflects men and women equally? If not, why?

For more information on Langridge Employment Law visit www.langridgeemploymentlaw.co.uk

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For me personally, 2014 has been an exceptionally busy year following my appointment as a part-time Employment Tribunal Judge, meaning I spend a fair bit of time in Manchester hearing cases. It’s not been easy to combine that with running a law firm in Newcastle, as well as wearing my other hats on the Women’s Advisory Board and as a governor of Durham School and Hotspur Primary School in Heaton. I think my New Year’s resolution needs to be to work on my own work-life balance in 2015!

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LAW & FINANCE

Protecting the family wealth Peter Rutherford of Universal Tax Strategies looks at the issues to consider with Inheritance Tax planning.

EXPERT VIEW Peter Rutherford Partner Universal Tax Strategies LLP Tel: (0191) 374 0333 Email: peter.rutherford@utsllp.co.uk

ast month I looked at the position of clients with Inheritance Tax issues and advised on the merits of discretionary will trusts. Now we will consider IHT planning.

To recap we have a married couple wishing to discuss Inheritance Tax (IHT) and structuring affairs so the family, or rather the bloodline, retain as much of the wealth created as possible.

If we look at the assets in turn we can consider the options.

The estate is worth about £3 million. There is a business, owned for a number of years, and therefore will qualify for Business Property Relief which means there should be no IHT charged on the value of the business.

A note of caution is that excessive cash should not be held in the business as this can compromise the IHT relief.

The home is valued at something over £450,000 but can be covered by their Nil Rate Bands which stand at £325,000 each.

The main asset is the portfolio of shares that have a value of c£2m. They are held in the wife’s name. Approximately 25 per cent of this value is gain which equates to £500,000.

If the shares were sold now then the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) bill would be approximately (£500,000 x 28 per cent) £140,000.

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However, if nothing is done then there is no CGT on death but IHT will be due at 40 per cent on the majority of the share value which is c £800,000.

Transfers between spouses are free of CGT and so some ‘death-bed’ planning can be achieved by transferring ownership of the shares to a spouse with a short life expectancy.

Upon death of that spouse the shares can be sold free of CGT and the value given to the surviving spouse free of IHT. The surviving spouse can now proceed with IHT planning free from the concerns of CGT. The weakness here is that we cannot be certain of the order in which a couple may die and when it occurs.

Secondly most IHT planning requires time before it becomes effective although this may be only two years with some schemes.

An option is to transfer some of the shares into a trust and to claim holdover relief, which means the CGT liability passes to the trustees.

This delays the liability and allows some of the liability to be managed out over time.

Another option is to sell the shares and place the proceeds into an Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS). An EIS can give the following benefits; • 30 per cent income tax relief on EIS

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investments of up to £1million in any tax year – this is also available on an investment of up to £1million backdated to the previous tax year.

• Capital Gains Tax deferral and CGT eliminated if held at death (no restriction on amount).

• 100 per cent inheritance tax relief (after two years as long as you still own the shares when you die).

• Tax-free growth.

The EIS is driven by tax considerations rather than investment ones so the clients have to decide which is more important. However the benefits are enormous in that they will have no CGT, a reclaim of some income tax and no IHT after two years.

The income generated by the shares, if they are retained, could be used to fund a joint life second death whole of life assurance policy. It would pay out on the second to die and into a trust arrangement for the benefit of those named in the wills so that they have the wherewithal to pay the IHT. The value of the life assurance never enters the estate as it is paid directly to the trust.

The clients have some decisions to make but we can achieve their desires.

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LAW & FINANCE

Cashflow finance It isn’t just for Christmas, says Glen Callander of Hitachi Capital.

EXPERT VIEW Glen Callander Strategic development partner, corporate Hitachi Captial www.hitachicapital.co.uk

n the final quarter of the year many businesses face a real financial struggle as they aim to complete orders for the Christmas rush, therefore have higher than normal costs. It’s those temporary staffing costs, additional pay for Christmas bonuses or just extra costs associated with the colder weather – such as additional utility bills which can be a hassle.

The final six months of the year normally sees a spike in the rise of invoice finance solutions, as companies look to ways to cost effectively manage peaks and troughs in their cashflow. However the peak months are typically September, October and November – as business aim to get ahead of the cashflow curve.

Good planning can make a real difference, but it’s never too late to set-up a cashflow funding line such as an invoice factoring or invoice discounting line.

An invoice finance facility, in the simplest of terms, allows you to receive up to 85 per cent of the money you're owed within 24 hours of submitting an invoice to your customer.

We advance monies against invoices, for a factoring agreement our involvement is disclosed to your customers but for confidential invoice discounting our involvement isn’t disclosed – you just inform your clients of a new bank account number.

This new bank is where your customers pay the

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outstanding invoices.

For invoice factoring we’ll help with the collections for your largest customers and this really helps smaller businesses, normally with a turnover of around £1 million or less, as this frees up time to do what they’re good at and grow the business.

At Hitachi Capital we have dedicated client managers that handle all aspects of your account, allowing us to build a rapport with you and your clients, with us becoming like an extra pair hands within your business. It’s this great service that wins us so many awards; we’ve won more awards than any other invoice finance provider!

Invoice discounting is generally more suited to larger companies with around £3m plus turnover.

For invoice discounting our involvement is shielded from your customers, so they need never know about our involvement. You just inform your customers that you’ve opened a new bank account (which we’ll do for you) and the customer pays the outstanding invoices into this account. You maintain control of all your collections and credit control activity and just keep us informed through our on-line system of the invoices you raise.

Cheaper than you think …

To run a factoring facility the cost is typically

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around 0.89 per cent to 1.5 per cent of the cost of your sales ledger. In many cases the cost works out cheaper than most other forms of borrowing – especially overdrafts. We launched our Inspired Cashflow product to make it simple to buy, simple to leave and simple to cost. You pay just one fee as we’ve taken away most of the other costs.

We’ve taken the same philosophy to invoice discounting with our Cashflow Inspiration product.

This has two fees – a service fee and a finance fee, but hardly any extra costs. This works our cheaper than almost all other invoice finance arrangements – typically saving a £5m turnover company £15k on finance costs.

Many business owners think it’s a long and complicated process to set-up and manage, when it isn’t at all. We at Hitachi Capital have been working to make it really simple and low risk to get a quick funding line in place, with us not tying in companies to long one-sided agreements. An invoice factoring facility can be in place in a couple of days, with a larger confidential invoice discounting facility taking a little longer.

Hitachi Capital offers all clients a six-month trial period then a short rolling three-month contract – we keep clients with great service not horrible one-sided contracts. So get in touch, we can help advise the right type of finance for your business, even if it’s not invoice finance.

LAW & FINANCE

Left to right: John Hammill (SQ1 Law), Neil Herron (Activ8) and Stephen Slater (RMT)

RMT helps Activ8 A sunderland-based entrepreneur Neil Herron has earned the backing of several individual investors, with the help of the accountants and business advisors. arking technology firm Activ8 Virtual Parking Solutions has secured a six-figure investment from a number of private individuals.

The Sunderland-based firm has secured backing from its Virtual Parking Solutions’ (VPS) platform which offers management of restricted kerbspace in urban environments – creating ‘opportunity windows’ for certain classes of vehicle used for deliveries and so on.

A deal advised by RMT Accountants and Business Advisors, with legal support from Square One Law, saw Activ8 founder Neil Herron secure investment through the Enterprise Investment Scheme.

VPS allows local authorities to manage roadside deliveries between set times without issuing deliverers with penalty charges.

Details of each delivery are sent directly to Civil Enforcement Officers’ handheld devices or CCTV operatives to ensure no penalty notices are issued.

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After successfully proving the VPS concept with a major London Borough, Activ8 is now lining up a number of operational pilot schemes in different local authority areas, with others to follow in the coming months, including solutions to assist the disabled motorist with major global fuel retailers.

New sales and system development jobs are being created in the North East as the company expands, with a number of developers also being taken on to create new applications, and Activ8’s management team are already looking at how the system might be tailored for use right around the globe.

Strategic non-executive directors appointments are set to be made to provide the company with further expertise in a range of areas, including road safety, autonomous and connected vehicles, energy policy, social enterprise and digital communications.

Neil Herron said: “The RMT and Square One Law teams understood the wider concept of the business and were very receptive towards what

we’re looking to achieve – it’s been very refreshing to work with advisors who truly operate as part of our team.”

Stephen Slater, director at RMT Accountants and Business Advisors, added: “Having worked with Neil for two years on the connected city vision and the last six months to bring all the elements of the investment process together, it’s very satisfying to see it reach its completion, especially in light of the excellent use made by the investors of the allowances offered by the Enterprise Investment Scheme.”

Activ8 has also secured a strategic partnership with a South African fleet and supply chain optimisation company to create Sizwe Solutions, which will help companies, businesses and fleet operators reduce costs through efficiency savings in the supply and delivery chain.

See more at: http://www.r-m-t.co.uk/blog/activ8secures-six-figure-investment-enterpriseinvestment-scheme/#sthash.tumv8wTB.dpuf

Maxine Pott gains top accreditation ne of the North East's best known finance professionals has received accreditation from the UK's leading medical finance membership organisation for her expertise in this specialist sector.

Maxine Pott, a director at Newcastle-based RMT Accountants & Business Advisors, is now one of just a handful of accountants to be accredited by the Association of Independent Specialist Medical Accountants (AISMA), a national network of over 75 accountancy firms providing expert advice to medical practices, GPs and hospital doctors.

Maxine heads up RMT's specialist medical division, RMT Healthcare, which is nationally acknowledged as one of the UK’s leading independent specialist medical and healthcare accountancy practices.

The accreditation process required Maxine, who is also a non-executive director of the Port of Tyne, to successfully complete an interview

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by a panel of members from AISMA's national committee, which included industry experts from right across the UK. The 20+ strong RMT Medical & Healthcare team works with medical professionals of every

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kind throughout the North East region as well as serving clients in Scotland, Cumbria, the Midlands, Yorkshire and the London area, including hospital doctors, locums, consultants.

RMT currently acts for over a 100 GP practices and over 1000 medical professionals.

It has also recently extended its operations into other areas of healthcare , including ophthalmology, dentistry, pharmacy and the care home sector, and also works with animal healthcare and veterinary practices.

Maxine Pott says: "The AISMA accreditation provides due recognition of the long-term commitment that RMT has made to the medical sector, the investment we're continuing to make in recruiting and training the highest calibre of staff, and the advantages that our team's specialist knowledge and expertise can offer any professional working in the healthcare sector.”

Visit www.rmthealthgroup.co.uk for more information.

EVENT

Lord’s Taverners’ golf day The charity hosts its annual sporting event.

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he Northumberland and Durham branch of the Lord’s Taverners, the youth cricket and disability sports charity, held its yearly charity golf day on September 24.

With 19 teams playing in a shotgun start on the Filly Course at Close House, over £3500 was raised which will enable the charity to give disadvantaged and disabled young people in the region the opportunity to participate more widely in sport.

Regional chairman Jamie Graham commented: “The day was a huge success and we are fortunate we were able to play at such a prestigious North East venue.”

For more information on the charity and future events please contact Jamie Graham at jamiegraham@surgo.co.uk

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LAW & FINANCE

Double Act Catherine Milbanke and Catherine Young are business partners at Leathers LLP chartered accountants, which has offices in Durham and Newcastle. They talk to North East Times about their careers as female accountants.

What first attracted you to accountancy?

[CM] During my time at Durham University, studying Chemistry, I was invited to take part in vacation programmes run by large accountancy firms. This sparked my interest in a career in business and I applied for a graduate accountancy-training contract.

[CY] For me, it was in the DNA; while at

school I used to visit my father’s practice in Manchester. I loved going out to meet the clients with him – goodness knows what I was doing, I think I was mainly adding things up and eating chocolate.

What are the skills you need to do your job?

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[CY] I remember one of my children’s teachers assuming that as a chartered accountant, I would be cognisant with the full methodology of the maths GCSE syllabus. This is a common misconception; finance and accountancy are about numbers, not maths. As for arithmetic, in the 21st century many accountants struggle to add

up even a short list of numbers without a calculator or computer!

[CM] Yes numbers and logic are important but communication is key.

As this is The Women's Issue, can I ask if you think your experience has been different from your male peers?

[CM] The proportion of female accountancy students has remained static at around 40 per cent for some years and yet there is still a lack of women in senior roles, especially in our region. No one seems to know why. Personally, I’ve had a complete career break and also worked part-time which none of my male colleagues have done, [CY] I agree. Differences will always arise due to personal choices and circumstances. I took maternity leave with each of my three children in the 1990s when there was no such thing as paternity leave. I also worked part-time for many years so that I could fit everything in. I think it’s known as ‘doing it all’ –

‘having it all’ is a common misnomer.

What advice would you give a female who has aspirations of a career in accountancy?

[CM] We agree on this one – being a male or a female accountant is irrelevant. In the current competitive jobs market, that first opening can be hard to find. It’s important to be focussed on what you want to do; be prepared to work hard at the day job whilst studying for professional exams in your free time and also keeping the rest of your life and your hobbies afloat.

You’re known for your work outside the profession. Is this something you have always done or wanted to do?

[CM] From charity board member to Brown Owl I’ve always enjoyed voluntary and community roles. I’m also currently chair of the audit committee at a North East-based housing association and this enables me to see life from the other side of the table.

It’s

rewarding to experience best practice in action and also gives me an opportunity to enhance and develop skills in a different environment.

[CY] By offering our ‘day job’ skills we can add value while working in different sectors and with some amazing people. Current roles for me include being a board member at a local university and chair of audit committee of a national charity – both of which can lead to meeting and working with renowned academics, internationally acclaimed scientists and even celebrities.

What is the best advice you’ve received?

[CM] At one time when the children were young and I was meeting myself coming backwards, a wise person advised me to learn how to say ‘no’. Despite what I’ve just said about my community roles, there comes a point when there is no more capacity. There just aren’t enough hours in the day.

Is there ever any confusion at Leathers as you’re both called Catherine?

[CY] Not really as we’re known as Young Catherine and Catherine Young There is some debate over the collective noun for a group of Catherines, though!

For more information on Leathers LLP visit www.leathersllp.co.uk or call (0191) 224 6760

Catherine Milbanke and Catherine Young.

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LAW & FINANCE

New rules for testimonials Sports testimonial tax changes will hit charities in the pocket, explains UNW tax partner Lee Muter. harities stand to miss out on millions of pounds of funding following a proposed change to the tax treatment of testimonials for sports stars.

The practice of providing testimonial matches to long-serving sports stars evolved in the 1920s, originally to provide football, cricket and rugby players with income often at the end of their relatively short sporting careers.

Testimonials were most often in the form of a prestigious match between current and former professionals with any gate money passed directly to the player.

HM Revenue and Customs has, until recently, agreed that, providing certain conditions exist, all of the cash provided to players can be made free of tax.

As salaries have increased, testimonials in the modern day have evolved so that any gate receipts from the testimonial match usually given to charity.

Recent examples include Steve Harper, Alan Shearer and Niall Quinn all of whom held prestigious friendly matches against star

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EXPERT VIEW Lee Muter Employment taxes partner UNW LLP Web: www.unw.co.uk

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studded opposition, raising millions and being able to be paid tax free to charitable causes.

HMRC has now changed its approach to the taxation of charitable causes and has announced that from 2016 all money received from testimonials for players will be taxable as though it were salary.

On receipts of £1 million, the total tax and National Insurance payable would be close to £600K, meaning the charity would only receive £400K as a donation.

Even if some of the tax was reclaimed through Gift Aid, there would still be a shortfall to the charity as there is not the same relief for National Insurance.

I don’t understand the need to change the current situation – most testimonials now are done with a charitable purpose in mind and are not carried out with a view to remunerating any well paid sports people or for genuine hardship.

By changing their approach, HM Revenue and Customs are potentially reducing the amount of income a charity receives which is surely not the intention?

LAW & FINANCE

The Unitary Patent of the European Union

By Dominic Elsworth of patent attorneys Hargreaves Elsworth. n May 14, 2014, Royal Assent was given to a new Intellectual Property Act. One effect of this act is to create powers to allow the Unified Patent Court Agreement to be implemented.

This is a central part of introducing the long awaited Unitary European Union patent.

The forecast is that moving from the current system for granting European pat-ents, which requires costly translations to be filed in many European countries, to a Unitary EU patent could save UK businesses up to ÂŁ40 million per year.

At present, a further eight countries including UK and Germany must ratify the Unified Patent Court Agreement before Unitary EU patent system may begin.

It is hoped this will happen over the next 12 months.

In 2013, 266,000 patent applications were filed with the EPO, of which 93,100 came from Europe.

Of the European countries, Germany filed the most applications at the EPO (32 022), followed by France (12,417), Switzerland (7966) the Netherlands (7 606), the UK (6469).

More worrying was that the number of applications filed by applicants from the UK fell by 3 per cent.

Hopefully, when the EU Unitary Patent is comes into being, UK industry will avail itself of the system and perhaps start to close the gap with its industrial competitors. That, however, remains to be seen.

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For more information visit www.heip.co.uk

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LAW & FINANCE

Signing success Employees at Gordon Brown Law Firm learn sign language to help the deaf and deadblind community.

ix staff at a North East law firm have shown their commitment to ensuring its legal services are fully accessible, after achieving a sign language qualification in order to provide legal support to the deaf and deafblind community.

In partnership with Newcastle College, Gordon Brown Law Firm LLP has developed a four-year in-house training programme that was offered to staff on a voluntary basis. Six employees achieved the Signature Level 1 Award in British Sign Language in September 2014.

The employees have now started an additional training course, Level 1 Award in Deaf Awareness and Communication, to further enhance their understanding of the barriers faced by the deaf and

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deafblind community.

Gordon Brown Law Firm LLP has also pledged its commitment to funding the next stage of the training at British Sign Language Level II. Deb Tweedy, HR manager, said: “The future success of a business relies on understanding stakeholders and their needs.

As a firm we recognise the importance of being able to communicate at a level which can be adapted to meet the needs of people from all members of the community.”

She continues: “This is only the beginning in terms of our future strategy. We will be working closely with local charity, Percy Hedley Foundation, and their students to finely hone our employees’ recently learned skills, and to further strengthen

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relationships with the trust.

“In addition to this we have committed to installing counter induction loops into both of our offices and we plan to adapt our website so that it is fully accessible for all users.”

Kathryn Taylor, managing partner, adds: “I am impressed with the dedication of the employees who have completed the BSL Level I qualification. Their hard work has resulted in them acquiring new skills that will seriously benefit the local deaf and deafblind community. Gordon Brown Law Firm LLP is proud to be leading the North East towards greater legal accessibility for all.”

For further information call (0191) 388 1778 or visit www.gblf.co.uk

TECHNOLOGY NEWS IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Growth explosion for ITPS ITPS see turnover increase to £21 million.

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ateshead-based data centre business, ITPS, which specialises in IT consultancy, implementation and support, has seen its turnover jump from £11 million to £21 million in the last 18 months, on the back of a series of multi-million pound, long-term contract wins that will underpin further growth plans. The announcement follows the company’s recent signing of a £2 million deal to create a 33,000 square foot data centre, which will become the largest North East facility of its kind. Managing director, Gary Sheriff, said: “We are delighted that will be going into our next financial year with a solid set of results behind us. Annualised turnover is just under £15m and all the signs are that next year will be even better.”

NE technology firm expands into Scotland

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Specialist Tyneside technology business Synergi IT is recruiting to launch an expansion drive into Scotland.

Rod Fraser, from Glasgow, joins the growing IT team in Gateshead to spearhead a new Scottish expansion.

He joins Synergi’s growing SharePoint division and will work closely with director Justin Short to secure new business in Scotland.

TSG transforms

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alifax-based furniture, lighting and interior accessories supplier, Andy Thornton Ltd, has turned to Newcastle IT solutions company, Technology Services Group (TSG), to help develop its IT, connectivity and telecoms systems. The company will deploy an end-to-end solution to support the supplier’s ongoing evolution and future growth.

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IBEX receives funding

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he Finance for Business North East Technology Fund (NETF), managed by IP Group plc, has completed an investment of £1.2 million in IBEX Innovations Limited, as part of a wider £1.9 million funding round. The Sedgefield-based company will use the funds to drive its X-ray detectors in both medical and industrial markets and for continued product development.

TECHNOLOGY

Too few women in ICT ...

How to solve the lack of females in the tech industry, by Susan Jopling, director of Corporate Strategy and Policy at ITPS.

EXPERT VIEW Susan Jopling Director of Corporate Strategy and Policy ITPS www.it-ps.com

he number of women in key roles in the UK technology industry has stayed largely the same at 14 per cent for the last decade, according to a survey by IT industry experts Gartner, which also report that developing nations and the US far outperform EU countries.

An EU report published in October 2013 showed that just 29 of every 1000 women have a degree graduate in ICT, compared with 95 in every 1000 for men. And of those 29, only four went on to work in the ICT sector. It makes little sense when the same research shows that tech companies with more women on their management teams have a 34 per cent larger return on investment.

High profile women such as Martha Lane Fox, Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg and Susan Wojcicki at Google are gradually changing perceptions, but senior female role models are few and far between.

Working in the tech sector does not have to mean being a techie. My own route to becoming a director of the North East’s biggest independent IT company came via senior general management and finance roles. As director of Corporate Strategy and Policy I support the leadership of one of the business in strategic decision making, policy development, effective performance and risk management.

Just because ITPS is a data centre business focussed on delivering ICT solutions and

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support, it does not mean that I need technical skills to be effective.

When Karren Brady revived the fortunes of Birmingham City Football Club it wasn’t because she was a champion at keepy uppy.

So what can we do to encourage more women into the sector?

Girls report lower self-confidence in STEM subjects, despite achieving better GCSE and A level results than boys.

More female ambassadors would help to show others that ICT can offer an interesting and rewarding career, and I believe that senior women have a part to play in encouraging young talent.

I’m looking forward to joining the Business Advisory Board of Newcastle’s new Discovery School, which will be an industry-driven centre of excellence in STEM subjects for 14-19 year olds.

Encouraging more girls into the pipeline as they start to make career choices should see more of them filter through into the tech industry and start to right the gender imbalance.

Interestingly, one of the statistics to come out of a report from the UK Sector Skills Council for Business and IT is that the proportion of women working as self-employed IT specialists has more than doubled over the past decade.

I have a theory that this could be down to what is seen as a ‘boys own’ corporate culture across male-dominated ICT companies, and

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would fit with findings that show women are more likely to want to work for organisations that demonstrate good corporate values.

Corporate social responsibility is not just a ‘nice to have’.

Here at ITPS we have found that how a business conducts itself and aligns its values and behaviour with the expectations and needs of stakeholders has a very real effect on the bottom line.

While there are many groups and organisations doing great work in helping to recruit and retain more women in ICT, we should not corral ourselves into gender-specific networking and progression groups.

We can’t complain we are not integrated into the mainstream ICT culture if we also persist in remaining separate.

The jury is still out on whether women are not applying for jobs in the ICT sector, or whether they are not given the same opportunities.

US companies are trialling a system where a code replaces personal information such as name and sex, and it will be interesting to see what effect this has.

The steps we take now towards diversity, equality and inclusion will help to change the position for the next generation. Seeing 50 per cent of the population included at the top levels of business would create a better world of work for all of us.

TECHNOLOGY

Addressing the gender balance in IT How North East full-service IT provider, Perfect Image, is encouraging more women into a traditionally male-dominated industry. ay the words ‘software developer’ to yourself and what image does it conjure in your head? Chances are, what you’re imagining right now is a young male; perhaps in his twenties or thirties, the stereotypical ‘geek’, sitting at a computer screen in a darkened room typing frantically away on the keyboard.

Say the words ‘software developer’ again, and it would be interesting to know, how many people actually associate the job title with a woman.

It’s a challenge that has faced the IT industry for a number of years: how does a sector that is often thought of as being stereotypically male change these perceptions to attract and retain women into the business?

Several groups and initiatives have made attempts to tackle the problem, and while some improvements have been made, there is still a long way to go.

After all, women are equally capable in the work place as men, and so with the male/female split in most IT businesses swayed very much to be male-heavy, it means several businesses are functioning with only half of its potential talent.

Of course, a career in IT doesn’t necessarily mean a job as a software developer. The sector offers a range of exciting and interesting jobs that appeal not only to men but women too.

Perfect Image employs a number of females in a wide variety of roles.

Lyndsey Falcus joined the company in

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2006 as a receptionist, and since then, has worked her way up while retraining to become our head of Service Desk.

Commenting on her job, she says: “My role is very much a people management position, focusing on our team and customers, to ensure we are all working towards the same goal and hitting our targets.

“The best part of my job is growing my team, not just in size, but in confidence and knowledge. Watching the staff go from strength-to-strength, gaining a greater understanding of and belief in good customer service.”

Lara Dungworth joined Perfect Image a few weeks ago as an administration apprentice – the same role as Lyndsey when she originally joined the company.

Lara says: “I enjoy my job because I know I’m helping my colleagues to ease their work load and adding value to the business.

“I’m not at all an IT person; in fact I could be described as a ‘technophobe’.

However, I don’t feel out of place working at an IT consultancy because my job role has nothing to do with the technical side of things – rather I help to keep operations running smoothly behind the scenes.”

Katarzyna Cwik is a business intelligence consultant and joined Perfect Image earlier this year.

She says: “I work as a member of a project team and my role involves data modelling, dashboard creation and project management. I am also in regular contact with customers to discuss requirements and

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project needs.

“I enjoy solving complex analytical problems and working on different projects for a wide variety of clients from different industries. Each project brings something new and pushes me to do my best and widen my skillset.”

Of course, as well as the wide and varied roles not often associated with a job in the IT sector, there will always be the typical technical roles too, and it’s encouraging to see more women embracing these opportunities.

Sophie Higgins is a graduate software developer at Perfect Image. She says: “I think it’s an old-fashioned view that the IT sector is seen as being a stereotypically ‘male’ career choice and things are slowly starting to change. To any woman considering a career in IT I’d say ‘go for it’ – it’s a great sector to be part of.”

So while groups like Codeworks and Software City work with school children (both girls and boys) to help spark their interest in IT, young females of today can look up to positive female role models in the industry like Meg Whitman, CEO of ITgiant Hewlett Packard.

Hopefully, we’ll start to see the effects of challenging stereotypes and changing perceptions with a more gender balanced workforce in years to come.

For more information about the job opportunities at Perfect Image, visit www.perfect-image.co.uk/careers

TECHNOLOGY

Calibre has IT for schools Calibre Secured Networks Ltd is building a strong position – and reputation – as a foremost supplier of advanced, added value IT solutions for the education sector. he pace of change in today’s classroom is phenomenal – a learning experience that’s a far cry from the one many of us will remember from our own school days.

Modern classrooms, with their array of technology, mobile devices and interactive learning tools all connected and integrated with super-fast internet services, are more akin to something out of a sci-fi series than the schools of just a few years ago.

Technology is playing an essential part in enhancing education and it’s only going to increase as the learning environment becomes an even more exciting, collaborative, innovative and fully interactive place.

And for Steve Nelson and the team at Calibre, this goes to the heart of the matter. They see the electrifying opportunities opening up to ‘visionary’ IT suppliers but only if a delicate balance can be struck between the desire for new technology and the very personal and protective relationship that exists between pupil and teacher.

“That’s were firms like Calibre are succeeding,” says Steve. “Technology for

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technology’s sake will never be of true value to a learning provider. We understand that it’s about much more than that; it’s about how technology can be seamlessly integrated into the wider learning landscape to provide a creative, nurturing canvas upon which pupils can be fully engaged and the experience of technology raised beyond the level of flash.”

It’s a recipe that reaping rewards for the Newcastle-based firm who have secured several new projects in the region’s education sector.

At Dubmire Primary School in Houghton-leSpring, a new wireless network, local area network (LAN), secure internet services and a system providing teachers with secure remote access to IT services have all been installed by Calibre as part of an initiative that’s seen network performance levels increase seven-fold, bringing benefits to all quarters.

Hand-in-hand with this is a new BYOD (bring you own device) strategy currently unfolding that will further improve and enhance access to learning for the children.

In Sunderland, a five-year-long upgrade

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programme being delivered at St Aidan’s Catholic Academy has moved to the next phase with Calibre providing a fully outsourced IT service overseen by an on-site technician. Washington School (which offers a specialism in IT), where a new infrastructure to support BYODs is forging ahead, reflects the growing trend among schools for moving away from local authority delivered IT to more nimble-footed, adept firms like Calibre, who can deliver management and second line support built around more flexible, advanced and cost effective infrastructure platforms.

Calibre provides ICT solutions, working across the UK and Europe with clients building longterm strategic relationships to deliver added value solutions, which provide lasting user benefits.

This includes services and solutions, which enable schools, local government organisations and companies to maximise their return on investment through the deployment of technology to meet their business challenges.

For more information visit www.calibre-secured.net

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TECHNOLOGY

State of the art Linsey Lyons looks at what’s new in the world of technology and gadgets.

APPLE WATCH he new Apple Watch is set to be Apple’s most personal device ever. Users will be able to send and receive messages, answer calls to their iPhone and even monitor their own heartbeat, from your wrist, thanks to Digital Crown technology.

Innovative new health and fitness apps measure daily activity to help keep the wearer

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motivated throughout the day and to live a healthier life. The Apple Watch features a new user interface with 11 different watch faces that are customisable for complete personal expression and watch runs the latest version of iOS 8 and is compatible with an iPhone to enable alerts and notifications you can both hear and feel. Introducing

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WatchKit, users can create unique experiences designed for the wrist with Glances, quickly providing important personal information. Available in 38mm and 42mm versions, the Apple Watch will be released in early 2015. www.apple.com

KOBO AURA H20 he Kobo Aura H20 is the world’s first premium waterproof eReader. With a spacious 6.8-inch touchscreen, 265 dpi and upgraded Carta E Ink technology, the Kobo Aura H20 offers high-resolution text and images that can be held underwater up to one metre deep for up to 30 minutes. The first of its kind with these display dimensions, the Aura H20 replicates a display close to that of a real book.

This anti-glare eReader makes it perfect for taking on holiday around a beach, in the rain or even in the bath. RRP £139.99

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www.kobo.com

AMPLICOMMS M9000 he new Amplicomms M9000 is perfect for older generations that may find all this new technology hard to use. With hardware and software specifically adapted for those who may be hard of hearing and less tech savvy, the M9000 features a unique operating system that is easy to use with large icons. It offers a loud clear sound with volume that is louder than standard mobiles from 40-90dB. This lightweight phone has an in-built SOS button for emergencies and also offers the world’s highest level of hearing-aid compatibility. RRP £139.99

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www.hearingdirect.com

AMAZON FIRE HDX 8.9 mazon has introduced its thinnest and lightest full-featured tablet keyboard – the all-new Fire HDX 8.9. The tablet features a stunning HDX 8.9-inch display and a more powerful processor, now with Dynamic Light Control, which adjusts the screen depending on different lighting conditions to resemble real paper. With a front and rear camera, the Fire HDX now has unlimited cloud storage and a new Family Library that allows you to easily share apps, games and audiobooks within your household. The Fire HDX 8.9 is now available for pre-order with shipping beginning in November. RRP £329

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www.amazon.co.uk

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MEDIA NEWS

Fluid takes on ramarketing Marketing agency expands leisure portfolio

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arketing and PR agency ramarketing has expanded its leisure and hospitality portfolio after securing a contract with established North-East leisure company Fluid Group.

Fluid Group, which owns several highprofile bars and coffee houses in the region has appointed the Newcastlebased agency to implement a full creative, marketing, design and web development campaign across eight of its venues.

Now in its fifth year of trading, ramarketing is the region’s current CIPR Outstanding Small Consultancy of the year.

This latest contract adds to agency’s other leisure clients including Osbornes, The Ware Rooms and Haveli.

Oliver Vaulkhard, managing director at Fluid Group, said: “We felt it was time to up our game and represent our venues online in a way which reflects the quality we strive for across all areas of our business, so invited several local creative agencies to show us what they can do.

“From the word go, ramarketing ticked

Oliver Vaulkhard (Fluid) with Raman Sehgal (remarketing)

all the boxes when it came to creativity, competitive pricing and understanding of what it is we’re trying to achieve in our

market place. We’re looking forward to working with the team and seeing their creative concepts become a reality.”

Hedley McEwan has spring in its step H

edley McEwan has ventured into the global footwear market.

The Newcastle creative agency has been working with a group of UK entrepreneurs for the last two-and-a-half years to help develop and launch a casual shoe brand under the name of SPRINGURU Using technology from the mattress industry, SPRINGURU is a new casual shoe with micro pocket springs built into the midsole.

Joint managing director, Tom Hedley, said: “This is definitely one of the most exciting and unique things we’ve done

Duncan McEwan and Tom Hedley.

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since Duncan and I started our company almost four years ago.

“It’s been a long process to get SPRINGURUS into production and bring them to market, and our involvement has been at every stage, even inventing the brand name itself.”

Fellow managing director Duncan McEwan added: “We love working on inventing new brands and helping existing brands rediscover their ‘mojo’. Among other projects we’re currently involved with, which includes whisky, vodka, gin and alcoholic chocolates, it’s certainly never boring!”

MEDIA

Ask Silver Bullet Account manager Richard Hopper answers your marketing queries.

Q. Is paying for advertising on ‘free’ Social Media worth the cost?

Following the controversial announcement by Instagram towards the end of 2013 that advertising opportunities would become available via the Social Media platform, Cadburys, Channel 4, Estee Lauder, Sony Music, Starbucks and Waitrose will this month become the first organisations to utilise the social media platform in their UK promotions.

So could advertising on social media be a new method in your promotional mix?

In essence, the idea of advertising and corporate messages morally goes against the ideology of social media and everything social networking formerly stood for. However, in 2014 social media is not only a tool available to marketers but, for many, it is the marketing tool of choice – and, it’s not just for big brands, with Twitter actively targeting smaller businesses with an ‘Anyone can advertise on Twitter’ campaign.

Social Media is also an extremely powerful marketing tool. When Facebook floated in 2012 it was the ability to generate commercial gains and potential advertising revenues that led to the high initial share price.

Seen as a relatively cost-effective tool, the beauty of social media advertising is the ability to target the recipient.

For a marketer, Facebook is simply a huge database of personal information. There is so much data that the advertiser can use in order to target; gender, age, socio-demographic nature

and even their interests or ‘likes’. You can get directly to your audience.

And unlike many advertising methods, social media advertising has the potential to be highly accountable. With effective reporting and tracking of adverts, there is the ability to judge your return on investment (ROI).

There is, however, a balance as new research has indicated that many Facebook users feel advertising is becoming intrusive, a figure as high as 83 per cent. The use of banner and desktop advertising is now seen as less effective as many will ignore the advert. Twitter users find adverts less intrusive as they appear on news feeds. However, they largely feel that advertising is against the purpose and spirit of the social media platform.

Adverts must be interesting and creative otherwise the follower will become disengaged and potentially ‘unfollow’.

Instagram justified allowing advertising by saying adverts would deliver creative and interesting content to followers’ feeds. Pintrest has also assured “promoted pins” will be “tasteful in nature”.

Social media advertising may then be the marketing tool for you. However, to avoid being intrusive and dis-enfranchising the follower, there is a need for content to be inventive, interesting and engaging.

Should that content be of relevance and interest then it can be liked, shared, retweeted and your message could be getting to literally thousands of people, globally.

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Many organisations don’t see social media advertising as their choice of ‘selling’ tool and utilise the medium to engage with their target audience, increasing the chance of positive brand perception.

Heineken has said its use of social media is solely focused on raising awareness and brand building. Irn-Bru has been named the most engaging FMCG brand in a recent survey, where engagement rather than direct sales is the goal. Many brands consequently choose social media to begin teaser-marketing campaigns, where awareness, interest and initial perception are key.

Whether it’s paid for or free, most organisations benefit from a presence on social media. This use of social media has to be managed in order to meet your goals. Who are you trying to speak to? What are you trying to say? And what are you trying to get out of it?

With a sea of social media channels available at a marketer’s disposal, the choice between Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Foursquare, Vine, Pintrest, Tumblr, Fickr, Linkedin, Google+, Youtube, Skype, Vimeo for a start, it can be daunting, all with their benefits … and drawbacks.

Do you have another marketing question Silver Bullet can help with? Email your questions anonymously to hello@silverbulletmarketing.co.uk or Tweet (not so anonymously) @SilverBulletPR and use the hash tag #AskSB

INTERVIEW

G N I C N A L A CT

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Kari Owers is the founder and managing director of creative communications agency O PR, which she set up when her daughter was a newborn and son at nursery. With client events, press deadlines and business travel thrown into the daily routine, Kari balances her professional career with her ‘main job’ as mum to Joe (12) and Ailis (nine).

What’s a typical day for you?

celebrity culture - I think that’s healthy, its what I had when I was growing up.

We tend to all drive into town together quite early as the kids go to school not far from the office, and I work with my husband. It’s a lovely bit of family time just chatting or singing along to the radio and sets us all up for the day ahead. Then the day just whizzes past in a blur of meetings, if I’m lucky I’ll get to the gym at lunchtime but I always eat at my desk while answering emails.

The end of the day – on a good day – means I get home around 6.30pm to see the kids and do the homework before flopping in front of the telly and checking emails again.

Sometimes I don’t get home until very late if I have an event to attend, which is usually a weekly occurrence, but my other half picks up the evening childcare if I do.

Did your mum work when you were growing up?

Yes mum was a telephonist and worked nightshifts a lot – she was a great example of a working mum. We always had a hot meal on the table and our shirts ironed for school. I don’t know how she did it really. What a star!

What’s the biggest challenge?

Travelling is the biggest challenge, I hate staying in hotels when I could get home to see the kids, so I often travel back late at night instead of staying over on business – just so I can be there at breakfast.

What’s the key to balancing your role as managing director of O PR and that of a mum?

Do you ever feel guilty being a working mum?

My iPhone calendar! Everything is diarised, from school parents’ evenings to kit needed for clubs the kids attend, to nights out with friends and of course my crazy schedule that is my work diary.

In my diary I give home life equal attention and put things into my schedule that matter like quality time with the kids, regular exercise or a meal out with my friends. A time management expert taught me that and it works for me. If it’s in my iPhone calendar, it happens!

No. We have a healthy balance between mum and dad, and take equal turns in being there for homework, school plays and bedtime stories. Our kids know we both work to live and that they always come first, but they also have a realistic view on life and understand you have to work hard to have nice things and a roof over your head.

When you need a helping hand, who do you turn to?

How does O PR cater for working parents (staff and clients)?

My mother and father in law are absolute Godsends. If we need someone to pick the kids up from school or go round and meet the Asda man for a delivery, they just live round the corner and help out. For moral support I go to friends who are also female entrepreneurs and we just laugh about the mad busyness of it all really; it helps to have a sense of humour.

As best we can, we obviously need to be there for our clients during business hours to do our jobs but we have helped one member of staff return to work after a baby by giving her a new part-time role, which has worked out great. I guess we just try our best and hope we can keep our talented people by being as flexible as we possibly can when children come along.

We have a child-friendly office as our kids pop in on occasion, so clients can bring their children to a meeting if they want – we wouldn’t mind!

What support would you like to see to help working parents?

The emphasis on the woman as primary carer is shifting with better paternity leave options, so it would be great to see this continue with more practical support and acceptance of men and women taking equal responsibility and allow them both to enjoy raising their children and have a successful career.

What’s the biggest reward for being a working mum?

My kids are very proud of me. They talk about how we run a successful business, and my daughter has a female role model based on hard work and commitment, rather than

www.opr.co.uk

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EVENT

North East Blogger Awards The inaugral event hailed as a huge success.

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undreds of people gathered at the Lane7 ballroom last month for the announcements of the first ever North East Blogger Awards.

Launched by Newcastle PR agency, OPR, the event recognised food, sports, beauty, lifestyle, parenting, business, style, travel, student, best newcomer and culminated in a special judges’ award for the North East Blogger of the Year, which was awarded to North East Family Fun blog.

Judges for the awards included Kari Owers of OPR, Herb Kim of Thinking Digital and Marc Burns, digital marketing manager at NewcastleGateshead Initiative, alongside a guest judge from each of the category sponsors.

OPR managing director Kari Owers said: “We were astounded at the amount of blog nominations which ran into the hundreds and hundreds, and picking winners was very difficult as the breadth and quality of blogging in the North East is obviously really strong.”

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MEDIA

Working for wwWomen A new project aimed at upskilling women in digital technology is vital if we are to tackle the low rate of women’s self-employment and business sustainability in the North East, says wwWomen digital ambassador and public relations consultant Sarah Hall.

new project aims to inspire, engage and enable women’s enterprise in Newcastle, and unlock the capacity of female-led businesses to do business

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digitally.

Go Digital Newcastle’s wwWomen project tackles the twin issue of low female employment and digital illiteracy in women head-on.

The initiative comes in the nick of time.

Research by Sustainable Enterprise Strategies (SES) and FISCUS has identified that Tyne & Wear has the lowest levels of enterprise, business start-ups and business sustainability for women in England.

You read that right – the lowest rates in the country! Existing business support mechanisms simply aren’t cutting through. That’s just not acceptable.

Women want to work The Women’s Business Council produced a report in June 2013, that states there are more than 2.4 million women who are not in work but want to be. There are also another 1.3 million who want to work more hours.

SES and FISCUS have identified that if more women were to set up businesses, UK productivity could be boosted by up to £23 billion.

The recent wwWomen launch in Newcastle hosted some of those women and I’ve no doubt that there are potentially hundreds if not thousands more would-be female entrepreneurs dotted around the region.

This makes it all the more staggering that female entrepreneurs have been regularly overlooked, particularly those with ‘kitchen table’ enterprises designed to fit around other commitments such as family and childcare.

If the metric for business success is profit and turnover, it’s understandable why providers of business support have focused on companies with high growth potential.

However that is no longer a sustainable strategy and schemes like wwWomen, which recognise the opportunities stemming from superfast broadband and digital approaches to business, are thankfully implementing much needed change.

Broadband and digital opportunities drive growth Digital technology lowers entry barriers to global markets and creates a level playing field, from the comfort of a bedroom or the middle of a field, whatever and whenever suits best.

All of a sudden – provided the right skills are in place – growth opportunities are there for the taking.

I speak from personal experience. I discovered I was pregnant the month I launched my PR and marketing business.

Unable to attend networking events to drive business development, I turned to social media to build my profile and online networks and discovered new routes to market.

Five years on, the business has enjoyed its best year to date and almost all our current growth is digitally driven.

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It’s not just about wealth creation either. The SES and FISCUS report makes it clear that while women-led businesses make a core impact to local economies in the provision of employment and finance, it is in social and community terms where they make the biggest contribution.

Why would we not give our women entrepreneurs the tools and support they need to deliver?

Providing access to mentors and materials Boosting the knowledge, skills and confidence of female entrepreneurs is one of the key objectives of the wwWomen project.

The long-term goal is to build a selfsustaining peer-to-peer network of digital ambassadors and champions as well as a bank of digital resources and materials that empower women to develop their businesses assisted by digital and superfast broadband.

It will take time but the introduction of wwWomen is a positive move towards equalising start up rates between male and female entrepreneurs.

Helping women-led businesses to grow is a proven way to boost economic growth and prosperity. There is no other option.

Sarah Hall is the managing director of public relations and marketing agency Sarah Hall Consulting, For more information visit www.sarahhallconsulting.co.uk or follow Twitter @Hallmeister

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MEDIA

Branding your business Doing it right is half the battle, says Micky Knowles of JAM Marketing.

hen starting a new business you need to ensure you get things right from the off. Branding your business well is the key to longterm success.

Branding and logos are all around us. To the general public, logos serve as an instant reminder of your business or an individual product; and to us marketeers they represent the challenge of incorporating our clients' philosophy and message into one single image or graphic.

I believe it was Milton Glaser, the renowned graphic designer best known for the, "I Love New York" logo, who said "You want to move the viewer in a perception so that when they first look at [the logo]...they get the idea, because that act between seeing and understanding is critical."

What he is saying here is that the key is in the simplicity and ease of transitition between seeing the brand, and understanding its message.

At JAM Marketing my team and I have taken this advice and ran with it for over 10 years; making it work effectively for many a client.

Over the years we have worked around four simple foundations for us to create successful brands and logos time and again:

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Be unique This may sound obvious but it can be a little trickier than you first think, standing out from the crowd with your name, logo, and web domain name is crucial to ensure you don’t just fade into the sea of businesses out there.

Move away from the norm, as some of the most successful logos and names have nothing to do with their industry, some great examples of this would be; the Mercedes’ logo doesn’t feature a car, Apple’s logo doesn’t feature a

EXPERT VIEW Micky Knowles JAM Marketing Tel: 0845 900 2127 Email info@jam-marketing.co.uk Web: www.jam-marketing.co.uk Twitter: @JAMMarketingUK

computer, and Harley Davidson doesn’t feature a motorbike.

My personal way of thinking about this is to think of businesses as people – if all people had the same smile, no one could therefore have a great smile.

Make your logo adaptable Successful logos convert well across different mediums. Ask yourself, will your logo evoke the same meaning on social media or on a business card as it will on a billboard?

Keeping the design simple allows for flexibility in size, and allows it to transfer well between various forms of media. When a logo does not reproduce well on both a large and small scale it causes problems for a brand's clarity and value.

Don’t be inappropriate Ensuring you’ve pinned down your target audience and being appropriate to them is one of the most important thoughts you must consider before embarking on any sort of marketing campaign. Your logo and brand need to accurately reflect your company's personality and values.

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Be timeless Making a logo and a brand that stands the test of time is tough, but simplicity is the key clean lines, symmetry and balance are all important factors to consider. Continuity in branding is also paramount to long-term success. Take a moment to consider how some of the biggest brands you can think of; they probably have the same logo you remember them having as a child.

That’s not to say they’ll be identical – over time successful companies’ marketing teams have worked hard to ensure they evolve with technology and trends.

A great example of this that everyone is sure to know, and who I consider the masters of logo evolution would be Google, on almost a daily basis they have a new logo on their home screen, adapting to seasons, weather, an occasion, or something trending on social media that day.

They have created something so powerful that you don’t even have to see the letters to still read Google in your mind’s eye; pure genius!

At JAM Marketing it is our aim to act as an integral and vital part of our client’s business and work alongside them to realise their potential, and creating a long-term successful partnership.

Our friendly and reliable service, delivered alongside our original ideas that stick is what sets us apart from all other agencies in the region.

To all North East SMEs, we are currently offering a free, no obligation marketing evaluation.

We will assess the needs of your company and provide you with a clear, manageable, cost effective plan to help you boost your brand awareness, increase your market presence and ultimately help you be successful.

EVENT

Las Vegas networking event KPMG hold a casino-style event for Newcastle’s business community.

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PMG’s PA and Secretarial team held a ‘Las Vegas’ themed networking event at their newly refurbished offices on the Quayside, overlooking the Millennium Bridge.

The event, on October 23, was open to members of Newcastle’s business community.

The evening commenced with a champagne reception followed by casino-style games including blackjack and roulette.

For information on future events please contact Jan Mason: jan.mason@kpmg.co.uk (photos: Adam Opie: Opieproductions@hotmail.com)

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MEDIA

Nikki’s Gott it!

The founder of She’s Gott It! reflects on her events business and her commitment to working women.

When and why did you establish She’s Gott It!

provide the ‘wow factor’ and make sure you and your guests leave with a lasting impression.

She’s Gott It! was established in April 2002 and has since become renowned for challenging the industry standard and creating exciting events internationally, focusing on the feasibility, strategic direction, creation, planning and ultimate successful delivery and management of events, I was made redundant while pregnant and took quite some time to get back on my feet, but took inspiration from some fundraising I was doing in my local community and organising the events. They were a huge success and it was like a lightbulb moment – I knew what I wanted to do. I set up the business from my garage at home. The positive feedback and growth of the business resulted in me driving it forward and moving in to premises employing staff and winning one of the largest event contracts in the World to deliver Edinburgh’s Christmas festival for six years in 2007 and winning North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2007.

You are chair of the Women's Advisory board for the NECC and chair for Women into the Network.

What do both roles involve?

What services do you offer?

You're clearly committed to supporting working women …

She’s Gott It! is renowned nationally and internationally for outstanding event creation and delivery from concept to completion delivering events ranging from large-scale festivals, company celebrations and fun days to award dinners for 200 guests. We also have a hire side to the business that can supply event dressing, themed props, table centres, tech and entertainment.

What should someone use She's Gott It for their event?

We are extremely creative, but also very passionate about what we do. Our aim is to

I currently chair the NE Women’s Advisory board for the Chamber of Commerce and actively support and promote female empowerment through speaking to both business women and school girls. I work closely with a team of business women across many sectors to support changes to grow our regions female talent pool and confidence. Together, we interact on national policies affecting women in business and drive communication campaigns to demonstrate the great female role models we have in our region. I also chair WIN Ltd that drives and delivers the amazing NE Women entrepreneur awards, which are now in their 15th year. The awards are a night of real inspiration and celebration of the outstanding female talent we have in the region.

Just after I had won North East Entrepreneur of the Year, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2007. The illness was a real blow, but I managed to still go to work and drive the business forward during my chemo with the help of an amazing and well-structured management team and staff As a result, I fully recognise the power of mentors and support networks. I have mentored numerous small businesses and have been an active speaker and ambassador for women in business in the UK. Using experiences, both good and bad, is how we achieve success. That is what drives me to be

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involved with the roles I do.

The biggest challenge for working women is changing how we communicate the role of women in the work place. We need to steer away from highlighting the negative and, instead, focus on the positive impact gender diversity has in the workplace. Women, statistically, do face greater confidence issues and we have a responsibility to lead by example with great stories of great women. The WIN awards and the work with the chamber does just that with a range of events offer support.

The WIN Awards takes place this month. How did they come about?

This is the 15th year of the awards and they were started with the support of a legacy fund that was left in the honour of an inspirational businesswoman, Susan Dobson, who sadly died of breast cancer. The awards have grown in strength each year and celebrate a range of different role models, from those working at home to those running multi-million pound businesses. We also chose to add awards over the years, in particular the 'Key Woman' award, recognising that there are inspirational, entrepreneurial women working not only in their own founded business, but making a difference in an organisation in which they work.

What are you looking for in WIN winners?

The winners are those that stand out with their drive, true grit and are able to become role models to others following in their footsteps.

The businesses also need to demonstrate a clear strategy for growth.

For more information visit www.shesgottit.com

STYLE

Get the look Fashion and accessories for women.

By Jessica Laing.

Miss Selfridge, £59

New Look, £44.99

Carlo Pazolini, £165

H&M, £29.99

he winter coat: the must-have item that returns to the forefront of every woman’s wardrobe this time of year. However, while snug leather jackets, fur-trimmed parkas and oversized knits look great worn over comfortable casual wear, finding a warm and durable coat that flatters your daily work wear can often prove tricky. Nevertheless, whether your working day demands suits or skirts, there are a few options to consider – one of them being the trusty camel coat. One of this season’s most sought-after styles, this timeless and pleasingly versatile garment, with its smart lines and milky brown colour (which, like black, goes with just about everything), makes for a great investment, transforming lackluster office outfits into elegant, 1970s-inspired attire in an instant. This year’s crop arrive in a range of fits – from the double-breasted trench coat to the oversized cape – to suit all shapes and tastes, but whichever style you opt for, be sure to throw yours together with bold, burgundy accessories (another hit trend this season), to make your outfit pop.

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Michael Kors, £330

MODEL ATTIRE M&S Collection coat, £99 M&S Collection jacket, £110 M&S Collection jumper, £149 M&S Collection trousers, £59 M&S Collection shoes, £79 All from House of Fraser’s Autumn/Winter 14 Collection

Marc Cain, £175

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PROPERTY

HS2 vital ... for local commercial property industry, says Neil Hart, director at Bradley Hall. he North East commercial property revival has gained fresh momentum over the last couple of years. Smart investors have capitalised on opportunities in the office and industrial markets and transaction levels have been on an upward curve for some time.

When the good times roll, it’s easy to get complacent – but this is something that should be avoided at all costs.

The boom years of 2002-2007 were followed by the one of the worst financial crashes in living memory so it’s vital that a long-term plan is mapped out to protect the region from future downturns.

The prosperity of the North East commercial property industry depends on the growth of indigenous businesses and a steady supply of inward investment to the region.

This could be achieved more easily if there was a high speed rail network up the eastern side of the country. Although it would cost millions of pounds to extend HS2 through to the North East and on to Scotland, it would

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be money well spent.

According to research by consultancies Arup and Volterra, the wider economic impact of the HS2 eastern route is estimated to be £4.2bn over a 60-year period. A significant proportion of this will directly benefit the North East economy.

For commercial property professionals, HS2 is

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vital for making the North East more accessible to businesses that want to relocate their operations from the south of England to the north. But the east and west coast lines must be built within the same timeframe to ensure a fair distribution of wealth. If the west line is built six years earlier than the east – these proposals were tabled by HS2 chief Sir David Higgins earlier this year – businesses will automatically choose to relocate operations to Manchester, Liverpool and Crewe rather than Newcastle, Durham and Northumberland.

If this happens, it will create an imbalance where the North East loses out on vital inward investment. Companies that are already based in our region may decide to relocate, leading to empty commercial properties and draining the region of talent.

The report by Arup and Volterra concludes that the eastern route, “needs to be built as soon as possible, in advance of or at least at the same time as the western route”. Let’s hope that HS2 bosses and the Government listen to this very sound advice.

WORKSPACE & CONSTRUCTION NEWS

Revamp for Talipot House Team Valley office building to undergo £1 million refurbishment.

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aylors Chartered Surveyors have been instructed to undertake a £1 million refurbishment of Talipot House, a 17,000 sq ft, two storey office building located centrally on Team Valley, Gateshead.

Naylors will be working on behalf of the landlord, a private London investor, for whom they acquired the property in April.

The multi-disciplinary firm of chartered surveyors previously undertook a similar project on Olas House, a sister building to Talipot House, which was acquired, refurbished and successfully let on a long lease to Gateshead Housing Group.

Head of investment at Naylors, Fergus Laird said; “We are able to offer client acquisition services, building consultancy, letting services and sale of the resultant investment all under one banner.

“Our office agency team, headed by Simon Taylor, has been appointed to let Talipot House and are currently in negotiations with a prospective tenant, looking to occupy the refurbished building on an extended leasehold basis.”

Two prestigious nominations

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cience Central, a 24-acre mixed-use development in the heart of Newcastle city centre, has been shortlisted for two prestigious awards at the inaugural MIPIM UK and Estates Gazette Awards in London.

Forming part of MIPIM UK, the first major UK property event to showcase regeneration projects to investors and developers from around the world, the awards recognise contributions made to revitalising cities and towns across the UK.

Manager’s seal of approval

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Northumberland site manager has been recognised for the fourth year running for the quality of his work at one of the UK housebuilding industry’s most prestigious awards.

Paul Ritchie, site manager at Miller Homes’ Wheatfields development in Seaton Delaval, was awarded a Seal of Excellence in the second round of the 2014 NHBC Pride in the Job Awards.

Paul is just one of 11 from the North East to receive a coveted Seal of Excellence.

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Ryder’s recruitment drive

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rchitect firm Ryder has recruited additional staff on the back of a string of significant UK project wins coupled with international growth.

Thirteen new architects have been taken on to support its teams across four UK offices (Glasgow, Liverpool, London and Newcastle) bringing a mix of skills in a range of sectors to support recent significant appointments, including Newcastle Freeman Hospital Cardiothoracic expansion and Thames Valley Science Park.

PROPERTY Selina Shearer

Robert Woods Conveyancing: past and present The Gateshead-based property lawyers reflects on nearly 20 years in business. obert Woods Conveyancing has been working within the local community for nearly 20 years. The head office is at Low Fell while there are additional offices in Jarrow, with a loyal client base in South Tyneside.

The business changed hands in 2010 and is now managed by Selina Shearer. Selina has worked for several high profile law firms across the North East, in a professional career of more than 25 years. She has seen many ups and downs in the property business during that time, commenting that the market dipped to roughly 40 per cent of prerecession volumes from 2007 to 2010.

Only recently has she seen clear signs that the market is heading in a better direction.

Despite the recent economic downturn, Robert Wood Conveyancing has continued to go from strength to strength. The business believes this is because our core emphasis is always on developing good working relationships and a fantastic rapport with our clients. Staff do everything we can to ensure that clients are always fully informed about the progress of their transaction.

Selina has developed strong professional relationships with a number of the UK’s largest housing developers and is also well known and respected for her communication skills with estate agents and with the region’s solicitors.

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The business provides developers, for example, with valuable assistance and advice about the government’s Help to Buy Scheme, set up to help purchasers with only a 5 per cent deposit, with the government guaranteeing a further 20 to 25 per cent through a five year interest-free loan.

Selina says: “This scheme can only be good news, giving first time buyers assistance and confidence in getting on the property ladder and also assisting others to move upwards. We realise that, within the UK, we still have a huge housing shortage and the need for more developments is a must. We hope that the UK housing market continues to be buoyant and the market in 2015 remains positive and strong.“

Commitment to technology Robert Wood Conveyancing recently set up its new website, as 95 per cent of clients begin their property transaction online and out of office hours, so it understands the need to be innovative and up to date with technology.

The business is one of the few property firms in the North East that can give clients a completely accurate quotation and that can take instructions, via the website, for any property sale or purchase throughout the country.

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Robert Wood Conveyancing understands that time is precious. So, although staff are always pleased to talk to prospective clients, they are more than happy for clients to make initial contact via the new site.

Commitment to clients The business wants you to achieve the best outcome with your transaction. Staff know the importance of the ‘client experience’, so take time to listen, understand and help you deal with something you can’t easily handle yourself.

Within the company there is over 150 years of experience of working in the property business.

The team of qualified conveyancers are supported by a superb team with a wide range of skills and a vast knowledge of the property market, including re-mortgaging and transfer of equity.

The business’s main priority is to provide every client with a superb level of service and expertise with one of the biggest, and potentially most stressful, commitments that people will ever make.

For more information on Robert Woods Conveyancing visit www.robertwoodsconveyancing.co.uk or call (0191) 487 3733.

MEDIA

Maling Exchange Hoults Yard managing director Charlie Hoult explains how his new superfast office space is turning a former pottery factory into the home for the North East’s growing army of freelance creatives.

What is the history of the Maling Exchange at Hoults Yard?

Is there a shortage of such accommodation in the North East?

Maling Exchange is the conversion of a 140year-old building that was the base for the production of Maling Pottery. At the time, it was reputedly the biggest pottery in the world, producing a million items per month and employing 2000 people.

The site has always been famed for innovation – Malings built a revolutionary Victorian production line and pioneered new methods for patterns, glazing and mass production.

The pottery was taken over by the Hoult family in 1948 and ran for a further 15 years before it closed and the buildings were converted for furniture storage. Hoults Removals moved out in 1983 and the buildings have had various uses ever since.

Now, the next chapter is about to start.

The North East LEP and the European Regional Development Fund have both identified the need for accommodation for small creative businesses and are providing financial support for projects doing so.

The North East economy reflects a growing army of freelance creative professionals across the country, who are working nationally and internationally, who want superfast office space like this and who don’t want to work from home.

People do a lot of long-distance business through email, Skype and Twitter and need the instant, reliable connectivity of superfast broadband to do their everyday business.

Many people are using the internet for collaborative working like Google Hangouts or processing information on CAD or film production systems.

Working directly with applications in the cloud requires a constant and open connection to the internet – increasingly property management systems for example work in the cloud for lettings and meeting room bookings.

This technology underpins our offer at the Maling Exchange.

Why have you decided to turn it into a high tech base for businesses?

In my job and through my networks, I’ve identified a growing demand for a new type of superfast, ‘plug in and play’ office accommodation in the region to service a new type of creative worker.

Forty offices will open for business in June 2015, addressing an urgent need for bespoke workspace for the fast growing creative and tech sector in the North East, offering over 45,000 sq ft of space.

Within that space we have smaller loft-style ‘jam jar’ offices, specifically designed for businesses of one to three people.

How does the Maling Exchange complement the wider Hoults Yard offer?

The Maling Exchange will create a ‘front door’ to the Hoults Yard site, a busy office park and media hub which houses 90 companies,

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employing 500 staff in sectors such as TV and film, public relations, fashion designers, iPhone app developers and search engine marketing specialists.

We will bring a whole collaborative team to support our new tenants. There’s a concierge service to take calls, arrange meetings and a box serviced address.

Tenants at the Maling Exchange will also meet our other like-minded creative businesses in the yard, which thrives in a positive, can-do environment where ideas are exchanged and new business relationships are built.

We’ve already had strong interest in our Maling Exchange development and building work is progressing well.

Is the Maling Exchange the final piece in the Hoults Yard jigsaw?

The Maling Exchange has the potential to bring another 150 to 200 employees into Hoults Yard.

We are very proud of our North East heritage and in playing our part in altering wider perceptions of what the North East economy is.

There’s a real hotbed of entrepreneurial activity in our region and that’s one of things that makes the yard so successful; being this focal point for so much creative talent. My goal is for Hoults Yard to become the most connected and biggest hub of creative talent of its type anywhere in the UK. For more information about the Maling Exchange offices, contact Julie Kemp, on (0191) 265 4282/07505 094134 or email: Julie@houltsyard.co.uk

PROPERTY Fran Mulhall (operations and lettings manager) and Holly Armstrong (director)

Renting in 2015 Holly Armstrong and Fran Mulhall of GFWLetting, Newcastle-based urban property rental specialists, discuss the lettings market landscape and changes that will impact landlords next year. he UK rental market has undergone big changes over the past few years with the emergence of ‘Generation Rent’ having a big influence on the number of tenants and landlords across the UK. Privately rented homes have increased by 63 per cent since 2001 and, currently, 28 per cent of the average tenant’s salary is spent on rent.

It is no surprise, therefore, that the lettings market is a hotbed of activity involving tenants and landlords in a constant balancing act between the welfare of both parties.

Fran Mulhall, operations and lettings manager at GFWLetting, says: “As we enter 2015, the UK rental market will have grown by at least five per cent.

“Recent statistics show that for every one rental property out there, at least five tenants are chasing it. As the rental market grows, increasingly complicated regulation increases too, which puts greater demands on both letting agencies and landlords.”

Next year will see a big change for lettings agencies. Up until recently, letting agents had no formal training requirements to adhere to. Since October 1, however, all letting agents, by law, must sign up to a redress scheme.

This provides greater protection to both landlords and tenants giving them an avenue to complain if they fall victim to bad practices or poor service.

“For the lettings market, it will hopefully drive out the unscrupulous traders who give genuine

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agents a bad name,” continues Fran, “and, importantly, raise the standards of service provided by agencies thus creating better working relationships between agencies and landlords.”

In other legislation, The Immigration Act 2014 introduced a requirement for landlords to conduct checks to ensure that new tenants have the right to rent in the UK. Fran comments: “This is set to become mandatory next year which means landlords must check a tenant’s immigration status or face a hefty fine, creating more red tape for landlords and letting agents. Add to this the removal of the six month council tax exemption periods for landlords with unoccupied residential properties, which is forcing landlords to increasingly negotiate on asking rent in order to secure a quicker let so that they save the cost of paying council tax during void periods, it’s not surprising that the private lettings market may seem like a minefield of bureaucracy to landlords.”

Holly Amstrong, director at GFWLetting, adds: “We also need to consider the impact of the election.

“Recent polls have given Labour a narrow lead. If successful, the new Government would look to create longer tenancy terms, abolish tenant fees and bring in a national register of landlords. Their pro tenant stance will inevitably impact landlords who would likely see their fees rise to overcome the shortfall created by no tenant fees.”

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Holly continues: “It’s also important to note that interest rates are likely to increase in early 2015. This would push up rates on buy-to-let tracker mortgages for landlords which may mean the rent they charge no longer covers the repayments thus giving landlords no choice but to increase their rent charges.

“For the next couple of years at least, ‘Generation Rent’ is here to stay, especially in the North East.

“This is why it’s vital that investor landlords use property agents that provide an effective and genuine service and actively seek to let properties to good quality tenants quickly and efficiently.

“Legislation, political agendas, the tax environment and insecure interest rates are just some of the things that can be very confusing and disheartening for landlords. Indeed, a recent UK Landlord Tax survey found that 67 per cent of landlords are feeling the strain.

“The role of the letting agent is even more pivotal than before - we need to guide, advise and support landlords as part of our offering and continually provide a quality, transparent service.

Anything less will only serve to create a black hole of misunderstanding and mistrust in an already complex market - rather worrying given that private landlords now manage almost a fifth of homes in the UK.” For more information on GFWLetting visit www.gfwletting.co.uk or call (0191) 284 7171.

SPORT John Willis, Novos RFC President.

Short term pain: long term gain Novos rugby club are underway with their ambitious plans to transform Sutherland Park. hey don’t do things by halves at Sutherland Park, home of Novos rugby club. Faced with poor drainage to their existing three pitches, ever-increasing numbers of senior players and children joining for mini and youth rugby, many clubs might have done some piecemeal improvements over time.

Not so for the boys and girls from Benton who began planning two years ago for an outrageously ambitious project that had the capacity to transform the ground into one of the finest facilities in the city.

Novos' president John Willis, reveals: “It started quite modestly to be honest with an idea to turn part of our rear car park into a dedicated mini pitch for youth rugby – over the last few years the junior section has grown at astonishing rate – doubling in numbers since 2010 – due to the enthusiasm and experienced of our coaches and volunteers.

“Our pitches, however, haven’t improved at the same pace with poor drainage taking the training pitch in particular, out of action for a lot of the winter.

“We were also very keen to grow ladies' rugby as one of the few facilities to have separate changing and shower facilities for the girls and were starting to develop U13 girls' rugby in conjunction with the local RFU representatives so we needed more space!” Not put off by the

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scale of the task, a small team met with the regional and local RFU representatives and began negotiations with the Royal Grammar School (the club's landlord), Sport England and the RFU themselves to increase the scope of the project from just one new mini pitch to a project which included improvement works to the first team pitch and substantial re-grading and installation of improved drainage to the two other existing pitches.

The club began by successfully applying for a £50,000 grant from Sport England's Protecting Playing Fields fund which is supported by the National Lottery.

This kick-started the fund-raising whilst the RFU themselves offered to match whatever the club could raise up to £100,000.

Individual donations and fundraising events, including a dinner at Kingston Park, contributed in excess of £30,000 with donations from a number of local charitable contributed another £30,000.

To date some £215,000 has been raised by the club and with planning permission secured in early July, work commenced this summer to regrade and install drainage to two main pitches and create the new mini pitch to the rear of the clubhouse. Improvement works to the existing first team pitch were also completed in time for the start of the current season.

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John Willis continued: “This was a one-off opportunity with Olympic legacy funds available through the Sport England National Lottery grant coinciding the RFU's Fit for 15 initiative in the run up to the Rugby World Cup next year, but even so, the scope of the work was frightening, taking out two pitches for a whole season at a time when the club needed every pitch we could get!”

With the majority of the work now undertaken and the new grass already growing on the pitches, Novos are looking to the future with confidence as director of rugby, Graeme Cooper, explained: “The word is out that we are not only still a totally inclusive club welcoming players of all abilities, but that we are also ambitious for the future. As a result, player numbers are up at each level and while it may be a bit chaotic this season, by the start of the 2015 season and the Rugby World Cup we hope to have one of the finest facilities in the region which will be a suitable tribute to the immense amount of work that the team have put in over the last two years.”

However, not content on resting on its laurels, the club are already busy with the next stage of their development plan to raise finance for floodlighting for the new pitches. At a time when other clubs have had to sell pitches, it’s refreshing to see the ambition at this remarkable club.

EVENT

The Concept Group Cup 2014 The print company hosts a five-a-side football tournament in aid of Tree Of Hope, Little Steps For Lily.

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oncept Group Newcastle hosted a special football tournament at SoccerWorld on September 15 to raise funds for a local charity –Tree Of Hope, Little Steps For Lily. Eight teams made up of Concept clients and associates, took part in the five-a-side competition to help fiveyear-old Lily, who has Cerebral Palsy (spastic diplegia), travel to the US to receive selective Dorsal Rhizotomy therapy.NCFE and Utilitywise competed in the competition’s final where Utilitywise claimed the title. Concept Group and Lily’s family are hugely appreciative of the time, effort and support pledged by everyone who assisted in the football day’s success.

To date the event has raised over £2000.

Donations can still be made at https://www.justgiving.com/TheConcept GroupCup2014/

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

A sweet proposal M

atfen Hall Hotel, Northumberland, has launched a search for the North East’s most ‘romantic’ couple, asking brides and grooms-to-be to reveal the stories behind their proposals. The luxury four-star hotel, which is one of the region’s most popular wedding venues, will award the winning couple with more than £1,000 worth of wedding day treats, including upgrades to their menu and drink choices and free-standing illuminated initials of their choice from wedding company, Coco Luminaire, for their evening reception.

General manager, Bernard Bloodworth, said: “Our aim is to make one couple’s day even more special. We will be looking for a proposal that warms our hearts – whether it be quirky, creative, funny or just incredibly romantic.” Entries, along with images, can be emailed to weddings@matfenhall.com.

Entries to be received by December 20 and the winner will be notified on December 24.

Award-winning customer service

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he White Swan hotel, Alnwick, has been named as the North East’s best venue for customer service at the North of England Wedding Awards. Hundreds of local companies entered the awards ceremony, which was held in the form of a gala dinner at York Racecourse, and the venues’ customers decided the finalists.

Other categories included Best Wedding Florist and Best Wedding Caterer.

Second shortlisting for Jashn

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walwell-based Indian restaurant, Jashn, which specialises in cooking healthy Indian dishes, is hoping to retain its title of North East Restaurant of the Year for the second year running, after being shortlisted in this year’s English Curry Awards. The awards ceremony, which is in its fourth year, recognises and rewards people working in all aspects of the British curry industry.

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Beer broadening plan

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orth East leisure chain, The Malhotra Group, which runs pubs, restaurants and hotels across the North East, has begun trading with one of the world’s biggest drink brands, Molson Coors, as part of its plan to expand its beer range across all of its sites. Other new drinks include draught Carling and craft beers from producers such as Brooklyn Brewery and Erdinger.

LEISURE & HOSPITALITY

Find your festive spirit Rockliffe Hall is the one-stop festive shop for Christmas 2014. t’s supposed to be the ‘most wonderful time of the year’ but it can also be one of the most stressful. So an extra helping hand for events, parties, gifts and more is always welcomed.

Whether you’re looking to organise an office party, drinks and dinner with friends, a luxury Christmas break, New Year celebrations or that elusive perfect gift, Rockliffe Hall can make sure you have a happy Christmas!

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A Rockliffe Christmas Carol Even the biggest Bah Humbugs and Ebenezer Scrooges could be persuaded to find their festive spirit with Rockliffe Hall’s specially-themed party nights.

Step back to the 1800s and relive a traditional ‘Christmas Past’ with mulled wine and roast chestnuts on arrival, a three-course Christmas banquet, festive treats, a live band and a host of entertainment from the lively Pick Pockets to the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.

It’s not to be missed!

If you’re looking for something a little more informal, Rockliffe Hall can do that too. The Clubhouse offers a variety of food, live music and a relaxing Christmas atmosphere.

And if you fancy making a night of it (it is Christmas, after all!) there are exclusive guest party night room rates available as well.

December 1 where you’ll get a sneak preview of Rockliffe Hall’s festive food as well as a cocktailmaking (and tasting) masterclass. What better way to get the festive party started?

Perhaps you’ve been challenged with the task of getting everyone together for a festive celebration – friends, family, colleagues or otherwise.

It can be hard work getting everyone together on an evening in December so why not host a lunch time party instead? There are a number of private-dining options to suit all tastes and budgets and it certainly beats an afternoon in the office.

No ordinary Christmas Ditch the dinner Everybody wants to make their Christmas extra special. So why not go for something that little bit different this year?

Festive afternoon tea in the Old Hall (or Spa Barsserie if you wish) runs throughout December with treats such as home-made mulled wine and Yuletide cakes, pastries and finger sandwiches, while there’s an exclusive Christmas lunch just for the ladies on

Give Mum, Dad, yourself – or whoever – the day off and spend Christmas Day in one of Rockliffe Hall’s restaurants. There’ll be fizz on arrival, a five-course sumptuous banquet, extra special VIP guests and, best of all, no washing up!

Escape this Christmas – or Twixmas

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You’ve worked hard all year, you want to treat your loved ones – and yourself! The Rockliffe Hall Christmas Getaway is the ultimate festive treat. Enjoy two nights of sheer indulgence with lots of added extras from a Christmas tree in your room, treasure trails and visits from Santa Claus himself for the little (and not so little) ones plus tickets to the panto or footy, if you so desire.

Then there’s the spa, golf course and 365 acres of woodland to explore as well.

Of course, it’s not just about the big day itself.

Boxing day and beyond is an ideal time to escape after the furore of the festive build-up.

Make the most of the Christmas break and enjoy a Twixmas package, designed to let you recharge after Chrisman and before the New Year festivities begin.

Or if you’re thinking ahead to January, beat the January blues and look out for Rockliffe Hall’s special deals from just £72.50 per person.

‘Tis the season to Spa-kle!

Take sanctuary in Rockliffe Hall’s award-winning spa. Choose from a variety of festive treatments, whether you fancy a Spa Humbug, a Hot Toddy Twilight or maybe you’re just in need of some Festive Spa-kle.

From £47.50 per person, spa days are an ideal Christmas treat, time to relax or the place to get you revved up and ready for your party.

And so that’s a Rockliffe Christmas. Add to this a whole host of gift idea from vouchers, breaks and treats from the Spa Boutique from top brands and you’ll certainly agree that Rocklffe Hall knows how to throw a good party.

To talk Christmas with a member of Rockliffe’s team contact (01325) 729999 or email enquiries@rockliffehall.com

LEISURE & HOSPITALITY

Classics and comfort food Both are available around the clock, thanks to the new menu, at Hotel du Vin Newcastle. elcoming the change in seasons, Hotel du Vin Newcastle has launched a new approach to wining and dining this autumn with great eats and treats around the clock.

A range of new offerings include L'Entente Cordiale, that pairs the marriage of great British comfort dishes with classic French wines in addition to new restaurant and bar menus, full of seasonal flavours.

L'Entente Cordiale, features a collection of comfort dishes, including duck shepherd’s pie or Toulouse sausage and mash. Guests will enjoy one of the many heart-warming classic dishes, perfectly paired with a glass of house red or white wine, for lunch or dinner from just £13.95.

The new Autumn Menu that runs alongside

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L'Entente Cordiale, showcases rich and bold flavours with Hotel du Vin signature favourites such as Escargots à la Bourguignonne.

Root vegetable classics, including the parsnip and beetroot tarte tatin, are in contrast to British classics such as fish pie with a mash and cheddar topping, or haddock and chips.

Plats Principaux sees rich flavours like beef Bourguignon with Portobello mushrooms, shallots and smoked pancetta, perfectly coupled with bold wines like the Pinot Noir Byron.

Dessert favourites include crêpes soufflés Suzette and tarte tatin with a crème Normande.

What’s more, the Hotel du Vin Newcastle has unveiled a new Bar Menu with a focus on time of day so there is something to

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savour at any hour.

In the morning, guests can enjoy a coffee or tea with pastries while after lunch, Le Grand Fromage, a selection of three French and British cheeses served with biscuits and chutneys and a glass of house wine, is available every day from 3pm to 6pm at £9.95 per person.

Traditional Afternoon Tea also takes place from 3pm to 5pm and features a choice of teas, mixed finger sandwiches, scones with strawberry preserve and clotted cream, a selection of cakes, breads and savouries for £15.50 per person.

Reservations can be made by visiting www.hotelduvin.com or calling (0191) 229 2200

FOOD & DRINK

Spicy potatoes with wholemeal chapattis and coriander chutney

By Sinton’s Rukhsanah Haroon. make this meal often as it takes as little as 30 minutes and can be made with a handful of ingredients. Chapattis are very easy to make at home. They require only basic ingredients but the results are fantastic.

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INGREDIENTS Chapattis (flatbreads) 250g wholemeal flour Luke warm water Spicy potatoes 4 large potatoes , cut into half inch cubes 4 large tomato, diced 4 fresh chilies, finely chopped (or more if you prefer it hot) 1 tsp. gram masala powder (preferably homemade if possible) 3 tbsp. sunflower oil 1 tsp salt Chopped fresh coriander Coriander chutney 1 large bunch coriander, washed and roughly chopped

1 green chili 1 tomato roughly chopped ½ a small onion roughly chopped Juice of 1 lemon

METHOD • Mix the Chapattis ingredients to a firm dough and leave for at least ten minutes to make rolling easier.

• Break off 6cm of the dough and make into balls, lightly dust the work bench with flour and roll out each ball very thinly.

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• Heat a griddle/non stick frying pan to medium and place chapatti on it, within ten seconds flip the chapatti to the other side and slightly increase the heat. Let it cook for a minute moving the chapatti every few seconds to ensure all sides get cooked evenly. Then flip it over and it will start to puff up, press down with a clean dry tea towel to make the whole chapatti puff up.

• Keep warm by placing them in a tea towel until you have cooked enough chapatti’s. If you want to be indulgent then rub a little butter on each chapatti as soon as it is cooked.

• For the spicy potatoes, combine all the ingredients in a bowl apart from the oil, stir and set aside for 5 minutes.

• Put a heavy nonstick pan with a lid on medium heat; add the cooking oil and heat for 30 seconds or until the oil is heated. Add the potatoes and cook on high heat for around 10 minutes.

• Cover the pan, and lower the heat to simmer for about 10 minutes until the potatoes are tender.

• Add the chopped coriander • For the coriander chutney, place all the ingredients in a food processor or a mini chopper and whizz together until you have a smooth consistency. Taste and season if necessary.

• Serve everything and enjoy.

LEISURE & HOSPITALITY

Ha’way the lasses!

How Sunderland AFC’s female team are excelling in the FA Women’s Super League.

underland AFC Ladies are flying high in their first ever season in the FA Women’s Super League (WSL), the top division of women’s football in England.

Now officially integrated as part of Sunderland AFC, the Lady Black Cats wear the same kit, train at the club’s state of the art Academy of Light and fly the Sunderland flag in the increasingly popular women’s game.

Having dominated the Women’s Premier League with three consecutive titles, Sunderland Women FC was helped by Sunderland AFC in their bid for a licence to play in the Super League, which was granted to them in July 2014.

Ahead of the 2014 Women’s Super League season, Sunderland AFC Ladies appointed Sonia Kulkarni as general manager. She was integral part of the group assigned to put together what proved to be a successful bid for WSL status.

Speaking about her role, Sonia says: “I deal with the FA, the registration and signing of players, the compliance with the WSL licence and the day to day tasks associated with the running of the ladies team.”

After starting their league season with a 4-2

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local derby win over Durham WFC, the ladies went from strength to strength, winning their next five league matches, scoring 17 times in the process while conceding just six.

After being held to their first draw away at Doncaster Rovers Belles, a side which had spent the previous season in WSL1, Sunderland remained unbeaten through to their first 15 league games; winning 13, while scoring 39 goals.

That goal-scoring and goalkeeping earned international recognition with the club’s top scorer Beth Mead earning a place in the England U20 squad for the FIFA World Cup in Canada, where she scored a spectacular 30yard curler against Mexico in the group stages.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Rachel Laws joined Sunderland’s Northern Ireland midfielder Rachel Furness as a senior International, when the stopper was called up to the England squad for their final FIFA World Cup qualifier.

One of the licence requirements for Sunderland AFC Ladies is that every club has to have in place a UEFA A licence holder as Head Coach.

The club therefore made changes to its coaching staff, adding Claire Robinson as head

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coach, she works alongside long-serving team manager Michael Mulhern and assistant coach, Melanie Reay.

Sonia adds: “The goal for us is to be promoted to WSL 1 this season and to be in Europe within the next five years. We are very much a work in progress but I believe that with the commitment and dedication to all concerned we can achieve success. Everyone has a part to play and if everyone plays their part, we will succeed. This is a very exciting time for us all.”

By all accounts Sunderland’s opening WSL season has been a huge success and with just one game remaining in their campaign, the Lady Black Cats are strongly placed to win a place in WSL 1, alongside their fourth league title in as many seasons.

Regardless of the outcome, this is just the first page in a new chapter for women’s football in Sunderland and with the club’s strong belief in developing young, local talent, they are well positioned to take their place amongst the sport’s elite for years to come.

For more information visit www.sunderlandwfc.co.uk

EVENT

Durham CCC golf day The cricket club hosts its annual sporting event

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urham County Cricket Club recently held their annual golf day.

Corporate guests played a hard fought Texas Scramble on the Filly Course at Close House and then enjoyed a barbecue and prize giving ceremony in the clubhouse afterwards.

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LEISURE & HOSPITALITY

New GM in town Anna Wadcock has joined the Thistle Newcastle, The County Hotel. She talks to North East Times ...

Briefly, what has been your career to date?

team are focused on the most important aspect: the guest.

What do you think will be your biggest challenge?

It all started with a work experience placement in 2000 on the reception desk at the Holiday Inn, Seaton Burn. Very quickly I found that I absolutely loved the working environment and the variety that every day brings. From there I worked my way through the ranks, including heading off down south with IHG, opening the Grey Street Hotel back in Newcastle and moving over to the North West with De Vere Venues. Ten years later I was starting my first general manager role in Manchester and last year it was the right time to head back home to the North East.

What are you looking forward to most in your new role?

The additional hotels due to open within the city in the next 12 months will create the toughest task. Trying to retain marketshare and rate against the increased supply of bedrooms in what is already a competitive city.

While this will be a major challenge for all the existing proerties, it is great to see more key brands coming to Newcastle.

What attracted you to the role at Thistle?

The hotel itself is an iconic Grade II listed building in the city, with a fantastic location and 140 years of history trading as a hotel – so what an amazing property to get to know. From a company perspective, GLH (the management company) allows a great deal of autonomy in their businesses, which is refreshing for such a large group. It really allows their managers to shape their businesses from their own ideas and strategies.

What skills do you need to do your job?

General managers are self confessed jugglers, being able to deal with the myriad of different daily challenges while still maintaining the strategic direction for the property. Throughout all of that, a GM must also ensure that all of the

I love being back in the heart of Newcastle city centre and working with the types of business the location brings. The Central Station area development is going to be fantastic once it is completed. I am also looking forward to seeing people use the area more and how the business can develop from it.

What are your objectives in the new role?

Like every business you have your financial targets to hit, but there is also a key objective in creating the right team. I am a firm believer of happy staff equals happy guests. Supporting and developing my team around me is paramount.

What are the plans for the Thistle heading into 2015?

It’s about growing the business in all areas, some new things for us are projects such as the RendezVous bar. The team have already implemented a new afternoon tea offering and our new cocktail menu is coming out very soon, followed by our cocktail masterclasses.

An aim is also to improve the use of our meetings and functions space. The property boasts two of the most beautiful function suites in the city, the Mozart is stunning with its wood panneling and views over the station and the County has the most amazing stained glass.

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Is it different being a woman in hospitality, compared to a man?

As a female in the industry its all been about finding the right balance at the right time as the hours can be pretty exhaustive. I’ve been very lucky to have a very supportive husband and family, who have allowed me to develop my career, although there have been compromises made along the way.

I don’t think the industry historically has made it easy for females to aim for the GM spot due to the hours and dediction required, but this is slowly changing.

What advice would you give a female who has aspirations of running their own hotel?

Go for it! The role can be very rewarding, and the natural female ability of multitasking certainly comes into its own in this position.

For furher information on Thistle Newcastle, The County hotel visit www.thistle.com/newcastle

LEISURE & HOSPITALITY

Putting the ‘she’ in Sohe The restaurant industry has long been notorious as a boys’ club.

However an increasing number of women are now wanting in. Here, two of the North East’s leading ladies share their stories and lessons learned as they made their way to the top.

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t only 25 Sarah Harker has worked hard to prove herself worthy of being able to join the elite club, having worked her way up through the ranks from kitchen porter at only 13 years old to, bar tender, silver service waitress and training assistant onto the position she holds today as general manager at the 85-seater Sohe restaurant in Jesmond. Overseeing a team of 40 incredibly career focused and hard working individuals on a daily basis and ensuring that they receive top class training and guidance is something in which Sarah is a firm believer.

The work in the restaurant industry – front and back of the house, of which Sarah admits throughout her time she’s done pretty much every role – requires stamina, determination and a seriously thick skin.

Having previously played for her country in the England Under 21 Indoor Netball team, Sarah is a woman who lives for a challenge.

“There’s long hours on your feet, long hours balancing figures and at the same time ensuring that your staff and venue are running like clockwork,” says Sarah. “You also need seriously thick skin to handle not only the pressure of a busy bar, restaurant and kitchen, but also the day to day running of a successful venue and with that good, is sometimes bad.”

She continues: “I think many people think as a women you can be too emotional and perhaps not able to take the pressure of such an intense environment, especially in such a masculine industry, the guys in my kitchen are phenomenal especially head chef Andy Drape and sous chef Alban Tabuku they understand fully what my goals and targets are for Sohe and strive to deliver.”

Sarah has built an award winning team over the past six months and believes the success of this is down to one-on-one training and time management.

“I always think it’s about managing your time to ensure that others have some of it. You can sit at a desk and point a finger and tell people what to do, or you can be a manger and a leader and get stuck in, I work closely with all members of staff to understand exactly how they work and for them to understand exactly what I expect. I know every role in my venue and expect all of my managers to be able to step in and assist their team when needed regardless of department, that to me, is what management is all about.”

Sarah tells us that since the opening in May this year “You don’t get much beauty sleep.” Over the last 18 months she’s worked incredibly hard to ensure Sohe makes its mark on the Newcastle restaurant scene.

And Sarah’s thoughts on the ‘boys club’?

"There was a certain degree of gender discrimination in the restaurant industry many years back but today, in this day and age women are coming through with some incredible force and presence showcasing phenomenal talent in their chosen careers, whether it be bar kitchen or restaurants.”

Sarah has also noticed a growing female presence in the bar industry. She credits this to the rise of mixology and crafted cocktails.

As the ‘lads’ party-time brand of bartending gives way to this more refined craft, more women have shown interest in joining up and putting that feminine approach to creating bespoke and award winning cocktails. Even one of her very own Ami St Claire has shown over the past six months to be worthy of such accolades taking second place in a national final, held in London this year.

Sarah herself also took home the coveted first prize of the 2013/2014 Kraken ‘think ink’ national cocktail competition winner in London.

For the time being, her work is her passion and her priority and this passion shows in the restaurants success. It seems that being a woman who cares what others think is a recipe for success in how to stay on top in a man’s world.

Sarah adds: "It's a hard business but worth every second, for those wanting to move up in the industry? Id say work hard, take every opportunity given to you and take the knocks lightly, pick yourself back up and challenge yourself again.”

Sohe Cocktail bar manager, Ami St Claire, recently came joint second at the national Haymans & Bitter truth ‘Vintage to Visionary’ competition.

Many who try her cocktails agree she is always trying to be as ‘visionary’ with her creations as possible - leading the way with new techniques, ingredients and flavour combinations.

“A lot of bartenders are very traditional and classically trained – I’m not,” explains Ami, who started her career at Newcastle-based Popolos.

“I have tried to come at things a different way and mix my knowledge for design, food and cocktails together to make pieces of art that taste great!

“I think it was a challenge before to be taken serious, especially when you are constantly trying weird and wonderful ideas. But nowadays respect comes when people realise how much time and effort you have put into making them feel special and ‘wow’ed’.

“Some times in my encounters customers have assumed the male bartender will be more knowledgeable, have better skills, etc. With more knowledgeable and quicker female bartenders in the industry these days the clique stereo type is finally changing.”

When asked if she thought women faced more barriers in the industry, Ami says: “There will always be barriers faced by females that males don’t contend with and vice versa. This is something that comes into everyday life, not just bartending. The way that I see it there are some kick-ass bartenders out there, male and female, who are doing amazing things for the industry.”

For more information on Sohe visit www.sohe.co.uk

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Sarah Harker and Ami St Claire

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LEISURE & HOSPITALITY

Business lunch

Sohe Alison Cowie enjoys Asian fusion cuisine in Jesmond. ocated at the north end of Jesmond’s Osborne Road, a new eatery has been creating a buzz among the North East social scene for its lively atmosphere, adventurous cocktails and even more adventurous pan Asian cuisine.

So, it was with great delight that I accepted an invitation to Sohe last month to enjoy my last business lunch as editor of North East Times.

Behind the unassuming Victorian edifice of the restaurant, my two colleagues and I were confronted with a wonderfully pleasing interior of vibrant colour and opulent texture that wouldn’t look out of place in a five-star boutique hotel.

We gamely accepted the offer to enjoy an aperitif at the focal shimmering circular bar, heavily stocked with a vast selection of spirits, wines and beers.

And, despite being tempted by the substantial menu of innovative cocktails, we stuck to gin and tonics as refreshers for our meals.

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We were shown to our table in due course and presented with the lunchtime special (two courses for £10.95 or three courses for £12.95) and the a la carte menus. Offering a heady mix of inventive Asian influenced cuisine, the menus comprised a healthy, but not daunting, selection of dishes divided into starters, broths, dim sum, sushi, tempura, salads, barbecue/roasts, curries, wok dishes and sides.

After much discussion, we made our selections from the a la carte menu. My soft shell crab tempura was well cooked and came with a punchy Nam Jim dipping sauce.

However, it was my companion’s very tasty and beautifully presented Char Sui pork and quick seared king scallops that most impressed.

Our mains, too, were of a very high standard, with both the steak and the lamb providing hearty, well-balanced meals, featuring top quality meat.

For my main, I chose the Vietnam Curry with corn-fed chicken (the curry dishes come

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as a vegetarian options – great for none meat eaters and those on a budget as they are around £4 cheaper).

Having visited Vietnam five years ago, and being blown away by the cuisine on offer, from the street food to the more gourmet options, I had high hopes for my curry.

Thankfully, it didn’t disappoint and the combinations of textures and flavours were superb.

Unlike some Asian restaurants, the high culinary standard continued for our desserts, too, with the fusion offerings of the raspberry and lychee crème brulee and peanut butter, lime leaf and ginger pie, in particular, proving hits with our party.

We left very impressive with Sohe; not only for its excellent service and cuisine, but for its cosmopolitan atmosphere and bold décor that’s sure to ignite your senses before you taste your first morsel.

For more information and bookings call (0191) 281 8161 or visit www.sohe.co.uk

Soft shell crab with Nam Jim dipping sauce

£6.95

Vietnamese curry with corn-fed chicken

£13.95

Peanut butter, lime leaf and ginger pie with mascarpone and mint cream

£6.95

Crispy lava salt and pepper squid with pickled carrot and chilli and mango and tamarind sauce

£5.50

Char sui pork and quick-seared king scallops with Sohe xo sauce.

£7.95

Korean beef ribeye bulgogi with Kimchi purée

Indonesian lamb rump rending with a roti bread and Asian babaganoush

£19.95

£14.95

Warm hickory smoked dark chocolate and star anise torte with vanilla bean ice cream

Baked raspberry and lychee crème brulee

£6.95

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£4.95

LEISURE & HOSPITALITY

NUFC Hospitality taken to a new level Mike Grahamslaw indulges at St James’ Park. ot on the heels of being awarded the best large stadium for match day hospitality in the prestigious 2014 Stadium Events and Hospitality Awards, Newcastle United FC has added another hospitality string to its already impressive bow with the opening of The Park Grill at St James' Park.

This eagerly-awaited new hospitality concept has opened this season on level six within The Leazes Stand, offering a comprehensive range of exclusive benefits to diners.

All is designed for total match day comfort and enjoyment. This brand new facility offers a high quality bespoke dining experience in modern and contemporary surroundings.

As in any good restaurant, meals are ordered on arrival, allowing diners to sit back and watch chefs prepare their meals in the open kitchen.

I had the privilege of dining there at the Leicester game and, as the game was delayed, we kicked back, enjoyed a Caffreys or six and soaked up our new surroundings before kickoff.

The frisson of excitement and expectation that, for me, always precedes match days was well to the fore.

I attended the match with Rodger

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Brasington, an old friend of mine, and both being ardent fans, we looked forward to the match enormously. The Park Grill is almost like a stand-alone restaurant, situated at the top of the Leazes stand. We arrived bright and early and were shown to a comfortable table with fantastic views overlooking the pitch. It was interesting, and indeed somewhat eerie, to see the stadium empty . . . the calm before the storm perhaps? The menu arrived detailing a salad bar to start with (obviously for the calorie conscious for which I’m a firm devotee – yeah, right!) plus a delicious sounding range of main courses and desserts.

After a plateful of the healthy green stuff, we adopted our more usual guise of hearty trenchermen and dug into sirloin steaks with all the trimmings and peppercorn sauce. Our freshly-cooked, quality steaks were simply superb and ideal ballast to accompany the Caffreys, which was by now flowing a treat.

With our beer goggles firmly on, we had inextricably by-passed a superb wine list which had caught my eye. Next time, maybe.

Over lunch, the atmosphere built very nicely and my guest and I both remarked how this was the perfect way to enjoy the beautiful game. Throughout, the service was keen, attentive and commendable. With 45 minutes

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to kick off, we thought it would be rude not to visit the sweet trolley. Happy Days! 15 minutes to kick off, local TV presenter, Ian Payne, paid a visit with ex-Toon hero, John Beresford, to give an overview of the game. A nice touch made even more enjoyable when I snatched a chat with JB and swapped memories of the Keegan era.

We were then able to place half time drinks orders - a nice touch - which meant no clamour at the bar. Even the result went our way to round off a truly memorable day.

Howay the Lads!

The all-encompassing Park Grill hospitality packages also offer direct access to exclusive stadium seating; on-site car parking; individual tables and cash bar facilities to all Premier League and domestic cup home games.

Additional benefits include pre and post match analysis from a sports compere and former Toon player; match day programmes and team sheets; match day competitions. There are licensed betting facilities for those that feel the need.

This is truly is a quality facility that deserves support from every true ‘Toon supporter.

Check it out for yourself onwww.nufc.co.uk/page/Hospitality/Suites.

ADVERTISERS’ ANNOUCEMENT

What’s Inn store this Christmas?

Enjoy the festive season at Holiday Inn Newcastle Gosforth Park. ith Christmas less than ten weeks away it’s time to get your thinking cap on and start planning your festive celebration.

For those of you who fancy making this Christmas a little more memorable, here’s a special Christmas event that’s sure to be amazing: The Fairy Tale of New York festive spectacular at Holiday Inn Newcastle Gosforth Park.

Located on Great North Road, Seaton Burn in Newcastle the newly formed specialist team of Christmas co-ordinators (or Santa’s little helpers if you like) have decided to take you and your colleagues on a Christmas experience unlike anything you’ve seen before.

The recently refurbished Holiday Inn Newcastle Gosforth Park will have two very different themes available for you and group to experience, so whatever your vibe, they’re sure to have you covered.

The New York Christmas function rooms are available for party bookings from December 4-7 and 10-21.

With a beautiful facelift of all their facilities, the hotel will have two stunning rooms all fully dressed with the ‘Fairy Tale of New York’ theme.

The first function room, normally known as

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the Cheviot suite, is getting a full makeover and will be transformed into The New York Suite.

This will be dressed as a stunning New York winter fairy tale and coordinators have gone allout to ensure you feel as though you’re on a transatlantic experience that you won’t want to end.

You and your party guests will all arrive like a real celebrity with a New York premier style red carpet waiting for them at the hotel entrance.

Guests will then be invited to get the night started with a visit to the fabulous New York suburban bar, with waiters waiting to serve your favourite tipple, why not indulge with a warming Manhattan?

You and your party will then be whisked through to the wonderful New York Suite for a night to remember where your New York experience really gets going with a delicious ‘Yankee’ themed three-course festive meal.

Once you’ve polished off your special desserts and coffees the real party begins where you’ll be invited to ‘touchdown’ on the Downtown dance floor to party late in to the night.

The second function room, more commonly known as the Ridley Suite is also getting a shot of New York magic with a cool transformation

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to become the warm, laidback Ridley Sax Club.

Again your party will arrive like VIPs on the eye-catching red carpet entrance; they will then be escorted through to the New York suburban bar for a drink or two, before finally arriving at the luxurious Ridley Sax Club.

Warm and moody with a laidback feel, you’ll enjoy a delicious three-course distinctive menu whilst listening to some cool, live saxophone music.

This private members club is perfect for guests who like to take Christmas at a relaxed pace and want to chill in the warm ambience.

After desserts have been enjoyed and the live sax winds down, guests are invited to enjoy a festive disco from decades gone by, partying into the night before making the ‘home run’ at around 1am.

Prices start at just £24.95 per person and if your guests require overnight accommodation, the Holiday Inn Newcastle Gosforth Park has recently refurbished cosy rooms available from as little as £69 B&B (based on two sharing).

For bookings call (0191) 201 9988 or email conferences@hinewcastlegosforthpark.co.uk.

Also follow Twitter @HINewcastle or find them on Facebook.

T R AV E L

R&R in Gisborough Mike Grahamslaw enjoys a birthday night away. n the 25th anniversary of my 18th birthday (I’ll leave you to work that one out), my wife, Lisa, and I celebrated the event at Gisborough Hall Hotel on the edge of the North Yorkshire moors.

We stayed there some years ago and have never forgotten it.

Now a Macdonald Associate hotel, this very imposing four-star historic country house hotel is most impressive with its ivy clad walls and magnificent gardens and grounds.

It boasts 70 elegant bedrooms, 180 complimentary car parking spaces and a Revival Zone Spa and sauna.

It’s only an hour away from Newcastle by car and 20 minutes from Teesside but situated where it is, the rest of the world feels far away.

In essence, the perfect place for business, pleasure or just some well-deserved R&R and pampering.

It is also a very popular wedding venue as we found out during our short stay.

After a warm welcome, we were quickly whisked away to The South Room, a beautifully appointed room with a south-facing view over the gardens and the Cleveland Hills.

It seamlessly combined traditional features with every modern day luxury including a flat screen television

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and the obligatory complimentary WiFi. Being a beautiful day, we decided to have a glass of fizz on the sunny veranda and reminisced about our previous visit.

In the background, we heard the strains of someone tinkling the ivories.

To my astonishment, it turned out to be Lord Gisborough himself playing on the piano in the drawing room.

How thoughtful of him to play for me on my birthday!

Although the hotel was extremely busy catering for both a wedding (what a wonderful backdrop for the wedding photograph album) and a 65th birthday party, it never felt overcrowded at any time and retained an air of tranquility – always a sign of good management and competence.

After changing for dinner, we made our way to the 2AA rosette award-winning Chaloner’s Restaurant where we were shown to a nice quiet table for two.

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The setting was perfect and we took a while to take in our surroundings before choosing from a very extensive menu.

I started with an unusual but delicious combination of scallops, gravadlax, crab and chorizo, while Lisa kicked off with chicken and spring onion terrine.

Following a suitable break, our mains arrived. Lisa opted for the lamb shank which fell off the bone while I, being the ultimate carnivore, plumped for the sirloin steak with all the trimmings. Again, superbly cooked and presented. With the aid of a rather good bottle of Rioja, we talked well into the night over coffee, petit fours and liqueurs in the lounge.

Following a great night’s sleep in a very comfy bed, we set ourselves up for the day with a full English breakfast before making the short journey back up the A19. We both arrived home feeling fully refreshed and revitalised and ready for another week at the coalface.

Gisborough Hall ticked all the right boxes for us in terms of food, service, ambiance and setting. We will definitely return again but not leave it so long next time.

Check it out for yourself at www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/gisborough

SPORT

Golf Course Guide:

Craigielaw Golf Club Location

four-star lodge and pro shop.

Competitions

On the East Lothian Coastline on the A198, halfa-mile west of the village of Aberlady. The club is nestled in the middle of golfing greats such as Gullane, North Berwick and Muirfield. And is just 25 minutes’ drive or train from Edinburgh.

Longest drive

In its short 13 years history the club has hosted 16 PGA and top amateur events.

Setting

Toughest hole

Set on coastal ground overlooking many of the links courses in the area as well as over the sea to Fife and Edinburgh.

Hole five gives a real challenge. A long par four heading out towards Aberlady Bay, positioning off the tee is key the green is guarded by humps and hollows. The green is narrow and difficult to hold but offers a picturesque challenge.

Length of course White tees 6601yds. Blue 6043yds. Red 5371yds

Course Type Craigielaw is a links course with challenging greens and cavernous bunkers.

Hole four is a 583yd par five heading westwards. A generous fairway positioning is key to be able to attack with the second shot.

Signature hole Hole 12 is a slight dog leg from the tee which opens up to views out over Aberlady Bay and towards Luffness and Gullane golf courses.

The green is undulating and guarded by swales and a deep bunker.

Facilities Course record 18 hole links course, six hole par three course, grass driving range, bar, restaurant, 25-bedroom

Elliott Saltman (63)

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A word from the club manager: “Craigielaw offers great facilities in a wonderful location with wonderful neighbouring courses. I am proud of these selling points but the welcome and service you will receive from our team is something I am most proud off. We look forward to welcoming you.”

Contact Tel: (01875) 870800 Email: info@craigielawgolfclub.com

Prices/rates Green fees weekday summer £59pp Weekend summer £90 Winter rates from £35 Lodge rates from £69per room per night B&B (rate quoted is a winter price)

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SPORT

Durham-born Emily Sarsfield is a former British number one-ranking athlete who specialises in winter sport’s ultimate adrenaline-fuelled pursuit, Ski Cross.

She talks to Elise Rana Hopper about balancing the thrill and the fear of full-contact racing.

I'm from a very 'sporty' family. My sister, Victoria, and I were always doing all types of sports. My parents ran the local netball and tennis clubs and helped coach at our gymnastics club. My life was always full with all sorts of activities and I loved it! My passion was always sport and I studied sport science at Loughborough university before becoming a full-time athlete.

Watching Nik's Zoricic’s* crash was the worst thing I have ever seen in my life, I felt physically sick. It had a huge impact on the whole of the Ski Cross family as Nik was such a nice guy and great competitor. He was the first person to die from our sport, so it really hit the sport hard and made us realise just how dangerous our sport was.

I started skiing not long after I started walking. I think my parents put my first skis on when I was about two or threeyears-old! The priority of our annual family holiday was always snow over sun.

My training differs on the time of the year. In summer it's mainly gym based, I'll do a few sessions a day doing Olympic lifting, cardio intervals and yoga or Pilates. The focus is on becoming strong and powerful so the majority of my time is spent lifting stupidly heavy weights – not exactly girly but I love it! Winter I am mainly in competition so it is all about 'maintenance' making sure I don't loose the strength gained in summer. I'll be skiing in the morning then recovering, stretching and doing core and light weights sessions in the afternoon.

My first time racing was at the local dry ski slope, Silksworth, in Sunderland. I went to the weekly club called Ravens and loved it. I was lucky to progress pretty quickly due to our family’s skiing holidays and within 12 months I had been selected for the England school’s team – it snowballed from there.

The drive to be the best I can be keeps me going. It's always been a dream for me to represent GB in the Olympic Games on the ultimate sporting stage so I'm focused on being the best to achieve this. I know it sounds crazy but I also love training, pushing myself out of my comfort zone and to its limits on a daily basis. It is strangely addictive!

When I first tried Ski Cross, I loved it. It brought a new love for skiing and I did surprisingly well. I was graduating that summer and thought I might as well give it a go full-time that winter as if I didn't I would always be thinking 'what if'. That was eight years ago.

We don't have to live in the light of Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards anymore. With the amazing results from Jenny Jones and the others in Sochi I think winter sports look bright in the UK in the future. We have shown the world we have real winter talent and hopefully this will inspire more kids to get involved in the future.

It is tough being a fully self-funded athlete but I am really lucky to have the support of my family and sponsors, Dare2b, Ski Weekends, Head, TASS, POC, Natural Hero, RockTape, ITL training zone, Ladies Ski Club, Garmin, Mons Royal and Douchebag.

I'm scared every time I ski down a track but the rush of completing it in one piece has you going back for more! The unknown of Ski Cross is also a huge buzz, but the big thing I love about Ski Cross rather than alpine is the head-to-head racing. Being stood in the start gate lined up with your competitors really excites me and brings out my competitive side.

For further information on Emily Sarsfield visit www.emilysarsfield.com *The Canadian, Nik Zoricic, fatally crashed during a World Cup cross skiing event at Grindelwald, Switzerland in 2012.

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EDUCATION

News from Dame Allan’s Schools The latest achievements from the independent school.

Lord Mayor welcomes European students Students from around Europe were awestruck

by Richard Moore’s account of how he lost his sight in the Troubles in Northern Ireland in 1972 when he was just 10 and the impact it had on his life.

Richard Moore is the founder of the charity Children in Crossfire, author of Can I Give Him My Eyes and subject of the BBC documentary Blind Vision.

He was the keynote speaker at the two-day Relais de la Mémoire Juniors Conference, attended by 115 European students and staff, which opened at Dame Allan’s Schools in Newcastle today October 17.

The Lord Mayor, Cllr George Pattison, formally welcomed the students and their teachers to Newcastle at the start of the conference.

He expressed his pride in welcoming them all, encouraging them to make the most of their unrivalled opportunity to meet and learn at first hand from survivors of war and conflict.

He reminded them of the importance of the name of their organisation: “Memory Builds the Future”.

In his moving and inspiring talk, Richard Moore explained the lessons he

learned about forgiveness.

The BBC tracked down Major Charles Inness, the British soldier who fired the rubber bullet which had resulted in his blindness.

The two men finally met in 2006 in what Richard Moore described as “one of the most wonderful experiences of my life”.

Major Charles Inness was one of 12 speakers at the conference who were tackling the complex theme of ‘victims and perpetrators of torture.’ They described their experiences in World War II and conflicts in Afghanistan, Sudan and Rwanda.

Describing the nature of forgiveness, Richard Moore went on to say: “There is no question, I am a victim of violence and I have no control over that, but I am not a victim of anger and I do have control of that.”

Richard Moore listed his achievements, not, as he said, to be boastful but to emphasise that he always had choices, even as a blind person. This led him to set up his charity, Children in Crossfire to help children who may have their eyesight, but do not have the choices he had.

Richard Moore’s story has been praised by the Dalai Lama, who has declared: “I encourage people across the World to hear what Richard has to say”.

The audience today was indeed international. Relais is an international

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organisation founded to keep alive the memories of the Second World War and to promote reconciliation and understanding in Europe and beyond.

Dame Allan’s has the honour of being the UK’s representative on Relais de la Mémoire.

As well as Dame Allan’s Schools’ students, representatives from local schools were invited to attend, too. The conference was conducted throughout in French, German and English.

Dame Allan’s Principal, Dr John Hind, said: “The Relais conferences give all the students an opportunity to meet inspirational people who, often from humble beginnings, have made a remarkable contribution to understanding and reconciliation. Dame Allan’s students have been privileged to meet founder members of Relais, including Stephane Hessel, co-author of the Declaration of Human Rights and Abel Farnoux, government adviser to President Mitterrand.”

Founder members of Relais also include Lucie and Raymond Aubrac, wellknown figures of the French resistance, Simone Veil, Nobel prize winner Elie Wiesel and former French Prime Minister Edith Cresson.

For further information visit www.dameallans.co.uk

WELL-BEING

Should you hire a pro?

Be-Fit’s Will St Leger on how a trainer can help get the best out of you. o you know how hard to push yourself and when or even how? For the vast majority of people the answer to these questions would be a firm no.

The solution: hire a professional!

Someone who has the right tools for the job in question. If you had car trouble you would go to a mechanic, boiler trouble a heating engineer, a leaky roof a roofer, etc. So, physical health, aesthetics or nutrition, see a trainer.

Top athletes such as Usain Bolt, Andy Murray, Floyd Mayweather and Jessica Ennis all have a coach/trainer who works closely with each of them every day to highlight areas that need work and push them to get the most out of their time spent training.

You might be thinking I’m not a pro athlete, why would I need a trainer? Well if you’re like me, your time is precious.

If you are time poor – due to work commitments, family, etc – having a personal trainer demands that you find time for your fitness. It’s liberating because those regular

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sessions are always in your diary.

When you train alone you often don’t push yourself quite as hard as you should and you probably know it. Could you have done one more rep, set or exercise? Why didn’t you?

Because there’s nobody telling you to.

You are pushed harder by a trainer than you would ever push yourself.

I have many clients that have spent years trying to do it alone; they’ve had the cross trainer machine, the treadmill, the exercise bike etc, which all eventually become clothes hangers.

They’ve also spent plenty on years of memberships to gyms and yes, they may have done some good, but the reason they are fitter now than they were ten years ago is very simple – they’ve sought out a specialist and spent hours working together.

Two minds focused on the same end goal: a fitter, healthier, happier you.

A trainer doesn’t spend your sessions speaking about how fit they are and showing off what they can do. Your trainer spends his or her time

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working out how to get you more conditioned, stronger, faster, more co-ordinated, flexible, etc.

A good trainer will be aware of your strengths, weaknesses, exercise history and any injuries or accidents you may have had.

All of these things have to be considered when designing your training regime on a weekly basis.

The relationship you build with your trainer over time is a close and productive one. If you have any physical problems such as back ache, leg or shoulder pain, minor muscular spasm or a niggle of any type, they will be the first person you tell because they push you every week and need consistent feedback on how you’re doing.

An investment into your health will never be one you will regret. I’m not saying you will walk into a gym and find your perfect personal trainer at first glance any more than you can walk into a bar and find the love of your life.

So look around, choose carefully because a good trainer by your side can make all the difference in the world.

EDUCATION

Preparing the next generation Margaret Coates has been head teacher at Newcastle Preparatory School since September, 2001. She tells North East Times about her career, the benefits of preparatory school education and future plans for the independent school.

Tell me a bit about Newcastle Preparatory School (NPS).

Newcastle Preparatory School (NPS) was founded in 1885 and has a long established tradition of providing excellent education.

Today NPS is a forward looking school that caters for children from three to 11 years. The popularity of the school has led to a long waiting list and parents register their children from as young as 4 weeks old to be sure of getting a place here.

What is the school’s ethos?

There is an overall vision that every member of staff shares and it is to provide outstanding education within a nurturing and caring environment.

What are the benefits for children going to NPS? By coming to NPS, children receive the very best primary education possible. There are lots of adults to work with the children, which means that support and guidance is always given.

Children are encouraged to reach their potential so academic work is full of exciting challenges.

The facilities from Nursery onwards are excellent, being especially designed for primary education, including an ICT suite, vibrant music and art studios, an extremely well equipped science laboratory, a stimulating library, purpose built sports centre with games field as well as fantastic outdoor learning areas providing opportunities for role play, gardening, creative activities and adventure.

An abundance of high quality resources are also available for all children with up-to-date

technology such as iPads, Interactive Boards, Kindles, robots and a wonderful selection of different kinds of books for every year group.

Briefly, what was your career before joining NPS? My love of teaching and working with young children has led to a very rewarding career in primary education. The start of my career was in a girls’ boarding school in Kent which was a great experience. Most of the time, I have spent in the North East, teaching at RGS for many years and then I became head of the Infant and Junior School of Durham High, having the privilege of setting up a new Nursery there and expanding numbers leading to a new Infant building which was very exciting.

As head of a co-educational school, are there any differences between the experience of girls and boys at the school?

At NPS the education is about individuals, whether girls or boys as all children have their own unique personalities and natural interests. It is about nurturing and encouraging so that the educational experience is enriched, varied and exciting for every child and is not gender specific.

Do you think males and females are equal in terms of career opportunities? If not, what are the differences and how does NPS adapt to these differences?

I believe that males and females are equal in terms of career opportunities. Education opens doors and a good education allows both males

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and females to enter their chosen career with confidence.

In my own experience, I am the first female head teacher at NPS and did not hesitate in applying for the post at what was then, a traditional preparatory school, when it was expected that there would be a headmaster.

At NPS children are encouraged to try out new things, develop skills and solve problems so that they can be confident to continue their school career and beyond without a concern about gender.

What are the plans for NPS this school year?

NPS never stands still so there is always lots planned every year. As I answer these questions, some children are getting ready for a cycling trip to Holland. Next term skiers will venture to Norway and in the summer all of Year 6 will take part in an outdoor adventure in Keswick. There are great curriculum plans, with a new maths scheme and the library is a real focus for the year, starting with highlighting specific genres of literature.

It is always important to look ahead and so exciting plans have been submitted to Newcastle City Council for approval. (The plans are to create two reception classrooms leading into a garden for Early Years and a performing arts centre with an outdoor playground on the first floor).

Such a development would enhance learning for children from the youngest to the oldest and it is crucial to continue to offer the very best in primary education, with a school where every individual is valued.

For more information on Newcastle Preparatory School visit www.newcastleprepschool.org.uk

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ADVERTISER’S ANNOUCEMENT Steffen Peddie, Glen Roughead and Jason Cook.

Parkinson’s gig signs Hebburn stars Jason Cook and Steffen Peddie join the line-up of a special charity event. ocal swing star, Glen Roughead, has signed up some top North East talent to appear on stage with him for his Swing for Parkinson’s event at Newcastle City Hall on November 19.

Jason Cook, comedian and creator of the BBC2 hit show Hebburn, and Steffen Peddie will be performing some excellent comedy to start off the night as well as a few other surprises throughout the evening.

When asked if he was excited about being part of this swinging event, Steffen Peddie says: “I am over the moon to be part of the ‘Geordie Ratpack’ for the evening; big band, classic tunes and a dash of comedy. Basically it’s friends having a party on stage and we’re inviting you all to come along and join in.”

Glen and the 13-piece Paul James band are to perform at the Newcastle City Hall on November 19 in a gig to raise money and awareness for Parkinson’s.

Parkinson’s UK, the beneficiary of the show, is a charity that Glen holds close to his heart as his father has recently been diagnosed

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with the disease.

Now not only swing music-lovers will be able to enjoy the charity show, the evening will be complemented by comedy with creator of the BBC 2 show Hebburn and fellow NorthEasterner Jason Cook performing a set on the night.

Glen comments on his experience when helping his dad through the disease and where the idea for the concert came from: “It’s difficult for anyone to see a loved one suffer from a progressive disease such as Parkinson’s, which is exactly the reason for this concert because it’s so important to have as many hands and voices on board, shouting, or in this case singing, about the significance of finding a cure.”

Jason reflects: "I’m so looking forward to this, it's going to be great, there hasn't been a “Geordie Ratpack” before, but there is now".

More special guests are set to be announced soon with Glen leaving nothing to chance to ensure that the charity receives the maximum funds and awareness for this

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debilitating condition.

Glen adds: “This is going to be one of the biggest gigs I’ve ever done and along with my 13-piece orchestra, the Paul James band, we know it is going to be something spectacular.

“Now with the addition of Jason and Steffen appearing on the night, the stakes are getting even higher and fans will be treated to some fantastic entertainment, guaranteed not to disappoint.”

A Parkinson’s UK North East regional fundraiser says: “It is fantastic that Jason Cook and Steffen Peddie are supporting Parkinson’s UK by joining us on stage for Swing for Parkinson’s.

“The show is set to be a great evening of North East music and comedy and is aiming to raise over £10,000 to help everyone affected by Parkinson’s. I can’t wait!”

Tickets are priced £20-£25 and are available from the Newcastle City Hall box office or by calling (0191) 277 0830. Alternatively visit www.newcastlecityhall.org

EVENT

Alex Wilby (Swinburne Maddison), Liz Holmes and John Holmes (Property Manager, Durham Cathedral)

Christine Hopkinson and Diane Greaves (Northern Education Trust) and Victoria Walton (Swinburne Maddison)

Kate Aidie book event Swinburne Maddison LLP sponsors a popular event at the Durham Book Festival.

D Carolyn Beal (Swinburne Maddison) and Anna Stephenson (Swinburne Maddison)

urham-based Swinburne Maddison LLP continued to show its literary support for the region, sponsoring the recently held talk by the former war correspondent Kate Adie, which was a key event of the annual Durham Book Festival, in Durham Cathedral.

Returning to her native North East, Kate gave an engaging talk about her latest book, Fighting on the Home Front: The Legacy of Women in World War One. In it she tells the story of the First World War years through the eyes of women, and reveals just how hard the struggle was for admission into the world of men.

Partners, staff and clients of the law firm enjoyed one of the main events of the festival, followed by a drinks reception in the cathedral’s recently refurbished Under Croft.

Mark Havers, Jill Drury and David Wright

Jen Anderson (Esh Group), Jonathan Moreland (Swinburne Maddison) and Christine Watson (Esh Group)

Karen Wilkinson, Christine Paxton and Maryam Cleary (M.C. Lettings)

Ian Waller (Theakston Estates) and Martyn Tennant (Swinburne Maddison)

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John Davison (Swinburne Maddison), Oliver Dobson (M.R. Lonsdale & Partners) and Wendy Owen

MOTORS

Behind the wheel by Jessica Laing.

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MERCEDES-AMG GT ntroducing the Mercedes-AMG GT: the allnew V8 sports car that combines exhilarating AMG racetrack performance with comfort, efficiency and every day practicality. Perfect for speed enthusiasts, the two-seater model (which is the second sports car to be developed entirely in-house by AMG) offers seven-speed transmission and is powered by a hand-built V8 bi-turbo engine – the world’s first sports car engine with ‘hot inside V’ and dry sump lubrication, ensuring optimal air flow and oil supply. If that wasn’t enough, the model is also equipped with sports suspension with aluminium double-wishbone suspension. With that said, the AMG GT is also the ideal companion for every day motoring, thanks to its practical tailgate (which conceals an easily accessible luggage compartment), high level of comfort for long journeys and extensive Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive assistance

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F.Y.I. Engine – 3,982 cc V8 Power – 600 nm at 1600-5000 hp Torque – Nm at rpm Top speed – 189mph Acceleration – 0-60mph in 4.0 seconds Fuel consumption – 30.4 mpg CO2 emissions – 216g/km

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systems. Described as “a sports car in its purist form”, externally, the model (which boasts a body created with light alloy, steel and magnesium) marries a host of new eye-catching features, including an arched, dome-shaped roof line, frameless doors and tapered, flowing lines, with typical, Mercedes styling, such as side air outlets and a three-dimensional radiator grille, complete with a central Mercedes star. Other highlights include flat tail lights which, with new sequential turn signals, reflect state-of-the-art technology: take a closer look and you’ll see 18 LEDs, on each side, which illuminate from the inside out to indicate where the driver intends to turn. Its interior, meanwhile, mixes luxurious, high quality materials, such as nappa leather, carbon and aluminium, with technology, exemplified best by its central screen, which can increase to 8.4 inches. Arrives in the UK from August 2015. Price to be confirmed.

MOTORS Awhes Khan (sales controller) and Norman Shepherd (franchise manager) with the Outlander PHEV, L200 and Shogun models.

Positive start for Jennings Mitsubishi Customers are visiting the new Teesside dealership in their droves to view the brand new range. ince launching its latest franchise in Teesside, Jennings Mitsubishi, part of the award-winning Jennings Motor Group, has reported an encouraging level of new car sales as customers take advantage of the high quality and competitively-priced model line-up.

Based at the group’s supersite on Cargo Fleet Lane in Middlesbrough, the new Jennings Mitsubishi dealership houses the full range of Mitsubishi models, including the i-MiEV, Mirage, ASX, Outlander, Outlander PHEV, Shogun and L200, which are on display and available for customers to test drive.

With the dealership officially opening for business in September, sales have got off to a good start as customers take advantage of the highly acclaimed Mitsubishi range and the new ‘64’ registration plate change.

Norman Shepherd, franchise manager at Jennings Mitsubishi in Middlesbrough, says: “There is a model in the Mitsubishi range to suit everyone’s needs and more importantly their budget, from the family-friendly Mirage to the rugged and reliable L200 pick-up truck.”

Success of the new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, which accounted for over half of all UKplug-in vehicle sales in September, has been having a knock-on affect across the range.

Using both electric and petrol power, the Outlander PHEV can travel substantially further on battery power – in total 32.5 miles – more than enough to accommodate most daily average journey distances.

C02 emissions and the official combined fuel consumption figure is 148mpg which makes the model exempt from road tax, in addition to

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qualifying for the Government’s £5000 Plug-in Car Grant.

Company car drivers can also take advantage of a 5 per cent taxable benefit in kind, saving £8216 over three years compared to a similar size 4x4 SUV. Customers can also take advantage of a diesel derivative of the Outlander model, which is available at the Jennings Mitsubishi dealership.

The award-winning Mitsubishi L200 has consistently been one of the UK’s best-selling pick-up trucks since its launch in 2006.

Thanks to its reliability and versatility, the fourth-generation L200 model has continued to attract both commercial customers thanks to its workmanlike build quality and abilities, in addition to being the perfect option for private retail customers who have a family.

Customers can take their pick from Single, Club or Double Cab variants. The Single Cab is available in 4Work or 4Life specification.

For the Club Cab L200s there’s a 4Work and 4Life and for the Double Cab there are eight trim levels including 4Work, 4Life, Trojan and Trojan Black (which is available with standard load bed only), Warrior, Barbarian, Barbarian Black and Walkinshaw special edition models.

Powered by a super-clean and economical 2.5litre turbocharged and inter-cooled diesel unit, the L200 2WD and 4WD model comes in two powered outputs of 134bhp and 175bhp and is available with five-speed manual transmission or an automatic gearbox.

As part of a quarterly incentive, customers looking to purchase a new model from the range can take advantage of a number of special offers

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and deals up until the December 31, 2014.

For the last quarter of the year, the L200 model is available with a £2000 discount off each model across the range, in addition to a five-year warranty.

Norman adds: “The Mitsubishi L200 model offers strength, reliability and versatility with a range of body styles available to suit different customers’ needs.

“In addition to appealing to commercial business customers, the L200 is also appealing to private retail customers, with many families opting for the rugged and reliable, car-like vehicle.”

Meanwhile, off-road drivers demanding a comprehensively-equipped, reliable and costeffective vehicle with proven all-wheel drive ability have been taking advantage of the facelifted Shogun model.

Available with a Euro 5b-compliant turbo diesel engine, the Mitsubishi Shogun is one of the few cars in its class to still offer a choice of either three-door short-wheelbase or five-door long-wheelbase versions.

Standard specification includes active stability control; alarm and keyless entry; climate control; twin/side/curtain airbags; ABS and EBD; roof rails; 18-inch alloy wheels; electric windows and door mirrors.

For more information about the range of products, services and offers and deals available at Jennings Mitsubishi, call into the Cargo Fleet Lane dealership, contact (01642) 240055 or visit www.jenningsmotorgroup.co.uk

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H E A LT H

Hitting the slopes?

The ski season may be popular but it also creates and aggravates many shoulder injuries, making the later months of every year a busy time for orthopaedic surgeons. Here, Spire Washington Hospital’s consultant Mr Allan Stirrat talks through options for those suffering from shoulder pain.

Tell us a little bit about yourself?

Born and educated in Scotland, I trained and practised throughout the UK and USA before taking up a consulting post at Sunderland Royal Hospital where I have been for the past 23 years.

I specialise in upper limb surgery with particular interest in the shoulder including treatment of trauma, instability, rotator cuff disease and arthritis.

I hold out-patient clinics every Friday morning at Spire Washington Hospital and have a weekly theatre list on a Tuesday.

As a keen skier yourself when would you recommend that a patient should come and see you?

I have skied since childhood and continue to do so at the age of 57 which pretty much matches the age range of patients who present with symptoms related to skiing. High velocity impacts may cause fractures, dislocations and tendon ruptures which require immediate treatment at the resort.

Lesser injuries may not require immediate intervention but cause persisting symptoms which require advice. Many patients I see come to me with longstanding conditions which have either been aggravated by skiing or are simply seeking advice before going on holiday. Broadly

speaking the young (under 40) are troubled by instability of the shoulder perhaps after a dislocation whereas the ‘mature’ suffer from rotator cuff problems, for example, a worn rotator cuff may become a torn cuff due to impact.

What would the next step be after an initial consultation?

If the injury seems to be minor then clinical assessment may be all that is needed before referral to a physiotherapist. Most cases with a clear history of trauma will require a scan, starting with a plain x-ray and progressing to ultrasound or MRI for suspected cuff injury or perhaps an MRI arthrogram if instability is suspected. Scanning and physiotherapy facilities are available on site so patients can either be seen during their initial visit or within a matter of days after their consultation.

How do you treat the different symptoms that you see?

Management ranges from reassurance alone through to non-operative measures such as physiotherapy or injection and in a small proportion of cases surgery is required. The type of surgery will depend upon the clinical features supported by the patient’s scans and is commonly performed by arthroscopic (keyhole) technique

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which keeps scarring and discomfort to a minimum. The majority of the procedures I perform are carried out as a daycase meaning that the patients do not have to stay overnight.

Following a patient’s surgery they may require physiotherapy to aid recovery and regain strength in order to get them back on the slopes for the following ski season.

What are the benefits of someone coming to see you at Spire.

One of the main benefits of coming to Spire Washington Hospital is the speed at which a patient can see a consultant, this can be important for minimising further damage and preventing frustration when a patient’s activity is limited. I believe that the continuity of care that we are able to offer at the hospital is key when treating patients as this ensures they have a good understanding and are actively involved in their own treatment.

Spire Washington Hospital are recognised by all the major private medical insurance providers in the UK. If you are wanting to pay for your procedure we offer fixed price options and 0 per cent finance is available.

For more information or to book an appointment call (0191) 418 8687 or visit www.spirewashington.com

WELL-BEING

Health tips Duncan Edwards, director of Bodyguards Fittness Services Ltd is a health and fitness coach with over 15 years of experience in the industry. Here he provides another five effective tips for providing health and vitality and managing levels of body fat.

1. DIETING • The healthiest diet is the ‘no-diet diet’.

• Everyone has their own biochemical individuality and therefore one diet isn’t going to work for everyone • Try Metabolic Typing for more accurate macronutrient proportions.

• Don’t starve yourself, it puts you in a catabolic state and you lose more lean mass than body fat.

• Don’t count calories. You could quite easily survive on 2500 Kcal of chocolate per day but it doesn’t mean you’re healthy.

• Throw out your scales – losing weight doesn’t always mean losing body fat.

• Conversely, gaining weight doesn’t always mean gaining body fat.

• Remember: you are what you eat!

2. WATER/HYDRATION • Approximately 75 per cent of people are dehydrated.

• Try to drink two litres of water a day.

• Dehydration causes stress and stress causes further dehydration.

• Remember that STRESS = CATABOLICS = Cortisol + body fat storage mode.

• Chronic dehydration is at the root of many serious diseases including cancer,

hypertension and other cardiovascular problems, asthma, renal dysfunction, endocrine system and adrenal fatigue, arthritis, ulcers, digestive issues, lower back pain and constipation.

• One glass of water before bed helps you sleep and rest better.

• The thirst mechanism can be so weak, it is often mistaken for hunger.

• Most headaches are caused by lack of water – so are poor sleep cycles, fatigue, decreased growth and repair, dysfunctional immune system and dysfunctional digestive system.

3. VARIETY • The human body adapts and evolves as a direct result of its external and internal environments.

• Vary your diet, eat fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables, eat fish, red meat, white meat – mix up the colours.

• Vary your exercise, do lots of different gym programmes, play a variety of sports, don’t do the same thing every time you train.

• Vary your lifestyle, go to new places, try new activities, learn new things.

• Variety and progression = Constant improvement.

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4. ACTIVE LIFESTYLE • It’s all about balance; family, partner, friends, work, play – not to mention time on your own.

• Go outside. Enjoy the sun (if any) and get lots of fresh air.

• Movement is essential to maintain good digestive function and blood circulation.

• Stimulate the brain with new experiences, people and places.

• Try and find a game or sport that you could enjoy with your family/partner/friends on a weekly basis.

5. GO ORGANIC • Organic food is grown without the use of toxic pesticides, herbicides, fungicides or chemical fertilisers.

• Organic foods are produced in ways that support a healthy environment.

• Support your local organic farmers and food producerss.

• Avoid GMOs and all processed foods.

For more advice or to have a personalised health and fitness plan designed specifically for you contact Bodyguards Fitness Service Ltd on (0191) 239 9000, email: info@bodyguardsapt.com or visit web: www.bodyguardsapt.com

INTERVIEW

Get to know me ...

Lucy Elliott Corporate finance associate director at Tait Walker LLP

When I was growing up I wanted to be a ballet dancer. As a six year old I was convinced that it was the only conceivable option.

My life obviously didn’t turn out exactly as I had planned, despite my parents paying for endless dance lessons, competitions and exams.

My first job was as a dance teacher.

At the age of 16, every Saturday morning I taught dance to groups of around 15 children. It was quite an unconventional first job but I loved it – the extra money didn’t go amiss either; I didn’t earn much but it burnt a hole in my pocket.

I’d tell my 18 year old self not to wish your life away, being an adult can be overrated! There is a lot to be said about enjoying an uncomplicated life while you can – travel, make new friends, laugh every day, make mistakes and learn from them. Get into the habit of doing things that scare you and be brave – nothing is ever as frightening as you first think.

Finally, and probably most importantly, remember nothing good ever happens after 2am on a night out, so don’t let other people persuade you to stay out longer!

I’m inspired by people who manage to fulfill their dreams and who stop at nothing to make a positive difference to other’s lives.

On a more personal level, I am always inspired to succeed when others say that something cannot be done. My parents taught me that I could achieve anything and I carry that sentiment with me throughout adult life. Professionally, I'm inspired by the entrepreneurs I meet who have established businesses that do incredible things. I meet so many inspirational people in my current role and it’s great to be able to help them on their journey.

My greatest achievement is, hopefully, yet to come. I’m extremely grateful for my

whole family are a fantastic support system, nothing is ever too much trouble – you could say they are on 24 hour emergency call.

I love the theatre and always jump at the chance to see touring musicals, plays and other productions at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle or the Empire Theatre in Sunderland. I also love to travel to London to see West End shows and I recently saw Jersey Boys on Broadway while in New York, which was fantastic.

In my spare time I love to socialise. It is very rare that I have no plans – evenings and weekends are always scheduled quite far in advance much to my husband’s dismay. I also love to travel and this summer we flew into San Francisco and drove down the Route 1 Pacific Coast Highway to Los Angeles, there was so much to see and do – two weeks wasn’t long enough.

path in life so far and, at 31, I feel I have a lot more to give and to experience. Happiness in itself is a great achievement and I am lucky to have such amazing family, friends, colleagues and a career that I enjoy.

In five years’ time I’ll be happy. A

When I need a helping hand, I speak to my mum. We are very close and she is

relatively simple request I would say. A lottery win obviously wouldn’t go a miss either; I think I could easily live the life of a multi-millionaire!

fantastic at solving practical problems and offering advice – usually over a cup of tea. My

www.taitwalker.co.uk

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